NURTURING
We assist our churches to tend to the spiritual needs of nearly 7000 people in the region.
DISCIPLING
We support our congregations in developing mature followers of Jesus who regularly take steps of faith to serve God in our communities and within our congregations.
PARTNERING
We help our churches build community partnerships to share the love of Christ through local and distant relationships and action.
SHEPHERD STRONG
Like Able, who risks conflict against God and family while refusing to accept the curse of sin by toiling in the dirt…
Like Abraham, who stands tall while calling God to justice…
Like Hannah, who challenges the authority of God and the temple, and who will not be disuaded by the troubles of her nation, and her barreness and pain…
We are developing elders and pastors in MVP to be #ShepherdStrong! Strong leaders challenge: themselves, the systems they serve, and God for the benefit of God’s creation
10,000 CUPS OF JOE
As the Trinity is a healing community of one, so is the church.
In 2020, MVP is being challenged to drink 10,000 cups of coffee with colleagues and volunteers for the sole purpose of extending healing care to one another.
So meet a friend and pick up a couple cups of coffee. Laugh. Listen. Share. Cry. Praise. Strengthen one another.
At least $1000 in mission money will be granted to the church who logs the most cups of joe in ministry during 2020.
Healthy Boundaries Training 2019
Keeping Churches Safe
Please join us as we learn together. All Ministers of Word and Sacrament, and CREs who are serving, or want to serve within our bounds need to take this training. Additional dates can be scheduled for those who have jobs outside of the church.
A few things that we have learned
As a presbytery we have been on an intentional journey for more than 10 years.
Along the way we have come to embrace some important realities.
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER
A presbytery isn’t a board, a business meeting, or a staff member. Together we are MVP.
We serve eastern Ohio, our home base, together. We find unity in God as we live out our mission in Christ, side by side. We help one another in times of need and rejoice in times of faithfulness and success. We are many congregations but we are part of one big tent, with many perspectives.
WE ARE ON A JOURNEY
As the 21st century drastically changes the cultural landscape around us we regularly have opportunites to travel to new outposts.
As we are journeying through this new world together we reflect on our own personalities, skills, spiritual gifts and community need as we seek to get on the right bus and in the right seat.
WE ARE BEING REFOUNDED
The roots of the Presbyterian Church are grounded in the European Reformation of 500 years ago.
As we find ourselves at the beginning of a new reformation we are committed to being re-formed and re-founded by God for a new era of ministry and mission. While being re-formed is a refining, being re-founded is a more significant process. Being re-founded is being made new from the beginning.
The sooner our old structures die away, the sooner we can go about the work of being re-founded in God.
We believe that faithful re-founding requires us to let go of old comfortable patterns and ways of life. This, at times, may be a painful process. However, without individuals who are committeed to being re-founded in this day, our churches and our ministries will not be re-made for those God calls us to serve and love.
WE PARTICIPATE IN HEALING
We believe that God desires us to be whole and well. So we work hard to dig beneath our dysfunctional behaviors and false lies to offer our core wounds to God for healing.
We also know that it is vital for our ministry that we are emotionally healthy people. So as we seek our own healing we are well aware of the Biblical call to “seek the shalom of the city” and to celebrate that the ultimate result of history: “the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations.”
Inside-Out Faith
Our common understanding of church has its roots in the ancient Jewish temple. Using this model we think that church is about coming into holiness.
But God’s story does not end here. Jesus goes to people and so did the early church.
Instead of asking where all of the people have gone, our churches will be more faithful to ask: where is Jesus going?
Living in community with those who are outside of our bounds is the setting of God’s good news and the context of discipleship.
IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!
We have a new worshipping community in Ashland, and they speak…Chinese.
On July 7th, 2018 First Presbyterian Church of Ashland launched a new congregation, pastored by Dr. Li “Dolly” Dong. Each Saturday there is a community meal at 5pm, followed by worship at 6pm.
What People Are Saying:
here’s some of the MVP buzz
I am so honored to have the opportunity to work with Pastor Jim McCurdy this summer at Alliance First United Presbyterian Church! It is truly an answer to prayer as I discern my calling and become part of the community in a new way after graduating from college.
Kathryn
Minstry Interin
I am thankful that MVP has supported my ministry and journey with meaningful opportunities for training, worship, and fellowship with others in ministry and on the journey.
Rick
Commissioned Ruling Elder (Pastor)
While going through the challenges of the PNC process to seek a pastor, we have valued Presbytery’s ongoing efforts to provide clarity and assistance. From our own Parish Elders and General Presbyter to PCUSA’s Church Leadership Connection, everyone has provided encouragement, support, and guidance.
Barb
Elder
Contact us
Want to add to our shared ministry? Have a question?
Let us know!