The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board has temporarily suspended its search for a new executive director for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, as the search it conducted this fall did not lead to an offer to fill the position that was accepted.
The board of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation – the corporate entity representing the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly – met in closed session Nov. 30, during which the board heard a report from the executive director search committee. On Dec. 1, an announcement was made that the search was being temporarily suspended until mid-February.
In making the announcement, Kenneth Godshall, a pastor from Kentucky who serves as chair of the board, said the suspension will allow the board to factor in any recommendations from the Way Forward Commission and All Agency Review Committee, both of which need to submit their reports to the 2018 General Assembly by Feb. 16.
In the meantime, David Crittenden, who was named in September as acting director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, will continue in that role through the 2018 General Assembly, which will be held in St. Louis June 16-23.
Here is the text of the announcement:
Presbyterian Mission Agency Board News Release
December 1, 2017
Contact: Ken Godshall
Kenneth.Godshall@pcusa.orgThe Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) Executive Director Search Committee announced today that interviews for the position late this fall did not conclude with an accepted offer. The Committee will temporarily suspend the search until mid-February.
“A temporary suspension allows us to factor in the results of the Way Forward Commission and All Agency Review Committee reports due Feb. 16,” said PMA Board Chair the Rev. Kenneth Godshall. “Structural changes expected to result from these recommendations could impact the leadership assets required to lead the organization forward.”
The search process reached over 300 Presbyterian leaders, many of whom took time to provide advice and referrals. “The search surfaced a number of exceptionally talented candidates with varied backgrounds and gifts who embody the diversity of our denomination,” said Dr. Nancy Ramsay, chair of the Search Committee. “The Search Committee believes that an even wider pool of candidates will be available once the recommendations are known.”
The PMA Board launched the search for executive director on July 5. The search has been informed by in-person and online input from hundreds of Presbyterians, who shared their hopes for the skills and vision the next executive director would bring. The Leadership Profile describing the position calls for transformative and imaginative leadership, along with strategic, relational and management gifts, in this time of complex challenges and promise for the PMA and the denomination.
“We have every reason to be optimistic, on behalf of the PMA and the denomination, that the search will be successful in identifying an exceptional executive director and every reason to be confident about the future of PC(USA) mission and ministry,” Ramsay said.
As the search continues, Dave Crittenden, named acting executive director of the PMA in September 2017, will continue in that position through the General Assembly.
