March 13, 2007 Presbytery Meeting

MARCH 13, 2007 PRESBYTERY MEETING

I woke up early on the morning after the March 13 presbytery meeting. As I lay in the darkness thinking about the previous evening’s discussions relating to our two dissident congregations, there came to mind the image of a metaphorical family, their house, and the following off-beat scenario:

A young adult who resides with his parents has become bitter about his situation. He feels that he shouldn’t have to pay rent or endure criticism about his friends and some of his personal habits. One day he announces, “I’m moving out, and I’m taking my bedroom with me.”

“Huh? How are you going to do that?”

“I’m going to take your chain saw, Dad, and cut away the corner of the house where my room is, and bring in a crane and a big flatbed semi, and take it away. It’s mine, you know. I painted the room last year, and I paid for those posters on the walls. You can keep the bed and the dresser if you like.”

Far-fetched? Yes, of course, but still relevant to the situation we face as a presbytery:

Ill-advised schism can leave gaping wounds that are slow to heal.

It causes embitterment at a time when Christians should be muting overblown differences that can obstruct our larger mission. We live in a world that is crying out for unity and for Christian love and service. In a quarrel that is ultimately about bits of Leviticus and Paul’s letters, we are at risk for throwing away page after page about Christ’s words and Christ’s example. Are we not fighting the wrong war?

It’s understandable that members of the schismatic congregations feel a sense of ownership for “their” buildings, but they should recognize the contributions that the larger church has made to their congregations’ genesis and flourishing. They should remember that their congregations were conceived and nurtured in the “family” whose standards they now repudiate.

The principle that PCUSA church property is held in trust for the denomination was firmly established long before either of our disaffected congregations was born. It serves both as a reminder of our connectional heritage and as a deterrent to dissident pastors who may be contemplating moves that will enhance their power and free them from the proper constraints of Presbyterian polity.

People who want to leave the PCUSA are free to do so. We just ask that they not slam the door as they depart.

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There has been a lot of motion but only limited progress recently with regard to the Stow and Hudson matters. In both cases, newly revealed information points to clear violations of the PCUSA Constitution (Book of Order) that could not be allowed to go unchallenged. The Stow situation is reflected in the following motion presented by the Committee on Ministry and passed by the presbytery at the March 13 meeting:

“Whereas the Stow Presbyterian Church filed new articles of incorporation on January 19, 2006, in which they describe their purpose of incorporation as follows: “The general object and purpose for which this religious corporation is formed is to worship Almighty God, to give instruction in Christianity, to voluntarily gather for corporate prayers and worship, and to voluntarily associate with a higher denominational organization, such as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), so long as doing so is in accordance with the dictates of conscience”, and whereas on October 9, 2006, the Session of the Stow Presbyterian Church informed the Stated Clerk and General Presbyter that at a congregational meeting of the Stow Presbyterian Church held on October 8, 2006, the congregation voted “to disassociate from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), effective immediately”, Eastminster Presbytery goes on record that it finds these actions to be irregularities because they are in violation of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)”

In simpler language, “You changed your articles of incorporation in violation of Presbyterian law and didn’t tell the presbytery. You later voted to leave the denomination. Each of these actions is a violation of PCUSA church law.”

There’s more. The Consulting Commission that is working with the Stow group reported that the latter wanted the following motion to be presented to the presbytery for action: “Move that the Stow Presbyterian Church be dissolved as a congregation within the PC(USA) and that the property be considered disposed to the present Stow congregation. Dissolving will include a 2006 percapita payment of $4,368 from the present Stow congregation and its direct PC(USA) mission support in 2007 on four levels: locally, within Eastminster Presbytery, nationally and internationally.”

The Consulting Commission’s printed report clearly says that, “The C. Commission presents this as an item for information; it is not making this recommendation.” However, a motion was made from the floor for the presbytery to adopt exactly the same wording. My reaction (which a number of people told me later was similar to their own) was that the motion was an attempted quick “end run” around the Consulting Commission. It says, in effect, “Give us the church building, and we’ll give you a few thousand dollars that would normally be paid anyhow.” The motion needs to be debated and voted upon, but not before people have had an opportunity to think about it. Action was properly postponed to the May presbytery meeting.

The Hudson situation is different but no better. General Presbyter Dan Schomer reported that the lawsuit that represented the Hudson group’s opening salvo in the present conflict continues to move slowly through the legal system. Depositions have been taken from people on both sides. Briefs for possible summary judgment are due in the Magistrate’s office on April 13. Dan’s report reaffirms the potential threat posed by this litigation: “The efforts of the Hudson attorney and the Hudson session are to redefine who we are as Presbyterians, not in the church, but in civil court. If the Hudson church could have its way, we would become a voluntary association of churches who may unilaterally sever all ties with one another and go our separate ways with our property and resources…. The lawsuit in which we find ourselves… asks the civil court to eliminate from our Presbyterian identity our connectional and accountable nature.”

