Presbytery Assembly
PTF Stated Assembly
May 17, 2025 at 9:30 am
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale
Our May Presbytery Assembly will be held in-person only at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale. It will be no more than two hours in length. All PTF Minister members, Ruling Elder Commissioners, and guests are welcome to register and attend. CLERKS – Please note this year’s Parity Report for this year’s Commissioner allotment.
Registration is closed – Contact Sandra for more info.
For more info, contact sandra@vibrantpresbytery.org or 954-785-2220.
UPCOMING ASSEMBLY DATES
FEBRUARY 15, 2025
MAY 17, 2025
AUGUST 23, 2025
NOVEMBER 8, 2025
PAST ASSEMBLY SUMMARIES
February 2025 Assembly
STATED ASSEMBLY | February 15, 2025
Moderator Danny Morales opened the Assembly with prayer at 9:30 am. Our new commissioners were: Patti Fischer (Gardens PC), Stuart Lones Jr. (Pinecrest PC), Elaine Robinson (Central PC), and Phyllis Thomas (First, Fort Lauderdale). Our privileged guest present was: Clark Simmons (Board of Pensions).
Elder Deborah Sadriwalla (The Community Church, LTBS) was installed as the 2025 Moderator for the Presbytery of Tropical Florida, and recognition of Rev. Dr. Greg Rapier (First, Delray Beach) was given as the 2025 Vice-Moderator. Moderator Sadriwalla thanked Rev. Morales for his leadership in 2024, and she recognized him as the 2025 Leadership Council Chair. Tokens of gratitude were exchanged in the form of the PCUSA Moderators Cross and Vibrant Together Moderator Stole.
GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT
- The churches having completed their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: All Nations, Ascension Peace, Central, Community LBTS, First Delray Beach, First Lake Worth, First Pompano Beach, First Fort Lauderdale, First Tequesta, First West Palm Beach, Gardens, Glades, Korean Miami, Lakeside, Miami Shores, Myrtle Grove, New Covenant, Peace, Plantation, Riviera, Sanctuary, Sunrise, and Sunset.
- The churches that have yet to complete their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: Community Deerfield Beach, El Cordero, First Miami, First Boynton Beach, First Hollywood, First Port St. Lucie, First Stuart, Goodwill, Hobe Sound Community, Korean of the Palm Beaches, New Life, Palms West, Peace Covenant, Pinecrest, and Trinity.
- The Necrology Report is presented today in the packet. “Blessed are those who die in the Lord, they rest from their labors and their good works follow them.”
- Invited leaders of congregations to know their rights with regard to property, immigration issues, and ICE. Sessions are urged to review the materials attached to today’s packet and educate congregational leaders and employees with this information. It is requested that if ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) enters or attempts to enter your church property, that this activity be reported to the Presbytery office.
- Clark Simmons was invited to update everyone on the latest from Board of Pensions.
- Invited any that might be interested: One hour after the conclusion of today’s assembly, tours of the Vibrancy Center at 3950 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, FL 33066, will be offered. A mid-process peak at the progress is offered as an opportunity to see the status of the event space and the office spaces. It is expected that the renovations will be finished in April and that the May Presbytery Assembly will be in-person at the Vibrancy Center.
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Vice Moderator Greg Rapier, spoke on behalf of the Leadership Council to address the slanderous letters to the Presbytery, Development Corporation, Leadership Council, and GP/SC Daris Bultena in particular. He stated that all financials and council business have been presented with transparency, offered the contact information for each Council member for accessibility, and invited any and all who have any issues to speak up without anonymity. Nothing can be resolved in the dark.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Chair Dwayne Black Jr. presented Rev. Jacqueline Brovold of Pinecrest PC for retirement, followed by a small literary to bid her well. She shared experience of her 40 years of ministry, which included being ordained by the Milwaukee Presbytery in 1984, and installed as pastor at Pinecrest PC, Miami, in 1996.
COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
Rev. Nic Merchant, member of CPM, presented Candidate Nathanael Hood as Certified Ready to Receive a Call. Nathanael completed all the CPM requirements including a CPE at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (NYC) in 2022, a chaplain internship at the Brooklyn Methodist Hospital (NYC) in 2023, and graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2023.
VIBRANT TOGETHER: BUILDING IDENTITY
GP/SC Daris Bultena present Vibrant Together 2.0 as our new ministry plan. Continuing on with the three pillars of Building Relationships, having Spiritual Depth, and is Missional; as well as the five elements of Clarity of Identity, Leadership Development, Reconciliation, Disciple Making and Vital Worship. 2025 will focus on Vibrant Identity using the pillar concepts of building, spiritual, and missional as it applies to Clarity of Identity. In 2026, the focus will be on Vibrant Incubation, using the same pillar concepts, as they apply to Leadership Development and Reconciliation. And again in 2027, using the pillar concepts as they apply to Disciple Making and Vital Worship.
MINUTES
Necrology Report
Your Rights with Ice
Sus Derechos con la Migra
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form
November 2024 Assembly
STATED ASSEMBLY | November 9, 2024
GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT:
Those churches having completed their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: All Nations, Central, Community LBTS, First Lake Worth, First Pompano Beach, First Fort Lauderdale, Gardens, Glades, Korean Miami, Miami Shores, Myrtle Grove, New Covenant, Peace, Riviera, and Sunset.
SESSIONS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBMITTING RECORDS FOR REVIEW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT. ALL SESSIONS MUST COMPLETE THE 2024 RECORDS REVIEW.
Invited commissioners and congregations to reserve the dates for the 2025 Presbytery Assemblies: February 15, May 17, August 23, and November 8.
