At the January 16 meeting of San Diego Presbytery held at the Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe the gavel was passed from outgoing Moderator Elder Dick Berry to incoming Moderator Rev. Dr. Jack Baca. Rev. Neil Nybo, associate pastor at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, was installed as Vice Moderator. Berry gave the sermon, "The Good News and the good news!"

As host pastor for the day, Rev. Baca, moderated a Pre-Presbytery Gathering, an open conversation on issues related to the Peace, Unity and Purity (PUP) report.

A follow-up gathering will be held on Tuesday, February 21. at a location to be announced. The sole purpose will be to continue dialogue on the ramifications of recommendations made in the Peace Unity and Purity Task Force Report. Any vote on a resolution will not come until the regularly scheduled March Presbytery Meeting. See next article.

Floor debate is anticipated at the March 21 meeting of San Diego Presbytery as a vote is likely to be taken on the Presbytery's response to the Theological Task Force Report on the Peace Unity and Purity of the Church - a long-awaited study of issues that are tending to divide the PC(USA) denomination into liberal and conservative camps. Principal among the issues addressed by the report recommendations are constitutional rules concerning ordination standards, the essential tenets of the Reformed faith, and governance of the denomination.

Presented at the Presbytery November meeting were two documents that have drawn national attention: a resolution drafted by four local pastors that if approved would be forwarded to General Assembly, and an open letter to the resolution team endorsed by a second group of pastors and elders. It is considered likely that current efforts at dialogue will generate a document supported by the majority of pastors and commissioners at the March 21 meeting of Presbytery.

The resolution declares that "the covenant between the San Diego Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA) is in danger of being broken by those who no longer stand with us." If the Authoritative Interpretation recommended by the PUP Report, which critics contend would allow "local option" in determining essential beliefs and practices for ordination, is passed by the General Assembly of the PC(USA) next June, such a breach would "render meaningless" the historic standards of the church. It calls for a vote on the resolution in early 2006.

The open letter counters by asking that the vote be suspended "until such time we can engage each other, face to face, to discuss not only the issues raised in the resolution but deeper theological issues that might divide us."

"Not that we may disagree theologically with some of your concerns," the letter continued, "but we do disagree with your interpretation of the PUP Report and its possible effect on the church's standards of ordination. We feel that this resolution is premature and is not in the best interest of the whole church."

Your comments on these two points of view are encouraged. See both the Resolution and the Open Letter elsewhere on this website. If a third document that blends the points of view of the two documents eventuates, it will be posted on the Presbytery Website. Take advantage of the opportunity to offer your views on the Resolution and/or the Open Letter by clicking on Comments.

The Presbytery of Mississippi has approved an overture to the 217th General Assembly, which meets next June in Birmingham, Alabama, that would significantly revise the recommendations of the denomination's Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity. The overture calls for reassertion that the denomination's constitutional prohibition against ordaining practicing homosexuals would remain a requirement for sessions and presbyteries, the ordaining bodies in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

It also opposes the task force's recommendation that calls for replacing parliamentary procedure, using Roberts Rules of Order, with a discernment model for reaching decisions by consensus.

The overture also calls for changes in the task force's recommendations 5c(2), 5c(3) and 5d to prohibit the ordination of candidates who depart from constitutional and Biblical requirements for belief and conduct and to ensure that the ordaining body's decision "accords with Biblical standards and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)."

The Presbytery of Mission in San Antonio, Texas, has approved an overture that asks the 217th General Assembly to create the "office of minister of Christian education." Numerous attempts in the past to make Christian educators church officers have failed, according to an article in the Presbyterian Layman Online.

The overture calls for a number of changes in the Book of Order, including alteration of G-6.0106a, which now describes "those called to exercise special functions in the church - deacons, elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament." That would be abbreviated to deacons, elders and ministers with no reference to "Word and Sacrament."

Thus, Christian educators would have voice and vote on local church sessions and higher governing bodies, including the General Assembly, if the commissioners approve the overture and presbyteries ratify it along with other proposed changes in the Book of Order.

