08459
June 17, 2008
General Assembly backgrounder: stated clerk election
Three challenge committee nominee Gradye Parsons for top post
LOUISVILLE — Three challengers have stepped forward to stand for stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly against the Stated Clerk Nominating Committee’s choice, the Rev. Grayde Parsons.
One of the four will succeed the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick — who declined to seek a fourth four-year term. The election will take place Friday, June 27 during the upcoming 218th PC(USA) General Assembly in San Jose, CA. Nominations for stated clerk will formally be made on the second day of the Assembly, Sunday, June 22.
The candidates standing against Parsons — who as Director of Operations for the Office of the General Assembly has for the past eight years served as one of Kirkpatrick’s top deputies — are the Rev. Edward H. Koster, stated clerk of Detroit Presbytery; the Rev. Winfield “Casey” Jones, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pearland, TX; and the Rev. William P. Tarbell, pastor of Saluda (SC) Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Gradye Parsons, a Tennessee native, served a number of pastorates and then Holston Presbytery as its executive presbyter and stated clerk before joining the Office of the General Assembly staff in 2000. He also served pastorates in Bristol and Newport, TN.
Rev. Gradye Parsons A graduate of the University of Tennessee and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Parsons has also studied at Columbia Theological Seminary, the Alban Institute, Princeton Theological Seminary and Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. He is a member of the Association of Stated Clerks and the National Association of Parliamentarians.
As operations officer for the Office of the General Assembly, Parsons has provided major leadership to interpretation and building of partnerships with pastors, congregations, and agencies related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and Presbyterian affinity and advocacy groups. He is also responsible for leading the OGA in articulating its vision, developing strategic directions, and achieving operational excellence in its ministries.
Quotable quote: “The role of the Stated Clerk is to bring the best of our polity and tradition to the debate and struggle of difficult issues. That polity and tradition allow for the orderly exchange of views, with the will of the majority and the rights of the minority protected. The results of years of contentious discussions have left many Presbyterians feeling alienated and marginalized. The Stated Clerk is called to find ways to encourage dialogue that provide for careful listening and affirming the faith of the ‘other.’”
The Rev. Winfield “Casey” Jones has been pastor of the Pearland Church in suburban Houston since 1986. He previously served pastorates in Mercedes and Le Feria, TX, and Richmond, VA.
Rev. Winfield "Casey" Jones A native of Chicago, Jones was raised in North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended one year of law school there before attending and graduating from Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. He also studied overseas at Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris.
Jones, who was also a candidate for General Assembly stated clerk in 2000, has served the Presbytery of New Covenant in a variety of capacities including its Committee on Ministry and Examinations Committee. He served as chair of the Evangelism Committee of Mission Presbytery and also represented the Synod of the Sun at a Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry conference.
Quotable quote: “The Stated Clerk can use the Constitution to give us clarity in times of conflict. The Clerk can show us how our confessions can guide us and how our Book of Order instructs us. As to issues on which the Constitution takes a clear and definite stand, the Stated Clerk should make this guidance known. Also, the Clerk must support decisions, actions and programs of the General Assembly. The Stated Clerk must attempt to do these things in personal humility and love, and with a reasoned and pastoral demeanor.
The Rev. Ed Koster has served as Detroit Presbytery’s stated clerk since 1995. He was pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, MI for 10 years (1976-86) and is currently parish associate at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. Koster is also an attorney in private practice since 1992.
Rev. Ed Koster The son of an army officer, Koster was born in South Dakota but lived all over the world. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the University of Michigan. He received his law degree from the University of Toledo (OH) and completed seminary at Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA.
As a pastor, Koster was active in the community, starting the county jail chaplaincy program, serving as president of the local Council of Churches and as president of the local Samaritan Counseling Board of Directors. In addition to his extensive service with Detroit Presbytery, he has written extensively on a variety of issues, mostly for The Presbyterian Outlook.
Quotable quote: “More than anyone else, the Stated Clerk has the platform from which to engage issues and parties. I believe the Stated Clerk should go to where the trouble is, not to force matters or bring resolution ‘from on high,’ but to show respect for all parties and their positions, and to open and maintain communications. In the current climate, many of the thorny issues before us are advocated by those who can see only yes/no answers. I believe the Stated Clerk should help the middle find its voice.”
Rev. William F. Tarbell A Presbyterian since 1970, Tarbell is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary.
Always active in presbytery and community life, Tarbell has been particularly involved in youth ministry, ecumenical and interfaith relations and conflict resolution. He has studied parliamentary procedure and has written for The Presbyterian Outlook, Monday Morning and other publications.
Quotable quote: “There must be no kings, queens, bishops, or CEO’s in the PC (USA). Therefore the Stated Clerk’s role in the midst of controversy is modesty, decorum, and strict impartiality. If objectivity is not carefully maintained, trust in the Stated Clerk’s ability to handle the work of the church in a balanced way is eroded. The Clerk may call for due process: process because only thoughtful, prayerful deliberations over time can maintain the unity of Christ in the bonds of peace, and due because every person and church entity is owed respect.”
More extensive information on the candidates for General Assembly stated clerk is available at this Web site  .
| 
