The Presbytery of East Iowa
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| Here comes this dreamer. . . . Come now, let us kill him . . . then we shall see what will become of his dream” (Gen. 37:20). How many times have dreams been lost or hidden in congregations or presbyteries? Is it any wonder that people and churches are hesitant to dream big dreams for their futures? The Presbytery of East Iowa has decided that moving into the twenty-first century requires dreaming about the future, developing a vision with its churches, and providing spiritual leadership from pastors and elders.
Congregations entering into the presbytery-led visioning process ask many and varied questions. Where does our church need to direct its thinking, resources, and ministries? What is needed to strengthen spiritual growth in our members? How do we as a church interact with twenty-first-century culture? Where are we heading as a congregation? How will we get there or know if we have gotten there? The Presbytery of East Iowa focuses on helping churches formulate a goals and objectives-driven vision with the congregation. The practical application of this visioning process is establishing a task force from within the congregation whose goals are to analyze the current level of functionality, recognize resistance to forward motion, generate excitement and commitment from the session and members, implement the changes needed, and ultimately realize the dream within their congregations. Over 18 congregations have completed the 40–60 hour process, and twenty congregations are anticipating presbytery support to initiate this activity. Congregations that have developed a vision report increased commitment to prayer, Bible study, stewardship, mission outreach, small groups, and joyous fellowship. East Iowans are dreamers. They realistically recognize that not all dreams need to be pursued, but they expect that God will embrace their dreams, born out of love, to grow stronger congregations and to increase their mission outreach in the future. The presbytery’s 84 churches have 16,608 members. |
 Elder Mary Jane Jakobsen, member, GAC Presbytery Staff Elder Harry D. Olthoff, general presbyter/facilitator Rev. Dr. R. Dixon Jennings, stated clerk Rev. Paul R. Skelley, treasurer Darlene M. Bergman, music and liturgy consultant Elder Medora B. Hix, continuing education consultant Elder Harry G. Hoyt, committee on ministry consultant Rev. Scott A. Nesbitt, dean of the CLP program Elder Heidi K. Techau, visioning consultant Joy E. Bayshore, administrative assistant/meetings and schedules Pamela S. Prather, administrative assistant/finance Marue White, administrative assistant to general presbyter Rev. Mark W. Martin, new pastor development Rev. Dr. Martha Montovani, new pastor development Rev. Nancy C. Oehler, pastor continuing education Rev. Michael W. Spangler, Brazil partnership Rebecca Blair, recording secretary PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Elsa Santin, NMD Luisa Luce Satterly, CMD Rev. Teresa Chavez Sauceda, NMD |
 “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Luke 9:48). |
 Ps. 56, 111, 118, 149 Hos. 14:1–9 Acts 28:17–31; Luke 9:37–50 |
