Heartland Presbytery panel refuses dismissal request from congregation that voted to leave PCUSA, another that sought to join New Wineskins By Craig M. Kibler Staff Writer The Layman Online Thursday, September 20, 2007 An administrative commission established by Heartland Presbytery has rejected the requests of two Kansas congregations – one that sought to be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the smaller Evangelical Presbyterian Church and another that sought be dismissed to join the New Wineskins/EPC Transitional Presbytery – even though both congregations previously had voted overwhelmingly in favor of those actions. On June 10, Hillsdale Presbyterian Church in Hillsdale voted 77-5 to request dismissal from the PCUSA in order to join the New Wineskins/EPC Transitional Presbytery. On June 24, First Presbyterian Church in Paola voted 200-81 to request dismissal with its property from the PCUSA in order to join the EPC. On June 21, Heartland Presbytery approved a policy that advocates tough actions against congregations that are thinking about, but haven't actually voted on, withdrawal from the PCUSA. The policy, recommended by the presbytery's committee on ministry, included a listing of congregations considering withdrawal and a list of ministers under scrutiny – including the Paola and Hillsdale churches and ministers. Other congregations may be added to this list, according to the policy, "by vote of the committee on ministry or the presbytery council." In an intensification of strategies outlined in "The Louisville Papers," the policy states that a church's session can be dissolved and the church taken over if the session calls for a congregational meeting to vote on seeking dismissal from the PCUSA. In addition, the policy includes a threat to dissolve the pastoral relationship of a minister if he or she "advocates" for separation from the denomination, adding that members of congregations "who are concerned that their church leadership is contemplating separation" are encouraged to inform the presbytery's committee of ministry. On Sept. 9, the administrative commission stated its members had informed both First Presbyterian Church in Paola and Hillsdale Presbyterian Church about its decision, which also was e-mailed and mailed to the churches Sept. 11. In the Hillsdale case, the administrative commission, in its report to the presbytery Sept. 18, stated that it had "requested that the stated clerk of Heartland Presbytery issue an opinion to answer the question of whether Heartland Presbytery could grant the request of the Hillsdale Church to a transitional presbytery, if the request was otherwise determined to be appropriate." In its report, the administrative commission stated that it did not complete its consideration of the Hillsdale Church's request "because the stated clerk issued an opinion that stated dismissal could not be made to a transitional presbytery. The Hillsdale Church session was so advised in a meeting on Sept. 9." In the Paola case, the administrative commission wrote in its report that, "After careful consideration of the facts and provisions of the Book of Order that are applicable, it is the decision of the administrative commission that the request of First Presbyterian Church … be denied." The administrative commission also warned First Presbyterian Church in its report about the congregation's property, writing: "The administrative commission also reiterates to First Presbyterian Church of Paola, its session and its pastors that pursuant to the provisions of the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA), they are prohibited from selling, leasing or otherwise transferring property held in the name of FPC Paola to any other person, organization or entity without the consent of the presbytery or this commission, and with regard to funds of FPC Paola in financial institutions, and with regard to personal property of FPC Paola, the use of such funds and property should be limited to the ongoing ministries and programs of FPC Paola, as a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA)." The presbytery also was informed that, "at a later date," the administrative committee will "provide additional written details concerning its decision." In response, the session of First Presbyterian Church, in a letter to the congregation signed by Clerk Pro-Tem Stacy Boan, wrote that: "The Heartland Presbytery administrative commission met with the elders (session) of First Presbyterian Church on Sunday night, Sept. 9. We had hoped this meeting, our first face-to-face contact, would be a time to share the details of our current ministry and heart for Christ, to ask and answer questions about our mission, ministry goals and reasons for seeking dismissal to the EPC. We hoped to spend time considering the needs of all the members of the church in light of the understandable duties of the presbytery. Instead, we discovered that the administrative commission had already made up their mind - they had already reached a decision and had come to meet with us to tell us what they had decided. "You read this correctly – the administrative commission had made its decision prior to meeting even once with the session of First Presbyterian Church. … We are very disappointed that the session and the great majority of members were not given the same consideration as those within our church who want to stay PCUSA. In fact, though not meeting with us, the commission found time to conduct a separate worship service for members who wish to stay and met with them numerous times. One such meeting aided in the production of an official accusation by a small group of church members against our pastor. Pastor Kirk will gladly answer them, but is chagrined that the commission has helped members take such a course. We are equally dismayed that, despite our invitations, the committee would not meet with us in their deliberations. "Further, in Sunday's meeting, we realized that the commission had based its decision on understandings, opinions and information that, had they met with us earlier, could have easily been corrected. It seems they based their decision on meeting with those who wanted to stay, private investigation and by reading 2,600 pages of documents the session supplied at their request." The session informed the congregation that the administrative commission's decision "is not the end of the matter. This has not been an easy path. It has been hard on all members, officers and staff. But your prayers, your patience and your hard work matter to the Kingdom. This issue is not a simple squabble over property. We are defending the basic tenets of our faith; that salvation is in Christ alone, that Scripture is the only rule for faith and life and that we are called to forsake sin and pursue rightness with God in all of our lives." "We are also defending the true polity of Presbyterianism," the session wrote, "that a session is granted the right to determine the shape and substance of the ministry of a particular church. Jesus called the Church to be a city set on a hill – making salvation clearly visible to all. We know every one is weary of not knowing what will come next. We want you to know that your session will protect this ministry, your membership and pursue the church's rights in every possible arena. We have retained counsel and are studying a number of options." Craig M. Kibler is the Director of Publications/Executive Editor of The Layman and The Layman Online. He can be reached at cmkibler@layman.org. |
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