July 24 Special Called Meeting Report

With many pastoral calls, the conclusion of the search for a new Executive Presbyter, and other important matters on the table, the Rev. Neal Nybo, Moderator of the Presbytery, called a Special Meeting of the Presbytery on Tuesday, July 24, at Northminster Presbyterian Church.  Following are highlights:

Executive Presbyter Search Committee Report

The Rev. Dr. Clark Cowden Approved
as New Executive Presbyter

After a prayerful and thoughtful discernment process, the Executive Presbyter Nominating Committee unanimously and enthusiastically presented to the Presbytery of San Diego their candidate, the Rev. Dr. Clark D. Cowden. He succeeds the Rev. Dr. Andrew Smith who served in the position for five years, resigning in December 2006. In the interim, Stated Clerk Linda Therien served as Acting Executive Presbyter. Rev. Cowden’s start date is October 8.

Most recently, Rev. Cowden has served for nine years as the first executive presbyter in the Presbytery of San Joaquin in Visalia, Calif. Elder Bill Tayler, chairman of the search committee, emphasized that while with the San Joaquin Presbytery, Rev. Cowden had “developed and implemented a vision and strategy for becoming a missional presbytery – equipping churches to become more effective at joining God in reaching out in their own communities and around the world.”

Tayler said the committee searched for a person with these qualities:

•  A person of integrity whose authentic faith in Jesus Christ, broadly evangelical and missional convictions are demonstrated in his/her professional and personal life
• A resilient leader who has demonstrated experience in leading change with vision, strategy and clear communication

Members of the search committee were
Rev. Jim Rauch, Rev. Mike McClenahan, Rev. Jan Farley, Rev. Rachel Brown,
Elder Ardelle Matthews, Elder Cheryl Kosits, and Elder Bill Tayler.

Lining up with Craig Cowden (center) and Moderator Neal Nybo (right), members of the EP Nominating Committee in attendance at the July 24 meeting included, from left, Rev. Jim Rauch, Elder Bill Tayler, Elder Ardelle Matthews, Rev. Rachel Brown and Rev. Jan Farley.

Clark Cowden, left, speaks with EP Nominating Committee Chair Bill Tayler
and Vice Moderator Elizabeth Crews prior to the Special Called Meeting on July 24.

Profile —
The Rev. Dr. Clark Cowden

The Rev. Dr. Clark Cowden has served as a solo pastor, an associate pastor, and most recently as Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of San Joaquin, a position he held for nine years. He chose to use the title Evangelist Presbyter as well, indicating a greater emphasis on mission than administration at San Joaquin. In addition, in 2006 he was elected to serve as Stated Clerk.

Clark received his undergraduate degree in 1984 from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana; an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1988; and a D. Min. from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis in 2001. He has also received extensive training in missional leadership. He has two sons, Ryan and Justin, enrolled as a junior and freshman respectively at Azusa Pacific University.

Bill Tayler, the search committee chair, added: “As an experienced executive presbyter, Clark will help us to define our vision, understand the importance of being missional, and walk with us on the way forward. He has a demonstrated commitment and a deep respect for our denomination, but he is also committed to structural renewal within the PC(USA).

“We also believe Clark’s soft-spoken demeanor and down-to-earth concern for people will touch hearts and draw us together in our mission to the world,” Tayler said.

In Clark’s own words:

“I am interested in serving a governing body where people are not satisfied with the status quo or limping along in survival mode, where people are willing to work together to discover new ways that God is shaping God’s Church for mission in today’s world, that has realized the limitations of the recent corporate and regulatory model of denominationalism, where the past is respected, the present is valued, and people are encouraged to think outside the box and dream of the new future God has for us, and where people are seeking to expand their missional partners, not limit them.”

For more background on our new EP, it is suggested you enter his name in www.Google.com or another search system and review his many articles and statements.

Committee on Ministry Report

New Associate Pastors Called
at La Costa, La Jolla

Passing their ordination exams and being approved to accept calls at the July 24 meeting were Bradley Roth who will serve as Designated Associate Pastor at Christ La Costa Presbyterian Church; and Michael Sedgwick, who will be Designated Associate Pastor at La Jolla Presbyterian Church.  Ordination services are planned: September 9 at 4 pm at La Costa for Roth; September 23 at 4 pm for Sedgwick.

Two Become Associate Pastors
at Rancho Bernardo

Rev. Ray Sparling and Rev. Mofid Wasef, both on the staff at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, were approved by Presbytery to step up from Designated Associate Pastor to the position of Associate Pastor.

Robert and Lindsey Carnes
to be Co-Associate Pastors in Indiana

Robert and Lindsey Carnes, who were under the care of First Presbyterian Church of San Diego, have been called to serve as Co-Associate Pastors of the First Presbyterian Church of South Bend, IN, which is in the Presbytery of Wabash Valley.  The couple passed their ordination exams and were approved to receive and accept the call.

