Back to Steelite Controversy Correspondence

Richard Bacon to Mark Shackleford. RE Minutes of July 22 1995 RPC Presbytery, vows.

To: Mark Shackleford [ed. now an ex member of Edmonton PRC]

From: Richard Bacon

Subject: Minutes

Mark,

Attached are copies of the minutes of Reformation Presbyterian Church in which it was specifically moved, seconded, and passed unanimously that we understood the relationship between the churches to be vows.

It falls under item #6 (though it probably should have its own separate number):

********************************************************************************** Reformation Presybterian Church

Presbytery Meeting Minutes

Location: Snellville, Georgia -Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Atlanta Building Date: July 22, 1995

Time: 9:10AM

Attendees: (See Attachment A)

Amended docket (See Attachment B)

1. Invocation

· Pastor Robinson led us in the opening prayer.

2. Singing of opening Psalm

· Psalm 105:1-7 Tallis 129

3. Determination of a quorum (Matthew 18:20) · Pastor Robinson determined from the chair that a quorum was present.

4. Sermon by Pastor Bacon - Pastors

5. Approval of minutes of January 28, 1995 The previous minutes were approved with corrections:

January 28, 1995 minutes - under Item 11: as clarification of actions under the motion after the following the words, "…receive all those having contacted the provisional clerk" add the following:

We had at that time received letters from the following Pastors requesting reception:

* Pastor Bruce Robinson

* Pastor Jerry Crick

* Pastor Richard Bacon

* Pastor John Cripps

These men were received into the presbytery.

We had received letters from the following Churches requesting reception:

* Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church of Edmonton * Whitestone Presbyterian Church

* First Presbyterian Church of Rowlett

These Churches were received.

See corrected minutes (Attachment C).

Motion was made to approve the minutes as amended.

This received a second and carried by voice.

6. Adoption of docket

- Motion to insert as item 8b:

that Elder Barrow to be given 10 minutes to explain his view of licensure

The motion received second and carried by voice

- Motion to insert as item 17 (moving Closing Prayer and Benediction to 18):

Question of affairs with the Edmonton Congregation to be discussed time

permitting.

The motion received second and carried by voice.

Motion to define the nature of the action taken on Item 9 from the last Presbytery meeting [when we moved to "clarify our understanding of the WCF 25.6" - see January 28, 1995 minutes Item 9 ] as "a point of understanding of the ministers present and not to be construed as a constitutional statement" (by Pastor Robinson).

The motion received a second and carried by voice.

Motion by Elder Barrow to remove from the table Item 10 from the last Presbytery meeting. Item 10 contained the following text:

Motion: That we adopt the following substitute language for the subscription statement offered by Pastor Robinson: Being obliged to keep pure the Faith once delivered to the saints, and to hold fast the form of sound words, we, the office-bearers of PCCR (Presbyterian Church Covenanted Reformed), fully subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, Larger and Shorter. Through this full subscription, we adopt and receive (without amendment or scruple) these aforesaid Westminster Standards as our individual confession of faith, the very system of truth taught in holy scripture, and sole constitutional bond of union. To these landmarks we voluntarily, yet conscionably, pledge our engagement, in doctrine and judicature, 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 and univocal sense, striving to discern the original intent of the framers. We bind ourselves to an immediate and forthright disclosure of our particular interpretation, should it be challenged by an office-bearer, communing member, or should our adherence to this full subscription fluctuate. At that point we will agreeably submit (with utmost care, faithfulness, and humility) to the lawful hearing and determination of the supreme judicatory.

The motion to remove Item 10 from the table received a second and carried by voice.

Motion by Pastor Bacon:

That "bond" be changed to "covenant" in the first paragraph..

This received a second and carried by voice.

Motion to amend by Pastor Bacon to change the phrase:

"fluctuate. At that point, we will agreeably submit.." to read:

"fluctuate, we will agreeably submit..."

This received a second and passed by voice.

Motion by Dr. Crick to amend and change the word "challenged" to

"questioned".

This received a second and carried by voice.

The motion in its final form (also changed to include our new name):

Being obliged to keep pure the Faith once delivered to the saints, and to hold fast the form of sound words, we, the office-bearers of RPC (Reformation Presbyterian Church), fully subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, Larger and Shorter. Through this full subscription, we adopt and receive (without amendment or scruple) these aforesaid Westminster Standards as our individual confession of faith, the very system of truth taught in holy scripture, and sole constitutional covenant of union. To these landmarks we voluntarily, yet conscionably, pledge our engagement, in doctrine and judicature, 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 and univocal sense, striving to discern the original intent of the framers. We bind ourselves to an immediate and forthright disclosure of our particular interpretation, should it be questioned by an office-bearer, communing member, or should our adherence to this full subscription fluctuate, we will agreeably submit (with utmost care, faithfulness, and humility) to the lawful hearing and determination of the supreme judicatory.

Motion to adopt the statement as whole-

The motion passed by division 5,0.

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 number recorded above.

The moderator ruled from the chair that the order of the day should be at 12:15 for lunch with adjournment at 6:00 PM.

7. Clerk’s report

a) Reviewed correspondence received since the mailing of the packet for presbytery.

