Dear Mountain View Family,

Grace and peace to you:

On Sunday, June 21, 2026, we shared a meaningful moment in the life and ministry of Mountain View Presbyterian Church. At our congregational meeting, we shared the draft Mission Statement and draft outline of Strategic Plan your Session has developed after months of prayer, listening, and discerning conversations.

This was followed by a financial report prepared by our Session Finance Team, chaired by Elder Marylise Curet. We then elected Tom Hannon to serve as Treasurer of the Corporation.

Our elders and church staff have been working diligently to prepare a balanced budget that aligns with our ministry goals for year two of our transitional season of ministry. I want to thank our Session, with a special thank you to Elders Frank Pugh, Tamara Dietrich, Marylise Curet, Adam McAnally, our Session Clerk, Jackie Tilburt, and our church staff, Jennie Smith and Agnes Tjandana, for their hard work and dedication on our financial reporting and budget preparation.

I am also grateful for you, our congregation. Your thoughtful questions and engagement reflected a church who is prayerfully seeking Gods will for our shared future.

Yesterday was another milestone in the life and ministry of Mountain View. On Sunday afternoon, we gathered for a beautiful ordination service and gave thanks for God's call upon Jake Baldwin, Amy Baldwin, and their family. Sending a new pastor to serve the wider church is a tender and hopeful sign of God's continuing work in and through Mountain View. It was a joy to worship together with members of Hope Presbytery and to witness God's faithfulness.

Sunday also marked the conclusion of our Christian Hope sermon series. For the past few months, we have reflected on the promises of God found throughout Scripture: that Christ is risen, God’s kingdom is coming, our labor in the Lord is never in vain, prayer for God's kingdom is foundational, and, one day, heaven and earth will be joined together in God's new creation. My prayer is that these truths will continue to encourage our hearts, strengthen our faith, and guide how we live, serve, and discern God's future for Mountain View.

Looking ahead, this summer will give you the opportunity to listen, pray, and participate together.

• In July, we invite you to a Zoom meeting where you can give your input in relation to our Strategic Plan. Mark your calendars for this upcoming July 14th event.

• In August, two Town Hall sessions (10a / 6p) on August 6th will be held to provide an update and review the Strategic Plan. More details on how to participate in both of these events will be forthcoming.

Beginning July 1, I will be on a two-week study leave in Spokane, Washington, followed by vacation time as provided in my call agreement. During my study leave, I will be praying, reading, mapping out the year ahead, preparing future sermon series and teaching plans. One of the gifts of transitional ministry is the opportunity to help a congregation prepare not only for its next pastor, but also for the next season of its worship and life together. I am grateful for this dedicated time to focus on that important work on your behalf.

While I am away, Rev. Kirk Sexton and Executive Minister Jennie Smith will serve as co-heads of staff, and our staff team will continue caring for the ministry and mission of the church. I am grateful for their steady leadership and for the strong partnership we share.

I am also pleased to share that, upon the recommendation of our Session Personnel Team, Session has acted to make Rev. Kirk Sexton “Senior Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Discipleship.” This change in title reflects the excellent pastoral care and discipleship leadership Kirk is already engaged in and recognizes his ministry of 14 years with our church family. This is a change to his title only; it does not alter Rev. Sexton's call, terms of call, compensation, benefits, reporting relationships, authority, or responsibilities.

With Jake and Amy Baldwin’s departure coming soon, I am pleased to announce that we have hired a second pastoral resident. Her name is Sonya Yee Hernandez. Sonya will work with our family ministry team, primarily with our youth and their families. Sonya joins Daniel Pugh and our Director of Family Ministry, Sarah Furrier. She will begin her ministry with us on August 3rd. I look forward to introducing Sonya to you in worship on Sunday August 9th. As you know, Chris Dalton began his ministry in June as our Pastoral Resident for Church Planting. Chris will give a portion of his time to take over Amy Baldwin’s role as Director of Church Communication.

