Dear Denver Presbytery,
We are excited to share an update regarding the Stated Clerk transition. We have recently updated the FAQ document to provide further clarity around this process.
We are also thrilled to announce that, starting September 14th, the Rev. Dr. Melissa Allison will serve as our Interim Stated Clerk. Melissa brings a wealth of experience, wisdom, and dedication to this role, and we are confident that she will serve us well during this important season of exploration and discernment.
Blessings,
Russ Kane
Moderator of the Visionary Leadership Commission
Julia Henderson
Moderator of the Staffing Resources Committee
Rev. Dr. Dee Cooper
Lead Presbyter and Head of Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened?
The Rev. Joe Chu has resigned from his elected role as Stated Clerk of Denver Presbytery. His final day of service will be August 14. We are sorry to see him go and wish him well in the future.
Why did Joe resign?
Joe concluded that the position was not the right fit for his current skills and experience and that the Presbytery needs a Stated Clerk with greater experience and expertise in the role. He determined that stepping down was in the best interest of the Presbytery.
What efforts were made to support Joe?
Once Joe began as our Stated Clerk, it gradually became apparent that there were extreme gaps between his current skillsets and what was stated that was needed for this position. Dee convened a support team who met regularly with Joe to identify areas requiring additional learning and development. Specialized Stated Clerk coaches were engaged, committees were notified, training with the national office was encouraged, and a plan for continued growth was being developed. Those efforts were ongoing up to the point of Joe’s resignation.
How could this happen after an extensive search process?
That question deserves a careful review rather than a speculative answer. We have initiated a process that will examine the search, selection, onboarding, supervision, and support processes so that we can better understand what happened and learn from it. Those findings will be presented to the Presbytery before beginning the next Stated Clerk search.
Why did the Presbytery have Joe’s installation and celebration if he was going to resign?
While it was known that Joe had a substantial amount to learn, it was also believed that he was making progress and that the additional coaching and support could help him grow into the role. His decision to resign came afterward and was not known when the installation and celebration took place.
What happens next?
Dee and the VLC are arranging short-term coverage for the immediate and essential work of the Stated Clerk. This includes:
Anne Bond, Ruling Elder and former Stated Clerk has been contracted as Stated Clerk Pro Tem for presbytery organization and assemblies.
Rev. Dr. Greg Goodwiller has been contracted as Standing Stated Clerk for current judicial processes.
Prospective, Interim Stated Clerks are being considered. As per our by-laws(citing) , once a suitable candidate has been identified, the VLC will approve them as Interim Stated Clerk (Presbytery approval is not needed for naming an Interim Stated Clerk).
Sudden departures like this can be very disruptive. Extensive efforts (primarily by Dee and the Staff) are being made to ensure the continuity of current work, file access and security clearances are being managed, committees, work teams and denominational agencies are being notified. Please extend grace to each of them as they are committed to resourcing you and have a great deal added to their plates.
When will we begin our search for a new Stated Clerk?
Before we begin the search for a new Stated Clerk, we want to better understand our current situation. A process has been initiated to discern the factors that contributed to it and a report will be presented to the Presbytery before a search for a new Stated Clerk begins.
Introducing our New Interim Stated Clerk
In the meantime, the VLC has hired the Rev. Dr. Melissa Allison as the Interim Stated Clerk. Melissa brings extensive experience, skills, and knowledge to this role. She will begin on September 14th, working remotely. Additional documents are available to provide more information about her background.
Melissa will step into the leadership role at Denver Presbytery, ensuring continuity and progress. We have agreed on a one-year contract and are excited to welcome her to our staff and leadership team.