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As of August 18, we have reviewed 88 resumes, called at least one hundred references, gone to three worship services to hear potential candidates, listened to or read numerous sermons posted online, conducted a telephone interview, and done an in-person interview here at APC. Although resumes continue to come in, we are now focused on a small pool of potential pastors we have found to be impressive.
We cannot predict exactly when we will have a candidate to present to the congregation, but we are a good deal further down the road than we were at the beginning of the summer.
Please keep us in your prayers, and please feel free to talk with any of us at any time.
The Pastor Nominating Committee has completed two documents required as part of its search process. The Church Study provides a general overview of our current church and its membership, as well as its goals for the future. The Church Information Form (CIF) is designed to provide information to prospective ministers concerning our ministry needs and the desired qualities of the pastor we are seeking to call. We welcome your review of these documents, and ask for your continued prayers as we begin the active search for a new pastor.
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The Church Study provides a general overview of our current church and its membership, as well as its goals for the future.
The Pastor Nominating Committee ("PNC") of The First Presbyterian Church of Ardmore (often referred to here as "APC") was elected by the congregation on November 11, 2007 with a charge to bring a new senior Pastor and head of staff to the congregation for election and extension of a call. The first task of the PNC was to gather data about the church and the community in order to determine the church's strengths and the ministries that need to be improved. To that end, the PNC solicited views and comments from the congregation through an open-ended survey that was widely distributed, and through two "town meetings" with the congregation and one with the youth of the church. Many thoughtful responses from a wide variety of members are reflected in this study.
APC began in 1907 with 82 charter members. In 1908 the congregation called its first pastor, Rev. Edmund Rawson, and a year later acquired land at the corner of Montgomery Avenue and Mill Creek Road for construction of its first sanctuary. Through 1974 the church had only three senior pastors, each serving for long tenures. During these years the church grew in staffing and in membership (to around 2,000), began the first church preschool program in Pennsylvania, and added a substantial physical plant. Membership declined thereafter until 1996, when the church's sixth installed pastor, Rev. William Proctor, began eleven years of service. During his tenure APC's membership stabilized and grew to about 500; many new families with young children joined; and the physical plant was renovated and renewed in numerous ways as the result of a nearly $800,000 capital campaign. In 2007 APC marked its 100th anniversary with a multi-faceted celebration of its heritage and, in preparation for the future, an upgrade of its web site.
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Most of APC's members reside in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, and Haverford Township, Delaware County, with a number of members from the Borough of Narberth and outlying areas.
Lower Merion Township's population of 58,740 (2000 census, revised in April 2003) has held steady for a number of decades, while the population of Haverford Township has declined slightly in the last two decades to a count of 49,608 in the 2000 census. A significant portion of the working population is engaged in professional or white-collar employment, with many commuting to work in nearby Center City Philadelphia. The community has many affluent residents, but income levels vary widely, and the population's racial and ethnic diversity has increased in recent years. There is a substantial population of older adults, but young families continue to relocate to the area to make use of its excellent public and private schools.
Although precise figures are not available, the Christian population of the area has been in a steady decline for the last forty years. Lower Merion Township in particular has seen a substantial increase in the size of its Jewish community, and within the last seven years a Presbyterian congregation, a Roman Catholic elementary school, and an Episcopal parish - all within a few miles of APC - have been closed.
APC's progress in the face of these demographic challenges has been noteworthy. Total active roll membership increased from 463 in 1997 to 499 in 2007, and over 200 new members were received at APC during Rev. Proctor's years of ministry. And although no individual in APC's congregation is getting any younger, the congregation as a whole has done so during the last decade. The percentage of members over 65 years of age has declined from 45.6% in 1997 to 32.5% in 2007, while the percentage of members between the ages of 26 and 55 has increased from 31.9% in 1997 to 43.3% in 2007. Average attendance at Sunday worship was 191 in 1997, 223 in 2002, and 198 in 2007. Church school enrollment has grown from 146 in 1997 to 193 in 2007. Bucking national trends, the percentage of men in the congregation has increased from 31.7% in 1997 to 39.7% in 2007. In addition, lifelong Presbyterians are no longer a substantial majority of newer members, with many coming from other Protestant faith traditions and a number from a Roman Catholic heritage.
In sum, APC has a much richer mix of "ages and stages" today, and each group in the mix has particular pastoral needs. The congregation's lay leadership recognizes that we must continue our emphasis on attracting new members, and improve our ability to keep them engaged in the work of the church.
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The church's financial situation has improved over the last decade.
