The Pulpit Search Committee requests the Session to call a congregational meeting for Sunday, March 30, 2014, immediately following the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services for the purpose of hearing a report from the Pulpit Search Committee and, if the way be clear, to vote by ballot, to extend a call to fill the vacancy of the Senior Minister.

I am so pleased with the announcement that David Strain has been unanimously nominated by our Pulpit Committee to be our next Senior Minister at First Presbyterian Church. This will now be put to a vote by the congregation on March 30 and is subject to Presbytery approval on May 6. I am absolutely confident the Pulpit Committee worked hard and reached the correct decision. The following was presented to and approved by the Session this week.

The Pulpit Search Committee unanimously recommends that The Reverend Mister David T.A. Strain be called to serve as the next Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi.

The call would state-

The First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi, being on sufficient grounds well satisfied of the ministerial qualifications of you, Rev. Mr. David T.A. Strain, and having good hopes from our knowledge of your labors that your ministrations in the Gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call you to undertake the pastoral office of Senior Minister in said congregation, promising you, in the discharge of your duty, all proper support, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord. That you may be free from worldly cares and avocations, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay you in regular monthly payments, and other benefits, such as,  retirement, insurance, vacations etc., during the time of your being and continuing the regular pastor of this church.

The Pulpit Search Committee would request the Session to call a congregational meeting for Sunday, March 30, 2014, immediately following the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services for the purpose of hearing a report from the Pulpit Search Committee and, if the way be clear, to vote by ballot, to extend a call to fill the vacancy of the Senior Minister.

The Pulpit Search Committee further requests the Session to ask the Credentials Committee of the Presbytery of Mississippi Valley to approve this call and act on it at the regular stated meeting of the Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.

The Pulpit Search Committee further requests the Session to have an installation service for our new Senior Minister on Sunday, May 18, 2014.

The Pulpit Search Committee further requests the Session to cancel all scheduled ministry activities for Wednesday night, March 26, for the purpose of all communing members to come together in Miller Hall for an evening of fellowship with the Senior Minister Candidate.

The Pulpit Search Committee further requests the Session to ask the Management Committee to work out the terms of the call with Rev. Strain.

The Pulpit Search Committee further requests the Session to ask the congregation at the conclusion of the March 30, 2014, congregational meeting to dismiss the Pulpit Search Committee.

Let me pass on to you a message I received from Ligon Duncan earlier this week.

“I was overjoyed to hear of our Pulpit Committee’s unanimous recommendation of my dear friend and colleague, David Strain, as your next Senior Minister. To say that I am thrilled is an understatement. David is a powerful preacher, a caring pastor and a wise leader. I have loved sitting under his pulpit ministry and relish the prospect that he will now be ‘my pastor.’ David knows, and I want you to know, that he has my complete confidence and full support. First Presbyterian will be blessed by his service to us all for many years to come. I offer my deep thanks to our Pulpit Committee for their outstanding work, and I pledge my prayers for David’s ministry in our midst for years and years to come. As was said of John Knox, so may I say of David, ‘He is God’s man, for God’s work, in God’s time.’ ”

These are exciting days here at First Presbyterian Church. I am thrilled to be a part of the work and worship with you at First Presbyterian Church. Serving you as the Executive Minister is the highlight of my labors over the years. Your kind expressions of love and your encouraging words have been a real blessing to me during this time of transition. I look forward to the coming weeks as we move toward having our new Senior Minister in place.

Semper Reformanda (always reforming)
Ralph Kelley
Executive Minister

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