A recent issue of “The Point,” the Hudson church’s newsletter, contains two items that can only inflame the present situation further. One of them, a report titled, “HPC Transition Update” contains the following text:

“Our continued hope is to resolve our disaffiliation from the PCUSA in a peaceful and just manner. To that end, three representatives from HPC met with three representatives of Eastminster Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry on Monday evening, February 26, 2007 at Kent Presbyterian Church.

“Our team arrived to discuss/negotiate a fair and just plan of separation…. Unfortunately, every attempt our team made at having a substantive negotiation discussion was thwarted by the presbytery representatives. They had clearly not come to have a serious discussion. In a further spirit of seeking an “out of court” agreement, we offered to meet with them again (the next evening). The Presbytery’s General Presbyter, Dan Schomer, indicated that their representatives would not meet with us again.”

A report of the same interaction, presented at the March 13 presbytery meeting by Dan Schomer, gives a totally different picture. To begin with, the presbytery representatives were authorized only to listen, not to open a new channel of negotiation in the present litigious atmosphere. Second, the offer made by the schismatics was that they would get permanent control of the church property and would pay a paltry $15,000 over three years as compensation. The discordance between this ridiculous offer and the stated intent to “resolve our disaffiliation from the PCUSA in a peaceful and just manner” is obvious. It must have been clear to the presbytery people that they were being set up and that there was no intent by the schismatic group to enter good-faith negotiations for a truly just settlement. Given that situation, their only reasonable course was to discontinue the discussion and leave.

In the same issue of “The Point” the Hudson pastor announces his intention “to ordain Matthew Everhard to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament and install him as the Associate Pastor of HPC.” Such an action would of course represent clear defiance of Presbyterian tradition and of PCUSA standards. In response, the Committee on Ministry presented the following motion to the March 13 presbytery meeting:

“Whereas only presbyteries may ordain persons to serve as Ministers of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and whereas the Rev. D. Wayne Bogue, a Minister of Word and Sacrament of Eastminster Presbytery in good standing, has indicated his intent to participate in the ordination of Mr. Matthew Everhard to the ministry of Word and Sacrament by the congregation of the Hudson Presbyterian Church, Eastminster Presbytery instructs the Rev. D. Wayne Bogue not to participate in the examination for ordination of Mr. Matthew Everhard to the ministry of Word and Sacrament, not to participate in any congregational meeting in which approval of the ordination of Matthew Everhard to the ministry of Word and Sacrament is voted upon, and not to participate in any service of ordination for Mr. Matthew Everhard to the ministry of Word and Sacrament by the congregation of Hudson Presbyterian Church.”

This motion was amended by adding a sentence indicating that any violation of these instructions will be considered as renunciation of ordination in the PCUSA by Rev. Bogue. The motion was then passed.

The presbytery has been patient with Rev. Bogue and slow to take actions that would make schism inevitable and irreversible. He, however, seems intent on forcing the presbytery to defrock him.

I think that Judges 16:23-30 may be relevant to this type of situation. Samson, a man of monumental strength but only limited virtue, is imprisoned and made blind. He is brought before his captors in the temple, and taunted. Enraged, he uses his great strength to topple a pillar of the temple, thereby bringing the roof down and causing the deaths of his tormentors and 3,000 spectators. He gets his revenge, but there is great loss of innocent lives. Similarly, preachers of great talent and energy may, if driven by internal compulsions, do great harm while striving to fulfill what they may perceive as proper goals.

A gentleman named Pat Quinn submitted the following comment for this blog a few days ago:

"I remain astonished at the entire dispute that is raging in the community of believers. Truth telling, yes, but only the truth that you want to get out. This goes for both sides of this issue. Our church is privileged to have doors and windows that lock, an alarm system to warn of fire or unwanted entry, and a local police department to quickly intervene. Most important is the warning system that God gives in the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

"It has been painful to watch the General Assembly, with the help of those with agenda to dismantle a great belief system. Truths that have been settled by Scripture are now somehow open to debate or personal choice as th which we want to follow or discard."

It is my privilege to know Pat Quinn and to respect him as a dedicated servant of the Lord. At the same time, it seems to me that the wording of his second paragraph suggests that he has been getting his "news" about trends in the PCUSA from what I sometimes call "Publication L," a periodical that consistently bends the truth to fit its agenda -- and then accuses others of having "an agenda." That was confirmed in my mind today in a phone conversation with Pat in which he used the word "scruples." "Publication L" has used that word the way that Rush Limbaugh uses the word "liberals" -- as an all-purpose term of disparagement of those who do not share the speaker's views.

