Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis

WE ARE EXCITED….

We want you to be excited too….

After much discernment and prayer, the Lord brought us the Rev. Dr. John (Jack) Barden.

We have been blessed---Rev Barden is one of the most experienced and gifted Pastors to have ever blessed our church family. On Sunday, December 9^th the congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis, voted unanimously to call Rev. Barden as our pastor. Though Jack will not officially begin in this new role until February 15, 2019, he will be conducting many of our services between now and then. In the meantime, he is completing his commitments to the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he has, for 12 years, been a thoughtful devoted leader of that institution. Prior to joining the seminary, he had, for 18 years, served as Associate Pastor, Solo and Head of Staff pastor to small and medium churches in Houston, Eastern Kentucky and Missouri.

The Reverend Barden earned his BA (cum laude) in Religion in 1985. Then in 1987 he was awarded his certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education at both St. Like’s Episcopal Hospital, in Houston, and at Brackenridge Hospital here in Austin. Then in 1988 Jack earned his Master of Divinity at Austin Theological Seminary and then in 2000, his Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, in Chicago.

Jack has been a part of PCLT for many years, as he has preached and conducted services for us many times since 2007. Just recently, when asked if he would consider returning to the pulpit, Jack felt the calling and in his own words “It is time for me to return to my deep calling—to preach, to lead worship, to care for people in their daily journeys—to be, in short, what Austin Seminary first prepared me to be—a pastor.”

In 2017 Jack began attending services at PCLT. Though not obvious to any of us at the time, it was clear that the Holy Spirit was at work---Jack was destined to become our spiritual leader. Jack’s gifts in the pulpit, his compassion, his intellect, his care and concern for all, make him the right person at the right time for PCLT and for all those in our Lake Travis area who are seeking a compassionate church open to all. Jack brings all of this to us. From Rev Barden’s perspective and from his own words when considering a call to become our pastor, he said that, “I believe the Holy Spirit is at work in bringing all of us together. Already this congregation is doing great ministry and supporting amazing missions in this community and beyond. You all have a heart for those who have been left out or forgotten or cast aside. You have a passion to embrace and welcome all who want to rest at home in God’s family. I look forward to the opportunity to serve alongside this congregation in the years ahead.”

Grace and peace to all.

January 20th
Unit 6: Genesis 18:1-33
God visits Abraham and Sarah: Abraham’s Intercession
Facilitator: Pat Hitchcock

January 27th
Unit 7: Genesis 22:1-19
The Testing of Abraham
Facilitator: Aida Faris

February 3rd
Unit 8: Genesis 28:10-22
Jacob’s Dream at Bethel
Facilitator: Carolyn Gottlieb

February 10th
Unit 9: Genesis 32:22-32
Jacob Wrestles with God
Facilitator: Carolyn Gottlieb

February 17th
Unit 10: Genesis 45:1-28 and 50:15-21
Joseph Makes Himself Known: The Reconciliation of Jacob’s Sons
Facilitator: Mary Margaret MacMillan

February 24th
Introduction to the Rev. Dr. Jack Barden

A Congregation in Missional Transformation

“It has taken us decades to realize that mission is not just a program of the church. It defines the church as God’s sent people. Either we are defined by mission, or we reduce the scope of the gospel and the mandate of the church.”

~ Derek Guder, Missional Church

Like many churches, PCLT recognizes the need to move beyond walls of our building into the world around us. Our church has always been focused on and committed to serving God and our neighbor. And God is always sending us to new places. Join us as we continue to discover, through prayer and creative discernment, ways in which we can build relationships and partner with others to be part of the God’s mission of mending of the world.