Call to the Stated Meeting
Presbytery of New Covenant, Synod of the Sun
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Saturday, November 9, 2013
9:30 am
Atascocita Presbyterian Church
19246 Atasca Oaks Drive, Atascocita, Texas 77346
281/852-8990
www.apchumble.org
This meeting of the presbytery will be called to order at 9:30 am. There is an
Orientation Session for first-time commissioners at 9:15 am.
All ministers and clerks should have received the invitation from the Session and
congregation of Atascocita Presbyterian Church to the Stated Meeting of the presbytery
on Saturday, November 9, 2013. A map with directions to the church was included with
that invitation. Clerks are asked to pass along all meeting materials to the elected
commissioner(s) for this meeting. The link to online registration is:
http://pncnovember2013.eventbrite.com Those registering online will be sure to have a lunch
ticket. Others will be available first come/first serve, and we are limited. Childcare
reservations MUST be made directly to the church. Please honor all reservations made.
Our hosts commit payment for lunch and child care providers based on the reservations
made. Each commissioner is urged to check the presbytery website on Friday before
Saturday’s meeting. The addendum report will be posted that day.
I don’t know about you, but I am excited to hear Rev. Ray Jones, our keynote speaker. Ray
is the Coordinator of Evangelism Ministries for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I have been
in workshops with him at other events, and I am ready to hear some “Good News”!
This year’s Moderator, Rev. Dr. Winfield “Casey” Jones will be preaching at our worship
service, where we will share in the Lord’s Supper. Casey’s theme of “Revival” has spurred
some new efforts in our presbytery. I look forward to being blessed by his words to us.
We will welcome new minister members, share in fellowship, and do some business along the
way. I hope you will find our time together energizing and uplifting as we do the work of the
Presbytery of New Covenant.
In Christ,
Lynn Hargrove
Stated and Recording Clerk
~ 1 ~ Table of Contents
Registration Form (online or at Registration Table)
Call to Meeting
1
Table of Contents
2
Keynote Speaker
3
Offering Recipient
4
Maps of Facility
5-6
Docket
7-8
Songs for Gathering and Reconvening
9-10
Omnibus Motion (A) and Table of Motions
11
Report of the Stated Clerk (B)
12-13
Administrative Division Steering Committee (C)
14
Center Operations (C.1)
14
Ecclesiastical Affairs (C.2)
15-23
Finance (C.3)
24-25
Personnel (C.4)
15
Committee on Ministry (D)
26-35
Committee on Preparation for Ministry (E)
36-38
General Council (F)
39-43
Ministries Division Steering Committee (G)
44
Congregational Resourcing (G.1)
Addendum
Evangelism & Renewal/New Church Development (G.2)
45-49
Outreach (G.3)
Addendum
Nominating (H)
Addendum
~ 2 ~ Committee on Representation (I)
50
Our Keynote Speaker: Rev. Ray Jones
In addition to offering this day of learning, Ray Jones will be our keynote speaker for
this presbytery meeting. He will be preaching at Atascocita on Sunday morning. Make
plans to spend “A Day with Ray” on Friday … and Saturday … and Sunday!
Our Offering Recipient: Pastor Special Needs Fund
~ 3 ~ Pastors are subject to the same economic stress as
everyone in today’s world, but the only pastor to whom
they can turn when they are in need is the presbytery.
In addition, pastors have a public role which could be
compromised if such a request were not kept strictly
confidential.
The presbytery recognized this vulnerability ten years
ago and established the Pastor’s Special Needs Fund,
under the oversight of our General Presbyter and
Director of Finance. These funds are used exclusively
to assist pastors with short-term or emergency
financial needs.
Please consider giving generously to this fund to
support our pastors.
~ 4 ~ ~ 5 ~ There are approximately 85 parking spaces at Atascocita Presbyterian Church.
There are approximately 100 spaces at the LDS Church (short walk).
We encourage carpooling!
The Presbytery of New Covenant
“Growing congregations that passionately engage their community to make disciples.”
Stated Meeting – November 9, 2013
Atascocita Presbyterian Church, 19426 Atasca Oaks Drive, Atascocita, TX 77346
~ 6 ~ 281/852-8990
This year’s theme – Revival
Offering: Pastor Special Needs Fund
9:00
Registration Opens
Parlor
9:15
New Commissioner Orientation
Library
Signs will direct you to a place available all day for prayer and meditation.
For your information, TE means Teaching Elder, and RE means Ruling Elder.
THE DOCKET
Please silence all devices!
9:25 am
9:30 am
Gathering Song
Call to Order and Opening Prayer
“Breathe”
Moderator, TE Winfield “Casey” Jones
WORSHIP – Preaching today is Moderator Winfield “Casey” Jones
10:20 am
Opening Business
Moderator and Stated Clerk
 Declaration of Quorum and Adoption of the Docket
 Welcome by Host Church – TE Jackie Hannan, Pastor
 Welcome of Others (First time Commissioners, Corresponding Members, New
Minister Members, Visitors)
 Report of the Stated Clerk (B)
TE Lynn Hargrove
Administrative Commissions for Installations/Ordinations
 Omnibus Motion (B.1)
 Moderator’s Remarks and Appointments
 Tellers:
 Nominations to Nominating Committee
10:35 am
Ecclesiastical Affairs – Overture – “Supporting Middle East Peacemaking”
10:50 am
CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY – Schreiner University
11:00 am
KEYNOTE – Rev. Ray Jones
Coordinator for Evangelism Ministries, P.C. (USA)
11:55 am
Blessing before the meal/Instructions
NOON
FELLOWSHIP AT TABLE/OPEN SPACE CONVERSATIONS
1:00 pm
Reconvening Hymn
1:10 pm
Candidate Preaching
1:45 pm
Ministries Division
RE Jody Harrington
Congregational Resourcing – Church Officer Enrichment
“I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”
CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY – CUPS
Louise Flippin
~ 7 ~ RE Eldon Sheffer
Administrative Division
Finance
EAC – Parity Plan
RE Jane Larkin
RE Celia Morgan
TE Becky Downs
Committee on Ministry
1. Action Items
RE Shelley Hernandez
CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY – CEDEPCA
TE Marie Mickey
Committee on Preparation for Ministry
TE Nora Fitch
Nominating Committee
RE Gayle Smith
Report of General Council
RE John Jo
New Business (Only if submitted four days prior to meeting date, so it can be
posted online 3 days prior)
Adjournment
(By rule of the presbytery, no later than 4:00 pm, unless the assembly votes by
a 2/3 majority to extend beyond)
Following adjournment, clerks will meet for session records review
in Classroom B.
The next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of New Covenant will be
Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Korean Central Presbyterian Church, Houston
14311 Park Row, 77084
www.kcpch.org
Postlude is the publication that highlights the events and business
conducted at presbytery meetings. It will be posted on the presbytery’s
website: www.pbyofnewcovenant.org
Commissioners will receive an email notification when Postlude is
available. Please share it with your sessions.
Comments and suggestions should be directed to Helen Wolf at
[email protected]
~ 8 ~ Gathering Song
“Breathe”
this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you
this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you
And I, I'm desperate for you,
And I, I'm lost without you,
I'm lost without you,
I'm lost without you.
I'm desperate for you.
I'm desperate for you
this is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you.
Writer: HOWLETT, LIAM/FLINT, KEITH/PALMER, KEITH (AKA MAXIM)
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing
Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
~ 9 ~ Song for Reconvening after Lunch
The hymn “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord” was written by Timothy Dwight. Dwight was the
grandson of famous Reformed theologian and revivalist Jonathan Edwards. In 1800 Dwight
was president of Yale College (now Yale University), which in those days was a job for a
minister. According to historian Sydney Ahlstrom, in 1801, Dwight saw revival at Yale, and
1/3rd of the students came to put their faith in Christ.
~ 10 ~ Omnibus Motion
From the Stated Clerk
A
To approve the minutes of the June, 2013 stated meeting.
To approve the proposal from the Synod of the Sun to change the terms of commissioners to
synod meetings from two years to three years. There will be two commissioners representing
Presbytery of New Covenant – one teaching elder and one ruling elder.
Table of Motions (to be voted on individually)
From Ecclesiastical Affairs
To approve the overture submitted by College Station, Covenant, on “Supporting Middle
East Peacemaking”.
To receive the plan on parity between Ruling Elder and Teaching Elder representation at
meetings of Presbytery.
From Committee on Ministry
The committee recommends and moves that the examination of Melissa Krabbe
candidate for ordination be sustained; nominated to serve as Pastor of Westminster
Presbyterian Church, Galveston, TX.
From the General Council
To endorse “Freedom Place”, a ministry that works with victims of human trafficking on a
110 acre campus in West Houston, to be a recipient of the Presbyterian Women “Thank
Offering.”
~ 11 ~ Presbytery of New Covenant
Report of the Stated Clerk
November 9, 2013
B
1. For approval by the presbytery – this item appears in the Omnibus Motion:
Proposal from the Synod of the Sun for commissioners to serve three year terms rather than
two. The letter can be found on the following page.
2. Administrative Commissions for Installations/Ordinations:
We thank those who served on these commissions and dismiss them with our gratitude.
To ordain and install the Rev. Andrew Keyes as Designated Associate Pastor of Southminster
Presbyterian Church, Missouri City, Texas, on August 4, 2013 at 4:00 pm. The candidate
answered the questions of ordination and installation in the affirmative.
To ordain the Rev. Nathan Carlin, United Campus Ministry of Greater Houston, at St. Philip
Presbyterian Church on August 18, 2013 at 11:00 am. The candidate answered the questions of
ordination in the affirmative.
To ordain and install the Rev. Keatan Anne King as Associate Pastor of St. Philip Presbyterian
Church, Houston, Texas, on September 29, 2013 at 4:00 pm. The candidate answered the
questions of ordination and installation in the affirmative.
To install the Rev. Jon Guyton as Designated Pastor of Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, Houston,
Texas, on October 20, 2013 at 3:00. The candidate answered the questions of installation in the
affirmative.
