Our New Associate Pastors: Scott and Jill
It is an incredible honor, joy, and answer to prayer for us to be called to be your associate pastors for children and family ministries. It truly feels like a call to return home to the people and state that we love. We have already experienced this church community to be warm and welcoming and we look forward to getting to know each of you in the coming months. We are excited about how we can use our gifts and experiences to love and serve alongside all of you in Pueblo and with people around the world. We acknowledge that as this is a new position and there is a lot to learn as we go. So, we come ready to listen, serve together, play together, and to join in God’s incredible plan to be a people sent into the world as messengers of love, healing and hope.
Here is a little about us:
Scott grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and attended Hope College in Holland, MI. He studied Social Work and after college moved to Colorado Springs to join the staff of the Dale House Project. In his 5 years at the Dale house Scott was part of a team who mentored and lived with neglected and abused teenagers who could not return home and did not have the skills necessary to live independently. His favorite memories were celebrating holidays with the community, which included taking a trip to the Grand Canyon and Disneyland each Christmas. During his time at the Dale House Scott began his theological studies at Fuller Theological Seminaries Colorado Springs campus.
Jill grew up in Boulder, CO, and attended the University of Washington in Seattle where she studied International Relations. After college Jill moved to Colorado Springs and was the Senior High School Program Director at First Presbyterian. Her favorite memories of that time are house boat trips to Lake Powell with 60 teenagers and mission trips to Chicago, Wyoming, Nicaragua and Mexico. Jill also attended Fuller Theological Seminary while working at First Presbyterian and finished her MDIV in Pasadena with Scott.
Scott and Jill met in Colorado Springs and were married at First Presbyterian Church in 2004. After Scott and Jill were married they moved to Fuller Seminaries main campus in Pasadena, CA, to finish their Masters of Divinity degrees. While at Fuller they served as Community Coordinators for an on-campus apartment building, planning and facilitating activities for students and families.
After Seminary, Scott’s goal was to work with college students in a University context. He found residence life on a college campus to be a great fit for his gifts and passions of relational ministry. For the past four years Scott and been a Residence Life Coordinator at Seattle Pacific University. He mentors and supervises 13 students who are the peer advisors for 500 students living in campus apartments. Scott also assists in worship and preaches occasionally at First Presbyterian Church in Seattle.
After Seminary Jill worked with CoachNet, an organization that coaches pastors and trains leaders how to lead as a coach. For the past three years she has been on staff at First Presbyterian Church of Seattle working in the areas of discipleship and leadership development. Working at a downtown church has been a unique experience as it has provided the opportunity to be in a diverse community with people from around the world.
Over the past few years the VanderWal family has grown. Judah entered the world in December of 2008 and Zoe was born on March 8th of this year. Judah looks forward to living in a place with more sun. In their free time the VanderWal’s enjoy most things outdoors: gardening, biking and walking. They are excited for new places and adventures in Pueblo.
A few of our favorite things:
Movie: Amazing Grace (Scott) can’t choose…this year I liked The Kings Speech and The Social Network(Jill)Book: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (Scott) Recently…Brain Rules for Babies (Jill)
Food: Pad Thai (Scott) A good steak (Jill)
Passage: 1 Peter 3:15 (Scott) Isaiah 55 (Jill)
Coffee: Americano at a local coffee shop (Scott) iced latte (Jill)
Vacation Spot: Small Island of Culebra, part of Pueto Rico (Scott) Beach or mountains (Jill)
Free Day activity: taking Judah to a baseball game or on a hike (Scott) Outdoor adventures with family (Jill)
Change to Ordination Standards
11 May 2011
My Dear Friends at First Presbyterian,
As many of you are aware, the denomination has voted to open the way for the ordination of “self-affirmed, practicing” homosexuals as of July 10, 2011. Some of you will receive this news with tears of joy for your church, while others’ tears will be of sorrow for the same. On behalf of Session, I write to call for a season of personal prayer and corporate conversation about the changes that are before us.
How did we get here? The issue of whether or not to ordain homosexuals to leadership within the church has been a Presbyterian family squabble for four decades. We are not alone in this squabble as Lutherans, Episcopalians, the UCC and Methodist all have engaged – and continue to engage – in their own conversations and politicking around the issue. For Presbyterians, specific language that would change the Book of Order to allow churches to ordain pastors, elders and deacons who are gay has been approved by the General Assembly multiple times; previously, each General Assembly amendment failed to receive the majority of 87 votes from our 173 presbyteries required to ratify the legislation. Amendment 10-A, the General Assembly amendment approved last year in Minneapolis that allows but does not require the ordination of homosexuals, was ratified yesterday upon receipt of its 87th vote to affirm. It is the opinion of many, and one which I share, that changing social values and the departure of some conservative churches to other denominations tipped the balance in favor of approval.
What does Amendment 10-A say? Amendment 10-A deletes a line in our polity that effectively limited ordination of homosexuals by requiring that officers (pastors, elders and deacons) live in “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.” In place of the “fidelity and chastity” clause, Amendment 10-A says that candidates must “reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life.” Future candidates for office will be evaluated upon this standard: can you submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life?
What does Amendment 10-A mean for the denomination? The effect of Amendment 10-A is to open the door to what is known as “local option.” Some churches and presbyteries will interpret joyful submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in such ways that prohibit the ordination of a gay minister, elder or deacon. Other churches will interpret this same clause in such ways that allow for ordination. Each church and each presbytery will hold to its own standards: local option. In Pueblo Presbytery it is doubtful a gay minister will be ordained or allowed to minister within our bounds, for, historically, the presbytery has voted conservatively in this matter; however, individual churches within the presbytery may choose to ordain elders or deacons who are gay.
