Ah, the circle of life polity continues and as we roll out the new Book of Order completing the amendment process from the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we now start to look ahead to the 220th.  The sure signs of the new General Assembly are in the air with presbyteries working on overtures, PC-Biz has the category (but no content), the logo is out there, advocacy groups are rolling out web sites, and in a sure sign of a new GA season we have a sighting of the first robin Moderator candidate of the new season.  Yes, all is right with the world.

So as we enter this new cycle we welcome Teaching Elder Neal Presa who was recently endorsed by the Elizabeth Presbytery where he is currently serving as the Moderator. His current call is as the pastor of Middlesex Presbyterian Church in Middlesex, New Jersey.

He has an extensive biographical sketch from the presbytery meeting that lists his education and service to the denomination.  Following the meeting there was also a presbytery press release. Since then all the usual media sources have posted their articles including PresbyWeb, Presbyterian Outlook and the Presbyterian News Service. And one of his many alma maters, San Francisco Theological Seminary, has issued their own news story, and in what in my experience is record time for this sort of thing.

After looking through all of this material I have decided not to undertake the daunting task of consolidating all of Mr. Presa’s accomplishments into this story.  Let me summarize his educational background by just saying that he has three different flavors of Masters’ degrees and a Ph.D. in liturgical studies from Drew University. In fact the PresbyWeb article quotes the presbytery info making note of his varied education saying:

1. Neal has diverse theological experiences through attending
Westminster Theological Seminary in California, then obtaining his M.
Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary, later receiving a Th.M.
from Princeton Theological Seminary, and finally earning a M. Phil. and
a Ph.D. from Drew University. At this juncture in PCUSA history, we believe
Neal clearly understands different theological convictions and has the
acumen to bridge theological divides.

Have to agree there – WTS California to SFTS is a unique theological combination.

His service to the denomination is also extensive and among the many ways that he has been involved maybe the most timely one is as Chair of the General Assembly Special Committee on the Heidelberg Catechism which is due to report to the 220th GA.  (Note a trend here – Ms. Bolbach was the Co-Moderator of the nFOG Task Force that reported to the 218th and 219th GA.) 

It is also worth noting that he has authored multiple books, as well as being a Cub Scout leader and soccer coach.

As he stands for Moderator of the General Assembly he has launched his web site introducing himself and his thoughts about the denomination. On the front page are his bullet points “for such a time as this” we are called to:

• A Renaissance of service for Christ’s mission.
• A Recommitment to journey together.
• A fresh sense of being Reformed and always being Reformed, according to God’s Word and Spirit.

He invites us to connect with him by means of Twitter (@nealpresa) or his Facebook page.

So we have entered the new cycle and we know that there is much more coming in the nine month we have until the 220th General Assembly convenes in Pittsburgh.  I hope you will join me on the journey.