The bedrock of any church's finances is offering income from pledges, and increased giving over the years has enabled APC to increase its mission giving substantially. This table tells the story:
During 2007 APC used the Consecration Sunday program in connection with its stewardship campaign, got specific about working toward tithing, and increased total pledges by almost $50,000. The average pledge level of $2,585 for 2008 is substantially above the national average. But like most churches, APC has "top heavy" giving, with a substantial amount given by older members, and we must continue to focus on developing giving from newer members and those who have not pledged in the past.
Total mission giving, including special offerings, amounted to about $60,000 in 1997 and $95,630 in 2003. During 2008 total mission giving should be well in excess of $115,000. The church continues to work toward its goal of tithing for mission from its operating budget, with $77,000 in giving planned for 2008 out of a total operating budget of $821,226.
The church's general investment fund, commonly known as ARDPRES, had a principal balance of $2,829,450 at the end of 2007 and, together with APC's interest in a trust, contributes 21.7% of the 2008 operating budget. Managed by investment professionals under a total return approach, 59% of ARDPRES is unrestricted, with the remainder being designated for missions and other purposes. At present the church spends 5% of the five-year average market value of the portfolio, and wants to reduce the spending rate to about 4.5% in future years.
The church recognizes that a congregation of 500 is too big for a solo pastor, and has as one of its goals the development of a giving level from the congregation that will enable it to take on, and fairly pay, an additional pastor.
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The church has a talented, committed staff with a strong love of God, the congregation, and each other. Staff positions have evolved from perceived needs and available talents. We recognize that future staffing patterns may be different, as church needs are redefined and as present church staff retire or leave for other opportunities.
Although APC has had associate pastors in the past, we now have an interim pastor, replacing a solo pastor. A not-yet-ordained intern and an ordained helper provide assistance to the interim pastor in leading worship, in advising Session committees, and in visiting church members. Lay participation in worship leadership has increased under our interim pastor's guidance.
Support staff consists of a full-time church administrator/pastor's secretary, a part-time church secretary, who also serves as pre-school administrator, a full-time custodian, a part-time pre-school director, a part-time director of Christian education, a part-time financial manager, and volunteer church members who serve as receptionists on weekday mornings.
The church also employs a full-time music director/organist and pays four soloists, who serve as section leaders for the volunteer choir. Many of the office staff are also church members, and sometimes volunteer for additional tasks.
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Our church is blessed by an extensive physical plant which includes a beautiful gothic sanctuary, intimate chapel and a large education wing which houses our Pre-School program and the weekly Sunday and Wednesday activities for our children's education programs. A large parish house is located on the property; a portion is currently rented and the first floor is used for the Youth Fellowship program and various other meetings and fellowship activities (New Member luncheons and classes, College-Aged Annual Luncheon).
Many renovations and improvements have been made to the facilities over the past decade. The recently completed Century Campaign raised nearly $800,000, mainly for capital improvements. These improvements included efforts to make the church building handicapped accessible with the addition of an elevator and lift, the reconfiguration and renovation of several of the restrooms and the recent completion of a pull-off on Mill Creek Road for transportation pickup and drop-off. Other improvements included the restoration of the sanctuary organ, and the air conditioning of the sanctuary and chapel.
The building is used frequently by congregation groups and community groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, AL-ANON, Ballroom dance group, Boy Scout Council, Cub Scout/ Boy Scout troops, Diabetes Support Group, Fit to Move Exercise, Girl Scout Adult Training, House of God's Light, Pilates Exercise, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). The wonderful acoustics in the sanctuary provide a performance venue for many visiting artists, college choirs and local high school choirs.
Maintenance of the building is provided by a full time custodian. An active group of members participates in painting, minor repairs and other maintenance on Shine-Up Saturdays held throughout the year.
APC has a limited amount of parking on its own property. Directly across the street from APC is Ardmore's commercial district, which includes Suburban Square, a retail center that allows APC members to use its parking lot on Sunday mornings. In the early stages of municipal approval is a comprehensive plan providing for additional development of the commercial district, which may have an effect on the church's future access to the parking lot. The church intends to be an active constituent of this process.
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Worship is the primary activity that defines the APC congregation, with many of its members having been drawn to the church by its style of worship and the content of the sermons. The worship service is deeply rooted in the reformed tradition, with central focus placed on the Word of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ. Sermons are based upon the readings of the Old and New Testaments, and are often expositional in nature. In recent years the church has followed the Common Lectionary. The Order of Worship also includes the Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon, the Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer, the Confession of Faith, the Offering, the Gloria Patri, and the Doxology. APC has a single Sunday service held at 10:30 am.
