Presbytery leader earns a new term

Gerry Tyer received 61 percent of the votes, but some at the quarterly meeting wanted him out.

By SHARON TUBBS

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 8, 2000

LARGO -- After an hourlong and at times contentious debate Thursday, Presbyterians in the Tampa Bay area re-elected Gerry Tyer to a five-year term as executive presbyter, overseeing staff at 78 churches in seven counties.

Tyer, 52, said he will work to bring unity to the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, which represents 28,000 churchgoers from the Skyway Bridge north to Crystal River and Yankeetown.

"One of the strengths of the Presbyterian church and this presbytery is diversity," said Tyer, who has served as executive presbyter since 1991.

"With diversity comes different opinions and different ideas," Tyer said.

Those differences were evident among the more than 200 who attended the quarterly meeting at Christ Presbyterian Church in Largo. In the end, 124, or 61 percent of those who voted, cast ballots for Tyer. Another 77 voted against his re-election, while two voters abstained.

Throughout the daylong session, members discussed everything from advent to next year's $1.6-million budget. Many, though, were on edge waiting for discussion on Tyer's re-election, the last item on the agenda.

John Gallo said he drove from Jacksonville to voice his opinion, which echoed that of several others. Gallo said Tyer was too controlling and, at times, intimidating.

"I believe the executive does nothing about serving ministry," he said, asking members not to re-elect Tyer. "I plead with you . . .," Gallo said.

Some said Tyer had made questionable personnel decisions and that he sometimes made up his own policies, rather than implement those on the books.

Tyer's proponents, however, focussed on his strengths. He supported their congregations in seeking loans and their families during crises, they said. One man said Tyer had been receptive to criticism in the past.

Nancy Hodges, an elder at Christ Presbyterian, noted how Tyer helped in the transitioning process after a minister left the congregation.

"He does a real good job," Hodges said.

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