What does Amendment 10-A mean for us? I reiterate the call to a season of personal prayer and corporate conversation. If this advice is followed, I believe very little will change for First Presbyterian of Pueblo. Our mission will still be to “Develop Disciples and Care for Community.” Our vision will remain the promotion of “Hospitality, Healing and Hope in the Heart of the City.” As one member expressed, “We will still be a church that lives for Jesus.” In the broader perspective, however, we will need to relearn the values of respect, tolerance and that old Presbyterian phrase “mutual forbearance.”
What does “mutual forbearance” look like? I believe we must affirm four values if we are to treat each other with mutual forbearance.
First and foremost, in the context of this situation, mutual forbearance will require that we look at each other through the eyes of Jesus. I choose to define people by their humanity rather than their sexuality. I believe this is the way Jesus sees everyone: in our humanity, with all our brokenness and giftedness. I voted against Amendment 10-A, but I did so with the passionate conviction that God loves our brothers and sisters who happen to be gay – no more, no less – in the same way he loves our brothers and sisters who happen to be “straight.”
Second, mutual forbearance will require a deeper appreciation that, as our Presbyterian principles affirm, “God alone is Lord of the conscience and faithful, intelligent people will sometimes disagree.” Some theologically conservative folk caricature liberals by claiming “they don’t care about Scripture.” This statement is false. I personally know smart, biblically literate and committed pastors who believe a faithful reading of the whole Scripture will lead one to affirm Amendment 10-A. I disagree with my colleagues about this, but I defend their integrity of faith and conviction. Some theologically liberal folk caricature conservatives as “homophobic by definition.” This statement is also false. I personally know many compassionate, loving Christians who love and respect our gay brothers and sisters even while believing the Scriptures call it sin. It is not my place to judge you, nor for you to judge me. God alone is Lord of my conscience; may He be Lord of your conscience as well, for we will both stand before the Lord.
Third, mutual forbearance will require that we distinguish between the personal values we hold and the corporate values we share. As an individual, if you are against 10-A, be against it. As an individual, if you are for 10-A, be for it. Together we will be for Jesus. Why is it that only in the church we think we all must agree with everyone about everything? There is no corner of my life where I agree with everyone about everything. In my marriage, in my family, in my friendships, on community service boards, I find myself talking with, serving by, working for and leaning on folks with whom I may disagree. Why should we allow the 2% on which we disagree distract us from the 98% on which we agree? Together let us be for Jesus.
Fourth, mutual forbearance will require a renewed commitment to the community of faith. We are entering new and exciting times at First Presbyterian Church: calling a new clergy couple for ministry to Children and Families, restoring our historic building, seeking new ways to love our community with Christ’s healing love. Now is not the time to leave. Or divide. Or fuss and argue up a storm. Now is the time to pray. Now is the time to renew our commitment to the calling God has placed upon us in Jesus Christ: to be his people, of the Presbyterian tribe, with all our unique and historic strengths.
In the coming days, Session will announce a series of town hall style meetings. At these meetings you will have the opportunity to ask questions, express your joy (or sorrow), express your concerns (or hopes) and also hear as others ask their questions and express their thoughts and feelings. I encourage you to make every effort to attend one of these meetings. Whether you received the news about Amendment 10-A with tears of joy for your church or with tears of sorrow for the same, I ask you to observe a season of personal prayer and corporate conversation about the changes that are before us.
Grace and peace,
Brad Munroe
Capital Campaign 2011
First Presbyterian Church will conduct a capital campaign to repair our church building’s stonework. The campaign pledge drive will run through Easter Sunday and church members and friends are invited to submit their pledge cards to Karen Rhea. The suggested timetable for giving is for two years, from now until January, 2013.
In this posting information will be presented on the specific repairs that will be conducted as well as different ways to support the campaign. New to the campaign will be information about both direct giving options as well as the use of financial instruments for longer-term, planned giving.
Repairing the church’s exterior stonework is required due to significant, structural degradation: a necessity not an option. However, by repairing the church structurally we will benefit the work of Christ and provide for the Body of Christ for future generations. As we have been left a legacy of faith, so we will bequeath a heritage of hope.
As the Property committee has researched “best options” for repair, they discovered a new, industry-wide use of a product called zypec which is used to create synthetic and composite stones that mirror the geologic composition of our current stones. These synthetic stones will share water absorption rates with the original stones and offer the promise of an effective, long-term repair, lasting as long as real stone.
REASONS TO GIVE
To express one’s love of God through God’s mission.
To express thanks for the heritage of faith bequeathed by those who loved Jesus.
To express hope that future generations will discover the love of Jesus through this church.
Because God’s worship in our sanctuary is sublime.
Because we serve 25—30 community groups as a “Spiritual Civic Center.”
Because you were baptized and married here...and just might be buried here one day, too.
To feel more connected to the church!
To feel more connected to the church community — we are in this together
To feel more connected to the Living Stone who makes both church and community possible!
THE WORK OF REPAIR
Here is the list of what we hope to accomplish, with God’s help:
Remove loose stone and the cement patches from the last repair
Wash exterior stone
Cut out mortar joints and repoint the stones to match the existing stones
Patch stones
Reset capstone at parapet
Dutchman’s installation
Repair holes in the Jesus Window
Replace exterior, Jesus Window covering.
NEED VS. HAVE
Total Need $376,800
Architect’s “critical” $314,000
Contingency 10% $31,400
Project Manager 10% $31,400
Total In-Hand $197,780
Designated Accounts $66,000
Insurance Outstanding $33,000
Per Capita / Zeilinger $98,780
Difference Need vs. Have $179,020
DIRECT GIVING OPTIONS
In tough economic times, giving can be difficult for some. However, there are several ways to give directly to the capital campaign without impoverishing oneself or one’s family. Here are some options:
Write a Check— This is the easiest, most traditional option available!
Accumulated Assets - Many folks can give a one-time gift of accumulated assets from retirements accounts.
