Joe Rightmyer
The condemnation of Grace Presbytery’s defrocking of Joe Rightmyer on Jan. 7 has been virtually uniform. Even those, like Jeff Gissing, who seem to “defend” the decision of the presbytery’s Permanent Judicial Commission, acknowledge that it is “another instance of placing procedural fidelity before theological fidelity.”
The board of directors of the Presbyterian Lay Committee unanimously condemns the action of Grace Presbytery and calls on the Synod of the Sun PJC to reverse the ruling and restore Rightmyer’s credentials as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Matthew A. Johnson, chairman of the board, says, “Not only is this a clear abuse of the discretion afforded to Grace Presbytery in this matter, it’s just downright mean. Not only does it wrongly punish our brother Joe Rightmyer, but it establishes a precedent for intimidation of all who might question the higher courts of the denomination. The PLC calls on fellow Christians to condemn the actions of Grace Presbytery and to pray that action will be taken to overturn this ruling and restore Joe Rightmyer to the office of teaching elder.”
Among the comments posted on The Layman Online article, one minister writes, “This is ironic when the presbytery involved has a segment in their policy ‘Commitment and Dialogue without threat of Punishment.’ Grace Presbytery has a horrific reputation in their treatment of congregations, teaching elders and ministry candidates and they allegedly have a ‘black list’ of teaching elders who will never be allowed to serve within their bounds. This action is a warning shot across the bow of any who would dare to event hint discussion of dismissal. … New Covenant Presbytery has a gracious process but due to recent congregational departures there are many seeking to harshen the policy amending it with less gracious language and repercussions. The COM has twice now sought to adopt policy effecting teaching elders and their ability to engage even in conversation with church members about dismissal issues. The first attempt was to stop temporary teaching elders such as interims. This was fought and eventually recanted. The second and more recent was to have the same effect upon all teaching elders. That action has been postponed until the next meeting in March. A case such as this will further give ammunition to the fear mongering individuals who promote the idea that such policies are necessary and legitimized under polity. It will be a sad day if they succeed.”
Another pastor comments that “The PCUSA Constitution permits churches to be dismissed to other denomination, and pastors to be transferred in good standing, if they so request. Joe has been a loyalist to the denomination all his long career, even when many others of us debated with him on the virtues of departure. In this his last call at HPPC, he acted in what he believed to be the best interests of the congregation and the cause of Christ. When the new senior pastor was called, Joe decided to retire honorably. What a shame that his terminal presbytery was not willing to honor all his years of service, but in a fit of resentment decided to rip his honorably retired status from him and strip him of ordination. For this spiteful and petty action, they have earned a new prefix for the name of the presbytery: Dis-Grace.”
1927 all over again?
Many drew parallels to J. Gresham Machen’s defrocking and explusion from the United Presbyterian Church and Princeton Seminary and the subsequent formation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Westminster Seminary. One commenter noted the particular relevance of Machen’s “Christianity and Liberalism” for those in the PCUSA today.
One writer quipped on ReddIt.com, “Huh. I wasn’t aware the PCUSA defrocked anyone anymore (as a matter of practice, not of rule).”
As if responding (albeit in a string on another website), another wrote, “This does answer the question, does the PCUSA still have heresy trials? Of course they do. Heresy or apostasy in the PCUSA is now defined as lack or failure of institutional or corporate loyalty, and or actions, speech against the institution. Where in times past matters of heresy or apostasy was adjudicated over matters of theology or confession, now it is dumbed-down to matters of corporate governance. In the contemporary PCUSA one can easily say on the floor of any Presbytery Jesus and Paul were in essence gay, and Jesus had a biological child with Mary. I doubt anybody would bat an eye. Threaten the institution on either a fiscal or financial level, power, money, control, one is cast into the outer darkness.”
It’s all personal
For me it’s personal. Joe is a friend and has been a colleague in renewal ministry for decades. As others have attested, Joe is gracious and irenic. He has reached across and around the table when others have walked away.
The irony is so obvious as to seem silly to point out. With Rightmyer the PCUSA has defrocked a pastor who actually believes, upholds and advocates the historically recognizable Christian faith and Reformed theology. This is the same denomination that has repeatedly failed to meaningfully censure pastors who openly defied the mutually agreed upon constitutional standards by which they agreed to be governed. Those pastors clearly broke the “peace, unity and purity” vow that Rightmyer was found guilty of transgressing.
Harper Brady writes, “I’ve known Joe Rightmyer since my college days in the ’70s when he pastored a nearby church and led Bible studies on our campus. We saw each other many times in the years since then. I’ve always had the utmost respect for Joe, and know him to be a humble godly man. His work with PFR speaks volumes about his loyalty to the PCUSA and working for renewal within the denomination. This is a travesty, especially in light of so many other teaching elders who have blatantly violated the constitution through the years with impunity, and even when there was punitive action taken and upheld by the GAPJC nothing was done to enforce that (Jane Spahr and Redwoods Presbytery).”
Brady is referencing the failure the PCUSA, at all levels, to uphold its own polity even when a clear breach of the constitution is acknowledged. There continues to be a growing chasm between the denomination’s espoused theology – in the case the theology that all discipline is designed to be restorative and not punitive – and its theology in practice which pulverizes those who question the institution and continues to promote those whose theology is often not recognizable as “Christian.” One case in point: As it defrocks Rightmyer, the PCUSA has seen John Shuck move to a larger congregation and a new presbytery in Oregon. Shuck, who openly denies the divinity of Jesus, the veracity of the Bible and the existence of heaven. But for the PCUSA it’s all “up” for those like Shuck and “down” with those like Rightmyer.
