Pastoral Search Committee

Published on November 05, 2009 by Jim Tudor

The Pastoral Search Committee has recommended enthusiastically and unanimously--and the Session has unanimously concurred--that Aaron Turner be called as "Assistant to the Pastor" with a three-year commitment. Although Aaron is a Reformed Baptist (and thus cannot be ordained in the PCA), both the Committee and the Session feel strongly that Aaron's particular gifts so match our needs at this time that the issue of ordination is, in the short run, secondary--especially under the consideration that this is a three-year position as Assistant to the Pastor and not as an Assistant or Associate Pastor. The job description and posting of this position specifically mentioned that we might hire an Assistant to the Pastor as the candidate pool dictated. Thus, this call is consistent with that original job description. Calling of an Assistant to the Pastor requires neither Presbytery nor congregational approval._The Session does desire, however––for everyone’s sake––to have a congregational conversation regarding the committee’s recommendation.Because Aaron is now leading our youth (and would continue to do so under this arrangement), there is a slight modification of the original job description to include youth work. Since we consequently will not need a separate youth leader, this may open up a part-time pastoral-leadership position that could be filled with someone who would take on some of the responsibilities included under the original posting for this position.