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July 13, 1996. Minutes from June meeting of RPC Presbytery.
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From: David Seekamp To: Pastor Bacon, Dr. Crick
Subject: Draft - Minutes frorm June '96 Presbytery Date: Sat, 13 Jul 1996 23:28:02 -0500
Reformation Presbyterian Church
Attendance Roster
Held in Charlotte, NC at the Coulwood Presbyterian Church
June 21, 1996 (resolved to a committee meeting)
[Attachment A]
Officer participants:
Pastor Richard Bacon First Presbyterian Church of Rowlett
Pastor Bruce Robinson Presbyterian Reformed Fellowship
Elder David Seekamp First Presbyterian Church of Rowlett
Licentiate attendees:
Visitor attendees:
Chuck Greenewald Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Ron Haag Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Committee Meeting Minutes
Held in Charlotte, NC at the
Coulwood Presbyterian Church
June 21, 1996
The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Robinson at ~8:30 AM. [item 1]
A Psalm was sung. [item 2]
Pastor Robinson preached a sermon from 1 Peter 4:12-ff. [item 3]
It was m/s/passed by UC that we accept Jerry Crick's absence as excused. [item 4]
It was m/s/passed by UC that Pastor Price's absence be considered unexcused.
The moderator ruled that no quorum was present to convene as a meeting of Presbytery.
It was m/s/passed by UC that we resolve ourselves to a committee of the whole and report our findings to the Presbytery at such time as a quorum were deemed present.
It was m/s/passed by UC that the minutes from the April 6, 1996 meeting be amended with the following corrections:
1) to strike lines "arising from report" on item 16.
2) to strike "several" in item 18
3) to strike "it was further moved" and add "and" so the line will read "and that we formally invite them..."
4) to remove the braces '[' and the word "examination" 5) to strike the comments beginning with "this was ..." 6) to strike "Tim was.."
7) to strike the words beginning "All areas.." and continuing for 2 lines.
8) to change "item 9" to "item 8" and re-number all item 8.
9) to change the dates showing June 22, 23 to show June 21, 22nd.
It was m/s/passed UC that we adopt the minutes as a whole. [item 6]
It was m/s/passed UC to put off items 8b, 9b, 9c, and 14 until Presbytery convenes.
[item 7]
It was m/s/passed UC that daily orders be for lunch at 11:30 and adjournment at 5:00PM.
It was m/s/passed UC to approve the financial report received from the Clerk. [item 8]
It was m/s/passed UC to approve the summary, "Statements of Adoption by the Reformation Presbyterian Church" with additions.
It was m/s/passed UC to approve the "Session's Statistical Report" form as amended to be submitted by the Churches to the Presbytery annually (IAW our Book of Forms - p.48).
It was m/s/passed by UC to approve the "Ministerial Data Form" as amended.
It was m/s/passed by UC to receive the Clerk's report as a whole. It was noted that we have not received sessional records from the Edmonton Church.
It was m/s/passed by UC that we suspend the rules to take up item 9a, the Sessional and Missionwork report when Presbytery convenes.
It was m/s/passed by UC that we suspend the rules to take up item 10, Licentiates Status reports on Tim Worrell and Elder Barrow when the Presbytery convenes.
It was m/s/passed by UC that we approve Thomas Allie's exegetical paper, "From the Hebrew upon Exodus 15:1-21", in partial fulfillment of the language requirement for his licensure and ordination. [item 10]
It was m/s/passed UC to receive the report on the Whitestone Church. [item 11]
It was m/s/passed UC to receive the report on Interchurch Relations. [item 12]
It was m/s/passed UC to receive to the files the letter from our Presbytery to the PRC requesting formal fraternal relations.
It was m/s/passed UC to proceed to executive session to discuss pending discipline cases.
[item 9 b,c]
It was m/s/passed UC that we adjourn at 4:45 PM.