The word "scruple" was used in Presbyterian circles in the early 19th century in situations where a clergyman didn't quite agree with the dominant theology and wanted to be free to have his own beliefs to a limited extent. It was used in discussions at last summer's PCUSA General Assembly but (here's the important point) not in any of the resolutions that were debated and passed. It's a bogyman, and it's time to bury it.

There are in fact some ongoing differences among Christians about the true meaning of parts of Holy Scripture. That's not surprising since the Bible is a complex and deeply meaningful document that was written in Hebrew and Greek over a period of several thousand years, during which time the world was very different from what we see about us today. I agree with those who believe that we are called as Christians to try to understand interpretations that vary from our own even if we do not accept them. I believe that we should carry on a dialogue that will enable us to resolve most disagreements and to live, as loving sisters and brothers in Christ, with conflicting Bible interpretations that we cannot resolve at this time.

Comments are welcome, as always.

Presbytery meeting January 9, 2007

January 9, 2007 meeting of Eastminster Presbytery

This is an informal report of the presbytery meeting that was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Boardman (suburban Youngstown) on January 9. My comments about presbytery meetings are selective, unofficial, and not intended to cover the same range of topics as the Minutes or the on-line Quickline.

I’d like to begin with the last item addressed before adjournment. It wasn’t on the agenda – it was a spontaneous outpouring “from the heart.” The Reverend Richard Braun had died just two days earlier at age 84. Dick had been pastor of John Knox Presbyterian Church in Youngstown for several decades, and marvelous things happened there during his tenure. In addition, he touched the lives of numerous pastors and lay people, many of whom stood up and honored him with their words in the minutes before adjournment. All spontaneous, all eloquent, in memory of an inspired and inspiring servant of the Lord.

His memorial service is scheduled for this coming Saturday, January 13, at 4:00pm, also at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Boardman.

I sat in on part of the program on the “Acts 16:5” initiative that took place in the hour before the presbytery meeting. People who say that the presbytery “doesn’t do anything” may be interested in the positive effect that this program has had in revitalizing some of our smaller congregations. The initiative will be continuing at least for another year.

A resolution about ordination standards that had been carried over from the previous (November) presbytery meeting came up for action. My understanding is that its sponsors believe that the PCUSA’s ordination standards are becoming too lax and can be abused easily, which allows ordination of persons who will act in violation of established Presbyterian standards. Persons taking the contrary view note that the standards have not changed for many years and that the outcome of deliberations on this subject at last summer’s General Assembly have been widely misinterpreted.

The Rev. Tom Niccolls (honorably retired), always a cool and wise head, moved that action on the matter be postponed until there has been time for the two sides to study the issues in detail and to work toward consensus, in line with the General Assembly’s strong recommendation in that direction last summer. Tom’s motion carried.

Looking now at recent activity in relation to the two congregations that have expressed intent to leave the PCUSA:

The commission that is working with the Stow congregation reported simply that its work is ongoing – that’s about all that could be said since confidentiality is essential if its work is to continue.

The commission that is working with the Hudson congregation gave a limited report, for the same reason. The commission is currently focused on identifying persons and families who wish to remain with the PCUSA if there is indeed an irrevocable split in the congregation. A motion was made and passed authorizing the commission to “organize gatherings of the true Hudson Presbyterian Church,” “make arrangements for the pastoral needs of the true Hudson Presbyterian Church,” “make arrangements for the special worship needs of the true Hudson Presbyterian Church including the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper,” and “establish a designated fund for non-legal expenses related to the true Hudson Presbyterian Church.” In response to a question from the floor, General Presbyter Dan Schomer explained that use of the phrase, “true Hudson Presbyterian Church” is required for the commission’s actions to be in conformity with the Book of Order.

Many non-controversial matters were also addressed during the meeting. The only other one I’ll mention here is that Kerry Price was welcomed as the presbytery’s new Webmaster. Look for major upgrades in the near future. The presbytery’s active Web addresses are www.faithfulness.com and www.eastminsterpresbytery.org.

Where do you get your news about Eastminster Presbytery? Various sources are available. The presbytery’s Web site, www.faithfulness.com, is presently in transition (they’re looking for a new webmaster – might you be interested?). Rev. Christy Ramsey (Goodyear Heights P. C., Akron) runs a lively and informative Web site – www.extrachristy.com – where you can pick up a link to the Quickline, a succinct authoritative report on each (bimonthly) presbytery meeting.

