Highland Park pastor moderator of Coalition
The Presbyterian Layman, December 11, 1998
B. Clayton Bell Sr.
DALLAS – Dr. B. Clayton Bell Sr., pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, has been elected moderator of the Presbyterian Coalition. He succeeds Jack Haberer, a Houston pastor.
The election of Bell occurred during the Coalition’s meeting Dec. 9 in Dallas. The 24-member board of directors also appointed leaders for six task forces for renewal strategies in the Presbyterian Church (USA). They are:
· Mission, the Rev. Howard Edington of Orlando, Fla.
· Worship, the Rev. Daryl Fisher-Ogden of Los Angeles.
· Theological Education, the Rev. Jim Singleton of Spokane, Wash.
· Educational Ministries, Bettie Ann Stepp of West Palm Beach, Fla.
· Church Discipline, Jay Poppinga, Montclair, NJ.
· Polity, the Rev. Jerry Andrews, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
The Coalition appointed three of its board members to each task force and called on the task force leaders to “coordinate with” individuals and church renewal groups in developing and implementing strategies for renewal.
The six task forces were announced at a Coalition-sponsored meeting, called “Gathering III,” in Dallas in October. They were part of a overall renewal strategy that included a Declaration of Faith. Many of the nearly 600 people who attended “Gathering III” signed up to work in the six strategy areas.
Robert L. Howard
The Rev. David Dobler, a former moderator of the PCUSA, was named vice moderator of the Coalition. Robert L. Howard, a Wichita attorney who is chairman of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, was named chairman of the Coalition’s task force on communications and development.
The Coalition also adopted the following mission statement:
- “The Presbyterian Coalition is a movement – people committed to life and transformation in the PC(USA) by exalting Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, energizing its congregations and upholding historic biblical leadership standards.
“By coordinating with all individuals and groups who share the convictions expressed in the Coalition’s Declaration and who are working for a revitalized church.
“By launching initiatives in each of six areas of concern identified in the Strategy Paper so as to address the most immediate needs. These areas are Missions, Worship, Polity, Theological Education, Educational Ministries, and Church Discipline.
“By reaffirming the Coalition’s commitment ‘that this work be carried on in and through existing structures of the PC(USA) whenever possible.’
“By encouraging all individuals, groups and governing bodies who share our convictions to act creatively and passionately to identify and implement additional strategies consistent with these convictions and purposes.”