Co-Presbyter Search
Personal statements about this exciting new change in our presbytery structure
J.C. Rouchon, Search Committee Member
Our presbytery covers a rather large area of urban, suburban and rural communities. Our pastors are being called upon to address the challenges of forever changing socio-economic conditions of their church membership- unemployment, poverty, domestic violence brought about over the past few decades to a great extent by the challenges of a global economy. As our members of clergy continue to be challenged with matters of congregational vitality, theology, and social justice, they are often left to cope with their own needs with limited resources.
The past and current structure of our presbytery has not always been focused on pastoral needs. The new Co-Presbyter model with the focus on pastoral vitality will undoubtedly fill an area of significant need; our pastors and families are in need of spiritual care. The new Co-Presbyter for Pastoral Vitality will be a servant-leader who will proactively promote and affirm pastoral growth—both spiritual and personal—as well as encourage and enable the pastors and their congregations to fulfill the vision of glorifying God by knowing, living and serving Christ.
Linda Badger Becker, Acting Co-Presbyter for Program, Presbytery of Genesee Valley
The Co-Presbyter model provides an opportunity to establish new and healthier relationships within the Presbytery as all members work together. The model provides a beacon of hope for the future as we seek new ways to be faithful to the radical claims of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In light of denominational and congregational decline, we cannot afford to keep doing what we have always done. The previous model of executive leadership is no longer serving well in the current context of culture and church. Transformation calls for new models which will (and should) turn our world upside down.
I am a looking forward to discovering new ways to be a catalyst in partnership with a colleague that embraces the values of servant leadership.
Rev. Laurel Nelson, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Wyoming
I entered this Presbytery close to four years ago. It is the first Presbytery I’ve been a member of, so I have no other experience but here. However, from the beginning, I’ve been struck by a feeling of being included as a colleague in the full sense of the word.
Personally, I’ve been encouraged, supported and challenged through a weekly lectionary group and developing relationships with other pastors. Congregationally, I’m impressed with the number of opportunities for learning that are offered to churches of all sizes, and I’ve encouraged the small-membership church I serve to take advantage of these as much as possible. We take particular advantage of the Resource Center, being grateful for the wealth of resources and the ability to “try out” media technology in worship. We also utilize the gifts of the acting Co-Presbyter for Program and have appreciated her active advocacy supporting transformation in our congregation.
Since from the very beginning I’ve experienced a sense of equality and have rarely sensed hierarchy from the Presbytery, a year or so ago I agreed to serve on a ministry team to help re-structure the staffing makeup of the Presbytery to better reflect the collegial atmosphere that already organically exists here. After taking many opportunities to listen to the Presbytery, the team helped initiate the co-presbyter model.
I feel that this model will mesh better with the people and programs that already make up our presbytery, and I’m excited to see what God will do with the right candidate called to be Co-Presbtyer for Pastoral Vitality. I see this person working with pastors in similar ways that the Acting Co-Presbyter for Program works with congregations, developing pastors’ gifts, increasing their sense of being supported through developing networks of support within the already-existing collegiality I’ve experienced.
Rev. Merl Galusha, Financial Administrator
I believe that a vibrant and vital Presbytery is found where there is an association of vibrant and vital Presbyterian Congregations working together to Know Christ, Live Christ, Share Christ. Our Presbytery affirmed its commitment to this Vision and its Implementing Strategy by calling for a new Presbytery staffing design that would help us to live into the Vision.
I believe this new Co-Presbyter design will focus the goal of Presbytery leadership resources on the task of being catalysts for the spiritual growth and development of our Congregations and their Pastors. It is a hopeful thing to look forward to doing new things in a new way. Bringing a team approach to the service of the people of our Presbytery allows each member of the team to contribute gifts of wisdom, energy, and encouragement for the upbuilding of our Pastors and Congregations in ministry and mission.
In this way the ministry and mission of the Presbytery itself is also enlivened and enlarged. I am looking forward to seeing how God leads our Presbytery forward through the team ministry of our Co-Presbyters.