3. Investigating Committee 03-09 is dismissed with gratitude for their diligent work. They are TE
Becky Downs (chairperson), TE Alan Brehm, RE Carol Hodges, RE Mary Lawrence, and TE
Steve Oglesbee.
4. Updates on Discernment Teams:
Houston, First: The Gracious Reconciliation Implementation Team set up by the congregation
and staff is close to concluding their work. The Presbytery Discernment Team is meeting to
consider what tasks remain in the process.
Houston, Grace: The congregation voted on October 20, 2013 to enter into the process. The
vote was 552-64.
5. Dissolutions: The last two members of the Somerville Presbyterian Church died. The property
has been sold. The congregation of St. Giles Presbyterian Church has dissolved. The church
property was given to Pathways Church of Houston, and other assets were distributed. Many
thanks to Greg Feigh, Jim Duty and Mabeth Coleman for their work with the dissolution
process.
6. For information:
The 2012 Minutes of the Presbytery of New Covenant were reviewed on October, 16, 2013 and
were approved without exception.
~ 12 ~ ~ 13 ~ Administrative Division Steering Committee
C
The Administrative Division Steering Committee is composed a Chair and Vice-Chair
in addition to the Chairs of the following committees: Center Operations, Ecclesiastical
Affairs, Finance, Personnel. Ordinarily we meet in the months prior to a General Council
meeting and before a Presbytery meeting.
Center Operations has made significant improvements to our facility this year (separate
report) and Finance has been diligent in monitoring budget and transfer of properties.
Personnel is currently updating the Personnel Manual. Ecclesiastical Affairs is responsible
for planning each presbytery meeting.
We appreciate the staff support of Forbes Baker, and Mike Cole.
Jane Larkin
Chair, ADSC
Center Operations Committee
C.1
In 2013, this committee concentrated on preparing the Presbytery of New
Covenant building for the future and restoring value to the property located at 1110 Lovett.
With that as the goal, the building exterior walls were prepared and repainted, the irrigation
system was repaired, dead and diseased plants were removed and the remaining live plants
were replanted and added to an installation of drought- friendly plants and ground cover in
the flowerbeds. These actions have begun an improvement to the curb appeal of the
property.
The telephone and internet system has been upgraded allowing better use of the messaging
center and access to everyday and emergency needs from both within and outside of the
building. The system has improved conference call and two-party call capabilities. Change
from a proprietary system to a universally used Linux system will provide a better long term
value by not limiting repairs or future needs to the use of a single company.
Adding a telephone and video system to the second floor conference room will allow the
Presbytery staff as well as individual church members, the freedom of attending conferences
and seminars held anywhere accessible by telephone. Many meetings normally requiring air
travel and the time to attend will be addressed within a few hours and without the travel
expense.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Montgomery, Gary Akin and Gail Northern
~ 14 ~ Ecclesiastical Affairs Committee
C.2
1. Recommendations for presbytery action:
To approve an overture submitted by the session of College Station, Covenant. The
document appears on pages 16-21.
Parity Plan: To receive the parity plan for Ruling Elder and Teaching Elder representation
at meetings of Presbytery. The plan is outlined on the pages 22-23.
2. Actions taken on behalf of the presbytery: None
3. Items for Information
a. 2014 Presbytery Meetings – “Making Disciples” – RE John Jo, Moderator
Saturday, March 22 – Houston, Korean Central Presbyterian Church (change of venue)
Saturday, July 19 – College Station, Covenant
Saturday, November 8 – Livingston, Indian
b. Overture Concurrence
Concerning the need for concurrences to overtures to General Assembly, it is the
opinion of the committee that, just like any overture, a concurrence needs to start in a
congregation. All overtures to General Assembly from other Presbyteries will be posted
as soon as we receive them in the clerk’s corner of the New Covenant website.
Sessions are encouraged to read each one there, and after prayerfully considering the
overture, to decide whether or not to bring it to Presbytery to send on to General
Assembly. For an overture to get to GA this year (2014) it needs to come before the
Presbytery no later than our March 22, 2014 meeting, which means it needs to get to
the EAC by February 10, 2014.
Personnel Committee Report
Year End Report 2013
C.4
The 2013 Personnel Committee (the “Committee”) consists of Beverly Fluke, Rev. Fred Seay,
Rev. Mike Cole, and Richard Early.
2013 Committee Activities:
• Sought to support, encourage, and care for Presbytery Staff (the “Staff”) with
cards/notes, bi-annual Staff luncheons hosted by the Committee, meetings with
individual Staff, and ongoing prayer for the Staff and their various ministries.
• Monitored proposed changes to Board of Pensions dues and benefits, while evaluating
potential ramifications for the Staff and the 2014 Committee budget.
• Began planning for future Staff transitions, communicating with key Staff as to
eventual retirement plans.
• Coordinated and/or completed annual Staff evaluations.
• Considered and recommended to the Finance Committee changes to 2014 Staff
compensation/terms of call as a part of the Committee’s 2014 budget request.
• Sought to complete a bi-annual review of the Presbytery Personnel Policy Manual.
Respectfully Submitted, Richard Early, 2013 Committee Moderator
~ 15 ~ Proposed overture to the Presbytery of New Covenant and, if passed to the 221st
General Assembly 2014 of the PC(USA) from the Session of Covenant Presbyterian
Church, College Station, TX, to make the following statement:
On Supporting Middle East Peacemaking
The 221th General Assembly:
• Reaffirms long-standing Presbyterian Church (USA) commitment to a negotiated
two-state solution (two states for two peoples) in which a secure and universally
recognized State of Israel lives alongside a free, viable, and secure state for the
Palestinian people.
• Reaffirms the actions of the 220th and previous General Assemblies to reject ,
divestment and economic sanctions against the state of Israel or any application
of the PC(USA)’s corporate engagement policies toward such ends.
• Reaffirms the importance of interfaith dialogue in the resolution of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, and urges all Presbyteries and congregations within the
PC(USA) to include interfaith dialogue and relationship-building as part of their
own engagement in working for a just peace.
• Calls for all foreign aid given by the U.S. government – including aid to Israel and
the Palestinian Authority – to be comprehensively and transparently accounted
to the American people and held to the same standards of compliance with all
applicable laws.
• Calls for church advocacy for foreign-aid accountability to be directed toward its
universal adherence rather than targeted for selective application to some
recipients and not others.
• Encourages Presbyterians to travel to the Holy Land, and give broad support to
the Christian communities throughout the Middle East.
• Affirms the importance of economic measures and cooperation between Israelis
and Palestinians which support and advance a negotiated two-state solution. To
that end, the 221st General Assembly does not endorse boycotts of Israeli or
Palestinian products.
• Urges all church institutions to give careful consideration to possible
investments in Israel-Palestine that advance peace and improve the lives of
Palestinians and Israelis.
Rationale:
Two States for Two Peoples
The two-state solution remains the best path to sustainable peace, but requires a renewed
commitment to peacemaking by Israelis, Palestinians, and the international community. The
Presbyterian community can help this renewed effort by continued advocacy of our core
peacemaking principles: that the rights and aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis be
respected, that both parties have legitimate grievances, and that both parties have
obligations that must be met for the peace process to move forward.
For Israel, there is no military solution to the conflict. Without progress toward a two-state
solution, the violence may subside for periods of time but will inevitably return. The security
concerns of Israel are legitimate, proven by hostile actions by its neighbors, and Israel’s
security must be assured. At the same time, Israeli actions that constrain the ability of
Palestinians to build a peaceful and free society hinder the cause of a democratic Jewish
~ 16 ~ homeland. Unilateral actions by the parties are counterproductive. In 2012, the unilateral
move by the Palestinian Authority for U.N. recognition, in violation of previous peace
agreements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, was met with another Israeli
announcement of West Bank settlement expansion that many in the international
community contend hinders the creation of a viable and contiguous Palestinian state. Israel
also suspended tax transfers to the Palestinian Authority, redirecting taxes collected to cover
unpaid electric power obligations of the PA. Both parties need to return to bilateral
negotiations, as a better path to peace.
For Palestinians to become effective negotiators representing their majority view and
interests, they need to resolve internal political divisions within Palestinian society. While
polling shows most Palestinians support peaceful coexistence and the two-state solution,
powerful Palestinian factions, most notably Hamas, remain openly committed to violence and
the destruction of Israel. The 2012 launching of rockets and missiles from Gaza at Israeli
homes and schools set back the cause of a Palestinian state, and innocent Palestinians
ended up suffering from the response as rockets were launched from the midst of densely
populated civilian areas in Gaza. We hear endlessly within our church about the need to “end
the occupation.” However, if Israelis believe the West Bank could become another launching
pad for rocket attacks in the manner Gaza has, they will, understandably, not end their
military presence in the West Bank. Until the rocket attacks and other violence end
permanently, and Palestinians as a people come together and abandon the idea of destroying
Israel, there can be no free and independent Palestinian state.
The path to a two-state peace may be long and rough, but as long as there are ordinary
Israelis and Palestinians of good will who yearn for peace, and there are many, their hopes
and aspirations must not be abandoned. Hamas and other violent factions are barriers to
peace. It should not be forgotten, however, that over the last several years the Palestinian
Authority in the West Bank has made important progress in discouraging violence,
establishing the rule of law, and improving the lives of ordinary Palestinians. There have
been no rockets launched at Israel from the West Bank, and 95% of West Bank Palestinians
are subject to Palestinian police and security, not Israeli.
A statement we often hear is that “the window for peace is about to close” and “urgent action
is needed.” The truth is that there are no fast solutions to these kinds of protracted
challenges. Negotiations between Palestinian and Israeli leaders are “frozen” because neither
side yet has a powerful enough consensus from their people to negotiate a final and definitive
peace agreement. Such a consensus is built one person at a time.
Our role, as a church, should be to support grassroots dialogue and bridge-building toward
that end, especially with young Palestinians and Israelis, and support positive economic
cooperation between Palestinian and Israeli business enterprises. When such social and
economic efforts are successful, both Palestinian and Israeli leaders are more empowered to
take the risks necessary to achieve sustainable peace.
Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) efforts that target Israel are fundamentally
unjust, do not advance peace, and should not be supported.
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) effort is a coordinated international movement
targeting Israel. Most of the world sees the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the conflict it is.
Many BDS advocates try to frame the problem as one that is caused by the “occupation”,
with one party (Israel) oppressing another (the Palestinians). Many BDS advocates refuse to
acknowledge the legitimacy of Israeli security concerns. To the Palestinian leaders of the
~ 17 ~ BDS movement, all of Israel is considered “occupied Palestinian territory”. By their own
statements, the prospect of a two-state solution that recognizes Israel’s right to peace and
security along with the Palestinian right to freedom and self-determination is not what they
really want. For them, only a “one-state” of Palestine will satisfy their long-range goals.
Long-standing PC(USA) policy supports a two-state solution, making support of the
international BDS movement incompatible and counter-productive.
When BDS activists claim that they only want Israel to end the occupation of the disputed
territories, many are disguising their long-range objectives. When Israel voluntarily ended the
occupation of Southern Lebanon, Hezbollah took over and now has over 50,000 rockets
aimed at Israeli cities. Hezbollah openly calls for the complete destruction of Israel. Israel
unilaterally ended the occupation of the Gaza Strip. Hamas now controls Gaza, and openly
calls for the annihilation of Israel. If Israel were to unilaterally pull out of the West Bank area
before a negotiated settlement is achieved as the result of political and economic pressure
from the international BDS movement, it is likely that armed groups like Hamas would take
over the West Bank just as they took over Gaza and put millions of innocent lives at risk.
In recent years the BDS movement, in a coordinated effort, solicited all four of the mainline
Christian denominations to join the BDS movements efforts to divest from specific U.S.
companies that do business with Israel. These efforts were rejected by all four
denominations.
The Lutherans refused to join the BDS effort, explicitly stating at their Churchwide Assembly
that they would not go down the divestment path. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal
Church has come out against divestment and in favor of positive investment. The United
Methodist Church’s pension board concluded that the three companies targeted for
divestment by the BDS movement (Hewlett Packard, Caterpillar, and Motorola Solutions)
have positive human rights records and codes of conduct and that divesting from them would
render the church unable to raise any concerns that might arise in the future. The
Methodist’s General Conference agreed, overwhelming rejecting divestment by a two-to-one
margin. The 220th Presbyterian GA rejected divestment, as did three consecutive general
assemblies before it who refused to approve BDS overtures sent to them. The most recent
head of the National Council of Churches also opposed BDS.
Fair and consistent treatment of foreign aid recipients
Fair, consistent, and unbiased treatment implies that the human rights record of Israel
should be judged alongside the human rights records of the Palestinian group Hamas, which
governs the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs the West Bank
(The United States provides direct aid to the PA, and indirect aid to Hamas-governed Gaza
through the U.N.).
In 2012 the widely respected organization Human Rights Watch issued a comprehensive
report on the extent of human rights violations by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The report
documented a pervasive practice of beatings, torture, and executions by firing squad without
fair trial. The Charter of Hamas calls for the destruction of Israel and claims that Muslims
have a religious obligation to kill Jews. Hamas openly describes the intentional killing of
Israeli civilians as a legitimate tactic of “resistance”. Since Israel unilaterally ended the
occupation of Gaza in 2005, thousands of rockets have been launched from Gaza at Israeli
homes and schools.
~ 18 ~ In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority has made important strides establishing the rule
of law, discouraging violence, and advancing the welfare of ordinary Palestinians.
Nonetheless, Palestinians have been arrested for nothing more than criticizing PA
leadership. In 2012, A Palestinian man in the West Bank, Muhammad Abu Shahala, was
sentenced to death for selling land to a Jew, a capital crime under Palestinian Authority laws,
and a clear violation of human rights.
Human rights must be a priority. A peaceful and secure Middle East is an equally important
priority. Decisions balancing these essential priorities must be made thoughtfully and
carefully, and, unfortunately, are not simple and easy. The faith community can play an
important and constructive role, but only if all people of good will work together.
A Model for Peacemaking
Many thought that the violent confrontation between Catholics and Protestants in Northern
Ireland would never end peacefully. It did---with the help of the PCUSA. Rather than picking
a side, PCUSA peacemakers sent to Northern Ireland became trusted intermediaries able to
work with both sides of the battle. Our peacemakers were quick to condemn injustice
perpetrated by either side and equally quick to affirm the aspirations for peace that existed in
the hearts of people on both sides.
This model for peacemaking not only is effective. It is consistent with Biblical commands that
we work for justice. This overture moves the PCUSA in the direction of the Northern Ireland
model and away from a model that is transparently partisan for one side in the IsraelPalestine tragedy.
The 220th Presbyterian General Assembly (GA) reaffirmed and reinforced the decades-long
Presbyterian commitment to peacemaking in the Middle East. Despite an intense and wellfunded lobbying campaign by BDS advocates from both within and outside the PC(USA), the
GA rejected a recurring proposal to divest from 3 companies doing business with Israel:
Caterpillar Tractor, Hewlett Packard, and Motorola Solutions. Sadly, BDS advocates within
our denomination, affiliated with the global Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement,
seem unwilling to accept the fact that our church has time after time chosen a different path
toward advancing peace.
Instead of divestment, the 220th GA called for positive investment in peace. GA
commissioners wisely chose to stay the course embraced by the PCUSA consistently for
decades: to engage in dialogue and cooperation with all people of good will, to act as
peacemakers and not parties to the conflict, and to invest in peaceful endeavors of both an
economic and social character. This coincided with recent actions by the Lutherans,
Methodists, and Episcopalians all soundly rejecting divestment and embracing positive
investment for peace.
In 2010 close to 35,000 West Bank Palestinians were employed by Israeli companies with
operations in the West Bank, supporting more than 200,000 Palestinians financially
(Ha`aretz December 2010). In a landmark agreement, the Histadrut (Israeli Trade Union
Council) and the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) signed an agreement
in August 2008 to base future relations on negotiation, dialogue and joint initiatives to
advance “fraternity and co-existence” ( Israeli and Palestinian trade unions cooperate ). An
example of this cooperation was evident in October 2007 when the Histadrut successfully
petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice for Israeli labour law to be applied in the occupied
territories, something that was previously denied. Nine judges ruled that Palestinians
~ 19 ~ working for Israeli employers in West Bank settlements should be given the same work
benefits provided by Israeli law. The ruling set an important precedent that benefits
thousands of Palestinians working for Israelis and Israeli companies throughout the West
Bank. Palestinians who work for Israeli companies earn twice as much on average as those
who work in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. For many, the difference in wages
is even higher (Your Middle East, 2012 ).
SodaStream is an example of an Israeli company targeted by the BDS movement. Sodastream
has operations in the Maaleh Adumim settlement block adjacent to Jerusalem, which is
widely expected by both Palestinians and Israelis to be part of Israel proper once final
borders (with fair and sensible land swaps) between Israel and Palestine are established.
Sodastream’s settlement operations are an example of successful coexistence with its 160
West Bank employees and Israeli Jews, Christians, Russians, Ethiopians, and Bedouin. The
company celebrates the holidays of all and fosters cultural exchange. When BDS activists
pressured a Swiss company to sever ties with SodaStream, the company reestablished its
business ties after doing its own investigation of SodaStream policies.
According to a study conducted by Israeli researcher Issa Smeirat as part of his M.A Degree,
over 16,000 Palestinians from the West Bank have established businesses and firms inside
Israel and its settlements. This includes establishing several factories and companies, many
of which have numerous branches (Ha’aretz, Nov. 22, 2011 ).
A good case in point is the Atarot industrial zone adjacent to Jerusalem. Before 2001, over
200 companies were located in the zone. About 40 of them were Arab-owned, and two-thirds
of the 4,000 employees were East Jerusalem or Palestinian Arabs. Today, even the
Palestinian Authority does not describe the Atarot industrial park as an “illegal settlement”
because Palestinians have over $500 million of investments in the area, including the print
headquarters for the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, according to Abdul Hafiz Nofal, the
undersecretary of the PA’s Ministry of National Economy (Israel National News, Oct. 27, 2010).
Economic development and Palestinian-Israeli cooperation in the West Bank is an essential
foundation for peace. Efforts are already underway at the grassroots level and can be
furthered by political leaders engaged in ongoing dialogue. This past May 300 Palestinian
and Israeli business leaders met at the World Economic Forum meeting in Jordan and
formed a new initiative called Breaking the Impasse (BTI). The goals of BTI are twofold: to
press Palestinian and Israeli political leaders to move forward on the two-state solution, two
states for two peoples, and to advance commerce that will benefit both parties and bolster the
peace process.
The Israeli-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce is focused on the same objective of economic
growth and cooperation. In 2012, two-way trade between Israel and Palestinian-governed
areas totaled $4.3 billion. While the majority of this trade was the purchase of Israeli
products by Palestinians, $816 million was spent by Israelis on Palestinian-produced goods
and products. Palestinian sales to Israel were up 18% from the prior year and moving in the
right direction. In addition to the economic benefit, this commerce creates more opportunity
for Israelis and Palestinians to simply know each other and relate on a person-to-person
basis.
Israel can speed economic development in the West Bank by providing increased freedom of
movement and permitting development of needed infrastructure. Many security checkpoints
have been closed as violence in the West Bank has subsided, but more can still be done.
~ 20 ~ Better roads in Israeli-administered areas of the West Bank are needed to efficiently link
Palestinian population centers. An example of this the new Palestinian city of Rawabi,
currently under construction, which needs a good road connecting to Ramallah that must
pass through Israeli administered territory. Israeli approval for this road has yet to be
finalized, and should be a high priority topic in the peace negotiations.
