A Time of Transition
With the retirement of our pastor on April 30, 2019, a team was elected by the Session to begin the search for an interim pastor. In the meantime, we had pulpit supply ministers each Sunday until January 2020, when our Interim Pastor arrived at Madison Presbyterian Church.
The goal of this time of transition was to provide opportunities for our congregation put our history into perspective, recognizing that what we will become in the future is related to who we have been in the past. In the early months of the COVID-19 related closures, however, many of our priorities and hopes, as well as our timelines, had to be revised.
Transition Team
Our Transition Team was formed in July 2020 to begin guiding the congregation in exercises to gather information and the process of preparing a Mission Study Report. This was especially challenging in this COVID-19 year; progress was slowed by our inability to meet face-to-face. A church-wide survey was conducted with over 70 responses from active and past members, friends of the church, and those who have connected with us via Facebook.; the Transition Team and Session reviewed and assessed the results. In March 2021 a Mission Study Report was complete that encompasses our Heritage (past), Congregational Life (present), Identity& Mission, Demographics (church and community), Financial Trends, and Vision for the Future.
In April 2021 the Session of Madison Presbyterian Church and the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of the James accepted the final Mission Study Report, and the COM approved formation of a Pastor Nominating Committee.
Pastor Nominating Committee
In May 2021 the congregation elected a Pastor Nominating Committee. The PNC will write the Ministry Information Form (MIF), have it approved by the Session and the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, and begin reviewing candidates. Through it all, the PNC, Session, and Congregation will continue to pray for discernment and wisdom in the calling of our next pastor.