Presbytery assumes governance of First Presbyterian in Miami
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, July 24, 2000
MIAMI – The Presbytery of Tropical Florida, after a special meeting on July 21, has taken over governance of First Presbyterian Church in Miami.
Michael Girolimon, the pastor of the historic Miami congregation since 1997, resigned recently and renounced the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (USA) after a year-long, bitter struggle with the presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. The First Presbyterian elders, who strongly supported Girolimon, said they remained to effect an orderly transition, but the presbytery decided to take over their duties.
In a news release after the presbytery meeting, the presbytery declared “that the current session (governing board) of First Presbyterian Church … is unable and/or unwilling to manage the affairs of its church. The presbytery then assumed original jurisdiction of the session and appointed an administrative commission of ministers and elders from across the presbytery to have the full power of the session effective immediately.”
Building’s locks changed
The news release also said the presbytery had changed the locks on the church building and asked financial institutions to freeze all accounts. The presbytery also sought a restraining order prohibiting use of the manse of First Presbyterian for any programs or services by Girolimon, who is leading an independent ministry called Brickell Church.
Before Girolimon resigned, the session of First Presbyterian paid him 10 months’ severance and authorized him to remain in the church’s manse without charge through September. The presbytery has ordered him out of the manse by July 31 and billed him for $6,500 — “fair market” value — for use of the manse for one month.
In its news release, the presbytery alluded to some of the issues that had been reported by The Presbyterian Layman and The Layman Online over the past few months. Previously, the presbytery would not respond to Layman questions about those issues.
“The journey of the presbytery with First Church, Miami, has been long and multi-faceted,” the presbytery’s news release said. “Girolimon was installed as minister in May 1997. After approximately a year, the committee on ministry began receiving complaints from long-term members of the congregation about Girolimon’s style of ministry, behavior toward some members, and forceful adoption of the principles of new congregation development formulated by Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose Driven Church.
Pastor, session ‘cautioned’
“The committee on ministry advised Girolimon and the session that it was pleased with the plans for evangelism to the entire community, but to exercise care and inclusion for the long-term members. The committee on ministry cautioned Girolimon and session to use Warren within the context of the Presbyterian Church (USA), to regularize the handling of monies by electing a treasurer according to Presbyterian procedure, and to consult with the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and presbytery staff for resources and support in accomplishing their mission.
“The committee on ministry remained involved. Complaints about the pastor’s behavior and the lack of communication with the congregation about various changes escalated in the late fall of 1999. The committee on ministry sent a listening team to the congregation in December 1999. All members were encouraged to speak confidentially to listening team members.
Letter to congregation
“Following up on information received by the listening team, the committee on ministry sent a letter to members of the congregation asking that they either file official complaints in the judicial system of the Presbyterian Church or cease and desist their agitation, ‘lest you be guilty of disturbing the peace and harmony of the Body of Christ.’
“The same letter informed the congregation that ‘we wish to assure all parties that it is not now, nor has it ever been, the goal of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida to close the church and sell the property. Indeed, all of our efforts are focused to the end that the ministry, which you have on Brickell Avenue, will continue and thrive.’
“Representatives of the committee on ministry met with the session and pastor in January 2000 to present a letter informing them of how issues heard with sufficient frequency during the listening team’s work must be addressed:
- That the Rev. Michael Girolimon must undergo psychiatric evaluation
- That the Rev. Michael Girolimon must meet regularly with two mentors to be appointed by the committee on ministry
- That the session must receive training in Presbyterian polity and The Book of Order
- That two observers from the committee on ministry must be notified in advance and attend every session meeting, stated or called, in the year 2000
Investigation ordered
“On June17, 2000, the presbytery during a stated meeting entered executive session and voted to send an administrative commission to First Presbyterian Church of Miami to investigate, using fair hearing procedures and according all the right to be heard, (1) why the session had failed to receive the training requested and whether or not they were able and willing to govern the affairs of the congregation; (2) why the pastor had failed to follow the directions of the committee on ministry and whether or not the pastoral relationship should be dissolved; (3) to further investigate the reports of disorder in the congregation.
“On July 9 at the second worship service of the day, Girolimon announced his resignation and handed out information about the formation of Brickell Church to meet the first Sundays at the Girolimon residence (the manse of First Presbyterian Church). On July 10 he renounced the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
“The presbytery is deeply saddened by these events. According to the Interim Executive, Rev. Edie Gause, ‘The presbytery intends fully to continue Presbyterian ministry at the beautiful location of First Presbyterian Church in the heart of the financial district of Miami. There is no conversation about selling the property. As the administrative commission replacing the session works with the congregation and the presbytery, their focus will be on healing, stabilizing the current situation, and then seeking God’s vision for ministry in this location. As always in the affairs that humans conduct, error, sin, and mistakes occur. All should seek God’s promised forgiveness for the shortcomings of the past. We rejoice in the grace of Christ that floods our lives during this time. God will provide for future ministries in the Brickell area.”