June 6, 2005

Speaking the Truth in Love

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

Certain themes emerge as I move among you. Recently a number of pastors have been concerned over the evaluation process in their congregations. Let me share a few thoughts.

I believe that the pastor is a member of a church’s Personnel Committee and should take the initiative in developing the process by which staff AND the pastor are evaluated. I also believe that it is the pastor’s responsibility to see that the church has a Personnel Policy. And I believe it is the pastor’s responsibility to participate in the evaluation of staff – at times encouraging staff to excel and at other times protecting staff from over-zealous Personnel Committees or unfair criticism from members.

I commend for your consideration a few resources. Every pastor and Personnel Committee should have a copy of the Guidelines for Session Personnel Committees (you can download it at http://www.pcusa.org/cps/pdf/gspcguidelines.pdf ). Another helpful resource might be When Better Isn’t Enough by Jill Hudson. Still another resource is the conversation regarding Appreciative Inquiry that I have read in Alban Institute material.

National Capital Presbytery has workshops for Personnel Committees – is this something you would like us to do? I am more than willing to talk with you regarding the processes used in my former churches – just give me a call and we can chat.

Feedback is the only way we learn – that’s why our sermons were video-taped in seminary. Most of us who are married find our spouses are more than willing to help. But too may churches do this poorly. May your ministry be enriched by the love and insight of your congregations.

Blessings,

Peter Nord

Inside this issue

Take Note/Act Now

§ New Staff Members

§ Nonviolence Training Event

§ Out of Chaos. Hope

§ Mission Personnel

§ Job Opportunities Online

§ Local Church Announcements

Prayer Concerns

§ Deer Creek Harmony PC

§ Madison Avenue PC

People

Prayers for Elizabeth Johnson (Dickey Memorial PC) on the death of grandmother, Martha Garrett Hanna, on July 17.

Congratulations to Tim and Saranell Hartman (Next Generation NCD) on the birth of their son, Simeon Macy Hartman on July 20. Simeon weighed in at 10 lbs. 14 ozs.! *see p.2

Prayers for Dave Wilson (Grove PC) recovering at home after recent back surgery.

Steve Shussett (formerly pastor of 1^st, Frostburg and more recently Associate in Spiritual Formation, PCUSA) has been called to serve as Teaching (Executive) Presbyter in Lehigh Presbytery, Allentown, PA.

Prayer Concerns

Deer Creek Harmony PC asks for prayers:

§ That the Spirit will give us imagination and “holy daring” as we discern our future.

§ That we will find new ways to serve the needy in Harford County and beyond.

§ That our confirmands will grow in commitment to Jesus Christ and be blessed in their mentoring relationships.

Madison Avenue PC asks for prayers for:

§ The outgoing interim pastor, Rev. Frank Stephens and the incoming interim pastor, Rev. Dr. Carroll Jenkins.

§ The elders and leaders of the congregation as they interview for a permanent pastor and handle all other church related affairs in preparation for the new installed pastor.

Take Note/Act Now

The Presbytery of Baltimore is looking for five (5) new staff members: Associate for Mission and Justice, Coordinators of Resources and Communications, Director of Development, and Public Policy Advocate. Please encourage people you know to apply. More information can be found on the web at: www.baltimorepresbytery.org.

The Peace & Justice Committee is offering an event entitled "Transforming Violence Into Wholeness," a Nonviolence Training Event to be held September 23-25 at Frederick Presbyterian Church, in association with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), Nyack, NY.

Out of Chaos. Hope Presbyterian Disaster Assistance – updates on how PDA is responding to disasters worldwide www.pcusa.org/pda.

The list of PCUSA mission personnel who are available to do mission interpretation during 2005 and the first part of 2006 can be found at: www.pcusa.org/missionconnections. You are free to contact any mission worker listed and invite them to speak.