Reformation Presbyterian Church
Attendance Roster
Held in Charlotte, NC at the Coulwood Presbyterian Church
June 22, 1996
[Attachment B]
Officer participants:
Pastor Richard Bacon First Presbyterian Church of Rowlett
Pastor Bruce Robinson Presbyterian Reformed Fellowship
Dr. Jerry Crick Scottish Kirk of the Covenant of Simpsonville
Elder David Seekamp First Presbyterian Church of Rowlett
Licentiate attendees:
Licentiate Timothy J. Worrell Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Visitor attendees:
Chuck Greenewald Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Ron Haag Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
Presbytery Meeting Minutes
Held in Charlottee, NC at the
Coulwood Presbyterian Church
June 22, 1996
Meeting was called to order by Pastor Robinson at 8:12 AM. Pastor Bacon opened the meeting with prayer. [item 1]
Pastor Robinson, as moderator, ruled that a quorum was present. [item 4b]
It was m/s/passed UC to approve the Sessional records from the First Presbyterian Church of Rowlett, the Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, and the Scottish Kirk of the Covenant of Simpsonville with corrections. Some minutes which were not signed or not approved in subsequent meetings, and some were missing opening/closing prayers.
[item 8b]
It was m/s/passed UC to receive status reports from the Rowlett church, Atlanta Mission work, and the Simpsonville work for information. [item 9a]
It was m/s/passed UC to suspend the rules and move the Current and Pending Censure reports (item 9b,c) to item 14 on the docket.
It was m/s/passed by UC to approve Thomas Allie's Exegetical Paper, "From the Hebrew upon Exodus 15:1-21", in partial fulfillment of the language requirements toward Licensure and Ordination (copies of his exegetical paper are to be circulated). [item 10]
It was m/s/passed UC to approve the report received on Licentiate Tim Worrell.
Tim submitted the following schedule:
Greek - Complete end of July
Hebrew - Start July, August
No report was received on the status of Elder Barrow who has requested to be under Care
It was m/s/passed UC to approve a report on the Whitestone Church. [item 11]
It was m/s/passed UC that the Clerk draft a letter to the Whitestone Church and circulate it among the Presbytery members for review, additions, amendments and mail it to the Whitestone Church.
It was m/s/passed UC to receive the report on Interchurch relations offered by Pastor Bacon. Pastor Bacon met with the PRC Presbytery and preached at an RPCNA church in Southfield, MI. [item 12]
It was m/s/passed UC to receive for information the report on the Theological Academy offered by Tim Worrell. [item 13]
It was m/s/passed UC that we take up Current and Pending Censure item in executive session. [item 14 -moved from 9b,c]
It was m/s/passed UC that we consider the subject of current and pending censure as a committee of the whole.
It was m/s/passed UC that we recess at 11:15AM and reconvene at 12:00 noon.
It was m/s/passed UC to rise from executive session
It was m/s/passed UC that we consider issues regarding Amy Crick as not yet before the court except for advice. [item 14]
It was m/s/passed UC that Presbytery return the "overture" of March 8, 1996 as well as the correspondence from March 27, 1996 to the Edmonton Session with the request that they present an overture in accordance with established presbyterian practice. [item 14]
It was m/s/passed UC that we convey to the Edmonton Church that Presbytery expects the Edmonton session to send a delegate to the next meeting in accordance with their Covenant. [item 14]
It was m/s/passed UC that we convene the next meeting of Presbytery in Greenville, SC in January 1997.
It was m/s/passed UC that we approve the minutes from the last meeting of Presbytery with the corrections (corrections detailed from committee meeting the day before).
[item 6]
It was m/s/passed UC that we adjourn. [item 15]
Dr. Crick closed in prayer at 2:55 PM.
Pastor Robinson gave the benediction.
Statements Adopted by the Reformation Presbyterian Church
Adopted 10/1/94:
1. Doctrine of Scripture
* By vote voice adopted the statement:
We receive and adopt Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1, "Of the Holy Scriptures", as the statement of the doctrine of the scriptures in this Church.
2. Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms * By voice vote adopted the following statement:
We receive and adopt the whole doctrine contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms as approved by Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland in 1647 and 1648 respectively.
3. Directory for Worship
* By voice vote adopted the following statement:
We sincerely own the simplicity and purity of worship as authorized by theWestminster "Directory of the Public Worship of God" as established and putin execution by Act of the General Assembly of the Church of ScotlandFebruary 3, 1645, as a most scriptural and suitable model for the conduct ofdivine worship; and as the only worship presently authorized and practiced inthis Church.