Parity Plan Presentation
~ 21 ~ Presbytery of New Covenant
Parity Plan by Congregation Size
November 9, 2013
Congregation
Membership (2012)
2012 RE
2013 RE
2014 RE
Houston, Memorial Drive
4417
7
12
12
Houston, First
3567
7
12
12
Houston, Grace
2631
6
10
12
Houston, Northwoods
1277
4
5
7
Houston, Windwood
1090
5
4
6
Houston, Clear Lake
1080
4
4
6
Houston, Korean Central
1052
4
4
6
Conroe, First
779
3
3
4
Woodlands, Woodlands
655
3
3
4
Houston, Pines
562
3
3
3
Beaumont, St. Andrew’s
557
3
2
3
Houston, St. Philip
556
3
2
3
Webster, Webster
537
3
3
3
Katy, Grand Lakes
487
2
2
3
Houston, St. Andrew’s
476
2
2
3
17 Churches with 224-413 members*
varied
varied
2
65 Churches with under 205 members
1
1
1
Total Churches
97
Total Teaching Elders
221
(Total Ruling Elders by Office = 35) + (Total RE from Congregations = 186) = 221
*Bryan, First; Mo. City, Southminster; Atascocita, Atascocita; Houston, St. Paul; Brenham,
Brenham; Baytown, Faith; Houston, St. John’s; Pasadena, First; Houston, Spring Branch;
College Station, Covenant; Sugar Land, First; Angleton, First; Nacogdoches, Westminster;
Galveston, First; Bellaire, ChristChurch; Huntsville, First; West Columbia, Bethel
~ 22 ~ Finance Committee
~ 23 ~ C.3
~ 24 ~ Committee on Ministry
November 9, 2013
D
I. Recommendations for Presbytery action:
A. The committee recommends and moves that the examination of Melissa Krabbe candidate for
ordination be sustained; nominated to serve as Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church,
Galveston, TX.
II. Actions taken on behalf of Presbytery
NEW MEMBERS OF PRESBYTERY
A. Approved Transfer of Membership at the 6/11/13 COM meeting of TE Paul Hooker from
Presbytery of St. Augustine and approved Validation of Ministry as Director of Ministerial
Formation and Advance Studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Sustained
examination of the Committee on Examinations 6/22/13; and COM sustained the examination on
6/22/13. Statement of Faith follows the COM report.
Education: Diploma, Ensley High School, Birmingham, Alabama, 1971
BA (Psychology and Religious Studies) University of Tennessee in Knoxville, 1975
DMin, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 1979
PhD, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1993
Ordination: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 7 July 1979
B. Pastoral Call between Westminster Presbyterian Church, Galveston and Candidate Melissa
Krabbe approved 8/6/13 by COM; candidate was granted permission to move on church site early
and begin working as the Ministry Associate until ordained after November 2013 Presbytery
Meeting. Sustained examination of the Committee on Examinations on 8/24/13; and COM
sustained the examination on 9/3/13. Statement of Faith follows the COM report.
Salary
$ 21,930
Housing and Utility Allowance
21,070
Auto Allowance @ IRS Rate
3,600
Books, Professional Dues
750
Moving Expenses
5,000 – 8,000
Board of Pensions Dues
14,319
Study Leave Allowance – cumulative for 3 years
2,450
Study Leave – cumulative for 3 years
2 weeks
Vacation
4 weeks
Social Security Compensation
3,543.20
Annual Review
Yes
Education: BA, English with creative writing minor, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 2009
MDiv, Erskine Seminary, Due West, SC, 2012
Candidacy: Foothills Presbytery
AUGUST 6, 2013
A. Granted request from Committee on Preparation for Ministry to put on the Pulpit Supply List
1. Shelley Homeyer (Houston, First) candidate under care of presbytery
2. Brian Long (Atascocita) candidate under care of presbytery
B. Granted permission to Labor out of the Bound of NCP
1. TE Tom Edwards to labor out of bounds; invitation from the OGA of the Presbyterian
Church of East Africa to come and teach and preach during the first two weeks of July
~ 25 ~ in Kenya and Tanzania and to speak for a young adult youth retreat (approx. 600)
where he may be asked to help officiate for Holy Communion.
2. TE Helen DeLeon to labor out of bounds in Grace Presbytery to officiate at a wedding
9/21/13
C. Granted Transfer of Membership
1. TE Judy Liljestrand, HR to Mission Presbytery
D. Granted Lufkin, First permission to have a congregational meeting to call Brian Wiggins,
Designated Pastor as their Installed Pastor.
E. Validated the call of candidate for ordination Sally Wright (College Station, Covenant) called as
a chaplain at the Heart Hospital of Austin in Mission Presbytery
F. Validated the call of candidate for ordination Victor Harris (Houston, St. Andrew’s) called to
serve as pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Carol Stream, IL.
G. Approved Renewal of Parish Associate Covenant
1. Between TE David Northcutt and Missouri City, Southminster
H. Granted TE Sharon Gazaway request to take a 3 month sabbatical leave from Jasper, First.
I.
Approved Change in Terms of Call
1. Between TE Margaret Desmond and Port Neches, Trinity
Salary
$ 24,200
Housing and Utility Allowance
21,000
Auto Allowance @ IRS Rate
.555
Board of Pensions Dues
14,577
Study Leave Allowance – cumulative for 3 years
1,700
Study Leave – cumulative for 3 years
2 weeks
Vacation
4 weeks
Annual Review
$ 24,200
21,000
.56
15,351
1,700
2 weeks
4 weeks
7/1/13
J. Appointed Transition Team
1. Houston, Community of Servant Savior – TE Louise Row and RE Chuck Johnson
K. Approved MIF for Houston, St. Stephen
L. Appointed TE Tim Phillips as moderator of Houston, Iglesia Latina
M. Approved closing the Associate Pastor position at Houston, Grace formerly held by TE Jane
Pettit.
N. Granted RE Lam Cao permission to administer communion at the Thien-An Presbyterian
Church, Houston.
O. Approved administrative commission to install and or/ordain
1. Commission to ordain Nathan Carlin as Volunteer Staff of the United Campus
Ministries on August 18, 2013 at 11 am at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
To preside and propound the constitutional questions: RE Mary Lee Going, Past Moderator PNC,
Houston, Memorial Drive
To preach the sermon: TE Dr. Robert Dykstra, Princeton Seminary, Princeton, NJ
To charge the pastor: TE Guinn Blackwell-Eagleson, Member at Large
To charge the congregation: TE John Wurster, Pastor, Houston, St. Philip
To complete the commission: RE Dr. Steve Norris, Houston, St. Andrews; RE Shelley Hernandez,
Houston, St. Giles; TE Emilee Whitehurst, Member at Large
~ 26 ~ 2. Commission to install TE Becky Downs as pastor of John Knox Presbyterian Church,
Houston, TX on August 11, 2013 at 10:30 am
To preside and propound the constitutional questions: RE Mary Lee Going, Past Moderator PNC,
Houston, Memorial Drive
To preach the sermon: TE Mike Cole, General Presbyter
To charge the pastor: TE Vicky Jones, Associate Pastor, Houston, Memorial Drive
To charge the congregation: RE Pat Graber, Houston, John Knox
To complete the commission: RE John Mueller, Houston, Heights; RE John Jo, Houston, Korean
Central
3. Commission to ordain and install Andrew Keyes as Associate Pastor at Southminster
Presbyterian Church, Missouri City on August 4, 2013 at 3 pm.
To preside and propound the constitutional questions: RE Jody Harrington, Past Moderator PNC,
Houston, Memorial Drive
To preach the sermon: TE James Currie, Pastor, Pasadena, First
To charge the pastor: TE Kent Landry, Pastor, Missouri City, Southminster
To charge the congregation: RE Mary Marcotte, Associate General Presbyter
To complete the commission: RE Dan Hauschel, Missouri City, Southminster; TE Nora Fitch,
Pastor, Houston, St. Thomas; TE Margaret Desmond, Pastor, Port Neches, Trinity
September 3, 2013
A. Approved Annual Report of Commissioned RE Jane Whitney
B. Granted TE Tom Sharon permission to be put on Pulpit Supply List.
C. The committee affirmed and endorsed TE Thomas Sharon as a member in good standing in
presbytery, and supports and celebrates his appointment as part-time Chaplain. A letter will
be sent by the Clerk to Harris Health System and St. Luke’s Medical Center.
D. Approved Dissolution of Relationship between TE Drew Tomberlin and College Station,
Covenant effective 9/1/13.
E. Granted Houston, St. Thomas is requesting permission to have a congregational meeting to call
TE Nora Fitch as their installed pastor
F. Granted all permission to labor out of the bounds of New Covenant Presbytery
1. TE Howard Reed to serve as transitional pastor at First Church Conway, AR in Arkansas
Presbytery.
2. TE Ann Marie Quigley-Swanson to officiate at the baptism of nephew in Grace Presbytery at
Lake Highlands Church in Dallas on September 8, 2013.
3. TE Jim Tom Ainsworth to do temporary supply preaching at First Presbyterian Church,
Palestine in Grace Presbytery for one year.
G. Approved Designated Pastoral Call between Houston, Pinecrest and TE Jon C. Guyton ½ time
effective 10/1/13
Salary
$22,495.00
Auto Allowance @ IRS Rate
.565 per mile
Books, Professional Dues
500.00
Board of Pensions Dues
11,870.14
Study Leave Allowance – cumulative for 3 years
850.00
Study Leave – cumulative for 3 years
2 weeks
Vacation
4 weeks
Social Security compensation up to 8.24%
1,856.00
Annual Review
October 2014
~ 27 ~ H. Approved renewal of contract for one year, with the requirement that a written evaluation is to
be done in the 10th month prior to the renewal of contract next year.
1. Stated Supply Contract between TE Isabel Rivera-Velez and Houston, Juan Marcos as parttime; 19 hours per week; for one year effective 9/1/2013 – 8/31/14
Salary
Study Leave/Professional Development Allowance
Car Allowance
Annual Review
$1,733.33 for 11 months + $1,733.37
for one month
1,000 per year
1,200 per year
June 2014
I. Approved a Policy for Those Serving in Temporary Pastoral Relationships.
COM Report.
