How decisions are made at Park Avenue
The Organizational Structure at Park Avenue
Park Avenue UMC uses a single governance model. The Leadership Board makes overall decisions, while sub-groups handle specific issues and make recommendations. SPRC (Staff Parish Relations Committee) responsibilities are also managed this way.
Several years ago, PAUMC moved to a “single governance model” for the church. It operates with a single overall decision-making body, the Leadership Board, which commissions sub-groups to address key topics and issues that arise for the church, reporting directly to the Leadership Board. SPRC (Staff Parish Relations Committee) matters are handled in this way, with specific topics and issues being addressed by sub-groups that then make recommendations to the full Leadership Board which acts as the full SPRC for final decisions.
Transition to a New Senior Pastor
A sub-group, led by Bert Hepp and Karyn Sciortino-Johnson, will hold listening sessions with the congregation to guide recommendations for the new Senior Pastor.
PAUMC is in the process of transitioning to a new Senior Pastor. Bert Hepp and Karyn Sciortino-Johnson have offered to partner to co-lead a diverse group of people to hold listening sessions with the whole congregation and make recommendations from that input regarding the church’s needs for a new Senior Pastor. (This is an example of a sub-group addressing a very important topic.)
Interim Period and Governance Choices
During this interim period, the Leadership Board/SPRC model remains in effect. Once the new pastor arrives, decisions will be made about whether to keep this model or return to traditional committees.
PAUMC is in an interim period—waiting and preparing for what “will be”. When the new Senior Pastor is in place, one of the early decisions to be made will be regarding the governance model to use going forward. That is: should there be ongoing separate committees put back in place as in the past or should we continue in a single governance model—or something different? For now and throughout the remainder of the interim period, we will continue with the Leadership Board/SPRC model, engaging congregants in commissioned sub-groups to participate in addressing topics that require attention, including the listening sessions and recommendations regarding the next Senior Pastor.
Leadership Board/SPRC Membership
Members serve three-year terms, with new members elected each December. The Nominations and Leadership Committee, led by Josh Windham, is beginning the process of recommending candidates.
The Leadership Board/SPRC serves for 3-year terms, and new members are elected to that Board in December of each year. This year, the Nominations and Leadership Committee, established earlier in the year and currently chaired by Josh Windham, will make recommendations regarding candidates to be elected to the Leadership Board/SPRC, as well as other key ongoing committees of the church. They are currently beginning the process of identifying and recommending candidates for the next Leadership Board/SPRC.
How You Can Get Involved
If you are interested in serving on the Leadership Board/SPRC or other key committees addressing the business of the church, please reach out to info@parkavechurch.org to connect with us and learn more.