Pastoral Development Ministry

09/01/2026

These ministers are celebrating their ordination anniversary this month. Join me in giving thanks for their YES! to God's call.

Gary Barricklow - 9/2/2023 - 3 years
Brenson Bishop - 9/1/1955 - 71 years
Greg Bowen - 9/20/2020 - 6 years
James Bradshaw - 9/1/2006 - 20 years
Barbara Brewer - 9/1/2006 - 20 years
Gregory Cain - 9/25/2022 - 4 years
Nic Chambers - 9/12/2010 - 16 years
Steven Chen - 9/29/2013 - 13 years
William Eldridge - 9/18/2021 - 5 years
Cindi Fong - 9/6/2019 - 7 years
Kenny Hardin - 9/10/2005 - 21 years
Luz Maria Heilbron - 9/25/1994 - 32 years
Jack Holt - 9/23/2012 - 14 years
Charles Hood - 9/12/1987 - 39 years
Cardelia Howell-Diamond - 9/24/2006 - 20 years
Sharon Huey - 9/23/2005 - 21 years
Roberta Johnson - 9/16/2009 - 17 years
Taylor Kibler - 9/16/2023 - 3 years
Keith King - 9/28/2022 - 4 years
Melissa Knight - 9/20/1997 - 29 years
Stan Mars - 9/13/2014 - 12 years
Robert Matlock - 9/1/1996 - 30 years
Jason Mikel - 9/7/2013 - 13 years
David Montoya - 9/25/2025 - First Year Anniversary!!
Kimberly Moore - 9/20/2020 - 6 years
Frederick Nah - 9/13/2015 - 11 years
Terry Peery - 9/25/2005 - 21 years
Roger Ricketts - 9/14/2013 - 13 years
Norlan Scrudder - 9/21/1956 - 70 years
Sandra Shepherd - 9/20/2008 - 18 years
Steve Skipper - 9/19/2021 - 5 years
Mark Tsujimoto - 9/27/2009 - 17 years
Dave Tucker - 9/27/2020 - 6 years
Jimmy Vaughan - 9/1/2020 - 6 years
Gloria Washburn - 9/8/2017 - 9 years
Dave Williamson - 9/17/1995 - 31 years
Danny Willis - 9/23/2023 - 3 years
Grace Yu - 9/10/1995 - 31 years

09/01/2026

Rev. Elton C. Hall, Sr.

C P News: https://cpcmc.org/category/cmt/cp-news/

The Rev. Elton C. Hall, Sr., longtime minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America and former moderator of the denomination, reportedly died August 28, 2026. He was 78.

Born in Yoakum, Texas, Hall moved to Waco, Texas, in 1966 to attend Paul Quinn College. There he met Mamie, whom he married in 1969. They raised three children and made the Waco area their home.

Hall served the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America for approximately four decades. His denominational leadership included service as moderator of the General Assembly from 2009 to 2013. He also served as moderator of Brazos River Presbytery and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee.

His ministry was closely connected with a long record of civic and community service. Hall first became involved in the Bellmead, Texas, community as a Little League coach. In 1988, he became the first African American elected to the Bellmead City Council. He served on the council for 19 years and later served three terms as mayor.

Hall's civic involvement also included service with the Texas Municipal League, the Texas Association of Black City Council Members, and the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.

For more than 20 years, Hall was associated with NeighborWorks Waco, a nonprofit organization working to strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunities for homeownership and financial stability. He was particularly committed to helping families understand the homebuying process, improve their credit and gain the financial skills necessary to become homeowners.

Among the projects he remembered with particular pride were Legacy Square, a 12-home development in East Waco constructed on the former site of R.L. Smith School, where his wife began her teaching career, and Belmont Village, a development of 27 duplexes designed to help families move toward homeownership.

Hall's life brought together ministry, civic leadership and community service. Whether through the church, municipal government or neighborhood development, much of his work centered on strengthening families and creating opportunities for others.

08/31/2026

Symposium Early Bird Registration Ends August 31

To get the best rate register TODAY because on September 1st the registration fee will increase to $175!

The Symposium will be held at the Lifeline CP Church in Fort Worth, TX.
The schedule is
Thursday, Nov. 5 - Registration opens at 2 PM followed by workshops, dinner (included in fee), and opening worship in the evening.
Friday, Nov. 6 - Workshops throughout the day, lunch (included in fee), and worship. Dinner will be on your own.
Saturday, Nov. 7 - Plenary session and closing worship will bring the Symposium to a close. The event will conclude before noon.

Visit the Symposium webpage to register, to learn more about the workshops, and to access the hotel booking link.
https://cpcmc.org/the-symposium/

08/26/2026

https://cpcmc.org/from-call-to-care/

08/24/2026

Very good article on financial gifts to ministers. Clergy taxes can be tricky. The Pastor’s Wallet is a great resource.

A 2018 court case helped to clarify when pastoral gifts are considered taxable income. Make sure you know how to classify your income to avoid owing penalties and back taxes. Here in the US, we operate under what is called common law. That means that not all of our laws are written down like […....

08/13/2026

08/10/2026

This a a very interesting read on women clergy. The stats ring pretty true for Cumberland Presbyterian Clergy women - 20.4% of total (841 total ministers of which 172 are female).

On International Women's Day, clergywomen in the U.S. can celebrate a milestone in the uphill calling toward equality in ministry.

08/10/2026

Join us tomorrow evening at 6:30 pm (Central) when we will talk about Worshiping with All Your Senses. Hope to see you online!
More information and Registration - https://cpcmc.org/from-call-to-care/

08/08/2026

Begins August 11. Register Today - https://cpcmc.org/from-call-to-care/

From Call to Care is a new Mentoring Program for "fairly" new ordained ministers (within the past 2-3 years). Monthly online gatherings for about 60 minutes. Led by seasoned pastors. Topics include Worship, Preaching weekly, Dealing with Conflict, Moderating Session, Participating in Presbytery, Funerals, Sacraments, Pastoral Care, and whatever "bubbles up" in each session.

08/06/2026

Begins August 11. Register TODAY - https://cpcmc.org/from-call-to-care/

A new Mentoring Program for "fairly" new ordained ministers. The monthly online cohort will be led by seasoned pastors. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes. Topics include: worship, weekly preaching, conflict, funerals, sacraments, moderating a session, participating in presbytery, pastoral care, and whatever else "bubbles up" in each session. Share with those in your presbytery or clergy colleagues.