The site you’re looking at now takes a somewhat different approach that has two objectives. First, it tries to meet the information needs of concerned but busy Presbyterians who want to know what’s going on, but without details that can be found elsewhere. Second, it offers some commentary intended to help people see “the big picture.”

In that context, let’s look at the November 14, 2006 presbytery meeting. There was some “upbeat” news – a group from our Mission Committee recently met with a Presbyterian group in Spain, and a delegation from there will be coming to Eastminster in February.
Also, Adam Marquette was enrolled as a clergy candidate – it’s always heartening to see capable, dedicated young people preparing to join the next generation of Presbyterian pastors.

On a more somber note, much of the meeting focused on responding to the moves by the Hudson and Stow congregations to leave our denomination. There was a consensus that they should be free to go if they act honestly and in conformity with Presbyterian “polity” (church law), but there were serious concerns about apparent violations of those requirements.

General Presbyter Dan Schomer gave a formal statement about truth-telling that was particularly noteworthy. Dan is a real gentleman, committed to Christian standards of conduct and remarkably polite and soft-spoken. On this occasion, though, he pointedly reminded his listeners about biblical requirements for honesty (Exodus 20:16 and Ephesians 4:15). His words resonated with listeners who have been hearing from multiple sources that some of the advocates of schism appear to be intentionally misrepresenting the character and actions of Presbyterian leaders.

There was, however, a firm consensus at the presbytery meeting that we must “walk the second mile,” avoiding malice and exploring all reasonable avenues toward reconciliation and a mutually satisfactory outcome. Commissions have been formed to work with the Hudson and Stow congregations toward that end.

Readers who may be interested in getting the “flavor” of schismatic arguments might want to listen to a May 21, 2006 sermon at www.hudsonpc.org/PodArchiveMAY.html. It’s a useful example of the power of pulpit oratory. I might be persuaded myself if I didn’t know what PCUSA people actually do and believe.

Some Basic Stuff About Presbyterianism

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a Protestant Christian organization of a type called a mainstream denomination in the Reformed tradition. Its organizational structure is “bottom up” in the sense that power and authority flow from local congregations upward to regional organizations (presbyteries, then to synods) to the national General Assembly based in Louisville, Kentucky. Authority is shared among clergy and lay members – the PCUSA has no “bishops.” Its traditions go back many centuries. Its membership peaked about 40 years ago and has been declining since then – this is of course a great concern to Presbyterians.
The Constitution of the PCUSA has two parts: “The Book of Confessions” contains theological statements (“confessions”) that define who Presbyterians are and what they believe. “The Book of Order” defines Presbyterian law as it has developed over the centuries and guides the Christian work of the PCUSA.

Eastminster Presbytery is a regional grouping of 55 PCUSA congregations in northeastern Ohio, from Youngstown on the east to Akron and Barberton on the west, and from Kinsman on the north to Lisbon on the South. The presbytery meets in local churches to conduct its business six times each year (odd-number months). Those attending with vote are the local pastors and a similar number of “commissioners,” lay members sent by the local congregations. Other interested people may attend presbytery meetings as non-voting guests. Much of the presbytery’s work is conducted by committees that meet in local churches six times each year (even-number months).

The presbytery office is on Ohio Route 46 in Mineral Ridge, a half mile north of the Interstate 80 interchange. It is staffed by a full time General Presbyter and Administrative assistant, plus part-time Stated Clerk, Treasurer, and Resource Center Director.

Funding for presbytery administrative work comes from “per capita” contributions from the local churches. Funding for its Christian mission work comes from voluntary contributions from local churches and other voluntary sources.

People sometimes wonder why it is necessary to have a national denomination – why not let each church congregation just “do its thing?” Presbyterian leaders at various levels, responding to a recent national poll, concluded that we need each other to –

• Witness and do mission beyond ourselves,
• Pool our resources,
• Share our collective wisdom,
• Have a “critical mass” for action
• Witness our theological heritage, polity and interpretation of Scripture, and
• Work toward God’s final intention of the unity of the body of Christ.

One participant observed that, “If the Presbyterian Church were to cease to exist tomorrow, God would have to invent it all over again.”

Welcome to the Eastminster Observer

Welcome to Eastminster Observer, a blog focused on the work and challenges of Eastminster Presbytery, a regional organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in northeastern Ohio. Its purpose is to share some facts, opinions and concerns about the presbytery, its churches and the people involved in their Christian work and worship. However, it is strictly a personal project of the undersigned. No person or entity has asked, authorized or paid me to say (or not say) anything.

