What is God Saying to Us?

What is God calling the PC(USA) to be and do?

As I travel and meet with partners across the church, I am often asked for information about PC(USA) leadership trends. People want to know about the leaders we have and those who are offering themselves for ministry in the future.

Many are aware that the world and the church are changing and are asking the question, “What is God calling the PC(USA) to be and do?”  That is the question that must always begin our discussion of leadership. The church that is between pastors must ask, “What is God calling our church to in this phase of its life, in this neighborhood?”  Presbyteries are asking that question too as they look ahead. Our seminaries are asking that question as they recruit and prepare future leaders.

Among the blessings we have in the Office of Vocation is the ability to see leadership trends and needs from the “treetop view.”  During the month of March, I was asked to present an overview of leadership trends in the PC(USA) for the Board of Pensions, the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, and the General Assembly Mission Council. That presentation is available here. (To view this file, you must have the free Macromedias Flash Player installed on your computer system. You may also download the file as a Power Point.) This may be helpful information for presbytery committees on preparation for ministry and committees on ministry, for inquirers and candidates, for sessions, Pastor Nominating Committees and seminaries. I hope that you will engage in conversation with us in the Office of Vocation and with other partners about these issues.

—  Marcia Clark Myers, director, Vocation