Matters of Interpretation

A day or so ago, while looking for something else, I came across this “Prayer for the PNC.”

Because Presbyterians like to do things “decently and in order,” we have a step-by-step process for seeking and calling a new pastor after the former pastor says “Yes!” to a new call to somewhere else.

One of the steps involves forming a PNC – a Pastor Nominating Committee – which then handles several key tasks in the process on behalf of the congregation.

It feels like ancient history now, but it was actually not that long ago that our congregation went down that road. Not long ago enough that the other day, when I was looking for something else, I came across a big stack of Pastor Nominating Committee papers that had been hiding out in their own little niche in my office. Right on top was the Prayer for the PNC.

We composed this prayer, passed it out to the congregation, told everyone that if they were ever at a loss for words when it came to keeping the PNC in prayer here were some. We prayed it together whenever we met, too.

It seems a little wordy to me now. But it kept us on track, and mindful of some of the things that were at stake in the process.

Maybe it was the prayer. Maybe it was providence. Although … those are supposed to be related. But like I said … now it seems like ancient history.

Praise be to God.