Executive Presbyters Report to the Presbytery, January 2006 "The Year of Philip"
By Rev. Andy Smith

The Presbytery Council has declared 2006 to be the "Year of Philip" in the Presbytery of San Diego. Philip the Evangelist showed up when internal conflicts and external opposition were threatening the vitality of the church (Acts 6-7). The dreams of many in the new, growing, vibrant church were shattered as they witnessed the tragic murder of their new leader, Stephen. Great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. Saul, in particular, worked to destroy the church; going from house to house, he dragged men and women off to prison. All believers except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8). The church was in crisis.

The church in Philip's day was lamenting a death, burying a past, and waiting in a prison of despair and uncertainty. They were in crisis, faced with internal strife, external opposition, and an unknown future. Many wondered, "Where is God in all this mess?"

Sound familiar? In many ways, we are lamenting the death of the PCUSA as we have known it, and we must now bury the past of our beloved denomination.

We, like the church in Philip's day, stand on the edge of an unknown future. We are a church in crisis, suffering internal strife and external opposition. Birmingham looms. We need to invite Philip the Evangelist to show up once again. His passion is evangelism. His love is the lost. His ministry is focused upon those who are not yet in the church. Philip reminds us of our missional identity and purpose in these days of great uncertainty.

Philip reminds us of God's heart for the lost across the aisle…in the church. Philip shared the love of Jesus Christ with a man who had just come from worship (Acts 8:26-29). This man, in fact, rarely missed going to church. He sang the hymns, put money in the offering plate, and served on committees. He had a relationship with a church, but he needed a relationship with the Savior. He knew about Jesus historically but not personally. Philip approached this man and helped him to truly approach Jesus.

Philip reminds us that many inside the church need the Savior. God loves the lost who sit across the aisle.

Philip reminds us of God's heart for the lost across the street…in the community. Philip shared the love of Jesus Christ with people in the neighboring community of Samaria (Acts 8:4-8). Samaria was right outside the doors of the church, but the church wasn't interested. There was too much internal church business to tend to. Samaritans kept to themselves, and the church liked it that way. Everyone in the church left Samaritans alone, except Philip. He ran to Samaria and helped Samaritans run to Jesus.

Philip reminds us that people just outside the doors of the church need the Savior. God loves the lost who live across the street.

Philip reminds us of God's heart for the lost across the seas…in the world. Philip shared the love of Jesus Christ with a man from Ethiopia (Acts 8:26-38). The man was converted, baptized, and commissioned to go tell others. Philip's love for the lost had now spread to the continent of Africa. I had the privilege of traveling to Ethiopia last fall to witness God's continuing movement in that beautiful land. Today, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Mecane Yesus (Dwelling of Jesus) has over 5,000 congregations, with over 1,000 pastors and a total of 4.2 million believers. The logo of the Mecane Yesus denomination is-you guessed it-the cross of Philip.

Philip reminds us that everyone needs the Savior. God loves the lost who live across the seas.

In the middle of a mess, Philip the Evangelist embodied the church's missional identity and purpose. God is still on the move, building his church. He will accomplish his task-our internal strife will not stop him. That is Philip's message. Despite church crisis, Philip showed up in Jerusalem, in God-forsaken Samaria, and on the road to far-away Africa.

May he show up this year in San Diego.

Elected at the January Presbytery Meeting to serve as Commissioners to the 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2006/2007 were:

• Clergy Commissioners:
• Rev. Dr. Chris Lenocker (Faith)
• Rev. Dr. Jack Baca (Rancho Santa Fe Village)
• Alternate: Rev. Neil Nybo (Solana Beach)


• For Elder Commissioners:
• Elder Elizabeth Crews (San Diego 1st)
• Elder Barry Billingsley (Solana Beach)
• Alternate: Elder Susan Walker (Brawley)

Members and friends of the congregation at Palisades Presbyterian Church gathered on November 13 for the dedication of The Point, a newly constructed outdoor worship center located on slope overlooking Mission Valley on the southern edge of the church campus.

Celebration pictures can be viewed here!  (Large File - 400kb)

Your opportunity to visit Mexican Presbyterian Churches, missions and a seminary in the Mexicali area will be Saturday, April 1 - the 7th Annual Presbytery Baja Mission Tour, jointly presented by Pueblos Hermanos and Baja Presbyterian Missions.

