Church Input for Our Senior Pastor Appointment

Now that we are operating well with our interim plan, we are starting work on the input we will give to our United Methodist Conference to inform their search for a new senior pastor to be appointed to our church.  The Conference has a structured process they use and the Leadership Board/SPRC (Staff Parish Relations Committee) will follow, and provide ways for the Congregation’s recommendations to be an integral part of our input. 

Bert Hepp and Karyn Sciortino-Johnson are partnering to co-lead a diverse group of people to hold listening sessions for members of the congregation. They will then participate in drawing conclusions from the Listening Sessions regarding the church’s needs in a new Senior Pastor.

Those Congregation Listening Sessions will take place in October; there will be more information on these sessions in the next few weeks, including details on the dates and times.

In addition to a Church Profile that will have a wide range of facts about our church and an assessment of our church’s racial and ethnic awareness, the Conference has asked specifically for the following information from us:

·       The top 3 missional priorities for Park in the foreseeable future

·       The characteristics and skills needed to lead Park Ave Church forward

Several members of the Park Avenue staff and some volunteers are gathering the information for the Church Profile, which will integrate the conclusions from the Congregation Listening sessions. The information and specific requirements that are submitted to the Conference by mid-December will be communicated to the Congregation.

We will continue to share updates with you about the process, dates, and what you need to know to be involved!