2024 Ministers' Compensation Increase

Watch this 3-minute video as Rev. Jordan Warantjes and Rev. Sheri Fry of the Ministry Relations Committee present the proposed increase to the 2024 Ministers’ Salary.

Our current minimum stands at $56,770 for 2023. Research reveals that the 2024 national median salary for ministers is projected to be $67,100. It's important to note that this median accounts for various regions, some with lower living costs.

Our pastors are struggling to make ends meet while serving our churches faithfully. We must honor our vows to pay them a just, fair, and equitable salary.

To address this, the Ministry Relations Committee recommends a 5.7% increase for 2024, raising the minimum to $60,000 plus board of pensions, amounting to an average church increase of $270 per month.

We have some ideas for you and are committed to supporting you.

In addition, to know where our churches in the presbytery stand, we ask that you please report your terms of call to the Presbytery. Go to our website https://denpres.org/terms-of-call (now reporting for 2023 and after January please report 2024 terms of call)

This isn't a one-time event; we plan to gradually, over a 3 year period, reach equitable minimum salaries that reflect education, experience, and responsibilities.

We know that this may feel difficult for some of our churches in the presbytery, that’s why we wanted to share our process, discoveries, and support plans as we make this transition together.

If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Sheri Fry, Moderator of Ministry Relations Committee at mrcmoderator@denpres.org.

Like a scene from The Avengers, six digital ministers ...

Like a scene from The Avengers, six digital ministers and their fearless leaders descended upon Atlanta. Their mission? To share experiences, tips, tricks, and more to make each other stronger, faster, and even more tech-savvy. Who are they? The Senior Digital Ministry Fellows of Convergence. 

Convergence’s fellowship program started in the mind of Rev. Jim Keat, the original pioneer of digital ministry currently serving at Riverside Church in New York. The program is being supported by Convergence (formerly The Center for Progressive Renewal). Their goal is to support the work of progressive church leaders who are imagining a future for the church online. The six fellows meet monthly as a group and have one-on-one chats throughout the month. Recently we had a retreat in Atlanta, which was the first time we had met in person. Each fellow is invited to create courses and write articles for Convergence to share their expertise. (If you have any topics you would love to see addressed let me know!)

Earlier this year, Rev. Jim Keat invited me to be a Senior Digital Ministry Fellow. Every project and conference Jim has asked me to contribute to has been a great experience. Convergence has been great to work for in the past too. They do a wonderful job creating spaces for learning from experts and trailblazers. I knew this would be another incredible experience, especially as Our Tapestry (the new worshiping community I lead) sets a foundation for growth. 

The group of Senior Digital Ministry Fellows has pastors serving small congregations and experimenting with translating their congregation’s strengths to the digital world (Rev. Brandon Robertson and Rev. Timoth Sylvia). There is the scholarly one earning a Ph.D. in ethics focusing on the church and digital spaces (Daniella Hobbs). The nerds, geeks, and gamers are represented by their pastor (Rev. Nathan Webb). We have a writer who can make even the heaviest topics approachable (Rev. Ashley Dargai). I bring my knowledge of making digital content and building community through digital spaces. 

The week of our retreat we spent time making content, talking about why we do digital ministry, the 14+ platforms we are using for our ministries, and generally geeked out on all the cool ideas we have and finding ways to make them a reality. We also recorded a dozen conversations for the 2023 Digital Ministry Summit. The summit is FREE and the daily conversations will be sent out November 13-16. Every conversation we recorded blew me away. We talked about practical applications of digital ministry to help leaders get started or level up their digital ministry. We also had theological discussions about digital ethics, our responsibility to proclaim the Gospel, and what Jesus would do to combat online trolls. If it’s not clear yet, I believe every church leader should register for this FREE resource. 

The time I spend with these brilliant colleagues energizes me and empowers me to have the courage to give even my wild ideas a try. I’m also reminded of how thankful I am for the generosity and support of the Denver Presbytery. You have blessed me and every Our Tapestry member in a way that most digital ministries dream of. Creating sacred digital spaces where any question can be asked and everyone is affirmed by God’s love has a bigger impact when its partners give support like you do.

Thank You, 

Rev. Bethany Peerbolte

Bethany is an Incubator Leader in Denver Presbytery and leads an online, New Worshiping Community called Our Tapestry. Check it out here.

