An open letter to Kirkpatrick, Detterick on per capita The Layman Online Friday, December 19, 2003 December 15, 2003 Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick Mr. John Detterick 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202 Dear Gentlemen, I am writing to let you know that I am turning myself in. I can no longer live in the shadows. I am confessing that for the past sixteen years I have been the Senior Pastor of two Presbyterian churches that have not paid their per capita to either the Synod and General Assembly. In looking at the administration and ministry of these judicatories, there has been a no confidence vote by both sessions. Consequently, they chose to withhold their per capita. These churches did, however, pay the per capita to the local presbytery because the leadership felt this judicatory was attempting to fulfill the "great ends of the church." I also need to confess that over the years I have encouraged other PCUSA pastors to seriously consider how their church is spending their per-capita dollars. Though I have never told another pastor to withhold his/her per capita, I have asked them to seriously consider how their money will be spent if it is given to the Synod or General Assembly. And so I'm turning myself in. I am prepared to have my ordination in the PCUSA be annulled. I am willing to be demoted from active membership in my presbytery if you discern that I have broken my ordination vows set forth in our Constitution. I look to you for your discernment and discipline, if need be, in this important matter. Yours in Serving Christ's Church, [signature] Dr. Jeffrey W. Winter Bethany Collegiate Presbyterian Church Havertown, Pa.

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