Dear Members and Friends of First Church,

My professional career as a pastor has had three stages or (as we like to say in the ministry) “calls.” My first call was as Associate Pastor in Wichita, Kansas for 11 years. Then I received a call at the age of 38 to become Senior Pastor of a church in suburban Pittsburgh, where I enjoyed a wonderful 14 years of growth. And 16 years ago, I was called by First Church to become your Senior Pastor—my third and final stop before retirement. The elders, staff and I have been planning for an orderly and smooth transition into my retirement, which we expected would come within 1-2 years.

Our plan had been to avoid the disruption that comes when a pastor retires and the challenges of an interim pastor by: (1) hiring a consultant to begin working with us, starting in the fall of 2020, on a strategic plan and prepare the job description and other documents needed for the search for a new senior pastor; (2) electing a Pastor Nominating Committee while I am still in place to ensure that we don’t need to go through an interim pastorate; and (3) having me remain on staff once the new pastor is identified, for as long as that person wants me to stay, before I retire and step aside from all leadership. It was a smooth, well-drafted plan that the Session and our local Presbytery felt confident would work.

Looking back, I believe that the ministry of First Church hit its absolute peak (in both measurable and immeasurable ways) around March 1 of this year. Then COVID-19 emerged as a rapidly spreading pandemic and hit our country with full force. National emergency guidelines were issued to slow the spread as Americans were asked to avoid gatherings larger than 10 people, practice social distancing, and self-quarantine at home.

Suddenly our lives were dramatically disrupted by something completely outside our control. With only essential businesses open, a recession started—more quickly than any crash in American history, and one that is being experienced in every country around the world. We will almost certainly be in an extended time of high unemployment, decreased personal wealth, declines in real estate values, and reductions in travel and tourism. All of this fallout from COVID-19 has a formidable impact on the congregation and community our church serves.

A day before the Florida Governor’s “safer at home” order took effect on April 3, the Session met via Zoom to take stock of where we are. At that time, I told the elders that I had realized God’s plan for my career was to have four calls, not three—and that the fourth call had just begun. My final years of full-time ministry (I estimate it will take at least three years to accomplish) are not only to continue as your Senior Pastor, but to serve as the “Turnaround Pastor” for our congregation during this process. Much like in business, this turnaround will require us to learn new skills and develop new strategies. And although we face many challenges, we can be reassured that God has provided us with an excellent pastoral team, music and support staff, and dedicated lay leadership to take us through this uncharted territory.

I am excited and energized by the shift in my role. While I am sure First Church will be different in the coming months and years, we will continue to do great things together. And if we do our turnaround well, I will eventually be able to hand the baton of leadership to a new pastor with our church in a strong and healthy position. I have invited our staff, elders, and deacons to join with me in this challenging opportunity to serve God’s kingdom. And I invite all of you as well to do what the Lord places on your heart. I believe our church has had a significant impact for good in the years past and may be able, by His grace, to do even greater things in our future.

Yours in Christ’s Service,
Pastor Doug Pratt

“In January 2019, I began working with several pastors and elders to develop an orderly 3-year transition plan for Pastor Doug’s retirement. Using an outside consultant to work with the congregation and staff, that initial plan was scheduled to begin this fall. During the April 2020 Session meeting it was agreed to suspend that process and unanimously support Pastor Doug’s unselfish willingness to serve as the First Presbyterian Church Turnaround Pastor.”
Elder Dave Nichols
Clerk of Session