4. Form of Presbyterian Church Government * By voice vote adopted the following statement:
We adopt the Presbyterian form of church government as defined by the"Form of Presbyterian Church Government" as approved by Act of theGeneral Assembly of the Church of Scotland February 3, 1645, as the form ofgovernment instituted by Christ for the government of His church to the end ofthe age; and the only government of this Church.
It is not necessary to take the Covenant of the three kingdoms. The Latinrequirement of Directory for Ordination 2(5) may be waved by Presbytery. Directory for Ordination 2(8) may be lengthened or shortened at Presbytery'sdiscretion. Directory for Ordination 3 shall be considered to be only aguideline. We understand the phrase "church of England" in the Directory ofOrdination 10 also to apply to any reformed communion. We furtherunderstand the "Extraordinary Way" of ordination set forth in the Directory tohave application not only to England and Scotland, but to our presentsituation as well.
Adopted July 22, 1995
5. Subscription Statement
Being obliged to keep pure the Faith once delivered to the saints, and to hold fastthe form of sound words, we, the office-bearers of RPC (ReformationPresbyterian Church), fully subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faithand Catechisms, Larger and Shorter. Through this full subscription, we adoptand receive (without amendment or scruple) these aforesaid WestminsterStandards as our individual confession of faith, the very system of truth taughtin holy scripture, and sole constitutional covenant of union. To these landmarkswe voluntarily, yet conscionably, pledge our engagement, in doctrine andjudicature, extending through the duration of our communion with this body.
Our full subscription to the Westminster Standards is founded upon our love of,and duty to, veracity and sincerity, as we interpret them in the plain andunivocal sense, striving to discern the original intent of the framers. We bindourselves to an immediate and forthright disclosure of our particularinterpretation, should it be questioned by an office-bearer, communing member,or should our adherence to this full subscription fluctuate, we will agreeablysubmit (with utmost care, faithfulness, and humility) to the lawful hearing anddetermination of the supreme judicatory.
Motion to adopt the statement as whole- The motion passed by division with no dissenting votes. This vote was considered by those voting as the taking of a vow obliging compliance with the statement. The moderator's vote was included in the vote.
Adopted April 6, 1996:
6. Book of Forms:
It was moved that we provisionally adopt the Book of Forms of the Free Church of Scotland - receiving all in it that applies to us as documented in:
A manual of the practice of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Based in the practice of the Free Church of Scotland in her several courts. This motion passed by unanimous consent.
7. Resolution on Creed Subscription (from Book of Forms, p. 123)
"The synod also, considering the dishonest and degrading manner in which themost solemn promises and engagements relative to subordinate standards areviolated by many that hold office in Presbyterian Churches, the great reproachbrought thereby on the name of Christ, and the reflection cast upon all office-bearers, feels bound to restate what is the real nature and implication of theseengagements, and what is expected of all office-bearers of this Church in thisconnection. The solemn promises and declarations made at ordination -commonly called ordination vows- are made not so much unto men as unto God,and are therefore of the like binding obligation with an oath, and ought to bemade with the like seriousness and religious care. The synod, thereforebelieving that the Westminster Confession of Faith, as received by the Church ofScotland in 1647, is founded upon the Word of God, and agreeable thereto,cannot accept the view that this Church will at any time be at liberty to departfrom the doctrine, government, mode of worship, and discipline which the saidConfession sets forth, and which all office-bearers have solemnly engaged toassert, maintain and defend. The synod expects of its office-bearers, ashonourable men that whensoever they are conscious of having ceased to believein any of these doctrines and principles, or to approve of the mode of worship,which have vowed to maintain, they lay down their office and hot help to deprivethe Church of its peace and purity; and finally it expects of the Church itself,through its courts, to see that in this connection its discipline is observedwheresoever in any case such honourable dealing does not appear tocharacterize any office-bearer whatsoever.
8. Questions put to Office-bearers and Formula to be signed by them (from the Book of Forms, p. 123-124)
1-Elders and Deacons
Questions to be put before ordination
1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of and, and the only rule of faith and manners?
