Minutes – 09/07 | Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest

Minutes September 2007
Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest

Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
September 14-15, 2007

Pastor Frank J. Smith convened the meeting of a new presbytery at 4:08 PM on Friday, September 14, 2007, at First Reformed Church, Oostburg, Wisconsin, and opened with prayer. Utilizing The Book of Psalms for Singing, he led in the singing of Psalm 48B, “In Our God’s City We Have Seen.”

Enrollment of Presbyters and Declaration of Quorum

The following presbyters were enrolled:

Ruling Elder Ron DeTroye
Pastor H. Eugene (Gene) Osborne
Pastor Frank J. Smith
Pastor Justin B. Stodghill
Pastor Marty Waltho
Ruling Elder Alan J. Wilson

The Convener declared that a quorum was present.

Declaration of the Constitution of the Presbytery

The Convener also declared that the new presbytery was now duly constituted as a manifestation of the Bride of Christ.

Welcome

On behalf of the host congregation, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan, the Convener welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Election of Moderator and Stated Clerk

The floor was opened for nominations for Moderator. Pastor Waltho was nominated. There being no further nominations, it was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously that he be elected for a one-year term. The Moderator assumed the chair.

The floor was opened for nominations for Stated Clerk. Dr. Smith was nominated. There being no further nominations, it was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously that he be elected for a one-year term.

Adoption of Docket

The proposed agenda was presented (see p. 8). It was moved, seconded, and carried to adopt this proposed agenda as the docket, with the understanding that the times listed for each of the items are flexible and may be adjusted at the discretion of the chair.
Recognition of Special Visitors and Guests

The following special visitors and guests were recognized:

From the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA):
Pastor Greg Poorman, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, Painesville, Ohio
Pastor Todd Ruddell, Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, Wylie, Texas
Pastor Marcus Serven, Covenant Family Church, Troy, Missouri

From the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA):
Dr. Roy Blackwood, Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

It was moved, seconded, and carried that the visiting presbyters be seated as visiting brethren and given the privilege of the floor.

The following were also in attendance at this time:

Mr. and Mrs. John (Linda) Clark, Reformed Presbyterian Church, Manassas, Virginia
Mrs. Tonya Stodghill, New London (Wisc.) Presbyterian Church
Miss Ruth Sawall, New London (Wisc.) Presbyterian Church
Mr. Steve Sawall, New London (Wisc.) Presbyterian Church
Mrs. Penelope Smith, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan
Mrs. Joanne Wilson, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan
Mr. Bob Caulkins, Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana
Mrs. Rosie Bloemers, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church of Sheboygan
Mr. Fred Fleming, Antigo (Wisc.) Presbyterian Church

Adoption of Official Name

It was moved, seconded, and carried that the official name of this new presbytery be Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest.

Election of Committees: Administration, Examinations, and Missions

A slate of nominees was presented for the various committees. Upon motion, the slate was approved and the men were elected (see p. 9).

Communications

The Clerk reported that the following communications had been received (see pp. 10-12):

Pastoral calls to Pastors Justin Stodghill and H. Eugene (Gene) Osborne.
Letter from the New London Session regarding those calls and that church’s governance.

It was moved, seconded, and carried that the calls to Pastors Stodghill and Osborne be referred to the Examinations Committee for report later in this meeting.

It was moved, seconded, and carried to refer the letter from the New London Session to the Committee on Administration for report later in this meeting.

Address to the Christian World

It was moved, seconded, and carried to adopt an Address to the Christian World from the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest (see p. 13). After the motion carried, the presbyters signed the original copy.

Adoption of Organizational Documents

It was moved and seconded that the denominational Constitution and Bylaws that had governed the Sheboygan and New London congregations up until August 13, 2007, be adopted on a contingency basis, said documents to become effective upon the adjournment of the Presbytery, with the following emendations: a. that DCO 18:3 be amended to read as follows: “A quorum shall consist of any three commissioners. All of the ordained ruling and teaching elders of the Presbytery are members of and shall be entitled to vote in a meeting of the Presbytery.”; b. that DCO 18:12 be amended to read: “Called meetings shall be convened upon a request by at least three commissioners. At least ten (10) days notice must be given for called meetings. Only the business stated in the call to the meeting may be transacted or considered at that meeting (with the understanding that any business that arises of necessity from the stated business may also be considered).”; c. that DCO 26:7 be eliminated; d. that DCO 27 be replaced with the following: “A congregation may withdraw by simple majority vote of the congregation.”; e. that DCO 29 be replaced with the following: “The Constitution and Bylaws must be approved on an annual basis in order to continue to have binding authority. Any amendments to the Constitution must be approved by a two-thirds vote, and any amendments to the Bylaws may be approved by majority vote.”; f. that “Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church” and “CRPC” be replaced with the name of this presbytery; g. that “Stated Clerk” replace “Communications Secretary”; h. that the vows for ordination and installation be replaced with those from the Book of Church Order of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly. An amendment was offered, to add the phrase “with at least two congregations represented” after “any three commissioners”. The amendment carried unanimously, and the motion as amended carried unanimously.

