Introducing our Associate Pastor Elect
Pine Street Presbyterian Church Welcomes
Candidate for Associate Pastor Alexander L. Lang
April 26, 2009
Alexander & Courtney Lang
INVITATION TO ALEXANDER LANG'S ORDINATION
Native of Fredericksburg, VA
M.Div.
, Princeton Theological Seminary 2007B.A. Religious Studies, Rice University 2002
Chaplain Assistant
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
Director of Youth Ministries
Princeton United Methodist Church
Associate Director of Youth
Ministry
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westlake
Village, CA
Alex
grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
He attended Rice University on a swimming scholarship where he received
a BA in religious studies. The swim team was cut after his freshman
year, which allowed him the opportunity to study theology at Oxford
University in England during his junior year. At Oxford, he studied
under Catholic monks and friars, discovering his calling to the
ministry. During his senior year at Rice, Alex met his wife Courtney,
who was bound for law school at Pepperdine University in California.
After spending a year apart, Courtney at law school and Alex at
Princeton Theological Seminary,Courtney and Alex married. Alex moved to
California and took time off from seminary while Courtney finished her
degree. They then moved back to Princeton so that Alex could finish his
degree. During that time Alex worked as a youth pastor for a
Presbyterian church in California and for a Methodist church in
Princeton.
Alex’s hobbies include film making, writing and weight lifting. Alex loves all technology (with the possible exception of cell phones.) He loves sushi and ice-cream — in that order. Alex also looks forward to getting a pair of Bassett Hounds after he moves to Harrisburg.
Courtney grew up in los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of Rice University and Pepperdine University where she earned her J.D. While Alex was completing his degree at Princeton, Courtney held the position of Assistant University Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel at Princeton University.Courtney enjoys travelling, yoga, dance classes, farmers markets, ethnic food, reading, architecture, and art museums. She loves the outdoors and looks forward to taking up kayaking on the Susquehanna.
Favorite Scripture
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Gifts
“I feel that my primary gift is being able to effectively communicate the Word of God. . . .” Another gift that I possess is pastoral care. I truly enjoy spending time with those who are in need. . .particularly. . .the elderly.”
Leadership Style
“I am the type of person who likes to have as much prayerful input into every decision as possible. I like to know how God has been guiding the congregation as they approach an issue that faces the church. Where God leads them within the scriptures and their own prayer life will often open our eyes to avenues of thinking we did not previously consider.”
“I believe in leading a service oriented church. Martin Luther said that faith without works is no faith at all. Thus, as we are led by the Spirit towards a faith centered life, the expression of that faith is in works of service towards others in our community and in the world beyond.”
“I believe strongly in promoting an open church where the congregation fully embraces each other as they are, without judgment.”
Success in Building the Youth Program
“By restructuring the group [at Princeton United Methodist Church] to create separate programs for middle and high school and authoring my own lesson series and retreat materials, I bolstered the quality of youth education and increased attendance three-fold even amidst a steadily declining church population. When I came to PUMC, the majority of youth were unable to articulate their faith and had little to no knowledge of the Bible. They now understand what it means to confess Christ as Lord and Savior and several have embraced faith in Jesus.”
Issues facing the church
“From my perspective, the most important theological issue facing the church today is upholding the divinity of Christ in the midst of an increasingly pluralistic society. . .Maintaining a Christocentric focus is necessary if we are to retain our connection with the Reformed tradition.”
“An equally important issue facing the PCUSA churches is the presentation of the gospel message in relevant ways. . .If we meet the people where they are, both spiritually and physically, then we will begin to see a revival in our churches. . .Spiritually, we must present a gospel message that is both colloquial and applicable to the real difficulties we face in our modern world. Physically, we must turn outward, beyond our walls, and affect those who see no need for Christ in their life with the grace and healing that our Lord, Jesus Christ, has given to us.”
Listen and read his sermon from April 26,
2009
View pictures from the
receptions for Alex and Courtney