Arising from correspondence received from the Whitestone Presbyterian Church

which communicated that the John Cripps and the Whitestone Church had

withdrawn from the Presbytery:

Motion to appoint a committee of Presbytery to craft a letter of information expressing our desire for an on-going relationship with the Whitestone Presbyterian Church.

This motion received a second.

Motion by Pastor Bacon to table received a second and passed by voice.

A discussion of the situation occurred. During this time, John Cripps was interviewed.

It was claimed by Pastor Cripps and the Whitestone Church (by letter) that they had not fully understood that the act of joining the Presbytery had involved them in taking upon themselves obligations that constitute vows and they complained they had not fully understood the obligations (or implications) themselves. Pastor Cripps did indicate that he understood he was not to serve the sacraments. However, their was confession by the members of Presbytery that the reception of the church was done hurriedly and without carefully underscoring the obligations being laid upon the Whitestone Church.

Following this discussion, the following motion was made: Motion to rescind our former action regarding the reception of the Whitestone Presbyterian Church and Pastor Cripps.

This received a second and passed by voice.

Motion to remove from the table the following item:

Motion to appoint a committee of Presbytery to craft a letter of information

expressing our desire for an on-going relationship with the Whitestone

Presbyterian Church.

This motion received a second and passed by voice.

The previous motion was amended to:

"appoint a commission composed of Pastor Bacon and Elder Seekamp" The amendment received a second and passed by voice.

The full motion was the following:

Motion to appoint a commission of Presbytery composed of Pastor Bacon and Elder Seekamp to craft a letter of information expressing our desire for an on going relationship with the Whitestone Presbyterian Church.

The motion as a whole passed as by voice.

In the discussion, it was acknowledged by John Cripps that his ordination was invalid since its source was from the congregation of a church. It was agreed by him that since he lacks ordination and does not currently accept the validity of licensure, he will neither preach nor serve the sacraments until he is ordained.

In the interim, the Whitestone Church will listen to tapes or read approved authors during the sermon. A plan was formulated to help Mr. Cripps move quickly toward ordination with immediate studies in church polity (next 3 months) and study in the original languages 20 hours per week.

b) Correspondence from Pastor Greg Price was read requesting reception as a minister in the Presbytery. This letter listed his credentials. We had previously received a letter from his former presbytery noting their willingness to transfer pending our official reception. (See Items E, F).

Motion was made by Elder Barrow to receive Pastor Greg Barrow as a

minister in the Presbytery.

This motion received a second and carried by voice.

c) Elder Barrow moved that sessions be required to provide minutes and

statistics for the January meeting.

This motion received a second and carried by voice.

8. Report from Churches regarding new members and any discipline

cases current or pending.

This item was deferred until the January meeting.

8b. Elder Barrow to be given 10 minutes to explain his view of licensure

This item was deferred until the January meeting.

9. Commission report on Licensure of Tim Worrell

Pastor Bacon reported the commission was very satisfied with the licensure

exam of Tim Worrell. The minutes of the meeting are included (Item G).

It was noted that Mr. Worrell is sending sermon outlines, sermon tapes, and a monthly

financial statement to the Rowlett session. Tim is bringing a report (through a phone

conference call) at the Rowlett session meeting each month.

During a discussion about licensure, the following motion was made:

Motion that the time limit for licensure be 2 years in duration.

This motion received a second and carried by voice vote.

10. Commission report on Licensure of Pastor John Cripps

This item was removed from the docket 11. Consideration of Licensure of Elder Greg Barrows and Elder Todd Harmon

Motion was made to take Elder Barrow under care of Presbytery and that

Elder Barrow provide interim reports on his progress every 6 months.

This motion received a second and carried by voice vote.

Elder Barrow will seek ordination without Licensure as an interim step.

This motion received a second and carried by voice vote.

12. Review of Book of Forms material - Dr. Crick A strategy for working on a Book of Forms was discussed between the committee members.

13. Review of Officer Training material - Tim Worrell Mr. Worrell provided a report outlining a training proposal in a paper titled, "The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Academy". Under this plan members

of the Presbytery would provide guidance and direct oversight in theological training

for men preparing for the gospel ministry and for the growth and maturing of Ruling

Elders. The various course offerings will be offered through an "academy without

walls" approach.

Motion was made to receive Mr. Worrell’s report with thanks.

This received a second and passed by voice vote.

14. Appointment of a negotiation committee to discuss inter-church (fraternal)

relations with the Presbyterian Reformed Church Motion was made to appoint a negotiation committee composed of Pastor Bacon and Elder Seekamp to discuss inter-church (fraternal) relations with the PRC and other like-minded churches.

This motion received a second and carried by voice.

15. Reconsideration of our name

Motion was made to adopt the name "Reformation Presbyterian Church" with

a 2 moratorium being placed on name changes.

This motion received a second and carried by voice.

16. Discussion of International Church Status

Elder Barrow recommended based on his research that it would be best for us to

remain a US Denomination with a Canadian affiliate.

17. Consideration of question of affairs with the Edmonton Congregation to be

discussed time permitting.

The validity of Roman Catholic Baptism was discussed very briefly.

Motion was made to explore the possibility of starting a mission work in the

Houston area.

This motion received a second and carried by voice.

18. Closing Prayer and Benediction

Motion was made to adjourn and close in prayer.

This received a second and carried by voice vote.

Pastor Robinson closed in prayer and gave the benediction.

The meeting ended at 5:55 PM.