A designated pastor is chosen by the congregation's pastor nominating committee only from among those designated by the committee on ministry of the presbytery. A designated pastor is installed by the presbytery for the agreed term and then, if the congregation and pastor both desire is eligible to be installed as pastor after two or more years have elapsed.
Congregations go through life-cycles and critical events much as people do.
When a congregation is experiencing a significant opportunity for new direction, a major trauma, or transition and confusion, a designated pastor may be able to provide the kind of leadership needed. A few illustrations of such circumstances follow. A Redeveloping Church Midvale was, until recently, a small town where families had lived for several generations. Now the new highway has given Midvale easy access to the urban center nearby, so many people who work in the city are moving to Midvale. Midvale Presbyterian Church is a small congregation, mostly of retired folks and a few families.