What’s In A Name?

Welcome to our new name:  Christ the King Presbyterian Church!  A name should tell you something about the thing named.  That is certainly true for the names that are most important to us as Christians.  The story of the Bible is the story of the purpose of God to redeem a people and renovate the whole cosmos.  The central character in that story is the Savior, Jesus Christ, Immanuel.  ‘Jesus’ is the translation of the Old Testament name, Joshua, which means ‘Deliverer’; ‘Christ’ means ‘Anointed One’, the primary designation used in the Old Testament to describe the promised Savior who would come, fulfilling the three anointed offices in Israel:  Prophet, Priest and King; and ‘Immanuel’ means ‘God with us’.  Why would we want to change our name?  Not because we object to Indian River Presbyterian Church, but because we want people to know who is at the center of our life and ministry.  That person is Jesus.  And as the Anointed One who has come to Deliver His people, He remains God with us.  But He is more.  He is now the ascended King of kings and Lord of lords.  Through the ministry of the church, in the preaching of the gospel and deeds of love and mercy, empowered by His Spirit, He is exerting and extending His rule and reign.  And the day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, that is King, to the glory of God the Father.  Then, the kingdoms of this world will become fully what they are now only partially…the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ…and He will reign forever.

This is the good news of the gospel…the good news that the King has come and He has inaugurated His Kingdom.  At Christ the King Presbyterian Church, we are committed to the belief that Christianity begins and ends with Christ.  We believe that people may find real forgiveness because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We believe that Jesus is calling His people to Himself and when He reclaims lost sinners, He begins His work of healing and restoration in their lives.  We believe that the church is a gathering of people where the realities of the Kingdom of Jesus can be seen…imperfectly and partially, but truly.  And we believe that the day is coming when all that we long for, peace, freedom, community, safety, abundance, joy and rest, will be ours to enjoy.  We look for the presence of the Kingdom in all of its fullness.  This is our hope.  And we labor now to give expression to it in our life and witness.  We invite you to join us in our pilgrimage and in the service of Christ, our King.

Welcome to Christ the King Presbyterian Church! 

Election of  a new Senior Pastor

We are overjoyed to announce the unanimous vote of the congregation on February 26, 2006 to call Michael N. Malone as Senior Pastor of Indian River Presbyterian Church.  In less than one year the Lord has graciously provided the man who will shepherd the flock and lead us in the work of his kingdom in Indian River County and beyond.  Throughout this process we have seen God’s goodness as he has guided and sustained us on this journey to identify the man of his choosing. 

Mike Malone brings with him a wealth of life-wisdom and church-experience.   He was born in Indiana, received his B.A. at the University of Michigan and his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  He and his wife Barbara have been married for twenty eight years and have three daughters: Katie, 25; Leslie, 22; and Annie, 20.

Mike has been the organizing pastor of two church plants: Christ Presbyterian in Richmond, Indiana and St Paul’s Presbyterian in Orlando, Florida.  Both churches began with a small group of core members and, under his leadership as Senior Pastor, grew to a much larger congregation with a full staff and facilities. Many of you have had the privilege of worshipping at St. Paul’s in Orlando where the Malones have served for the past fifteen years.

Mike is passionate about the corporate worship of God.  Some of you will remember reading his many contributions to the column, “The Pastor’s Perspective,” and other articles which have appeared in Table Talk Magazine.  He is very much missions-minded, especially for training foreign pastors and seminary professors, and has led several trips to Japan and Tanzania. Mike served for many years on the board of Covenant Seminary and is now a member of the board of Covenant College where all three of his daughters have attended.

Mike is, quite simply, a prince of a man.  He loves the church.  He loves people. He is gospel-driven in all he does. Mike and Barb enjoy opening their home and sharing conversation around the table.  They are committed to building a real fellowship of believers who pray together, have meals together, follow Christ together.  They care deeply about making an impact on the surrounding community. Barb is a wonderful pastor’s wife. She is hospitable, merciful and enjoys getting to know women in the church and neighborhood.  She has served two terms as president of Women in the Church (WIC) and has led women and children’s Bible studies.  Barb and Mike are a great team in ministry. They are especially fond of time together with their girls.  Mike is an avid golfer, runner, reader, conversationalist and appreciates music of all kinds.

Mike will be transitioning from his role as Senior Pastor of St. Paul's Presbyterian and moving his family to Vero Beach over the next several months and will begin filling the pulpit full time around mid-summer.

Please join us in praising God for his faithfulness to our little flock in Indian River County!  He has provided well beyond what any one of us could have ever hoped for or imagined.  These are exciting days for our church family as we begin to move into the next era of our life together. 

To God alone be the glory!