Policy follows the
J. Approved - Katy, New Hope - Designated Pastor MIF
K. Approved commission to ordain and install Keatan King as the Associate Pastor at St. Philip
Presbyterian Church on September 29, 2013 at 4 pm
To preside and propound the constitutional questions: TE Casey Jones, Moderator, Pastor,
Pearland, First
To preach the sermon: TE Ted Foote, Pastor, Bryan, First
To charge the pastor: TE Marie Mickey, Associate Pastor, Bryan, First
To charge the congregation: RE Sara Jean Jackson, Houston, St. Philip
To complete the commission: TE Shawn Kang, Pastor, Houston, Pathways; RE Anne Wilson,
Houston, Northwoods; RE Greg Feigh, Houston, Pathways
October 1, 2013
A. Approved Validation of Ministry for TE Thomas Sharon to serve part-time Chaplaincy with
Harris Health System.
B. Approved Renewal of Stated Supply Contract between TE Troy Jarvis and Eagle Lake, First as a
¼ time Stated Supply for one year effective 9/1/13 – 9/13/14
Salary
$80
month
$1,000 month
Auto Expenses
200 “
200
“
Study Allowance
475 year
475 year
Annual Review
August 2014
C. Granted permission to Labor out of the Bounds of NCP to TE Donald Wehmeyer to labor in the
bounds of Mission Presbytery while he provides pastoral leadership as a stated supply at First
Presbyterian Church of Del Rio, TX.
D. Received and approved termination of Parish Associate Covenant between TE Bryan Kile and
Kingwood, First effective 10/15/13.
E. Approved Revised Interim Pastor Contract between John Hirling and Houston, Westminster
part-time contract for 12 months, 7/1/13 – 6/30/14, effective 10/1/13
Salary
$16,534
$16,534
Housing Allowance
16,623
16,623
Social Security Supplement
3,443
3,443
Board of Pensions Dues
16,425
16,425
Adding - Deferred 403 (b)(9) Donation
8,400
8,400
Vacation
4 weeks
4 weeks
Auto Expenses
@ IRS Rate
@ IRS Rate
Books, Professional Expenses
450
450
Study Leave Allowance
1,700
1,700
Study Leave
2 weeks
2 weeks
~ 28 ~ F. Appointed Transition Teams
1. The Woodlands Community – Associate Pastor – TE Ann Marie Quigley-Swanson
2. College Station, Covenant – RE Shelley Hernandez and TE Barrett Ingram
G. Approved MIF
1. Houston, Community of Servant Savior – Interim Pastor
2. Houston, Memorial Drive – Senior Pastor
H. Appointed Moderator
1. College Station – TE Barrett Ingram
2. Jasper, First – TE John Alexander
3. Katy, New Hope – TE Peg Ferguson
I. Granted Webster permission to elect a PNC
J. Approved administrative commissions to install and/or ordain
1. Commission to install TE Timothy Oleksy to install as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church,
Huntsville, TX on October 27, 2013 at 4 pm
To preside and propound the constitutional questions: RE Debbie Battise-Kleinman, Past Moderator
PNC, CRE Livingston, Indian
To preach the sermon: TE Dr. Charles Hendricks, HR
To charge the pastor: RE Meghan Burton, Huntsville, First
To charge the congregation: TE Mike Cole, General Presbyter NCP
To complete the commission: RE Peggy Hendricks, The Woodlands Community
2. Commission to install TE Jon Guyton to install as Designated Pastor of Pinecrest
Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX, on October 22, 2013 at 3 pm
To preside and propound the constitutional questions: TE Ed Triem, Past Moderator PNC, HR
To preach the sermon: TE James Lee, Pastor, New Covenant Fellowship, Austin, TX, Mission
Presbytery
To charge the pastor: TE Marie Mickey, Associate Pastor, Bryan, First
To charge the congregation: TE Mark Downs, Member at Large NCP
To complete the commission: RE Ava Kimble, Houston, Pinecrest; RE Lynn Hargrove, Stated Clerk
PNC, and CRE Jim Mayer, Houston, St. Luke’s
3. Commission to ordain and install Melissa Krabbe to ordain and install as Pastor of
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Galveston, TX on November 16, 2013 at 1 pm
To preside and propound the constitutional questions: TE Pat Clark, Past Moderator PNC, HR
To preach the sermon: TE Robert Murphy, Interim Pastor, Galveston, First
To charge the pastor: TE Alan Brehm, Pastor, Dickinson, First
To charge the congregation: CRE Peter Holmes, Tiki Island Chapel
To complete the commission: TE Gene Straatmeyer, HR; and RE Roxanne Gonzalez, Galveston,
Westminster
III.
INFORMATION
A. Received FastTrac Reports from First Presbyterian Church, Navasota
B. Boundaries Workshops was offered at the Presbytery Office on July 2, 2013, with 22
participants; and on September 19, 2013 at the Geneva (Beaumont) Cluster at Jasper, First.
~ 29 ~ A COM Policy for Those Serving in Temporary Pastoral Relationships
In the Presbytery of New Covenant
The Committee on Ministry (COM) recognizes the unique and valuable role of those who serve
in temporary pastoral relationships (Interim Pastors, Stated Supply Pastors, Commissioned
Ruling Elder, Parish Associates and other temporary pastoral ministry positions). These
individuals must effectively deal with a variety of issues, including dealing with historical
matters, facilitating needed changes in leadership and maintaining/strengthening
denominational relationships. Like all pastors, temporary pastors offer to the congregations
they serve:
•
•
•
•
•
Worship leadership and preaching
Pastoral care
Work with the session to provide for the life and ministry of the congregation
Administrative work including supervision of other staff persons
Staff support for programs and committees of the congregation
As a teaching elder working within the PC (USA), a temporary pastor is accountable to the
Presbytery for performance within any given congregation. The expectation of all teaching
elders is spelled out in the Book of Order:
“Teaching elders…shall in all things be committed to teaching the faith and
equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12)….When they serve as
preachers and teachers of the Word, they shall preach and teach the faith of
the church, so that the people are shaped by the pattern of the gospel and
strengthened for witness and service….When they serve as pastors, they shall
support the people in the disciplines of the faith amid the struggles of daily life.
When they serve as presbyters, they shall participate in the responsibilities of
governance, seeking always to discern the mind of Christ and to build up
Christ’s body through devotion, debate, and decision.[1]”
Temporary pastors are accountable to the Presbytery through the Committee on Ministry and are
responsible to the congregation through the Session. The position of temporary pastor should
be one which strengthens the bonds of denominational affiliation, including those with
Presbytery. To do otherwise would be unfaithful to the vows taken upon ordination [2] and to
the organization charged with overseeing the temporary pastor’s situation. Accordingly, a
temporary pastor is not to be involved in an action of the congregation to leave the PCUSA
either by initiating the action, supporting the action, otherwise encouraging the action or
becoming part of the discernment team for the congregation served by the temporary pastor.
If a session enters into official discussions regarding denominational affiliation during the
tenure of a Temporary Pastor who serves as moderator, the COM will appoint an alternate
moderator for the purpose of facilitating all discussions related to denominational affiliation.
Page 2
~ 30 ~ Specific Expectations of Interim Pastors
•
•
•
•
•
•
An interim pastor leads a congregation during the transition time after an installed
pastor has departed, helping the congregation prepare to welcome the leadership of a
new installed pastor. Interim Pastors understand the dynamics of a congregation in
transition, including feelings of grief, loss, and, sometimes, relief or anger.
Interim pastors help the Session provide for continuity of essential programs, and may
assist the Session in assessing needs for changes in programs and ministries of the
congregation.
Some interim pastors have special skills and experience that can help a congregation
recover from a time of conflict or after the disclosure of clergy sexual misconduct or
other trauma.
Ordinarily, an interim pastor is not eligible to serve as the next installed pastor, or copastor, or associate pastor of the congregation (G-2.0504c).
The interim pastor may, if the Session and the Committee on Ministry approve, work
with the Session in a mission study or assist the Pastor Nominating Committee in
gathering data for the writing of the Ministry Information Form (MIF). With those possible
exceptions, the interim pastor may not be involved in the work and discernment of the
PNC.
A good interim pastor will “hit the ground running," beginning his/her time with the
congregation with intensity and energy, and will leave with intentionality, engaging in a
“good goodbye” with the congregation and its staff. A good interim pastor is fully present
with the congregation from the beginning, and really leaves when she/he leaves.[3]
COM Approved 9/3/13
[1] Book of Order 2013-2015. G-2.0501 Teaching Elder Defined
[2] Book of Order 2013-2015. W-4.4003 Constitutional Questions for Ordination
[3] http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/ministers/interim-pastors/
~ 31 ~ Statement of Faith
Melissa Krabbe
My faith is the foundation of my life, and the lens through which I see the world. At the center is
my trust in our triune God, the Almighty Creator. God is sovereign over all things, and does not change
because God’s steadfast love endures forever. I am thankful for the assurance that God’s mercy is new
every morning, and that our Lord is slow to anger and always righteous. As Moses found when he asked
God to “show me your glory,” God’s glory is goodness, and that goodness, which is revealed in God’s
Word and works, brings us life. God’s great goodness and love for us is most evident through the
sacrifice of God’s only Son. God is righteous and just, which puts us at odds with God because although
we are made in the image of God, we are also sinful and fall short of that image.
God’s plan of reconciliation is realized in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, the second person of the
Trinity. Christ is the Word made flesh. He became fully human while still being fully divine in order to
reveal God to us and to accomplish our salvation through his death and resurrection. By grace through
faith in Christ, we are reconciled with God. By his life and death, Christ showed us the great depth of
God’s love for us, and the breadth of God’s righteousness and mercy. Jesus is the author and perfecter of
our faith, and by this faith we find the full life and joy which God intends for us, including spending
eternity with God.
God’s work in us is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the
Godhead. The Spirit is the counselor, teacher and comforter that Jesus promised. The Holy Spirit draws
us to God and guides us in our seeking. The Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit we grow in our understanding of God’s great love for us, and the
Holy Spirit that enables us to share that love with others.
