Pastoral Transition

First Presbyterian Church, Fort Collins, is stepping out in faith as we seek a new senior pastor. For some of us, this is a familiar process, while for others, it is new. This website page will be a source of information and updates throughout the process.

As a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks, FPC will follow a series of established steps that focus on prayerful discernment of the congregation’s needs and a confidential search for the candidate God is preparing for this position.

Everyone has a role to play in the search process. Our deepest needs are for prayer and continued active involvement and support as we begin a new chapter at FPC. Importantly, as faithful members of the First Presbyterian Church congregation, we continue to live into our mission of being a Christ-centered, open, and welcoming community, addressing the challenges of our time.

Here is an overview of the transition process prepared by our Session.

You can follow the progress by checking the steps that are listed below.

With prayerful gratitude,
The Session of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Collins

sTEPS IN THE pASTORAL tRANSITION pROCESS

    • After 10 years of ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Collins, Senior Pastor Corey Nelson announced on February 24, 2026, that he planned to conclude his ministry as of June 7, 2026.

    • Session works with the Presbytery Committee on Church Orders (COCO) to hire an interim/transitional pastor.

    • Our hope is that an Interim Pastor will be hired before the current pastor departs.

    • Church leaders review our history, current health, and future direction, drawing on our recently revised vision and mission statement, as well as our big tent statement.

    • We enter this transition in a very strong posture in terms of membership, finances, mission, and congregational vitality. These strengths can sustain us during the transition and help attract high-quality candidates for our next pastor.

    • The Congregational Nominating Committee (CNC) is responsible for nominating a representative body from the congregation to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC).

    • The congregation will be invited to submit names of potential PNC members to the CNC.

    • The PNC is charged with conducting the pastor search, interviewing candidates, and presenting a single nominee to the congregation.

    • A congregational meeting will be called at a future date to elect the PNC.

    • The PNC will begin with a period of prayerful discernment about the congregation’s needs prior to starting search for a new senior pastor.

    • The confidential search will be guided by the PNC’s prayerful consideration of candidates. There is no set timeline for the search, which can typically take one–two years.

    • The PNC will make periodic reports to the congregation as the search progresses.

    • A congregational meeting will be called to vote on the candidate recommended by the PNC.

    • Upon approval, the new pastor is welcomed and installed by the Presbytery.

Questions

If you have questions about the pastoral transition, contact us! We hope to answer commonly asked questions on this page throughout the transition process.

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