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september 2012

Celebrating SummerPREPARING FOR FALL

Presbyterian Church GovernmentSESSIONS, PRESBYTERIES, AND GENERAL ASSEMBLIES … OH MY!

BRANCHESBRANCHESBRANCHES

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Someone once told me that you don’t know what you have said until you know what others have heard. I thought that was helpful. You DON’T KNOW what you have said, until you know what others HAVE HEARD. Makes sense doesn’t it? For someone like me who “says things” for a living, that statement can be a blessing and a curse.

I regularly get asked by people about the “Mission and Vision” of Southwood. The question comes in many forms: some will say, “I don’t really know what our Mission and Vision is.” Others ask for clarifi cation and say, “I don’t really understand what our Mission and Vision means.”

To some people I think my response to those questions sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher: “Bla bla…bla, bla, bla, bla…bla, bla…MISSION…bla, bla, bla…VISION…bla….bla, bla, bla, blaaaaa GRACE bla, bla, bla…” No real communication is occurring even though I might think it is. Telling people that our Vision is to

“advance the Kingdom of God” will get them to nod. Following that with the explanation that we accomplish the Vision by embracing the Mission to “experience and express grace” will get people to nod again. The nodding indicates that they are hearing, but not that we’ve achieved understanding.

When people say to me, “I don’t really know what our Mission is.” I have learned they aren’t saying that they have trouble parsing those vocabulary words “EXPERIENCE and EXPRESS GRACE” which are written on the back of our bulletin every week. They are actually saying that they are having diffi culty parsing those concepts into their daily lives. People might say, “I don’t know what our Mission is.” but what they mean is that they need help putting the “EXPERIENCE and EXPRESS GRACE” into practice on a day-to-day basis.

It is my job to take the “bla bla bla” out of the explanation and try to give practical input so that “what is heard” is actually the substance of what is being spoken. So, what does it mean to “EXPERIENCE and EXPRESS” grace?

First of all, it isn’t a slogan. It is actually a substantive statement with Biblical foundations. Jesus taught us to “love one another” the way He had loved us. You could restate Jesus’ command by saying that he taught us to EXPRESS love to others in the same way that we have EXPERIENCED love from him. To further apply this truth we must ask ourselves what the expression of His love toward us looked like. That is where grace comes in. The expression of His love toward us is summarized by the word “grace.”

Grace is simply an all-inclusive term for God’s unmerited favor toward sinners. We don’t deserve His favor. We can’t earn His favor. We are unable to “merit” any positive disposition from a Holy God toward us. Therefore to postulate that God would have a favorable disposition on His part toward us (i.e. love) for reasons that are utterly outside of and in spite of ourselves must have something more to do with His character than ours. His positive, unmerited and favorable disposition toward us is called grace.

As Christians we initially EXPERIENCE that unmerited favor at our conversion, but we re-experience and renew our understanding of that unmerited favor on a daily basis. Our sin gives us many opportunities for that! This daily experience of grace becomes the foundational motivation and platform by which we express grace to other people. Again, to use Jesus’ words, he taught us that those who have been forgiven much, love much. In Jesus’ teaching there is a direct correlation between the expression of love (or grace) toward others and one’s own personal experience of love (or grace) from Christ toward them.

In Christianity there is a profound and correct emphasis on the expression of love. This is Biblical and correct. However, our motivation for this expressive love is not found in “oughts” or “shoulds” (i.e. the Law). It is found in the changed heart. The Scriptures teach that we love because He fi rst loved us. We EXPRESS love because we fi rst EXPERIENCE love. The Bible does not set up a paradigm where we love because he fi rst told us or taught us or commanded us to love. It is because He fi rst showed us His love. We express grace toward others because of our profound experience of grace from Him toward us.

This month we will resume our study in the book of Galatians. Paul will argue that the experience of grace ALWAYS LEADS TO the expression of grace! As we head toward Galatians chapter 5 we will see Paul’s argument that the “fruit of the Spirit” must be expressed in the lives of those who claim to have experienced the grace of God! Additionally, for the next few months in BRANCHES we will continue to unpack these concepts to ensure that what is being said is actually being heard.

