Parson to Person
So much is happening in the life of First Presbyterian Church. I am using this space to bring you up to date on a plethora of current happenings, emerging plans, and a potpourri of items of interest to the mission, ministry, work and worship of this Body of Christ as you prepare for your next chapter.
Preparation and Time Line for Calling an Installed Pastor
Session established a flexible time line and initial steps toward seeking God’s preference for the calling of the next installed pastor and crafting the material for the Church Information Form (CIF)—the written resume of First Presbyterian Church. This work began on the first weekend in February when the Session invested a weekend in a series of discernment events. That time led toward session forming five task groups working on written material in the following areas: the history of FPC; Biblical images of FPC; FPC’s demographic profile, the community context of Portland; and FPC’s core values. Those component drafts have been under construction for two months of discernment and revision. Over the weekend of April 11-13 oral reports were shared with the session as a whole. Recommendations for clarification, addition and expansion were articulated. The task groups are continuing to refine their written work.
Table Talk
On Sunday, April 13, Dr. John Sharick led an adult education hour on the trajectory steps for calling the next installed pastor. That was followed with a lunch and Table Talk. Two questions were posed to the 228 people in attendance at 30 tables. The two questions were: What do you believe God is calling First Presbyterian Church to be in the years from now to 2015? And, what do you believe God is calling First Presbyterian Church to do in the years from now to 2015?
The summary of the issues and thoughts of the membership has been printed and is available on the website, in Geneva Hall, and from the glass office.
In House Leadership Retreat, May 9 and 10
Over the weekend the session, deacons, and trustees will be working on another dimension of preparing the CIF. On Friday night and all day Saturday the elected leadership will be drafting three more written components leading toward the completion of the CIF. Those components are as follows: Vision Statement, Pastor Profile, and Ministry Initiatives. In addition, the leadership will work on the refinement of the other five task groups above.
Congregation Nominating Committee
Session has requested the Congregation Nominating Committee (CNC) to recommend to session a group of potential nominees to serve as the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). Session will consult with the CNC and recommend to the congregation candidates for the PNC who are both representative of the congregation and who embrace the vision and direction for the next chapter in the work, worship, mission and ministry of FPC.
You are invited to submit a name or names of potential nominees. Nomination forms will be inserted in the next two Sunday worship bulletins.
Getting it All Together!
Between now and mid June session, the CNC, and the Presbytery of the Cascades Committee on Ministry (COM) will be working together to deliver the CIF for approval and permission to elect the PNC and begin the search for the next installed pastor.