New Reformed presbytery established in Wisconsin
Special to The Layman Online, September 28, 2007
A new regional church court, Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest, held its inaugural meeting in Oostburg, Wisc., on Sept. 14-15 and elected as moderator Pastor Marty Waltho, an ordained minister who is also one of the world’s leading experts on desalination equipment.
The new judicatory is committed to classic Christianity, as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, the historic standard for Presbyterianism. The court adopted the original version of the Westminster Standards, formulated at an international assembly in London in the 1640s.
Among the actions taken by the presbytery was the adoption of an “Address to the Christian World from the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest.” The document declares the presbytery’s “intention of affiliating with and ultimately joining with other believers, so as to heal some of the brokenness of the visible church in a broken world.”
“At the same time, we announce our desire to cultivate the portion of the Lord’s vineyard in which we have been planted. We will seek to do so not with an arrogant spirit, but with love for the brethren and with respect for what the Lord is doing in and through our fellow believers around the world; not in a standoffish fashion, but with cooperation so long as such does not entail compromise of the doctrine of Scripture or of the Gospel.”
The presbytery also adopted an agreement with the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly for the handling of appeals and complaints, and approved exploring the possibility of merger with the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
The two documents approved by the new presbytery are as follows:
Address to the Christian World from the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
“As we start our corporate life together as a new presbytery, we hereby issue this address to the rest of Christendom. Our purpose in doing so is in order to set forth our vision for the continuation of the Reformation of our spiritual forefathers begun five centuries ago.
“We humbly confess our total unworthiness before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in His sight. We are saved by His grace alone, through faith alone, based solely upon His imputed righteousness.
“It is not with glee that we are forming yet another manifestation of the Bride of Christ, rather than joining immediately with an already existing group. As Presbyterians, we believe in the visible unity of the church; and yet we find ourselves in the sad, embarrassing and humbling position of forming yet another small presbytery. We commemorate this occasion not with a sense of triumphalism nor, we pray, with a smug self-satisfaction or assertion of superiority. We hereby declare our intention of affiliating with and ultimately joining with other believers, so as to heal some of the brokenness of the visible church in a broken world.
“At the same time, we announce our desire to cultivate the portion of the Lord’s vineyard in which we have been planted. We will seek to do so not with an arrogant spirit, but with love for the brethren and with respect for what the Lord is doing in and through our fellow believers around the world; not in a standoffish fashion, but with cooperation so long as such does not entail compromise of the doctrine of Scripture or of the Gospel.
“As we take our place among the Lord’s tribes, we simply wish to raise the blood-stained banner of King Jesus over us, as we march out to battle. Should we fail in this enterprise, or should our efforts finally come to naught, we confess that our failure will have been our fault. Should our labors be crowned with success, then all praise will go to our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.
“We close with words from the Apostle Paul, who wrote: “Brethren, pray for us.” We covet your prayers, that God would be pleased to give us love for one another, the grace to heed the counsel of and to learn from all of God’s saints, and souls for our labor in the building of Christ’s “Kingdom.”
Ecclesiastical Covenant
An agreement between the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly and the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest
“As a result of the essential unity that we enjoy in Jesus Christ, the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA), and the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest (RPM) as an affiliate presbytery (non-member) of the RPCGA, hereby enter into the following covenant agreement.
“1. The Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly agrees to serve as a non-binding mediator for any complaint or appeal that may arise from the Reformation Presbytery of the Midwest.
“2. In handling any such complaint or appeal, the RPCGA, through a special committee appointed for that purpose (which may be one of the RPCGA presbyteries), will review such matters according to the standards of the RPM, under the RPCGA’s system of judicial process found in the RPCGA Book of Church Order.
“3. The RPCGA does not have the authority to render a binding judgment. However, the RPCGA may give ecclesiastical counsel as to what judgment should be rendered.
“4. Any expenses incurred by the RPCGA in lending its assistance to the RPM, shall be borne by the RPM itself and/or the RPM parties affiliated with the case. In such cases, the RPM and any parties to a complaint will provide essential funding or provisions prior to any hearing.
“5. This covenant must be ratified by the RPCGA at its General Assembly, and by the RPM at two consecutive stated meetings of the Presbytery by a three-fourths vote, in order to become effective.
“6. This covenant will expire two years from the date of being approved by both parties. This agreement may be renewed annually by simple majority vote and/or by consensus of both parties.
“7. This covenant can be terminated by simple majority vote of either party at a duly called meeting under the rules that govern the above listed parties. If the RPM should, in conjunction with one or more other presbyteries, constitute a General Assembly, or merge with an existing presbytery or denomination, this agreement shall terminate.
“8. RPM, as part of its sincere exploration of possible merger with the RPCGA, agrees to send representatives to the June, 2008 General Assembly of the RPCGA.”