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The Presbytery of the Miami Valley
Ohio
The Rev. Francisco Pelaez and Ms. Brandy Alexander lead the annual “Three Kings” (Tres Reyes Magos) worship at Honey Creek Presbyterian Church in New Carlisle, Ohio.
The Presbytery of the Miami Valley organized for mission in order to ignite passions and marshal its energies, talents, and resources. During a two-year process, the presbytery designed a more “presbyter led” organization and revised its name to convey its location. It eliminated all but the required committees. It created a process by which as few as two individuals from different congregations can form a Network to pursue their call to mission and ministry. In this process, individuals form and organize Networks, decide if and when to meet, and may include members from other denominations. A new committee, the Networks Support Committee, assists individuals in creating Networks, matches Networks with presbytery resources, and oversees financial aid.
One Network, with only two members, promotes the use of Appreciative Inquiry methods for congregational studies and trains others in their use. Some Networks continue the work of former committees. Other Networks have come about from particular passions, such as evangelism or crafting.
Eleven Networks formed within a year. This new presbytery organization is already demonstrating its flexibility and power. The support committee provided year-end financial aid to a multicultural Network to assist several congregations in Hispanic ministries, hold a joint “Three Kings” celebration, and purchase Spanish-English Bibles. The evangelism Network brought in a speaker, attracting many members to a day-long workshop.
The presbytery is home to 63 churches, 13,518 members, 1 new church development, and Kirkmont Camp and Conference Center.
Presbytery Staff
Elder Dennis Piermont, executive presbyter
Rev. Doris Arnett Whitaker, stated clerk
Tom Oxley, office manager
Joyce Routzohn, bookkeeper
Martha Kiel, treasurer
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Kim Dillner, BOP
Carla Dobson, FDN
Loving God, following your way in the world often means organizing to follow your way. We lift up the presbytery leaders and the Network members in this Ohio presbytery as they organize to be Christ’s face, hands, and feet in the world. Help them avoid making idols of old or new organizations. Give them the strength to pursue your way. Amen.
Ps. 22, 148 Ps. 105, 130
Jer. 5:1–9
Rom. 2:25–3:18; John 5:30–47
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