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NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN EVANGELISM CONFERENCE
(Rev. Doug Mankell)
On August 30-September 3, 2007, I attend the first National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Sponsored by the Evangelism and Church Growth Office of our denomination, it was attended by about 600 participants.
Plenary speakers at the conference were Jim Wallis, Executive Director of Sojourners/Call to Renewal; Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon, pastor of C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C., Rev. Dr.
Virstan Choy, Visiting Professor of Ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary; and Rev. Martha Sadongei, pastor of Central Presbyterian Chruch in Phoenix, Arizona, which is the only organized urban Native American congregation in the PCUSA. Each speaker was excellent, sharing different perspectives on evangelism.
A total of 58 evangelism-focused workshops were available at this conference. The four which I attended were: "Evangelism Presbyterian Style", "Designing Worship for the Post-Modern Church: Moving Beyond the Book of Common Worship", "Using Multimedia to Convey the Message", and "Evangelism for Mainline Churches." The workshop which I found most helpful was "Evangelism for Mainline Churches," Led by a Disciples of Christ pastor, Martha Grace Reese, she is the director of the Mainline Evangelism Project and author of the book, "Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism " (Chalice Press, 2007). She directed a four-year evangelism project funded by the Lilly Endowment. The study, which included over `1200 interviews with pastors and other church leaders, focused on highly effective examples of evangelism in hundreds of congregations in seven mainline denominations. The book contains the results of her four-year study. Each person who registered for this conference received a complimentary copy of this book. The book overflows with ideas about and approaches to evangelism in the context of mainline denominations, and I highly recommend it.
I am glad I attended this Presbyterian Evangelism Conference. The facility where it was held was amazing, the worship services were inspiring, the workshops were helpful, and the fellowship which we enjoyed as participants was rich. I returned home with gratitude that our denomination made this conference available for all those interested in acquiring a greater understanding of evangelism and how to engage in it in the 21st century.
Doug Mankell, Pastor, Calvary Presbyterian Church, Logansport, IN
The September 10, 2007 issue of Alban Weekly discusses “Ministering to the Missing Generation.” To read this interesting article please click on the date.
GENEVA CENTER SITE HOUSE ROOF BLITZ
Geneva Center is putting a new roof on the Geneva Center Site House, Wednesday, October 10 and Saturday, October 13. Come and lend a hand (you don’t have to climb) or you may donate to the cost of materials. For information please call Jeff Winegardner, Director of Maintenance or Shelly Ewing, Office Manager, at Geneva Center, 574-223-6915.
Please join us at Geneva Center on October 8-11, 2007 for this all inclusive event. Explore the nearly lost art of stained glass making with your instructor Braxton Eikenberry. Braxton is a local artist making his living producing various kinds of stained glass items. For more information please contact Shelly Ewing at 574-223-6915 or shelly@genevacenter.org. We look forward to seeing you
PRESBYTERY IN BRIEF
The Presbytery of Wabash Valley assembled at Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette on September 22, 2007. Sixty-four churches were represented and attendance included 101 minister/elder commissioners, 17 ministers at large, 3 Council members, 18 visitors.
After opening prayer by Moderator Jamie Miller and introductions, Interim General Presbyter Ray Fancher presented a Theological Reflection titled “Hope and Courage Amongst the Chaos.” Rev Fancher encouraged the Assembly to search for a new identity - - to determine what the Presbytery of Wabash Valley is going to be in the future - - and to involve 10% of the membership of the Presbytery in the process. He hopes to facilitate the renewal of partnerships between Presbytery and congregations - - to confess past mistakes and receive God’s forgiveness so that we can move into the future.
The Presbytery heard the sermon and statement of faith of Candidate William McLean from the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and Princeton Seminary. He has been called to be Pastor at First Delphi. After a vigorous examination, he was unanimously approved for ordination.
The new model structure for the Committee on Ministry was presented for second reading and after discussion was approved. The Assembly approved the COM recommendation for a cost of living increase of 3% and a minimum effective salary of $33,500 for 2008.
The Assembly approved the formation of an Administrative Commission to assist Granger Presbyterian Church. Elected to serve were Rev. Mary Ann Banning, Moderator; Elder Mike Becker, Elder Larry Hoke, Elder Joan Howe, Rev. Kathleen O’Connell, Rev. Rudy Gourdine and Elder John Neel.
Elder Sally VanBokkelen, Moderator of the Resourcing Task Force reported that agreements have been finalized with Chicago Presbytery and Christian Theological Seminary to provide resource services to the churches of the Presbytery, now that the Presbytery Resource Center has been closed. Representatives from both resource centers made presentations regarding services available from their facilities.
The Stated Clerk Search Committee presented Elder Linda Long as their candidate. She was elected unanimously.
Rev. Douglas Kelly our regional representative from the Board of Pensions spoke briefly and indicated he is always available for consultation by calling (800-773-7752, Ext 7045).
Administrative Commissions for Troy Presbyterian Church, Columbia City and Ridgedale Presbyterian Church, South Bend made brief reports. Elder Nick Clark presented the final report of First Presbyterian Church, Huntington Commission, thanking all the many who participated, reporting that the church has been restored to health and vitality and requesting that the commission be dismissed with thanks.
After lunch an inspiring worship was presented with sermon by Rev. Holly Hearon of Christian Theological Seminary and joyful music by “Into the Light” a contemporary praise group from Valparaiso First.
ELECTIONS
The Assembly elected as Commissioners to the 2008 General Assembly Rev. Nancy Kahaian, Rev. Robert Leach, Elder Darcy Metcalfe, Elder Paul Simms and Youth Advisory Delegate Ali DeVries.
Alternates are Rev. Gretchen Seidler Gibbs, Rev. David Henderson, Elder Lesley Casper, Elder Michael Shurn and Youth Advisory Delegate LaNette Urbin.
The Assembly elected as its Moderator Rev. Nancy Kahaian. No candidate has been found for Vice-Moderator.
Presbytery treasurer Elder Harold Gray has announced he will complete his ministry at the end of the year. Harold Gray has served our presbytery well and faithfully and will be missed. A Treasurer Search Committee was elected: Rev. James Miller, Elder Carrie Munson, Rev. Doug Mankell, Elder Ann Bingaman and Elder Neil Wingate.
Rev. H. Ann Williams and Elder Kathy Staddon were elected as Presbytery Recording Clerks for 2008.
Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick was elected Vice Moderator of Committee on Ministry.
Elected to the Nominating Committee were Elder Adi Veenendaal, Rev. Joyce Harris, Elder Carrie Munson, Rev. Doug Mankell, Elder Barbara Vinson.
Rev Ray Fancher presented the second reading of the changes in the Standing Rules required by the change in structure of the Committee on Ministry. Changes were approved.
Moderator Jamie Miller reported on the progress of implementing the Policy for Exceptional Care for Churches Discerning their Relationship to the PCUSA. A meeting was held of Presbytery officers with the five churches who have identified themselves as considering leaving the denomination. Moderators of the Information and Review Teams reported on their activities.
The Assembly closed with prayer and song.
Rev. Nancy Becker, Interim Stated Clerk