Session will also be working with our Nominating Committee as they prepare for the election of a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) in September. This will be followed by the election of new Deacons and Elders later in the fall. These are meaningful steps in our transition journey, and your prayers, wisdom, and engagement will help us move forward faithfully.

My first Sunday back in the pulpit will be August 9, and we will begin a new sermon series entitled What Does the Bible Teach About Pastors? As we prepare for the upcoming Senior Pastor search, we will explore what Scripture says about pastoral leadership, the calling of shepherds, the responsibilities of congregations, and the qualities we should seek in those who lead Christ's church.

My hope is that this series will help us enter the search process with biblical wisdom, spiritual clarity, and confidence in the Lord's guidance as we prepare to welcome the pastor God is preparing for this next season.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and faithful participation during this season of transition. God has been remarkably gracious to Mountain View, and I am grateful to walk with you as we trust Him for the months ahead.

Warmly in Christ,

Randy Bare
Transitional Senior Pastor
Mountain View Presbyterian Church
randyb@mtviewpres.org

Dear Mountain View Family,

Some of you have questions about some of the changes that are taking place at Mountain View as we continue to move towards finalizing our new strategic plan this summer and move towards a pastoral search.

One recent topic that has generated interest is Session’s decision to invest in an internal church planting initiative through a new Pastoral Resident position.

I am grateful for these conversations because they reflect something important: people care deeply about this church.

Many of you have spent years, even decades, worshiping, serving, giving, and raising your families at Mountain View. You love this church. We are grateful for the faithful saints who built it. We treasure the ministries that have shaped our lives and the lives of our children.

At the same time, we recognize that the mission field around us is changing.

A generation ago, many people in our community had some connection to church. Even those who did not attend regularly often possessed a basic understanding of Christianity and viewed churches as a normal part of community life. That is increasingly no longer the case. Today, many of our neighbors have little or no connection to a local church, little knowledge of Scripture, and little experience of Christian community.

The challenge before us is not whether we prefer change or stability. The challenge is how we can most faithfully reach people for Jesus Christ in the world God has given us today.

That is why Session has approved the creation of an internal church planting residency. The purpose is not to divide the congregation, replace existing ministries, or alter the core identity of Mountain View Presbyterian Church. Rather, it is to help us develop new ways of reaching people who are not currently being reached while remaining fully accountable to the Session and mission of our church.

Throughout church history, healthy churches have often discovered that investing in mission strengthens rather than weakens the congregation. One of my favorite examples comes from Memorial Presbyterian Church, whose had a long-time pastor serving from 1945 to 1970. During those years the church planted seven daughter congregations. Each time they sent people and resources out, the mother church grew in attendance, membership, leadership, and generosity. They understood that churches are healthiest when they hold their blessings with open hands.

The greatest risk facing the church today is not that we might attempt something new for the sake of the gospel. The greater risk is assuming that the ministry approaches of yesterday will automatically reach the people of tomorrow.

As your Transitional Pastor, I believe God has blessed Mountain View with extraordinary resources: faithful members, gifted leaders, financial strength, a wonderful campus, and a deep commitment to biblical teaching. The question before us is how we can leverage those blessings for the next generation of disciples.

As part of this season of preparation and discernment, Session has also approved a temporary adjustment to our Sunday worship schedule. June 7 will be the final Sunday of our current two-service format. Beginning June 14, we will gather as one congregation for a single worship service at 9:00am throughout the summer.

You might think of this summer season as a "pregnant pause"—a time of anticipation, preparation, and prayer as we seek God's direction for the next chapter of ministry at Mountain View. Gathering as one congregation will give us an opportunity to worship together, strengthen our unity, and continue discerning how God is leading us forward. We know many questions remain about the church planting initiative, and we look forward to sharing additional details later this summer. 