P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H

1000 Carl T. Jones Drive | Huntsville, Alabama 35802

(256) 882-3085 | www.southwood.org

BRANCHES

JEAN F. LARROUX, III Senior PastorMELISSA PATTERSON Executive AssistantBOB BRADSHAW Executive Director/Director of Adult Ministries

Adult MinistriesBILL NASH Associate Pastor/Director of Small GroupsSARAH NIEMITZ Director of Community Development/AssimilationJAMES PARKER Chief MusicianWILL SPINK Associate Pastor/Director of ShepherdingSHARON DUTCHER Administrative Assistant

Student MinistriesKIM DELCHAMPS Administrative AssistantNINA BANTA Director of Creative ArtsKEN STUART Associate Pastor/Director of Children’s MinistryNANCY McCREIGHT Assistant Director of PreK - 2ndCHAD TOWNSLEY Associate Pastor/Director of Junior High-Life KEN LEGGETT Associate Pastor/Director of High-LifeKAYLA STANFIELD Assistant Director of 11th & 12th GradeWINNIE WINFORD Assistant Director of 9th & 10th Grade

Ministry SupportPAT TRAPANE BookkeeperJULIA VESS ReceptionistJONATHAN BARNETTE Director of CommunicationJACKI GIL Graphic DesignerJANICE CROWSON Director of Facilities/OfficeLYNDA CLAYDON FacilitiesMIKE MARREN FacilitiesJEFF TOWNSLEY Facilities

Editor-in-Chief Jonathan BarnetteDesigner Jacki Gil

CONTRIBUTORSBob BradshawChad TownsleyWill SpinkSarah Niemitz PHOTOSJonathan Barnette

pastor’s note

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cover photoPhoto taken by Jonathan Barnette of Ordination and Installation of our new Elders.

Jean F. Larroux, III

Eschew Obfuscation...

september 2012

sunday seminarsWe will begin a new trimester of Sunday Seminars beginning the Sunday

after Labor Day (there will be no Christian Education on Labor Day weekend).

Our goal hasn’t changed: to teach seminary level class curricula in a relaxed,

interactive environment.

The fall trimester of seminars will begin Sunday morning, September 9th, at

9:45am, with each seminar teacher providing a ten-minute overview of his class

curriculum. This will allow for anyone interested in attending one of these classes

to hear a little about each class curriculum to better understand the course.

The courses, teachers and a short summary of each are provided for your review.

Welcome to Southwood This class will introduce you to the basics of Christianity, Southwood, and

church membership. While you may pursue formal church membership

at the end, this is not the primary goal. The objective is to help you get

connected to the body of Christ, to answer your questions, and to help you

get involved with the mission of Southwood.

The Gospel of MarkFor even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and

to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). The Gospel of Mark is

generally believed to be the fi rst of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke

and John). It is considered the model and often the source for the other

gospels. Mark’s Gospel is about the gospel of the kingdom—the return

of the kingdom of God that has come back into the world and history

because Christ is the true King. Christ comes in a way that reverses the

values of the world. He comes in weakness and service, not strength and

force to die as a ransom for us. During this Sunday Seminar we will study

the life of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Mark.

Discipleship: A Walk to RememberBy nature, disciples of Jesus are producers, not consumers. And so,

discipleship fails when we reduce it to a passive act of being taught about

Jesus. It certainly isn’t less than this. It’s more. True discipleship is costly.

Our time, energy, relationships and resources are to be held with open

hands ready to be gladly given away to the glory of God. This seminar

will explore the source for a lifelong walk of radical self-forgetfulness and

profound love for God and others. Whether you’re new to Christianity, or

you’re longing for a new beginning, this seminar is for you.

The Peacemaker: Changing confl ict resolutionHow do we act like the Body of Christ when it matters most—when we do

not want to? We will study what scripture says about confl ict resolution

and seek God’s direction for the future of Southwood as it relates to

confl ict resolution.

by Bob Bradshaw

session updateWith great excitement the newly constituted Session of Southwood met for its fi rst

meeting Monday, August 20th. The Session began with prayer and then received an

update and exhortation from the members of the Temporary Session of Southwood.

The Session thanked the members of the Temporary Session for their hard work and

dedication to Southwood.

