On December 8, we will have our annual congregational meeting with two agenda items that we will vote on: the election of our leader candidates and the release of Rev. Tim Mascara from his pastoral call at StoneBridge. Here’s a brief explanation of each:

  • Regarding leader candidates: The congregation is voting to confirm each of the eight names on the ballot (see below) not to vote for a specific candidate over others. You’ll be given the opportunity to vote yes, no, or abstaining for each candidate (elders, deacons, and deaconesses).

  • Regarding Tim’s pastoral call: In the PCA, when a congregation votes to call a pastor to their church, they also need to vote when that same pastor leaves the church. And so our vote on December 8 formally releases Tim from his pastoral duties at StoneBridge to pursue and accept a new pastoral call. Tim will continue to serve through January 15.

If you have questions about a leader candidate, about Tim’s departure, or about anything involved in the process, please let us know; you can e-mail Tim, Soon, and Kevin via pastors@stonebridge.org.

Julie Andrews - Deaconess 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

I grew up in Southern California as a military “brat” in a Christian home. In my mid teens, my family and I moved to South Carolina where my parents soon stopped attending church; however, they were very willing to support my continuance to attend Church; however there was no emphasis on a personal relationship with Christ.  I always felt God calling me to something more, I just did not understand what that was.  In my freshman year at East Carolina University, God placed me in a dorm that had three of the student leaders for three different Christian ministries on campus.  Hence, I explored all three, but found myself enjoying the inductive study of scripture engaged in by the Navigators. It is during this time that I came to know and have a personal relationship with Jesus.  In my junior year in school, God brought David into my life and we were married a year and half later. We moved to Charlotte shortly thereafter and started attending a life group with what was then known as University City Presbyterian Church (now StoneBridge).  We attended the Levinson LIfe group for a year and found that God was calling us to attend and join the Church in 1994.  While at StoneBridge I have had the opportunity to serve in many venues: supervising nursery volunteers; teaching children’s Sunday School for a multitude of years; Puppet ministry for children; Volunteered at Vacation Bible School; participated in missions trips and other ministries as well. David and I have always been a part of a life group and find it essential to our Christian life.  This past year is the first time that we have stepped out on faith and accepted the call to facilitate a small group ourselves. I am humbled and honored to have been nominated for this responsibility.

Matt Baker - Returning Elder

My formative years were in upstate New York, growing up with five brothers in a Christian home. My parents were instrumental in my early understanding of who Christ is. God called me to himself at a young age, and I grew in my understanding of Him and His love for me through my high school years and college experience at Wheaton. I met my wife Sarah, the person who keeps me most accountable in my Christian walk, during my time in college. We were married in 2000, added Ruby to our small family in 2006, and are pleased to be living near lots of Baker extended family here in Charlotte since 2013. During my 11 years at Stonebridge, I have had the opportunity to serve on the Session, teach in the adult Sunday School rotation, lead a Life Group, participate in a missions trip and serve the youth of the church in various ways. Each of these endeavors have provided opportunities to build relationships within our church, grow in my walk with the Lord and realize my dependence upon God for discernment, leadership and strength. 

Sarah and I are adjusting to our first year of empty-nesting, filling our new “free time” with reading, hiking and extra time with our nieces and nephews. In addition, I look forward to serving again on the Session and working with a devoted team as we pursue God’s will for our church. 

“O let my trembling soul be still,

And wait thy wise and holy will!

I cannot, Lord, thy purpose see,

Yet all is well since ruled by Thee.”

-unknown author

Sarah Baker - Deaconess

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10

God has a plan for everyone.  Nothing is an accident.  I was born and raised in Utah, but born into a Christian family.  I was saved at a young age.  As I got older I graduated from a mental picture of a heart-shaped, four-room home for Jesus in my chest and came to truly understand God’s grace and mercy.  It was important to know why I believed what I did and why I didn’t belong to the same church as most of my friends.  

In college I met Matt Baker.  Being a wife and a mother have sharpened and honed my convictions.  We moved to Charlotte in 2013 and have attended StoneBridge ever since.  I fully believe we as the church have been Placed for a Purpose.  