Tax Refunds or Bonus Checks - Pledging an expected tax refund or bonus check for the next two years can help the church without hurting the monthly budget.
Monthly Budget - Scaling back on one’s discretionary expenses can free up funds for charitable giving. By committing to a simpler lifestyle, many individuals and families discover the grace of more time together and a greater ability to share of God’s blessings.
USING FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) - an annuity account that allows the donor to recieve income for as long as one is alive, with the principal passing to the charitable institution upon the donor's death."
Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) - the charity organization receives the income (annuity) during the term of the trust and a beneficiary receives the remainder (usually a family member). This is used by people who do not need the current income and would like a tax deduction at the inception of the trust.
Charitable Life Insurance (CLI) - the charity owns the policy and is the beneficiary, and the insured is the donor. The donor pays the policy premiums and receives a tax deduction and the charity receives the death benefit upon death of the donor. The other huge benefit is that if setup properly, this will not be included in the donor's gross estate. (Most Life insurance policies can be issued up through age 80).
Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) - Transfer of property to a charity in exchange for the charity's promise to pay the annuity to the donor. The donor receives a charitable tax deduction in the year of the transfer and removes the value of the asset from his gross estate.
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) - The minimum amount that must be withdrawn from all qualified accounts (401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s, IRA's, SEP's, SIMPLE's). The first RMD must be taken in the year a person turns 70 1/2.
Estate Tithe—Remembering the church in one’s estate through a tithe (10%) is a way to leave a legacy of faith, hope and love.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long will the project take? The work will be measured in years rather than months as the process is labor intensive.
How can we know the repairs will work this time? The use of new repair technologies utilizing chemically-based, synthetic stones offer the hope of a reasonably assured success for a long-term fix.
What is a “Dutchman’s Installation”? It is the use of a new stone, whole or partial, to replace a deteriorated stone.
How will we sequence the work? 1) Critical, structural areas and safety hazards. 2) Significant damaged areas. 3) By section of the building.
THE JESUS WINDOW
Three years ago members of the congregation noticed holes developing in our sanctuary’s “Jesus Window.” Donated in 1924 as a gift from Mrs. Thatcher, this window is the first stained glass window installed by the renowned Louise Tiffany west of the Mississippi River.
Stephen Frei, the grandson of noted glass artisan Emil Frei, and current proprietor of Emil Frei and Associates, was commissioned to give us a bid on the cost of repair. Not only did Stephen provide a thorough examination of the Jesus Window but of all our stained glass!
The cost of repairing all of our stained glass is around $80,000. Given this high price tag, the Session has decided to include only the most urgent need, the Jesus Window, in this project. The estimate for repairing the Jesus Window and replacing the exterior, protective covering is around $28,000. By replacing the exterior cover, the luminance of the Jesus Window will be more easily seen by our community.
Members of the capital campaign team have contacted a local foundation and hope to be awarded a gift to help defray some of these costs.
Congregation to Elect an APNC
In the Land of Acronym, the PCUSA (Presbyterian Church in the United States of America) has PNCs (Pastor Nominating Committees) and APNCs (Associate Pastor Nominating Committees) who are instructed by presbytery's COM (Committee on Ministry) about how to fill out a CIF (Church Information Form) and when they can read PIFs (Personal Information Forms) from pastoral candidates. Got that? If you understand the above, either you are a Presbyterian lifer or once served in the U.S. military!
This Sunday, September 26 at 10:05, the congregation will gather to elect an APNC. The eight nominees to serve on the APNC are: Brian Denton, John Thatcher, Susan Leyh, Peggy Foley, Leann McIntyre, Brent Johnson, Cindy Henderson and Bob Yarberry. This group of folks, if elected, will be charged with seeking an Associate Pastor for Children and Families. The pastoral candidate they choose, most likely will be chosen from the graduating class of 2011, so we can expect our new associate pastor to begin serving sometime next summer.
What about Suzanne? Glad you asked. Pastor Suzanne will move to half-time once the new associate is called, and Suzanne's job title will be "Associate Pastor for Healing Ministries." Job descriptions for the two positions have been approved by Session and a transition plan is being drafted and will be approved in October or November.
All this activity is a part of our Season of Discernment report, which can be accessed by reviewing previous posts to "Grace Out!" If you have any questions about the direction the church is taking in seeking to become a missional congregation, a church of disciple makers, a church that builds bridges to the community, a church that seeks to apply the gospel to daily living in life affirming, life strengthening ways, please do not hesitate to make an appointment with me to discuss what is going on. Together we are the Church for the sake of those for whom Christ died.
P.S. For those of you who have been asking about my daughter's study abroad year in Italy, her blog can be accessed at www.loveitalia-cm.blogspot.com/
Coming This Fall from the Pulpit
With Kick-off Sunday (September 12) around the corner, it is time to look beyond the Beatitudes of Jesus to our fall preaching schedule. First up is a short series on issues before the Presbyterian Church. As one who attended the summer's General Assembly in Minneapolis, I had a front row seat on the key issues with which the denominiation is contending. This series will be for four Sundays and include the following topics:
(1) Politics in the (Presbyterian) Pew
(2) Sex in the (Presbyterian) City
(3) The Holy Land as a (Presbyterian) Neighborhood
(4) The Presbyterians Go Global
I hope these sermon topics intrigue you enough to attend worship; if you don't attend in person, I hope you listen to the sermons online. If you want to know what is up with the denomination, (and how it connects to your life as a disciple of Jesus), we'll see you this Sunday.
Beginning with the second Sunday in October, I will preach another short series on Christian Caregiving. This series seems timely for our congregation in particular given the number of illnesses and deaths we have suffered among our church family this year. Beyond our church family, though, we all need to hone our listening skills, clarify our sense of call for the sake of God's compassion, and develop our ability to show the love of Jesus to family, friend, neighbor and stranger. The series on Christian Caregiving will culminate with our Remembrance Sunday worship the Sunday before Thanksgiving (November 21). If you want to improve your skills as an instrument of God's grace, mercy and peace, this series will be for you! If you don't want to improve your skills as an instrument of God's grace, mercy and peace, you need to come to church in order to be found by Jesus!
