The pulpit search committee for Tenth Presbyterian Church has unanimously voted to recommend Jonathan Gibson as its candidate for the Philadelphia church’s next senior minister. Gibson is a professor of biblical and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and has served as Tenth’s part-time stated supply minister since September 2024.

“Over the past year, God has used Jonny to deeply bless our church. We have witnessed his godliness and piety, the excellence, beauty, and boldness of his preaching, the love he has for the people of Tenth, and how he has tenderly shepherded the congregation,” the search committee said in a letter announcing Gibson’s candidacy. “As a candidate, Jonny set forth an exciting vision that, by God’s grace, Tenth would be a vibrant, grace-filled, worshipping community of God’s people whose faithful witness to Christ would extend from Philadelphia to the ends of the earth.”

Gibson, who has been on the WTS faculty since 2017, spent his first seven years on the mission field in Tanzania before settling with his family in Northern Ireland. He earned his undergraduate degree in physiotherapy (physical therapy) from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, and worked as a physiotherapist for three years before attending seminary at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. 

After earning his doctoral degree in Hebrew studies from the University of Cambridge, Gibson served as the associate minister of Cambridge Presbyterian Church for two years before coming to the United States to teach at WTS. He is an ordained teaching elder in the International Presbyterian Church, UK, and is the author of several books, including the devotional “Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship.”

In a letter to the congregation, Gibson said that while the move from teaching to pastoral ministry was not what he and his wife, Jackie, had expected, he has already developed a deep affection for the congregation. 

“In my time as Stated Supply, my love and affection for this body of Christ have grown sincerely and significantly,” Gibson wrote. “It would therefore be a joy and privilege to continue to serve you.” 

On November 7 and 9, Tenth hosted two opportunities for the congregation to hear Gibson’s vision for Tenth and sense of call to lead the congregation. Attendees had the opportunity to ask Gibson questions. On November 16, the church will hold a congregational meeting to vote on Gibson as a pastoral candidate.

If elected by the congregation, Gibson will remain at WTS through the end of this academic year and begin his full-time pastoral duties on June 1, 2026, with an installation service taking place in September 2026.

In announcing Gibson as the search committee’s nominee, the committee provided endorsements from Gibson’s friends and colleagues, including Peter Lillback, president of Westminster Theological Seminary, and Linda Boice, whose husband James pastored Tenth for years until his death in 2000.

“Should the Lord direct the congregation to call Dr. Gibson, and should he accept the call, we will rejoice in this opportunity for him to use his gifting, as well as for what we believe will be the strengthening of Tenth Presbyterian Church,” Lillback wrote.

In December 2023, Liam Goligher resigned as senior minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church following reports of sinful conduct dating back to 2014 but previously unknown to Tenth. When the presbytery investigated, Goligher pleaded guilty to the charges of  Lying, Conduct Unbecoming or a Pastor and Elder, Harsh and Uncharitable Treatment of Colleagues and Subordinates, Spiritual Abuse, and Clergy Adult Sexual Abuse.

In 2025, the session of Tenth announced that all active session members would resign and would have to be renominated in 2026 to continue serving. 

“Given the deep challenges facing Tenth, it will take years of prayer and effort before this vision for Tenth can become a reality,” the search committee said in its letter announcing Gibson as its candidate. “Our committee stands ready to labor alongside Jonny so that Tenth becomes a healthy body that glorifies God and makes disciples as a worshipping and witnessing church.”