Congregational MeetingJanuary 13, 2013

Agenda

• Election of Deacons, Elders and Trustees

• Report on denominational discussions with Presbytery

2012 Congregational Nominating Committee

• Craig Henderson, Clerk of Session• Bob Gillander, Assoc. Clerk of Session• Al Watson, Board of Deacons• Ellen Petersen, Presbyterian Women• Kurt Hammond, Presbyterian Men• Claudine Owen, Congregation at large• Susanna Vance, Congregation at large

Function of the Nominating Committee

• Received the nominations of the congregation for deacons, elders and trustees, submitted by the congregation.

• Reviewed nominations and contacted those nominated to explain the responsibilities of the office.

• Prayed with and encouraged those considering office.

Responsibilities of Deacons• Deacons shall provide for the physical and spiritual needs of individuals

and families and shall primarily minister to those who are in need, to the sick, and to any who may be in distress. The Diaconate also shall assume other duties as may be delegated to them by the Session.

• Deacons shall exhibit spiritual character and honesty, leading exemplary lives, showing sincere compassion and sound judgment.

• Deacons shall actively participate in the life of the church, and must be able and willing to commit to the responsibilities and time necessary to fulfill the requirements of this ordained position.

Deacons – Class of 2015• Cindy Althouse• Jerry Althouse• Bob Arnold*• Bobby Bethel*• Gene Bowers• Katharine Bowlus• Chris Davis• Connie Davis• Cornelia Dutton• Drew Gallagher*

(*elected for a 2nd term)

• Kathryn Garrow*• Amy Grimm*• Mickie Grove• Beth Hammond*• Kim Harris• Johnny Harris• Brenda Haye*• Sam Hutsell• Diane Hutsell• Jason Jerris

Deacons – Class of 2015

• Glenda Kelsey*• Alisa Knox• Jamie Lee• Rob Mickler*• Barbara Morrow• Greig Moyer• Pam Moyer• Steve Orman• Claudine Owen*

(*elected for a 2nd term)

• Joan Pooley• Ted Pratchios• Jeff Rait• Rocky Rockwell*• Jon Spicklemeier• Pat Sullivan*• Suzanna Vance• Al Watson*• Mike Whyard*• Robyn Zomorodian

The Diaconate

• The Classes of 2012 – 2014 currently have 60 men and women actively serving.

• The Classes of 2013 – 2015 will have 75 active Deacons.

• By MPC’s Governance Plan, the Diaconate shall consist of a minimum of 21 men and women who serve 3 year terms, in 3 classes, for a maximum of 6 consecutive years.

Responsibilities of Elders• Elders, individually and jointly, shall strengthen and nurture the faith and

life of the congregation through prayer and scripture study. The Session shall encourage people in the worship and service of God, and equip and renew them for their tasks within the church. The Session is responsible for the vision, mission and government of the church.

• The Session shall develop policy for implementation by lay and staff teams; provide oversight; set and oversee spiritual direction and growth within the church; encourage and support the administrative staff; and actively participate in the life of the church.

• Elders must be able and willing to commit to the responsibilities and time necessary to fulfill the requirements of this ordained position.

Elders – Class of 2015

• Bill Murphy*• Paul Niager*• Jason Shepler• John Walker*

(*elected for a 2nd term)

The Session

• The Session currently has 12 active elders.

• By MPC’s Governance Plan, the Session shall consist of 12 men and women who serve in 3 classes of 4 persons each.

• Elders shall serve 3 year terms, for a maximum of 6 consecutive years.

Responsibilities of Trustees

• Trustees shall receive, hold, encumber, manage and transfer real or personal property for the church. They shall accept and execute deeds of title to such property.

• They shall manage any permanent special funds of the church.

• Trustees must be able and willing to commit to the

responsibilities and time necessary to fulfill the requirements of this position.

Trustees – Class of 2015

• Gary Lentz*• Joe Perry

The Board of Trustees

• The Board of Trustees currently has 7 active members, and will remain at 7 after this election.

• By MPC’s Governance Plan, the Board shall consist of a minimum of 6 and not more than 10 men and women who serve in 3 classes.

• Trustees shall serve 3 year terms, for a maximum of 6 consecutive years.