As a part of general business, the Session received the following statement from the

Associate Pastors of Southwood: “As the Care Committee recommended to us, we

hereby conclude our voluntary sabbaticals and resume our Session membership at this

time.1” We desire to serve until we as the full Session can address the recommendations

of the Care Committee and consider a rotation system and/or other policies for the

makeup of the Session moving forward. We eagerly submit ourselves to our brothers on

the Session and hold our service on this Session as a high privilege and calling but one

that we hold in an open hand for the sake of Christ and his church.”

The Session of Southwood received this statement with thanksgiving and committed

to study such a rotation plan and voting policy for the full membership of the Session—

including both Associate Pastor Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders.

The Session received a fi nancial update and began to develop a strategic plan for

short-term spending, cuts and any necessary alterations to the budget. In light of

this, the Session called a congregational meeting on September 16th for the purpose

of updating the congregation on the current status of our fi nances, discussing the

upcoming 2013 budget and the election of church trustees. The Session has planned

a budget workshop for Saturday, September 8th and requests prayer from the

congregation that God would give them wisdom in their deliberations.

The Session received notice that Executive Director Bob Bradshaw would be

resigning effective September 8th to transition to the position of Director of

Ministries at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee with Rev. Scott

Sauls, formerly of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York, NY. Hands were laid

on Bob as the Session prayed for God’s blessing on his future ministry. Executive

Director Bradshaw noted to the Session his deep love for Southwood and

concurrent sense of calling to Nashville. The Session received his resignation with

thanksgiving for his years of service.

A Diaconate update was given as the Session received and approved resignations

from the following deacons: Paul DuPre, David Hoover, Scott Johnson, Carl

Jones, Jack Loose, Randy Petcher, David Ricks, Philip Sommers, Chip Sullins, Sean

Williamson and Brand Griffi n. The Session is thankful to God and each of the men

for the service they have provided to Southwood.

The Session approved the Fall 2012 slate of classes for Christian Education

including Welcome to Southwood for potential new members; The Book of Mark,Peacemakers and The Walk by Stephen Smallman. In the conclusion of business,

church memberships were received and transferred and updates where given on

reconciliation within the Southwood body.

Though Southwood remains in a challenging season, the Session is constantly

encouraged by where God the Father is leading her. Please continue to pray for

the leadership of Southwood as they lead Southwood in making a lasting mark on

the city of Huntsville and on the kingdom of God across the world.

1 Report from the Ad Hoc Committee of the Pastoral Care Committee of Providence Presbytery

• What is an elder, and why do we have them? The word “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word “Presbuteros,” which means “elder.” Thus a Presbyterian church is one led by elders.Southwood recently nominated, elected, ordained, and installed new Ruling Elders to

be the Session of Southwood, to lead, nurture, and govern this particular congregation.

Why do we bother to have elders anyway? Where does an elder’s authority actually

come from? Where does a Session fit in our denomination as a whole? Keep reading!

One of the theological emphases of Presbyterians is the sovereignty

of God —that Jesus is the Ruler of all the world and particularly the

King and Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Thus, Jesus is the source of all true

authority, and He is the one who has commissioned his church to exercise spiritual

authority through his Word and sacraments (Matthew 28:16-20). Jesus gives this

authority to the entire church (all his followers) and in particular to those

whom God calls and the church selects to be officers in the church.

Elders ordained in our denomination, the Presbyterian Church

in America (PCA), are a part of three groups (“church courts”)

to help govern the church: Sessions, Presbyteries, and the

General Assembly. The PCA teaches the plurality and

parity of elders. Plurality means that there should

never be an elder ruling by himself; more than one

is necessary for the establishment of a church.

Parity means that all elders, whether teaching

or ruling, are equal in authority and vote.

What We’re ReadingOn Being Presbyterian is a great introduction to the theology, practices, and history of Presbyterianism. This book will help readers appreciate not only the “what” of Presbyterian characteristics but also the “why” behind some Presbyterian distinctives. Sean Michael Lucas has been both a pastor and a seminary professor and writes in a way that is accessible and helpful to new and old Presbyterians alike.

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SESSIONWHO?

WHAT?

WHEN?

