New Associate Pastor of Children and Youth Ministry Starts July 13

This Spring the session elected a search committee to fill the program position for children and youth. That search committee includes Erin Johnston, Bret Moore, L.B. Todd, Rachel Ellingson, and me in an ex officio role. As the role will continue to be a part-time position, the search committee had the unique opportunity to search for either a contract position as Director for Children/Youth (non-ordained, as in Kristy’s case), or a contract call position as Associate Pastor for Children/Youth (ordained). After reviewing resumes and conducting interviews the committee was unanimous in their choice. That candidate, who will be our part-time contract call associate pastor, was confirmed unanimously and enthusiastically by the session.

It is with great joy and gratitude that, on behalf of the search committee, I get to share the good news about the future of our children and youth ministry programs at St. Andrews. So, without further ado, we present to you Steve Sankey as our new Associate Pastor for Children and Youth Ministry. He is a 2014 graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary and a candidate for ordination in the Presbytery of East Iowa. Even before the search committee met with Steve they knew he special. In his cover letter he said:
“I want to help guide a sustainable children and youth ministry that not only serves the children, youth and families of the church, but involves and gives life to the entire church. From what I hear, your church is already doing great ministry for the children and youth in your midst. It would be my great joy to partner with you in raising up the children and youth of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church to know the God who loves us, and to share that love with the world.”

A contract call pastor position is quite different from a called and installed pastor (like me). It does not require a congregationally elected Pastor Nominating Committee or congregational vote on the candidate. This kind of position also costs the church significantly less because the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta does not require that we pay full Board of Pensions benefits and insurance. The job description and responsibilities are almost identical whether ordained or not and the time expectation (20 hours per week) is the same. For our purposes, though, just think of Steve as our “Associate Pastor”.

Steve’s official start date will be July 13. We look forward to introducing Steve to the congregation formally so stay tuned for more information about that. Keep reading to find out what he says about himself. You’re going to love him!

Peace,

Camille