Loving People to Love Jesus

Insert MPC Logo

MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

January DDT Update

Where are we going & Why

o The Session’s recommendation is that we affiliate with ECO, which was formed from The Fellowship.

o Based on the Core Values of MPC & the Values / Essentials of ECO, we feel that this is the best fit for MPC.

o Our mission is to Love People to Love Jesus and spending time & resources battling within the PCUSA denomination will detract from our mission as a church.

o The Session feels our Pastors need to be with a denomination where they can conduct their ministry in an environment of trust, mutual encouragement, and accountability.

o The Session is extremely excited about the formation of ECO and the opportunity for MPC to continue with its current mission & to assist ECO in making disciples and planting churches.

MPC Core Values & ECO Essentials

Mandarin Presbyterian Church

• Glorify God and enjoy him.

• Be Christ – Centered

• Be Biblically Faithful

• Have Grace Based Relationships

• Connect and Nurture all for Ministry

• Reach out and plan for all those who are yet to come.

ECO: The Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians

The great purpose toward which each human life is drawn is to glorify God and to enjoy him.

Essentials Tenets:I. God’s Word: The Authority of our Confession

– We recognize & receive his authoritative self-revelation ( Old & New Testaments )

– We join with other members of the Presbyterian & Reformed communities to affirm the secondary authority of the Book of Confessions

II. Trinity & Incarnation: – Trinity: We worship the only true God – Father, Son,

and Holy Spirit.– Incarnation: The Divinity of Christ. Jesus is alive.

III. Essentials of the Reformed Tradition– A) God’s grace in Christ– B) Jesus Christ is the only Way, the sole path by which

sinners become children of God– C) God chooses us for himself in grace because of his

love and mercy– D) God’s grace is extended through the preaching of

the Word, the administration of sacraments, and the faithful practice of mutual discipline.

– E) We affirm that men and women alike are called to all the ministries of the Church

– F) We are to live in obedience to God’s Word

Are we still going to be Presbyterian?

• Yes, we will remain Presbyterian.

• We are choosing “peaceable withdrawal” from PCUSA and to change our affiliation from one Presbyterian denomination to another Presbyterian denomination.

• We believe ECO most closely reflects our MPC values & allows MPC to continue on its mission to “Love People to Love Jesus”

• ECO has been recognized by St. Augustine Presbytery as a “reformed denomination” and others with PCUSA across the country are in the process of joining.

• During our Discernment process, we evaluated the PCUSA, the EPC, and ECO .. Which are all Presbyterian denominations.

http://www.fellowship-pres.org/eco/

How is our Property effected?– In 1983 during the Reunion of the Northern & Southern churches, Mandarin Presbyterian Church

exempted itself from the Property Trust clause.

– In fact, this was a concern of the southern churches at the time, so the exemption was used to ease concerns of the Southern churches during reunion and ensure that local property rights were maintained.

– The Clerk of Session from 1983 agrees that they “unequivocally” believed they exempted MPC from the trust clause and provided all necessary notifications to Presbytery to reflect that intent.

– Mandarin Presbyterian Church has, at no time during our affiliation with PCUSA and or St. Augustine Presbytery, received any financial support.

– We have been faithful partners through our 30 + year affiliation and have supported PCUSA & St. Augustine missions with contributions in excess of 1 million dollars during that time period.

– We have no intention of leaving our property. MPC members & supporters bought the property, built the buildings, financed expansions, etc.

– Our property, both East & West Campus, are integral to MPC continuing to fulfill its mission with numerous activities, groups, and ministries occurring during the week and on Sunday mornings.

– At the end of this process, we will be with a denomination that recognizes local property rights of its member churches.

How does the Staff feel?

The Pastors and staff are 100% behind this decision.

• Questions about the PC(USA) denomination (Revised Dec.2012)

• FAQ's

When will the process be over?

– Short Answer: We don’t know.– We desire to have this conclude as quickly as possible, but we must

follow the Dismissal process.– We feel it is in everyone’s (MPC and St Augustine Presbytery) that this

not be drug out; however, we understand this could take months.– Our goal also is to honor Christ during this process and to not harm

the Presbyterian witness in Jacksonville.– We remain committed as a church that the focal point of our efforts

should be to “Love People to Love Jesus” – We commit to keeping you informed as the process unfolds and to

continue to answer your questions.

Appendix Slides

January 2013