wfn.org | Ferguson Is Appointed Interim Director of CMD

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

13-April-1998 
98131 
 
    Richard Ferguson Is Appointed Interim Director 
    of the Congregational Ministries Division 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-The Rev. Richard M. Ferguson, former director of The 
Bicentennial Fund and recently interim executive presbyter of Louisville 
Presbytery, has been appointed interim director of the Congregational 
Ministries Division (CMD). 
 
    A retired pastor, Ferguson replaces the Rev. Eunice B. Poethig, who was 
released from her duties as a division director on Feb. 14 after the 
General Assembly Council (GAC) chose not to re-elect her to a second term. 
Poethig was elected by the GAC in 1994 to be director of the newly 
constituted Congregational Ministries Division following restructure of the 
Council in 1993. 
 
    In accordance with the procedures of the GAC Manual of Operations 
regarding such circumstances, Ferguson was appointed by the Rev. Frank 
Diaz, GAC interim executive director. Ferguson told the Presbyterian News 
Service he accepted his new appointment on April 3. 
 
    "I really am excited," Ferguson said. "I like the focus, I like the 
challenge ... of continuing to focus on congregations as the primary people 
we're to serve. So I want to try to emphasize and enhance that." 
 
    Ferguson served as interim executive presbyter of Louisville Presbytery 
from July 1996 to October 1997 and director of The Bicentennial Fund from 
1988 to 1993. He served as a pastor for more than 30 years, including 
associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem, Pa., from 1970 
to 1988; pastor of Calvary Church in St. Clairsville, Ohio, from 1960 to 
1970; and pastor of Raccoon United Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa, Pa., 
from 1955 to 1960. 
 
    Ferguson said he is scheduled to serve as interim division director 
through the 1999 General Assembly, at which time a new CMD director is 
expected to be presented for confirmation by the Assembly. 
 
    Diaz expressed concern over the fact that under the current process 
Assembly confirmation is required in order to bring a new division director 
on board. He said he is recommending changes to the PC(USA)'s "Organization 
for Mission" that would authorize the GAC to elect and confirm a division 
director, then inform the Assembly of its decision. 
 
    Under present church policy an interim division director cannot be 
nominated as a division director. 
 
    With the 210th General Assembly pending in Charlotte, N.C., Ferguson 
said, he is currently busy familiarizing himself with the division's issues 
and preparing information Assembly participants will need to conduct their 
business. 
 
    Ferguson and his wife, Norma, a telephone consultant for PresbyTel, the 
denomination's information service, live in Prospect, Ky. They have four 
adult children and 11 grandchildren. 

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