The pastoral search process continues along at a steady pace. The Transition Task Force met this evening. We will continue to receive resumes throughout the next month and the task force is laying groundwork to prescreen the 30+ resumes that we’ve already received.

The primary standard against which we evaluate candidates is the adopted job description for the role of Senior Pastor. The job description was compiled based on suggestions of Pastor Arden, priorities of the Leadership Board, and with consideration of the results of the Natural Church Development Survey.

The Task Force will step up the pace of meetings through the next several months in order to screen these applicants, gather additional information, and begin the interview process. While it is important to maintain a certain amount of confidentiality regarding the candidates, the Task Force will continue to strive to keep the Park Street congregation well-informed about the process.

The Transition Task Force is continuing to refine planning for the transitioning of senior leadership at Park Street. Listed below is an approximate timeline for action.

Please keep in mind that these are progress goals for each stage of the process and that finding God’s person for Park Street will be a greater priority than adhering to the timeline.

• September 1, 2008: Finalize Job Description
• September 10, 2008: Formal call for candidates
• October 1, 2008: Finalize Church Profile
• November 1, 2008: Deadline for receipt of candidates
• November 1 - December 15, 2008: First round of interviews conducted by Transition Task Force - Projected outcome: Identification of approximately 3 candidates for 2nd round of interviews.
• January 2009: Ongoing information gathering in preparation for 2nd round of interviews
• February 1-10, 2008: PSBC Staff and Leadership Board conduct 2nd round interviews
• February 10, 2008: Board votes to recommend candidate to congregation
• February 22 or March 1, 2008: Candidate visit to PSBC
• March 1, 2008: Congregational votes on whether to call candidate

We will continue to strive to offer regular updates to the PSBC congregation as new information becomes available. The task forces welcomes your signed questions at pastoralsearch [at] parkstreetbrethren.org or to the attention of the Transition Task Force, care of the Park Street Office, 619 Park Street, Ashland, Ohio, 44805.

The Transition Task Force met Sunday, July 20, to continue the process of preparing to call a new Senior Pastor. A tentative timeline has been prepared and will be presented to the Leadership Board for approval at the Board’s regular August meeting. This timeline outlines the target dates the Task Force will work toward throughout the process.

A “Frequently Asked Questions” section has been updated with responses to a number of questions the Task Force received at the July 2 informational meeting.

At the August meeting the Task Force will focus on the development of the formal job description that will be provided to potential candidates.

Information about the Pastoral Search Process
Congregational Meeting
July 2, 2008

1. Who is on the Transition Task Force?

Holly Finks, Ryan Gilmer, Jim Hess, Wendy Lance, Chad Lemon, Paul Ritchey, Dale Stoffer (chair)

2. How were they selected?

The task force is composed of the three members of the Executive Committee of the Leadership Board (Chad, Paul, and Dale), one staff person (Wende), and three people selected to provide diversity in age, gender, and worship service (Ryan, Jim, and Holly).

3. Should we limit the search only to Brethren candidates?

The Task Force and Leadership Board are agreed that we want God’s person, whether that person is Brethren or not. But we will not compromise on the issues of basic beliefs, Brethren practices, and ability to work with our church governance.

4. What means of communication will be used to keep the congregation informed about the process?

• We have established an email address through Park Street to which people can direct their questions and comments. It is pastoralsearch [at] parkstreetbrethren.org.
• Any emails sent to this address will be forwarded to Dale Stoffer or, in his absence, Chad Lemon. We will respond directly to any questions that are easily answered; we will confer with the rest of the Task Force if more involved issues arise.
• If people want to send a note to the Task Force, they can leave a note to Dale Stoffer’s attention at the Park Street office. All communications must be signed; no anonymous input will be received.
• We will give regular updates as we have new information through the bulletin, church website, and electronic announcements that scroll through on Sunday morning.

5. What is the process for the pastoral search?

• Develop an outline for the process and review the senior pastor’s job description (Task Force)
• Receive and prescreen resumes (Task Force)
• Top three candidates are recommended to the Leadership Board by the Task Force
• Candidates interview with Transition Task Force, Leadership Board, and Staff
• Best candidate is brought to the congregation with the recommendation of the Leadership Board for introduction, acquaintance, and review (the candidate will preach prior to a congregational vote)
• Congregational vote on recommended candidate. If a “no” vote is received from the congregation, the number two candidate, if qualified, will be brought to the congregation; otherwise the process will begin again with a new call for candidates.

6. What can we do to assist the process?

The most important role that you can play in the process is to offer regular prayer for all aspects of the process. Pray that:

• God will grant wisdom and discernment to our Transition Task Force, Leadership Board, and Staff.
• Our congregation’s hearts and minds will be open to the direction God wants us to go.
• God will prepare the heart of the person He has already chosen to lead us, and that He will guide that person to us.
• Pastor Arden will be blessed by his final year in ministry at Park Street.
• We will be of one voice in the choice of Park Street’s next leader.

This is the preliminary timeline that has been developed for the transition process. As you can see, dates are still to be determined, but that will occur in a future meeting of the Transition Task Force.

• Develop an outline for the process and review the senior pastor’s job description (Task Force)
• Receive and prescreen resumes (Task Force)
• Top three candidates are recommended to the Leadership Board by the Task Force
• Candidates interview with the Transition Task Force, Leadership Board, and Staff
• Best candidate is brought to the congregation with the recommendation of the Leadership Board for introduction, acquaintance, and review (the candidate will preach prior to a congregational vote)
• Congregational vote on recommended candidate. If a “no” vote is received from the congregation, the number two candidate, if qualified, will be brought to the congregation; otherwise the process will begin again with a new call for candidates.

Please remember, in order to keep everyone as informed as possible, announcements may be published while some details remain incomplete. Changes should be expected as the process unfolds.