Central Florida Presbytery- Report from Council
“Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda”
By Ralphetta Aker McClary, Chair, Presbytery Council
The church reformed, always reforming, prompts us to look back to the great truths and insights articulated by the Reformers over 500 years ago, and even more important convicts us to look forward, especially at this time in the history of Central Florida Presbytery. In the spirit of reformation, the Central Florida Presbytery Council voted at it's most recent meeting to go in a new direction in the search process for a new presbytery leader.
In August of 2022, Presbytery Council appointed an Executive Presbyter Transition Team to begin the process to Call a new full-time Presbytery Executive/Stated Clerk following the announced impending retirement of Dr. Dan Williams. This team has spent the past seven months diligently working to move the process forward and achieve the goal for which it was formed. The team completed a SWOT analysis of our Presbytery, intending to use the “lessons learned” to effectively complete the MIF.
A separate Task Force was appointed in February 2023 with the specific goal of investigating the causes of the financial losses the Presbytery has realized and determining whether the Presbytery could operate on a balanced budget. The Financial Task Force, in its report to the Council in April, detailed the need for the development of a strong vision for Central Florida Presbytery.
Understanding the “new reality” and recognizing the current state of the Presbytery the Council moved without delay, for “instant amendment” of the original purpose for the Executive Presbyter Transition team. Valuing the work of the Transition Team, and the Financial Task Force and based on the direct effects of a changed world—the Presbytery Council took prompt action and approved the following:
1. That the duties of Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk be divided into two distinct jobs and that the Personnel Committee begin the task of securing an individual to fill the role of Stated Clerk at ¼ of a Full-time position no later than September 2023.
2. That a workgroup consisting of selected persons from the Presbytery Council and the Executive Transition Team be appointed to develop a new Strategic Plan for the Presbytery. This team will use the SWOT analysis the Transition Team has created as a baseline for their work; and
3. That the Executive Presbyter Transition team move forward with the finalization of a MIF specifically to select an Interim Executive Presbyter to serve on a contractual basis for a designated period. The Interim will begin their work with the newly formed Strategic Planning workgroup to create a Strategic/Visioning Plan and develop means to address the fiduciary/stewardship concerns of the Presbytery.
As with other periods of transition in our Presbytery, our history has helped to both inform and inspire us. It also continues to challenge us to listen and discover what the Holy Spirit is calling us to do in a new time. Speak God, your servants are listening.
In August of 2022, Presbytery Council appointed an Executive Presbyter Transition Team to begin the process to Call a new full-time Presbytery Executive/Stated Clerk following the announced impending retirement of Dr. Dan Williams. This team has spent the past seven months diligently working to move the process forward and achieve the goal for which it was formed. The team completed a SWOT analysis of our Presbytery, intending to use the “lessons learned” to effectively complete the MIF.
A separate Task Force was appointed in February 2023 with the specific goal of investigating the causes of the financial losses the Presbytery has realized and determining whether the Presbytery could operate on a balanced budget. The Financial Task Force, in its report to the Council in April, detailed the need for the development of a strong vision for Central Florida Presbytery.
Understanding the “new reality” and recognizing the current state of the Presbytery the Council moved without delay, for “instant amendment” of the original purpose for the Executive Presbyter Transition team. Valuing the work of the Transition Team, and the Financial Task Force and based on the direct effects of a changed world—the Presbytery Council took prompt action and approved the following:
1. That the duties of Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk be divided into two distinct jobs and that the Personnel Committee begin the task of securing an individual to fill the role of Stated Clerk at ¼ of a Full-time position no later than September 2023.
2. That a workgroup consisting of selected persons from the Presbytery Council and the Executive Transition Team be appointed to develop a new Strategic Plan for the Presbytery. This team will use the SWOT analysis the Transition Team has created as a baseline for their work; and
3. That the Executive Presbyter Transition team move forward with the finalization of a MIF specifically to select an Interim Executive Presbyter to serve on a contractual basis for a designated period. The Interim will begin their work with the newly formed Strategic Planning workgroup to create a Strategic/Visioning Plan and develop means to address the fiduciary/stewardship concerns of the Presbytery.
As with other periods of transition in our Presbytery, our history has helped to both inform and inspire us. It also continues to challenge us to listen and discover what the Holy Spirit is calling us to do in a new time. Speak God, your servants are listening.