Congregation Adopts Bylaw Amendment

On Wednesday evening, February 8 at a called Congregational Meeting, ZPC's membership voted 112 to 15 to adopt the following amendment to the church's bylaws as presented to them by session:

"It is the policy of Zionsville Presbyterian Church that each teaching elder, ruling elder, and deacon serving in pastoral relationships or as officers of the church shall adhere to biblical standards of personal sexual behavior, including sexual fidelity within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and chastity in singleness."

The language is similar to what had been a part of the PC(USA) Book of Order until last May when it was replaced by an amendment which allows for local governing bodies to decide on each person's "calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office." In addition, the PC(USA) Book of Order amendment replaced a section which called for the leader to "lead a life in obedience to Scripture" with "governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture." While these changes seem subtle at first glance, the session felt that they clearly lowered the ordination standards which historically we have followed.

In humility, realizing that all of us are sinners and in need of God's gracious forgiveness, by this action, ZPC is attempting to be obedient to the Bible as we understand it. Following the example of Jesus, we are called to continue to reach out in love and compassion to all people who, like us, are less than perfect. We continue to be "Called together by God to make disciples and release them for service in our broken world."

New Elders and Deacons Elected

At the congregational meeting last Sunday, the following church officers were elected:

Elders (3-year term): Don Armstrong, Jeff Colton, Kevin Schmidt, and Liz Todd.

Deacons (3-year term): Sarah Gray, Greg McDaniel, Andy Minor, Chris Shrader, Gloria Stanek, Kurt Strueh, Christy Tharp, and Scott Weathers.

Interim Senior Pastor Hired

The Interim Pastor Search Committee (IPSC) is pleased to announce that the Rev.
Jim Capps has agreed to become the interim senior pastor of Zionsville Presbyterian Church. The Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry has approved the details that has allowed Jim’s installation, effective September 1.

Jim retired as senior pastor of Southport Presbyterian Church and most recently served as the interim senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church San Antonio. In his more than 40 years of ministry, Jim has served on the Board of Kairos Prison Ministry International and was a spiritual director on two Kairos events in Maghaberry Prison just outside of Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has served as a spiritual director on approximately 80 Great Banquet type weekends. Jim has helped lead 13 building campaigns in the churches he has served. Please welcome Jim and Alice Capps to the ZPC family.

Interim Pastor Candidate Identified

During services on Sunday, August 14, Interim Pastor Search Committee (IPSC) Chairman Randy Lafoon reported that the committee and session had offered, if the way be clear (Presbyterian parlance if all the details can be worked out), a call (offer) to the Rev. Jim Capps to be the interim senior pastor of Zionsville Prebyterian Church. 

Rev. Capps has accepted this call, if the way be clear.

On Wednesday, August 31, the IPSC will take this arrangement before the Whitewater Valley Presbytery's Committee on Ministry for their approval. If approved and details of the contract worked out in a timely fashion, Rev. Capps could be installed as interim senior pastor in September.

Rev. Capps retired as senior pastor of Southport Presbyterian Church and has been serving as the interim senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church San Antonio. Below is information from their website about Rev. Capps:

Jim Capps was born in Michigan City, Ind., and grew up in southwestern Michigan. His faith journey began in a little country church when he was 9 years old. He graduated from a small high school where he served as the president of his class as well as president of the student council. He also won letters in four sports.

Jim is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Indiana Central College, Indianapolis and the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has done doctoral studies at LPTS as well as Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif. He is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Westminster College, Fulton, Mo. Jim took interim pastor training at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

In more than 40 years of ministry, Jim served as a youth director of a church in Indianapolis while attending college and his first year of seminary before becoming the student pastor of a small church in Southern Indiana his last two years of seminary. He served as an assistant, associate and co-pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, Illinois, before serving as the senior pastor of the Bonhomme Presbyterian Church, Chesterfield, Missouri, and the Southport Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Elected to the first national Board of Directors of Presbyterians for Renewal, Jim served as both vice-president and president during those early years. Jim has served on the Board of Kairos Prison Ministry International and was a spiritual director on two Kairos events in Maghaberry Prison just outside of Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has served as a spiritual director on approximately 80 “Cursillio” type weekends. Jim has helped give leadership to 13 building campaigns in the churches he has served.

