Pittsburgh Presbytery has a third ‘secret’ document on church property issues
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, August 18, 2006
Pittsburgh Presbytery’s executive, Jim Mead, disclosed Wednesday that the presbytery has a “secret” document – other than those already published by The Layman Online – with suggestions on how to deal with property issues when congregations are considering withdrawing from the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Mead’s disclosure was in response to a question by Bill Little, pastor of Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church and a delegate at the July convocation of the New Wineskins Association of Churches. The association is one of the few renewal groups that has talked openly about leaving the PCUSA.
Little said he asked Mead two questions, “When churches come to our presbytery and asked to be dismissed, how are you going to lead?” and “What information have you received from the General Assembly” about dealing with those situations?
Mead said he would lead by being fair and then referred to The Layman Online’s publication of “privileged and confidential” documents as being material he had previously received.
In addition, Little said Mead told the gathering that the presbytery had put together a small group of people, who worked with Mark Tammen, a PCUSA lawyer, in developing another document for the presbytery’s purpose. Little quoted Mead as saying the third document was “secret.”
Contacted by The Layman Online, Mead used the word “private” – although he acknowledged that he might have used the word “secret” at Thursday’s meeting. He would not comment further on the document. “I am really not willing to talk in the press about matters that we need to deal with in our presbytery family.”
While Little believes Mead should have been “transparent” about the third document, he added, “I really respect our executive presbyter. I love him. I know he’s in a tough spot.”
While unwilling to talk about the presbytery’s likely role in property disputes, Mead did express gratitude for the turnout at Thursday’s meeting. About 76 people attended, he said, representing Presbyterians all across the spectrum. He said they had a Bible study (Ephesians 1:15-23), an open discussion about issues and prayer.
The purpose of the meeting was for presbytery staff and elected leaders to listen – not to lecture. Mead said he hopes it was the “first conversation, not the last.”
After the meeting, Little said he told Mead that his concern was that the presbytery be transparent. Mead asked him, “‘Would you show me all of your church’s documents?’ I said, ‘Sure.'”
Little also said he was surprised that some of the people who attended the meeting were not familiar with the controversies generated by the 2006 General Assembly and did not know that some congregations considering leaving the denomination.