November 6, 2008

New director of operations named in the Office of the General Assembly

The Reverend Dr. Thomas D. Hay has been selected to become director of operations for the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), beginning in January. The announcement came this week from Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.

Hay will be filling the slot vacated by Parsons when he was elected as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly this past summer.

In his new position, Hay will serve as the chief operations officer for OGA. He will provide leadership in implementing OGA’s vision for the PC(USA) in strategic planning; reviewing and revising organizational processes; connecting the programs of OGA with governing bodies and other General Assembly entities and the whole church; and representing OGA in shaping fiscal and administrative policies and systems for the agency and the whole of the PC(USA).

Hay, a native of Tennessee, is a third-generation Presbyterian minister. He holds an undergraduate degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a doctor of ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary (now Union-PSCE) in Richmond, VA. He has served pastorates in Virginia and North Carolina, and was most recently the general presbyter for Shenandoah Presbytery for eight years.

Hay will celebrate his 30th year of ordination to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament the same year he begins his work in OGA.

In making the announcement, Parsons said, "Tom brings a wealth of experience as a pastor and presbytery executive. He has an engaging, hopeful vision for the future of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The gifts of communication and inspiration are evident in everything he does. I look forward to working with him."

Reflecting on his new work, Hay said, "I am a pastor at heart, and I will be bringing my thirty years of pastoral experience into this important position every day."

He continued, "One of the many reasons I have hope for the PC(USA) comes from what I am seeing in the new generation. Their heart for evangelism and discipleship are bringing a new faithfulness to our enduring church.

"I look forward to helping OGA be an important partner in this future."