Beloved in Christ:

Over the last two years, we have begun to realign our structures to serve our mission. Part of that realignment has involved more intentionally engaging in a process of discernment that will allow us to faithfully discern those whom God is calling into leadership. Our call is to serve you, but we cannot do that without your support. You—as leaders and members of the congregations of this presbytery—are best served when the Nominating Committee recommends people are who are committed Christian leaders with demonstrated service to the church. People who are committed to our shared mission to journey with Jesus to serve the world~empowered by the Spirit to make disciples, nurture our faith, and serve the needs of the community.

 The core values that we believe God calls us to exhibit as presbytery leaders include: 

• A passion for the gospel which carries with it a prophetic sense of burden that can only be lifted as we mobilize people for mission in their local communities and beyond;
• The courage to change, knowing that change beings with oneself and that systemic change involves stress and even conflict.
• Flexibility and adaptability born of the realization that we live in a time of rapid, discontinuous change. We are the ones God has called to lay the foundation for the next 500 years of kingdom ministry. What a privilege and challenge!
• Missional hearts that know our call is to be in the world (not behind church doors). Hence, missional leaders spend significant time thinking strategically about how to reach their communities for the kingdom, analyzing the micro cultures, growth trends, and community development plans as we hold one another accountable to bearing fruit.
• Faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ who lead not by compulsion, but by example; who expect the best from our pastors, leaders and congregations as together we heed God’s missional call to make disciples, nurture our faith, and serve the needs of our communities and beyond.
• Responsible and therefore do not make excuses such as “it can’t happen here because of context, commitment or call.” 

 We are writing to ask you to be in prayer and discernment as to whether God is calling you or your leaders to serve in the coming year on a presbytery level. We are also asking you to be in prayer about all of our ministries as positions often open up through the course of the year.