I N T R O D U C I N G
C a n d i d a t e f o r A s s o c i a t e P a s t o r
f o r D i s c i p l e s h i p
REV. NICOLE NEWTON
AboutNicole
Rev. Nicole Newton is a pastor, educator, and coach, coming to us from First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, where she served as the Associate Pastor for the past four years. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University School of Divinity with a concentration in Bioethics, a Master of Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and
is currently working on her on her Doctor of Ministry degree at Wake Forest University School of Divinity.
She serves the wider church as the current moderator for the Committee on Preparation for Ministry for the presbytery and as a coach for the Office of Christian Formation. She also teaches graduate courses in leadership for the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and serves on the UKIRK Birmingham board. Her greatest joy is collaborating with others to build environments of inclusivity, trust, and imagination in order to cultivate community both inside and outside traditional church structures.
She is the mom of two wild and wonderful daughters, Alecia (19) and Lena Scout (10), and spouse to Jonathan. In her free time, she enjoys growing flowers, riding horses, raising chickens, and having silly dance parties in the kitchen.
“Nicole has a real pastor’s heart. She is a great listener who brings a sense of peace into the room. With her teaching background and variety of gifts, I think she will help our congregation grow in our discipleship to Jesus. Plus, she’s a Wake Forest Demon Deacon as I am! I believe Nicole will be a wonderful associate pastor at IPC.”
~ Rev. Kevin J. Long, IPC Pastor
I believe in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who, out of great love, took on flesh to walk among us as the fully human and fully divine incarnation of God. In word and deed, Christ’s life proclaimed God’s call to justice, reconciliation, and compassion for all people. Crucified by the world’s powers, Christ was then resurrected through God’s grace, overthrowing even death for our redemption. Through Christ’s living, suffering, dying, and rising, we belong to God.
Education
Wake Forest University School of Divinity Doctor of Ministry, in progress
Union Presbyterian Seminary Master of Arts, Christian Education
Wake Forest University School of Divinity Master of Divinity (MDiv)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Bachelor of Arts, English
MinistryExperience
Associate Pastor
First Presbyterian Church Birmingham, AL
Associate Pastor
First Presbyterian Church Wilmington, NC
Chaplain Resident
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Winston-Salem, NC
Stated Supply Pastor
Macedonian Presbyterian Church Biscoe, NC
Ministry Intern
Myers Park Presbyterian Church Charlotte, NC
Chaplain Intern
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Winston-Salem, NC
Elementary Ministry Coordinator
Myers Park Presbyterian Church Charlotte, NC
FromNicole
Having served in congregations ranging from 4,000 members to 40 members, I’ve had the opportunity to see both the gifts and the structure necessary to grow ministry in a variety of settings This has made me a wellrounded and curious pastor, always on the lookout for the work of the Spirit among the people, and seeking new ways to support that work through leadership cultivation and structural support. Having served in various capacities, from worship leader to educator, to installed associate, I am also keenly aware of the kinds of support that church staff need to be successful.
As a systems thinker, I’m adept at taking stock of what is working well and what needs work in any system and then setting about the relational work necessary to make those changes possible. Each call that I have had has required me to leverage this ability to streamline processes and offer new ideas that re-enliven ministry areas and connect congregations more deeply both internally and externally
As a pastoral leader with extensive pastoral care experience, I’m able to relate across generations even in the toughest of situations to make people feel seen, heard, and loved. Connecting with people, learning what they love and are gifted at, and helping them plug those gifts into the work of the church is one of my greatest joys
“The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) is excited to bring Nicole to IPC. She is a very active theology learner and is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at Wake Forest. She has a very warm and approachable personality with good organizational & communication skills. Her skills are a great match for our needs in Discipleship, young adults, and new members.”
~ J Houston Cook, APNC Chair
“Nicole is very focused, energetic, and articulate. Her personality will interact well with our young adults, the youth, and older adults. She is truly interested in what is being said to or asked of her and very connected with whomever she is speaking with. I truly feel Nicole will excel in membership growth, interaction with and growing our young adults' programs and congregational care areas. She was a true delight to meet.”
~ Suzanne Graham, APNC