About Us • News • Pastoral Search • Pastoral Search FAQs
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Glossary of terms:

  • CIF—Church Information Form (the document used to formally post the job opening with PC(USA) and describe the qualifications sought as well as providing a description of the church)
  • CLC—Church Leadership Connection [PC(USA) candidate matching system]
  • COM—Committee on Ministry (a committee of our Presbytery that assists/advises in the search/hiring process)
  • FPC—First Presbyterian Church
  • PC(USA)—Presbyterian Church, USA—FPC’s denomination
  • PIF—Pastor Information Form (the “resume” compiled by pastors in the Presbyterian system;  PIFs are matched with our CIF)
  • PNC—Pastor Nominating Committee

  Frequently Asked Questions

What has the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) done so far?

  • Met with FPC’s Session to review the Mission Study document and be commissioned for service. 
  • Met with Mission Study Team to review the Mission Study in more detail. 
  • Reviewed all Mission Study materials. 
  • Reviewed PNC process information. 
  • Met with our Presbytery Representative (Bruce Spense). 
  • Chosen a PNC Moderator (Craig Neugeboren). 
  • Spent time in fellowship and prayer. 
  • Written the Church Information Form (CIF). 
  • Received Session approval for the CIF. 
  • Sent the CIF on to the Committee on Ministry (COM) of Presbytery for review/approval.
  • Received approval from the COM.
  • Received required signatures from our COM representative and our FPC Clerk of Session.
  • Posted the CIF on the CLC system.
  • Prayerfully reviewed PIFs.
  • Listened to multiple rounds of sermons.
  • Interviewed candidates (two rounds).
  • Set aside a full day retreat for prayer and discussion, including meeting with Presbytery representatives.
  • Checked references.
  • Prayerfully narrowed the search to two final candidates.
  • After weekend interviews of both, the PNC extended a call to the top candidate, and the call was not accepted.  In light of unresolved PNC concerns and through his own prayerful discernment, the second candidate withdrew himself from consideration.
  • The PNC has prayerfully reopened the search process, reviewing PIFs and sermons from candidates.

How can someone apply for the position?

Please note that the application process is now closed.

What are we calling this position?

Pastor/Head of Staff (per PC(USA) guidelines)

How have the PIFs/resumes been screened?

Every member of the PNC carefully read every application that we received.  Decisions about whom to pursue for further information/interviews/etc. were made by consensus of the PNC.

How do I contact the PNC?

  • If you are part of the FPC congregation and wish to contact the PNC, the best way to contact us is to send an email to us at .  You may also phone us at the PNC congregation number:  303.578.8180.
  • Alternatively or if you don’t use email, you may send mail to Craig Neugeboren, PNC Moderator, First Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th Street, Boulder, CO 80302. 

No anonymous communications, please.

Those serving on the PNC may also be contacted directly at any time (all are listed in the current church directory):  Courtney Ballagh, Kathy Benner, Shirley Giles Davis, Ruth Erk, Craig Neugeboren, Nancy Neumann, David Parkhurst, Dan Ringoen, Brad Schultz, Gary Stratman, Amy Tumpes.

How can I pray for the PNC and its work?

Thank you for your prayer support.  Intercession during and after this process is essential!

We would appreciate your prayers for continued spiritual focus during our study and deliberations, a sense of consensus and unity, the committee process and decision-making, God’s wisdom and discernment, clarity as we make decisions, openness to God’s Spirit at work in/through us and the candidates.

Please pray for the candidates—that God would bring us just the right person to fit this position—and for the others that God would use this application process to His glory and their benefit in each of their lives. 

Click on the link to access the "Pastor Search Mission Study Devo Prayer Time" document.

Additional Information:

In addition to information provided in PIFs/resumes to the PNC, the committee will be checking references, adhering to the Presbytery’s required attestation assurance process, making use of the Presbytery’s reference checks, and conducting required background checks.

I haven’t seen much information about the PNC.  Where are you providing regular updates?

The PNC is committed to effectively and regularly communicating about our process to the congregation.  We are posting regular updates in the following locations:

  • FPC website (http://www.fpcboulder.org/pastoral-search/)
  • Sunday morning church bulletins (available at 8, 9:30, and 11:00 services)
  • Flame (monthly newsletter;  mailed to members;  also available at the Connections Center in the Atrium and in the main office)
  • Bulletin Board—in the entrance hall nearest the west entrance, near the custodial office
  • Emails to Session and all staff
  • Regular reports to Session
  • Pulpit announcements when/where appropriate

Please remember that this process is a highly confidential one.  We will be able to provide updates on basic information like how many applications we’ve received or reviewed—but not specific names.  We will be able to provide information about being in the interview process—but not names nor locations/times.

Does an applicant need to be ordained to apply for this position?

A candidate with four (4) years ordained experience is strongly preferred.

Will we get to choose from a list of finalists or does the PNC present one candidate for consideration?

The PNC will present one final candidate to the congregation.  The congregation then votes on whether or not to extend a call to that person.  In addition, the Presbytery votes to approve (or not) that call.  And, finally, the candidate must agree (or not) on the call and the terms of that call.