Presbyterian Mission Agency Board suspends search for executive director

Search will resume pending reports from Way Forward Commission and All Agency Review Committee

by Gregg Brekke | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Mission Agency Board (PMAB) today issued a news release saying it has temporarily suspended the search for a new executive director after “interviews for the position late this fall did not conclude with an accepted offer.” The board will resume its search pending results of reports to General Assembly 223 (2018) from the Way Forward Commission and the All Agency Review Committee, which will be released by Feb. 16, 2018.

Dave Crittenden, appointed acting executive director Sept. 13, 2017, following Tony De La Rosa’s resignation, will lead the agency until next summer’s General Assembly.

“We have every reason to be optimistic, on behalf of the PMA and the denomination, that the search will be successful in identifying an exceptional executive director and every reason to be confident about the future of PC(USA) mission and ministry,” said Dr. Nancy Ramsay, chair of the search committee.

The full release from the PMAB is below:

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Presbyterian Mission Agency Board News Release

December 1, 2017

The Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) Executive Director Search Committee announced today that interviews for the position late this fall did not conclude with an accepted offer. The Committee will temporarily suspend the search until mid-February.

“A temporary suspension allows us to factor in the results of the Way Forward Commission and All Agency Review Committee reports due Feb. 16,” said PMA Board Chair the Rev. Kenneth Godshall. “Structural changes expected to result from these recommendations could impact the leadership assets required to lead the organization forward.”

The search process reached over 300 Presbyterian leaders, many of whom took time to provide advice and referrals. “The search surfaced a number of exceptionally talented candidates with varied backgrounds and gifts who embody the diversity of our denomination,” said Dr. Nancy Ramsay, chair of the Search Committee. “The Search Committee believes that an even wider pool of candidates will be available once the recommendations are known.”

The PMA Board launched the search for executive director on July 5. The search has been informed by in-person and online input from hundreds of Presbyterians, who shared their hopes for the skills and vision the next executive director would bring. The Leadership Profile describing the position calls for transformative and imaginative leadership, along with strategic, relational and management gifts, in this time of complex challenges and promise for the PMA and the denomination.

“We have every reason to be optimistic, on behalf of the PMA and the denomination, that the search will be successful in identifying an exceptional executive director and every reason to be confident about the future of PC(USA) mission and ministry,” Ramsay said.

As the search continues, Dave Crittenden, named acting executive director of the PMA in September 2017, will continue in that position through the General Assembly.