2. Do you sincerely own and declare the Confession of Faith, approven by the former General Assemblies of this Church, to be the confession of your faith; and do you own the doctrine therein contained to be the true doctrine, which you will constantly adhere to?
3. Do you own and acknowledge the Presbyterian Church Government of this Church, by Kirk-Sessions, Presbyteries, Providential Synods, and General Assemblies, to be the only government of this Church; and do you engage to submit thereto, concur therewith, and not to endeavour, directly or indirectly, the prejudice or subversion thereof?
4. Do you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, as King and Head of the Church, has therein appointed a government in the hands of Church officers, distinct from, and not subordinate in its own province to, civil government, and that the Civil Magistrate does not possess jurisdiction or authoritative control over the regulation of the affairs of Christ's Church; and do you approve of the general principles embodied in the Claim, Declaration, and Protest, adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1842, and in the Protest of Ministers and Elders, Commissioners from Presbyteries to the General Assembly, read in presence of the Royal Commissioner on 18thMay, 1843, as declaring the views which are sanctioned by the Word of God, and the standards of this Church, with respect to the spirituality and freedom of the Church of Christ, and her subjection to him as her only Headand to His word as her only standard?
5. Do you promise to observe uniformity of worship and of the administration of all public ordinances within this Church, as the same are at present performed and allowed?
6. Do you approve of the Deed of Separation of the Free Presbyterian Churchof Scotland, adopted by its first Presbytery at Portree on the 14th day ofAugust, 1893?
7. Do you accept the office of an Elder (Deacon) of this Congregation, andpromise, through grace, faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully, to dischargeall the duties thereof?
MINISTERIAL DATA FORM
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT *
Name of Minister (first) ____________ (middle) ___________ (last) _________________
Old Address ____________________________________________________________
New/Home address ______________________________________________________
City _____________ State _____________ Zip_________ Phone__________________
Age: Years ___
Educational Background: *
College Degree____________ Year Graduated ____ Theological Seminary _______________ Degree______________ Year Graduated ____
Licensure:
Presbytery Licensed Under_______________ Year____
Ordination:
Presbytery Ordained By_________________ Year____
Past and Present Denominations: *
Past Denominations:_______________________________________________________ Denomination Leaving: ____________________________________________________
Past and Present Congregations: *
Past:____________________________________________________________________ Date:_____________
Present:_________________________________________________________________ Date: _____________
Reason(s) for minister's desire to change to another presbytery: * _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you fully subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith ? Explain. * _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
*Include additional information on a separate sheet of paper.
SESSION'S ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT
REFORMATION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Date: From__________ To:__________
I. CHURCH DATA
1. Official Name of Church ______________________________________________________
2. Mailing Address ______________________________________________________________
3. Meeting Address _____________________________________________________________________
4. Telephone__________________________ 5. Fax __________________________________________
6. E-mail Address _____________________________________
7. [ ] Organized Church: Date organized ________________ Date received in RPC__________________ 8. [ ] Mission Church: Date of first service ______________________
9. Session TE/RE Street City State Zip Telephone _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Diaconate_____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Clerk of Session ____________________________Telephone_________________ E-mail _________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________
12. Treasurer _________________________________ Telephone _________________E-mail_________ Address_______________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH SERVICES (Time)
13. Morning Worship ____________________ 14. Afternoon/Evening __________________ 15. Other Services __________________
Date: From _________ To __________
II. MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
1. Total membership a year ago _________________ 2. Added on Profession of Faith _________________ 3. Added on Transfer of Letter _________________ 4. Added on Birth of Covenant Child _________________ 5. Losses by Death _________________ 6. Losses by Dismissal _________________ 7. Losses by Discipline _________________ 8. Total Membership _________________
1. Total Communicant members a year ago _________________ 2. Added on Reception to Table, Child _________________ 3. Added on membership, Adults _________________ 4. Total Communicant members _________________
1. Number of Baptisms _________________ 2. Number of Ruling Elders _________________ 3. Number of Deacons _________________ 4. Total Family Units _________________ 5. Average attendance, Worship service(s) _________________
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