A local church’s Ruling Elders, Senior Pastor, Associate Pastors elected by the congregation

Oversees and cares for local church and its members

Meets at least monthly

The biblical basis for organizing a church with elders (and deacons) comes primarily from the New Testament epistles, where Paul addresses the elders and deacons of particular churches (e.g. Philippians 1:1) and also commands Timothy, Titus, and others to appoint elders in various churches (I Timothy 3, Titus 1).

In the PCA there are two classes of elders: ruling and teaching. Ruling elders are members of local churches and elected by their congregation. Teaching elders (pastors) are members of the regional presbytery and are called to serve by a local church. I Timothy 5:17 implies some distinction among elders.

WHO?

WHAT?

WHEN?

A geographical region’s Teaching Elders (pastors) and representative Ruling Elders sent by each local church

Organizes new churches in area, Ordains Teaching Elders, Reviews records of each Session

Meets quarterly

Southwood is a member of Providence Presbytery, which consists of 17 PCA churches in North Alabama, from Cullman up to the Tennessee state line.

Providence Presbytery was formed in 2009 out of Evangel Presbytery. Evangel had grown very large and still includes PCA churches in the Birmingham area and beyond, but Providence is now able to focus its efforts more particularly to North Alabama.

PRESBYTERY

GENERAL ASSEMBLYWHO?WHAT?WHEN?

All denomination’s Teaching Elders (pastors) and representing particular churches’ Ruling Elders

Speaks for and directs denomination as a whole, approves changes in constitution (approved by lower courts)

Meets annually

In recent years there have been around 1,000 voting delegates (teaching elders and ruling elders) participating in a given General Assembly. Many other guests attend these open meetings.

The first General Assembly is recounted in Acts 15 and is often called the Jerusalem Council. Attendees included Paul, Peter, Barnabas, and James. This first gathering of church leaders focused on issues between Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus.

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Our bodies and hearts are

resting, we have finished

unpacking our bags, and

our towels and swimsuits

have just finished drying

off. What does this mean?

It means that another

memorable summer of

ministry is over. The youth

staff and volunteers of

High-Life were blessed to

spend great time with a lot

of our wonderful students

during the summer. Here’s

a snapshot of some of what

the summer included.

In late June, the staff and

volunteers of Jr. High-Life

spent a fantastic week together

at Covenant College with

over 50 of our students, as

we engaged with 600 other

students from around the

country. Our week was filled

with laughter, late nights,

unforgettable worship,

challenging teaching, small

group time, one-on-one time

with students, a water park,

junk food and all the bonds

that come with the memories

made during a summer week

together.

Rock River Retreat,

a new trip for the

freshmen and

sophomores of Sr.

High-Life was a

wonderful success.

Our 75 students and

volunteers spent

the first weekend

of August at Horn’s

Creek Lodge in

Ocoee, TN making

memories with each

other and learning

more of what engagement in

Sr. High-Life’s community and

small groups looks like. This

was an extremely valuable

time, as we look to reach the

students of High-Life and

Huntsville early in the school

year and give them a place to

belong before the hustle and

bustle of another semester

begins.

As you have hopefully heard

the youth department say,

High-Life never “resumes”

but rather, “continues” into

the beginning of each

semester. In that

spirit, we took two

days in the middle

of August to clean-

up and prepare for

the guests who will

be in our midst this

semester. We were

excited and over-

joyed to sweep the

corners and crevices

of the Lodge and even

clean and polish the

furniture and fixtures

of the building. We do

this so that we might

present a truer picture

of the splendor and

beauty of the kingdom

to our students as they

spend time in the Lodge.

Will you pray with us as we look

forward to spending time in

teaching, worship and small

groups with each student who

comes through our ministry this

semester. Please pray that God

will work despite and through

our brokenness and that each

student would be eternally

changed by the gospel during

the coming season of ministry.

celebrating summer–preparing for fall!by Chad Townsley

spend great time with a lot

of our wonderful students

during the summer. Here’s

a snapshot of some of what

In late June, the staff and

more of what engagement in

Sr. High-Life’s community and

small groups looks like. This

was an extremely valuable

time, as we look to reach the

students of High-Life and

Huntsville early in the school

year and give them a place to

belong before the hustle and

bustle of another semester

begins.

