Riverside Church Continues Search for Sixth Pastor

For the sixth time in its 76-year history, Riverside Church, one of America’s premiere liberal Protestant pulpits, is actively seeking a new senior minister to lead its flock.

Formally at the helm was the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, who retired in June after serving as senior minister for 18 years.

A 21-member search committee, approved by the congregation on May 20, is heading up the task of identifying an appropriate candidate to succeed him.

The primary concern of the committee this summer was to develop a solid infrastructure for the procedures that will be used in the selection process, including full transparency and involvement of the congregation.

“Riverside is one of the most well known churches in America as a historical leader in social justice. Expectations are high,” said Cheryle Wills, chair of the search committee and Riverside congregant since 2004. “We are developing, based on a questionnaire the strategic planning committee circulated among congregants, criteria for leadership expectations.”

The congregational suggestions will factor into the job description that the committee will reveal at the end of the month. The public announcement will also include the start and end dates the committee will accept applications. The highly coveted position is open to both national and international candidates from all denominations.

“We understand that many [candidates] will have their own congregations, and we extend to them the utmost confidentiality,” explained Wills. In addition to the suggestions from congregants themselves and the leadership of the committee in guiding the process, a search firm will be engaged to “maximize the efficiency of the process, guarantee confidentiality, and to ensure complete background checks.”

The committee’s recommendation for senior minister will be a decision based on extensive research, which will include listening to and evaluating tapes of sermons.
Although the committee is not yet formally accepting applications, Wills said, “We are mindful that there is much conversation going on about candidates.”

“What Riverside should be looking for is someone who will be an oracle for Christianity, understands and can articulate a vision of liberal Protestantism in the 21st century, is media savvy, and has administrative experience,” said Randall Balmer, professor of American religion at Barnard College.

Given the coinciding searches for a president at neighboring Union Theological Seminary, as well as for a general secretary at the National Council of Churches, “this is an opportunity of a generation and couldn’t come at a more important time,” he said.

Lauren Melnick can be reached at lauren.melnick@columbiaspectator.com.