Jack Faircloth - New Elder

We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19

A local church introduced me as a teenager to the gospel of Christ by invitation to their youth group activities. Almost forty years later the grace, love, and joy from following Jesus continues to save me. I can trace my new life’s journey back to the fact that the leaders of my first church accepted the great commision as a call on their heart.  After being a member and serving at StoneBridge over the years I have come to agree with Spurgeon. The local church is a barracks for believers who need rest and nourishment. It isn’t an officers club for those that have it all together! 

My twenty eight year marriage to Christie and our three adult children are proof that faith thrives in community. My goal is to give back by being a part of the leadership that has served me and my family so well for so long.  The church (like me) isn’t perfect, but may it always strive to live out the scriptures by lifting up the Lord. If elected as Elder I look forward to opportunities to teach, shepherd, visit, comfort, lead, and pray for our church body and our community.   

Jeff Levinson - Returning Elder

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17

It was 45 years ago when, through an understanding that the Messiah whom the prophet Isaiah was referring to was the Lord Jesus, that I became a believer.  This path was particular and individual – as is my background, a NYC Jewish person -  and as is His call is to each one of us in Christ (how wonderful!). Through the years, His exceeding abundant grace has manifested itself time and again -- particularly as I recognize the real depth of my sin and the overwhelming truth that apart from Him I can do nothing.  The issue remains molding my heart to mirror His.... an on-going work of His Spirit. Now, after 42+ years of marriage, 7 children and 34 years at SB, I am “one beggar showing another where to find food” (John Fisher).  My personal passion is that StoneBridge would be a place that is desperate to know God’s word (the food) and share it with others while reflecting/doing it!  Our distinctive would be that we are people of the Book, people of prayer and a diverse community - full of love and truth, bound together as we engage our community and world.  By His Spirit and power, He will accomplish this in us!

Johnny Lowe - Returning Deacon

I am the youngest of 5 kids, 2 sisters and 2 brothers, and the son of a Mexican mom and an American dad, so I am a “Chicano”. We grew up attending the Catholic Church (whenever mom was able to wake up on time) however my dad was not a church attendee nor was I sure if he was a believer at the time. In high school we sort of stopped attending church regularly but I have always felt that God/Jesus was a part of my life. When I entered college, I had a candid prayer with Jesus that I was putting my religious life on hold to explore life. At the time, I did not realize how risky this was, but I do recall that I asked Jesus to watch over me and to be expectant for me to come back. I’ll never forget the last day of college when a buddy and I climbed a tree hanging over the Hillsborough River in Florida and I started to share my faith in Christ with him and let my friend know that I will return to the church and try to live out my faith now that I am entering the real world. At the time, I was dating a beautiful girl named Larissa who is now my wife. Larissa also grew up a Christian which was very important to me. We are blessed with 4 amazing daughters that have a heart for the Lord. We also have an amazing son we adopted from Burkina Faso, West Africa in response to the Lord speaking to Larissa. As I embark on this journey, I acknowledge that I cannot do anything without the Lord being on my side. I have asked that his will be done for my officer consideration and am at peace with whatever he has in store.

Bobby Scott - Returning Elder

I didn't grow up going to church regularly. My mom was Catholic and my dad was Methodist, but neither of them were deeply involved in their faith. They made sure my sister and I knew basic Christian values, but our church attendance was pretty sporadic—mostly just Easter, Christmas Eve, and occasionally when they felt it had been too long. Eventually, we stopped going altogether.

Thankfully, God had other plans for me. In high school, two of my best friends played a huge role in bringing me to faith. Around that time, I also felt an unexplainable urge to start reading the Bible on my own. After what felt like endless invitations to join their church youth group, I finally gave in. Though it wasn't until a youth conference when I was 16, that the Holy Spirit opened my heart to the gospel, and I came to a real faith in Jesus.