Dinner Recess and Reconvening

A season of prayer was begun by Pastor Osborne and closed by Pastor Ruddell. At the conclusion of that prayer time, at 5:27 PM, the Moderator declared that the meeting was in recess for dinner. The Presbytery reconvened at 7:11 PM with prayer and the singing of Psalm 45A, “My Heart Doth Overflow.”

Special Program—Presentation by Dr. Roy Blackwood

Dr. Roy Blackwood gave a special presentation on the kingdom. Approximately 55 people were in attendance for this program.

Evening Recess

Psalm 134A, “Lo, With Blessing to Jehovah,” was sung, Pastor Serven offered prayer, and the court recessed for the evening at 9:04 PM.

Reconvening with Prayer

The meeting was reconvened on Saturday, September 15, 2007, at 8:52 AM. The Moderator opened the meeting with prayer.

Recognition of Special Visitors and Guests

Dr. Randy Talbot, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (RPCGA), Belleview, Florida, was introduced. The chair ruled that, based on the previous action of the court, he was already granted the privilege of the floor. Also introduced were members of the Sheboygan church: Mrs. Bernadette Seely, Miss Anneke Seely, Deacon Eric Grasse, Deacon Nick DeTroye, and Mr. Alastair Matthews.

Report of Missions Committee

Elder Wilson reported on the missions efforts of the Sheboygan church. Pastor Osborne reported on the developing of relationships with several churches in India. It was moved, seconded, and carried to accept the report.

Communion Service

At 9:01 AM, the court recessed to reconvene in the sanctuary for a communion service. The following order was observed, with Pastor Todd Ruddell preaching:

Call to Worship

*Invocation

*Psalm 46C “God is Our Refuge and Our Strength”

*Scripture Reading I Kings 19:13-18

*Prayer

The Sermon “A Prophet’s Isolation”

*Prayer

*Psalm 6 “In Anger, Lord, Rebuke Me Not”

The Administration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The Fencing of the Table
The Words of Institution
Prayer of Consecration
Distribution of the Elements
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Exhortation

*Psalm 118C “I Shall Not Die, But Live and Tell”

*Benediction
*Congregation standing

Recess and Reconvening with Prayer

At 10:08 AM, following the communion service, the Presbytery was in recess. The meeting was reconvened with prayer by the Moderator at 10:37 AM.

Recognition of Special Guests

Mr. and Mrs. John (Constance) Hogue of Newellton, Louisiana, were introduced to and welcomed to the court. Mr. Hogue has been working for a number of years to establish a Presbyterian congregation in St. Joseph, Louisiana.

Report of Examinations Committee

Pastor Smith, chairman of the Examinations Committee, began the report by introducing Mr. Alastair Matthews, a member of the Sheboygan church, who has applied to be licensed to preach. Mr. Matthews gave his personal testimony and sense of call to the gospel ministry. Mr. Matthews was examined orally in theology. It was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously that all parts of the licensure examination of Alastair Matthews, and the examination as a whole, be approved.

It was moved, seconded, and carried that the calls of New London Presbyterian Church to Pastors Stodghill and Osborne be approved and placed in their hands; and that, pending their acceptance of the calls, these men be installed on September 16, 2007, with Dr. Randy Talbot preaching the sermon for that service, and other arrangements being made in consultation with the present members of the New London Session. Both men indicated acceptance of the calls.

It was moved, seconded, and carried to approve the report of the Committee as a whole.

Recess and Reconvening

The Presbytery took a recess at 12:01 PM, and reconvened at 12:13 PM with prayer offered by the Moderator, and the singing of Psalm 119X, “Before Thee Let My Prayer Come Near.”

Report from Visiting Brethren

The following visiting ministers gave a report on their respective churches: Todd Ruddell, Marcus Serven, Randy Talbot, and Greg Poorman.

Report of Committee on Administration

The Committee on Administration reported (see p. 14). The following recommendations were moved and carried unanimously.

1. That the proposal from the New London Session be approved regarding the calls and the governance of the New London Presbyterian Church.

