Dear Mountain View Presbyterian Church Family,
 
Happy New Year’s.  As we enter together in 2026, Carrie and I are grateful to be both fully here in Scottsdale and we are looking forward to this next season of ministry with you.

We have launched a new sermon series on Joseph and Nehemiah, two biblical leaders who inspire pastors who serve in transitional ministry because they both served God’s people in challenging times.  They are more than examples to us of biblical leaders; they also teach us a great deal on how to navigate multiple challenges at once in reliance on God’s spirit.  This Sunday will be week four, if you missed my opening sermons in the series, you can watch them here: Youtube

Last weekend our Elders spent a full day together on retreat.  We are reading Ruth Haley Barton’s book: Pursuing God’s Will Together.  Please pray for your elders as we begin a strategic planning process that will result in a 5 year strategic plan that will shape our ministry and guide our congregation as we prepare to elect a Pastoral Nominating Committee and begin a pastoral search later this year.  And stay tuned as we will be reaching out to get your ideas and even dreams for our shared future as we seek to bear witness to Christ in Scottsdale and beyond.

I am still reflecting on our wonderful Christmas worship services. Those of you who attended our 4 pm Christmas Eve service experienced a sour note.  An individual had to be escorted out of the sanctuary after attempting to disrupt our worship service. I am so grateful to John Custer who was our lead usher in that service, and Drew Hulse, who stepped down from the chancel to help escort the individual out of the sanctuary. Four other Mountain View covenant partners also assisted. The police were called and the situation was handled well and safely.

This security incident has led Session to empower our Security and Safety Committee to review our current security policy counter measures. Session will be looking at a draft of that updated policy and implementing changes. At a minimum, we will have additional security assigned for Christmas Eve and Easter services going forward. I will be sharing the final policy with you as soon as it is approved by Session.

We are now in a search for a Director of Contemporary Worship for the 10:30 worship service.  Adrienne Armes has finished her time with us and Jackie Huber will serve as our Interim Director of Contemporary Worship until we can fill this position. I am also planning to offer a short course in Reformed Worship open to all of you this Spring. This is an ideal way for you to go deeper in your understanding and practice of corporate worship, (remember, worship is our great privilege, we will be worshiping God for all eternity).  So plan to come and get your questions answered about the history and role of various musical instruments in corporate worship, the role of hymns and spiritual songs and the role of scripture, creeds and preaching. Watch the bulletin and our website for more details about this short course.

Finally, this Sunday is a joyful and significant moment in the life of our church. At the 10:30am service, we will be welcoming five new Covenant Partners into the Mountain View family. Three are joining through reaffirmation of faith, and we will also celebrate two adult baptisms. Adult baptisms are always especially meaningful, as they mark new life in Christ and the beginning of a journey of faith. Please join us in giving thanks to God, celebrating with these new believers, and committing to walk alongside them as their church family.

See you Sunday!
Warmly in Christ,
 
Randy

Dear Mountain View Presbyterian Church Family,
 
I hope this message finds you well and preparing your hearts for the upcoming Advent season. I want to share an update with you about our life together as a congregation, the transition process, and what is ahead for us during this meaningful time of year.
 
Over the past month, we have continued to move forward in our transitional journey as a church. A milestone was reached as 187 covenant partners participated in our Church Health Survey, (thank you to all who participated! This is an important tool that will help us better understand our strengths and the areas where we can grow together. This survey includes six main categories of church health‚ ranging from discipleship to leadership development to mission and outreach. It provides data that will help guide our long-range planning. The Session will begin reviewing the results at our December 9th Session meeting.  Pray for us as we continue prayerfully discerning next steps for Mountain View’s future ministry. 
 
Our worship life has remained vibrant and centered on God. We recently completed the sermon series, What Is a Healthy Church, and have now entered the rhythm of the new Church year with Christ the King Sunday and the Sundays of Advent, culminating in Christmas Eve Services at 2, 4 and 6 pm on December 24.  Music for both services continues to be thoughtfully prepared by our minister of music, Jackie Huber and our musicians, including our Interim Director of Contemporary Music, Adrienne Armes. This is worshipful work during the busiest time in our calendar year.  We encourage you to thank all who sing and play and lead us in our corporate worship when you see them.
 
Our Family Ministry Team has also worked very hard over the last month. Holiday House was a tremendous success again this year, with a full vendor roster, a waiting list, and $15,000 raised to support mission work. Our Youth Ministry also hosted their annual Friendsgiving—a beloved tradition that our students look forward to every year—and it was one of the most joyful, well-attended gatherings yet. On Tuesday, I had the privilege of riding along with one of the foursomes at our annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser. It was a wonderful day of fellowship and service, with many volunteers, enthusiastic players, and perfect weather. Through the outstanding leadership of Daniel Pugh, $35,000 was raised to support the Mountain View Special Needs Ministry. This Sunday, our Family Ministry Team is hosting Jingle Jam, a community-wide Christmas outreach from 4–6 pm on our campus. More details can be found on our website and in this week’s Saturday email.
 