As you have hopefully heard

spent a fantastic week together

the beginning of each

up and prepare for

the guests who will

be in our midst this

semester. We were semester. We were

excited and over-

joyed to sweep the

corners and crevices

of the Lodge and even

clean and polish the

furniture and fixtures

of the building. We do

this so that we might

present a truer picture

of the splendor and

beauty of the kingdom

to our students as they

Will you pray with us as we look

forward to spending time in

teaching, worship and small

groups with each student who

comes through our ministry this

semester. Please pray that God

will work despite and through

our brokenness and that each

september 2012

by Sarah Niemitz

on changing fl at tires and serving in the nurserywe can call to “change our flat tire” because we were not prepared for the responsibilities that come with membership. Below are four ways that you can roll up your sleeves and take ownership

of the responsibilities that are yours as members of Southwood. These are not the only ways to serve, but these are four

particularly pressing needs we face today.

First, our nursery age children need 49 volunteers to serve once a quarter, and 2 co-teachers for the two-year-olds each Sunday.

Second, our PreK-6th grade children need 5 more teachers once a month, and 15 more co-leaders for weekly small groups.

Third, our Junior High-Life students need volunteers willing to serve on Sundays from

9:45-10:45am during Sunday School as well as volunteers to serve on Wednesday nights from

6-7:30pm at Junior High-Life.

Finally, our adults need volunteers willing to serve quarterly or more as ushers on Sunday mornings during the worship service.

If this is your church I encourage you to press the Big Red Button and take ownership of the responsibilities that are yours. We need you!

I will never forget one of my first dates in college. We were driving back from a concert when the tire on my date’s brand new BMW blew out. I learned then that my date did not know how to change a tire. My father had taught me how before I received my driver’s license and I was confident about every detail except where I should place the jack. This was not my Jeep; this was a BMW, and I knew that if I placed the jack in the wrong spot I could do serious damage to the car. So at 2:00am my date made the near-fatal error of asking me to call my father to confirm where to place the jack.

My dad was furious—not that I was out at 2:00am with a boy, mind you, but that I was on a date with a boy who could not change a tire! A man who wears a suit to work and does not change his own oil, my dad still believes there are certain responsibilities that come with car ownership, and changing a tire is one of them. Dad was not about to let me date a young man who enjoyed the privileges of ownership but was unprepared for the responsibilities that came with it.

Much like car ownership, membership in a church body comes with both privileges and responsibility. When we take our membership vows we promise “to support the church in its worship and work to the best of our ability,” but all too often we are wondering who else

Help us tackle a few big projects and spend time with each other in the process. Your participation with this event will help Southwood save money on some necessary facility maintenance and repairs. Families with young children are welcome as long as parents are supervising. Plan to wear long pants and sleeves, and bring a sack lunch and gloves.

We will have work suitable for different skill levels, but we will need a few tools. If you have any of the following items please bring them with you: shovels, rakes, hand spades, landscaping picks, paint brushes.

Email sarah.niemitz@southwood.org to RSVP so that we can plan our work for an accurate number of people.

Harvest HeyDay is always fantastic, and this year we

are adding a little something extra—a Chili Cook-off! Small

groups will sign up to compete for the best chili and the best

thematic decorations; there will be prizes! 

We encourage you to sign up with your small group, or with a small group of friends. You

make the best chili you can, bring whatever fi xings make it perfect, and plan to decorate your tailgating tent and table

with your team’s theme! Email Sarah Niemitz at sarah.niemitz@southwood.org to sign up and get more

details.You won’t want to miss it!

SEPTEMBER 16

Updates on finances, 2013 budget, and election of church trustees at 9:45am.

Congregational Meeting

OCTOBER 21

Join us from 3-6pm for children’s games, live music and a chili cook-o !

Harvest HeyDay

@southwood.org@southwood.org@southwood.org@southwood.org

How to find an area where you can serve.

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1 Go to southwood.org and click the “Big Red Button.”

Choose a category and a specific areawhere you would like to serve.

Click the “Serve Here” button and you will be connected to the coordinator of the serving opportunity.