I realize that it's been too long since I've blogged. I need to blog more, I know. But, while we've been busy, only recently has anything happened that I consider blog-worthy.

Last week David came under care of our presbytery. For all my non-presbyterian friends let me explain what a presbytery is and what coming under care means. Within any presbyterian denomination (there are a number; we're in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination) a group of local churches come together to be a presbytery. Presbyteries in turn, come together to form the larger body of church government; in our case it's called General Synod. Each level is a system of accountability -- churches are accountable to presbyteries, who are accountable to the general synod. Presbyteries are made up of teaching elders (ministers) and ruling elders. Ruling elders are also members of their local church. Ministers are members of presbyteries only. First Presbyterian Church is in the Catawba Presbytery.

Now that you have a glimpse of a presbytery, let me explain what coming under care means. David stood, first before our Session (elders in the church), and then before presbytery, and stated his intention of pursuing the Gospel Ministry as a preacher. He was required to give his testimony and why he felt like God was calling him to the ministry. By voting to allow him to come under care, the presbytery 1. affirmed his call to the ministry and 2. will begin to hold him accountable as he moves forward in his studies. He will also begin fulfilling the requirements of liscensure and ultimately ordination.

The reason why he came under care even though he is still several years away from completing his studies is that Dr. Ferguson wanted him to. David actually wanted to wait, but Dr. Ferguson wants to start including our seminary students (3 of them) in participating in our eveing service. That is very exciting for David. On the flip side, it does put a bit more pressure on him to finish his studies.

David also broke up with his business partner this fall. As the year has progressed, it became apparent that they had very different goals and ideas about work. It was a stressful year. Please pray for him as he faces some big projects on his own now. And pray for me that I will know best how to support him.

As for me, in about 6 weeks my boss celebrates his one-year anniversary as being senior minister of First Pres. Have I enjoyed working for him? You bet! He's godly, pleasant, funny, respectful of me and pretty easy to work for. Besides, I've had more overseas phone calls in 1 year than I ever have in my life. What fun is that? And, I've been pretty busy. It's exciting to see all the positive changes at church (they also have me busy trying to keep up with him).

That's about it. I do suspect I'll have more to blog soon. After all, next Wednesday is a very big day in my life.