Grace out,
Brad Munroe
Recent Posts
Fall Schedule: What's New at First Pres
Season of Discernment Report
Update on General Assembly
Big Changes…What?!
How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?
Change?! Who said anything about change?!
Perhaps this joke was true in former days, but today it just is not so. Today’s Presbyterian embraces change, but not just any change. No, we embrace change for the sake of the Gospel. In many ways, we are going back to our roots. During the Reformation, our spiritual forbearers coined a phrase with which they described themselves (and us): The Church Reformed, Always Reforming according to the Word of God.
To be the Church Reformed, Always Reforming according to the Word of God recognizes that there exists a tension between the eternal truths and commands of the Gospel and the provisional and pliable ways of human culture. That is, in order to proclaim the Gospel to our day, our time, our place and, most importantly, our neighbors, we need to keep the message but adapt the method of our proclamation. Our participation over the last couple of years in the Growing Healthy Churches project has been an attempt to live out this Reformation motto.
So, what’s new for this year? I’m glad you asked.
- The nurseries have moved to the first floor, across from the sanctuary. No longer will parents need a map to find out where to take their children. Older children (K – 5th) are now on the second floor, youth in the basement and the adults up on the third floor. A priority is being placed on serving our children and their parents.
- Offering classes for parents and those who are married will continue. We begin in September with Sacred Parenting and also offer this fall classes on Marriage Built to Last (begins October 24) and a two-hour workshop on Why Is My Spouse Such an annoying Pest: Using Meyers-Briggs to Help Couples Chill (November 3). [Don’t worry, single folk, Pastor Suzanne will continue offering a full range of classes and workshops for you!]
- Our parking lot is being reconfigured to make it more family friendly and more guest friendly. You will notice more “visitor parking” and “adults with children” signs. In order to fulfill our vision of being the most hospitable church in town, Session is requesting staff and able bodied folk to be healthy and walk a ways by parking either in the Wells Fargo lot (free and open on Sundays) or the county lot that is northeast of our own lot.
- We are going to begin recruiting a “Hospitality Team” of folks who can welcome the 25+ community groups who use our building. Hundreds of people know our church building but have never met our church. This will be a big undertaking but Session feels it meets a vital test of God’s will: is it the right thing to do and are we gifted to do it? Session believes the answer to both these questions is an emphatic, “YES.”
- We are using our website a lot more! Have you checked us out at www.firstprespueblo.org? Program offerings are updated, new information is being recorded there, calendar, photos; heck, even my blog is there!
- We will be electing an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee at our congregational meeting on September 26th. The APNC will seek to find an Associate Pastor for Families and Children to be called during the summer of 2011.
- We will initiate a monthly “Labyrinth Walk” for personal prayer and spiritual growth on Sunday evenings, usually the first Sunday of the month, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- We will initiate a two-year capital campaign in December to raise funds with which to repair the stone work. We may not be able to raise all of the funds we need, but we must start somewhere to go anywhere…or to stay here!
- We will have a few more fellowship opportunities this fall, including a square dance class (October 15th), and a holiday baking fiesta (December 4) as well as our annual youth dinner theater (November 6-7). By the way, the holiday baking fiesta is our time of teaching the folks of the Hispanic church how to prepare “American” holiday meals; then, in January, the ladies of the Hispanic church will teach us how to prepare tamales!
What does not change amidst all these adaptations is the good news of Jesus. We will continue to worship. We will continue to pray. We will continue to serve. We will feed the hungry, clothe the naked (Cooperative Care Center), visit the sick (Parkview and St. Mary Corwin), train up our children in the way they should go (Sunday School), and make disciples of all nations (Karla Koll, missionary to Guatemala; Compassion International). We will be the Church Reformed, even as we are always reforming.
Grace and peace,
Brad
Church Picnic and the Baptist Experience
I had a blast yesterday. After starting worship at our own service, I went over to New Hope Baptist Church where I guest preached with the Baptists. The African-American experience generally, and especially the Baptist experience, is somewhat more effusive, exuberant and extroverted as compared to our Presbyterian, "frozen chosen" manner. Again, I say, I had a blast! My throat hurt when I was done preaching, and as Pastor Sankey told me later, "I'm glad you brought your shoutin' shoes today." A good time was had by all. A good time was also had at our church picnic: young and old, traditional and contemporary, horseshoes and soccer balls, burger and dogs. The fellowship committee and I wondered for how many to prepare; we guessed at about 75 and were delighted when over 125 showed. Even having to go buy more burgers was ok. A good time was had by all.
One of the things that struck me yesterday is how important it is to be together. Jesus said, "Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with you." The ancient church called the experience koinonia, which is roughly translated as fellowship, but is so much more than mere fellowship. Koinonia is a deep, spritiual sharing of our lives in Christ; it is far more than a picnic but a picnic is a good place to start. We need each other in the church.
We sometimes forget how much we need each other, but an experience of loss, a time of trial, a great celebration remind us of our need for one another. No one is an island. No Christian can be in Christ alone. All the images for being a Christian in the New Testament are corporate and plural in nature: the members of one Body, the fellowship of believers, the family of God, the communion of saints, the royal priesthood. Together in worship we are a chorus of praise; together in service we are a marching band of love; togehter in prayer we are a symphony of grace.
We need each other. And when we have one another, in Christ, a good time is sure to be had by all.
