 Western Reserve Presbytery Presbytery's largest church votes to leave PCUSA for New Wineskins/EPC Presbytery By Patrick Jean Staff Writer The Layman Online Wednesday, November 21, 2007 The largest church in Ohio's Western Reserve Presbytery has voted to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
"That Bay Presbyterian Church ask to be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Presbytery of the Western Reserve to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church's New Wineskins Presbytery; and that the session be authorized on behalf of the congregation to take all actions necessary and appropriate in seeking dismissal, including, but not limited to, entering into binding agreements related to pastors, property, mission, per capita, and amending and restating the by-laws." A total of 1,309 ballots were cast. Of those, 1,196 or 91 percent voted for dismissal and 113 or nine percent voted against dismissal. The 91 percent voting percentage for dismissal exceeded the presbytery's recommendation of at least 75 percent, according to the church's Web site. The voting total represented 63 percent of the church's total membership of 2,072. That was slightly below the presbytery's recommended voter quorum of 66 2/3 percent of the membership. What now? The results of the vote will be reported at Western Reserve Presbytery's stated meeting Nov. 26, said the Rev. Elizabeth "Liza" G. Hendricks, general presbyter for the presbytery. Church elders will speak at the meeting, according to the church's Web site. A special administrative review committee will continue its work with the church session and church leaders, Hendricks said. Negotiations will take until at least January, the church's Web site states. The presbytery could receive a report on a proposed settlement as soon as its stated meeting Jan. 28, 2008, and could act on it as soon as its stated meeting March 24, the church's Web site states. Joining the New Wineskins/EPC Presbytery would happen after the settlement is approved and signed, the church stated. But Hendricks was not ready to put a time frame in place, nor was she ready to discuss the church property ownership issue or a proposed settlement, such as letting the church go with its property in exchange for a financial contribution to the presbytery. "We have great concern about those in the congregation who voted against dismissal," she said. "They feel that they have lost their church home." Hendricks said the presbytery is "naturally very sad to see its relationship with Bay Church reach this point. We've been working cooperatively with the congregation, and we intend to continue in conversation with them about next steps." What happened? More than two years of "study, deliberation and prayer" preceded the session's recommendation that the congregation vote for seeking dismissal from the PCUSA. In a letter to the congregation dated Aug. 27, Clerk of Session John Engelbrecht and Associate Clerk of Session John Fuller informed the congregation of the session's decision: "We would like to inform you about an important decision made by the Session of Bay Presbyterian Church at its meeting Aug. 20, 2007. Session unanimously approved the following resolution: "After more than two years of study, deliberation and prayer, the Session of Bay Presbyterian Church is extremely concerned with the direction of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) in matters that the session believes are fundamental to the faith foundations of Bay Presbyterian Church:
Further explanation of the resolution followed at worship services, and nearly 40 meetings were held to allow for presentations, discussion and prayer. Western Reserve Presbytery appointed a special administrative review committee to participate in the church's discernment process. Committee members met with the church's session, and presbytery representatives such as Hendricks met with the congregation. A town hall meeting was held Oct. 21, and the following day, the session made its recommendation for the Nov. 18 vote. Pastor's reaction The voting results were welcomed by Bay Presbyterian Church's longtime pastor, the Rev. Hubert "Hu" C. Auburn. "I am very thankful – and relieved – by the clarity of (Sunday's) vote," he said on the church's Web site. "My most fervent prayer was that when we voted, it would be clear the direction the Lord was leading this congregation. My greatest concern was that we would come to this day without that clarity. Praise God for the resounding declaration of His call to this church in the years ahead. "Now I also find my thoughts moving into the future," Auburn said. "I believe that the Lord is going to use the process of the last few months for far more than determining our denominational alignment. I believe that we have shared together in an experience that has both demonstrated and deepened our commitment to the Lord and prepared us for future ministry and witness that will call for the same devotion and intentionality that we have shared in these past months. I believe God has used this time to prepare us for 'even greater things' than we have known before." About 18 months ago, Auburn announced his retirement plans after more than 30 years as senior pastor of the church. A pastoral nominating committee was formed and has been performing its duties since. "They are now ready to actively continue their search knowing not only what kind of candidate they are seeking, but now also being able to tell potential candidates the direction the church is going in the future in terms of the denomination," Auburn said. "I know that they are as passionate about their task as ever – and also well rested! Should be a good combination." Patrick Jean is a staff writer for The Layman and The Layman Online. He can be reached at pjean@layman.org. |
||
Respond to this article |
||
| Home
· Archives
· The
Layman ·
PLC
Publications Presbyterian Lay Committee · Feedback · Links |
||