October 26, 1996. Clerk of Presbytery to Edmonton PRC. Delayed Responses.
From: Dave Seekamp To: Price Cc: Bacon, Crick, Worrell, G Barrow, Dohms
Subject: RE: Delayed Response
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 23:44:45 -0700
Encoding: 141 TEXT
Regarding (1)
You are correct, my statement, "With reference to cost consideration, this was
NEVER an issue.." was an overstatement.
This was a violation of the 9th commandment and was bearing false witness
against you as it predjudiced the truth and overfaced it. I am truly sorrow for
having made this generalization of you. I do not believe, nor should others
believe, that you are altogether lacking in fiscal concern or care in the
management of financial resources. In this, I ask that you would forgive me.
My understanding and sympathy for your financial concerns was, as to the occasion, addressed to one who had not yet become a member of Presbytery
though you were requesting an entrance with "all speed". It was also then
known that Elder Barrow would be in attendance as a delegate representing the
Edmonton Church.
No one was being sent to Presbytery on the occasion mentioned above. As Pastor Price has now, at his own request, become a member of the court, and
is duty bound to attend Presbytery as a standing member of the court, any
excused absence with legitamacy must come from the Presbytery. My personal
comments cannot legitimize absences due to financial hardship or for any other
reason with authority. This is properly the domain of Presbytery.
Regarding (2)
The Prebytery would need to make a ruling about any video tape if one still exists.
The minutes to which you refer from July 22, 1995, which are the official record of
the actions of Presbytery, were approved by the Presbytery at the next meeting.
The accuracy of the minutes does not rest upon Elder Barrow's personal recollection
of what took place but upon the Presbytery's recollection as a whole.
I am personally
unable to alter what is there. According to our standards - A Manual of Practice of
the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Chapter III, Part 1, Section 17 (p. 64):
After the minutes of any Meeting have been approved by the Synod, they
cannot afterward be altered. The approval or correction of the minutes
does not imply any power to alter the resgestrae of the Meeting.
Regarding Elder Barrow's capacity in the meeting of Presbytery, he would not have
been seated and allowed to vote in any capacity other than as a delegate representing
the Edmonton Church as an Elder acting on your behalf. This is the only understanding
of his business there consistent with Presbyterian government. That this was your own
understanding seems to be clear from your minutes dated June 20, 1995 which contain
the following item:
Delegate: Elder Dolms confirmed his preference to allow Elder Barrow to
serve as our delegate to Presbytery.
Best regards in the Lord,
Dave
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