When will Donovan retire? Donovan recently turned 63 and plans to retire at age 65.
Why retire at 65? With a talented staff and strong lay leadership, Westminster is well-positioned for the future. While pastoring a large church is rewarding, it also brings significant stress. Donovan hopes to retire before he is fully gray. He’s got two dark hairs left.
What will Donovan and Beth do in retirement? Beth and Donovan plan to travel during their first year of retirement and reflect on life in Nashville after their service at Westminster. They also anticipate a period of grieving as they leave a beloved community that has been central to their lives.
How will the PNC be selected? The Church Nominating Committee is accepting nominations until Easter. They will consult with the previous Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) and staff (excluding Donovan) to gather valuable insights.
Will Donovan be active in selecting the PNC? No, Donovan will not participate in selecting the next pastor.
Why start the PNC process now? The Presbyterian Outlook notes that the PC(USA) is “…experiencing significant change and will likely look and function differently in the next five to ten years. Recognizing that ‘business as usual’ is not sufficient to meet these challenges…”. Westminster, like several other large PC USA congregations have already done, is beginning the search process while the pastor is still serving. The Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry has approved our process.
Will there be a Transition Committee? Yes. The Session will vote on a slate for a Transition Committee to create a plan to seek input from the congregation. The committee will reflect on our past, present, and hopes for the future, and work to discern and affirm our core values. The information gathered will guide the PNC and provide potential candidates with a comprehensive view of our community.
How does the search work? The PNC will develop a Ministry Information Form (MIF). Once complete, the Presbytery will authorize us to begin our search. The MIF may be posted on the denomination’s website, where a computer-matching process could generate many potential candidates—some of whom may not be the right fit. Often, the ideal candidate is already happily serving elsewhere. The PNC may also receive candidate suggestions directly from our congregation or contacts nationwide. Increasingly, congregations are hiring search firms that already know a pool of strong candidates who could be a good fit for Westminster.
How long will this take? While the exact timing is uncertain, we are proceeding thoughtfully—neither rushing nor delaying the process. Once the PNC is organized and prepared, the search typically takes twelve to eighteen months.
When Donovan retires, will he conduct funerals and weddings at Westminster? No. Doing so would make his retirement difficult, and it is important for Westminster to move forward.
What about Beth leaving the Café and Joy in Learning? The Transition Committee will explore ways for these important ministries to continue and thrive after Beth’s departure.The Transition Committee will examine ways to ensure these vital ministries continue to thrive.
Should I be nervous? A review of Session minutes from 2005–2010 reveals that many of today’s concerns have surfaced before. Change is challenging, but our congregation has navigated it successfully in the past. Rather than being anxious, let us be prayerful and trust that a guiding Spirit is leading us toward wonderful things in the years ahead.