Congregation excited
about ‘new beginning’
By Edward Terry, The Layman, June 24, 2010
The “new beginning” at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroe, La., as described by one elder, is officially under way.
Having begun 2010 with its dismissal from the Presbyterian Church (USA), the 136-member congregation has since affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), successfully transitioned into the EPC’s Central South Presbytery, rehabbed its building and now is preparing to call a new pastor.
“This church is more excited right now than any time I’ve seen it in quite a few years,” Session Clerk Wallace Hargon said. “It’s going to get better when we get a pastor.”
The congregation’s path to the EPC began after the 2008 General Assembly, when a member of the church attended as a commissioner. Having previously been of the opinion that Covenant should “stay and fight” for Biblical standards rather than leave the PCUSA due to its theological shift, the man came back from San Jose, Calif., with a new outlook.
“He felt like he didn’t have a voice,” Hargon said. “When he came back from there he said it was totally useless. After that was when we really started to research things.”
Over the next 18 months there was quite a bit of prayer, discussion and discernment.
Nearly 95 percent of voting members supported leaving the PCUSA and talks with Pines Presbytery commenced. During that time, Hargon said, the presbytery canvassed Convenant’s members and found no dissension. Even those who voted against leaving PCUSA still are active in the congregation, he added.
Children from Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroe, La., gather at the entrance of the church building.
The congregation, earlier this year, affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).
“I can’t say enough good things about them,” Hargon said of the presbytery. “They handled it in a very professional way.”
The presbytery voted at its January meeting to allow Covenant to leave the denomination with its property, and join the smaller, more conservative EPC through the New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery.
In April, the congregation was transferred to the Central South Presbytery.
Pastors are being interview now, he added, and a call should be offered in the next few months. Other plans for the near future include training the congregation to:
- Do a better job with visitations
- Minister to and care for the sick
- Create a more appealing, attractive atmosphere for visitors
The congregation recently celebrated its “new beginning” with a special service on May 30 that included the installation of church officers and a service led by former pastor the Rev. John T. Mabray. Worship was followed by a community celebration supper at the church.
Even though attendance and membership have dropped off in recent years, the church’s income has remained stable, Hargon said. Though it’s lost approximately 100 members since 1998, according to PCUSA statistics, its total contributions have grown since 1998 and exceed the denomination’s giving average.
Hargon is hopeful the generosity of the congregation will be a good foundation for the efforts that are under way.
“We’re ready to get to work,” he said.
And there’s no doubt that good works have been prepared in advance for the Covenant congregation.