A Time of Transition

Community Presbyterian Church of Buckley is in a transition time. What exactly does that mean? In the Presbyterian Church we believe that pastors are called to their churches, not placed. We have a distinctive and thorough process to allow God to speak to the church through a nominating committee (called the Pastor Nominating Committee or PNC) and call the next installed pastor. It is a longer process than some churches, but has proven a good way for a church to spend time in assessing its mission, its call and its sense of identity and so to match the quest of the pastors seeking a position with the church.

The process begins with the Session of the church selecting an Interim Pastor who is trained in Interim Ministry to walk with the church during the transitional time, to help the church do the assessments necessary, undertake a mission study, write a mission statement, fill out the Church Information Form (CIF) and in general get ready for a new ministry under a new shepherd.

The early part of the interim time moves through a set process. Buckley Community is through the first stage of Interim Ministry and is poised to work on the Mission Study and elect the Pastor Nominating Committee. The last stage, the actual seeking for the pastor, always seems to be the longest. The PNC will read dossiers (called Personal Information Forms or PIF”s) and continue the prayerful, interesting and challenging task of matching the qualities, gifts and talents of the searching pastors with the desires of the congregation. Because the work of the PNC is confidential, the reports to the congregation are simply that the process is working and about the stages of the process.

The process is entirely in God’s hands. God directs, God speaks, God hears our prayers and even now God is preparing that individual who will be the next pastor here to listen to God’s call upon his or her heart. Steeped in prayer, our transition time can be a wonderful way for the congregation to get excited about the next stage of ministry while continuing with the good work of Christ in our neighborhood.

Elaine Swigart

Interim Pastor
Email: ejswigart@comcast.net