Remaining steadfast on the Hill
By John H. Adams, The Layman , October 27, 2008
They quoted Scripture. They encouraged each other. They agreed and they disagreed. But they were not disagreeable.
That sums up some of the hopes and fears of members of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. The congregation voted 508-483 on Oct. 19 to terminate civil litigation and buy back from the Presbytery of Eastern Oklahoma the property the Kirk, now an Evangelical Presbyterian Church, had already bought.
The presbytery asked the 2,500-member congregation to pay $1.75 million for the land, buildings and other assets. With its approval of the settlement, the congregation agreed to transmit $1.75 million by Nov. 15.
Having already spent $400,000 on legal bills to pursue a protracted civil case, the congregation had its say under the shadow of a Tulsa court ruling in which the judge had declared the presbytery the owner of the Kirk’s property, building and assets.
Besides the congregational meeting, the Kirk opened its Web site in September for members to post in writing their views about the situation. The responses filled 21 pages in pdf-format. They provide a window to what was said at the congregational meeting.
Here are a few of the comments (they are signed on the Web site):
“Did we not follow God’s direction in leaving the denomination that left Him? So if we are not going to stand and fight that is saying that we were wrong to listen to God. God does not lead us into “half” victory. God’s victory is complete. God will win this battle. Stand firm in Jesus. The battle belongs to the Lord!”
“… I find that I agree with 98 percent of what was said by both sides and I find my own position changing back and forth. I submit that it may be that God is more concerned with how we walk rather than with which ‘choice’ we make. We can honor God with either decision if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.”
“The congregation of Kirk of the Hills has played a major role in what happens to the church property – not just by voting in favor of a presbytery-offered settlement but also by members speaking their piece for the record.”
“I believe our future is bright as long as we stay true to God’s will – regardless of what happens with the property.”
“We will accept and be unified with whatever the majority chooses.”
“What tremendous things are ahead for this body of believers as you faithfully walk this uncharted path!”
“I consistently feel that the denomination where I worshipped has suddenly swept in and stolen the church property into which I put thousands and thousands of my hard-earned dollars, and somehow got the court system to approve this grand larceny. But thankfully, it’s in His hands.” “Our journey has never been about the Kirk leaving the PCUSA. … The lawsuit has been about blazing trails for congregations that have less financial resources than ours to have the courage to follow the truth.”
“I believe our decisions should be focused on how our Kirk family can use this situation to serve God best by benefitting all we can beyond our property boundaries.”
“Let’s buy the building from the thieves and move on.”
“I was very pleased to see the atmosphere of our first meeting to be so sweet. I was afraid any talk of appeal was being done with anger and discontentment. This is not the case. I believe the leadership is truly seeking the Lord’s will and that is comforting.”
“Our congregation is so blessed. If we can’t fight this issue who will? A small church in rural Oklahoma? Paying off these people won’t make them go away. … We are fighting for more than a building. We have to stand up for Christ and God’s Word.”
We have our treasure – the Word of God. What are we willing to give up to stand up for the TRUE church that believes and trusts this Word? During my short time on a presbytery committee, I came face-to-face with presbytery leadership telling me, “We don’t need to make every prayer in Jesus’ name.” Others promoted worship of nature. Groups of women accosted me because I was from the Kirk, and I wouldn’t affirm the re-imagining project. The PCUSA leadership is lost.”
“We feel that the Judge’s decision was unfair and to give a large sum of money to the EOP would make us greater victims of an injustice. However, we also must remember that Jesus gave us a good example when He laid down his life for us so that we may understand that we also ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).
“I see the PCUSA and the courts as the money lenders and we need to give to Caesar what is due him even if I think it is based on a flawed court ruling.” “Tulsans and worldwide will soon forget about any monies paid and remember with gratitude we have remained steadfast on the hill.”