The style of worship is formal yet comfortable. The church strives to maintain most of its worship traditions while attending to the needs of younger members. Parents are encouraged to worship with their children. A children's sermon is given midway through the worship hour followed by the children recessing to Sunday School classes. Nursery and preschool care are provided each week during the education hour and during worship. Parents who need to leave worship with their children may still hear the service in the nearby chapel.
Communion is served on five Sundays during the year, with additional evening services during Lent. The elements most often used are grape juice and leavened bread. The elements are taken to members in the pews by Elders and Deacons. Regular communion instruction is given to children to allow them to participate at their parents' discretion.The worship service also serves an important role in the fellowship of the church. The congregation has gained a reputation for friendliness by the warmth of its greetings both before and after the worship service. Many stay in the sanctuary well after the service to hear the organ postlude, to welcome visitors, and to socialize with other members.
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Music in worship is led by an exceptional full-time music director and is very important to the church. Music is seen not as a performance or as entertainment, but as an act of worship. The overwhelming majority of the music in worship (preludes, hymns, anthems, offertories, cantatas, postludes) is accompanied by the organ and led by one of the congregation's many choirs. The congregation has a good knowledge of Christian hymnody and actively participates in hymn singing, using the Presbyterian Hymnal (1989).
The music, like the worship service, is described by most of the congregation as "traditional," and the hope that this tradition continues is palpable. It is viewed as one of the most highly valued gifts of APC.
During the summer months, the anthems and offertories during Sunday worship are sung or played by visiting soloists, both vocal and instrumental. In addition, APC often enlists the help of a brass quintet, a small group of strings, or various members of the congregation to accompany the choirs.
APC's carillon is a familiar presence in the community, providing hymns to those unable to attend regular worship.
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(Adult Education | Children's Education | Youth Education | Goals for the Future)
APC carries out a variety of educational programs targeted at all age groups within the congregation - programs are in effect for adults, youth and children. The fundamental goals of these educational programs are to create platforms through which all members of the congregation may share the basic message of salvation through Christ as revealed in scripture, continue in their spiritual journeys, and mature in their knowledge and practice of faith in today's world.
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The education program has always been a strength of our church, providing an important ministry to those interested in learning about their faith and sharing it with their children. In order to maintain a strong program in the future, the church plans to review and revitalize its current program with a goal toward increasing the number of offerings and the extent of participation. In response to discussions and surveys related to the pastoral search process, several members have expressed the desire to increase the church's commitment to children and youth by adding an education position staffed by an assistant minister, a seminary intern, or a paid lay person. As part of the church survey, the youth of our church expressed a desire for more participation in worship, additional fellowship and educational activities beyond their Wednesday meetings, and a deeper and more meaningful involvement in mission activities.
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Goals for the Future - During this time of leadership transition, many members of the church have realized the importance of creating additional fellowship opportunities to strengthen the bonds among church members. Several have expressed interest in resurrecting a past practice of potluck dinners for different age groups at the homes of members (a dinner for "thirty-somethings", etc.), and gatherings directed toward newer members have been planned. Young adults without children comprise one of the smallest segments of the current church population; creating more fellowship opportunities for this group may in turn help strengthen their numbers.
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APC is involved in supporting many mission projects on the local, national and international level. Local missions include John Gloucester House and Presbyterian Children's Village; national missions include General Assembly and the Wee Kirk Conference; and international missions include Saint Luke's Hospital in Palestine and the Kuwadzana Presbyterian Church Hunger Relief Fund.
Mission Giving - In recent years APC has placed a priority in raising the amount of mission giving as a percentage of its annual budget. As indicated earlier, the church is working toward the goal of tithing for mission, and has budgeted $77,000 in giving for 2008. In addition to its budgeted giving, a portion of the proceeds from its capital campaigns and special bequests are set aside for mission. Over $100,000 from the recent Century Campaign has been allocated for mission.
Mission Involvement - Recently APC has taken a more active role in missions by sponsoring hands-on mission trips for its members. Our most recent hands-on projects have been to the Gulf Coast to assist in Hurricane Katrina disaster relief in D'Iberville, Mississippi, and to Promised Land Ministries in Guatemala to assist in building a community school. Each trip involves a team of six to ten members who volunteer for a one-week stay, with the church assisting in the cost of transportation. We have made several return trips to each location, and are considering additional trips in the future as the needs dictate. On a local level, for several years in the recent past APC served as a host church for homeless families in the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
Goals for the Future - Recent discussions with the APC congregation have identified missions as a priority for the future, with many members expressing an interest in additional opportunities for hands-on mission involvement. Although some individual members volunteer at local church-related service organizations, APC currently sponsors no local mission project. The Mission Awareness Committee of the Session is aware of this need and is currently in the process of finding a local hands-on mission project that the church can support.
