Powerful administrative commissions could remove sessions, pastors of churches rethinking PCUSA ties
By Patrick Jean, The Layman, June 6, 2008
A regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Indiana has approved powerful administrative commissions that could remove the sessions and pastors of two small congregations which are rethinking their future in the denomination.
Acting on a voice vote at their stated meeting June 4, Whitewater Valley Presbytery commissioners approved a recommendation from the presbytery’s committee on ministry to form two administrative commissions, said the Rev. Jason Bantz, pastor of College Corner First United Presbyterian Church in College Corner, Ohio.
The administrative commissions are for Bantz’s church and for Wallace Street Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Ind.
According to the recommendation, the commissions’ functions include two sweeping powers “to take effect when it should become evident to the commission that minister(s) or congregation members are moving toward expressing a desire for separation and the reconciliation is not likely”:
- 1. “Authority to dissolve the session and assume the full powers and jurisdiction of the session,” to occur when a church’s session “calls for a congregational meeting for the purpose of considering actions leading to separation from the PCUSA.” Also, if such a meeting “has occurred prior to this action of presbytery, the power shall be effective immediately.”
- 2. “Authority to dissolve the pastoral relationship upon evidence that the pastor has advocated separation from the denomination or upon renunciation of jurisdiction, fully observing the due process requirements of the [PCUSA] Constitution (G-9.0505b(2), G-6.0701, G-6.0702)”.
College Corner Church’s congregation voted June 1 to request dismissal from the PCUSA, and to authorize the church’s session to proceed with disaffiliation from the denomination if the presbytery refuses the dismissal request.
‘Political maneuvering and intimidation’
Bantz said he sent a 10-page paper to every church in the presbytery June 2: five pages about his church’s Biblical stance and the past two weeks of developments surrounding the congregational vote; a four-page position paper on the “right of voluntary association/affiliation” for PCUSA churches; and a one-page substitute motion to be presented at the presbytery meeting.
The substitute motion would have proposed that the administrative commission for College Corner Church:
- Act upon the church’s request for dismissal within 30 days and dismiss the congregation to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church with its property.
- Negotiate a settlement with the church’s session “for the financial provisions attendant to this dismissal.”
Bantz said he and nine members of his church attended the presbytery meeting. After the committee on ministry presented its motion recommending the administrative commissions, Bantz asked to speak to the motion. He said he was allowed, but not before presbytery commissioners were told that Bantz’s church had filed a property ownership lawsuit and obtained a temporary restraining order against the presbytery and that Bantz was no longer considered a minister in good standing in light of the actions.
“I tried to say some gracious words that it’s a blessing to be in this presbytery, lots of good things going on, and our issues aren’t with people or this presbytery, but with the issues in parts of the denomination,” he said, highlighting four issues: “the full truthfulness of Scripture, and Christ’s singular ability to save, and the sanctity of life to the unborn, and God’s heart and design for human sexuality.”
Bantz also spoke about the substitute motion, but said he was told to stop before he could read it – violating an agreement he thought he had in advance with the presbytery to make a presentation. Someone from the floor called for a vote on the original motion shortly afterward, and it passed by a two-thirds majority on a voice vote, he said.
“It was, to me, some political maneuvering and intimidation going on,” he said. “I don’t want to say ‘deceit,’ that’s a strong word, but … I wanted to share that and I think after the question was called, nobody higher up … stood up for me. … I don’t want to speak to their motivation, but it seemed like they were trying to push these commissions through and people didn’t have all the information.”
The Rev. Robert “Bob” Anderson, Whitewater Valley’s interim executive presbyter, could not be reached for comment.
‘We’re going to be all right’
Bantz said he felt four emotions after the meeting: frustration, sadness, anger and anxiety. “But talking to people as we got home and even this morning, we definitely do feel pretty good, that we’re going to be all right whatever happens,” he said.
Bantz said he is encouraged not only by his faith, but by the presbytery’s strong-arm tactics with his church and at the presbytery meeting. “I think that in a sense, they’re shooting themselves in the foot,” he said. “I think people in the presbytery that did agree with us are kind of angry. I think that could rally some support.”
Bantz also feels his church’s session and property are protected by the temporary restraining order. Both sides will be back in court June 10 for a hearing on an injunction, he said.
“I think the point is that we’re not opposed to dialogue … but maybe the best thing is to let the attorneys talk,” he said.
Bantz will inform his congregation of the administrative commission this Sunday. “Some of us are discouraged,” he said. “Some of us are angry. I think for me, I was surprised but I really do feel strengthened by it, that God’s with us and we’re going to be all right.”
Wallace Street Church’s pastor, the Rev. Douglas Barnes, said he will not comment until the process has concluded.
A third administrative commission was approved, for a church that is closing: Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Ind.