Rev. Bill Soldwisch, co-director of Pueblos Hermanos, which is a bi-national project of Presbyterian Border Ministry, will lead the tour, which will gather at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church at 8 a.m. and will include visits to the San Marcos and Cristo Viene churches, the Mision Mana, and to the Presbyterian Seminary in Mexicali where the group will be provided lunch.

Bob Battenfield, president of Baja Presbyterian Missions, an endorsed mission project of San Diego Presbytery, will arrange transportation with three 15-passenger vans and handle reservations. To reserve your spot, call 619-469-6101, or Sharon Pruess at the Presbytery Office, 619-224-2490.

Elder Jim Lagerstrom was approved at the January Presbytery Meeting to be the Presbytery's first Commissioned Lay Pastor. He will serve as Minister of Visitation at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, Although he earned degrees in theology Lagerstrom chose to pursue a career in teaching at seminaries and was never ordained as a pastor. He and his family are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in La Costa.

Lee D. Riley, a candidate for ministry under care of Seattle Presbytery, was approved by Presbytery to be called to serve as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, San Diego.

Rev. Art Mills, a resident of San Diego County, has been received into membership of San Diego Presbytery. He is Regional Representative from the Presbyterian Church Board of Pensions, serving the geographic areas of the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii and the Synod of the Southwest.

Blessed Event - Rev. Neil Berry, pastor at Christ United Presbyterian Church, San Diego, and his wife, Denise, announce the arrival of Christal Elizabeth Berry, who was born January 20, 2006, and weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces. All are at home now and doing well. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughtful encouragement during the difficult pregnancy.

Back to Top

Job Openings

DIRECTOR CHILDREN'S AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church, El Cajon, CA

We are a dynamic, growing, evangelical congregation with a current nursery through 6th Grade enrollment of 40. Our vision for this new full-time position is to further integrate and develop our children and their families into the ongoing life of our Church. As The Lord continues to bring new children to us, we are building a place to nurture them and their families into Him.

Come grow with us if you:

• Love the Lord Jesus & God's Word!
• Love children & their parents!
• Have a proven record of organizational & leadership skills!
• Can organize a multi-class Sunday School program with year-round Special Programs Ministry for children!
• Can recruit, train, and delegate to teams of volunteers under authority and cooperatively with other church leaders.
• Have a heart for fun & lots of energy!

For more info on our Church and a detailed position description, check our website: http://www.fhpc.org (Click 'Children' link)

If God is leading you here, please tell us about yourself and send resumes by February 15, 2006 to:

Via snail-mail: Jean Nelson (DCFM search)
Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church,
455 Church Way
El Cajon, CA 92020

Via e-mail: lejrnelson@cox.net

Back to Top

Upcoming Events

Annual Leadership Development Seminar
Set for January 28 at Trinity Presbyterian

The annual leadership development seminar for church officers, sponsored by the Presbytery of San Diego, will be held Saturday, January 28, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley.

The seminar, titled "For Such a Time as This," is designed to offer training workshops for both new and returning church officers. Registration for the day-long program begins at 8:30 a.m. An opening worship service will introduce the theme for the day, "Courageous Leadership in Challenging Times." Executive Presbyter Rev. Dr. Andy Smith, who will lead the service, will preach on "Aslan is on the Move." The title is based on the C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia books.

Following the opening service, participants will choose from several workshops intended to assist them in their theological and practical ministry of leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ. The workshop sessions are aimed at new and returning Elders, Deacons, Clerks of Session, and other church leaders and officers.

Two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, will be led by Smith and will serve as an open forum of dialogue with the Executive Presbyter giving attendees an opportunity to explore relevant topics including the ministry, vision, responsibilities and structure of the Presbytery and how best to respond to today's challenging issues in our churches and denominations.

Cost for the seminar is $7.00 per attendee and includes lunch. (Registrations received after January 24 are not guaranteed lunch.) Information and registration forms are available from the San Diego Presbytery, 3707 Udall Street, San Diego. Telephone: 619/224-2490.

Trinity Presbyterian Church is located at 3902 Kenwood Drive, Spring Valley. Telephone: 619-465-3011.

- Paul West

Back to Top