St. Luke's Presbyterian Church

Pastor Nominating Committee presents dr. jason whitener

St. Luke's will welcome Dr. Jason Whitener as our senior pastor on March 1, 2010, with his first Sunday in the pulpit on March 7. After many months and many hours of research, conversation, visits, prayer, and discernment, the Pastor Nominating Committee presented Jason's name to the congregation on January 10. The congregation then unanimously elected Jason to serve as our senior pastor. Jason and his wife Kristy, along with their three young children, Scott, Brian and Sarah, will be a blessed addition to our St. Luke's family.

Jason received his bachelor's degree at Presbyterian College, his divinity degree at Union Seminary in Richmond, VA, and his doctorate of ministry at Columbia Seminary in Decatur. He has extensive experience both as an associate pastor and most recently as senior pastor, head of staff at Tinkling Spring PC in Fishersville, Virginia. He brings to us an energy, enthusiasm, warmth, and deep faith that will lead St. Luke's as we begin this exciting new chapter in our church life.

His wife Kristy is eager to immerse herself in the church as well, helping the family to be engaged participants and in sharing her faith and expertise with the church. Her enthusiasm for this new calling matches Jason's.

There is no doubt that God's hand has guided us and the Whitener family to join together in our journey of faith. The arrival of Jason and his family is indeed a gift to our congregation; may we all rejoice in the bright future we look to enjoy together!

the process

PNC Focus Group Input Form

On March 8, 2009 the St. Luke's congregation elected a panel of 7 members to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee, charged with researching, interviewing and ultimately identifying a qualified candidate for consideration as our next Senior Minister. This important effort is likely to take 12 months and will require countless hours by this committed team of people. Please remember to keep them in your prayers during this important time in the life of St. Luke's.

Update: September 13, 2009

Your PNC is making excellent progress. They have reviewed over 260 candidates so far. That's roughly 3,000 pages of Pastor Information forms. They feel well preached to, via listening to 4-10 sermons each week.

Now, they have completed an initial set of telephone interviews with top candidates. Typically, all 7 PNC members gather around Ellen Womack's dining table to call candidates for 45 minutes. Reference check calls are also underway.

Over the next 2-3 months, they will be traveling to the churches of the top candidates to meet them in person and see them in action. Then, they will invite the top candidates to come one at a time to a weekend here at St. Luke's.

The PNC is still open to strong additional candidates if you would like to refer someone . . . soon. Contact David King or any other PNC member. Remember to greet all SLPC guests warmly, since candidates are getting feedback on us as well. Please keep our (anonymous!) candidates, our church, and the PNC in your prayers.

Finally, the PNC wants you to know that our top candidates are very strong and well worth the way. So relax! St. Luke's future is very bright.

(l-r) Front Row: Jim Bryant, Kari Young, David King (Chair); (l-r)
Back row: Dick Miller, Lindy Farley, Ellen Womack and Bob Crutchfield.

Jim Bryant	Member for eight years, joining St. Luke's after eight years at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. At First Presbyterian Atlanta, served as a Middle School Sunday School teacher, adult Sunday School teacher, a Middle School youth advisor, and member of the Christian Education Committee, a Stephen Minister and an Elder. Joined First Presbyterian members on mission trips to Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina and Scotland. At St. Luke's, served as a Deacon, Disciple class participant, elementary Sunday School teacher, Middle School Sunday School teacher, adult Sunday School teacher, Logos teacher, FEAST teacher, and member of the Chapel Guild. Joined St. Luke's members on Mexico missions. Married to Jeanine Bryant.

Bob Crutchfield	Lifelong Presbyterian. Served as a Youth Elder at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL. Member of St. Luke's for almost three years. Served as Young Life volunteer leader for six years, serving as a senior leader for North Atlanta High School and a leader at Pace Academy. Bob and wife, Christine, started volunteering with the St. Luke's youth in August 2008. Both are regular attendees of the FINCH Sunday School class. Bob and Christine have a 2.5 year old daughter, Ansley, and a 2.5 month hold son, James. James will be the first baptism in the Chapel on March 22.

Lindy Farley	Member for 19 years. Session member twice. Served on a range of committees including Worship, Endowment and Fellowship. Participated in the Bell Choir since its inception and the Chancel Choir since joining St. Luke's. Served as a member of almost every planning committee and highly involved in capital campaigns. Active member of Act Up! and a gracious hostess of many St. Luke's events. Two children married at St. Luke's, one married by Chris away from St. Luke's. Grandchildren baptized at St. Luke's.

David King	Lifelong Presbyterian. Member for eight years, spanning two periods (1993-96, 2005-present). At First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia, NC, served as Deacon (including the role of moderator), Elder, led Membership Development Committee, taught Sunday School for youth and children and headed youth recreation ministry. At St. Luke's, served as Deacon, member of Church Development Committee, and Sunday School teacher for Middle School and several adult classes. David & Betsy have three children: Rachel (freshman at Virginia Tech), Benjamin (14) and Steve (12).

Dick Miller	Member for ten months; attended for nine months before joining. Member of Pilgrimage Presbyterian Church for the immediate 23 years prior to joining St. Luke's and at Shallowford Presbyterian for about ten years before. Served as Elder twice at Pilgrimage Presbyterian and on numerous committees. Faculty member at Georgia State. Wife, Beverly, is a retired schoolteacher.

Ellen Womack	Lifelong Presbyterian. Charter member of Port Orange Presbyterian Church in Port Orange Florida. Served as Elder at Port Orange and twice at New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Doraville. Member of St. Luke's for three years. Serves as a deacon and is a Disciple class participant. Served on a Presbytery Committee that started the "2 Cents a Meal" program for hunger. Serves on Outreach Committee with husband, Bill. Volunteer Coordinator for Six Star Refugee Partnership.

Kari Young	Member for eight years and a visitor for a year prior to that. As a Deacon, served on the New Member Committee. Served as a youth advisor for three years and currently serves on the Nursery Committee. Teaches Sunday School to the Senior High students. Enjoyed a mission trip to Brazil in 2003. Kari and Miles (Elder) have two youngsters: Clara & Cole. Loves St. Luke's as: (1) a great place to raise a family and (2) a source for so many wonderful relationships