We are delighted to announce that the Reverend Goodie Bell accepted our call as Senior Pastor at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church. She began her work in this role on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Please join us in prayer as we prepare to welcome Reverend Goodie Bell as our Senior Pastor, and as we continue to trust in Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church. We invite you to read this letter and brochure as well as watch this video to learn more about our process and to hear more of Goodie’s story.
Featured Updates
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Adapted from material provided by New Hope Presbytery
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PNC - Pastor Nominating Committee
MDP - Ministry Discernment Profile (formerly MIF - Ministry Information Form). This is a form provided by the PC(USA) and completed by Blacknall’s PNC. The completed form serves as the entryway for candidates to learn about our church and the job opening.
PDP - Personal Discernment Profile (formerly PIF - Personal Information Form). The form is also provided by the PC(USA). It is completed by applicants.
COM - Commission on Ministry. This governing body of our Presbytery will be responsible for approving our completed MIF/MDP and our terms of call with our next Senior Pastor.
CLC - Church Leadership Connection. This is a service provided by the PC(USA) to match our church with potential candidates.
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The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) was elected by the congregation from candidates submitted by our elected Nominating Committee.
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Alexa Gerend
Melissa Hartemink
Don Hoover, co-chair
Brett McCarty, clerk
Nisrine Pineo
Justin Rasmussen
Michael Whisenhunt, co-chairFeel free to contact the PNC at pnc@blacknall.org. Learn more about the members of the PNC.
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The length of time will depend on several factors. We trust that prayerful consideration of who will be the next Senior Pastor/Head of Staff will be guided by the Holy Spirit and will be accomplished in God’s time.
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Once completed, the MIF/MDP was submitted to the Commission on Ministry (COM) and the Presbytery Executive for review and approval. The MIF/MDP was then submitted to the Church Leadership Connection (CLC) where it is being used to match our church with prospective applicants.
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Yes. All the work of the PNC is held as confidential after the submission of the MIF/MDP to COM.
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a. Through the Church Leadership Connection where the MIF/MDP was submitted. Pastors seeking a call who meet the criteria established by the MIF/MDP are being identified.
b. Through self-identification by which pastors who hear about the vacancy may contact the PNC directly.
c. Through referrals from others who might know of a candidate the PNC should consider
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Our process has been thorough. As we shared in our February update, we have a similar process with each candidate. When we receive applications, we carefully read candidate cover letters, résumés, and Personal Discernment Profiles (a form provided by the denomination). Additionally, we listen to sermons from candidates.
In the next step, we invite a candidate to interview for an initial one-hour conversation. If the PNC decides to move forward with the candidate, we follow up with a more in-depth two- to three-hour conversation. If the candidate continues in the process, he or she is invited to a multi-day onsite visit for deep conversation, prayer, and discernment. At this point we contact references.
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All of our candidates have undergone the same rigorous interview process. This is a mutual discernment process for the PNC and a candidate. If we jointly decide to move forward, the PNC will make a recommendation to the Presbytery. The Presbytery will conduct a background check and meet with the candidate. When the Commission on Ministry approves the call, the PNC will ask the Session to call a congregational meeting, and the congregation will be notified. The PNC will present the candidate and the terms of call at the congregational meeting, and the members of the congregation will vote on whether to elect the candidate as its Senior Pastor.
The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
Pastoral Transition Road Map
04.2021 | Pastoral Transition Team Appointed
The Session (Elders) appoints the Pastoral Transition Team.
06.2021 | Bridge Interim Pastor
Pastor David Dunderdale serves as the bridge interim pastor following Senior Pastor Allan Poole’s retirement.
11—12.2021 | Interim Pastor Recommended & Appointed
The Pastoral Transition Team recommends an interim pastor and the Session appoints. Interim Pastor Mark Hutton joined the staff on December 5, 2021.
12.2021 | Mission Study Commences
The Pastoral Transition Team and Interim Pastor Mark Hutton undertake a Mission Study.
01—04.2022 | Community Study, Demographic & Infrastructure analysis
The Pastoral Transition Team works with staff and church committees to study our congregation, building/property, personnel and organization, neighborhood, and city.
05.08—05.29.2022 | Congregational Survey
The online survey will be administered by a third party to help us understand the strengths of our congregation’s culture, where members would like to go in the future, our readiness for change, potential resources we may be missing, and how to prepare for the search for our next senior pastor.
05.01—06.26.2022 | Sermon Series
Interim Pastor Mark Hutton will lead a nine-week sermon series that aims to connect the journey of Abraham and Sarah from “the land [Abraham] knew” to “the land God promised” to the similar moment in the life of Blacknall—from the reality we knew to a reality we don’t know yet.
07—08.2022 | Congregational Conversations
These gatherings are the heart of the Mission Study. Using in-person and online groups, the Transition Team will facilitate opportunities for members to pray, study, listen, and reflect on our history, status, and vision.
9-10.2022 | Mission Study Written
The Transition Team compiles and synthesizes all data gathered - Community Survey, Demographics Study, Congregational Survey, and Congregational Conversations - into a single Mission Study Report. Interim Pastor Mark Hutton completes his term.
11.27.2022 | Mission Study Report Finalized & Approved
The Transition Team finalizes the Mission Study Report. The Session and then New Hope Presbytery approve the Mission Study Report.
12.4.2022 | Pastor Nominating Committee Elected
The congregation elects the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) (Recommended by the Congregational Nominating Committee).
01.8.2023 | Mission Report Information Session
The Transition Team and Session present the Mission Study Report to the congregation. This report will guide the PNC as they develop the Ministry Information Form.
01-02.2023 | MISSION INFORMATION FORM DEVELOPED
The PNC meets to develop a Ministry Information Form (MIF) (the church’s “résumé”).
02.20.2023 | MIF APPROVED
New Hope Presbytery's Commission on Ministry approves the MIF.
05.2023 | Applications closed
The PNC closes applications for the position of Senior Pastor during the initial interview process.
11.2023 | Applications Reopen
PNC updates Senior Pastor position MDP posting within the PC(USA)’s new system. PNC opens to new candidates while continuing candidate conversations that have been ongoing.
5.19.2024 | Congregation Dissolves Goodie Bell's Call as Associate Pastor
Congregation votes to dissolve the call between Blacknall and Goodie Bell as Associate Pastor. Goodie becomes a member at large in the Presbytery, making her eligible to receive any call in the denomination, including the call as Senior Pastor at Blacknall.
07.2024 | PNC Selects a Candidate
The PNC recommends that the congregation call Goodie Bell as Blacknall’s Senior Pastor.
07.28.2024 | Congregational Meeting to call the candidate
The PNC presented Goodie Bell as candidate for Senior Pastor at a congregational meeting at 10 a.m. on 7/28/24. Members in attendance voted on and approved the call.