Although we can have a relationship with God in Christ that is personal and individual, we
cannot fully realize God’s plan by ourselves. Learning to be all that God made us to be requires that we
also join with others, to encourage one another, to be accountable to one another, and to love one
another. This life lived in community is the church, of which Christ is the head. Together we live out
God’s commandments, including Jesus’ command to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and baptism. As we
commune together, we are coming to Christ and renewing our commitment to follow him, and we are a
testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in us, binding us together as one body. In baptism, the Holy
Spirit binds us to our Creator. Baptism signifies our inclusion in God’s grace and our adoption as God’s
children. Together as the church we seek God, grow in our understanding and love of God through study
of God’s inspired Word, and endeavor to glorify and enjoy God as we also work together to be God’s
ambassadors to the world around us, so that others might also be reconciled in Christ, and know and
enjoy God’s incredible love forever.
~ 32 ~ 7
~ 33 ~ ~ 34 ~ ~ 35 ~ Committee on Preparation for Ministry
November 9, 2013
E
I. Actions approved on behalf of Committee on Preparation for Ministry
August 10, 2013 CPM meeting
1. Approved asking COM to place Shelley Homeyer (Houston, First) on Presbytery’s Pulpit
Supply List.
2. Approved asking COM to place Brian Long (Atascocita) on Presbytery’s Pulpit Supply List.
3. Granted Shelley Homeyer (Houston, First) permission to take all 5 ordination exams.
4. Approved internship job description for Sabrina Hergert (Houston, Grace) at Pearland, First.
5. Granted Sabrina Hergert (Houston Grace) permission to take all 5 ordination exams.
6. Granted Jody Maas permission to take polity exam with extra time.
7. Granted Will Briggs (Kingwood, First) permission to take 4 ordination exams.
8. Granted Joshua Young (Houston, Clear Lake) permission to take polity and worship
ordination exams.
9. Approved annual consultation for Alyssa Payne (Houston, Grace) and approved her
continuing in the process.
10. Annual consultation for Anthony Ceder (Houston, First) and approved his continuing in the
process.
11. Approved enrolling Christyn Soland (Houston, Memorial Drive) as an inquirer.
12. Appointed RE Bill Hargrove to serve as Christyn Soland’s liaison.
October 12, 2013 meeting:
1. Granted Christyn Soland (Houston, Memorial Drive) permission to take Polity ordination
exam.
2. At his request approved dropping Jody Maas from the CPM process.
3. At her request approved dropping Jessie Edstrom Kuehner from the CPM process.
4. Granted Shelley Homeyer permission to take all ordination examinations in January 2014
and that she be granted permission for one extra hour per each examination.
5. Granted Becky Provence Prichard (Houston, Memorial Drive) permission to take a
Boundaries Workshop online with the Presbytery of Eastern Tennessee.
6. Approved enrolling Allison Purves (Atascocita) as an inquirer.
7. Appointed TE Nora Fitch to serve as Allison Purves’ liaison.
II. Actions approved on behalf of Commission Ruling Elder for a Particular Service
June 18, 2013 meeting
1. Approved committee’s action to assess Linda Owens (Katy, New Hope) as ready to receive a
commission.
September 17, 2013 meeting
1. Approved enrolling Mike Allison (Texas City, First) in the CRE process.
2. Approved annual review with Julie Odle (Beaumont, St. Andrew’s) and approved
her continuing in the process.
October 15, 2013 meeting
1. Approved annual review with Johnna Cormier (Port Neches, Trinity) and approved her
continuing in the process.
2. Approved annual review with Nancy Diaz (Houston, San Pablo+Trinity) and approved her
continuing in the process.
~ 36 ~ Committee on Preparation for Ministry
End of the Year Report 2013
A. Candidates and Inquirers Under Care of Presbytery of New Covenant as of 10/25
Atkins, Daniel
Atchison, Kay
Bleike, Wendy
Brinegar, Selena
Ceder, Anthony
Clarkson, Craig
Davis, Greg
Gaide, Brandon
Garibay, Francisco
Garner, Paul “Martin”
Gordon, Luke
Henderson, Ray
Hergert, Sabrina
Homeyer, Shelly
Kelly, Charles
Klinkovsky, Amy
Lloyd, Jennifer
Long, Brian
Noah, Joshua Silva
Payne, Alyssa
Provence, Becky
Purves, Allison
Soland, Christyn
Stevenson, Ashley
Suba, Laureen
Swoboda, Blake
Wallace, AnneMarie
Williams, Paxton
Young, Joshua
Houston, Memorial Drive
Houston, Memorial Drive
Houston, First
Houston, Memorial Drive
Houston, First
Houston, First
Houston, San Pablo+Trinity
Houston, Memorial Drive
Houston, Grace
Woodlands, Woodlands
Houston, Memorial Drive
Houston, Northwoods
Houston, Grace
Houston, First
Houston, St. Philip
Bryan, First
Woodlands, Woodlands
Atascocita
Houston, Heritage
Houston, Grace
Houston, Memorial Drive
Atascocita
Houston, Memorial Drive
Houston, First
Houston, St. Philip
Houston, Grace
Houston, First
Houston, St. Philip
Houston, Clear Lake
Inquirer
Candidate
Candidate
Assessed as
Assessed as
Inquirer
Candidate
Candidate
Inquirer
Candidate
Candidate
Assessed as
Candidate
Candidate
Assessed as
Candidate
Inquirer
Assessed as
Candidate
Candidate
Candidate
Inquirer
Inquirer
Candidate
Candidate
Inquirer
Candidate
Inquirer
Inquirer
Ready to Receive a Call
Ready to Receive a Call
Ready to Receive a Call
Ready to Receive a Call
Ready to Receive a Call
Activity in 2013
A. Under care of and Ordained in Presbytery of New Covenant (2) – Barbara Retzloff and
Andrew Keyes
B. Enrolled as inquirers (3) – Joshua Young, Christyn Soland, and Allison Purves
C. Enrolled as candidates (5) – Sabrina Hergert, Brandon Gaide, Joshua Silva Noah,
Laureen Suba, and Shelley Homeyer
D. Assessed as ready to received calls (3) – Andres Keyes, Charles Kelly, and Brian Long
E. Dropped from CPM process at their request (3) – Jessica Shannon, Jessie Edstrom
Kuehner, and Jody Maas
F. Transferred to receive calls in other presbyteries (3) – Sally Wright, Victor Harris, and
David Augustus
G. Transferred to another presbytery (2) – Chad Erb, Will Briggs
H. Committee meetings in 2013: February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 1, August
10, October 12 and November 1. There was a joint meeting on January 12 with
Committee on Ministry.
~ 37 ~ Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Commissioned Ruling Elder for a Particular Service
End of the Year Report for 2013
A. Those Ruling Elders in process as of 10/1/13 – (9)
Ernest Anane-Sekyere
Bellaire, ChristChurch
Mike Allison
Texas City, First
Johnna Cormier
Port Neches, Trinity
Diane Davis
College Station, Covenant
Nancy Diaz
Houston, San Pablo+Trinity
Gail Moore
Beaumont, St. Andrew’s
Julie Odle
Beaumont, St. Andrew’s
Linda Owens
Katy, New Hope
Sharon Templeman
Nacogdoches, Westminster
B. Commissioned in 2013
1. Ruling Elder Craig Wood (The Woodlands, Timber Ridge) serving First Presbyterian
Church, Caldwell, TX
2. Ruling Elder Jim Mayer (Houston, St. Luke’s) serving St. Luke’s Presbyterian
Church, Houston, TX and Vitas Innovative Hospice Care Center.
C. Dropped out of the process because churches were dismissed to other Denominations
1. Ruling Elder Marge Chamberlain (Spring, Advent) church dismissed to ECO.
2. Ruling Elder Lee Attema (Freeport, First) church dismissed to the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church.
D. Committee meetings in 2013: February 19 (conference Call Meeting), June 18,
September 17, October 15, November 19.
Committee Members:
TE Sharon Gazaway (chair), CRE Melissa Brown (vice-chair), TE Mary Currie, TE Stephen
Rehrig, TE Brent Hampton, RE Nancy Penney, TE Barbara Retzloff, TE Brian Wiggins
~ 38 ~ General Council
November 9, 2013
I.
F
For approval by the presbytery:
To endorse “Freedom Place”, a ministry that works with victims of human trafficking on a
110 acre campus in West Houston, to be a recipient of the Presbyterian Women “Thank
Offering.”
II.
Actions taken on behalf of the presbytery:
1. Approval of a $200,000 loan to Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church from Tradition
Bank. The resolution follows:
Resolution
$200,000 Loan to Grand Lakes PC from Tradition Bank secured by second lien on Church Property
and
Refinancing of existing $2,111,744 first lien mortgage loan to Grand Lakes PC from Tradition Bank
RESOLVED, that the General Council of Presbytery of New Covenant, Inc. (“Presbytery”), on
approval and recommendation by Presbytery’s Finance Committee and Administrative Division
Steering Committee, DOES HEREBY approve for purposes of Book of Order Section G-4.0206a (a) the
borrowing of approximately $200,000 by Fry Road Presbyterian Church d.b.a. Grand Lakes
Presbyterian Church (“GLPC”) from Tradition Bank, at an interest rate of 4.5%, payable based upon a
20-year amortization schedule but with a maturity date of five (5) years from the date of the loan, and
secured by a second lien mortgage on GLPC’s property in Fort Bend County, Texas as more
particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto (“Property”), and (b) the renewal and extension of
an existing loan to GLPC from Tradition Bank with a balance of approximately $2,111,744, secured by
a first lien mortgage on the Property, also at an interest rate of 4.5%, payable based upon a 20-year
amortization schedule and with a maturity date of five (5) years from the date of the renewal and
extension of such loan, and on such other terms and conditions as shall be reflected in the Tradition
Bank loan documentation as approved by GLPC.
o0o
EXHIBIT A: Property
Approximately 10.9584 acres of land and improvements located at 6035 South Fry Road, Katy, Fort
Bend County, Texas 77450.
