Leadership
The Session
The Session is charged with spiritual oversight of the life of the congregation. The membership of the Session consists of ordained and installed Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders (Pastors), all elected by the congregation. In addition to possessing the necessary gifts and abilities for leading the congregation, those who undertake the ministry of Ruling Elder should be persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and in the world.
The Session carries out its work primarily through its Standing Committees as well as through task forces, commissions, and other committees. Terms of service for members of the Session begin with ordination and/or installation, traditionally in January.
In their service on the Session, on Standing Committees, task forces, commissions, and other committees, members of the Session play a dual role:
- As members of the Session, they are responsible for the spiritual oversight of the congregation and for oversight of all the programs and ministries of St. Philip. In the fulfillment of this role, they are expected to be concerned with whether St. Philip’s programs and ministries are faithful and effective expressions of St. Philip’s mission as a congregation of Christ’s Church. They act as the policy-making body of the congregation.
- As members of Standing Committees and other working groups, they are responsible for working with others in planning, implementing, and evaluating particular programs and ministries of St. Philip and for communicating to the entire Session all information necessary for the Session to exercise its role of spiritual stewardship. The Session as a body is responsible for communicating to the congregation.
Members of the Session
Class of 2025
Dan Boston
Laura Burgess
Maggie Dement
William Howard
Mary Thornton McGuire
Gary Whitney
Nancy Beck Young
Class of 2026
Selena Brinegar
Kate Burkart
David Castro
Ada Fuller
Kurt Grether
John Hartman
Class of 2027
Lee Ardell
Tina Bryan
Sherri Dees
Pam Keever
Sarah Victorian
Al Waldrop
Denise Wilborn
Clerk of Session: John Lemen
Treasurer: Rhonda Sands
The Diaconate
Deacon
The ministry of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.
Deacon Team
- Beth Atkinson
- Jane Cooper
- Governor Frazier
- David Fox
- Joyce Fox
- Ann Frautschi
- Mary Thornton McGuire
- Gary Whitney
Trustees
The duties of the trustees are to receive, hold, encumber, manage, and transfer property on behalf of the congregation; and to manage any permanent special funds for the furtherance of the purposes of the congregation
Board of Trustees
Pam Taylor
John Van Osdall
Casey Lambright
Committees
Education
Sarah Victorian | Chair
Nancy Young
Mission: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, to guide us as we engage and inspire as to build faith and discipleship within the children of God.
Fellowship
Laura Burgess | Chair
Ada Fuller
Kurt Grether
The purpose of the Fellowship Committee is to plan and arrange social activities and celebrations for the congregation throughout the year, for the congregation’s enjoyment, and to welcome new members and visitors. The Fellowship Committee welcomes all as part of God’s family. In recognition of our common faith, the Fellowship Committee brings together the church’s immediate and extended family in joy and thanksgiving to build bonds in Christ.
Finance
Al Waldrop | Chair
Dan Boston
Pam Keever
The purpose of the Finance Committee is to oversee the church’s financial position to help ensure the accomplishment of its mission.
Mission
David Castro | Chair
Tina Bryan
Mary McGuire
The purpose of the Mission Committee is to develop and nurture the congregation as it reaches out to support Christ’s mission locally and around the world as well as through the PCUSA. The Committee works to make mission an integral part of the life of the congregation.
Peacemaking & Social Justice
Denise Wilborn | Chair
Kate Burkart
The purpose of the Peacemaking and Social Justice Committee is to highlight and support the denomination’s Peacemaking Program; and to maintain congregational awareness of issues of social, racial, and economic injustice; human rights; arms control, and environmental degradation; and all forms of exclusion and prejudice [as described more fully in St. Philip’s Commitment to Peacemaking (2003)].
Personnel
William Howard | Chair
Ada Fuller
Al Waldrop
The purpose of the Personnel Committee is to propose, implement, and administer the policies of the church with respect to personnel, subject to the approval of the Session.
Property
Dan Boston | Chair
John Hartman
Pam Keever
The purpose of the Property Committee is to plan for and oversee the maintenance, improvement, care, and use of all real and personal property held in the name of St. Philip Presbyterian Church of Houston.
Stewardship
Kate Burkart | Chair
John Hartman
The purpose of the Stewardship Committee is to provide leadership to St. Philip as the congregation seeks to discern God’s will for the use of its corporate and individual resources. The Committee seeks to foster a sense of stewardship by encouraging the congregation's giving and tithing. Recognizing the stewardship of all of God’s gifts, the Committee encourages and facilitates the stewardship of time and talents from all members of the congregation.
Welcome & Membership
Selena Brinegar | Chair
Lee Ardell
The purpose of the Welcoming and Membership Committee is to invite persons to become members of St. Philip and encourage them to respond to the Gospel by becoming active members in the life and work of the church.
Worship & Music
Maggie Dement | Chair
Sherri Dees
Gary Whitney
The purpose of the Worship and Music Committee, working with the Pastor(s) and Director of Music, is to develop, implement, coordinate, and oversee all aspects of worship that strengthen both public and private worship of God.
