Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
Stated Meeting—May 22, 2010
Pursuant to notice, the Moderator, Pastor Fred Fleming, called the meeting to order at 10:10 AM Central Daylight-Saving Time. Elder Jim Brown opened with prayer. The meeting was held at the Old Stockbridge Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Gresham, Wisconsin. The Moderator had issued a call to the meeting in a timely fashion. It was noted that this meeting had to be postponed from the previously announced date (January 30, 2010), and that the court had authorized the Moderator to change the date with appropriate notice.
Devotional
The Moderator read Scripture and led a devotional based on Acts 15. Dr. Frank J. Smith led in prayer. Psalm 100A (from The Book of Psalms for Singing), “All People That on Earth Do Dwell,” was sung.
Roll Call and Quorum
The roll was called with the following members in attendance:
Pastor Fred Fleming
Elder Jim Brown
A quorum was declared to be present.
Visitors
The following visitors were introduced: from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Pastor Karl Thompson (Old Stockbridge and Zoar), Ruling Elder Steve Bosman (Zoar); from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, Pastor Frank J. Smith, Ruling Elder Matt Filbert; from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Mr. Stephen McCollum. Dr. Smith, Mr. Filbert, and Mr. McCollum joined the meeting by telephone conference call. By common consent, the visiting presbyters were granted the privilege of the floor.
Minutes
The minutes of the called meeting from April 17, 2010, were read and approved.
Ministry Reports and Evangelism
Reports were heard with regard to the New London congregation, and the Antigo and Milwaukee mission efforts.
1). Reformation Presbyterian Church, New London, Wisconsin: Report given by Pastor Fleming
My wife and I joined the denomination in October, 2009. Shortly after that, I took over the ministry duties as pulpit supply, working together with Elder Brown. In April, 2010, we officially combined Antigo Presbyterian Church with Grace Christian Reformation Presbyterian Church. At that time, the name of the church was changed from Grace Christian Reformation Presbyterian Church to Reformation Presbyterian Church. At that time, I became the pastor of the newly combined congregations.
With the blending of the two congregations into one church, our numbers have not risen; however, we have not lost any. We have had some visitors; a husband and wife had attended services for about three weeks. They’re members of a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Church, but with a very strong Pentecostal leaning. We are also working at drawing back people that used to attend services in the past.
I have been preaching through Joshua in the Old Testament and John in the New Testament. We look forward to moving into Romans next month for our New Testament but I have not made a decision as to the Old Testament. My approach is to take a chapter a week in Old Testament and New Testament. This does several things, including giving everyone a chance to see us going through the entire Bible.
Some difficulties that I am having are with my speech problems mainly in regards to pronunciation of Old Testament biblical names. This was not a problem for me in the past but now I have confusion regarding the diphthongs of language. I have to admit that Alexander Scourby has become very essential to me.
We have had several inquiries regarding our church and denomination and are very happy to talk with people about our distinctives. The problems most have are with the singing of the Psalms exclusively with no musical accompaniment, and our continued use of the Authorized Version of the Bible. More and more we find that our Calvinism is more accepted, but the fact that we only sing the Psalms of God without instrumental music, causes people to raise an eyebrow at us.
Prayer was offered by Elder Matt Filbert for this congregation.
2). Antigo Reformation Tea and Coffee House: Report given by Pastor Fleming
The work here in Antigo has been the distributing of tracts, personal witness, a few cases of medical assistance, and the running of the Reformation Tea and Coffee House We are also working with Zoar OPC, in evangelism, helping by way of presentations of videos regarding street work, tract passing and personal evangelism. I have had the opportunity of filling the pulpit, gathering with the brothers of the OPC for breakfast usually about once a month as we encourage one another. Also, we have had the privilege of sponsoring a Wednesday prayer meeting here in Antigo, Wisconsin, about every two months with the OPC.
Visitation at the Christian coffee house has been sparse; however, we have seen that there is an impact in this area. Our plans are to continue with a more aggressive action towards evangelism regarding the Christian coffee house. The sign that was out in front for years, was a very small sign, but now with the larger sign, we should attract more traffic here. We thank Elder Steve Bosman of the Zoar OPC for the new sign!
