If Calvin and Luther had a meeting of minds, the result might
have been someone like Richard E. “Dick” Paul, a Portland,
Ore., lawyer and a director of the Presbyterian Lay Committee.
He is a thorough and reflective student of the Reformed faith (Calvin)
with a feisty spirit (Luther) when affairs in the
Richard E. Paul
Presbyterian Church
(USA) stray from that heritage.
Some of that is bound to be inherited. Paul is the grandson of two
preachers – one a Presbyterian, the other a Lutheran.
Paul’s own faith is clear and straightforward. “Jesus is a
friend with whom I walk and talk daily,” he says. “I wish I
could say I always took the good advice He gives me, but I can’t. I
like to think I’m trying to do my best. Unlike most friends, He’s
very forgiving and this is my greatest comfort.”
From that grounded relationship with Christ, Paul is what many would
describe as a pillar in the church. He is the long-time clerk of the
session of Calvary Presbyterian Church in Portland. He currently serves
as chairman of the Pastor Nominating Committee. He taught Sunday school
for 25 years and served as superintendent of Sunday school.
He also teaches a Bible study that meets on Friday nights. The theme of
that study is spiritual warfare – an issue that Paul believes is
relevant for today, both within and outside of the Presbyterian Church
(USA).
Paul has also been active in the Presbytery of the Cascades, currently
serving as chairman of the presbytery’s permanent judicial
commission.
“The direction of the church has been more political and social
than spiritual,” he says. “The great ends of the church got
lost.”
Paul believes that the energy and attention absorbed in the
long-running debate over sexuality is one reason for the denomination’s
inability to focus on evangelism and mission.
He has been involved in that battle since well before presbyteries
added the “fidelity/chastity” ordination standard –
G-6.0106b – to the
Book of Order in 1996.
Eight years ago, he was the counsel for Hope Presbyterian Church in its
action against another Presbyterian church that elected a homosexual
deacon. Paul handled the case before the presbytery, synod and General
Assembly permanent judicial commissions – eventually winning a
ruling that the gay deacon was ineligible.
Paul became interested in the renewal work of the Presbyterian Lay
Committee in the mid-1960s, shortly before the adoption of the
Confession of 1967. The committee was begun by prominent businessmen and
church elders who were concerned that the Confession of 1967 reflected a
diminished commitment to Biblical and Reformed faith.
It sponsored regional meetings, including one in Oregon where J. Howard
Pew, businessman and philanthropist, was the speaker.
“The result of that meeting is that we began a Portland chapter of
the Presbyterian Lay Committee,” Paul says.
In 1980, Paul became a national director of the Presbyterian Lay
Committee. After serving four years as a member of the communications
committee, Paul became that committee’s chair in January. The
committee oversees
The Layman, The Layman Online and the
publication of books and other resources for renewal.
Paul is a graduate of Lewis and Clark College, with a law degree from
the Northwestern College of Law. He is a partner in Jordan, Caplan, Paul
& Etter.
He and his wife, Edna, have two daughters.
Paul has been named director emeritus of the Presbyterian Lay
Committee.