GEPC Senior Pastor Search

For a more detailed explanation of this process, click here. If there are more questions, please contact our Search Committee at search@gashland.org.

Gashland Evangelical Presbyterian Church is currently searching for its next Senior Pastor. If you have found yourself on this listing and believe the Lord is calling you to lead a congregation like ours, we invite you to do a few things. Please read over the Church Information Form (click here) as well as the Position Description (click here). You will find a lot of good information there about our current position and what we are seeking in a pastor.

If what you read gives you even a small “spark,” we want you to apply. We know that “spark” to be the Holy Spirit. What a good thing!

We are excited for the next steps here at our church. Our city and congregation are growing. The needs are changing in our community. The fields are ripe. We are expectant and waiting on the Lord in this season. We have been praying for you, your loved ones, and your current circumstances.

Here is what you will need to apply:

Cover letter and resume
Link to at least 3 sermons showing variety, such as verse-by-verse, topical, or seasonal
Answer these 3 questions:
- Describe your faith in Jesus Christ. Tell us how you came to personal faith and share briefly about your journey into ministry.
- How do you maintain your daily walk with Christ?
- After reading our Church Information Form and the Position Description, what stood out to you most?

Please submit all of this to search@gashland.org

We promise to respond promptly and to keep all applicants informed in a timely fashion throughout this process.

Search Committee Members

Aaron Kleinmeyer

Chair

Heather Lorenzetti

Vice-Chair

Holly Marshall

Clerk

Tom Ell

Member

Dave Smith

Member

Madison Stewart

Member

Bob Williams

Member

Where are we in the process?

1. The Search Committee is selected.
2. The Search Committee is oriented to the EPC processes and Book of Order with assistance from the Ministerial Committee.
3. The Session outlines the terms of call guidelines.
4. The Search Committee works with help from the Session and the Ministerial Committee to complete the Church Information Form and the Position Description.
5. The Session votes to accept the Church Information Form and the Position Description.
6. A public announcement of pastor vacancy is released and posted on the EPC website as well as other online locations.
7. Potential candidates provide the required initial application items.
8. Preliminary Screening/Interviewing of Candidates. Initial applications are still being accepted during this step.
9. Decision is made on which candidates would be on the “short-list.”
10. Candidates on “short-list” will be asked to fill out the PIF* (link below), perform a background check, and have references send information per guidelines from the EPC.
11. The Search Committee performs more in-depth interviews with the goal of narrowing down to one potential candidate from the “short-list.”
12. The Search Committee prayerfully decides on the first-preference candidate.
13. Search Committee conducts an in-depth (face-to-face strongly preferred, if possible) interview with the preferred candidate and then votes to continue with the preferred candidate.
14. When the Search Committee has agreed on the preferred candidate, the Presbytery Ministerial Committee is notified and asked for approval.
15. Following approval from the Presbytery Ministerial Committee, the Session is informed that a candidate has been selected.
16. The Session informs the congregation that a Pastor-nominee has been selected.
17. The Pastor-nominee (and family, if applicable) visits GEPC to preach and meet the congregation.
18. A Congregational Meeting is held to agree on the formal Terms-of-Call.
19. The Presbytery examines the Pastor-nominee and approves.
20. Ordination by Presbytery (if required).
21. Installation of the new Senior Pastor.

*Click here to access the PIF mentioned in Step 10.