2. The approval of the sale of the property of Houston, Westminster Presbyterian Church
to the Spanish United Pentecostal Church, Houston, TX. The resolution follows:
Resolution
(Westminster Presbyterian Church, Harris County, Texas)
RESOLVED, that the General Council of Presbytery of New Covenant, Inc. (“Presbytery”), on
the recommendation of Presbytery’s Administrative Division Steering Committee, DOES HEREBY
approve the sale by Westminster Presbyterian Church (“Church”) to Spanish United Pentecostal
Church of Houston, Texas (“Purchaser”) of Church’s property in Harris County, Texas that is more
particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto (“Property”), at a sale price of $800,000.00,
payable by Purchaser in cash at closing, and on such other terms and conditions as shall be
approved by the Session of the Church and as shall be reflected in an earnest money contract
signed or to be signed by a trustee or other officer of the Church (“Contract”).
~ 39 ~ o0o
EXHIBIT A: Property
The real property located at 14700 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas and being more particularly
described as TR 7E-6 Poutra Farms, HCAD acc: 030001000009.
3.
Approval of a resolution requested by Kingwood, First, regarding their dismissal from
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The resolution follows:
Resolution
(Dismissal of First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood)
WHEREAS, First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood (“FPC Kingwood”) has entered into and
is pursuing the Reconciliation and Dismissal Procedure (as the same may have been amended from time
to time, and in effect as of the date hereof, the “Dismissal Procedure”) of Presbytery of New
Covenant, Inc. (“Presbytery”), intending to qualify for dismissal from membership in Presbytery and
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (the “Dismissal”); and
WHEREAS, upon FPC Kingwood’s qualification for Dismissal in compliance with the Dismissal
Procedure, Presbytery will execute (i) a Release of Book of Order Trust Clause, releasing
FPC Kingwood’s property, real and personal, including the property in Harris County, Texas that is
more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto, from the trust provision set forth in Section
G-4.0203 of the Book of Order, Part II of The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and (ii) a
Mutual Release with FPC Kingwood;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby:
RESOLVED, that General Council of Presbytery DOES HEREBY authorize, ratify, and approve
the Dismissal subject to and upon FPC Kingwood’s qualification therefor and FPC Kingwood’s
compliance with the Dismissal Procedure, and, in connection therewith, Presbytery’s execution and
delivery of the aforesaid Release of Book of Order Trust Clause and Mutual Release; and
RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation (or any one of them, including, without
limitation, the Treasurer, the President, and the Secretary) be and hereby are fully, authorized,
empowered and directed, for and on behalf of the Corporation, to do all acts and things as shall be
necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purpose of the foregoing resolutions, and in
connection therewith to execute and deliver all such documents and instruments (including, without
limitation, the Release of Book of Order Trust Clause and Mutual Release in such form as may be
prepared by Presbytery’s counsel), and to take all such other and further actions, and to do all such
other and further acts and things, as they may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent
of the foregoing resolutions, their taking of such actions to be conclusive evidence that the same were
authorized by this resolution, and such acts and things as may have been done by said officers are
hereby ratified to the extent already carried out.
o0o
EXHIBIT A: Property
Tract 1:
All that certain tract or parcel of land containing 4.412 acres (192,201 square feet) more or less,
located in the Amasa Turner Survey, A-757, Harris County, Texas, and being all of Unrestricted
Reserve “G” as shown on the Corrected Plat of Fosters Mill Village, Section One, a subdivision of record
in Volume 294, Page 52, Map Records, Harris County, Texas.
Tract 2:
~ 40 ~ Being 5.918 acres of land located in the Amasa Turner Survey, Abstract 757, Harris County, Texas
and being all of Unrestricted Reserve “E” in Block 4 as shown on the plat of Sand Creek Village,
Section Two, a subdivision of record in Volume 301, Page 49, Map Records, Harris County, Texas.
4.
Approval of the sale of the Somerville, First Presbyterian Church.
follows:
The resolution
Resolution
(Somerville Presbyterian Church Property, Burleson County, Texas)
RESOLVED, that General Council, on motion of the Finance Committee, with the concurrence
of the Administrative Division Steering Committee, the General Presbyter and the Treasurer, for
and on behalf of Presbytery of New Covenant, Inc. (“Presbytery”), DOES HEREBY authorize, ratify,
and approve the sale by Presbytery to First Baptist Church Somerville or assigns (“Purchaser”) of
Presbytery’s property in Burleson County, Texas that is more particularly described on Exhibit A
attached hereto (“Property”), at a sale price of $20,000.00, payable by Purchaser in cash at
closing, and on such other terms and conditions as shall be recommended by counsel to
Presbytery and as shall be reflected in a real estate sales contract signed or to be signed by the
Treasurer or another officer of Presbytery between Presbytery and Purchaser (“Contract”); and
RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation (or any one of them, including, without limitation,
the Treasurer, the President, and the Secretary) be and hereby are fully, authorized, empowered
and directed, for and on behalf of the Corporation, to do all acts and things as shall be necessary
or appropriate to carry out the intent and purpose of the foregoing resolutions, and in connection
therewith to execute and deliver all such documents and instruments (including, without
limitation, the Contract, deeds, bills of sale and assignments in such form as may be prepared by
Presbytery’s counsel, conveying the Property to Purchaser), and to take all such other and further
actions, and to do all such other and further acts and things, as they may deem necessary or
appropriate to carry out the intent of the foregoing resolutions, their taking of such actions to be
conclusive evidence that the same were authorized by this resolution, and such acts and things as
may have been done by said officers are hereby ratified to the extent already carried out.
o0o
EXHIBIT A
Property
Landolt No. 2, Block A, Part of Lot 4.
More commonly known as 722 Avenue E, Somerville, Texas 77879.
III. For information:
Free Family Fun Night at the Children’s Museum in March, 2014 – a Celebration of being
youthfully Presbyterian! Sponsored by Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS)
and the Presbytery of New Covenant. The Children’s Museum accommodates up to 2500
people and has many impressive activities for children of all ages. For a discounted rate of
$8,000 we can rent the entire museum and parking garage for the night. All museum staff
will be present as they are at other times and our children and grandchildren can have a blast
with lots of Presbyterians.
The General Council met on August 20 and September 24, and by conference call of June 18
and September 10.
The members of General Council are:
2013: RE David Coles, TE Katie Cummings; TE Casey Jones; RE Julia Ann Moffett
2014: RE Mary Herlitz; RE Mort McPhail; TE Laurey Murphy; TE Jeff Smith
2015: RE David Bybee; RE Sharon Carey; TE Gayle Grubbs; TE Steve Oglesbee
By Virtue of Office: Moderator Elect RE John Jo; RE Jane Larkin; RE Jody Harrington
~ 41 ~ ~ 42 ~ ~ 43 ~ Ministries Division Steering Committee
2013 Year End Report
G
The Ministries Division Steering Committee consisted of Moderator Jody Harrington
(RE--MDPC, Houston); Vice Moderator Carlton Currie (RE--First, Houston), and TE’s
David Leard, Mark Downs, and Rachel Young.
General Council assigned responsibility for reviewing and recommending grant
awards from the Vision Initiative Fund and the Lynn Johnson Social Fund to the
MDSC.
There was $14,657 available for grants from the VI Fund and $9,241 available for
grants from the Lynn Johnson Social Justice Fund for 2013. All funds available from
the VI Fund were awarded while $4,000 was awarded from the Lynn Johnson Social
Justice Fund.
The MDSC reviewed the grant applications and made the following report at the May
presbytery meeting announcing the successful applicants.
From the Lynn Johnson Social Justice Fund:
$1,000 each to First Presbyterian Church, Brazoria and First Presbyterian Church,
Webster. First Presbyterian Church, Needville was awarded $1,000 for its Clothes
Closet project and $1,000 for its food pantry project.
Total awards: $4,000.
From the Vision Initiative Fund:
To Heritage Presbyterian Church, $3,675 for mailings, signage and website
development
To First Presbyterian Church, Wharton, $3,992 for its community young adult
outreach program
To Woodforest Presbyterian Church, $7,000 for its young family ministry program
Total awards: $14,657
Respectfully submitted,
Jody Harrington
Moderator, MDSC 2013
~ 44 ~ New Church Development Committee
2013 Year End Report
•
•
G.2
As reported at the June Presbytery meeting the New Church Development
Committee is now meeting monthly on the fourth Tuesday, and this meeting is
coordinated with the Evangelism and Renewal Committee so that our two
committees can share together in a time of prayer before handling the separate
business of each committee. This time has been fruitful and we look forward to
continuing this type of collaboration and dedication to prayer.
We continue to monitor the progress and the financial status of our existing
New Church Developments. The chart below shows our existing New Church
Developments, the organizing pastor, and the NCD liaison.
Project
Organizing pastor
Liaison
Brazilian
Honorio Theodoro Tedo
Chris French
BitSarang
Isaak Cho
Shawn Kang
Iglesia Latina
(Currently vacant)
John Schweers and
Gladys Chacon
Bellaire Vietnamese
Daniel Nguyen
Ryan Cook
United Ghanaian
Ebenezer Boateng
Mary Sterner
We are continuing our emphasis (with Evangelism and Renewal) on promoting
the 1001 New Worshiping Communities initiative. Toward that end there is a
project approved for initial funding for a Hispanic Outreach in the Katy area
with Aurelio Rodriguez initiating that ministry. We continue to pray for other
initiatives, and have a few that have been brought to our attention as possible
New Worshiping Communities.
• We are also exploring how we can not only encourage New Worshiping
Communities, but be a resource to congregations who feel the call to reach out,
as well as to actual New Worshiping Communities that will be forming. We are
working with the Denominational Leaders to utilize the resources they have; we
are in conversation with leaders about a regional 1001 base that will be
established in Austin; and we are pursuing conversation with other groups who
support new worshiping community initiatives. We especially have heard the
call to offer help and resources in terms of:
1. Assessment tools for determining the viability of a new worshiping community.
2. Coaching for those worshiping community leaders as the community forms.
3. Training for new worshiping community leaders.
•
~ 45 ~ 4. Support for those new worshiping community leaders.
