Convocation firsts – inaugural presbytery meeting, first moderator, clerk and candidate for ordination
By Craig M. Kibler, The Layman Online, November 5, 2007
FAIR OAKS, Calif. – A number of firsts were recorded during the New Wineskins Association of Churches’ convocation. The inaugural meeting of the New Wineskins-Evangelical Presbyterian Church Presbytery was held, its first moderator was appointed, a clerk was elected and, in what was hailed as a “historic moment,” its first candidate for ordination was approved.
The NWAC-EPC presbytery was approved June 22 by the 27th General Assembly of the EPC. At that time, commissioners also approved the creation of two administrative commissions – one for churches and pastors desiring transitional membership in established geographic EPC presbyteries, and another for those seeking to join a transitional, non-geographic New Wineskins Association of Churches-Evangelical Presbyterian Church Presbytery.
The Rev. Dr. Randy Jenkins, pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Ala., and a member of the New Wineskins board, was appointed moderator by the task force overseeing the presbytery.
It wasn’t that long ago, Jenkins told the more than 400 people in the sanctuary of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, that the idea of a New Wineskins Presbytery “was just a dream about what may be or what could be.” Now, he said, it was holding its first meeting.
No separate sections
Jenkins said that, in planning for the presbytery meeting, it was decided that there would be no section set off for delegates and another set off for observers “because we operate in an atmosphere of trust here. So, any actions we take or the things that we do are done in the open, clearly and transparently, and we pray that members will act in accordance with that approach.”
In talking about the new presbytery, Jenkins said, “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile. We have every opportunity to do the things that we’ve done in the past in a whole new way – and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
In order to accomplish that mission in the future, he said delegates will be able “to share with each other about what’s really working” in their churches and networks; utilize a program of best practices; and “challenge one another to share information and resources. I encourage you to do that.”
Jenkins then accepted nominations from the floor for the position of clerk, with Michael R. “Mac” McCarty being elected by acclamation. McCarty is an elder at Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church in Glenmoore, Pa.
‘Something very historic’
For the next item, Jenkins said, “Something very historic is going to happen today. We will examine the first candidate for ordination out of this presbytery today. This is a historic moment.”
The Rev. Andy Curtis, pastor of Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church, introduced the candidate, Rob Sparr, saying, “The ministry committee is a group of pastors and elders who came together face-to-face for the very first time yesterday, where we got to be together and talk about what we believed God wanted to see happen in this place.”
Curtis said the committee was “carrying out a mandate given to us in the New Wineskins Constitution wherein it is responsible for making sure that men and women who come up for ordination are ready and able to carry out the ministry that God is leading them to do. The mandate also includes our being responsible for mentoring and leading them through the process.”
“We spent three hours yesterday with Rob,” Curtis said. Sparr, he said, is a graduate of Geneva College, “a wonderful, small college just outside of Pittsburgh that has this incredible Christian background.”
Curtis said Sparr went to Trinity Episcopal Seminary. “He has passed all of his ordination exams, took the Presbyterian Church (USA) exams and Bible-content exams, and we are blessed that he is certified as being ready to receive a call.”
After Sparr’s unanimous acceptance by the delegates, it was announced that the ordination service will be held in Pittsburgh at a later date.
Craig M. Kibler is the Director of Publications and Executive Editor of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. He can be reached at cmkibler@layman.org..