As we move forward, I encourage all of us to pray for wisdom, unity, and courage. Let us continue to listen to one another with grace. Let us assume the best about one another’s motives. And let us keep our focus where Jesus keeps His focus on making disciples of all nations.

The future of Mountain View will not be secured merely by preserving what we have inherited. It will be secured by faithfully passing the gospel on to those who are not yet here.

Thank you for your prayers, your faithfulness, and your partnership in the mission Christ has entrusted to us.

Dear Mountain View family,
 
I hope you will take a few moments to read this email carefully and prayerfully. I want to begin with the story of another church, Memorial Presbyterian Church (MPC) in West Palm Beach, Florida. Founded in 1924, MPC grew slowly through the Great Depression and World War II. In 1945, the church called the Rev. Ryan Wood as Senior Pastor. During his long ministry, he and the elders led with a clear conviction: healthy churches do not simply grow larger—they give themselves away for the sake of the Kingdom.
 
During Rev. Wood’s twenty-five years as pastor, MPC planted seven daughter churches, five of which still exist today.
 
What fascinates me is that each time MPC sent out people, leaders, resources, and energy to plant a church in another part of Palm Beach County, the opposite of what many feared happened: the mother church grew. Attendance increased. Membership grew. Giving rose. Spiritual vitality deepened. New leaders emerged. The congregation developed a stronger shared sense of mission and purpose.
 
By 1970, when Rev. Wood retired, MPC had grown to about 1,200 members, while the combined membership of its seven daughter churches numbered in the thousands.
 
After a long interim, a new pastor arrived and served for thirty-five years until his retirement. During that season, no new churches were planted, and the congregation gradually turned inward. In 1986, a painful schism took place—what we sometimes call a “splant,” combining the words split and plant. That episode, along with steady attrition over time, reduced membership from 1,200 in 1970 to roughly 400 in 2009.
 
The lesson is simple: churches, like people, are healthiest when they live outward rather than inward. The New Testament church grew by planting churches in cities throughout the Roman Empire. Throughout history, planting churches has been the primary mission of the church of Jesus Christ.
 
I share this story because I was called to serve as Senior Pastor of MPC in 2009. After getting to know the congregation, learning its history, and joining ECO in June 2012, I asked the Session whether they wanted to return to their original vision of planting daughter churches. Most of the elders were too young to remember Rev. Wood, so we invited a former elder—a retired federal judge—who had met his wife in the church and been married by Rev. Wood in the early 1950s.  Judge Own had served on Session during those church-planting years. He told the story as only an eyewitness could. We were all convicted that we should reclaim that history and become a planting church again. After a season of prayer and discernment, Session voted unanimously to partner with one of its daughter churches, (planted in 1962) to launch an internal church plant in 2014. Twelve years later, that internal church plant—meeting in the same building—is thriving.
 
When I arrived at Mountain View last September, one of the first things that struck me was that this church was itself a church plant. The Rev. Ralph Meredith was the planting pastor. Church planting is part of our original DNA. Soon after I arrived, I also saw this congregation’s extraordinary potential. We are blessed with gifted leaders, deep generosity, strong biblical preaching and teaching, and a long history of faithful ministry. Most importantly, we are in a city and metro area filled with people who need the hope of Christ.
 
When Scottsdale Presbyterian Church (SPC) closed and its remaining covenant partners transferred to MVPC, the decision was made to sell that campus. Pastor Steve and the Session then formed a Church Planting Task Force. MVPC also had two pastoral residents on staff, Clint Leavitt and Jackie Parks, both of whom have since planted churches. MVPC chose to invest the proceeds from the sale of what became known as South Campus—now $3,000,000—and dedicate the investment returns to church planting.
 
That commitment to dedicate those funds has not been fully embraced by our congregation.  Rather than rehash the history, Session began asking how can we bring healing and remain faithful to the vision of church.   Because our efforts to re-launch a contemporary worship service have not been successful, the idea of an internal church plant made sense.  One of the biggest challenges today for an external church plant is finding and paying for a suitable building.  An internal church plant uses our existing church campus and support staff. 
 
