Hollywood administrative panel moves toward its final report By John H. Adams The Layman Online Wednesday, September 7, 2005 The moderator of the administrative commission that in May ordered two of the ministers of First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, Calif., to go on administrative leave says the commission has completed "the research and analysis portion of our work." In an August 28 letter posted on the congregation's Web site, the Rev. Catherine Hughes also said the commission will hold a day-long retreat with the session on Sept. 10. She expressed hope that, "if at all possible, the session and the AC will be able to work together to develop consensus recommendations for how FPCH will proceed in the future." That letter was the first Web communication to the congregation since June 26. But consensus may be elusive. Dissension remains high at the church and a number of church officers have resigned because of their opposition to the administrative commission's actions. The latest resignation was by Mary Hersh, a member of the session. In an August 16 letter to "session friends and members of the administrative commission," Hersh said the Presbytery of the Pacific's administrative commission has "caused turmoil, distrust, manipulation of facts and divisiveness in their dealings with the session and congregation at large." She accused the commission of being "clergy killers" by placing its evangelical pastors, Alan J. Meenan and David Manock, on administrative leave and banning them from having contact with Hollywood's officers, staff and members. While in limbo, Manock has begun an independent ministry titled The Titus Walk. Meanwhile, opponents of the administrative commission are maintaining their own Web site, which now includes a list of questions and answers that trace the developments and pending actions, including the following excerpts: ARE THE PASTORS COMING BACK? No one knows that answer at this time with certainty. Based on their comments in session and to the presbytery we personally believe they [the administrative commission] will recommend removing the pastors from HPC. DO THE PASTORS WANT TO COME BACK? Of course, we are not allowed to speak with them. We are concerned, however, that since the church has suffered so much during these months, they may not find it a pleasant idea to have to come back and try to fix the issues, which have been exacerbated. WHO IS RUNNING THE CHURCH? As always, the session and the staff have primary responsibility for continuing the programs at church. The Administrative Commission has not taken authority away from these entities. WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION DOING? Based on their preliminary report and comments made in session, they seem to have formed their opinions already, and do not seem open to our ideas or points of view. WHEN WILL THEY MAKE THEIR REPORT? We don't know; and they don't know either. There is a presbytery meeting on September 10, at which time they might report, or they might not be ready until the November meeting … for the final report, especially if it is to recommend dissolution of the pastoral relationships, they will have to report to the congregation first, according to the Book of Order. HOW IS THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP OF SESSION AND THE AC? The session continues to meet and tries to lead, but the AC really dominates the discussion. Most session members are silent, not empowered. The AC does not ask for our input before drawing its conclusions. You should know that so far 4 elders, including the clerk of session have resigned from the session, and we expect others may do so as well. Several deacons have also resigned. DID THE PASTORS DO SOMETHING SERIOUS TO WARRANT THIS TREATMENT? The pastors have not been accused officially of any sinful or illegal behavior. There has not been any evidence of wrongdoing. Based on the preliminary report, we believe the AC will eventually accuse them of financial malfeasance, and call for their dismissal. Undoubtedly, the pastors will have concerns that their reputations will be ruined. IS THIS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PRESBYTERY? Maybe – we don't know. Theology is NOT a topic of conversation at all. The motives of the presbytery for its actions have not been adequately identified by anyone. WHY IS THE PRESBYTERY ACTING UNFAIRLY TOWARDS OUR CHURCH? It is unfortunate that presbyteries around the nation are working in similar ways. There are many opinions, including theological differences between liberal and conservative churches, and politics, including ordination issues. Regardless of the motivations we might attribute to them, they do not follow the Book of Order consistently, and have not exhibited fundamental fairness in this process. WHY WERE ALAN AND DAVID ABLE TO GO BACK TO CHURCH ONE SUNDAY? A group of dedicated church members worked hard to get signatures from one-third of the pastors and elders at the May 10 presbytery meeting to sign a "Stay of Enforcement," which should have automatically stayed the action of the AC in putting the pastors on leave. It was filed on a Friday, and David and Alan returned to church Sunday morning. On Monday, the clerk of the synod wrote a letter declaring that the stay was not in effect and that it had not been filed properly. While the pastors, attorneys and all those who worked on the stay disagree strongly with her conclusion, the pastors decided it was best to try to cooperate with the synod in the interests of their case. WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE COMPLAINTS TO THE PRESBYTERY AND THE SYNOD? There are several different remedial complaints being processed, and there may be more than we know about. One is a complaint filed by the HPC session regarding the unfair imposition of the AC on us without any assessment of our capability to function as leaders on lour own. The presbytery response so far is that the complaint should be dismissed on a technicality (erroneously). It may proceed to the next stage where there will be an investigation and trial. It is costly, due to our need for legal assistance from an expert in Presbyterian procedures, so folks can certainly donate to that cause. There are also complaints filed by Rev. Alan Meenan and Rev. David Manock regarding their treatment and unfair removal from the church. We are not privy to these confidential proceedings. We are aware that individual church members also filed judicial complaints about Alan and David. As far as we know, these are in the investigative stage, and the judicial commission is likely questioning the pastors. SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO TITHE? Tithing is a discipline of faith in the Lord. It is part of our response in worship to His Lordship. Many opinions about this exist. There are some members who now give their tithe to a different Christian ministry or church to which they are beginning to form new relationships. These members have begun to leave emotionally and are showing it in their giving as well. Still others have diverted their tithe to demonstrate their lack of support for the current HPC leadership. Others continue to give to HPC but have begun designating their tithe for specific purposes. HPC continues to have financial difficulty. We should continue to tithe in some form, and be very prayerful about alternate strategies for responding to the Lord through tithing. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE? The session has received reports that attendance and giving have been down over 20% these past two months. Around 40 members have asked us to remove them from membership due to the presbytery actions, though many more have disappeared without formal withdrawal. WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH SELLING THE PROPERTY? We have a good offer that we are pursuing now from a businessman/developer on the HPC property for sale. HPC and said buyer have entered into a 60-day escrow with a deposit of $100,000 plus a $400,000 loan at 3 percent interest. If the buyer backs out of the deal, HPC keeps both the deposit and the $400,000. The buyer plans to build apartment buildings. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THE BUDGET? A new budget has been created, eliminating many expenses, including some staff. If income remains stable, which isn't likely given the attendance drop off, we will still end the year with a significant shortfall of about $700,000. More cuts are being planned for the new year.

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