(PNS) Jill M. Hudson, longtime executive presbyter for Whitewater Valley Presbytery in Indianapolis, Ind., has been named middle governing body relations coordinator for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), beginning in September.
Hudson will succeed Gary Torrens, also a former presbytery executive, who is retiring in November after eight years in the position.
The announcement was made by Cliff Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly, and Linda Bryant Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Council. The position is shared between the General Assembly Council and the Office of the General Assembly.
In her new position, Hudson will provide leadership in developing, evaluating, and fostering networks, initiatives, and relationships between presbyteries, synods, and General Assembly agencies. She will also facilitate communication among middle governing body staff and between them and General Assembly staff.
“I look forward to this new call to ministry,” Hudson said. “Many now serving in presbyteries and synods no longer look to the General Assembly for answers, but they do want the General Assembly to help them find others who are working on their own answers. I see this position as one that can help make that happen.”
After beginning her ministry as an associate pastor in Richardson, Texas, Hudson served as an associate executive for the Synod of Lincoln Trails and as executive presbyter for the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley.
Most recently, Hudson has been an organizational development consultant, working primarily with synods and presbyteries, with a specialization in strategic planning. Her consulting work has extended beyond the United States to include the Church of Scotland, among others.
In addition to a wide variety of articles for church periodicals, she has authored several publications for Alban Institute, including When Better Isn’t Enough: Evaluation Tools for the 21st Century Church.
At the national level of the church, Hudson has served as a committee assistant at the General Assembly since 1995, and as a member of numerous planning teams and advisory boards, including the middle governing body advisory board for the Board of Pensions.
Kirkpatrick and Valentine called Hudson a “perfect fit” for her new role. They also praised Torrens. “He has done much to strengthen connections among and between all levels of the church,” they said.
