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The Pastoral Search Committee

The Pastoral Search Ccommittee acts as a liaison for the congregation, to guide us through the process of finding a new Pastor for First Congregational Church.  You may approach any of the members to discuss traits and talents that are expected in the new pastor.  It is the committee’s intention to keep the congregation informed and to have your input considered at every step of the search process. 

Notes from the Committee

The Pastoral Search Committee has been extremely busy for almost a year. Over the spring, summer, and fall months we have met regularly and worked on the materials that needed to be completed prior to our search for a new Pastor. After welcoming our Interim Pastor, Reg, to our church family, he immediately began to assist us in our survey and strategic planning. By assimilating all the information gathered from members, we were able to complete our Church Profile and our invitation letter to prospective pastors. All of the completed documents have been sent to the UCC office in Lansing where it will be posted on their web-site. This provides for nationwide exposure and allows prospective pastors an opportunity to review our invitation and decide if they would like to interview with us.

The next step in the process will be to receive inquiries from interested clergy and begin our internal review and interview process. Our goal is to find the best Permanent Pastor to help us continue to shape our vision, assist us in meeting the goals of our Strategic Plan, and lead us forward to accomplish the Lord’s work.

 

Search Committee Members
Bill Putney, Chair

Caroline Schultz, Secretary

Members
Bob Baden
Karen Galvin
Denise Gregg
Kim Hazel
Lisa Hughes
L
aurel Lydy
Deuane Martin

Fred Moore
Pat O'Connor

Carroll Simmons

Survey Results

The Church Surveys were mailed to 180 individual members and/or active participants in the Church.  Seventy-two surveys were completed and returned; giving us a response rate of 40%.  Information was gathered in the following areas of our Church Life:

 Personal Information;  Church participation; views of our Organizational Characteristics; sense of congregational identity; views about the facilities; best and worst times for programs; views on the Bible, Sin and Salvation; and God and Justice.

A PowerPoint presentation covering the above areas was presented and factually given with some interpretation to the Search Committee.  Using this data, it is the responsibility of the Search Committee to complete the Local Church Profile forms.  When the Profile is completed and posted, other pastors from within the UCC may officially apply for the Pastoral position.  We have a goal to have the Profile completed for fall applicants. 

Information from the Surveys is available in a PowerPoint summary, which was shown on June 1st after the Service in The Oak Room.