Show STANDARD-EXAMINE- R SATURDAY FEB 3 1990 pastor getting ac Rev Koah says his theology is ‘Presbyterian to the bone’ By WARY LOU PHIPPEN Standard Examiner BRIGHAM CITY — The Rev Timothy A Koah is the new pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Brigham City and he and his wife April are getting acquainted with their new surroundings Raised in the United Presbyterian Children's Home in Mars Pa from fourth grade through college Koah says “My theology is Presbyterian to the bone 1 believe in the complete sovereignty of God the free will of persons and the total dependence upon Him for our salvation I am constantly humbled by His grace and mercy” It's evident Koah has found his niche “We are very happy with our selection — he's all we ever hoped for” said David Ewing a member of the search committee responsible for finding just the right candidate for the position The search process took more than a year Ewing said and “we reviewed the resumes of 65 people” before narrowing it down to Koah “We wanted someone who could match the needs of the church — a Bible-base- d preacher who is down to earth with a strong background in Christian education and pastoral experience He fit all the crite- ria" Koah stresses that he wants his ministry to be fun and joyous when it can but he can be serious when it's necessary “I'm healthy enthusiastic and ready to serve" he said Koah's wife said she loves Brigham City and the church members have made them feel so welcome “What drew us to the area at first were the mountains" she said and finding such a loving church verified they had made the right move She feels her role is as a mother first Five of their children are grown and reside in Ohio But Lathey still have a such “she's and home rissa at to She wants said she blessing" be a support to her husband and to be there when people want to talk The retired Air Force officer preached his candidacy sermon Nov 19 and still remembers the title “Thanks but No Thanks" It must have been a pretty impressive sermon because he was offered the position practically ‘ on the spot Koah served as a Protestant chaplain in the US Air Force since 1970 where he put all his training and talents into practice Most recently he was head of staff at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana Working for him were four junior chaplains with backgrounds in Roman Catholic United Pentecostal and Christian Episcopalian churches Koah says one of the first things he wants to do at his new job is to send out a “needs assessment” flyer to all members “That way I can find out what the congregation sees as its needs and then we have some direction for the decisions we make” he said He'd like to encourage the youth to attend Christian camp during the summer “More kids make a commitment to Christ at these camps than anything else the church provides" Marriage counseling is a talent he is offering to his congregation and Christian education is high on his list of important things eduon up cation for Over the years Koah has worked out a system of success for new pastors It goes like this: first year sit back and take it all in offer no suggestions second year drop a hint now and then on possible changes: then by the third year church leaders will make the suggestions you hinted at earlier He admits this is all in fun but has no plans for wholesale changes “This church is doing just fine They see a need in the community and then do something about it They don't just sit around on Sundays talking about Moses in the bullrushes" Koah has expressed a desire to be active in the community and wants to cooperate with lo- See KOAH on Page 2 Shared Ministry sets its 1 990 agendaPage 3 |