• Toward that end we have been in conversation with the Bridges ministry in
southern California, who offer resources in each of these areas.
The New Church Development Committee also approved revised procedures and guidelines
for New Church Developments in the Presbytery of New Covenant. Special thanks to
Reverend Mike ONeil for his thorough work on these revisions. (see below)
New Church Development Procedures and Guidelines
For New Covenant Presbytery 2013
(Approved by New Church Development Committee September 24, 2013)
Guidelines should be reviewed and revised no later than every 5 years, to address changes in
PCUSA polity, context, and the strategies, goals and leadership in the Presbytery.
Presbytery Mission Statement: Growing congregations that passionately engage their
community to make disciples.
Rationale:
“The mission of God in Christ gives shape and substance to the life and work of the Church.
In Christ, the Church participates in God’s Mission for the transformation of creation and
humanity by proclaiming to all people the good news of God’s love, offering to all people the
grace of God at font and table, and calling all people to discipleship in Christ. Human beings
have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever, living in covenant
fellowship with God and participating in God’s mission.” Book of Order F-1.01
I Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to
make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope
that is within you.” (NRSV)
Matt 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything
I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the
age.”
Methods or Tracks for forming an NCD or New Worshipping Community
• An immigrant Presbyterian community is meeting together and would like for NCP to
bless their work and provide resources
• An existing church forms and supports another church either on their premises or
elsewhere with a specific demographic or niche market that is likely to be more
effective as a separate church or worshipping community.
• A leadership team is passionate about forming a new worshipping community and
requests Presbytery and NCD support.
• Presbytery or NCD finds a compelling reason to start a new church based on
demographics, or a strong sense of calling that God desires that we start a new church
~ 46 ~ •
•
•
in a particular area or among a particular group of people (does not necessarily mean
an immigrant or ethnic group) .
NCD responds to a desire to form a new church by a group through the gracious
dismissal process of a congregation (see Discernment process guidelines and make
sure any changes are factored into the planning)
Times when congregations will grow out of existing congregations
Other possibilities
Funding
Finding significant financial resources will continue to be a challenge. The
denomination has changed their strategy from a limited number of large gifts that would help
with staffing, purchase of land building expense etc., to a larger number of smaller gifts that
will require a leaner start up but more possible new churches through the 1001 New
Worshipping Communities initiative. Presbytery does have some funds and we are hopeful
that a number of congregations will provide resources to help start new churches within our
Presbytery.
While the presbytery has some funds available the NCD committee and the church
churches or worshipping communities need to be good stewards of the resources that have
been entrusted to them and us. This means that churches may not necessarily have the
same amount provided to them either because they have become self sufficient or because it
seems that a congregation is not making sufficient progress to becoming self sufficient. The
NCD committee may need to make some tough choices about funding. Some NCDs will make
it and some will not. At this time it is unlikely that we will be purchasing properties on which
to build a site.
Resources
We will rely heavily on the Starting New Churches: A process of discernment and other
materials, conferences, coaching and training from the 1001 New Worshipping Communities.
Staffing
It seems like securing pastoral leadership would largely be a COM issue but there are a
number of things to consider
• 1001 Worshipping Communities leadership might not necessarily be ordained pastor
or a Commissioned Ruling Elder
• There may be issues concerning PCUSA ordination with a pastor coming in from
another country (how much of this is COM, NCD or GP)
• In the event of a more traditional national search for pastoral leadership is the search
process primarily the work of the NCD committee or the new congregation, COM or a
combination? Is this more case by case depending on the status of the individual
church?
Accountability
Pastoral Leader (church/worshipping community)
• Maintain contact with NCD committee liaison about progress, needs, and
concerns at least every 6 weeks by phone call, e-mail or personal visit.
• Prepare and send Quarterly reports and financial statements regularly and in a
timely manner to the liaison, NCD chairperson, and AP, (GP too?)
• Prepare and share an annual budget with the NCD committee
• Diligently work to be faithful to Jesus Christ and support this new church.
• Maintain an active prayer life
~ 47 ~ •
Be proactive in communicating concerns or problems with GP, AP, NCD chair,
or liaison and remember that we want to help, trust us rather than fear us.
NCD liaison
• Maintain contact with leadership of the NCD/ New Worshipping Community.
Pray for the leadership and the church regularly.
• Share quarterly reports, financial reports, joys and concerns with NCD
committee.
• Take an active role in supporting the pastor and new church.
• Maintain Confidentiality where appropriate (safe place to vent) but share what
is necessary.
• Identify needs and how the NCD committee can help.
Administrative Details
• Membership: NCD's will maintain a list of "members" of the community as a way of
connecting with those who are committed to the development of the new church.
While technically, they are not "members" of the PCUSA, they are to be considered
potential founding members of the NCD. The process for becoming a member of the
community should be similar to the process of joining an established PCUSA church meet with the Board to affirm or reaffirm faith in Jesus Christ, enroll in classes on
membership and the Presbyterian Church, and proclaim their faith before the
congregation. The Board may determine appropriate ways to receive new members of
the community.
• Governing Board (similar to session) NCD's shall have a governing "board" similar to a
session. The NCD Committee shall determine the appropriate size of the Board and
the term length and class rotation of the Board members. The Board shall be
accountable to the NCD Committee in all matters, but shall exercise routine
governance over the NCD. The Board shall operate as nearly as possible to a session
so that when the NCD charters, the members and Board members are familiar with
the responsibilities of a council.
• Presbytery 501c3
• Board of pensions
• Presbytery Treasurer
• Articles of Incorporation bylaws
• Insurance (property, liability, officer)
Church details
Site location
Resources (physical items but also human resources who can help with specific needs)
Vision and Mission
Sustainability and Success
• What does success look like?
• How can we tell?
• At what point is a church ready to charter (a certain number or members, positive
cash flow, meeting specific requirements)?
• The NCD committee will have a significant role in helping to determine sustainability.
Dealing with conflict and ending churches and New Worshipping Communities with Grace
• There may be times when conflict in a church requires the active assistance of the
NCD Committee or Presbytery Staff, this may include removal of personnel if the
~ 48 ~ •
situation warrants it. (Would this be an NCD task or would it require the formation of
an AC)?
Not all churches that we attempt or New Worshipping Communities will be viable long
term. This may be due to leadership, lack of a critical mass or worshippers or
members, or an inability to be financially self-sufficient, or for other reasons. The
NCD committee needs to find ways to let them end well.
Dismissal
In the event that a church or New Worshipping Community wishes to be dismissed to
another body or wishes to separate from the Presbytery and PCUSA there need to be some
guidelines. If they are not chartered and do not possess property the Gracious Dismissal
Policy doesn’t really apply, but there needs to be a process.
• If there is a desire to leave the denomination the General Presbyter and Stated
Clerk need to be informed prior to announcing a congregational meeting and be
allowed to be present and the right to speak at the meeting, or their
representatives.
• In the event of a non-chartered church or worshipping community how do you
handle quorums and who is eligible to vote. An NCD might have more worshippers
than members.
• What process is there for communicating calling a congregational meeting to the
congregation? How much notice, etc.?
• In the event of any financial considerations for unpaid funds due to Presbytery that
will be negotiated by the GP, Treasurer, pastor, and whoever else should be
involved.
• A church that is dismissed would need to make arrangements for their own
insurance, 501(C)3 and any other legal details that need to be considered.
• If a church is chartered but still under the NCD and chooses to leave that would be
addressed through the Presbytery’s Discernment and dismissal process.
~ 49 ~ Committee on Representation (COR)
2013 Year End Report
I
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in its Constitution requires that “Each council shall
develop procedures and mechanisms for promoting and reviewing that body’s
implementation of the church’s commitment to inclusiveness and representation. Councils
above the session shall establish by their own rule committees on representation to fulfill the
following functions: to advise the council regarding the implementation of principles of unity
and diversity, to advocate for diversity in leadership, and to consult with the council on the
employment of personnel, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity in F1.0403 (The unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the Church’s
membership. In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God united person through baptism
regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, disability, geography, or theological conviction.) A
committee on representation should not be merged with another committee or made a
subcommittee of another committee.”
Presbytery’s Committee on Representation (COR) works closely with the Nominating
Committee to advise, consult, and assist in securing names of persons willing to serve on
general assembly, synod and presbytery committees, boards and councils. Our committee
of three meets regularly with the Nominating Committee on the first Thursday of each month.
We value the importance of representation and a balance of participation.
We honor the work of the Nominating Committee affirming that is not easy to find people
from small or large churches that are willing to serve outside of their own churches. It is
not easy to find people young people who are willing to give to extra time being away from
family and friends. It is not easy being inclusive with people that don’t speak the same
language. It is not easy driving across southeast Texas at night for a two hour meeting. It is
not easy for those who are differently abled to attend meetings with stairs to climb, but no
elevator. Or to keep up with meeting details if all the information is printed in a format that
their adaptive readers cannot read. However, when people from these groups say, “Yes,” and
participate in the leadership of our presbytery and denomination, our lives are enriched by
their perspectives and we grow more fully into the people of God we are called to be. But it
can't be just one from box X or ANOTHER from box Y. Would you expect one Presbyterian to
provide the views of ALL Presbyterians? Thus it is important for us to search our hearts to
seek God's will for their life in blessing our presbytery with their insight, experience, and
wisdom.
COR is looking for Presbyterians that are willing to serve once a month on one of the 25
committees, councils, boards in New Covenant Presbytery. Please contact us or someone
from the Nominating Committee if you are interested.
Respectfully submitted, Your Committee on Representation (COR)
Ruling Elder Alba Herrera, Chair
Ruling Elder Sharon Darden, Vice Chair
Teaching Elder Stewart Coffman
~ 50 ~