Greater Things You Will Do! Jesus was nearing the end of his earthly ministry, and the disciples were becoming increasingly anxious. In a world without their Master in his familiar, physical form Jesus assured them, “You will do even Greater Things,” than what you have seen, and if you need anything at all, “Ask me.” Have faith. See John 14:12-14.

Demonstrating Faith The Presbyterians in the northern New Jersey region have demonstrated faith for more than a three centuries. Followers of Jesus moved from Connecticut with a land grant from King George to establish a new church in Newark in 1666. Data from this period testifies to thousands of changed lives, with dozens of new communities of faith sent from our spiritual birthplace, Old First Presbyterian Church in Newark. On June 22, 1870 the Synod of New Jersey established the Presbytery of Newark including the city of Newark with the townships of Woodside, Belleville, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clinton, and Caldwell. Presbyterians, with those of other faiths, worked and fought hard for justice, peace, and freedom ensuring that civic, commercial, and educational institutions flourished.

Newark Presbytery today represents a spiritual lineage of world-changing spiritual vitality in the Reformed tradition. The people who are connected to our places in the community are part of the Vine, and we bear fruit as God brings the increase.

What is your experience of Greater Things? Remember, you are a gift to the world. Let it be opened!

Greater Things You Will Do! Are you in?

Clergy for the Public Good?

Do clergy serve the public good? Of course!, you quickly say. Right. That would be my first response, too. But how do you know that's true, besides anecdotal testimony and personal experience. I'm not saying its not true, I'm asking what evidence-based data supports the contention that clergy serve the public good? As we learned to inquire from Grissom, cite your source.


According to tax professor John Witte, Jr., Modern American laws of tax exemption of church property are rooted in two traditions, each of considerable vintage:

1. Common law tradition, which accorded such exemptions to established churches that discharged certain governmental burdens; and
2. Equity law tradition, which accorded such exemptions to all churches that dispensed certain social benefits

(From the Southern California Law Review, Volume 64, January 1991, Number 2, p. 368.)


So churches get a break. Nice. But why? Professor Witte observes the social capital benefits that churches (generally) provide to our communities. Churches not only dispense social benefits through their religious activities, exemption proponents argued, but also discharge state burdens through their charitable activities (ibid., p 388).


Long ago, on most every town's Welcome to Our Town sign were etched words similar to these: Welcome to Our Town, a great place to live, work, and worship. Is this still true? In fact, take a look a find a similar sentiment on your town's sign. Send me a photo of what it says. Is the public gathering place for the worship of God a public service today?


What about the clergy? A current Groundswell campaign invites signers to petition the Department of Education to reinstate clergy participation in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. PSLF was meant to encourage Americans to pursue higher education and public service by guaranteeing that long-time employees of 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations would have their federal education loans forgiven after 10-years of public service employment. Sounds like a great idea. However, clergy were excluded on January 31, 2012 when they introduced new language that now restricts participation in PSLF and effectively excludes clergy from the program.


To appeal to common law, or equity law, is a strong argument that clergy deserve forgiveness for federal education loans. (The fact they qualified for such funding is gift in any case.) I'd like to see evidence-based data demonstrate the value that churches and their clergy provide to the community. Evidence is a more formidable argument than habit or case law.


Many churches have drifted from behaviors of social capital contribution to the common good. Too many churches ignore their responsibility to invest in community energy. Like silos of self-interest, some churches withhold gifts to the community they procure the property tax exemption. Though most churches are beneficial, and most clergy serve the common good, it is a mistake to affirm that all churches and all clergy deserve the tax exemption on property and housing.


Since 1960, churches have declined in membership, which is symptomatic of the reduced social value perceived by their communities. (See my attached graph illustrating this decline, comparing the Presbyterian Church membership to other organizations over one hundred years.)


People show up where they receive a blessing. When there is no sustaining reciprocal exchange of blessings between the church, its clergy, and the community, social capital is diminished, and the argument for a church's property tax exception or clergy's forgiveness of federal education loans is severely weakened.


What do you think?

Newark Matters

Our presbytery takes its name from New Jersey’s largest city and we are proud of the past and current Newark ministries demonstrating God's love. We are exploring new ministry opportunities among our ten Newark congregation's leaders, community partners, schools, and organizations such as Young Life. Open tables for conversation will be set for celebration and discovery to strategically resource current and emerging visions. Setting conversational spaces to develop new ministry is critically important for every organization see kings to employ innovative strategies to change the world.

Your Spaces Matter. Your congregation’s ministry blesses the entire world and ensuring your buildings’ safety and usefulness is vital. Unfortunately, the aging-out of our buildings is posing unprecedented stress on many congregations. Our presbytery offers sessions access to resources to help assess and remediate the condition of your buildings.

Review your ministry goals and evaluate how well your buildings support your mission. Consider inviting an experienced team from the presbytery's board of trustees for a walk-thru with you. As a result, many churches have discovered new ways to reduce costs, repurpose space, leverage repairs, and put more money into mission through presbytery partnerships.

Your building is a community assess point where you to deliver Good News experiences. Optimize your spaces. Your spaces matter.

In what says have you repurposed your space to meet current and future mission objectives?

Thank you pastors!

Pastors Matter. A part of my call is supporting and coaching our pastors. I can share with you that some struggle to keep discouragement at bay. The challenges our pastors face can be daunting, and their faithfulness is deeply appreciated. Teaching elders and ruling elders strive to resolve sometimes differing expectations and outcomes from ministry. Many stressors are historically rooted and should not be the pastor’s burden to bear.

Pay attention to your pastor’s needs. Give your pastor access to tools and resources that provide a more efficient or effective service to your congregation and to the community. Invest more money for their continuing professional and spiritual development. Encourage them frequently and pray regularly for them. The Committee on Ministry stands ready to support your session and minister so that ministry honors the work and the gifts our pastoral leaders generously offer us. Thank you pastors!