Presbytery calls meeting to take action against church leaving PCUSA
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, August 7, 2006
The Presbytery of Prospect Hill has called a special meeting on August 14 to take steps to prevent Riverside Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove, Iowa, from leaving the denomination with its property.
In announcing the meeting, Richard Francis, moderator of the presbytery, issued a number of threats about action that could be taken, with presbytery approval, to thwart the 124-member congregation’s 74-0 vote on July 30 to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) and affiliate with another Reformed denomination.
He called on the presbytery to vote to name an administrative commission to dissolve the relationship between Riverside and its pastor, the Rev. Russell Westbrook, and to try to dissuade the session from the congregation’s vote to leave the PCUSA.
If those efforts fail to get the session to overturn the congregational vote, the administrative commission would be granted full powers to take over the governance of the congregation and make recommendations about Riverside’s future, property and assets.
Westbrook was undeterred by Francis’ letter, which he described as “a desire to destroy” Riverside. “If they take away our property,” he declared, “we are going to thrive in the shadow of their crumbling mausoleum.”
He said he has no joy in circumstances that led to the congregation’s decision to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA), but he is “committed to the doctrine found in our confessions” – a view that he doesn’t believe the denomination holds.
After the congregational vote, the Riverside session asked the presbytery to release “our congregation with all assets and property, in order that the will of the session and congregation may be honored and the Riverside Presbyterian Church be freed to join with a denomination of like Reformed faith. It is with sadness of heart that this action had to be taken; we have enjoyed fellowship with Prospect Hill Presbytery for many years, and we leave behind many dear to our hearts. The actions of the denomination however have so wounded our conscience that no further fellowship with it can be had in Christian conviction. It is our hope and prayer that the PCUSA repents of the actions of Birmingham and rejoins the fellowship of the Reformed and catholic family of Christian churches.”
The following is the text of Francis’ letter to congregations in the presbytery:
Dear Pastors and Clerks,
With the concurrence of two pastors and two elders, I am calling a special meeting of the Presbytery of Prospect Hill on August 14, 2006 at 4:30 P.M., at the Regional Church Office in Storm Lake, for the purpose of forming an Administrative Commission with authority to:
1. Dissolve the pastoral relationship between Rev. Russell Westbrook and the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove,
2. To review the rolls of the Riverside Presbyterian Church, to determine if there are members who wish to remain with the PCUSA,
3. To meet with the Session of the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Linn Grove to determine the following:
a. If they are willing to remain faithful to their ordination vows of the PCUSA;
b. Whether they are committed to the action taken on June 28, 2006 to recommend that, “The Riverside Presbyterian Church secedes from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) and seek union with a confessionally Reformed, Evangelical denomination which holds to the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy,” and the vote taken by the congregation on July 30, to adopt the aforesaid motion.
4. If the Session is committed to its action on June 28, and to “secede” from the PCUSA, to assume original jurisdiction and the responsibilities and powers given to a particular church (G-10.0102) as necessary for the mission and government of the Riverside Presbyterian Church.
5. To report back to the presbytery, at its regular meetings, making any recommendations concerning the future of the congregation, its property and assets.
Sincerely,
Rev. Richard Francis
Moderator of the Presbytery of Prospect Hill