2. That the next stated meeting be set for September 12-13, 2008, with the location to be determined by the Moderator.

3. That the agreement with the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly be adopted. [see p. 15]

[The chair noted that this agreement would not become effective unless approved at the next stated meeting of this Presbytery, and ratified by the RPCGA.]

4. That the Committee on Administration be authorized to negotiate a “joining and receiving” with the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly, with the following understandings:
a. in taking this action, we declare our willingness to consider the possibility of either joining as a continuing regional presbytery, or becoming a part of an existing RPCGA presbytery;
b. our intention is, over the next several months, to explore the RPCGA documents with a view toward eventual union;
c. our desire is to indicate to the RPCGA by April, 2008 whether or not we believe the prospects for merger are favorable.

5. That thanks be expressed to the following: those who helped host this meeting; our visitors and guests, some of whom traveled long distances to be here; Dr. Roy Blackwood, for his skillful presentation; Pastor Todd Ruddell, for his ministry of the Word during the communion service; Dr. Randy Talbot, for his willingness to preach at the installation service in New London tomorrow; First Reformed Church of Oostburg, Wisconsin, for providing the facilities for our meeting; the press, for helping to spread the news regarding our historic meeting; and, most especially, the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. That the report be approved as a whole.

Approval of Minutes

The Clerk read the minutes, which were approved. It was moved, seconded, and carried that the Clerk be given authority to append to these minutes information regarding the Sheboygan and New London churches, including a directory of officers (see pp. 16-17).

Adjournment

It was moved, seconded, and carried to adjourn. The Presbytery sang Psalm 133A, “Behold, How Good a Thing It Is,” Elder Al Wilson led in prayer, and Pastor Frank J. Smith pronounced the benediction. The meeting adjourned at 12:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Frank J. Smith, Stated Clerk

Proposed Agenda

Friday, September 14, 2007

4:00 PM Call to Order and Prayer
Enrollment of Presbyters and Declaration of Quorum
Declaration of the Constitution of the Presbytery
Election of Moderator and Stated Clerk
Adoption of Docket
Recognition of Special Visitors and Guests
Adoption of Official Name
Election of Committees: Administration, Examinations, and Missions
Communications
Address to the Christian World
Adoption of Organizational Documents

5:00-7:00 PM Dinner Recess and Reconvening

7:00 PM Special Program—Presentation by Dr. Roy Blackwood

9:05 PM Evening Recess

Saturday, September 15, 2007

8:45 AM Reconvening with Prayer

8:50 AM Report from Missions Committee

9:00 AM Communion Service

10:00-10:15 AM Recess and Reconvening with Prayer

10:15 AM Report of Examinations Committee

11:45 AM Report from Visiting Brethren

12:15 PM Report of Committee on Administration

12:40 PM Approval of Minutes

12:45 PM Adjournment with Prayer, Singing of Psalm 133, and Benediction

Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest

Committee on Administration

Marty Waltho, Moderator, ex officio
Frank J. Smith, Stated Clerk, ex officio
*Ron DeTroye

Examinations Committee

*Frank J. Smith
Justin Stodghill
Gene Osborne

Missions Committee

*Gene Osborne
Al Wilson

*indicates Chairman

The congregation of New London Presbyterian Church, New London, Wisconsin, hereby calls Justin B. Stodghill to be its Presiding Pastor, according to the following terms of call: that he be paid for his ministerial services up to $15,000 per year (with the understanding that some of that money may have to be raised from outside the congregation); and that he be granted four weeks of vacation per year of service. It is understood that the compensation given to Pastor Stodghill will be for housing.

I hereby certify that the congregational meeting, held on August 19, 2007, was properly called and conducted.

_________________________________
Frank J. Smith, Moderator

Members of the congregation signing in support of this call:

The congregation of New London Presbyterian Church, New London, Wisconsin, hereby calls H. Eugene “Gene” Osborne to be a Teaching Elder and member of Session. It is understood that since Pastor Osborne is living at a distance, he will attend services only as often as he is able.

I hereby certify that the congregational meeting, held on August 19, 2007, was properly called and conducted.

_________________________________
Frank J. Smith, Moderator

Members of the congregation signing in support of this call:

New London Presbyterian Church
Post Office Box 447
New London, Wisconsin 54961
(888)564-6501

September 9, 2007

To the Presbytery being formed in Oostburg, Wisconsin

Dear Fathers and Brethren:

Greetings in Christ!

As you are aware, for over a year, the Session of our congregation has been a temporary session, since the governors have not been elected and installed as officers in the congregation. Thankfully, this situation is now about to change.

On August 19, 2007, the congregation elected Pastor Justin B. Stodghill as its Pastor; the vote, by secret ballot, was 9-0-1, with Pastor Stodghill abstaining from the vote. At the same meeting, the congregation, by a vote of 10-0-0, elected Pastor H. Eugene (Gene) Osborne to be Teaching Elder and member of the Session.

