Six Months as the Moderator

A Reflection on a Presbytery United in Hope and Purpose
by Moderator Carson Brown

As we turn the page into July, I’m reflecting on this halfway point in my term as Peace River’s 2023 Presbytery Moderator. These past six months have been filled with new adventures, exciting introductions, and opportunities to meet hundreds of disciples serving Jesus Christ from Palmetto to Naples.

Your presbytery leadership has been busy in 2023. So far this year, we’ve installed six pastors. Each of these services included unique and special elements owing to the gifts and stories of pastor and congregation. The service of Rev. Genevieve Beauchamp (who we also ordained!) at Church of the Palms in Sarasota was illuminated by her abundant musical gifts. Rev. Jaco Bester incorporated installation traditions from South Africa, bridging his heritage with his future at Burnt Store in Punta Gorda. Rev. Ed Dawkins at Northminster in Sarasota included participants from the other side of the world and from his very own family. Rev. Scott Andrews at Community in Englewood requested each of his attendees to wear Hawaiian shirts, requiring some last-minute thrifting by a few of us! Rev. Jody McKewen completed his service at Trinity in Venice with a stunning rendition of “How Great Thou Art” as sung by Elvis, and Rev. Timothy Boggess honored the rich history of First Presbyterian of Sarasota through a service intentionally designed to celebrate the past while looking toward the future. Later this year, we’ll install Rev. Alex Regets as Lead Pastor of Kirkwood in Bradenton. In addition, we’ve welcomed several wonderful transitional pastors to Southwest Florida while saying farewell to many gifted teaching elders who have served our presbytery and its congregations faithfully throughout the past several years.

One of my privileges this year has been receiving the opportunity to join with our presbytery congregations, as I work toward my goal of worshipping with each member church through either a Sunday morning or installation service by year’s end. Traveling to new towns and making new friends has highlighted for me the rich diversity that makes our presbytery so unique. We are truly a tapestry of believers, all united by our faith but distinct in how we serve, worship, and work. As a presbytery, we affirm and celebrate this diversity. Peace River includes churches of vastly different sizes and stories. Some have wooden pews; others have cushioned chairs. Some distribute food; others collect it. Some are near the beach; others are alongside neighborhood homes.

Amidst this assortment of traditions, ministry priorities, and theological convictions, we come to clearly see the unity of our connectional nature. We are one body with many parts, spread over 150 miles to do the work of Jesus Christ, each in service to our calling. Indeed, this is something to celebrate!

In November, the Communication, Connection, and Community Team will invite you to join fellow church leaders at Cedarkirk for our “second annual” presbytery retreat, where we’ll gather for rest, retreat, and reflection on Romans 12, a keystone theme of our presbytery’s work this year. Together, as one body, we discover how God is continually calling us to step into something new. Your presbytery leadership is here to help with that.

Last year, while attending the conference sponsored by the denomination for incoming mid-council moderators, I was struck (and frightened) by its suggestion that the Moderator must be prepared to serve as a “spiritual leader” for their presbytery. While I’m still frightened by the thought, and more than a little unsure of how to live into that expectation, I think I’m getting a bit warmer in my search. Throughout the past few months, two of my church visits have been with Chapel by the Sea and St. Paul’s Presbyterian in their temporary locations. In the resiliency, energy, and hope of these congregations, I find a renewed truth: tragedy like a hurricane may tear down our buildings, but it cannot tear down the soul of a united church. As Presbyterians, our awesome responsibility is to extend our hands to our congregations in need, knowing they will do the same when our time to need it arrives. I’m still not entirely sure what it means to be a spiritual leader, but I think it must have something to do with being a empowerer and cheerleader of and for this truth, that Romans 12 most clearly comes alive when we understand that we are united in everything, including moments of triumph and tragedy, courage and conviction, and faith and hope for the future. These two congregations are evidence of this unity at work, and they are inspirations for all of us. Their courage and endurance are sparks of something new to come, especially as they continue to covet our prayers and support as they discern their futures. As they do, I have faith that our presbytery and its churches will be walking alongside them, and that’s what spiritual leadership is all about; in my quest to become a spiritual leader, I see the qualities of one most clearly lived out through each of you.

I don’t know if “Six Months as the Moderator” makes for a better autobiography or movie title, but I’m excited to spend the next six finding out. I’m so blessed and thankful for your support of our presbytery and me personally as you’ve welcomed me into your churches. I’m thrilled to visit with those of you with whom I have not yet had the chance.

I hope you’ll keep me alerted of special events happening in your congregation and community so I may join you for them. Please, too, let me know how I can be of service to you, your congregation, and its leadership as you continually step into your spark for something new.

May God bless you as you do.