Anticipating churches may leave PCUSA, presbytery sets high-hurdle ‘exit guidelines’

Anticipating churches may leave PCUSA, presbytery sets high-hurdle ‘exit guidelines’

By Craig M. Kibler, April 16, 2007

Anticipating that several of its congregations are on the brink of departure, the Presbytery of Western North Carolina has established a set of “exit guidelines” that include high hurdles for churches that are inclined to leave.

Stressing the peace, unity and purity of the church – the major theme of the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity – the guidelines include the requirement that at least 50 percent of the congregation be present at the congregational meeting where the vote is taken and that a minimum of 75 percent of the congregation, present and voting, must choose to leave.

The guidelines, approved at the presbytery’s January 2007 meeting, also include the requirement that two-thirds of commissioners present and voting must approve a congregation’s request to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA), as well as two requirements not in the Book of Order – that a congregations may be dismissed “only to a member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches or to another Reformed denomination recognized by the stated clerk of the General Assembly (PCUSA).”

Titled “Guidelines for Congregations Considering A Request to Presbytery to be Dismissed” and included in packets mailed to commissioners to the April 24 presbytery meeting, the policy states:

I. The congregation shall consider the Biblical imperatives in these passages:

Peace: Romans 14:19; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:15.

Unity: John 17:21; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:1-3.

Purity: I Corinthians 5:9-13; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:8.

II. Individual members, including officers (deacons, elders and ministers) may, at any time, unite with other Reformed denominations following provisions in the Book of Order (BOO: G-10.0102).

III. Congregations may be dismissed by the presbytery only to a member of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches or to another Reformed denomination recognized by the stated clerk of the General Assembly (PCUSA).

IV. Congregations considering a request to be so dismissed shall follow these steps:

A. The session shall meet with representatives from the committee on ministry (BOO: G-11.0500).

B. The session shall call a congregational meeting, preferably to be held no earlier than February 2007. Due notice shall be given orally from the pulpit at regular church services on two successive Sundays, the first of which shall be at least 10 days prior to the meeting. Prior notice shall be given in the parish newsletter or bulletin.

1. At least 25 percent of the active members of the congregation shall be present.

2. Representatives appointed by the presbytery (the committee on ministry and the presbytery’s staff acting on its behalf) shall be present throughout and shall have the right to speak.

3. The question to be discussed is: “Shall the _______ Presbyterian Church request dismissal to another Reformed body?”

4. Ample time shall be provided for both speakers wanting dismissal and those wanting to stay with the PCUSA.

5. No type of vote for any purpose shall be taken at this meeting.

C. The session – no sooner than three months and no later than six months after the first meeting described above – may call a second congregational meeting.

1. Due notice shall be mailed to all members of the congregation at least 30 days prior to the meeting, and shall be given orally from the pulpit at regular church services on two successive Sundays, the first of which shall be at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

2. At least 50 percent of the active members shall be present.

3. Representatives appointed by the presbytery (the committee on ministry and the presbytery’s staff acting on its behalf) shall be present throughout and shall have the right to speak.

4. The question to be discussed is: “Shall the _______ Presbyterian Church request dismissal to another Reformed body: ________?”

5. Ample time shall be provided for both speakers wanting dismissal and those wanting to stay with the PCUSA.

6. After discussion and prayer, a secret written ballot shall be taken on this question, the only choices being “Request dismissal” or “Do Not request dismissal.”

7. If three-quarters of those active members present and voting vote to request dismissal, the request shall go to the presbytery.

8. If any five members, present and voting, contest the regularity (the call for, the conduct of or the vote taken) of the second congregational meeting, they shall send the details of their allegation, postmarked within 10 business days of that meeting, to the stated clerk of the presbytery, who shall convene the Permanent Judicial Commission to render a decision.

D. At the meeting of the presbytery to consider a request for dismissal, the presbytery shall:

1. Hear from representatives from the congregation in favor of dismissal.

2. Hear from representatives of those wishing to remain in the PCUSA, reserving to the presbytery the right to determine “the true church’ (BOO: G-8.0600).

3. Hear from the representatives appointed by the presbytery (the committee on ministry and the presbytery’s staff) who were present at the second congregational meeting and who also may recommend a decision to the presbytery.

4. Be informed of any financial contributions from this congregation to the presbytery, synod or general assembly and to this congregation by the presbytery, synod or general assembly within at least the last 10 years.

5. Be informed what provisions will be made for those members who wish to remain in the PCUSA and for any ministers of Word and Sacrament, Christian educators or commissioned lay pastors associated with the congregation.

6. Be informed how the congregation’s dismissal would affect the mission and ministry of the church in this presbytery.

7. After discussion and prayer, the presbytery shall vote by written ballot on this question: “Shall the ______ Presbyterian Church be dismissed to this Reformed body: __________?,” the only choices being “Yes” or “No.”

8. If two-thirds of the commissioners present and voting vote in favor of dismissal, that shall be the action of the presbytery.

E. If the presbytery approved dismissing a congregation to another Reformed body, that congregation also may petition the presbytery to dismiss it with all or some of its property. If so requested, the presbytery shall (at the same or the next presbytery meeting):

1. Hear from representatives from the congregation in favor of the petition.

2. Receive a recommended decision (which can be debated and amended) from a task force (that shall include some with financial expertise) appointed by the chairs of the Coordinating Council and the committee on ministry and the general presbyter, which has met with representatives of the congregation, detailing appropriate financial terms in the light of the needs of the congregation, those wishing to continue in the PCUSA, and the overall mission of the presbytery. Some time prior to this presbytery meeting, a representative of the task force shall inform the session of the congregation in question of the terms of the recommendation.

3. After discussion and prayer, the presbytery shall vote by written ballot on this question: “Shall the _________ Presbyterian Church be dismissed to this Reformed body: ________, with these financial arrangements for its property:”

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

The only choices being “Yes” or “No.”

4. If a majority of those present and voting vote in favor, the congregation shall be dismissed with the approved financial arrangements for its property, provided that, if the congregation is not still a member of the specified or another Reformed body at any time within 10 years, the dismissed property shall revert back to the presbytery.

V. These guidelines shall be reviewed by the committee on ministry and the presbytery before the end of January 2009.

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.