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"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

I Choose This Day’ Resources

 

  1. ‘I Choose This Day!’, letter from the Presbyterian Lay Committee
    Welcome to “I Choose This Day,” an opportunity for Presbyterians in the pews to stand firm against a tide of cultural accommodation that is swamping the Presbyterian Church (USA).

  2.  ‘I Choose This Day!’, declaration
    A copy of the attached declaration that can be signed and delivered to church session members (elders), asking them to study your congregation’s relationship with this denomination and recommend to the congregation what that relationship should be in the future. (PDF file for easy download.)

  4. ‘I Choose This Day!’ basic template for sessions 
    A template for church sessions to use as they try discern God’s leading for the congregation He has placed under their care. Pray, Prepare, Proceed
  8.  Can Two Faiths Embrace One Future?
    For several decades, the PCUSA has promoted policies and programs designed to realize an “inclusive church” ideal. In consequence, the denomination now encompasses incompatible faiths. Institutional loyalists seek structural solutions to the resulting disarray, but Can Two Faiths Embrace One Future? Published by the Presbyterian Lay Committee, this monograph is relevant to conversations being held today across the PCUSA

  9. Why my pastor’s pension is not at risk!
    Published by the Presbyterian Lay Committee, this paper reports an examination of the PCUSA Pension Program by an attorney specialist in pension law. It concludes that although the denominational pension plan is not subject to ERISA regulations, it is under the jurisdiction of the State of Pennsylvania whose laws protect the vesting of pastors’ pensions.

  10.  A Guide to Church Property Law: Second Edition, Lloyd J. Lunceford, ESQ., general editor
    A Guide to Church Property Law: Second Edition is a must read for every mainline church pastor, officer and trustee – and their legal counsel. The guide helps in navigating the troubled waters surrounding potential court disputes over local church property ownership and use.
    Buy now.
     
  11.  Property news article index
    An index of articles from The Layman Online and other newspapers about church property issues in the PCUSA and other denominations.  

  12. Churches leaving the PCUSA
    A chart of the PCUSA churches that have voted to leave the denomination. It also lists: membership numbers, presbytery membership; the actions of the congregation and presbytery since the vote, and which denomination the congregations now belong or hope to belong.

  13.  Churches seeking property only
    A chart of the PCUSA churches that have filed papers in civil court requesting clear title to their property. It also lists presbytery membership and the court decisions.

  14. Legal resource databank
    To help equip churches facing legal matters, to inform churches of legal matters pertaining to property, and as a service to our readers, The Layman Online offers the following resource of legal documents. The documents contained herein are otherwise publicly available, but are consolidated here in an informal manner for ease of reference. Of course, our lawyers have asked us to remind you that in making these documents available The Layman Online and/or The Presbyterian Lay Committee is not offering or rendering legal advice or opinions; for that, you must consult with a lawyer.

  15.   Separation-Dismissal Policies
    A sample listing of PCUSA presbytery policies regarding church dismissal/church property issues.
    Warning label: Presbytery dismissal policies ‘do great harm to local churches’

  16. Broken Covenant: Signs of a Shattered Communion, by Parker T. Williamson
    If you have wondered, “What happened to our church? How did the PCUSA get to this place?,” Broken Covenant gives you the history as recorded by a veteran reporter on the scene. This heavily documented book traces the trajectory of a denomination that in less than fifty years has hemorrhaged more than half its membership and forfeited its moral authority.
    Buy now

  17. The Louisville Papers
    The Presbyterian Church (USA) has selectively disseminated two "privileged and confidential" documents by denominational lawyers calling on presbyteries to use draconian measures when claiming local church property.

  18. Responding Faithfully: Making Decisions about Financial Support of PCUSA Governing Bodies in Times of Disorder
    This study is offered for prayerful use by members of the PCUSA, as individuals or part of a governing body, as they seek to make a faithful stewardship response to disorder within our denomination. 
     
  19. What is the Presbyterian Lay Committee?
    We want you to know us and are pleased to offer full disclosure regarding ourselves and our mission.

DISCLAIMER: The Layman Online is a news and information resource. We welcome letters and commentaries from readers. Letters and commentaries are selected for publication based on their clarity and brevity, subject to editing, and also are chosen to represent a diverse set of views on as many issues as possible. These letters and commentaries are provided as an informational service and do not necessarily indicate an endorsement by The Layman Online or the Presbyterian Lay Committee.