Season of Discernment Report
Season of Discernment Report
Actions Items with Commentary
Approved 7/13/10
Background to the Season of Discernment Report
In October 2007, the Session discussed for the first time the notion of becoming a “missional church.” At the time, most elders were unfamiliar with this new paradigm for ministry, which is described as “go and show, build bridges to the community” in contrast to the dominant “attractional” church model – “come and see” and hope that others are drawn into our church by the wonder of our programming. For the first time in 2007, leadership at First Presbyterian Church was beginning to struggle intentionally with the significant cultural forces that sociologists call post-modernism and their effects on churches. At the October 2007 meeting of Session we discussed some action items and value statements that we could enact and work toward that would help us become more missional. Among the value statements were the desire to be “invitational” and “relational” as we planned and implemented church programs.
In November 2008, the entire congregation met to hear the Growing Healthy Churches (GHC) report, which was approved at a called meeting of the congregation. This report encouraged us to continue to pursue becoming missional, to leave behind the model for ministry that valued mere membership and strive to become the kind of church where discipleship was valued. Among the action items in the GHC were a call (1) to write a mission and vision statement, (2) to improve our ministry to young families and (3) be willing to spend up to $100,000 to make the necessary structural, programmatic and personnel changes that would move us forward toward becoming a missional church in which the Gospel was taken to others rather than merely waiting for others to come hear what we have to share.
Beginning in winter and spring of 2009, the Session worked diligently to make significant changes to the way we do things. Some of these changes were behind the scenes: decreasing the number of elders on Session, initiating discipleship-formation workshops, starting the Sunday night worship called The Path, modifying the way committees operate, and experimenting with new formats for the new members class are several examples. Some of the changes took a while to figure out what would be the best way to do something new: how will the Sunday offering be counted; how will we create a budget; when, if ever, will the committees meet? Some changes simply did not work: Does anyone remember our “new” mission statement or have you ever heard of the Lay Ministry Team? (Margie’s note: Yes, I have, and this sounds a little insulting to the 10 or so people who actually work on the lay ministry team) The implementation was seamless occasionally, rough at times, challenging always.
In the midst of implementing these changes to the way we do ministry, a hiccup – a rather big spasm, actually – presented itself in the form of our building’s exterior. In August 2009, the church was approved for a state historical grant of up to $417,000 in two installments, but it was accompanied by covenants that would encumber our property in perpetuity. Both the congregation and Presbytery would have to approve such an agreement. While the congregation narrowly approved accepting the grant by a 54-46 percent margin, Pueblo Presbytery, concerned that an encumbrance in perpetuity would forever foreclose options for future versions of our congregation, rejected our request by a wide margin of approximately 75-25 percent.
In October 2009, Session called for a “Season of Discernment” for our congregation so that we could pray and discuss, discuss and pray over the questions: What are we to do with the building? and What does God want us to for his name’s sake here in Pueblo? The Season of Discernment included many things: The congregation was invited to pray, to repent, to tell their stories of our faithfulness in times past as well as the stories of when we have been less than faithful. The Session appointed teams to investigate all manner of options – some realistic and others more remote – including a study of our demographic patterns of church membership, our financial options, the possibility of selling the property and rebuilding somewhere else, the possibility of merging with another congregation in a similar situation. We brought in consultants to suggest ways to improve our ministry to young families. We prayed. We had a special Season of Discernment prayer team. As a Session, we have prayed more in the last year than in the previous seven years combined. The result of our prayers is found below in the action items and commentary of this report.
It is vitally important for you, the congregation, to understand that this Season of Discernment report is an extension of our GHC process. Yes, we were detoured a bit from our primary focus by the building question, but our primary goal has not changed: We desire to do God’s will, to fulfill his mission to make disciples of all nations, to move from an attractional to a missional model for ministry, to move from being a church where membership is an acceptable lowest common denominator to being a church where discipleship is the calling, the expectation and the practice. In Session’s mind and heart, the Season of Discernment is an extension of the GHC process, as evident in the action items below. This report’s scope goes far beyond a mere building question, although we begin there, to include a continuation of the discussion about – and the next iteration of ministry ideas for – our journey in faith as a church family.
Mission Slogan
1. Developing Disciples, Caring for Community
COMMENTARY: Session revised our mission and vision statements rather dramatically. As indicated above, our earliest attempts at coming to terms with our mission and vision occurred almost three years ago. Three years of constant conversation, discernment and prayer has allowed a coherent mission and vision to coalesce in the minds and hearts of Session members. We like this mission slogan because of its twofold , journey inward-journey outward focus. Our job inwardly is to develop disciples of Jesus; our calling outwardly is to care for community.
Vision Statement
2. In the heart of the city, First Presbyterian is a church with a heart for hospitality and healing and a desire to share our hope in Jesus Christ.
COMMENTARY: As Session discussed and discerned our vision, which is both more specific and more personal that the mission slogan, we asked ourselves the questions of spiritual calling: What gifts has God given to us as a church family that we embrace and which ignite our passion for ministry? What relationships define our ability to serve faithfully and effectively? As we asked these questions, three words came forward: hospitality, healing and hope. These are “passion” words for our church family: This is what we do; this is who we are; therefore, this is the work to which God is calling us!
Vision Values
3. We are a downtown church whose ministry scope is all of Pueblo County
COMMENTARY: This first value statement recognizes the dual reality – and some may say essential conflict – of our life together. We are a downtown church whose neighbors have significant needs for ministries of healing, compassion and justice; we are a congregation in which 86 percent of the membership live in areas of Pueblo County nowhere near downtown.
4. We are a church where we practices hospitality in everything we do, for the sake of Jesus Christ
a. We are becoming a church where being invitational and relational is a spiritual gift that is desired, nurtured and put into practice
COMMENTARY: Beginning with this value statement and continuing for the next three statements, we wanted to describe two realities: first, who we currently are and, second, who we hope to become as we grow in faith as a missional church. In this first value statement we recognize that we have a heart for hospitality, yet we still struggle with the practice of winsome invitations and the building of relationships that might draw others to Christ.
