Pastoral Transition
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Pastoral Transition
Covenant Presbyterian Church
A Letter from the Pastor Nominating Committee
Dear Covenant Family,
As we begin this next chapter in Covenant’s pastoral transition, we want to thank you for the trust you have placed in us to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC).
Following our election by the congregation on June 14 and the faithful work of the Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force, we officially received the proverbial baton in late July. Now, we begin the work of prayerfully discerning the senior pastor God is preparing for Covenant.
While it may seem quiet from the outside, much is happening. We are currently in what is known as the “Prayerful Discernment” phase. During this step, we are praying together, building relationships as a committee, and reviewing Covenant’s Mission. These foundational steps are essential as we seek God’s wisdom before beginning the confidential search for candidates.
We know many of you are eager to know what comes next and how long this process will take. Scripture often reminds us that God’s best work unfolds through seasons of patient trust. Like a gardener who faithfully tends the soil long before the harvest appears, we believe God is already at work beneath the surface.
Our greatest need is your continued prayer. Please pray for wisdom, unity, discernment, and humility as we seek God’s direction, and for the pastor God is preparing for us.
As we pursue God’s will together, we pray Covenant will continue living into Covenant’s mission of encouraging one another to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. We look forward to sharing updates as we faithfully move through each step of the process, trusting that – in God’s perfect timing – He will make our paths straight.
With prayerful gratitude,
Susan Ashton, Daniel Campbell, Kelly Dwyer, Julie Ann Hartman, Jaeweon Kim, Michael Knisely, Rehm Maham, Gillian McLean, and Emily Ross
Pastor Nominating Committee
A Letter from the Pastor Nominating Committee
Dear Covenant Family,
As we begin this next chapter in Covenant’s pastoral transition, we want to thank you for the trust you have placed in us to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC).
Following our election by the congregation on June 14 and the faithful work of the Pastoral Transition Interim Task Force, we officially received the proverbial baton in late July. Now, we begin the work of prayerfully discerning the senior pastor God is preparing for Covenant.
While it may seem quiet from the outside, much is happening. We are currently in what is known as the “Prayerful Discernment” phase. During this step, we are praying together, building relationships as a committee, and reviewing Covenant’s Mission. These foundational steps are essential as we seek God’s wisdom before beginning the confidential search for candidates.
We know many of you are eager to know what comes next and how long this process will take. Scripture often reminds us that God’s best work unfolds through seasons of patient trust. Like a gardener who faithfully tends the soil long before the harvest appears, we believe God is already at work beneath the surface.
Our greatest need is your continued prayer. Please pray for wisdom, unity, discernment, and humility as we seek God’s direction, and for the pastor God is preparing for us.
As we pursue God’s will together, we pray Covenant will continue living into Covenant’s mission of encouraging one another to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. We look forward to sharing updates as we faithfully move through each step of the process, trusting that – in God’s perfect timing – He will make our paths straight.
With prayerful gratitude,
Susan Ashton, Daniel Campbell, Kelly Dwyer, Julie Ann Hartman, Jaeweon Kim, Michael Knisely, Rehm Maham, Gillian McLean, and Emily Ross
Pastor Nominating Committee
In Progress, updated 06/16/2026
Pastor Search
We are pleased to introduce the members of Covenant’s Pastoral Nominating Committee. Click here to learn more about the nine individuals entrusted with leading the search for our next Senior Pastor.
In Progress, Updated 06/16/2026
Pastor Search
Following the June 14 Congregational Meeting, we are pleased to introduce the members of Covenant’s Pastoral Nominating Committee. Click here to learn more about the nine individuals entrusted with leading the search for our next Senior Pastor.
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 gathered congregational input that will shaped the Mission Study, which is a required step for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) churches hiring a new pastor.
- Congregation members were asked to participate in a survey. A summary of the survey findings can be found at covenant.org/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, compiled in early 2026, must be approved by Session and accepted by Mission Presbytery before the pastor search commences.
The Mission Study informs 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 submitted names to the Congregational Nominating Committee.
- A congregational meeting was called on June 14,2026 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.
- Click here to learn more about the nine individuals entrusted with leading the search for our next Senior Pastor.
- The PNC has entered 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.