Being Moderator of the Twin Cities Area Presbytery

 

This past Saturday I was installed as the Moderator of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area at the December Presbytery meeting which was held at Chain of Lakes Church. 

A person might wonder, “What does a Moderator do?” 

The person moderates the meetings—hence the name, Moderator. And the person does a lot more. Serving as the Moderator is part of a three-year leadership commitment. First a person serves as the Vice-Moderator for a year, then the Moderator, then the leader of the Presbyterian Leadership Team. 

I was asked by Tom Ruter to serve as the Moderator in 2023. It’s not a position I was seeking. Being asked was an indication, in my mind, of the humor of God. At that time, I had just started praying about ways I could serve beyond my work as the pastor of Chain of Lakes. Then, like now, Chain of Lakes was in a good place. We had become a chartered church, we were growing, and we had started doing ministry in our new building. Though serving as the pastor of Chain of Lakes is always my first work priority, I thought I was ready to serve in some different ways. And I started to pray that God would lead me to some opportunities. 

That prayer did not take long to be answered! Shortly sharing this request in my daily prayers, Tom Ruter asked if I would serve as Moderator of the Presbytery; I was also asked to serve on the Board of HOPE 4 Youth; and I became involved in an initiative that developed into the Presbyterian Church Growth Network. After those three opportunities, I stopped praying for more opportunities! 

In 2025 I’ve served as the Vice-Moderator. I would show up at Presbytery meetings and occasionally lead the meeting. The big work was attending the Presbytery Leadership Team meetings (PLT). The PLT always has significant issues that the team addresses. And this year has been no different. From deciding on staffing, to voting on budget issues, to responding to the desire from Church of All Nations (CAN) to leave the PCUSA—the PLT has had a lot on our plate. And we haven’t had a full team. 

The main reason I said, “yes” to Tom Ruter’s ask was I want to do whatever I can to help the Presbytery be healthy. I want to help the Presbytery make healthy decisions and have healthy processes. This is my main priority as the Moderator. 

I’ve been a part of the Presbytery of Twin Cities Area since 1993. I’ve attended almost every Presbytery meeting since then. Besides being a commissioner to the Presbytery, I first served on the Fragile Family Committee. I then served on the Church Development Team for a number of years. When I became the organizing pastor of Chain of Lakes I decided not to serve on any Presbytery committees. I believed that starting a Presbyterian church was enough of a commitment to the Presbytery. I did serve on the Presbytery Judicial Commission for a few years when I started as the Organizing Pastor at Chain of Lakes. 

Throughout my career I’ve always been interested in issues of church growth. I still dream of the day when the PC(SUA) grows in members—something that has not happened for a very long time. I would like to see us start more churches than we close. 

I was asked by Anna Kendig-Flores to come up with a theme for the year that I am the Moderator. The theme I chose was “Forever Young.” No matter what a person’s age I hope that person can experience spiritual energy in their engagement with the Presbytery and the excitement that youth can bring. 

Forever young is an attitude of

·       Curiosity

·       Willingness to embrace change

·       Risk taking

·       Focusing on ministries of 30’s and under

Every meeting of the Presbytery will have some focus on “Forever Young.”

It was a honor to be installed while standing next to Sue Goodspeed, the now installed Vice Moderator, who also graduated from my alma mater, Carleton College. Over the next year I am looking forward to seeing how the Spirit leads all of us. I will be praying every day that I will be led by the Spirit as I serve as the Moderator.  

I’m always open to thoughts and comments. If people have those thoughts and comments, send me an email at pastor@colpres.org.