Members of the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown elected Rev. Dr. John Henry “Jack” Haberer Jr. as lead pastor at their Aug. 14 congregational meeting.

Haberer is well known in the Presbyterian Church (USA), having served on several denomination-wide committees and task forces, most notably the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church 2001-2006.

He has served two long-term PC (USA) pastorates as lead pastor in Houston, Texas, as well as Satellite Beach and Naples, Fla.

Haberer has been the editor-publisher of The Presbyterian Outlook for nine years and the author of three books.

His role as lead pastor will begin in October.

The pastor nominating committee presented Haberer to the church in late July after a national search that began in late 2014.

The PNC consisted of 10 members who met weekly throughout the search.

“We are so pleased that Rev. Haberer has accepted the call to join our church family and the members saw in him what our committee saw during the interview process. Jack’s enthusiasm and energy are contagious and he is a very dynamic preacher,” PNC Chair Peter Dent said.

Prior to presenting Haberer to the congregation, the Lehigh Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry conducted an interview and approved him as a candidate.

Haberer was drawn to First Presbyterian Church of Allentown because of its earnest pursuit of being disciples of Jesus Christ and the variety of worship styles.

He explained, “I want the members of this church to cherish their memories of the church they once were, and yet march into a vital new future. I look forward to joining a community of people who promote traditional values and fight against traditional injustices. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this congregation and engage in the surrounding communities.”