Over the past several months, I have been asking an important question:
 
What would it look like for Mountain View to invest in an internal church plant?
 
That question is shaping many of the decisions we are making right now.
 
It is one reason Session recently approved two new full-time pastoral residency positions beginning this summer. One will focus on youth and family ministry, and the other will be an internal church planting pastoral residency designed to give birth to a new worshipping community on our campus. We are still interviewing candidates for the first role, which is designed to replace Jake Baldwin after we ordain him and commission Jake and Amy to their new call at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. 
 
For the internal church planting position, we have hired Chris Dalton. Chris is a deacon and a candidate for ministry under the care of our Session and Presbytery. We will introduce him in more detail soon. His start date is June 1st.  Over the summer, Chris will work with me and our other program staff as we prepare to launch an internal church plant after Labor Day. 
 
Some assume church planting weakens a church, but history often shows the opposite. Churches that live on mission tend to become healthier, stronger, more generous, and more spiritually alive. New leaders emerge. Prayer deepens. The congregation gains renewed clarity about why we exist. And church planting is the most strategic way to do mission.  A successful plant means that a new worshipping community forms and equips its participants to reach out in mission.
 
The New Testament church was never called merely to preserve itself. It was called to bear witness to Jesus Christ, make disciples, and extend the gospel to the nations and neighborhoods around us.
 
As we continue to walk through this season of transition, I want to encourage you: do not think only about what Mountain View might lose. Think about what God might multiply.
 
Please continue praying for your elders, staff, and ministry leaders as we seek the Lord’s wisdom for the future and as we finalize the first draft of our strategic plan, which will include a strategy and tactics for an internal church plant.  Pray that God would make Mountain View not only a faithful church, but also a fruitful one—a church that blesses future generations by courageously giving itself away for the sake of the gospel.

Dear Mountain View family,

I love this time of year. The beauty of spring lifts our spirits, but even more deeply, we are in the great season of Easter. For seven Sundays, beginning on Easter morning, the Church around the world celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20–22).

It was deeply meaningful for Carrie and me to walk with you through Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and finally Easter Sunday, each service drew us more deeply into the story of Christ’s love and victory. Worshiping with you during those days truly felt like a foretaste of heaven (Revelation 7:9–10).

As we look ahead, I am eager to begin a new sermon series next Sunday: Christian Hope: Heaven and Earth Renewed. Together, we will explore what Scripture teaches about heaven, God’s kingdom, and the full scope of our resurrection hope.

In our first weeks, we will be anchored in 1 Corinthians 15—where we are reminded that Christ has been raised as the “firstfruits,” and that in Him, death itself will be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:20, 26). Our hope is not escape from this world, but its renewal under Christ’s reign (1 Corinthians 15:24–25). This means that what we do now matters deeply, because “in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

One of the central themes we will encounter is worship. The Bible teaches that worship is both our present calling and our eternal joy. Even now, we join in the praise that will one day fill all creation (1 Corinthians 15:28; Revelation 5:13). As we live in light of the resurrection, we are called to lives of gratitude, reverence, and joyful praise.

To explore this further, our Minister of Music, Jackie Huber, and I will be co-leading a seminar on worship on April 29. We will offer it twice—at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary—with the evening session also available via livestream. I hope you will join us.

I also want to speak to our current season of transition.

Many of you are feeling a sense of disquiet and wondering why this process is different from what we experienced in 2010. We hear you. Transitions are significant moments in the life of a church, and while they can feel slow, they are essential for long-term health and faithfulness. As Paul reminds us, there is an order and purpose in all that God is doing, even when we cannot yet see the full picture (1 Corinthians 15:23–24).