Accordingly, we are asking that the Presbytery approve these calls and install Pastors Stodghill and Osborne on September 16, 2007, with Dr. Randy Talbot being invited to preach the sermon. We would respectfully note that the Session, with the consent of the members of the congregation, has slightly modified the call to Pastor Stodghill to specify that $1,800 per year of the $15,000 will go for education.

We are also asking that the Presbytery take note of the fact that with the installation of these two pastors, there will be a permanently-installed Session in place, with the result that the service of the governors who were appointed last year will come to an end.

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

Respectfully submitted,

Frank J. Smith, Moderator of Session

Address to the Christian World from
the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest

As we start our corporate life together as a new presbytery, we hereby issue this address to the rest of Christendom. Our purpose in doing so is in order to set forth our vision for the continuation of the Reformation of our spiritual forefathers begun five centuries ago.

We humbly confess our total unworthiness before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in His sight. We are saved by His grace alone, through faith alone, based solely upon His imputed righteousness.

It is not with glee that we are forming yet another manifestation of the Bride of Christ, rather than joining immediately with an already-existing group. As Presbyterians, we believe in the visible unity of the church; and yet we find ourselves in the sad, embarrassing, and humbling position of forming yet another small presbytery. We commemorate this occasion not with a sense of triumphalism, nor, we pray, with a smug self-satisfaction or assertion of superiority. We hereby declare our intention of affiliating with and ultimately joining with other believers, so as to heal some of the brokenness of the visible church in a broken world.

At the same time, we announce our desire to cultivate the portion of the Lord’s vineyard in which we have been planted. We will seek to do so not with an arrogant spirit, but with love for the brethren and with respect for what the Lord is doing in and through our fellow believers around the world; not in a standoffish fashion, but with cooperation so long as such does not entail compromise of the doctrine of Scripture or of the gospel.

As we take our place among the Lord’s tribes, we simply wish to raise the blood-stained banner of King Jesus over us, as we march out to battle. Should we fail in this enterprise, or should our efforts finally come to naught, we confess that our failure will have been our fault. Should our labors be crowned with success, then all praise will go to our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.

We close with words from the Apostle Paul, who wrote: “Brethren, pray for us.” We covet your prayers, that God would be pleased to give us love for one another, the grace to heed the counsel of and to learn from all of God’s saints, and souls for our labor in the building of Christ’s kingdom.

Respectfully and in the bonds of love,
Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
Oostburg, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
September 14, 2007

Report of the Committee on Administration

1. That the proposal from the New London Session be approved regarding the calls and the governance of the New London Presbyterian Church.

2. That the next stated meeting be set for September 12-13, 2008, with the location to be determined by the Moderator.

3. That the agreement with the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly be adopted.

6. That the report be approved as a whole.

Ecclesiastical Covenant

An agreement between the
Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly
and the
Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest

As a result of the essential unity that we enjoy in Jesus Christ, the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA), and the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest (RPM) as an affiliate presbytery (non-member) of the RPCGA, hereby enter into the following covenant agreement.

1. The Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly agrees to serve as a non-binding mediator for any complaint or appeal that may arise from the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest.

2. In handling any such complaint or appeal, the RPCGA, through a special committee appointed for that purpose (which may be one of the RPCGA presbyteries), will review such matters according to the standards of the RPM, under the RPCGA’s system of judicial process found in the RPCGA Book of Church Order.

3. The RPCGA does not have the authority to render a binding judgment. However, the RPCGA may give ecclesiastical counsel as to what judgment should be rendered.

4. Any expenses incurred by the RPCGA in lending its assistance to the RPM, shall be borne by the RPM itself and/or the RPM parties affiliated with the case. In such cases, the RPM and any parties to a complaint will provide essential funding or provisions prior to any hearing.

5. This covenant must be ratified by the RPCGA at its General Assembly, and by the RPM at two consecutive stated meetings of the Presbytery by a three-fourths vote, in order to become effective.

6. This covenant will expire two years from the date of being approved by both parties. This agreement may be renewed annually by simple majority vote and/or by consensus of both parties.

7. This covenant can be terminated by simple majority vote of either party at a duly called meeting under the rules that govern the above listed parties. If the RPM should, in conjunction with one or more other presbyteries, constitute a General Assembly, or merge with an existing presbytery or denomination, this agreement shall terminate.

8. RPM, as part of its sincere exploration of possible merger with the RPCGA, agrees to send representatives to the June, 2008 General Assembly of the RPCGA.