New Valley Presbyterian pastor has big plans

Special to the Green Valley News

Attendance at most mainstream Christian churches around the country has declined dramatically, but that doesn’t appear to be a problem at Valley Presbyterian Church, where attendance has increased, says the church’s new senior pastor, Lawrence R. “Larry” DeLong.

At services DeLong conducted as a visiting pastor at the 1,000-seat church on Jan. 11, just before his election by the congregation, it was standing room only. The strong numbers have continued as the congregation gets to know its new pastor, a former U.S. Navy chaplain and pastor of congregations large and small, urban and rural, throughout the country.

Since he began his job Feb. 9, Sunday attendance has averaged about 1,200.

Although he acknowledges that in times of economic crisis people are less likely to make commitments to organizations, DeLong, 52, sounds confident about keeping attendance figures up at the church and boosting membership.

At 6 feet, 6 inches tall, DeLong jokes with the congregation that he is “altitudinally challenged,” but that he learned from U.S. Navy officers that “there’s no substitute for altitude or attitude.”

With his crisp, military-style air of both confidence and authority and a self-deprecating sense of humor, DeLong punctuates sermons with dramatic flourishes, gestures and inflections that hold the congregation’s attention and reflect his experience on stage as an amateur opera and musical comedy singer.

He labors long and hard on his sermons, which often contain metaphors, similes, homilies and analogies that relate the Scripture to everyday life.

He described the Three Wise Men, for example, as astrologers whose GPS led them to the Christ child, and likened the apostle Peter to a conflicted and combative guy who took a swing at the guards who came to arrest Jesus, then lied to them later about knowing Jesus.

DeLong said that while his congregation, which includes many non-Presbyterians, will always be a big tent, with room for all, he theologically works within the Presbyterian model.

“What we tell people is this is what we believe in and ask them does this make sense to you,” he said.

“Methodists, Baptists and others go looking for God. We believe that God is always there, that you don’t fit God into your life, but see how your life fits into God.”

DeLong sees his major role as the church’s chief educator and preacher, but one who is approachable, warm, friendly and closely connected to people.

He asks to be called Larry, rather than the Rev. DeLong, and said he works to make people feel “like they are sitting at a table drinking coffee and chatting” with him whether he’s preaching or just talking informally with parishioners.

He said he’s comfortable with members of the “Greatest Generation,” who comprise the majority of his congregation, because he grew up with older parents in a small town in Old Forge, N.Y., and siblings a generation older.

“I think people in Green Valley find our style of traditional worship comfortable. They do like a sense of formality and order. I like the formality and use it as an envelope to work within,” he said.

While DeLong plans to be actively involved in many community activities and groups, he won’t be speaking out from the pulpit on issues such as gay marriage or abortion rights because he believes a formal public stance constitutes a roadblock to what he seeks to achieve at the church.

“We have both conservative and liberal members and we want people to get along together. Jesus tried to meet people where they are, not where He would want them to be. We aim for understanding and want to provide people with the opportunity to grow by interaction and information. People in their 60s, 70s and 80s are more concerned with mortality and spiritual growth than the raging issues of the day,” he said.

DeLong, who holds a Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., majoring in musical composition and voice. He hopes his baritone voice will contribute occasionally to the church choir, and also enjoys woodworking, golf and reading.

Since his graduation from seminary, he has served in various pastoral positions in Hope Mills, N.C., Albuquerque, Phoenix, Sun City, Eagle River, Alaska, Fairmont, W.V., and, most recently Sackets Harbor, N.Y., and Fort Monmouth, N.J.

He worked as a Navy chaplain from 1986-1992. His wife, Valerie, whom he met when both were Navy chaplains, is an Army chaplain at Fort Drum, N.Y. She plans to retire this summer and move, with the couple’s two children, Seth and Sadie, both 8, to Green Valley. The couple has already purchased a house here and plan to make the community their permanent home.

DeLong said the welcome he and his wife and children received at the church after his election by the congregation in January was both memorable and inspiring.

“It touched us both deeply; we have been all over the world, quite literally, since our marriage and while home is where our family is, we have both been looking toward the day when we could settle in one place, grow into the community and truly be home,” he said.

Though the church has multiple programs DeLong said he has plans to implement some new ones, including internships for seminary students so they have the opportunity to get to know a very dynamic and active congregation and learn much from that experience.

One of his major challenges, he said, is to develop a vision for the future that will continue to attract members, including younger members, who may be less likely than their parents or grandparents to be regular church-goers and church members.

Kathy Engle is a freelance writer who lives in Amado. You can contact her at kdengle@earthlink.net.

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Active church with rich history

Known locally as the “Presbyterian palace,” Valley Presbyterian Church, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, will mark another milestone today with the installation of the Rev. Larry DeLong as its new senior pastor at 3 p.m.

The service in the sanctuary, which will be marked by pomp and circumstance, procession and pageantry, will be conducted by elders and ministers of the Presbytery de Cristo, the regional governing body of the church, whose territory includes Southern Arizona and one church in New Mexico.

Although DeLong was officially elected to the post by the congregation on Jan. 22 after an extensive search, this marks his official installation to the post, previously held by the Rev. John Ross, who retired in April,

Following the service, a reception will held at the church. The public is invited to both events.

With more than 1,600 members, a support staff of more than a dozen full- and part-time workers, numerous volunteers, and an annual budget of $1 million, Valley Presbyterian Church is one of the largest in Green Valley. It is known for its Spanish mission architecture, 100-plus member choir aided by a 9-foot Steinway piano and Rogers organ, and its range of programs including grief support, spiritual renewal, community education, nursery and childcare services, community education, Bible studies, mission activities and support of community and regional non-profit groups.

The chancel of the church is framed by a view of the Santa Rita Mountains and in winter and spring the congregation is treated to the activities of two Great Horned Owls and their young outside the windows. The owls have nested at the church since its founding.

Despite many additions over the past several years, the church, 2800 S. Camino del Sol, remains debt-free, church officials said.

— Kathy Engle