Taiwanese Task Force Report

Commission Formed to Explore Establishment
of a Taiwanese Presbyterian Church
with Presbytery of San Diego

For many months a group of Taiwanese Presbyterians associated with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan have been in conversation with representatives of the Presbytery of San Diego.  Interest has been expressed in wanting to charter a new church that would join the Presbytery of San Diego. 

The Taiwanese congregation has been worshipping and serving Jesus Christ in mission together since 1990.  Discussion of joining the San Diego Presbytery have continued on and off for more than 15 years.  Their current pastor is the Rev. Shang Tsai.

At the July 24 meeting, commissioners voted to form an Administrative Commission to bring this matter to fruition.  Members of the AC will include:
            Elder Loreto Remorca, Jr., Northminister
            Elder Michael Williams, Rancho Santa Fe
            Elder Minoa Chang, Solana Beach
            Rev. Paul Pulliam, retired
            Three additional members to be appointed by Moderator.
            Rev. Dr. Edward Tanng, Presbytery of the Pacific, corresponding member

Commenting from the floor of Presbytery, Juan Daniel Espitia said, “This is a wake-up call for this Presbytery.  How many other minority groups might be meeting regularly in worship in San Diego but are not being reached?”  He called for a more proactive approach to new church development among potential ethnic and cultural groups.  Espitia recently joined the staff of Solana Beach Presbyterian Church as a Commissioned Lay Pastor for Hispanic Ministry.

July 24 Meeting Photo Page (PDF)

To view a montage of photos of the Special Called Meeting held at Northminster Presbyterian Church on July 24, click here.

PC(USA) Stated Clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick
Visits with Way Forward Task Force

Cliff Kirkpatrick, left, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), visited with members of the Way Forward Task Force on Sunday, July 15, at an Oceanside restaurant, including Pastors Steve Locke (above) and Paul Cunningham and Bob Davis (below).  According to Vice Moderator and Task Force Committee Chair Elder Elizabeth Crews, the discussion was open and wide-ranging, touching on such issues as ordination standards, church property, and essentials of Reformed Faith.  She will report more in her WFTF Report at the September Meeting of Presbytery.

People

Farewell to Rev. Dr. Doug Webster

Resigns to Take Teaching Post

Having served for 14 years as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Diego, the Rev. Dr. Doug Webster has announced his resignation effective August 12 in order to accept a teaching position at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. A farewell picnic gathering is planned following the worship services on August 12.

Upcoming Events

Taiwanese Seminary Choir to Perform
September 3 at Northminster

The Naruwan Choir from Yu-Shan Theological College and Seminary in Taiwan will perform on Monday, September 3, beginning at 7:30 pm at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Clairemont. The group will be on a nationwide tour and will sing at the United Nations in late September or early October, according to Loreto Remorca of Northminster.

www.chingching.org/zTaiwan_concert1.doc

Presbyterian Mission Challenge '07

By Phil Damon, Grace Presbyterian Church, Vista

Sue Kinsler, a Presbyterian missionary serving in South Korea, will be a guest of the San Diego Presbytery from October 5 to 11.  We encourage you to meet her or invite her to your church.  She will be sharing her mission experiences, which include many visits to North Korea to help children and disabled persons (www.LighthouseKorea.org). 

Her visit to our presbytery is part of Presbyterian Mission Challenge ‘07, a denomination-wide attempt to encourage increased support of Presbyterian mission personnel.  For her mission page and letters click here. Currently, eighteen Presbyterian missionaries receive support from nine of the thirty-one San Diego churches; our hope is that you might help increase that support.
 
On Sunday, October 7, Sue Kinsler will visit Faith Presbyterian Church, 5075 Campanile Dr., San Diego, 619 582-8480.  She will provide a Moment-for-Mission at the 9:30 a.m. service and lead a presentation/discussion at 11:00.  Those wishing may join a no-host lunch at a nearby restaurant following the discussion.
 
At 6:30 p.m., Sue Kinsler will be in Carlsbad at Christ Presbyterian Church Rancho La Costa, 7807 Centella St., Carlsbad. There will be dessert, followed by Rev. Kinsler’s presentation. RSVP: 760 753-3290.
 
If you have questions or would like to schedule Sue Kinsler at your church that week, call Phil Damon, 760 726-0182.

GA’s Ervin Bullock Will Lead
Peacemaking Workshop October 6

Ms. Ervin Bullock, the General Assembly Liaison with Presbytery Peace and Justice Teams across the nation, will be in San Diego to present a workshop for all Peacemaking Teams in the PC(USA) congregations in San Diego on Saturday, October 6, from 9 am to 1 pm, at Faith Presbyterian Church.

The workshop is designed to help congregations start or reinvigorate effective peacemaking programs. To make a reservation, including lunch, contact Kyle Holberg at 619 470-7195.