As most of you know, a new Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has been formed combining three members of the former PNC with four new members.  As with our first PNC committee, we are charged and committed to finding the best pastor to lead and serve our caring, diverse, and vibrant congregation.  As before, we are coming together on a weekly basis with prayer, thoughtful discussion, and a sincere desire to find that pastor.  After reviewing a list of over 30 leadership competencies outlined by the PC-USA Church Leadership Connection, our committee is focusing on the ten competencies listed below.  These competencies are used to match candidates to our church.  As we have learned, this is not a perfect or easy process, but we are being hopeful and positive as we work through it,  and we are asking that you as a congregation join and support us through prayer, direct conversations with us, and by keeping a positive attitude towards the search. 

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
HASTINGS FPC – JULY 2016 

Preaching & Worship Leadership:
Is a consistently effective preacher and worship leader; is able to inspire from the pulpit, communicates a clear and consistent message through sermons that are carefully prepared and artfully delivered; projects the identity and character of the congregation through worship leadership presence.

Interpersonal Engagement:
Displays a consistent ability to build solid relationships of trust and respect inside and outside of the organization; engage people, organizations, and partners in developing goals, executing plans, and delivering results; use negotiation skills and adaptability to encourage recognition of joint concerns, collaboration, and to influence the success of outcomes.

Communicator:
Advances the abilities of individuals and the organizations through active listening supported with meaningful oral and written presentation of information.

Organizational Agility:
Is astute about how congregations and/or organizations work; knows how to get things done through formal and informal channels; understands the importance of supporting good policy, practice, and procedure; appreciates the power in the culture of a congregation; is politically savvy.

Self Differentiation:
Demonstrates strong and appropriate personal boundaries in relationships; has a healthy appreciation of self, without being egotistical; is emotionally mature; can maintain a less-anxious presence in the midst of turmoil; is not overly dependent upon outside affirmation; works to build a strong personal support system.

Spiritual Maturity:
Shows strong personal depth and spiritual grounding; demonstrates integrity by walking the talk and by responding with faithfulness of purpose; is seen by others as trustworthy and authentic; nurtures a rich spiritual life; seeks the wisdom and guidance of appropriate mentors; is able to articulate a clear and consistent theology.

Contextualization:
The ability to assess accurately the context, environment, history, relationships and uniqueness of a congregation or organization.

Hopeful:
Maintains stability in the moment and hope for the future; provides direction, guidance, and faith when describing basic needs; and helps followers to see a way through chaos and complexity.

Bridge Builder:
Possessing a certain responsibility for the unity of the congregation and or organization; works to connect people of different cultures, worldview so and theological positions.

Initiative:
Demonstrates ambition; is highly motivated; is action oriented and full of energy for things seen as challenging; seizes opportunity; pushes self and others to achieve desired results.

We welcome your direct feedback.  Please feel free to contact anyone from our committee with information, comments or questions.  Thanks for your support.

Jim Duval        402-239-9747              jduval0@gmail.com

Jeni Howard    402-469-1500              howardjeni@gmail.com

Chris Junker    402-705-1766              cmjunker30@yahoo.com

Mike Karloff    402-960-8016              mkarloff@hastings.edu

Pamela Lay     402-984-0671              pamela17@charter.net

Chad Murrell  402-469-1759              cmmurrell@gmail.com

Joan Shaw       402-460-8195              jshaw58.js@gmail.com