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The Ardmore Church is a strong, unified congregation that seeks to grow in numbers and in faithfulness to its calling as a witnessing Christian community. Grateful for and committed to its traditions in worship and music, the church seeks to maintain its welcoming atmosphere and recognizes room for improvement in its programs for education, fellowship, and mission. With God's help, we look forward in faith to expanding our many ministries in our next hundred years.
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JODY BRUMBACH
Jody has been a member since 1989. She currently serves as an elder, as chair of the Fellowship and Outreach Committee, as a member of the Personnel Committee, and plays in the Handbell Choir. Jody was on the recent Interim Pastor Search Committee. Jody is married to Mike and when their children, Andrew and Becki, were growing up she was involved in all aspects of the Christian Education ministry. Jody works for Principal Financial Group as an Internal Wholesaler.
ANN FLANNERY
Ann has been a member since 1997. Ann was recently instrumental in putting together the DVD "If These Walls Could Talk" for our Centennial Celebration. She felt this was a wonderful way to gain deeper insights into APC and its history. Ann has taught in Sunday School at APC and been involved in mission work such as the Interfaith Hospitality Network and the most recent trip to D'Iberville, Mississippi. She is married to Dick and they have two children, Carolyn and Kevin, who are active participants at APC. Ann has served as a federal prosecutor and taught trial advocacy and the law of investigations at Temple Law School.
JANE GULICK
Jane has been a member since 1945 (Communicant's Class). She currently serves on the Session and is a member of the Personnel and Stewardship and Finance Committees. In the past, Jane served as a Trustee, chaired various Session committees, served on a Pastor Nominating Committee, helped with the ALPHA series, and assumed other responsibilities as needed. She is now completing six years of service on the Auxiliary Board for Presby's Inspired Life. Jane is a retired Lower Merion School District teacher and administrator.
JEN HERBST
Jen has been member since 2001. Jen currently serves on the Session and on the Personnel, Stewardship and Finance and ARDPRES Advisory committees. She sings in the Chancel Choir, attends Sunday School and Bible Study, was an ALPHA participant, a Promised Land Ministries mission team member, traveled to D'Iberville, Mississippi for Katrina restoration, and has helped chaperone youth events. Jen works for Montgomery, McCracken, Walker and Rhoads, LLP as a lawyer.
BOB HOELSCHER
Bob and his wife, Connie, have been members since 1994. Bob is currently an elder and serves as Clerk of Session. He is chair of Personnel, and a member of the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Bob is a member of the Chancel Choir, was chair of the recent Interim Pastor Search Committee and served on the Century Campaign Committee. Bob and Connie have two daughters who are actively involved in APC life. Bob is a lawyer and works in the legal department for the Wachovia Corporation.
DON POORMAN
Don has been a member since 1969 (Communicant's Class). Don currently serves on Session and is chair of the Christian Education Committee. He sings in the Chancel Choir, helps on Shine-Up Saturdays, and participates in the Adult Sunday School class. In the past, Don has taught the ALPHA series, served on the Board of Deacons, chaired a Pastor Nominating Committee, and in many other capacities. He and his wife Sherina have three children, Holly, Carol and Anna, who have grown up and been nurtured in this church family. Don works for the State of Pennsylvania as a Workers' Compensation judge.
CATHERINE SCHREINER
Catherine has been a member since 1997 (Communicant's Class). She is currently on the Board of Deacons, teaches Sunday School, is a member of the Mission Awareness Committee and assists with Cherub Choir. Recently she has traveled to D'Iberville, Mississippi to do restoration work following Hurricane Katrina and as a youth she participated in summer work camps and mission trips. Catherine currently works for Ameriprise Financial in Conshohocken as a Sales Support Coordinator.
JEFF SHAVER
Jeff and Peggy have been members since 1999. Jeff currently serves as an elder and is a member of the Personnel Committee. He records Sunday worship services and volunteers on Shine-Up Saturdays. Jeff settled in the area with his family after retiring as a USAF Colonel in the space program. He now works for Ception Therapeutics, Inc., a small biotechnology company in Malvern, as Vice President for Project Management, Alliances and Information Technology. Their three children, Greta, Julie and James actively participate in APC life.
CHRISTIAN TERWIESCH
Christian and his wife, Viola, have been members since 1998. Christian currently teaches Middle High Sunday School. He has served as a Deacon, been a member of the Stewardship & Finance and Worship Committees, and participated in Bible Study. Christian and Viola have three sons, Mats, Jan and Niels, who are active in APC life. Christian is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.
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