Last month, Session formed three task forces to guide this work, drawing inspiration from the careful, prayerful leadership we see in Joseph and Nehemiah and trusting that God is steadily at work among us:

• Mission and Vision: One team is revisiting and clarifying Mountain View’s mission and vision in light of Christ’s reign over all things (1 Corinthians 15:25).

• Mission Field Study: Another is seeking to understand our surrounding community, remembering that Christ’s kingdom extends to every person and place (1 Corinthians 15:22).

• Strategic Plan: A third group is discerning how we may faithfully order our life together so that all we do reflects our hope in the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58). They will write a draft plan that addresses our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This plan will serve as a roadmap for the first few years of your mission together in partnership with Pastor Next.

When a preliminary draft of this plan is ready, we will hold a town hall gathering for all covenant partners and friends of MVPC. This will be an important opportunity for you to offer input and to better understand the direction we are discerning together.

Following that, we will develop an opportunity profile to introduce our church and its mission to prospective Senior Pastor candidates.

Our goal is to complete this foundational work over the summer. At the same time, a nominating committee will be discerning who God is calling to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC), with the hope of beginning that work after Labor Day. We trust that, just as God has ordered the work of redemption, He will also guide us in His timing (1 Corinthians 15:23).

Our prayerful goal is to extend a call to a new Senior Pastor in the spring of 2027 and to prepare to welcome them in the summer of 2027.

In the meantime, I invite you to remain steadfast:
• Pray earnestly for God’s guidance
• Stay engaged in worship and community life
• Encourage one another in hope

And above all, hold fast to this promise: because Christ is risen and reigning, your life in Him matters. Therefore, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” knowing that your labor in Him is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

God is at work among us—even now. And we trust that He is already preparing the one who will shepherd this congregation in the years ahead.

Warmly in Christ,
Pastor Randy

Dear Mountain View Presbyterian Church Family,
 
As we journey together through this Lenten season, we are reminded that the God who calls us is also the God who sustains us. Even in times of transition, Christ remains the head of the Church, faithfully at work among us—forming us, refining us, and drawing us more deeply into His life.

I give thanks for the grace I see among you each week: in worship, in fellowship, and in your openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Your Session will meet next week and I am so grateful that the Lord is giving us a spirit of unity and discernment, seeking not simply strategic clarity, but faithful obedience to the Lord’s call. Like the people in Nehemiah’s day, we are discerning how to build—honoring what has been entrusted to us while remaining attentive to where God is leading us next.

Each week, I see the quiet, beautiful work of the Body of Christ in action. Through prayer, care, and unseen acts of service, you are bearing one another’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ. I am praying that the Spirit of God would continue to root us in dependence upon the Lord, reminding us that apart from Him, we can do nothing.

A highlight for me in the past month was attending our Youth Ministry Fundraiser, "Boots, Bidding & BBQ." I am so grateful for the generosity shown by so many of you in investing in our youth. Because of your faithfulness, over $36,000 was raised to support Youth Summer Camp scholarships.

On the staff front, you may have noticed a shift in Amy Baldwin’s responsibilities as she transitions her worship coordination tasks to Nicki Park. One visible change is that Amy is working more closely with our family ministry team. Among her other responsibilities, she has been spending time on Sunday mornings in the nursery, caring for our youngest disciples. We are grateful for her servant-hearted flexibility and for the ways our entire staff continues to support one another as we steward this season together. I am also grateful for Joanne Johnson and a team of volunteers who have stepped up to staff our front office. 

As we approach Holy Week, we are invited again into the heart of the gospel: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Carrie and I look forward to worshipping with you through these sacred days. I encourage you to invite others to join you, that they too may encounter the hope of the risen Lord.  You can see all the details on our website HERE.

Please continue to pray for our church—for unity, clarity, and trust in God’s timing. The Lord is is shaping us increasingly to be a people who bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ in Scottsdale and beyond.

It is a privilege to serve among you.

