Pastoral Transition
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Pastoral Transition
Covenant Presbyterian Church
A Letter from the Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force
Covenant is stepping out in faith as we seek a new senior pastor. For some of us, this is a familiar process while for others, it is new. This page will be a source of information and updates throughout the process.
As a member of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Mission Presbytery, Covenant will follow a series of steps that focus on prayerful discernment of the congregation’s needs and a confidential search for the candidate God is preparing for this position. You can follow the progress by checking the steps that are listed below.
Everyone has a role to play in the search process. Our deepest needs are for prayer and continued active involvement and support as we begin a new chapter at Covenant. Importantly, as faithful members of the Covenant congregation, we continue to live into our mission of encouraging one another to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play.
With prayerful gratitude,
Megan Clark, Dan Hart, Nelson Mann, Laura Tuma, Chuck Volk, Jill Williams
Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force
A Letter from the Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force
Covenant is stepping out in faith as we seek a new senior pastor. For some of us, this is a familiar process while for others, it is new. This page will be a source of information and updates throughout the process.
As a member of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Mission Presbytery, Covenant will follow a series of steps that focus on prayerful discernment of the congregation’s needs and a confidential search for the candidate God is preparing for this position. You can follow the progress by checking the steps that are listed below.
Everyone has a role to play in the search process. Our deepest needs are for prayer and continued active involvement and support as we begin a new chapter at Covenant. Importantly, as faithful members of the Covenant congregation, we continue to live into our mission of encouraging one another to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play.
With prayerful gratitude,
Megan Clark, Dan Hart, Nelson Mann, Laura Tuma, Chuck Volk, Jill Williams
Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force
In Progress
Congregational Input
The Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force is working with an outside firm that will conduct a survey of congregational needs and attitudes. The survey will be conducted online in January and will help guide development of the Mission Study. All Covenant members are encouraged to participate!
In Progress
Congregational Input
The Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force is working with an outside firm that will conduct a survey of congregational needs and attitudes. The survey will be conducted online in January and will help guide development of the Mission Study. All Covenant members are encouraged to participate!
Steps in the Pastoral Transition Process
Click each item to expand for details.
- Completed
- In Progress
- Future
- Senior Pastor Thomas Daniel announced on September 7, 2025 that he had accepted a position as Senior Pastor at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas.
- Covenant gathered on September 28, 2025 to celebrate Thomas and Beth Daniel’s service and send them off with prayers and gratitude.
- Associate Pastor Jill Williams was named interim head of staff by Session on September 16, 2025.
- Creation of an interim task force was approved to initiate the transition process and support Pastor Jill.
- Session gave thanks for the strength and health of Covenant’s congregation, staff, and facility, and for the work of the Spirit that is the source of all goodness.
- Mission Presbytery was informed of Session’s interim plan, including the appointment of Jill Williams as Head of Staff.
- Pastor Jill named an interim task force of current and former ruling elders: Megan Clark, Dan Hart, Nelson Mann, Laura Tuma, and Chuck Volk.
- Pastor Jill, the Interim Task Force, and members of Session met with the Mission Presbytery Commission on Ministry Liaison on October 28, 2025 to review the process for calling a new senior pastor and to discuss Mission Presbytery’s role in that journey.
- The interim task force is currently laying the foundation for gathering congregational input that will shape the Mission Study, which is a required step for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) churches hiring a new pastor.
- Congregation members will be asked to participate in a survey.
- The Mission Study process helps us discern how God is guiding our church, based on the current state of the congregation and our community. The study will be compiled in early 2026 and must be approved by Session and accepted by Mission Presbytery before the pastor search commences.
- The Mission Study will inform the Ministry Discernment Profile, which serves as the official job posting for a new senior pastor.
- The Congregational Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating a representative body from the congregation to serve on the PNC.
- The congregation will be invited to submit names to the Congregational Nominating Committee.
- A congregational meeting will be called at a future date to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). The PNC is charged with conducting the pastor search, interviewing candidates, and presenting a single nominee to the congregation.
- The PNC will begin with a period of prayerful discernment about the congregation’s needs prior to starting search for a new senior pastor. This is often the most time intensive part of the process.
- The confidential search will be guided by the PNC’s prayerful consideration of candidates. There is no timeline for the search.
- The PNC will make periodic reports to the congregation as the search progresses.
- A congregational meeting will be called to elect the new senior pastor.
- A celebration welcoming Covenant Presbyterian Church’s new pastor will be held.
Updates from the PNC
Check this space for updates once the Pastor Nominating Committee has been elected and begins its prayerful search for a new senior pastor.