April 27, 9:00 AM-Noon
Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana
Discernment Event #3 is right around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited. As we mentioned in the original invitation, the format will involve hearing from three expert panelists chosen from across the theological spectrum respond to three theological issues that are of concern to many in our presbytery. We now have confirmation that all three of our panelists can make it! Please read below the biographies of our panelists.
Also, there is still time for you to send questions for the panel discussion to me, Lydia Sarandan, at [email protected] , so we may compile them before the event. Please send them before April 24.
For your convenience, I have pasted the original invitation below the panelists’ biographies. Please also invite your fellow elders who may not currently be serving on your Session. And lastly, please visit our blog site at http://blog.losranchos.org/ for videos, documents, and resources designed to help your congregation move through this season of discernment with grace and wisdom.
For God’s glory,
Lydia Sarandan
Moderator of the SCT
PANELISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES
Jack Haberer is editor-in-chief of The Presbyterian Outlook, an independent, national news and ministry resource magazine based in Richmond, VA. He previously served long-term pastorates at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX and at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Satellite Beach, FL. He studied at Roberts Wesleyan College (AB), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Columbia Theological Seminary (DMin). He is the author of GodViews: The Convictions that Drive Us and Divide Us, and of Living the Presence of the Spirit. He has served as a member of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church, and earlier chaired the boards of Presbyterians for Renewal and the Presbyterian Coalition. He and wife, Barbie, have two grown children and three grandchildren.
Dana Allin is a native of Santa Barbara, California. He graduated from UCSB in Microbiology. When God called him to ministry, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary for both the MDiv and the DMin. Dana is the new Synod Executive for ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Prior to this, Dana served as the senior pastor of Indian River Presbyterian Church in Fort Pierce, FL. There he was also founding Executive Director of Grace Way Village, a Christian not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving families in poverty. Previously he served as pastor of Christ Presbyterian in Lakewood, CA. He is a certified coach trainer and consultant with Natural Church Development. Dana is married to Beth, who is also an ordained ECO pastor. They have two boys and a girl.
Laird Stuart served congregations in Milford, CT, Bergenfield, NJ, Grand Haven, MI, Pittsburgh, PA, and retired from Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, CA. He was Interim President of San Francisco Theological Seminary. Laird studied at Princeton Theological Seminary for his MDiv and DMin. His undergraduate work was at Amherst. He and Jerry Tankersley were co-moderators of the “National Pastors Sabbath Retreat” at Snowbird in 2007. He is on the boards of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, The Covenant Network of Presbyterians, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He has previously served on the boards of San Francisco Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he was Chair of the Board. He and his wife are retired and live in Saugatuck, MI. They love to sail.
ORIGINAL INVITATION TO DISCERNMENT EVENT #3:
Your Questions are Our Agenda—LiterallyJ!
Please send Lydia Sarandan your questions today at [email protected]
The Strategic Coordinating Team (SCT) of Council invites you to a presbytery-wide discernment event on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 9 AM- 12 PM at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana. The focus of this event will be on theological issues that are of concern to many in our presbytery, namely:
- Authority and Interpretation of Scripture
- Is Jesus “The Way” or “A Way” to Salvation and What Does that Mean for the Church Today?
- Homosexuality, Same Sex Marriage, and Ordination Standards
The format of this event is designed to answer your questions on these topics. Therefore, we are asking you to send your questions to me, SCT Moderator Lydia Sarandan, at [email protected] so we may compile them for our panelists (please send before 4/24/13).
The event will be moderated by the Rev. Dr. Jerry Tankersley, pastor of Laguna Presbyterian Church in Laguna Beach. The format will involve hearing from three expert panelists—chosen from across the theological spectrum—respond to your questions and to each other’s comments on the selected topics. The format will also include questions from the floor and group discussion around tables.
If you have not already done so, please visit our blog site at http://blog.losranchos.org/ for videos, documents, and other resources designed to help your congregation move through this season of discernment with grace and wisdom.
We look forward to being with you again. Please remember to send me your questions.
Happy Easter Season,
Lydia Sarandan
Moderator of the SCT
SCT Members: Bruce Boyer, Anita Coleman, Mike Conan, Colette Cozean, Chineta Goodjoin, Frank Harmon, Jason Ko, John McKeague, Bill McReynolds, Eliseo Morales, Trevecca Okholm, Nancy Pearson, Lydia Sarandan (Moderator), Jon Saur, Beryl Smith, Lissa Smith, Steve Wright