Heartland Presbytery
to pursue Gashland property
By Edward Terry, The Layman, October 14, 2009
Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Heartland Presbytery has set its sights on the property of an Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) congregation in Kansas City that has long since left its former denomination behind.
At its Sept. 19 stated meeting, the presbytery approved plans to dissolve the Gashland Presbyterian Church, sell its property and file a civil action to claim the congregation’s assets. Heartland Presbytery did not return calls from The Layman seeking comment, but Gashland Presbyterian Church has released a statement.
“Gashland Presbyterian Church is an Evangelical Presbyterian Church and has no relationship with the PCUSA or its Heartland Presbytery,” Gashland Elder Phillip Josephson said. “Heartland Presbytery has no jurisdiction over Gashland Presbyterian Church. GPC will continue pursuing the Great Commission and fulfilling its ministries.”
There is no record of legal action being taken as of yet, and the congregation continues to utilize its property, as it has for 60 years, Josephson said.
“GPC fully intends to defend our rights and property and fully believe that we will be successful,” Josephson said.
Heartland cites G-8.0301 and G-8.0401 in the Book of Order in its rationale for selling Gashland property. The action directs any proceeds be used to cover the expense of legal actions and the sale of the property, and all remaining funds be set aside for new church development and the redevelopment of congregations in Heartland Presbytery. The rationale for pursuing a civil suit in Clay County, Missouri, cites the Administrative Commission’s authority to engage in appropriate legal counsel.
Of course there’s some dispute over the definition of appropriate.
“GPC is very disappointed in the actions of the Heartland Presbytery,” Josephson said. “These actions are clear violations of the Biblical injunction of Christians suing each other.”
Citing “deep theological differences with many in the denomination and their tolerance of some very radical beliefs that … cannot be called Biblical or Christian,” Gashland voted in September 2007 to request dismissal with its property.
Gashland had dispersed its members to the New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery of the EPC Jan. 4, 2008, and its pastor, Ed Longabaugh, had renounced jurisdiction from the PCUSA. Since then the presbytery has hosted hearings on the church’s request for dismissal as recently as June 2009. According to Heartland documents presented at its Sept. 19 meeting, Gashland did not participate.