2024 Week 40

Hello, Springers!

Something special is coming up this week. We’re hosting the meeting of the Northern California Presbytery.

The Presbytery connects the group of PCA churches in our region. However, our Presbytery is bigger than our name. We connect 19 churches in Northern California, yes, but also we have 7 churches from Utah, 4 churches from Hawaii, and one church plant in Reno, Nevada.

We see examples in the Bible of regional church government. The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 is the most famous example. While the apostles, who had been with Jesus, could have made pronouncements about what to do concerning Gentiles in the church, instead they held council with groups of elders from the various churches. Together they discussed the best course of action for a matter affecting the church in the whole region. This is the same model of deliberative assembly we follow in our denomination.

Then it seemed good to the apostles, and the elders, with the whole church…(Acts 15:22)
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…(Acts 15:28)

The result of the Jerusalem Council was a letter that was carried to all the individual churches. Luke, the writer of Acts, reported about the letter.

And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. (Acts 15:31)

I know that in the past communication about Presbytery has been sparse at Valley Springs. Unfortunately this tends to be the norm in many PCA churches. Rather than lament this, let’s turn over a new leaf!

Did you know that Presbytery always begins with a worship service? If you are available at 10:00am on Friday, October 4th we would be encouraged to have you join us in the Worship Hall. For many, that will be during the work day, but if you are available you are more than welcome. It will be our normal liturgy, and I’ll be bringing a sermon on Jesus feeding the 5,000 from the gospel of Mark.

Presbytery is “going to church” for pastors in our region. Where else can these men attend worship and not be responsible for putting it on? Pray that this time is a blessing for all who come. We’ll also have lunch together before we begin our business meeting.

Several men will be examined for ministry (just like Pastor Matt and I have both been examined) standing in front of the whole group being asked questions about the Bible, theology, and ministry. I’m not going to say it’s exciting, but it certainly is important. It is the culmination of much work on the part of both the examiners and the ones being examined.

It’s a joy to host and if you want to know more, let me know, or come see for yourself.

in Christ,

Pastor Tag