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.

Transition Updates

    • The session continues to review interim pastor candidates and to discern next steps. We ask for your patience and your prayers as we do our work. We will continue to provide regular updates to the congregation in the weeks ahead.

    • Session has approved the candidate recommended by the search team for the Director of Welcome and Involvement position. Pending completion of a written contract we will make an official announcement.

    • The Church Nominating Committee has received nearly 50 nominations for the Pastor Nominating Committee. As a next step, a questionnaire has been sent to all nominees asking for information.

    • Remain in prayer for our church and its leaders as these important steps in our transition work their way toward a successful conclusion.

    • The interim pastor search committee reports they have many good candidates and have begun conducting zoom interviews.

    • The search committee for the Welcome and Involvement staff position has received numerous applications and expects to begin initial interviews soon.

    • The Church Nominating Committee has begun soliciting nominations for the Pastoral Nominating Committee. To nominate yourself or someone else, use the cards found in the pews or submit online above.

    • As he did during Corey’s sabbatical, Rev. Brent Eelman has agreed to serve as a temporary head of staff after Corey’s departure and until an interim pastor is in place.

    • We will gather to celebrate Corey and Miriam’s ministry with us immediately after worship on June 7. There will be a program of appreciation in the sanctuary followed by a catered lunch in Shep Hall. If you wish to bring notes or cards for Corey and Miriam we will be collecting those in the chapel on that day.

  • Session-led teams are making progress on multiple fronts:

    • We will gather immediately after worship on June 7 to celebrate Corey and Miriam’s ministry with us. There will be a program of appreciation in the sanctuary followed by a catered lunch in Shep Hall.

    • The Interim Pastor Search Committee has completed the Ministry Discernment Profile outlining our church, advertised the position nationally through the Church Leadership Connection, and begun receiving applications.

    • Session has approved the job description for the Welcome and Involvement staff position. The search committee will be advertising the position soon.

    • The Church Nominating Committee will begin soliciting nominations for the Pastoral Nominating Committee in the next few weeks.

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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