With the merger of the two congregations into one church, it makes the work harder in one way but easier in another. It makes it more difficult, because I live in Antigo. This makes it difficult to transport people from Antigo to New London. However, New London has a more dense population because it is close to Appleton and the Fox Valley. As I have already stated, we have officially ended services in Antigo. However, we continue our efforts in outreach with the “Reformation Tea and Coffee House”.
Prayer was offered for this ministry by Pastor Karl Thompson.
3). Milwaukee Mission Work: Report given by Elder Jim Brown
Since the last meeting of presbytery, we have continued with our Bible study at our home in West Allis, Wisconsin. We try to meet every other Saturday around my wife’s work schedule. Our largest group was 14 and we’re seeing around 8-10 on average. The Bible study has been a blessing to my wife and me, and other Christians as well, as the Lord has used us all to minister to the physical and spiritiual needs of those attending.
We’ve talked for a number of weeks of getting a weekly prayer meeting going. We would like to start that beginning in June. Our main focus will be on the start-up of a church work.
In that regard it has been recommended to us to make contact with a local radio station for advertising. I also would like to build a web site to help in getting the word out and letting people know who we are and what our vision is and to see the first Reformed church started with an outreach to the inner city of Milwaukee.
I continue to pray asking the Lord to bring like-minded individuals together to help my wife and me in this effort. To that end, the Lord has answered prayer in a couple of ways.
The first is by bringing back into our lives a couple that we used to attend a Reformed church together with over a decade ago. There is a possible interest in working together.
Secondly, I have also been introduced to Bob Koch, Elder of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCNA, in Prairie View, Illinois, near Chicago. We have talked and e-mailed one another and will be getting together soon. I am looking forward to attending their worship service in the near future.
The Lord has placed me in a unique situation where, through my employment, I meet people on a regular basis. I work in a very impoverished part of Milwaukee that also has a high crime rate. Just in the last month, two people have been shot and killed in part of the area where I work. One of the deceased individuals was a former customer whose girlfriend I had regularly invited to our Bible study. Please keep her in your prayers as I try to invite her to our home again.
While it is difficult to speak to people during the work day, I have over the past few years developed relationships with some. Many have shared with me their lives’ struggles and God has used me to minister to them, especially at our Bible studies and over the phone.
Apart from Christ, the greatest need for these people is, as I see it, a church home. There is no Reformed work in the area and many of the Protestant Churches are Pentecostal. Another concern is the predominent influence of the cults of Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
About a month ago, my wife and I had the privilege of leading a young lady to Christ. The next evening, she came with her mother to the Bible Study. Unfortunately, since then, both she and her mother have been invited to an Assembly of God church and find that they like the church. Also, I have learned that recently, the daughter and mother have not been getting along, and I have been unable to contact the daughter. Please keep them in your prayers.
What I am still wanting to do regarding evangelism is to go door to door and invite people to a church service, though that is still off in the future.
Prayer was offered for this ministry by Elder Steve Bosman.
The floor was opened to others to offer input.
Prayer was offered by Mr. Stephen McCollum for the ministry of this Presbytery and for the progress of the gospel in Wisconsin.
Interchurch Relations
At the October 2009 Presbytery meeting, it was decided to seek fraternal relations with the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery), and with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, and to explore the possibility of organic union. The correspondences are attached to these minutes (see pp. 7-8).
A letter from the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery) was received and spread on the minutes (see attached letter, p. 9).
Dr. Frank J. Smith reported that the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America would have the previous correspondence from Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest on the agenda at its upcoming meeting June 21-25, 2010. Meanwhile, the RPCNA Interchurch Committee had in November 2009 informally considered the request for fraternal relations with a view toward full organic union, with the consensus being that RPM should be encouraged to continue to pursue contacts with the RPCNA in the area. Mr. Matt Filbert stated that Reformed Presbyterian Missions, of which he is the Director, would consider the possibility of placing a short-term missions team with RPM next summer.
It was moved, seconded, and carried to seek fraternal relations with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and to explore the possibility of organic union. The appropriate correspondence will be attached to these minutes. A letter to the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, requesting fraternal relations, was adopted (see attached sheet, p. 10).
Prayer was offered by Dr. Smith for the pursuit of fraternal relations with a view to the unity of the visible church.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
There was no new business.
