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