How Covenant will seek its next pastor

The Ministry Information Form prepared by the Pastor Nominating Committee and approved by the Covenant Session and the Ministry Transition Team of Cherokee Presbytery is now online and a copy is provided here: Covenant Presbyterian Church MIF (please click the link)

The call process

This graphic describes the call process within the Presbyterian Church (USA) that Covenant will follow in partnership with Cherokee Presbytery.

Acronyms Used in This Resource

A number of acronyms are used in the call process. To help you become familiar with the most common acronyms, we have listed them below.

MIF Ministry Information Form - this is a document created by the elected PNC, approved by the Covenant Session and Cherokee Presbytery, describing the life and witness of Covenant and its context and hopes for the future.              

CLC Church Leadership Connection

EP/GP Executive/General Presbyter - in our case GP, the Rev. Wilson Kennedy

PIF Personal Information Form - this is the form that Pastors open to considering or receiving a call complete to share who they are and their ministry experiences                                       

PNC Pastor Nominating Committee  - The group of 5-7 members elected by the congregation to seek our next Pastor.

COM Committee on Ministry - in Cherokee Presbytery this Committee is currently known as the Ministry Transitions Team.

CPM Committee on Preparation for Ministry - in Cherokee Presbytery this Committee is currently known as the Building Leaders Team.

suggestion form - which members should the congregation’s nominating committee consider to to serve on the pastor nominating committee (PNC)

CLICK HERE OR CLICK THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE SUGGESTION FORM FOR THE PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE.

The Congregational Nomination Committee is sharing their Suggestion Form asking members of our church which other members they see as having the gifts to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee soon to be formed. Suggestion Forms can be downloaded here or requested from the church office and are to be completed and returned by Sunday, September 11, 2022.

We invite the widest possible participation by pray and offering suggestions.

Covenant Presbyterian Church

Mission Study

June 2022

Matthew 5: 13-16 (The Message)

13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the

God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve

Lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in

the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city

on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do

you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand---shine. Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll

prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

A Prayer as we look to the future:

Living God---you are not finished with any of us yet. You transform in wonder and power.

You call us to join you in walking paths of grace and love throughout this broken and fearful world. You withheld nothing when Christ died to redeem and restore all of creation.

And Christ gathered us, his Church, telling us that nothing can separate us from His love.

Because of whom, Christ is, we gather as a church, to live, transcending culture,

to join Christ's redeeming work in our neighborhoods and throughout the earth.

God, help us to dream and hope, help us to live in bold faith saying, "Here I am, Lord. Send me."

Help us to live in the vitality of your Spirit and the joy of your community until we get to see you face-to-face.

Lord, as we discern, as we seek your will and your plan for our life together,

help us be courageous and committed to following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Click this [LINK] to download your own copy of the document that compiled all the input received from the congregation at the MISSION STUDY GATHERING on SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022, and some of the analysis and suggestions now under review by the Session.

If you have any feedback and/or reflection, please submit it to the Session or Interim Pastor, Don Esa at donesa@covepres.com .