Since then, God has been incredibly generous in my life. My wife Jennifer is an amazing woman of faith, and we've been blessed with four wonderful kids who, unlike us, have had the privilege of hearing the gospel from the very beginning. We've been members at StoneBridge since 2012. During that time, I have served in the ministries at StoneBridge in various ways, including previously serving on the Session and dedicating many years to youth ministry. The Lord has given me a heart for discipleship, and I am currently leading a Journey group and serving on the Journey core leadership team. My wife and I have also taught the high school Sunday school class for several years, as we have a deep passion for teaching the Bible—especially to the next generation.

I'm deeply honored to be considered for another opportunity to serve and shepherd our church as an Elder, and I'm eager to see how God will continue to work in and through StoneBridge.

Pauline Wickens

Pauline Wickens - Deaconess

I was raised in a tumultuous home where uncertainty and chaos reigned. By God’s amazing grace, I was drawn to Jesus at a very early age through the influence of my grandparents and then as my family moved from Kansas to Missouri to Florida and back to Missouri, through neighbors who invited me to church and provided transportation. 

I’ve leaned on Jesus for comfort, guidance, and companionship throughout my life. 

I graduated from Kansas State University and worked as a speech therapist. I married my husband and had three children. We moved to Charlotte in the early nineties and I was widowed when my husband passed away from prostate cancer at the age of forty nine. 

After three years, my husband Ron Wickens came into my life through his daughter who introduced us. We have been married for 27 years and together have five children, fifteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. My husband has a true servant’s heart. 

I now serve at StoneBridge as a Stephen Minister. It is a privilege to walk beside someone who is experiencing a challenge in their life. My prayer is that through the guidance of the Holy Spirit I might live my life to its fullest capacity to do the work God has called me to in His way. 

Members have the opportunity to nominate qualified men in the ordained office of elder and deacon, and qualified women in the commissioned role of deaconess. These nominees will be presented before the Session in late spring to move forward through training and equipping. Approved nominees will go through a three-month training, focused on Scripture, theology, polity, shepherding, care, and mission. When complete, they’ll go back to the Session for final approval to be presented before the congregation in December for election.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR BEING AN ELDER, DEACON, OR DEACONESS: 

  1. Biblical - I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9.

  2. Theological - They must be in theological agreement with the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.

  3. They need to be a member of SBCC for at least 5 years before serving.

  4. They must be willing to attend officer training classes.

  5. They should have a demonstrated track record of participation and involvement at SBCC.

  6. They must receive multiple nominations.

  7. Officer nominees need to be approved by the session to begin training. Those who complete the training class will be interviewed by the session to be considered as officer candidates for election at a congregational meeting.

FAQ’s

What’s different this year?

We normally nominate, train, and elect men in the ordained office of elder and deacon. This year we will also nominate, train, and elect women in the commissioned role of deaconess.

Does this align with our theology and PCA polity?

Yes, it does, and the PCA’s 2017 Women in Leadership study committee encourages churches to do so (see Recommendation #6, page 61 of the report). The report also provides relevant scriptural warrant. Today, many PCA churches either appoint or commission qualified women for diaconal work, often giving them the title “deacon assistant” or “deaconess.” This practice is already permitted in PCA’s Book of Church Order (9-7). 

What’s the difference between ordained and commissioned?

Ordination is an official process that is prescribed by the PCA and is only reserved for men in the office of elder or deacon. Commissioning is an act of the church whereby we recognize and empower leaders in our church to carry out specific ministry and roles.

Does this mean we’ll begin having women serve as elders too?

While women can and do serve in many functions in the church, StoneBridge’s scriptural and theological convictions hold us to only having men in the ordained office of an elder.

Why are we making this change now?

The Session explores many issues throughout the year to learn, grow, and/or align to core beliefs and vision. In the fall of 2023, the Session asked a committee to explore the PCA Report on Women in Ministry and see if there were any gaps in alignment with how StoneBridge was operating and the PCA recommendations. After prayer, research, and connecting with other PCA churches, our committee presented recommendations to the Session in October. In December, the Session prayerfully and unanimously voted to commission women in the role of deaconess.