5. As a congregation, we encourage healing by the power of Jesus Christ through church- sponsored, community-focused programs
a. We are becoming a church where healing is encouraged by the power of Jesus Christ through personal relationships of support and accountability
COMMENTARY: In this value statement we recognize our desire, willingness and ability to offer healing ministries that are formal and programmatic in nature (Divorce Recovery, Love and Logic, Seasons of Grief, Financial Peace University, Stephen Ministers) but also that we need to grow toward relationships of support and accountability.
6. We are a church where we proclaim hope in the name of Jesus Christ in our teaching and preaching, in our praise and prayer
a. We are becoming a church where hope is shared through personal friendships of spiritual honesty, authenticity and vulnerability as one friend to another to another
COMMENTARY: In this value statement we recognize that the Gospel hope in Jesus Christ is at the center of our formal worship, at all three services, and in our ministries of teaching and prayer. Once again, while we are comfortable living into our faith convictions in formal and corporate settings, we still have room to grow into the kind of faith that shares one’s hope personally.
Action Items by Category: Property
1. We will purchase “someday property” within five years to create the ability for the church to remain viable as a congregation and ministry of Jesus Christ
a. This property may be used "someday" for a) locating a satellite program of First Presbyterian, b) planting a new church development, c) relocating the congregation or d) as an investment
b. The Season of Discernment real property team will be asked to (a) develop criteria to evaluate a particular property’s desirability and functionality, and (b) begin to research possible properties that meet said criteria, bringing specific properties to the attention of Session as they arise
COMMENTARY: In these first two action items we begin with the property question: What is to be done with the building? The first action item looks to the future and seeks to give options to the congregation that will exist five to fifty years from now. Imagine what would have happened if during the heyday of this congregation in the 1960s, it had chosen to purchase a plot of land on the corner of McCulloch Boulevard and Highway 50. I doubt that this congregation would have relocated in 1990, but a heck of a Presbyterian new church development could have been planted. This action item is about options and the desire to give our heirs choices if they need them to survive or thrive in the future.
2. We will commit to our current property by initiating a capital campaign for specific and necessary repairs
a. We will initiate a "two-year gift" capital campaign for repairs, to be kicked off the first Sunday in December, 2010
b. We will designate a tithe (10 percent ) of our per capita assessment to be remitted to Presbytery and designate the remaining portion (90 percent) to be put into a capital fund for use in building renovation. Such redistribution of our per capita will continue from year to year until all specific and necessary repairs are complete
c. We will establish a designated "second mile" giving opportunity for building repair
COMMENTARY: This action item deals specifically with the “right now, now what” question for the building. Session does not believe that we have the financial resources to fund a complete restoration project at this time. To seek a loan in the necessary amount would cripple our ability to fund ministry and mission. Our solution is to “do what we can, not what we cannot” and begin restoring our exterior stonework year by year, brick by brick. Insurance money will fund the purchase of molds created from the existing stones; then it will cost approximately $50 per brick plus labor.
3. We will commit to our current property by rearranging the interior of the building for more effective ministry
a. We will move the nurseries downstairs and move adult discipleship upstairs. Brad Munroe, Tammy Garcia and Gayle Ganger will design the room configurations and make a drawing for Larry Henderson
COMMENTARY: This action item will improve both fire safety for the children as well as parents’ ability to know where the nurseries are in relation to the sanctuary. Session feels this move will make parents who are our guests much more comfortable with our child-care situation.
4. We will restructure what we have in the fellowship hall in order to create a true community room
a. We will engage a church interior designer to draw up the plan
b. We will maintain the Catacombs as an inviting space but pull the coffee bar upstairs
c. We will remove the wall dividers in the fellowship hall
d. We will investigate moving the Path to the Biddall Chapel and the handbells to another room
COMMENTARY: This action item was recommended by one of our consultants as an opportunity to spruce up the fellowship hall: less clutter plus an up-to-date design should equal a more attractive, pleasing space. As Presbyterians, Session hesitates to use the term “upgraded Feng Shui,” but….
5. We will extend hospitality through our parking lot
a. We will reserve parking for: the handicapped (five spots - current configuration), visitors (six spots, along north side of the lot facing 10th Street - currently two) and families with children (six spots, facing the playground- currently zero)
b. Staff will use the Wells Fargo or county lots on Sunday mornings
c. We will move the church vans to the county's lot, which is cattycorner to the church's lot
d. We will encourage able-bodied members to use the Wells Fargo lot as a ministry of hospitality
e. We will change the signs currently used to read "First Presbyterian Church Parking," taking out the word “private.” We will purchase magnetic signs to be placed over the original sign on days of funerals and special events
COMMENTARY: This action item builds on Session’s desire to live out our calling to show hospitality. We have an aging congregation; therefore we must have handicapped parking and should encourage staff and the able-bodied to walk a bit further. We want to be open to young families; therefore we need to have spaces available for parents dealing with car seats, baby bags and the luggage of modern parenting. We want to serve our guests, the members of our community whom God brings to our doors; therefore we must make finding the entryways less of an obstacle course.
Action Items by Category: Program
We will demonstrate our commitment to becoming a growing, healthy church by making significant changes to the way we program church activities. These changes are listed below
1. We will train for discipleship by offering workshops, classes and retreats that target specific ministry activities toward the goal of increasing members' spiritual gifts
a. We will offer intensive leadership training seminars: (e.g. evangelism, parenting, facilitating a covenant group, praying with a friend in the hospital, etc.) We will adapt Presbybar to a monthly format connected to the seminars, with reservations required for meals and childcare
b. We will offer at least one parenting class and a marriage class each Sunday School year
c. We will continue the development of Covenant groups
COMMENTARY: This action item responds to two facts: research showing that developing one’s spiritual gifts is an integral and necessary part of developing as a disciple, and secondly that our discipleship formation workshop on developing spiritual gifts is the most poorly attended of the three formation workshops offered. We suspect that training for spiritual gifts will be better served by trying a different teaching modality. Thus, we will offer skill-specific workshops throughout the year that are more intensive than an hourly Bible study can provide.
