April 2026 Leadership Council Highlights

The Des Moines Presbytery Leadership Council met Tuesday, April 14, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. Here are some highlights of that meeting:

• The Tri-Presbyteries Personnel Commission met on March 19. Updates were given on their meetings with the Presbytery executives. They are continuing to work with churches who are currently without pastors. They also reviewed information received from the Listening Sessions. The committee notes a true spirit of collaboration between the three presbyteries.

• The next Presbytery meeting will be Tuesday, May 19, in Newton. The theme will focus on education – “Our Intellect is a Gift from God.” The offering will be given to the Synod of Syria and Lebanon to help Presbyterian churches in Lebanon to help people displaced by war.  Communion is planned to be part of the worship service.

• Discussion was held regarding the format(s) of presbytery meetings if we are to merge. It was suggested that “hybrid meetings” be a priority, considering travel time, etc. Ankeny Presbyterian has offered to host meetings for church locations that don’t have the technology to accommodate this.

• Discussion was also held regarding the clean-up and preparation for the sale of the Ft. Des Moines church property. A “thank you” goes to Gary Owens, the Administrative Commission, and the Property Committee for their coordination of clearing out and cleaning up the building.

• The Council discussed possible ways of determining the vitality of a congregation before it’s too late to rectify the situation. It was mentioned that when churches are so concerned with survival, they can lose sight of the actual mission of the church. Increased communication between the presbytery and local churches might be helpful, so local churches see the presbytery as a support to local ministry.

• The data from the recent Listening Sessions will soon be available on the presbytery’s website. The council moderators of the three presbyteries are meeting on May 4 to create a video update on the discernment process.  They are also planning an August 28 meeting for the three Councils and the August 29 Tri-Presbyteries gathering.