Home Contact Us
Staff Page		 Forms Publications

Congregations Ministers

Vacancy Counselors Committee

Committee Members

  Barnhill, Ann Montgomery, Anne  
  Graham, William Murphree, Steve  
  Keck, David Rodgers, W. Gerard  
Hawes, John Stiles, Phillip J.
Marks, Richard Walston-Bailey, Tracey

Outline for the Pastor Search / Call Process
 
 
Congregation/PNC Committee on Ministry
   
PASTOR consults with the COM before informing Session of any intention to resign pastorate. COM consults with pastor regarding details of announcement to Session.
SESSION considers when and how to inform congregation and the advisability of calling an Interim Pastor or other options COM consults with Session about next steps, including calling an Interim Pastor or other options for leadership in the vacancy period, and when a PNC may be elected.
SESSION calls a congregational meeting to concur in pastor's request to dissolve relationship. COM designates a Vacancy Counselor to attend this congregational meeting, and if possible, moderate.
COM representative meets with Session to determine need for interim leadership prior to election of PNC.
SESSION makes arrangements for payment of pension, vacancy dues, or temporary pastor's pension dues. COM appoints a Session Moderator.
SESSION calls second congregational meeting to elect PNC. VACANCY COUNSELOR is present. explains process to be followed in search and to discuss action on equal opportunity employment.
SESSION sets directions/goals which informs PNC and interim pastor. New Hope Presbytery suggests a self-study or mission study as part of this process prior to work on the Church Information Form (CIF) VACANCY COUNSELOR is available to assist process.
PNC completes CIF. VACANCY COUNSELOR works with PNC on completing CIF (trains and assists)
PNC meets with Vacancy Counselor to review CIF, discuss situation, needs, accuracy and impact of CIF  
SESSION approves CIF and Clerk signs three copies.  
PNC transmits three signed copies of CIF to Vacancy Counselor for transmittal to Presbytery office. VACANCY COUNSELOR reviews CIF's, and if acceptable, signs and forwards to Presbytery Staff for review. A copy is sent to Call Referral Services, a copy is kept in Presbytery office, and a copy is sent to the Clerk of Session.
PNC meets with Vacancy Counselor for training and study of PIF's. VACANCY COUNSELOR trains PNC in reading, evaluating and ranking all PIF's to be received.
PNC begins to get PIF's, ranking those received from all sources through Presbytery office. < PRESBYTERY office orders and sends PIF's, via Vacancy Counselor, to PNC.
PNC requests clearance from Presbytery Staff to contact ministers in whom they are interested. COM, Presbytery Staff, and/or Vacancy Counselor makes preliminary reference checks in ministers of special interest to PNC.
PNC narrows the list of finalists, ranks by first choice, second, etc. Then PNC negotiates with first choice. If no call seems to be there, PNC negotiates with next choice, and so on.  
PNC asks for an examination arrangements after negotiations are successful. PNC submits proposed terms of call and covenant to COM. COM hears report from Examinations Committee. Reviews terms of call. Interviews prospective minister and PNC. If the way is clear, appropriate motions are made to present call to Presbytery.
PNC, following the examination and interview with COM, asks the Session to call a congregational meeting to present the proposed call to them for approval.  
CONGREGATION meets to hear report, elect pastor, and elect persons to sign call. STATED CLERK receives report on nominees for Commission to Ordain/Install.
PASTOR-ELECT, PNC, and/or SESSION gives imput regarding Commission to Ordain/Install to Stated Clerk. PRESBYTERY approves call, receives minister, appoints Commission to Ordain/Install.
CONGREGATION gathers for Ordination/ Installation. PRESBYTERY, through is Commission, ordains/installs pastor.
CONGREGATION members are encouraged to designate persons to be present at Presbytery meeting. PRESBYTERY STAFF checks progress in six months with Session, PNC, and pastor. Reports to COM.
PNC continues as ad hoc support group for new pastor, (one year). VACANCY COUNSELOR OR PRESBYTERY STAFF may assist Session in review of covenant/work of the church after one year.
 
 
Electing a Pastor Nominating Committee

Book of Order G-14-0502

When a church is without a pastor, or after the effective date of the dissolution of the pastoral relationship, the congregation shall, with the guidance and permission of the committee on ministry, G-11.0502d. proceed to elect a pastor in the following manner. The session shall call a congregational meeting to elect a nominating committee, which shall be representative of the whole congregation. This committee's duty shall be to nominate a minister to the congregation for election as pastor. Public notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be given at least ten days in advance, which shall include two successive Sundays. Electing a Pastor Nominating Committee (Suggested Model)

■  Session meets to set date and time for congregation to meet to elect a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC).

         Ten days notice must be given including two successive Sundays.

         Session suggests size of committee and recommends to congregation, (final authority for PNC rests with congregation).

■  Nominations for the PNC are best made by the church-wide nominating committee (the group that nominates the congregation's elders, deacons and trustees)

■  Nominating Committee should provide a mechanism for receiving input of names from congregation.

■  Nominating Committee's slate representative of the whole congregation. congregation. Persons contacted to determine if they will serve if elected.

■  Ballot prepared in advance with space for nominations for the floor. Care must be taken that persons nominated from the floor are present and have agreed to serve, or that they have consented in advance.

■  C.O.M. representative should moderate congregational meeting (or be present to advise) when PNC is elected it at all possible.

■  P.N.C. meets briefly following congregational meeting to e1ect a convener and to set date and time for their first meeting.

■  C.O.M. representative present at the first meeting to orient P.N.C. Session should be present for first 30 minutes of the meeting so that information is shared with all leadership and roles are clarified.
 

© 2002 - New Hope Presbytery