January-2019-Branches-Web_Production-Master

Session Update
Having shared with you late last year some significant
financial needs we were facing, we want to praise God
for his gracious provision once again. While the numbers
aren’t final as of this mailing, giving for 2018 exceeded $2
million, which allows us to meet all commitments to our
mission partners and enter 2019 in a stable cash position.
While some necessary capital projects late in the year
have made cash flow slightly negative for the year, God
continues to amaze us with his generosity and increase our
faith in him. And while we thank him for this, we also want
to thank you for your faithful and generous support of the
work of God’s church and kingdom and thank our staff for
their carefulstewardship of our budgeted resources.
We will report final income and expense numbers for the
year at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday,
February 3, at which time we will also present the 2019
budget. With a full staff, active ministries, and additional
support of our mission partners in the new year, please
continue to pray for, depend on, and expect God’s
spiritual and material provision for Southwood.
That annual meeting after the worship service on
February 3 will also include times to pray together,
updates on the mission and ministries of the church, and
election of trustees and church officers. In particular, this
year we are recommending the election of Andes Hoyt
to the office of elder. Please feel free to talk with Andes,
read about him on this page of Branches, and pray for
him as he considers this calling. Please also pray with
us this year for Matthew Cruze, Reeves Fancher, Tripp
Pearson, Eric Sholes, and Blake Stuart, who have agreed
to participate in our Officer Apprenticeship Program.
This is an important time of training and consideration
for men you have nominated for service alongside our
Session or Diaconate.
Officer Nominations by Will Spink
The Bible makes clear through stories,
through negative examples, and
through direct instruction how vital
godly leadership is in the life of God’s
people. We believe that God has
gifted men and women in his church
to serve as leaders throughout his
body and throughout the world. In
particular, he has called some men to
the roles of elder and deacon in his
church, and we seek to be prayerful
and intentional in identifying them
and preparing them well for this task.
To this end, we receive every year
from the congregation nominations
of men they see who have godly
character and who are serving and
shepherding within the congregation.
Alongside these nominations are
several aspects of training that go
into helping these men develop their
gifting and discern the timing for them
to serve in these formal offices. Our
Leadership Training Class meets 14
times for two hours, and we also have
an Officer Apprenticeship Program, in
which men serve alongside the elders
and/or deacons to learn the realities
of the office and prayerfully consider
together God’s calling in their lives.
When men complete the class and the
apprenticeship, they are examined
by the Session and can then, if
appropriate, be recommended to
the congregation for election as
an elder or deacon. This year we
have one man, Andes Hoyt, who
has completed this process and is
being recommended by the Session
to the congregation for election to
the office of elder at the February
3 Congregational Meeting. Andes is
already an ordained elder in the PCA
from his time at a previous church,
and we are now recommending that
he be elected to active service on
the Southwood Session. Please pray
for Andes as well as for the new
group of apprentices who are serving
alongside the church officers this
year and considering God’s calling on
their lives to these important roles in
his Church.
CANDIDATE BIO
Name: Andes Hoyt
Age: 63
Spouse: Susan
Children: Jennifer and Christina (young adults out on their own)
Membership: 8 years
Service: Nursery volunteer; Men’s Table Talk facilitator;
Connect Community facilitator; Host Team; Short-
Term Mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico; Community
Development Committee; Property Steward
My heart for the Southwood family is for us to deeply know God and live in joyful
response as we never cease our pursuit of the prize of knowing God as the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit (Philippians 3:12-16). For Southwood going forward I think my
service as an elder will help us build deep friendships based on knowing God’s love
for us. I see these friendships as ones of prayer, caring for those in need, celebrating
special times, and having fun together. I really want to help Southwood be a family
where we know each other beyond small and Connect Community groups, across
stages of life, regardless of vocation, and through embracing of differences.
SOUTHWOOD.ORG 4 JANUARY 2019