Behind the scenes of the Pastor Nominating Committee
First Presbyterian Church is in a pivotal season of searching to hire our next senior pastor, a process led by the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). In recent episodes of The Transition podcast with Rev. Julia Metcalf, PNC members Jacob Thompson, Joel Donohue, and Kate Swan shared insights on their roles, responsibilities, and the spiritual discernment guiding their work.
The Weight of Responsibility
For the PNC members, the task is both an honor and a burden. As Joel Donohue shares, “This is a heavy task. It’s a historic church, and it’s a weighty thing. But I think we’ve had a real sense of calm when we’re together. It’s as if the Spirit is reminding us that the Lord has already called somebody. We’re just going through the process to find out who it is.”
Jacob Thompson echoes this sentiment: “This is a historic church. It’s a high-functioning church, and we know the weight of the responsibility we’re carrying. But there’s also a sense of calm — a recognition that we’re not in charge of this process. God is.”
Kate Swan, the youngest member of the committee, feels the significance of the role as well: “I’m the youngest person on the committee, and to have been asked to serve spoke volumes to me. It’s an honor, but it’s also a weight.”
Discernment and Spiritual Preparation
Before diving into profiles and candidate assessments, the PNC spent significant time in spiritual preparation. Kate describes a key moment: “We had an ‘advancement’ — not a retreat, because we’re advancing in faith. We needed to get to know each other better, align theologically, and unify in what we are seeking in a pastor.”
Jacob highlights the importance of being in tune with God’s timing: “We are on God's time, and what we have been doing initially coming together as a group and doing some spiritual growth exercises and activities is going to make the end product exactly what God wants it to be.”
Managing Expectations
Jacob acknowledges the challenge of managing expectations: “We have to keep in mind that Jesus Christ is the only one who perfectly fits the profile we’re seeking. The next senior pastor is going to be human, but they will be someone God has called to lead us into the next era of First Presbyterian Church.”
Joel emphasizes the need for mutual discernment: “We’re not just looking for the best candidate. We also want the best candidates to see us as the best church home for them. It’s mutual discernment, mutual call.”
The Process of Reviewing Candidates
With the Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) posted, the committee is now actively reviewing potential candidates. Kate notes the sense of anticipation: “Now that the MDP is posted, we’re reading through profiles. It’s becoming real. We’re looking for the person we have a vision for — someone who will bring that vision to life.”
Jacob describes the careful, prayerful process: “Each meeting, we usually have five or six new names. We are going through each one, asking questions like, ‘Is Christ the focus of their mission? Do they have a strong reformed theological background? Do they believe that the scriptures are the word of God?’”
Prayers for the Journey
All three members emphasized the importance of prayer throughout this process. Joel encourages the congregation to pray for the next pastor: “There’s any number of things to pray for, but what really strikes me is that we should be praying for that next individual — that they sense the call.”
Kate asks for prayers for the committee: “Please continue to pray. Pray for wisdom and discernment on our part as the PNC. Pray that the Lord’s will would be done and that we would be given patience to allow him to work on his timing because his will is best.”
In conclusion, the work of the Pastor Nominating Committee is a spiritual endeavor — one that requires deep faith, patience, and trust in God’s timing. As the committee continues to seek the next leader of First Presbyterian Church, the congregation is invited to join in prayer, trusting that God is preparing both the committee and the candidate for what is to come.
Learn about the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee
Allison Biggs joined First Church Tulsa in March 2020 and quickly became involved in the church’s COVID-related outreach ministries. She has served as an Elder and has participated in the Missions, Strategic Planning, 8:10 Council, and Financial Task Force committees. Allison and her husband, Trey, have three adult children and one granddaughter.
Joel Donohue and wife, Sarah, have four children, ages 13–17. Their family is actively involved at First Church since joining in 2013. Joel is an Elder who has served on the Next Generation and Strategic Planning committees, and currently as the Clerk of Session.
John Frame first joined First Church in 1968, later moved away for his education, and returned in 1984 with his wife, Kitty. They have two children and three granddaughters. John is an active member of the First Church Chancel Choir and has served as an Elder. He is currently serving his second term on the First Church Tulsa Foundation Board of Trustees.
Gary Johnson and his wife, Cindy, have been members of First Church for 39 years. They have two grown sons and two grandchildren. Gary is an Elder who has served on Session multiple times. He currently chairs the Session Finance & Stewardship Committee and also serves on the Personnel Committee. Gary was a member of the recent Mission Study Team. He and Cindy have been members of the Harbingers Sunday School class since they joined the church. Gary also enjoys serving as a Lunch Buddy at Anderson Elementary, First Church’s partner school.
Patrick Kirunda - Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Patrick came to Tulsa in 2005 and joined First Church in 2012. He and his wife, Nicolate, have three children. Patrick serves on the committee of Tulsa International Fellowship (TIF) and has previously served as both a Deacon and an Elder. During his time on Session, he served on the TIF, Discipleship, and Missions committees.
Nicole Pugh and her husband, Jason, have attended First Church since 2010. They have a daughter in middle school and a son in elementary school. The family regularly attends the 11:00 a.m. traditional service and actively participates in church life. Nicole volunteers with AWANA and recently served on the Mission Study Team.
Ben Peterson started attending First Church in 2019 and joined in 2021. He has participated in three First Church mission trips and has served on the Young Adult Leadership Team for two years. Ben also occasionally plays the trumpet in worship services.
Kate Swan is a fourth-generation member of First Church, Kate has served in many roles over the years. Her involvement includes the Board of Deacons, the Young Adult Leadership Team, the Hospitality Committee, and Children’s Ministry.
Jacob Thompson and his wife, Holly, have two daughters, ages 17 and 21. They joined First Church in 2017. Jacob is an Elder serving his third year on Session and currently chairs the Strategic Planning Committee. He also serves on the Discipleship Committee. Jacob and Holly lead a Bible study in the UKirk Ministry at First Church.
Amy Tingleaf and her husband, Clark, have been members of First Church since 2003 and have two children. Amy, an Elder, has served on several committees, including Mission, Strategic Planning (as Chair), and the 8:10 Project Council (as Chair). She has contributed extensively through volunteer work at First Church.
How you can pray for the Pastor Nominating Committee
Pray that the Holy Spirit will be at work in our PNC and that we will be receptive to the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance.
Pray that our conversations would be glorifying to God.
Pray for protection for us from the enemy. He is real and is always at work.
Pray for our next senior pastor that God is nudging and preparing to lead us into the next era of FPC.
Pray for patience from the congregation for the PNC as we go through the discernment process.
Pray for unity as a PNC and congregation.