Pastor Nominating Committee
Whenever there is a vacant Pastoral position within a Presbyterian church, the congregation elects a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) whose responsibility it is to find the person that God is calling to lead and serve the congregation.
On March 29, 2009, The National Presbyterian Church (NPC) elected the nominated members of the PNC who now meet weekly to work on the search process. The PNC was trained by the Committee on Ministry in order to equip its members and the committee as a whole to move forward in God's will toward seeking the next Pastor for NPC. We proceed carefully and diligently while moving as expeditiously as good order and discipline allow. We pray (and covet your prayers) that the Holy Spirit will lead us throughout the process.
A major task for the PNC has been to produce a Church Information Form (CIF). This form serves as a "window" into NPC. It is designed to give a valid description of NPC to prospective ministers and to outline the requirements for the Pastor position. The CIF has been approved by the Session and National Capitol Presbytery and posted on the NPC and presbytery websites, and the PNC is receiving and reviewing suggestions as well as candidate Personal Information Forms (PIF).
The PNC will collect and screen profiles from interested pastors as well as follow up on referrals from members of the congregation, Presbytery and General Assembly offices. As the list of candidates is narrowed, the PNC will begin the process of listening to sermons, checking references and speaking with candidates. After prayerful consideration, a decision will be made to extend a call (or offer) to the chosen candidate, who, upon acceptance, will need to be approved by the Committee on Ministry, Session, and congregation.
(Note: Because of the professional ramifications for candidates, the PNC process is conducted on a strictly confidential basis.)
Church Information Form (CIF):
Click here to read the CIF.
Suggestions/Comments:
Please send all suggestions and comments to
Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) Members:
Click here to see a list of PNC members and their biographies.
Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) Officers:
Chair - Matthew Teems
Vice Chair - Ann Reid
Recording Secretary - Alease Johnson
Corresponding Secretary - Marge Bernbaum
Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) Updates:
June 6, 2011
The National Presbyterian Church PNC is happy to announce the selection of
In prayerfully considering Dr. Renwick, the PNC, with the support of the National Capital Presbytery,
examined his experience, heart for ministry, character and demonstrated leadership skills. We
enthusiastically and wholeheartedly endorse him as the new pastor that the Lord has chosen to
lead NPC in worship and service. After phone and in-person interviews and hearing him preach
in person, we have prayerfully come to this decision and are happy to announce a unanimous vote
to call Dr. Renwick and confirmation of the call from the congregation.
April 10, 2011
The Pastor Nominating Committee has considered a dozen new applications since the beginning of the year.
We are currently conducting telephone and face-to-face interviews with several promising candidates.
As we continue through the season of Lent, we ask the Lord to prepare us as a congregation for the
Senior Pastor he has for NPC.
December 7, 2010
The Pastor Nominating Committee continues to review candidates and new applications as they are received.
The committee is grateful for the congregation's prayers, and we continue to ask for your suggestions.
For details on the pastoral search process or to make a recommendation, please contact us at
June 27, 2010
The Pastor Nominating Committee encourages us all to be in prayer as we prepare our hearts and await
God's timing for the Senior Pastor of his choosing. Suggested scripture meditation for this week:
Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the
hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
June 20, 2010
The Pastor Nominating Committee is thankful for good progress. After considering almost
200 candidates, we have recently been conducting telephone and face-to-face interviews and church visits
with our top candidates. The committee is grateful for the congregation's prayers for God's continued
guidance in this process. As we wait on the Lord together, we would like to share some scripture verses on
which we may focus our thoughts and prayers. Scripture for the week: Hebrews 11:1.
April 18, 2010
The Pastor Nominating Committee is conducting telephone and face-to-face interviews
and members of the committee are making church visits. We also continue to review new applications as they are
received. The committee is grateful for the congregation's prayers for God's guidance in this process. We are
praying that the Lord will give us wisdom in the choice we make - that we might collectively hear God's call
leading us to the person he has chosen to serve NPC. We continue to ask for your suggestions and prayers. For
details on the pastoral search process or to make a recommendation, please contact us at
September 28, 2009 - Continuing Work and Welcoming Suggestions
The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) is in the process of reviewing and responding to more than 140
Personal Information Forms and recommendations. We continue to ask for your suggestions and prayers. For details
on the pastoral search process or to make a recommendation, please contact us at
August 2, 2009 - Continuing Work and Welcoming Suggestions
The Pastor Nominating Committee is meeting weekly and is receiving and reviewing recommendations
and Personal Information Forms. We continue to welcome your recommendations and feedback. Please
contact us at
July/August 2009 - Work on the Church Information Form (CIF)
The Pastor Nominating Committee was commissioned in Sunday morning services on June 14, 2009.
They began meeting in mid-April; however, committee members felt that the commissioning was
important in order to formally introduce them to the congregation and to ask for the continued
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The first task was to write, and submit to Session, the Church Information Form (CIF), which
will be read by candidates. This document announces our pastoral vacancy and describes our
church and the position to be filled. The committee welcomes your feedback and will be hosting
several opportunities in the coming months for interaction after Sunday services and in Sunday
school classes and other church gatherings. E-mail comments or recommendations to
June 14, 2009 - PNC Commissioning and Meeting with Congregation
The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has been meeting and working since mid-April.
Representatives of the PNC are available today in the Senior Pastor's office
after both services to speak with interested individuals. The PNC now has a
dedicated e-mail address for electronic communication:
May 2, 2009 - Election of PNC Officers
On April 27 the Pastor Nominating Committee elected the following as officers:
Chair, Matthew Teems; Vice-Chair, Ann Reid; Recording Secretary, Alease Johnson;
Correspondence Secretary, Margery Bernbaum. The PNC will soon announce an e-mail
address by which the congregation may communicate with the committee.
April 13, 2009 - First Meeting of PNC
March 29, 2009 - "Slate" of Nominees Voted on and Approved at Annual Meeting