With gratitude in Christ,

Randy Bare 
Transitional Senior Pastor 
Mountain View Presbyterian Church

Dear Church Family,

I’m grateful to share an encouraging update about our worship ministry.

First, I want to thank Jackie Huber for her faithful service in leading the 10:30 service during this interim season. Her steady leadership and collaboration with our musicians and choir have brought continuity and care to our congregation. We are deeply thankful for her willingness to serve so faithfully.

I’m also pleased to announce that Nicki Park has accepted a part-time position as Director of Contemporary Worship. Nicki will begin leading music at the 10:30 a.m. service on February 22.
With Jackie focusing on directing our choir, bell choir, and traditional worship service, and Nicki leading contemporary worship, we are making a prayerful and strategic investment in strengthening both services. The 10:30 service has room to grow, and we are stepping forward in faith, asking God to bring that growth as we serve together.

Please join me in thanking Jackie, welcoming Nicki, and praying for wisdom and fruitfulness in this next season.

I am deeply grateful to God for His guidance as we move into this new chapter.

Dear Mountain View Family,

Greetings from Atlanta, where twelve Mountain View staff and elders are gathered with nearly 1,500 ECO Presbyterians for worship, teaching, and encouragement. In this season of transition, it has been especially meaningful to reflect with leaders from across the denomination on faithful ministry and leadership. We look forward to sharing what we’ve learned when we return.

During this season, I am serving both as Transitional Senior Pastor and Head of Staff. Over the past several months, I have worked closely with the Personnel Team and Session to ensure that our staff structure is aligned with our mission and positioned for health and continuity as we prepare to call a new Senior Pastor. I take this responsibility seriously and pray daily for God’s wisdom and guidance.

I would like to share one staff update with you.

With a unanimous vote of your Session, I am delighted to announce that Jennie Smith will serve as our Executive Minister, effective immediately. Jennie has been serving faithfully as our Interim Caring Ministry Assistant, and this new part-time role (25 hours per week) reflects both her gifts and the needs of our church at this time.

In her role as Executive Minister, Jennie will report to me and will provide oversight for Operations, Finance, and Property, while continuing her leadership and involvement in our caring ministry. To support clarity and coordination across these areas, Brenda Bolton, Agnes Tjandana, and Brian Betcher will now report to Jennie.

An important part of Jennie’s ministry will be to work closely with me during this transition and, once it is complete, to partner closely with our next Senior Pastor. This continuity will help provide stability and shared momentum as Mountain View enters its next chapter of ministry.

Many of you have shared how deeply meaningful Jennie’s presence, wisdom, and care have been in your lives. I wholeheartedly agree. I am grateful to God for the way the Holy Spirit has brought Jennie and Mountain View together for this season. I hope you will join me in warmly welcoming her into this new role.

This Sunday, we will pray for Jennie in both worship services and formally welcome her.

Warmly in Christ,

Randy

Randy Bare
Transitional Senior Pastor
Mountain View Presbyterian Church
randyb@mtviewpres.org

Staff Update – Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this change happening now?
This change is part of Session’s intentional work to align staff leadership with Mountain View’s mission and to provide stability and continuity during the pastoral transition.

Who approved this decision?
Jennie’s appointment as Executive Minister was approved by a unanimous vote of Session.

Is this a full-time position?
No. This is a part-time position of 25 hours per week.

What will Jennie be responsible for?
Jennie will oversee Operations, Finance, and Property, while continuing her leadership and involvement in the caring ministry.

Who will Jennie report to?
Jennie will report to Pastor Randy during the transition and will later work closely with the next Senior Pastor.

Will this role continue after the transition?
Yes. One purpose of this role is to provide continuity by partnering with the new Senior Pastor once the transition is complete.

Why was Jennie selected for this role?
Jennie brings deep pastoral care, strong organizational gifts, and a love for Mountain View. Many members have experienced her ministry personally, and Session believes her leadership is a gift to the church in this season.

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