Description
PneuMatrix principal Deborah Wright has led a study in
the PCUSA Synod of the Pacific of what she calls “Designing for the New Norm”
in the American church: churches with part-time pastoral leadership and pastors
with part-time calls. She has assembled a panel of pastors who are part of
this new norm to talk about what they’ve learned.
Deborah will also talk about the more than 20 models they’ve discovered that
might help New Norm pastors and churches remain vital and sustainable.
Brett Webb-Mitchell is an ordained
Presbyterian Church (USA) pastor, Benedictine oblate, docent at Portland
Art Museum, a teacher, writer, speaker, pilgrimage, LGBTQIA+ activist,
dragon boat paddler, parent, grandparent, pet lover, and in a partnered
relationship with Christian Halstead. Currently, he is organizing pastor
of The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship in Portland, OR, and
working with Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church in N. Portland. He is
also founder of the religious non-profit School of the Pilgrim(www.schoolofthepilgrim.org),
leading church groups on pilgrimages here and abroad. He has authored ten
books, the latest three books on pilgrimage. For the last three years he
was also the LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Coordinator in the OR-ID United Methodist
Church Conference, has been pastor or interim pastor with ten churches,
and taught at North Carolina Central University and Duke University in
Durham, NC for over fourteen years combined. He is currently writing a
daily devotion, A Daily Devotion for Ordinary Pilgrims on an
Extraordinary Pilgrimage, and his memoir, Everyday Superman: A Gay
Critique on the Decline of American Christianity.
Ariel Mink, a Commissioned Ruling
Elder, has served as the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Redwoods since
May 2020. She has served as the interim Pastor at the Presbyterian Church
of Novato. Ariel has been active in the Presbytery of the Redwoods for
several years, serving on the Presbytery Council, Committee on Ministry,
and Committee for the Preparation of Ministry. Ariel recently retired
from being a workplace management consultant, developing strategies and
interventions for organizations aimed at improving employee engagement,
to attend the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
Scott Crane was born and raised in Salem,
Oregon, Scott attended Westminster Presbyterian Church for the first 30
years of his life. Ordained an Elder in 1989, he graduated from Union
Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia in 2002 with both M.Div. and
M.A.C.E. degrees. He first worked in Anchorage, Alaska as Director of
Christian Education and Children’s Ministries. Then worked as the Summer
Camp Chaplain and year-round outdoor educator at Camp Henry in Newaygo,
Michigan. From there he returned to Oregon and was the Program Director
at Menucha Retreat & Conference Center for ten years. Becoming a
Certified Christian Educator in 2008, a Certified Camp/Retreat Leader in
2010, and ordained in November 2014, Scott has served as a part-time
Stated Supply Pastor for Trout Lake First Presbyterian Church, Trout
Lake, WA since 2014 He is married and has three children.
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Contributors