Pastoral care remains one of Mountain View’s strengths. Our pastors, deacons, Stephen Ministers, and care team continue to faithfully walk alongside those who are grieving, hospitalized, or homebound. This ministry is deeply valued, and we will continue to invest in it as part of our shared calling. 
 
In the life of our staff, we have spent intentional time this month focusing on building a healthy staff culture. Three members of Session and I recently participated in a presbytery workshop on conflict resolution and peacemaking. This is vitally important training to help live into our calling to love one another even when we have different ideas about the path forward.
 
Beginning in January, I will begin a seven-part sermon series on Joseph and Nehemiah.  Both are biblical leaders who modeled faithful leadership, including strategic planning to advance the mission of God’s people in the world. These sermons and study guides will help prepare us for the next phase of our congregational work: shaping a long-range plan rooted in Scripture, guided by the Church Health Assessment and additional written feedback from all of you, as we seek to strengthen us for our mission together as the body of Christ. 
 
We will also begin a monthly prayer service in early 2026, stay tuned for more details about that.  As we were reminded in our study of Ephesians, prayer, individually and corporately, is the final part of putting on the whole armor of God.  “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
 
Thank you for your prayers, faithfulness, and engagement as we walk this journey together. This is a season of growth, discernment, and hope, and I am grateful to be walking alongside you.
 
Warmly in Christ,
 
Randy

Dear Mountain View Church Family,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Each month I will be sending an email to you with updates on our transition.  I am doing this not only to keep you informed, but I also want to invite you into an ongoing conversation as we navigate this season of transition.  I invite you to share your thoughts and questions as well, either in response to what I share or on some other matter related to the transition at Mountain View.  You can send those emails to transition@mtviewpres.org.

As we look at ahead to November, we will be asking each covenant partner and regular attender to fill out a survey.  This is very important, and I am praying we get as close to 100% participation as possible.  The survey is called a Church Health Assessment,  The survey will take a snapshot at the front end our transition season giving your elected elders and pastors and me the foundation we need as we begin a process of long-range planning in January.  So, please watch for that survey in your inbox in early November.  We will have volunteers on Sundays from 10:00 to 10:30 to assist folks that ask for help.

I am also writing to share some important updates in our worship life together. As you know, our Session and worship team have been prayerfully discerning how we can continue to grow as a community that worships God with both reverence and joy—honoring our heritage while engaging the hearts of all generations.  Our 9:00 am worship service will continue with very little change. 

Our 10:30 worship service has already had a lot of transition over the past year.  Our current worship leader, Sarah Kingsbury will have her last Sunday on October 26th.  Beginning November 2nd, I am pleased to announce that Adrienne Armes will be joining us as our Interim Worship Leader for the 10:30 am service.  Adrienne brings a deep love for Christ, a heart for the church, and strong gifts in leading God’s people in praise and worship. During this interim period, Adrienne will help us strengthen and renew our worship ministry while we continue to seek God’s direction for the future.

Along with this leadership addition, we are taking a few thoughtful steps to refresh our contemporary service. You’ll notice an updated song selection, a more participatory flow of worship, and moments designed to help us connect more deeply with God and one another. We will also be asking the choir to assist in leadership during the 10:30 service.  These changes are meant to enhance this contemporary worship experience. 

I know that change, even healthy change, can bring mixed emotions. Below is a picture of a sandbox which I have chosen as a helpful image of this change.  We will be “in the sandbox” over the next few months at the 10:30 worship service.  The image is meant to illustrate that we are not making permanent changes, but instead, we will be experimenting and evaluating with a goal toward strengthening our outreach and worship at 10:30.   I believe this season is a gracious invitation from God to draw closer to Him together. Our purpose remains the same: to glorify God, proclaim the Gospel, and nurture a community where all can encounter our Triune God in worship.

Thank you for your faithfulness, your flexibility, and your prayers for our worship leaders and musicians. Thank you for praying for your elders, pastors and staff.  Let’s continue to ask the Lord to renew our hearts and fill our church with His Spirit as we step into this next chapter together.

Warmly, in Christ,

Randy

Update on Transitional Pastor Randy Bare

We’re pleased to share that although Pastor Randy Bare’s official start date is October 1, 2025, he will begin preaching on September 14 and continue through the remainder of the month. This early engagement will help foster connection and continuity within the congregation.

Additionally, MVPC’s Session will be meeting with Pastor Randy during this time to begin discussions that support a timely and thoughtful transition process.

