PNC - Pastor Nominating Committee

MDP - Ministry Discernment Profile (formerly MIF - Ministry Information Form). This is a form provided by the PC(USA) and completed by Blacknall’s PNC. The completed form serves as the entryway for candidates to learn about our church and the job opening.

PDP - Personal Discernment Profile (formerly PIF - Personal Information Form). The form is also provided by the PC(USA). It is completed by applicants. 

COM - Commission on Ministry. This governing body of our Presbytery will be responsible for approving our completed MIF/MDP and our terms of call with our next Senior Pastor.

CLC - Church Leadership Connection. This is a service provided by the PC(USA) to match our church with potential candidates. 

The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) was elected by the congregation from candidates submitted by our elected Nominating Committee.

Alexa Gerend
Melissa Hartemink
Don Hoover, co-chair
Brett McCarty, clerk
Nisrine Pineo
Justin Rasmussen
Michael Whisenhunt, co-chair

Feel free to contact the PNC at pnc@blacknall.org. Learn more about the members of the PNC.

The length of time will depend on several factors. We trust that prayerful consideration of who will be the next Senior Pastor/Head of Staff will be guided by the Holy Spirit and will be accomplished in God’s time.

Once completed, the MIF/MDP was submitted to the Commission on Ministry (COM) and the Presbytery Executive for review and approval. The MIF/MDP was then submitted to the Church Leadership Connection (CLC) where it is being used to match our church with prospective applicants.

Yes. All the work of the PNC is held as confidential after the submission of the MIF/MDP to COM.

a. Through the Church Leadership Connection where the MIF/MDP was submitted. Pastors seeking a call who meet the criteria established by the MIF/MDP are being identified.

b. Through self-identification by which pastors who hear about the vacancy may contact the PNC directly.

c. Through referrals from others who might know of a candidate the PNC should consider

Our process has been thorough. As we shared in our February update, we have a similar process with each candidate. When we receive applications, we carefully read candidate cover letters, résumés, and Personal Discernment Profiles (a form provided by the denomination). Additionally, we listen to sermons from candidates.

In the next step, we invite a candidate to interview for an initial one-hour conversation. If the PNC decides to move forward with the candidate, we follow up with a more in-depth two- to three-hour conversation. If the candidate continues in the process, he or she is invited to a multi-day onsite visit for deep conversation, prayer, and discernment. At this point we contact references.

All of our candidates have undergone the same rigorous interview process. This is a mutual discernment process for the PNC and a candidate. If we jointly decide to move forward, the PNC will make a recommendation to the Presbytery. The Presbytery will conduct a background check and meet with the candidate. When the Commission on Ministry approves the call, the PNC will ask the Session to call a congregational meeting, and the congregation will be notified. The PNC will present the candidate and the terms of call at the congregational meeting, and the members of the congregation will vote on whether to elect the candidate as its Senior Pastor.