2. We will deepen our practice of prayer
a. We will continue and expand our Season of Discernment Prayer Team to pray for the church missionally
b. We will engage in a "Prayer Triplets" ministry each summer
c. We will continue and expand the prayer chain
COMMENTARY: Prayer is the engine of mission; we need a bigger engine.
3. We will extend, encourage and enhance our ministry of hospitality
a. We will serve as bridge builders to the local groups whom we host by showing some of our wonderful, Presbyterian hospitality! Did someone say "baked goods and coffee"?
b. We will extend our Welcome Team into the parking lot
COMMENTARY: This action item is known as an “unfunded mandate.” Session would like to see this kind of hospitality offered but no one, yet, is offering such hospitality; no one, currently, has stepped forward to make this happen. Session believes that one of our strongest ministries as a congregation is that we open our building to so many other groups and function, essentially, as a downtown spiritual civic center. However, we are not building bridges of relationship to the groups we are hosting; folks in these groups know our building but not our church.
4. We will commit to using electronic forms of communication as our primary means of communicating with the congregation
a. Weekly emails that are "pushed" to those who sign up for them
b. Daily Facebook updates Monday through Friday
c. Enhance the website
1. Keep it current – ask for volunteer help
2. Keep it correct
3. Podcast our sermons
4. Blog, and update, update and blog
d. To make the above feasible, the INSPIRE will become a quarterly mailer
e. We will continue with a printed bulletin and insert a calendar of events monthly on the first Sunday of each month
COMMENTARY: Communication is an eternal problem in churches and the problem is exacerbated by the “multiple communication platforms” in use today. Session wants both to maintain traditional communication forms (i.e. bulletin and INSPIRE) while building a bridge to the many electronic communication forms in use today, especially among the under-40 crowd. This evolution in the ways we communicate as a church has the potential to create some uneasiness, but it is Session’s desire that the over-70 crowd not feel left out, left behind or uninformed about what is going on, so we are taking a “both-and” approach to the different communication platforms while trying to keep the work load manageable for staff.
5. We will focus more leadership attention on developing fellowship opportunities /gatherings a. We will re-establish the fellowship committee with the mandate: Plan Fun! We will expect it to plan at least one, church-wide, fun event per quarter
b. We will encourage smaller groups to plan special interest events
COMMENTARY: A suggestion was made by a member of staff that we rename the fellowship committee the “FUN-ship committee.” No action has been taken on this suggestion, but it conveys Session’s hopes that we can have more fun church-wide events such as what some folks experienced at the 50s Sock Hop that Gayle Ganger organized last spring.
6. We will initiate a “member follow-up team” to check on members who go missing from worship attendance
a. After two consecutive weeks of non-attendance, a member will receive a handwritten note of encouragement that expresses care and concern; the Welcome Team folk who come in Monday morning will be asked to take this on
b. After four consecutive weeks of non-attendance, a member will receive a phone call expressing care and concern and asking if there is anything the church can do to support them, or if they would like one of the pastors to call or visit them; the Stephen ministers will be asked to take this on
c. If no response is made and attendance does not resume, members may be moved to the inactive roll after one year of non-participation in the church
COMMENTARY: This action item seeks to close the back door to the church. Too often and too easily do folks drop out without being contacted by their church family. It is a sensitive subject in that no one wants to be pushy or judgmental when they missed a friend at church, so how should such a conversation happen? Churches struggle with this issue, an entire genre of how-to-do-church literature exists to offer suggestions, yet still most churches do not have a good handle on offering encouragement and support that does not come off sounding harsh. This action item is Session’s first attempt in addressing this need. It is an unfunded mandate in that no one has been asked if they are available and willing to help but Session is asking that staff and the congregation move forward with this initiative.
7. We will demonstrate our commitment to safety for our children
a. We will put a window in every door used for children's programs and in which private meetings are held between staff and others
b. We will childproof our classrooms and inspect them at least quarterly
c. We will strengthen our nursery check-in system when the nursery moves downstairs
COMMENTARY: Making children safe is a priority. Helping parents know that safety is a priority, is a priority.
Action Items by Category: Personnel
1. We will create leadership diversity
a. We will call an ordained, full-time, associate pastor for families in the spring 2011. Funds for this position can be raised by (a) granting Suzanne D’Spain’s request to work half-time beginning in June 2011, (b) challenging the congregation, (c) using the part-time salary of the Christian education director toward the new associate pastor position and (d) buying down our reserve accounts
b. From approximately June 2011 to September 2012, the staff configuration changes will look as follows:
1. Suzanne = half-time associate pastor for healing ministries
2. John / Jane Doe = full-time associate pastor for families
3. Youth director will report to the AP for families
4. The CE director’s duties will be assumed by the new AP for families
5. When Suzanne retires, approximately October 2012, healing ministries of volunteers will be coordinated by Brad and the new AP
c. We will encourage and plan for gatherings and activities that include both FPC and the Hispanic Presbyterian Church
COMMENTARY: This action item might be called the “getting younger” strategy for staff. The rule of thumb in ministry is that one’s “power zone,” that part of the population with a pastor most readily connects, is plus or minus ten years from one’s own age. If this conventional ministry wisdom is correct, we are ideally situated to minister to an aging congregation but not at all staffed to minister to younger families and single adults. This action item will require the church to fund an extra half-time associate pastor position for approximately 12 to 16 months, but most of the extra salary will be made up by reducing other staff positions.
FINANCIAL NOTE
In reviewing the above plan, including already-made GHC commitments, the finance committee projects the total costs of the above action items, including additional staff costs, at $47,500. Our current general reserves are $110,289; in addition to these reserves, we have $65,902 in our operating fund.
