Church Leadership
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
Interim Pastor Chuck Taber
Our interim pastor, Chuck Taber, is an Army brat, who had his right foot amputated when he was eight years old; and thus, became known as the Peg-leg Presbyterian Preacher. He has earned an A.A. in Marketing, a B.A. in Bible, a M.A. in NT Studies, and a M.Div. He has worked as a Page Layout Specialist, an Accounts Payable Clerk, a Payroll Specialist, and an Executive Administrative Assistant. And as a PCUSA pastor, he has served congregations in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. He has been married to Veronica Young since 1978, and together they have two children, two grandchildren, and four cats. Pastor Chuck enjoys preaching, leading worship, camping, photography, singing, reading, and growing roses, and especially teaching, and we are glad he is here to help us through this period of transition.
St. James is a congregation of passionate people who volunteer their time in service with the church, many in leadership positions. The name “Presbyterian” means “governed by elders.” Presbyterian churches are effectively a representative democracy, somewhat similar to the government of the United States.
The leadership of our congregation comes from the Session, a group of women and men, elected to three-year terms by the congregation as Ruling Elders, who serve along with our Teaching Elder(pastor). We also have a Diaconate, made up of women and men elected as Deacons to care for and nurture the church. Deacons are elected in the same manner as members of the Session.
Members of the Session and Diaconate, together with our Pastor and Church Staff, form the leadership of the Church.