November 2013 Personnel Committee Report
Seattle Presbytery
By Becki Barrett, Personnel Committee Chair
When the latest iOS 7 Apple update showed up on my iPhone, it took me a few days to muster the courage to hit ™install.∫ The risk of a technology breakdown always leaves me feeling I am at risk of losing my brain and the only way out is to redo high school. After a few days, I mustered the courage to install the update and things went splendidly. The sensation of unnecessary fear beckoned me forward to hit ™install∫ on my iPad, as well. Except things the second time around didn't go so well and after two hours of tech support with Jerome at Apple Care, I stared blankly at a restored iPad trying to muster the energy to reprogram, reorganize, and regroup.
As churches, we are vulnerable to similar feelings during seasons of transition, struggle and challenge. In many ways, it is by healthily walking through these seasons that we are transformed as Christians and as leaders. For this reason, our Seattle Presbytery staff is committed to being present and supportive to the needs of our churches ensuring each church receive the resources and encouragement we need to fulfill Christ's mission.
Over the last several years, the Seattle Presbytery staff has worked hard to ensure they are competently and collaboratively accomplishing their mission to serve God faithfully by serving churches. Much of their work is confidential in nature and rarely seen by the majority of us; however, they are hard at work equipping our committees and churches to fulfill our mission with strength and health. Like much needed Apple
Care in those moments of panic, they spend their days providing support but with less hold time. Whether we find ourselves in need of an upgrade or in full-blown system failure, our staff is available to provide the support we need.
One new way the staff has been able to serve churches has been to provide part-time, short-term, temporary pastoral support to churches in transition. At Kent First, Eliana used her gifts to preach and lead during their pastor's sabbatical. Overlake Park Presbyterian Church benefited from Kevin's gifts during their six-week transition between pastors. And, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church is being supported through pastoral transition and staff restructure by Eliana last summer and Scott this fall. Whenever possible, our presbytery staff is postured to provide this type of support to any church in need of pastoral support.
Our hope is that, as members of the Seattle Presbytery, each church feels encouraged and supported. Through turbulent times, transition or challenges, our goal is to be excellent stewards of our resources in order to provide the most effective and helpful support to committees and churches as possible. As a personnel committee, we are grateful for such tremendous staff and we give thanks to God for their faithfulness, gifts in ministry, and hard work. So, when a simple ™install∫ turns into something way different than you expected, know our staff is eager to walk with you through whatever you need as God guides us to reprogram, reorganize or regroup.