Presbytery sidelines minister, takes reins of Iowa congregation By John H. Adams The Layman Online Tuesday, August 15, 2006 The Presbytery of Prospect Hill in Iowa voted Monday night to order that Russ Westbrook, the pastor of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove, Iowa, go on immediate administrative leave and that a presbytery administrative commission assume control of the congregation. The presbytery was responding to a recommendation by the Riverside session to separate from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a subsequent 74-0 vote by the congregation to endorse the session's recommendation. The two-hour meeting of the presbytery was called specifically to deal with the convening of an administrative commission. But the agenda was modified – unconstitutionally, Westbrook claims – to include a proposal that Westbrook be immediately deposed and the amendment to place him on administrative leave with no authority to preach, teach or counsel. The deposition resolution was ruled out of order. "We are a church of the Gospel of Christ and will not let this intimidation stop us," Westbrook said after the meeting. The presbytery has no power to strip Westbrook of his ordination. He was ordained by the Reformed Church in America and remains affiliated with that denomination. By agreement between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Reformed Church in America, congregations in those bodies are allowed to call ministers from either. The presbytery's action was not the final word on Riverside's status. Members of the congregation are invited to a "town hall meeting" – an informal gathering rather than a now-unauthorized congregational meeting – to review the possibility of affiliating with the Presbyterian Church in America, a growing evangelical denomination that requires its ministers to believe in the inerrancy of Scripture. On Sunday, August 20, the Riverside congregation and a neighboring congregation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will hold a joint outdoor worship service. Westbrook is scheduled to preach. Also, Riverside will sponsor revival evening revival services August 18-20. Riverside's decision to leave the PCUSA was its response to the actions of the 2006 General Assembly, including the decision to allow sessions and presbyteries to deem nonessential the constitutional prohibition against ordaining practicing homosexuals and adulterers. The congregation has formally asked the presbytery to release "our congregation with all assets and property, in order that the will of the session and congregation may be honored and the Riverside Presbyterian Church be freed to join with a denomination of like Reformed faith. It is with sadness of heart that this action had to be taken; we have enjoyed fellowship with Prospect Hill Presbytery for many years, and we leave behind many dear to our hearts. The actions of the denomination however have so wounded our conscience that no further fellowship with it can be had in Christian conviction. It is our hope and prayer that the PCUSA repents of the actions of Birmingham and rejoins the fellowship of the Reformed and catholic family of Christian churches."

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