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Feb 1, 1996. Edmonton PRC Clerk to FPCR Clerk. RE: Winter Presbytery Meeting and Separation Issue.

From: Lyndon Dohms

Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 07:38:44 -0700 (MST) To: Dave Seekamp Cc: Price, Bacon

Subject: RE: Winter Presbytery Meeting and Separation Issue

Greetings Elder Seekamp,

Thank you for your E-mail letter of Jan. 26/96 and your concern for doing things decently and in order in our presbytery. I am late in this official response from our session due to a combination of pressing duties and sickness, but mostly a lack of good organization on my part. I ask the presbytery for forgiveness and desire that you regard the other members of our session as above reproach in this delay.

Our session is of the understanding that the latest Still Waters Catalogue was printed and scheduled for mailing before the separation issue was brought to the attention of our session by yourself. (Mailing is done from the USA) We did not believe we would be justified in stopping the catalogue, any more than we would in requesting a halt to the sale of Pastor Bacon's book against separation [Elder Dohms refers to FPCR's sale of Richard Bacon's Visible Church and the Outer Darkness a study in 17th century Presbyterian ecclesiology, particularly addressed to the subject of Separatism and how one partakes of the sins of others, and how one does not].

At our meeting on Jan. 9, the Edmonton session determined to address the separation issue by two means;

First, we would provide the presbytery with a list of some significant actions we have taken or counseled others in relating to the issue. And second, we would recommend a booklet that fairly represents our current position.

1. Some actions that we believe are consistent with our position on separation:

The separation of Pastor Price from his OPC presbytery for confessional reasons.

The acceptance of Pastor Price by this presbytery.

Our counsel to Kevin & Nicole Barrow to leave the RCUS and join our church over the matter of regulated worship.

Our counsel to John and Rachel Plouffe to leave the Canadian Reformed Church over the same matter.

Our counsel to Larry and Jennifer Birger to leave the PCA over the same matter.

Our continued practice of strictness in who we admit to the Lord's Table.

2. Instead of Elder Barrow preparing a position paper, we offer to provide to each elder, copies of the booklet entitled "CONCERNING CLOSE COMMUNION" an investigation by W.J. McKnight D.D. The booklet is 52 small pages, and it addresses separation as it r elates to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Pastor McKnight's manner of writing also displays a gentleness toward those who might presently disagree with him.

To this end, I would ask you if you could E-mail to me the current mailing addresses of our presbyters.

We have full agreement with Elder Seekamp's statement that "we really should give one another time to reflect on the issues prior to arrival at presbytery and seek the Lord's help in formulating considered and thoughtful opinions" (Jan. 3 E-mail)

To the issue of the Book of Church Order, the Edmonton Session is not of a mind to be altering the Westminster Directory for Public Worship or the Form of Church Government that was approved at that time, until it can be shown that our presbytery has the authority to do so.

The God of peace be with you all.

Lyndon Dohms

Clerk of Session

Puritan Reformed Church

Edmonton, Alberta