Ron and Marg have been married for 30 years
and have two daughters, Sarah and Melissa, two
lucky sons-in-law, and two perfect grandchildren.

The Reverend Dr. Ronald B. Fritts

EDUCATION

1988-1992   Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Leadership

1979-1982   Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH
Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Counseling and Psychology

1967-1972  Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

EXPERIENCE

Jan/07 to March/08
Interim Head of Staff, Presbyterian Church of Wyoming, Wyoming, OH

April/2006 to Jan/07
Temporary Supply Pastor, Nottingham Presbyterian Church, Nottingham, PA

May/05 to March/06
Sabbatical and Consultant to Christian Hospital in Israel

Dec/2000 to May/2005
Pastor/Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, Phoenixville, PA

June/1996-Nov/2000
Senior Chaplain, The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

Jan/1988-June/1996
Pastor/Head of Staff Fairview Presbyterian Church, Glenmoore, PA

Aug/1984-Jan/1988
Organizing Pastor, New Church Development Wayside
Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA

Excerpt from Dr. Fritts' PIF: What are the key theological issues currently facing the church and society, and how do they shape your ministry?

Sharing the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ and living grace-filled lives are the key theological issues of every age. Too often, the lives of Christians are indistinguishable from unbelievers. Yet, as the Scriptures teach "by this will all men know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Grace-filled living has never been more urgent than today. Christians are called to be different to be ‘salt and light'. And we live in hope because, ‘though the wrong seems oft so strong, He is the ruler yet' (from "This is My Father's World")

The church's tendency to shift from ‘church as mission' to ‘church as institution' is a second issue
of concern. A missional congregation is energized to make a difference in the lives of its members
as well as in the community and world. A missional church is a purpose-driven community. An institutional church tends to become inward focused and utilizes its best resources on maintenance and self-preservation. We must remain visionary and missional in all we do and live adventurous and risky lives.

Interim Pastor Search Committee Report

Committee Members:
Carl Bruhns, Keri Clapp, Brian Dudt, Louise Duff, Peter Grim, Fritz Moench, Leslie O'Heir, David Robinson, Sarah Stewart, Jerry Tiffan, Leanne Wagner (Chair).

Presbytery support:
Rev. Linda Robinson, Associate Executive Presbyter
Rev. Jesse Garner, COM liaison.

The Interim Pastor Search Committee first met at the end of September for training with Rev. Robinson. Following that training session we completed an exercise to identify the key skills we were seeking for an interim pastor. This information was used as the basis for the job description that was approved by Session on October 16. Building on the job description, the Church Information Form was completed and approved by Committee on Ministry (COM), thus preparing the way for us to receive Pastor Information Forms (PIFs - minister's resumes).

The Committee met face-to-face 17 times and held occasional telephone conference calls. Our meetings were informed by readings from Scripture that specifically related to churches in transition and the promise God has made to all God's children.

Over 100 PIFs matched to our job description through the Church Leadership Connection (the denomination database), and all were screened against our job requirements. Additional PIFs were submitted independently by pastors, who read our advertisement in Presbyterian Outlook or who saw our CIF online. Of these, some 25 PIFs were approved by Presbytery for our consideration and received detailed review by the Committee. A further subset went on to the stage of a telephone interview or in-person discussion for local candidates. Sermon tapes were requested and passed between Committee members. Toward the end of the year, we began to visit other churches to hear candidates preach.

Over time, one candidate emerged as a clear leader. We invited Dr. Ron Fritts and his wife, Marg, to spend the weekend of January 25-27 with us in Wayne. Members of the committee met individually with Ron, 7 members of the Committee carried out a group interview lasting 3 hours, Ron was interviewed by our COM liaison, and 4 members of the Committee enjoyed a Saturday evening meal with Dr. and Mrs. Fritts. On Sunday morning Ron and Marg slipped into 8:30 am worship in Wayne and then we traveled to the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, where Dr. Fritts led worship. The following evening the nine members of the Committee who were in town convened and voted to recommend to Session that we extend an invitation to Dr. Fritts to become our interim pastor. At the special Session meeting on the evening of January 28, the session voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Search Committee.

It is with great joy that the Interim Pastor Search Committee reports that Dr. Fritts has accepted our invitation and will begin his work as our Interim Pastor on April 1, 2008. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rev. Linda Robinson and Rev. Jesse Garner for their continued support of the Committee and Wayne Presbyterian Church through this process.