Welcome Our New Transitional Senior Pastor

Rev. J. Randolph (Randy) Bare

The Elders are pleased to announce that Rev. J. Randolph (Randy) Bare has been called to serve as our Transitional Senior Pastor.

Randy was born in San Francisco and grew up with five siblings. He and his wife Carrie have two grown sons, Alex and Tim, who live in Spokane, WA, along with their life partners. They are also blessed with two grandchildren who live nearby in Spokane.

Randy is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley, and in 1980 he joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, serving as a campus minister at UC Santa Cruz and later as Area Director for both the South Bay Area and Los Angeles County. In 1990, he earned his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).

From 1996 to 2009, Randy served as Presbyterian Campus Pastor at U.C. Berkeley, and from 2009 to 2018, he was Senior Pastor at Memorial Presbyterian Church in West Palm Beach, FL. Most recently, he served as Transitional Senior Pastor at Grace Commons Presbyterian Church (ECO) in Boulder, CO, from July 2021 to July 2023.

Randy has also provided denominational leadership within ECO, including service as Chair and Moderator of the Presbytery of Florida, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Northwest, and as a founding member of the Synod of ECO’s Health and Welfare Committee. He currently serves on the Ministry Partnership Team (MPT) of the Presbytery of Northwest.

Randy’s official start date is October 1, 2025, but he will begin preaching on September 14 and the following two Sundays. Randy and Carrie are relocating to Scottsdale, with Randy arriving on October 15, and Carrie joining him in early November.

Once he is onboard, Randy will help facilitate key efforts including: 

• Development of a Church Profile which identifies Mountain View's unique character, program, and mission direction.

• Formation of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). This team will be tasked with prayerfully seeking the person God is calling to be our next Senior Pastor.

Please join us in prayer for Randy and Carrie as they prepare for this time of transition, travel, and ministry. May their move be smooth and their time with us be filled with God's guidance and grace.

We joyfully welcome Randy and Carrie into our church family and look forward to all that God has in store in this new season.

Please do not hesitate to share questions or concerns as the process continues to unfold.

The Session would like to share an update regarding plans following Pastor Steve Beard’s upcoming departure.

A farewell celebration is being planned for Sunday, July 20, and more details will be shared next week. We hope you'll join us as we honor Pastor Steve and his faithful service to our church community.

In addition, the search process for a new Senior Pastor is now underway.

After consultation with a liaison from the ECO Ministry Partnership Team, the Session has elected to hire a Transitional Pastor to serve in the Senior Pastor role during the search. A Transitional Pastor plays a key role in helping the church clarify its vision, strengthen leadership structures, and prepare the congregation for the arrival of a permanent Senior Pastor.

The Session identified two Certified Transitional Pastors as candidates, and the interview process began this week.

We are committed to keeping you informed as we move forward and will continue to share updates along the way.

If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Jackie Tilburt, Clerk of Session or any of the Elders.  Contact information for all Session members can be found on the MVPC website.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and faithful support during this important season of transition.

With gratitude and peace,

MVPC Elders 

Dear Beloved Mountain View Family,

With a full heart and deep gratitude, I write to share news that is both joyful and difficult: after much prayer and discernment, I have accepted a new call and will be concluding my ministry at Mountain View Presbyterian Church. Later this fall, I will begin leading the Community Church of the Verdes in Rio Verde, Arizona.

Serving as your pastor for nearly 15 years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Together we have walked through seasons of celebration and sorrow, growth and challenge, vision and change. We have worshiped, prayed, served, and loved one another—and I have witnessed God’s faithfulness in and through this community in countless ways. For all of this, I am deeply thankful.

This decision was not made lightly. Over time, I have sensed the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit preparing me—and preparing this church—for a new season. The call I have accepted will stretch and shape me in new ways, just as my time with you has formed me into the pastor I am today. This new position will also allow Julie and me to devote more focused time and attention to our son, Andrew, who needs our love and care. While I am excited for what lies ahead, my heart is tender with the sorrow of saying goodbye.

Please know this: I love this church. I believe in the work God is doing here, and I remain confident in His faithfulness to lead and guide you into the future. The Session and I are working closely together to ensure a healthy and hopeful transition, and I trust that the God who has brought us this far will continue to lead Mountain View with wisdom and grace.

My final Sunday will be July 20, and I hope you’ll join me in worship and in giving thanks for all that God has done in and through our life together. In the coming weeks, I would be grateful for the opportunity to share conversations, memories, and prayers with you.

You will always hold a special place in the Beard family’s heart. Julie and I leave with profound gratitude and deep affection, trusting that God will bless and keep you always.

With love and peace in Christ,

Steve