Jim and his wife, Alice, a graduate of Indiana University, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2009. They are the proud parents of Becky, who is a graduate of Wheaton College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and has been an associate pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, South Carolina, for nearly six years. Becky will be married in Spartanburg on April 24, 2010. Jim and Alice are also the proud parents of Minnie, a 5½ pound Yorkie, who they inherited from Alice’s mother.

As an avid sports fan, Jim served as president of the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in St. Louis. He officiated chapel services for the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals and the then St. Louis Football Cardinals. From his boyhood he has been a loyal fan of the University of Michigan Wolverines and has become a diehard Indianapolis Colts fan. Jim also enjoys reading and movies. 

Interim Pastor Update

With Senior Pastor Glenn McDonald’s departure on July 31, 2011, the Interim Pastor Search Committee has officially been formed. This committee is comprised of the 11 elders (which doesn’t include the associate pastors) and is chaired by elder Randy Laffoon. The committee has met with the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry (COM) and began interviewing the candidates the COM has brought forth. Please keep the Interim Pastor Search Committee, the candidates, and ZPC in your prayers during this process.

For details of this process, check out the Interim Pastor FAQs (PDF) and the Interim Pastor Timeline (PDF).

Celebrating the McDonalds

On Saturday, July 30, ZPC celebrated the 28-year-long ministry of Glenn and Mary Sue McDonald with a dinner event at the church. If you missed the evenings festivities or want to see or hear them again, click on the links below.

McDonald Celebreation Audio (119.3 MB mp3)

McDonald Celebration Video, Part 1 

McDonald Celebration Video, Part 2

Glenn's New Call

During services on Sunday, June 5, Senior Pastor Glenn McDonald talked about a new call for his ministry. Watch the video below to hear where God is leading Glenn in the days and months ahead.

Additionally, Glenn wrote a letter to the congregation. Read that letter here (PDF). Do you have more questions? FAQ (frequently asked question) documents have been prepared to help answer them:

• Glenn McDonald + Interim Pastor FAQs (PDF)
• Interim Pastor Timeline (PDF)

Still have questions? ZPC's leadership board, the session, along with our Presbytery's Committee on Ministry is guiding our next steps. Contact session members here.

New Sunday Structure Approved

On Tuesday, April 5, after many hours of meetings, conversations, and evaluation of congregational feedback, the session, our governing board, approved the Vision Team for Worship & Education’s proposal to restructure Sunday morning as follows:

• Effective May 29, we will shift to two, 60-minute Sunday services at 9 am and 10:30 am. 
• The 8 am & Chapel at 9:30 am services will be discontinued on that date.
• Beginning August 21, we will offer quality educational programming for adults and children during each of the two worship hours.

On Sunday, March 27, Senior Pastor Glenn McDonald detailed the various components of this recommendation. If you missed this conversation, be sure to watch his talk and review the various documents below.

» Worship and Education Frequently Asked Questions [PDF]

2011 All-Church Study

In January and February, small groups and individuals are encouraged to engage in ZPC's all-church study and sermon series around the book "Radical" by David Platt. In the book, Platt invites you to encounter what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, and then obey what you have heard. Not part of a small group? View a list of available groups and then join a one.

In March, we will encourage ZPCers to take part in the one-year Radical Experiment. The book and our leaders will go into much greater detail, but in summary form the Radical Experiment is to:

• Pray for the entire world
• Read through the entire Bible
• Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose
• Spend your time in another context
• Commit your life to a multiplying community.

Want to learn more? Pick up a copy of Radical at a local bookstore or download the audio book version read by David Platt is available for download at christianaudio.com for $12.98.

There is also a iPhone app version for $14.99 which has the complete audio book as well as the ability to save notes as you're listening, save custom bookmarks, and to share an audio sample with friends and family. Learn more at iTunes.

Visit the Radical website

YouVersion

Engage in Scripture like never before. Download a free Bible app for your internet-connected device and enjoy regular time with the Bible, right when and where you need it. With this free mobile and online Bible, you can access your bookmarks, community contributions, and reading plans no matter where you are. With the Live feature, you can also access and store ZPC message notes, submit prayer requests, and much more.

Info at Your Fingertips

Turn to zpc.org to get the info you need when you need it. Log on today to gain access to a member directory, your giving statement, ZPC’s building schedule, and more. Click on the ‘login’ tab on any page of the website to get started.

> Contact: [317.873.6503]