The PNC Process

Since we have now completed our self-study, Westminster is ready to move to the next phase.  Within the next few weeks, we will select a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) that will conduct the search for our new senior pastor.  This is a good time to review the process.

 Usually PNCs consist of between 5 and 15 members.  The Session has decided that we will have 9 members:  4 men, 4 women and 1 youth.  We chose this number in order to have all segments of our church represented and yet keep the committee to a workable size.  In many churches, the PNC has taken a year or more to finish its work.  During that time, one or more members may have to resign because of relocation, illness, or for other reasons.  If members do leave the committee, they will not be replaced.  We wanted to begin with an adequate number so that the PNC can continue its work following any attrition.

 The 2007 Nominating Committee has the responsibility of nominating a slate of candidates for the PNC.  The following members serve on this committee:  Alex Denson, chair; Bruce Cunningham, vice-chair; Bill Hatch, diaconate representative; and at-large members:  Ralph Coonrad, Anthony Dilweg, Jennifer Feiler, and Susan Ketch.

 The ’07 Nominating Committee expects to present a slate of candidates at a congregational meeting on July 8 at the beginning of the 11 a.m. worship service.  At that time, other nominations may be made from the floor.  The slate will be in 3 sections:  one for 4 men, one for 4 women, and one for 1 youth.  Nominations from the floor will be for the appropriate section.  Ballots will be printed in preparation for the election on July 22 at 11 a.m.  The printed ballots will contain the names of the Nominating Committee’s slate as well as names of persons who were nominated from the floor on July 8.  It will also contain blank lines.  Additional nominations from the floor for any section of the slate will be accepted at the beginning of the July 22 meeting.  However, it will be necessary to write in the names of these most recently nominated candidates in order to vote for them.

 If there are nominations from the floor as to any section of the slate, that section will be put to a vote of all members present.  Those sections of the slate for which there are no nominations from the floor will be elected by acclamation. 

It is important to remember that the PNC is a committee of the congregation to be chosen by the congregation and to report only to the congregation.  Accordingly, in addition to the authority to nominate candidates from the floor, the congregation has the authority to change the size of the PNC or the method of electing it.  These changes may be made by majority vote on a motion made and seconded at the July 8 meeting.

 We realize that some of you may be impatient at the slow pace of this process.  Please remember that these rules reflect many years of experience by our denomination, and in accordance with them, we are on track to select our new senior pastor.  In the meantime, we are fortunate to have a wonderful interim pastor, Dr. Jack Walchenbach, and his wife, Pat.                                                             

                                                                                    Alex Denson, Chair

                                                                                    ’07 Nominating Committee