PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATES

First Covenant's Pastor Search Committee (PSC) provides regular updates in worship on how our process for a new Lead Pastor is going. You will hear from a committee member generally on the first Sunday of the month. Updates are also shared in our weekly emails, and posted here. Continue to pray for our team and the entire process. 


If you have any questions, please reach out to one of our search committee members. 

Pastoral Search Committee (from left to right):

Aaron Nosich (Chair), Janet Hagfors, Bryan Norris (Leadership Team representative), Paige Mann (Secretary), Isabel Patrick Pacheco, Larry Wicks (Finance Team representative), Chris Jordan, Deb Berger, Mandy Griffin (Transition Team representative)

september 2025 update

With the formation of the Pastoral Search Committee on May 13th, we’ve made meaningful progress in the life of our search as we prayerfully discern who God is calling to be FCC’s next Lead Pastor. Since our first meeting, we have gathered regularly, shared thoughtful conversations, and listened carefully to your feedback.


Our first major task was creating the CovConnect Profile, a tool that introduces First Covenant to potential candidates. With this complete and the job description, our next step will be to launch both the profile and the finalized job description for candidates to apply.


Guided by our values, the process of searching for our next Lead Pastor is not only about filling a role it’s about living into our shared values as a church:

  • Unity and Diversity: Your survey responses reminded us that every person is on a faith journey, and together we continue to grow as a connected family with many voices. Even in our differences, we are united by Scripture and a shared commitment to keep learning.

  • Courageous and Vulnerable: We have welcomed tough questions and honest dialogue, especially in areas where the congregation expressed ambivalence—such as ECC credentialing, which received a wide range of responses. (2.81 as the average on a scale of 1-5 – over 10% strongly disagreed and over 10% strongly agreed that the next lead pastor needs to be ECC credentialed).

  • Integrity and Transparency: To honor this value, the committee will provide regular updates on Communion Sundays, ensuring everyone stays informed and included in the journey.

  • Empathy and Justice: The survey also reflected strong support for a pastor who embraces our inclusion statement (average 4.12 on a 5-point scale) and engages in local and global justice (average 3.89). This reflects our commitment to compassion and action.

  • Historic and Innovative: As we crafted the CovConnect profile, we are honoring our history on the East Side while also recognizing our unique identity as a church dependent on the Holy Spirit’s creative leading for our future.

  • Transformative and Collaborative: Through designated subcommittees, we are working together and with strategic partners like the Northwest Conference and other networks to steward this process faithfully.

From your feedback, these top pastoral qualities emerged: preaching, pastoral care, Bible knowledge, and staff leadership. While other qualities also matter, these stood out most strongly across our community.


To keep the process organized, specific subcommittees have been formed that meet outside of our designated full committee:

  • Finance/Budget Committee: Bryan, Larry, Aaron
  • Church Profile Committee: Isabel, Mandy, Paige, Bryan, Deb
  • Congregational Communications Committee: Paige, Chris, Isabel, Aaron
  • Sourcing Committee (Recruitment Strategy): Chris, Aaron
  • Candidate Communications Committee: Chris, Aaron
  • Hospitality Committee (Coordinating Candidate Visits): Janet, Deb

As we continue this journey, we invite your ongoing prayers for wisdom, discernment, and unity. We believe God is preparing the right Lead Pastor for FCC, and together we are preparing to receive them with open hearts.