Pastoral Leadership Revitalization Program

Pastoral Leadership Revitalization Program

Pastoral Leadership Revitalization (PLR) is a program offered by Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation, in partnership with presbyteries, specifically for newly ordained and/or isolated pastors to provide support, rejuvenation, and resiliency. Pastors participating in this program receive monthly coaching from a seasoned pastor and retreats for rest and renewal. The retreats provide education, worship, fellowship and rest. Retreat topics range from resiliency to worship design, from learning the enneagram to church growth. Pastors participating in this program have expressed their appreciation, especially during the pandemic, for how much coaching and retreats have kept them energized for ministry. ALL for only $100!

August 19th Assembly Highlights Now Available!

Welcome to the Wild Animal Sanctuary 

Moderator John Yu welcomed over 80 people to the Presbytery Assembly. The staff of the Wild Animal Sanctuary spoke of the history of the Sanctuary and we watched a welcome video about the vision and values of this amazing place. The Assembly was able to explore the Wild Animal Sanctuary for an hour before the business of the Assembly began observing the animals including tigers, bobcats, and lions.

Opening Worship| Dee Cooper and Assembly Members

Our worship was cultivated by our Lead Presbyter Dee Cooper with an invitation to rest, restore, recreate, reflect, and ponder how we can create sanctuary by allowing love to show us how to create a sanctuary for all. Members of the Assembly were invited to participate in the Call To Worship and to watch and listen to the music video of Sanctuary by Boulder singer songwriter Rebbeca Folsom. 

Land Acknowledgement | Candice Sweet  

We welcomed the Stated Clerk for Synod of the Rocky Mountains, Candice Sweet who spoke briefly about the General Assembly in 2024 in Salt lake City. Candice is also the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Utah. She led us in our land Acknowledgement for the day. 

Welcome  to our New Minister Members /Ministry Relations Committee 

Sheri Fry and Sandy Safford introduced and welcomed our new minister members,  Michelle Fincher, Pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church and  Karla Lara Maldonado, our New Worshiping Community Incubator Leader, to the Assembly. They were asked to share one thing about themselves that is not in the Assembly Packet and what their favorite animal is and why. We blessed them and their ministry in our midst.  Welcome Michelle and Karla!

Voting at Assembly | John Yu

Voting was a little different and in the spirit of our assembly location. The Assembly was asked to vote using animal voices. There was a lot of buzzing like bees, roaring like lions and tigers, and howling like wolves. 

Omnibus Motion | Pat Queen

The Omnibus passed. Congratulations to Community of Grace and the approval to sell the house formerly owned by Arvada Presbyterian Church.

Agency Review Task Force|Rob Habiger

Rob thanked the existing committees that continue to do their ministry as the new structure is built and until new committees are populated and equipped. Congratulations to Louise Westfall who was elected as the newest member of the Servant Leadership Development Committee. 

Ministry Relations Committee | Sheri Fry 

Candidate Kiersten Hill, who is the newly called Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults at Wellshire Presbyterian Church was examined by the Assembly for Ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. After questions and discussion, including one about her favorite Taylor Swift song that describes her faith journey, she was enthusiastically approved for ordination to her call. She will be ordained and installed on September 17, 2023. A joyous day for Kiersten, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, and the Presbytery. Moderator of Committee on Preparation, Chris Spotts offered a prayer of thanksgiving for Kiersten and her ministry. 

Exploration in the spirit of Terra Divina | Dee Cooper

Worship continued with a sermon and scripture from  the book of Job. Dee reminded us of Job and how in the midst of deepest despair he was invited to learn, seek and ask from the animals. She shared that the animals had a great deal to teach us about taking risks into new ecosystems and structures and she invited us to go out among the animals in the spirit of Terra Divina which is a divine conversation with co-created beings and creation. The Assembly had time to go back outside among the animals- to wander, explore, observe, listen, imagine with curiosity, wonder, pray, ponder, and reflect about what we can learn from the animals about ourselves, our creation, our creator, and our call.

