It was an eventful weekend for the Presbytery of Chicago. We had the revival of LEAD with our newly branded Leadership Conference. The event was held at the College of DuPage, featuring Rev. Samuel Son as the keynote speaker. The Leadership Conference is intended for leaders at all levels of the presbytery. Pastors, ruling elders, deacons, and other lay leaders attended. On Sunday, the presbytery installed John Jae Cho as pastor of First Presbyterian, Itasca. The installation of a pastor is a presbytery event, but Rev. Cho’s installation occurred during morning worship. Yet, many visitors were from the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, where John previously served.
Presbytery commission at Rev. Cho’s installation (Photo by Rev. Dr. Craig Howard)
The presbytery is at its best when we meet other Presbyterians from different congregations. Congregations and specialized ministers learn they are not islands or silos facing the challenges of ministry. Through connection and communication, we share ideas, find encouragement, and experience the joy of ministry.
One of the ideas Samuel Son shared was the value of fellowship and communion. He used the story of the post-resurrection Jesus having breakfast with the disciples in John chapter 21. Rev. Son helped me realize the power of sharing a meal. Through eating, we feel free to open up and deal with issues of the heart. I have had many meals with pastors, ministers, and leaders, but there are many others for which I have not taken the time for table fellowship. I would like to change that.
I will be reaching out to schedule time for table fellowship over the next several months. I’m beginning with pastors and leaders new to the presbytery and working my way onto the schedules of more established leaders. I want to talk about how things are going, and I want to talk about you. I simply want to know the pastors and leaders and give them a chance to know me as we do the work of the presbytery together. Come, let us break bread together.
Rev. Dr. Craig Howard
