How we embrace the process of calling a minister!
Presbyterians believe that God uses committees, papers, procedures, and our polity, sprinkled with a generous measure of prayer, Scripture, and worship, to help us discern who it is that God is calling to be our pastor. This call is confirmed as the pastor, the church, and the presbytery each say “yes” to the relationship.
This three-way partnership is acted out throughout the pastoral call process, with the presbytery having the primary responsibility for oversight of the process. “... No pastoral relationship may be established, changed, or dissolved without the approval of the presbytery” (Book of Order, G-2.0502).
Our PNC is following the guidelines from our Lehigh Presbytery. We are using consensus for our decision making while discerning the direction God has chosen for our congregation. The following steps are used. Multiple candidates can be on any step as we proceed.
Read the Pastor Information Forms-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Listen to online sermons-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Call the person to learn of his/her interest-
yes, continue, no- start with other names
Interview the person long distance-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Discuss at length multiple work of that person-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Visit that person-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Bring the person here-
Meet with us and Committee on Ministry ( Lehigh Presbytery)-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step
Agree on Terms of Call
When all the steps are completed, we will have located the person God is calling to CHPC and a congregational meeting will be requested so all members have a say.
Presbyterians believe that God uses committees, papers, procedures, and our polity, sprinkled with a generous measure of prayer, Scripture, and worship, to help us discern who it is that God is calling to be our pastor. This call is confirmed as the pastor, the church, and the presbytery each say “yes” to the relationship.
This three-way partnership is acted out throughout the pastoral call process, with the presbytery having the primary responsibility for oversight of the process. “... No pastoral relationship may be established, changed, or dissolved without the approval of the presbytery” (Book of Order, G-2.0502).
Our PNC is following the guidelines from our Lehigh Presbytery. We are using consensus for our decision making while discerning the direction God has chosen for our congregation. The following steps are used. Multiple candidates can be on any step as we proceed.
Read the Pastor Information Forms-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Listen to online sermons-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Call the person to learn of his/her interest-
yes, continue, no- start with other names
Interview the person long distance-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Discuss at length multiple work of that person-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Visit that person-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step or not
Bring the person here-
Meet with us and Committee on Ministry ( Lehigh Presbytery)-
evaluate and decide by consensus to go to the next step
Agree on Terms of Call
When all the steps are completed, we will have located the person God is calling to CHPC and a congregational meeting will be requested so all members have a say.