Time of Engagement | John Yu

Moderator  John Yu invited the assembly to think about what transpired in this sacred time among the animals. The assembly pondered the following questions. What were some things that were heard, observed, and learned through these experiences? How has God challenged you in these moments? How is God speaking to you through these animals, through nature, and through one another? How have you been challenged? John invited each individual to consider writing a letter to themselves about where God may be speaking to them. The letters will be mailed back to folks in the coming weeks. He also invited each participant to consider the 8 values of the Presbytery. Each person was given 3 animal stickers to place upon the values they believe God is telling the Presbytery to focus on. 

Servant Leadership Development Committee (Committee on Representation) | Nancy Dixon

The Servant leadership Committee brought forth 3 motions with individuals willing and called  to serve in various capacities. Servant Leadership development Committee Moderator Nancy Dixon shared that there were many prayerful conversations to bring about these motions. All the motions passed. There was a nomination from the floor to elect a Commissioner Teaching Elder Alternate to the slate for General Assembly Commissioners.

Congratulations to Cleve Dixon (class of 2024), Martin Cobb (class of 2024), C.J. Biewenga (class of 2025), Bruce Taylor (class of 2025) who were elected to serve on the Ministry Preparation Committee. 

Congratulations to the Commissioners Elected to the 226th General Assembly. Commissioner Ruling Elder:  Jeff Sneddon (Church of the Eternal Hills), Commissioner Ruling Elder Alternate: Diane Ritzdorf (Calvary Presbyterian Church), Commissioner Teaching Elder: Bill Sanders (Honorably Retired), Commissioner Teaching Elder Alternate: Bethany Peerbolte (NWC Incubator Leader)

Rev. Ruth McCollum Huff

Congratulations to  Ruth McCollum Huff (Teaching Elder) who was elected as the Vice Moderator of the Presbytery Assembly for 2024! 

Thank You Servant Leadership Development Committee for your incredible work!

Treasurer Report | Sue Pilcher

Our treasurer gave a brief oral report based on the financial documents in the Assembly Packet. 

Ministry Relations Committee | Sandy Safford

Candidate Amanda Osenga, who is the newly called Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church was examined by the Assembly for Ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Amanda has served the Presbytery on the Cultivation and Innovation Work Group. After questions and discussion, she was enthusiastically approved for ordination to her call. She will be ordained and installed on October 8, 2023. A joyous day for Amanda, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, and the Presbytery. Sandy Safford offered a prayer of thanksgiving for Amanda and her ministry. Congratulations Amanda!

Assembly was adjourned with the sound of bears from the Assembly body and blessings from Presbytery Moderator John Yu. 

It was an incredible day with vision and planning from our staff and leadership. 

A Conversation with Rev. Jordan Warntjes about serving on a Presbytery Committee

Recently, our Communications Manager, Beth Carlisle, chatted with Rev. Jordan Warntjes about why he serves on a Presbytery Committee.

Jordan serves as the Team Leader of the Mediation Team of the Minstry Relations Committee (MRC). Some may know this as the former Committee on Minstry or COM. In the new Book of Order, the work of the team is outlined in several areas, but no longer defined as Committee on Ministry.

To learn more about the work of Ministry Relations Committee, and the various teams that serve our faith communities and ministers, click here.

If you are interested in serving on a Presbytery Committee, but not sure what committee is calling you, click here to learn more about all of the work of the Presbytery.

APEIC New Worshiping Community has first gathering!

ALL PEOPLE ECUMENICAL/INTERCULTURAL COMMUNITY (APEIC) is an ecumenical, intercultural, interfaith and international community of worshippers that seeks to claim, live and proclaim the vision of the Pentecost church gathering, (Joel 2, Isaiah 66:18, and Acts 2). APEIC values, incorporates and celebrate differences. It is in fact an intersection where differences meet. People from every nation, tribe and language are invited and welcomed to freely and safely share their different faith journeys in a secure and supportive environment of love and respect.

For long we build churches and worshiping communities of sameness and similarities and yet, a Gospel that intended to be global with the intention of “making disciples of all nations” cannot be limited to one people, one race or one culture. A church that was born globally (Acts 2) cannot be contained in one form of worship or one form of spiritual practice.

How we do this? Well, come and see!

Worship: 5:30pm Second Sunday of each month! (Current) @ Grace Presbyterian Church in Highlands Ranch

New Worship time will start January 2024 will be at 5:30pm the First Sunday of the month!

Questions? Contact Rev. Raafat Garagis at rsgirgis@icloud.com