General Assembly Impressions
Minneapolis General Assembly: Overview and Impressions
Overview
- “Liberal” Victories
- Sent Belhar to presbyteries for vote – rejection 3 perceived to be an opening for gay ordination
- Sent to presbyteries an overture to overturn G.60106b
- Sent to presbyteries the nFOG – “The church shall guarantee fair representation in worship, governance and ____ to all persons and groups within the church” perceived to open the door to local option; “Christ…redeems…all persons” perceived to be theological universalism.
- Approved urging the Board of Pensions to add same sex benefits for lay employees
- Approved creation of a commission empowered to restructure presbyteries and synods if invited by a judicatory to review their operations and/or boundaries – perceived by some as having too much authority without regard to any check or balance
- Approved 38 liberally biased social witness statements (e.g. calling for the U.S. to negotiate with all parties in Afghanistan, including Al-Qaeda and the Taliban) in approximately 95 minutes total time;
- Denounced” Caterpillar for business in the West Bank, although defeated a call for divestment
- Authorized retranslation of Heidelberg – Q/A 87 will delete the term “homosexual perversion”
- Amended statements on “Violence against Pregnant Women” and “Against Forced or Coerced Abortions” to read as pro-choice statements – e.g. added the phrases “including the denial of the right to an abortion” and “and against forced or coerced pregnancies”
10. Rejected Calvin quote, “loved by God before we are born,” for baptism – perceived as pro-life
11. Rejected new 17th, non-geographic, theologically conservative synod
- “Moderate” Victories
- Approved sending both the majority (liberal) and minority (conservative) studies on Christian marriage forward for study by sessions and presbyteries
- Delayed action on authoritative interpretations (not seconded / voted upon by presbyteries) redefining marriage from “one man and one woman” to “two persons”
- Deleted imbalanced section three from the Middle East Study Report (7 pages pro-Israel and 57 pages pro-Palestinian), replacing it with “eight narratives, four of which are Palestinian, four of which are Israeli, all of which are to be pro-peace and pro-justice.” Also, rejected adoption of “Kairos Palestine” document as policy, recommended it for study, which basically puts it on a shelf somewhere at GA
- “Conservative” Victories
- Rejected a move to make hierarchical the relationship between GA and GAPJC authoritative interpretations, keeping current relationship / procedures in which the GAPJC can correct / interpret GA authoritative interpretations based on previous constitutional rulings and Presbyterian case law.
Impressions
- The opening worship was awesome!
- The speed with which some business is covered is dizzying! On the social witness statements, I could not even get the report up on my computer before we were approving it. That more than 10-15% of commissioners in the assembly had read any of the social witness or peacemaking reports would surprise me; the actual number might be far less.
- The slowness with which some business is covered is mind numbing. On the Christian Marriage report(s), after some parliamentary maneuvering, the main motion was to send both the majority and minority reports forward to sessions and presbyteries for study; the substitute motion was to send both the minority and majority reports forward to sessions and presbyteries for study. It took us 45 minutes of debate to decide to reject the substitute motion in favor of the main motion.
- The leadership in Louisville (the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Mission Council) dominate the agenda, process and much of the substance of any debate. For instance, most overtures from the OGA were approved in committees, while most overtures from presbyteries were disapproved in committee. Sometimes the manipulation is subtle. For instance, the moderator, a self-described theological liberal, tended to have the question called only after a speaker spoke in favor of liberally oriented motions or against conservatively oriented motions. This tendency may have been sub-conscious for all I know, but it was a noticeable trend.
- The lack of reverence for scripture and a Reformed appreciation for thorough exegesis was disheartening. The YAADs talked a commissioner into making a motion that in the updating and revision of the studies from 1982 on reproductive options scriptural references would be added when appropriate. Although the assembly approved the amendment 74-26, two adults got up to argue against adding appropriate scripture to social witness policy statements. Further, the use of scripture in peacemaking and social witness statements seemed overly broad (“we are called to love our neighbor”) and lacking any articulation of biblical context, linguistic insights or theological frameworks other than calls for “peace” and “justice.”
- There is very little willingness on the part of many to seek common ground and common voice. In committee, in our report reviewing the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, I put forward a motion that social witness policy “seek our unity whenever possible and articulate the full spectrum of our Presbyterian perspectives whenever necessary.” The motion lost 4-36-4.
- There is a high degree of hypocrisy across the board. Liberals argued against adding Calvin’s quote on baptism because it could be used in another context to argue for a pro-life position yet were dismayed that conservatives were concerned that Belhar’s focus on racial inclusivity could be used to argue for a pro-gay ordination position…and vice-versa.
- Our ecumenical partners are grieved by the liberal drift. An African cleric upbraided us on our advocacy for certain social policies while a priest from Belarus wondered why we are creating “new theologies, a new morality and even a new religion.” Ouch!
- I heard a report that Minneapolis is being hailed as the “Grace Assembly” for our lack of acrimony. I disagree. My own perception is that the evangelical voice was getting so steam-rolled that they chose their battles very carefully rather than lose and lose big throughout. Wednesday afternoon and evening and Thursday morning and afternoon the liberal juggernaut was rolling along, consistently winning by a 2/3 to 1/3 vote. Thursday night there was some sense of over-reach and so a moderate motion on the Christian marriage report(s) was able to pass by a narrow margin (54-46), and the Middle East Study Report compromise was approved. By Friday morning the sense of over-reach had passed and a questionable motion to reconsider the actions of Committee 12, the Christian marriage committee, was put forward, narrowly defeated, but the rout resumed. The evangelicals are girding themselves for the presbytery votes and/or openly talking about withholding per capita / leaving.
A New Year’s Resolution
I will blog, blog, blog. Look for it. Ask me about it if you don't see it. Make me, make it happen.
Brad