In 2023, with a recommendation from the Officer Nominating Committee and subsequent approval of both the session and congregation, Trinity adopted a plan to reduce the size of the session from 16 elders (fifteen serving three-year terms plus one youth elder serving a one-year term) to 13.
To support this change, session formed a study group to explore how Trinity’s ministry team structure could be reorganized in response to the slightly smaller session and to better align ministries with similar missions. Previously, Trinity operated with ten ministry teams, which often meant some teams had only one elder. This created challenges during leadership transitions when one elder rotated off and another stepped in.
In early 2024, the study group – comprising Walter Reid, Nancy Williams, and Sherese Smith – recommended a new six-team ministry model. This approach ensures that each team will have two active elders, providing a built-in succession plan for smoother transitions. Session approved the model and initiated work on updated ministry team descriptions for inclusion in the Manual of Operations, which will be revised later this year.
As our church transitions to the six-team structure, it will take time to familiarize ourselves with the new setup. The chart below offers an overview to guide this adjustment:
| NEW MINISTRY TEAM | FORMER MINISTRY TEAM/S | WHAT IT DOES |
| Personnel Leadership and Development | Personnel | Staff support, annual performance reviews, child protection policy, staff professional development |
| Operations and Administration | Buildings & Grounds | Facility and grounds maintenance and care, rentals/facility use, office staff support |
| Finance and Generosity | Finance, Stewardship | Annual budget, endowment, year-round generosity and fall stewardship |
| Faith Formation and Children | Christian Formation, Youth, Weekday School | Sunday school for all ages, other Christian formation programs, children and youth ministries, Weekday School |
| Congregational Engagement and Mission | Congregational Life, Mission & Outreach | All mission partnerships/endeavors, fellowship events, Montreat, small group ministry |
| Worship, Music, and the Arts | Worship | Weekly worship and other services, special music/arts events for the community |
Below is a list of our 2025 session members and the ministry teams they’ll lead, along with staff liaisons. Should you have questions, please reach out to the elders or staff.
And remember there is always a need for people to serve on these teams – the ministry of the church can only happen with you playing a part in it. Not sure where your passions and skills might lead you to serve? Take our Ministry Match Survey HERE and find out!
2025 SESSIONAL MINISTRY TEAMS
PERSONNEL AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Josh Durham, Will Reid
Staff liaison – Transitional Pastor
FINANCE AND GENEROSITY
Kyle Nielsen, Cookie Parnell
Staff liaisons – Cheryl Jernigan, Transitional Pastor
OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
Neal Pickett, Kevin Hyrams
Staff liaisons – Steven Parry, Cheryl Jernigan
FAITH FORMATION AND CHILDREN
Andria Petry-Siage, Anne McGovern, Sally Smith
Staff liaisons – Rebecca Heilman-Campbell, Amy Vaughn
CONGREGATIONAL ENGAGEMENT AND MISSIONS
Jane Blount, Mary Glenn
Staff liaison – Rebecca Heilman-Campbell
WORSHIP, MUSIC, AND THE ARTS
Mike Campbell, Janet Sarjeant
Staff liaisons – Transitional Pastor, Justin Smith