Next Stated Meeting
The next stated meeting was set for January 29, 2011, at the call of the Moderator (with the understanding that with appropriate notice, he may reschedule the date of the meeting). The time and place of the meeting will be set through advance notice.
Reading of the Minutes
The minutes for this meeting were read and approved, with the understanding that any minor clerical matters could be corrected by the Stated Clerk, and that further relevant documents could be appended.
Comments from the Visiting Brethren
Pastor Thompson stated that the fellowship between groups has been mutually beneficial, and that he is a better pastor as a result of his relationship with Pastor Fleming.
Elder Bosman also expressed appreciation for Pastor Fleming, especially with regard to evangelism.
Dr. Smith expressed his appreciation for Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest and its ministry, and his hope that he would be able soon to minister again in the same ecclesiastical body as Pastor Fleming and Elder Brown.
Elder Filbert said that it had been a delight to be with the Presbytery today and that he hopes to labor alongside it.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the Moderator led in prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 11:26 AM CDT with the singing of Psalm 103A, “Bless the Lord, My Soul.”
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Brown, Stated Clerk
Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
Office of the Stated Clerk
5519 West Hayes Avenue
West Allis, Wisconsin 53219
(414)704-4675
www.rpmidwest.org
November 18, 2009
Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery)
c/o The Rev. Dr. Allen Church, Stated Clerk
1153 Bridges Road
Blacksburg, South Carolina 29702
Dear Fathers and Brethren:
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
At a stated meeting held on October 26, 2009, our Presbytery voted “to seek fraternal relations with the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery), and with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, and to explore the possibility of organic union.” We also voted, in accord with our Constitution, “to negotiate with the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery) ‘a covenant agreement . . . for the purpose of establishing another level of appellate court.’”
In the interests of promoting the unity of the Bride of the Lamb, we earnestly present these matters before you for your consideration. To aid you in your deliberations, I am enclosing a copy of the minutes of our Presbytery from its inception two years ago until now. I will also be sending this letter with accompanying documents to you in electronic format. We look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.
Cordially in Christ,
Jim Brown, Stated Clerk
Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
Office of the Stated Clerk
5519 West Hayes Avenue
West Allis, Wisconsin 53219
(414)704-4675
www.rpmidwest.org
November 18, 2009
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
c/o The Rev. J. Bruce Martin, Clerk of Synod
310 Main Street
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660
Dear Fathers and Brethren:
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
At a stated meeting held on October 26, 2009, our Presbytery voted “to seek fraternal relations with the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery), and with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, and to explore the possibility of organic union.”
In the interests of promoting the unity of the Bride of the Lamb, we earnestly present this matter before you for your consideration. To aid you in your deliberations, I am enclosing a copy of the minutes of our Presbytery from its inception two years ago until now. I will also be sending this letter with accompanying documents to you in electronic format. We look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.
Cordially in Christ,
Jim Brown, Stated Clerk
The Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery)
Office of the Stated Clerk
1153 Bridges Road
Blacksburg, South Carolina 29702
704-287-4280
Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
Office of the Stated Clerk
5519 West Hayes Avenue
West Allis, Wisconsin 53219
(414) 704-4675
Dear Fathers and Brethren:
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, greetings!
At our Annual Stated Meeting on May 6, 2010 at The Reformed Presbyterian Church, Manassas, Virginia, Hanover Presbytery received your correspondence seeking the exploration of organic union as information accompanied with the sincere and cordial request that The Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest be invited to send visitors to the next Annual Stated Meeting of The Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery).
We pray for your prosperity in the Lord and your Gospel work.
Cordially in Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Allen Church, Stated Clerk
Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
Office of the Stated Clerk
5519 West Hayes Avenue
West Allis, Wisconsin 53219
(414)704-4675
www.rpmidwest.org
May 22, 2010
The General Assembly
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
607 N. Easton Rd., Bldg. E
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090-0920
Dear Fathers and Brethren:
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
At a stated meeting held on May 22, 2010, our Presbytery voted “to seek fraternal relations with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.” At an earlier stated meeting held on October 26, 2009, our Presbytery voted “to seek fraternal relations with the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery) and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, and to explore the possibility of organic union.”
In the interests of promoting the unity of the Bride of the Lamb, we earnestly present these matters before you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.
Cordially in Christ,
Jim Brown, Stated Clerk