Administrative Commissions for First Miami and Faith / First Lake Worth / Grace submitted reports.
The Presbytery voted and passed all of the GA226 Overtures.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Rev. Dr. Victoria Isaacs and Rev. Dr. Robert Ward became members of Tropical Florida. Beginning in February 2025, they will be serving as Co-Pastors for a Designated Term of two years at Peace Covenant PC, Keywest.
Rev. Dr. Robert Norris is now retired with Tropical Florida. He faithfully serves at the Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach.
MINUTES
Parity Report
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form
August 2024 Assembly
STATED ASSEMBLY | August 24, 2024
GENERAL PRESBYTER AND STATED CLERK REPORT:
That during 2024, the Session Records Review of 2023 minutes and materials is being conducted by the following method: Send the Stated Clerk a digital copy of your minutes along with the completed Session Minute Review Checklist and the Session Minutes Review Form. Once your minutes have been reviewed you will receive an acknowledgement sheet that can be inserted into your Session Minute book. The records review will be conducted by Presbytery representatives, so please remit your digitized records, and completed checklist and reviewer forms. Scanned PDF copies of all documents are preferred (not photographed pages).
Those churches having completed their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: Central, Community LBTS, First Fort Lauderdale, First Lake Worth, Gardens, Miami Shores, and Riviera.
SESSIONS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBMITTING RECORDS FOR REVIEW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT. ALL SESSIONS MUST COMPLETE THE 2024 RECORDS REVIEW.
Reports and reminds the Presbytery of the changes that have been made to the Board of Pensions Medical Plan and the Presbytery policy in reference to those changes, and shares that meetings were held in June to interpret the changes. Should additional help or conversations be necessary please reach out to the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk. The policy of the Presbytery regarding benefits and coverage for the Minimum Terms of Call/Covenant beginning January 1, 2025, are as follows:
The minimum terms of call shall require full participation for the pastor in the Board of Pensions benefits programs including medical and income protection through the Congregational Pastors Package or Transitional Pastor’s Participation (the Transitional
Pastor’s Participation is available in 2025-2027). Congregations shall provide a strategy (approved by the COM) to address the coverage of a spouse and/or children to ensure that the spouse and/or children are appropriately covered.
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The minimum terms of covenant for Transitional Pastors, Stated Supply Pastors, or Bridge Pastors serving 20 hours a week or more shall require full participation for the pastor in the Board of Pensions benefits programs including medical and income protection through the Congregational Pastors Package. Congregations shall provide a strategy (approved by the COM) to address the coverage of a spouse and/or children to ensure that the spouse and/or children are appropriately covered.
The Board of Pensions has provided a useful tool that will help churches arrive the appropriate numbers for their ministers. That tool can be found on their website, under the Season for Rebuilding section: DECISION GUIDE.
Reports that the annual Pastors Convocation for those serving congregations will be held at the Embassy Suites in Deerfield Beach, September 11-13, 2024. The convocation will explore leadership practices and will consider the concept of Mosaic Leadership.
Reports that the Vibrant Together Development Corporation has developed a process for ministry incubation and has begun work with congregations to consider property repurposing and innovative ministry development.
There will be an Installation Worship Service for Co-Pastors at First Delray Beach, for Rev. Dr. Doug Hood, and Rev. Dr. Greg Rapier on Sunday, September 8th, at 4:00 pm.
MINUTES
Parity Report
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form
May 2024 Assembly
STATED ASSEMBLY | May 18, 2024
- During 2024, the Session Records Review of 2023 minutes and materials is being conducted by the following method: Send the Stated Clerk a digital copy of your minutes along with the completed Session Minute Review Checklist [See Appendix, pp. 15-16] and the Session Minutes Review Form [See Appendix, pp. 17-19]. Once your minutes have been reviewed you will receive an acknowledgement sheet that can be inserted into your Session Minute book. The records review will be conducted by Presbytery representatives, so please remit your digitized records, and completed checklist and reviewer forms. PDF copies of all documents are preferred.
- Those churches having completed their 2024 records review of 2023 minutes are: First Lake Worth and Miami Shores. SESSIONS ARE REMINDED THAT SUBMITTING RECORDS FOR REVIEW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT. ALL SESSIONS MUST COMPLETE THE 2024 RECORDS REVIEW.
- Statistical Reporting is complete and once again we successfully made our benchmark of 100% compliance. Well done, clerks!!
- Presbytery Assembly Dates for the remainder of 2024 are August 24, and November 9. The 2024 Parity Report was used to enroll commissioners to today’s Presbytery Assembly.
- The Presbytery that the Board of Pensions has made significant changes to the medical benefits plan that will impact the minister members of the Presbytery. These changes can be found at org under 2025 Benefits Plan. The Committee on Ministry has adopted policy regarding these changes and it is reported in today’s packet under the reports of the Committee on Ministry. The Presbytery will be joining with Clark Simmons, the Church Consultant of the Board of Pensions, during the first week of June to help pastors understand these changes.
- The Rev. Ronald Evans (South Louisiana Presbytery) was received as a new member.
- Ms. Karla Dias (Community LBTS) was certified ready to receive a call.
- Mr. Michael Mahan (First Miami) was enrolled as a Candidate under care.
- Mr. Samuel Ortiz was enrolled as an Inquirer under care.
- As part of the Vibrant Together ministry plan, the presbytery launched into the next segment of IS MISSIONAL, with the topic of Disciple Making. Using Ezekiel 37:1-14, the conversation considered discipleship through the lens of Dreaming, Disturbing, and Distancing.
MINUTES
Parity Report
Session Minute Review Checklist
Session Minute Review Form
Presbytery of Tropical Florida
405 S.E. 15th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301