Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Stated Clerk Race

It was sadly predictable that the Nominating Committee charged with recommending a candidate to fill the post of Stated Clerk for the PCUSA General Assembly named Gradye Parsons, who has served 8 years as associate Stated Clerk. For my non-PresbyReaders, the Stated Clerk is roughly the equivalent of the CEO of the PCUSA. This after a much-publicized national search for the nominee which generated at least 6 candidates for the committee to consider.

I don't know Gradye Parsons. He may be an excellent choice. However, I think that recommending a long-time insider from headquarters sends the wrong message and makes the "national search" of the committee seem perfunctory. I would much prefer a fresh face in the Stated Clerk's office--someone with good pastoral and administrative skills and experience in the local church where ministry happens. But maybe that's just me.

Presbyweb reported yesterday that Ed Koster, pastor/attorney/stated clerk of Detroit Presbytery, has announced he will "stand" for the position. (In PresbySpeak, "stand"="run".) Additional candidates may emerge as well. PresbyPolity Geeks will be following this election with great interest.

Stay tuned!

4 comments:

Mac said...

I understand that there were at least 14 applicant/candidates.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes...PresbyPolitics!

Gradye Parsons is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Seminary and is viewed by many as experienced and a moderate. Ed Koster of Detroit, though considered more theologically liberal, is a man of great intellectual integrity who is respected by folks who stand on opposite sides of our theological divide...He is seen as someone who could build bridges and be a unifier...and, as you say, he's new...

PresbyG

Jody Harrington said...

Mac,
14 applicants? There was more interest in this than I thought.

PresbyG,
Thanks for the background on Parsons and Koster. I bet there will be another "standee" or two.

Mac said...

14 was the number given in the PNS news release. The SCNC talked to all 14 by phone and had face-to-face interviews with 5.

When Bill Clinton was looking to appoint a judge to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a large number of highly qualified candidates were considered. Happily, the most qualified was the wife of then-mayor and now-governor Ed Rendell. This has the same feel to it.