 Staying and 'fighting for reform is not a viable option' Largest congregation in Presbytery of South Louisiana schedules vote to disaffiliate from PCUSA, join EPC By Craig M. Kibler Staff Writer The Layman Online Friday, September 28, 2007 Saying that "remaining in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and fighting for reform is not a viable option," the largest congregation in the Presbytery of South Louisiana has scheduled a meeting next month to "terminate its voluntary affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and petition for voluntary affiliation with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church." First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, at the "unanimous recommendation of the session's denominational affairs committee, the unamimous endorsement of the board of trustees and the unanimous recommendation of the session," has scheduled a congregational vote on the issue at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. The congregation has 1,592 members, according to official denominational statistics, compared to the average PCUSA congregation's 209 members. The Presbytery of South Louisiana is comprised of 67 congregations in the southern part of the state, including New Orleans. In a letter to members of the congregation posted Sept. 25 on the church's Web site, the session wrote that, within the PCUSA, "the tolerance of a variety of theological viewpoints has led to theological pluralism. It was noted that after the passage of the PUP report, discipline is less likely. The PCUSA is declining and has a limited life span. Reform has no real chance of success." The affiliation issue, and not church property, is the sole purpose of the vote. A year ago, the Presbytery of South Louisiana declared that First Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, and not the presbytery or the PCUSA, owns the congregation's property. In a 55-13 vote Nov. 4, 2006, the presbytery agreed to a stipulated judgment that said First Presbyterian Church "holds all property titled in its name in full, complete and unfettered ownership" and that neither the presbytery "nor any person, entity, administrative unit, agency, commission, committee or governing body action on behalf of the Presbytery of South Louisiana or in its stead, or claiming by, through or under the Presbytery of South Louisiana, has any right, title or interest in or to the Property, whether in trust or otherwise, nor any right to determine control, directly or indirectly, the use or ownership of the property." The session said in the letter that the congregation's "affiliation with the EPC is the most desirable option within the Presbyterian Church. The theological foundations of the EPC are sound, complete and embody the traditional and fundamental beliefs of the Presbyterian Church that we love. The [denominational affairs] committee acknowledges that any differences in polity could be identified and resolved within the five years of membership in the transitional presbytery." While saying that separation from the PCUSA "will not be without consequences or pain," the committee recommendation includes "continued, but limited financial support" to the presbytery. In summation, the letter states that the "realization of our fullest potential as a church is through discontinuance of our affiliation with the PCUSA and voluntarily seeking affiliation with the EPC. Discontinuing affiliation will free our church from past ineffective efforts to reform the PCUSA. Affiliation with the EPC offers a more effective use of our resources, talent and energies in pursuing our shared vision of bringing the Gospel to the entire world." The complete text of the session's letter to the congregation is as follows: "Dear Members of First Presbyterian Church: "As you know, for many months now, we have been considering the question of our denominational affiliation. The denominational affairs committee has issued their final report. After more than half a year of prayerful deliberations, dozens of interviews with church members, PCUSA officials, EPC representatives and pastors across the country, the committee brought to the session a unanimous recommendation: We are called to end our affiliation with the PCUSA and realign with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. "The board of trustees in calling for a meeting of the corporation has unanimously endorsed this recommendation. And, after two weeks of prayerfully considering the report, the session has now unanimously endorsed it. All four installed pastors have enthusiastically concurred. The final decision now rests with the congregation at the meeting called for 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. "The formal calls for the meetings are enclosed. Also, a summary of the conclusions reached by the committee is included. Further notes from the committee are available on the literature tables or our Web site. "For many of us, the decision on Oct. 28 will be a joyful one, as we consider embracing a future where our cherished beliefs are nurtured and cherished, rather than placed in jeopardy, by the larger church of which we are a part. For others of us, this decision may be painful and even seem like a potential departure from our heritage and history. "Please understand that, whatever the congregation's decision, several things will remain constant:
"Sincerely, Mary Ann Harmon Clerk of Session Gerrit Dawson Moderator of Session Eugene Owen President of Trustees Notice of Congregational Meeting "The session of First Presbyterian Church of the City of Baton Rouge has called a special meeting of the congregation, to be held in the sanctuary on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, starting at 9 a.m. The purpose of this congregational meeting is to consider and decide whether the congregation shall or shall not adopt the unanimous recommendation of the session's denominational affairs committee, the unamimous endorsement of the board of trustees and the unanimous recommendation of the session, that First Presbyterian Church of the City of Baton Rouge, terminate its voluntary affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and petition for voluntary affiliation with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and to consider such other actions as may be appropriate, if any, in respect of the congregation's decision on the same. Notice of Corporation Meeting "The board of trustees of First Presbyterian Church of the City of Baton Rouge has called a special meeting of the members of the Corporation (all persons listed as a member on the active rolls of the congregation of the church), to be held in the sanctuary on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, to begin immediately following adjournment of the special meeting of the congregation noticed for the same date. The purpose of this corporate meeting is to: take such corporate actions that may be appropiate to document corporate and Church continuity in respect of any action taken at the meeting of the congregation noticed for the same date. Denominational Affairs Committee Conclusions and Recommendations
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. |
|
Respond to this article |
|
| Home
· Archives
· The
Layman ·
PLC
Publications Presbyterian Lay Committee · Feedback · Links |
|