I am an elder member of Poland (Ohio) Presbyterian Church and have served on various committees at the local church and presbytery level. I have opinions about some of the matters to be discussed but will make a diligent effort to express them honestly and with respect for people of different persuasion.

A blog works best when it is a two-way dialogue, not just one person's rant, so you are welcome to submit comments for others to read. This can be rich and rewarding for all participants, and I pray that it will be. However, your material is more likely to stay in the system for others to read if it is -

• Stated in a Christian spirit, presenting your position in a way that respects the Ninth Commandment and the views of others,
• Clearly and concisely worded (200 words maximum, please),
• More than a simple repetition of what others have already said, and
• Accompanied by your real name, location and church affiliation.

I honor and respect the concept that "all of us together are wiser than any of us alone." We will do the Lord's work most effectively if we share and confront issues openly, in a spirit of Christian love and respect.

Special Meeting at Mineral Ridge Oct 6th

I attended a special meeting of Eastminster Presbytery at Mineral Ridge Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 6 as one of the commissioners from our congregation. This is a report of my understanding of this meeting and related events. It is for information only, and the only action being requested is individual prayers for God’s work in the presbytery and for the people who must make it happen.

First, some background information: there has been controversy within the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) and other protestant denominations regarding interpretation of the Bible and its application to certain personal behaviors. This has been reflected in ongoing debate over ordination standards – that is, whether some persons should be denied permission to be ordained as Ministers of the Word and Sacrament within our denomination. I do not address the specific controversies, of which ordination of gay or lesbian pastors is the most salient, in this report.

Five years ago the PCUSA created an ad hoc group to study these issues and make relevant recommendations for action. This “Peace, Unity and Purity Task Force” had 40 members, carefully chosen for balance in age, gender, lay vs. clergy, and especially liberal vs.
conservative outlook. Their report, approved unanimously by all 40 members, was debated and adopted at the General Assembly this past June. The report has seven recommendations, the first and fifth being the most significant.

Recommendation 1 calls for –

A) every member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to witness to the church’s visible oneness, to avoid division into separate denominations that obscure our community in Christ, and to live in harmony with other members of this denomination, so that we my with one voice together glorify God in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and B} all sessions, congregations, presbyteries and synods to renew and strengthen their covenanted partnership with one another and with the General Assembly.

This call for unity and avoidance of schism was approved by 91% of the more than 500 commissioners voting.

Recommendation 5 drew more disagreement and debate, which isn’t surprising because it addresses the specific issue of interpreting ordination standards. Its wording can be found on the PCUSA Web site. My understanding of its impact is this:

• Local ordaining bodies (chiefly presbyteries) are given a bit of “wiggle room” in interpreting the ordination standards found in the Book of Order,
• Higher bodies (synods and General Assembly) are given more authority to review and challenge local decisions, and
• The standards are unchanged.

This carefully balanced recommendation was adopted by a 57% affirmative vote, reflecting ongoing tension within the PCUSA.

It was widely predicted that some “conservative” congregations around the nation would disaffiliate from the denomination if their demands for more rigid ordination standards were not met. Some of them have found the General Assembly’s carefully crafted approach unacceptable, and schism is occurring in some places, within congregations and between congregations and presbyteries. This is driven in part by selective and sometimes inflammatory reporting by a nationally distributed publication.

An important issue in such cases is: who gets the church property? Long-standing PCUSA policy, based on more than a century of experience and reflected in the Book of Order, is that local church property is controlled by the presbytery. A dissenting group may negotiate with the presbytery but has no automatic right to the building. Those seeking to disaffiliate these days are increasingly turning to the civil courts and suing presbyteries for control of property, seeking to overturn long-established Presbyterian procedure.

The pastor and session of Hudson Presbyterian Church recently filed suit in Akron against Eastminster Presbytery, indicating their intent to leave the PCUSA and demanding control of the Hudson church property. In conjunction with this suit they obtained a sweeping temporary court order restraining the presbytery from taking any of a wide variety of actions relating to the Hudson congregation.

It was in response to this situation that the special presbytery meeting occurred on October 6. The mood was somber and forward-looking, but not confrontational. Some grieving was occurring – after all, the Hudson congregation was “planted” by the presbytery (as the Common Ground congregation is being planted now), and some of the people present have personal ties to that church. It became clear from various statements made during the meeting that some Hudson congregants have voiced opposition to the action of their pastor and session and that disaffiliation is not an accomplished action. Care was taken to work within the limits of the previously mentioned restraining order, as it was amended during a hearing at the Akron court just a few hours before the special presbytery meeting. The deliberation lasted 2 ½ hours, and included passing a motion to create an ad hoc group to work with the Hudson people, hoping to reach a reasonable accommodation of interests.