Related article: My response to The Layman, by Jeff Gissing
17 Comments. Leave new
Carmen,
I wouldn’t characterizing my post as attempting to defend the defrocking per se. I was trying to acknowledge that there was a case to be answered. Whether the verdict and sanction was the right call, I’ll save for another post.
He disobeyed the presbytery instructions. He probably is a nice guy, a nice pastor. But the fact is he admits he disobeyed. Machen is brought up again, another who did the same.
I am a sinner, I confess my total depravity, yet God has chosen me in Christ since before the foundation of the world to belong to Him. By His grace alone, through faith alone, in His Son alone, according to His Word alone, for His glory alone I am His. I am a redeemed sinner. Because of my sin I deserve nothing good from God, all I deserve is death, but our Heavenly Father is loving and merciful. Knowing that I am nothing, but realizing that God is Almighty, I humbly speak these words.
A servant of the Lord is to be faithful to God alone , according to Scripture alone. Ultimately, the servant of the Lord serves Him in the universal invisible church, of which Christ alone is the head. Christianity, specifically Reformed Christianity, abides by the marks that define the true visible church: 1) where the Word of God is preached in its purity 2) where the sacraments are administered in their integrity 3) where scriptural discipline is practiced 4) and where loving fellowship is maintained.
So what shall be said about our brother Rightmyer…. No one can and no has defrocked Brother Rightmyer as an ordained minister in the true universal church; of the church where only Christ is the head.
Many denominations, not just the one mentioned in this article, have departed from Christ and the Christian faith, and are following the world. . . And I kindly say, these denominations should turn to Christ for repentance. We are called to serve Christ and not the world. 1 John 2:15-16 says:
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
We must remember as well what the Westminster confession of faith says in Ch. 25 “The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth to worship God according to his will.”
Therefore, let us follow and serve Christ alone, according to His Word alone, for the glory of God alone. The Lord tells us in 1 John 1:5-6
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
Let your faithfulness be to Christ alone…
With love in Christ
Hector Reynoso
“He disobeyed presbytery instructions”. You’ve made that comment on two Layman articles now. I have two questions for you:
Do you think presbytery instructions carry an unimpeachable moral authority?
Do you think presbyteries, and their executives, should have as much power as they have today?
These are rhetorical questions, but of course answer them if you wish.
Country pastor,
presbyteries have way more power than was ever intended, only when churches started leaving with their own buildings and money did the louisville sluggers with church court rulings give them more power over churches. We have persbyters acting like bishops, but you know what when the voting is over, you can all have your drag queen weddings at pcusa churches with abandon, because no one will be around to see them.
I am waiting for Mr. Parsons in Louisville to announce that the PCUSA supports the releasing of all the terrorist prisoners in Gitmo. For everything this current administration in Washington does or proposes to do, it is not long before he announces the denomination’s support of it. You see, it seems that it is of much greater interest for those in Louisville to seek the interests of the kingdom of this world than to seek the interests of the kingdom of God. The releasing of terrorust prisoners was proposed last night at the SOTU speech. Whether it be Cuba, illegal amnesty, sodomy, you pick the issue, it seems we always hear about our denomination’s support of this administration. Okay, okay, we realize that the office of General Assembly is simply an arm of today’s democrat party.
@James H
The presbytery has always had authority over ministers and churches. It is the nature of our system. When churches and ministers act like Congregationalists they violate ordination vows and the nature of our system that goes back to Scotland.
And yes as presbyters we do act as bishops.
We do delegate to executives the authority to act on our behalf, with the supervision of presbytery committees and the presbytery itself.
Presbyteries have authority over property. In my experience those churches who have left are essentially moving to congregationalism.
I have seen a church in my presbytery leave the denomination. It was the pastor’s doing and his leadership that made it happen. Probably 25% of the congregation left for other Presbyterian churches, or just quit. The church has laid off some staff. My hunch is that when the pastor leaves or retires the church will further decline.
A final note—calling them Louisville Sluggers may sound cute, but it lacks civility.
Country Pastor,
You are correct about the authority of presbytery. But to add a note with regards to the church property issue, it is only in more recent history that the presbytery has owned church property. Historically, the presbytery absolutely did not own church property. The churches were owned by the local church. It was actually addressed in the 1800s that church property should NOT be owned by a higher judicatory than the local congregation. This issue is another example as to how far off we are today from Presbyterianism. We call ourselves Reformed, but we have reformed backwards. We have become in many respects what the great reformers originally reformed away from.
@Bill Tn
I would like a citation of sources about church property. I have dabbled in Presbyterian church history in both Scotland and the USA for decades. You may be out of of the PCUS tradition which is different from those of us who are northern cousins.
In my reading of history I have found only a few cases of congregations leaving the denomination. My understanding there was a financial settlement.
Let me make clear, I am not doubting your statement, I just would like a source. My recollection around the Machen case was that a couple of churches left to follow him and I found no mention of financial settlements.
Country Pastor,
I have quite a few sources that address the issue probably. The one I pulled off the shelf this morning to answer your request is called, “What is Presbyterian Law” by J Aspinwall Hodge.1915, published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadelphia. That was the northern denomination publisher at the time. The issue of church property is discussed, supporting my assertion. However, I wrote that the property was held by the congregation, wheteas more specifically it was held by the trustees or board of deacons.
No surprise here. Right? If one continues to cling to the ship as it sinks, one should not be surprised when they drown. Evangelicals, there is a world outside the PCUSA. At what point is your pension your idol? If you stay for your pension, you are no different from the institutionalists sinking the PCUSA (there is no world outside the PCUSA for institutionalists – They get their identity from the institution – but Brother Evangelical, you are different, your identity comes from Christ..). Obama has made it possible for you to get healthcare. You don’t need the PCUSA. Your pension goes with you. Quit this delusion that you are making a witness by staying. Put your big boy pants on and leave – take it from those of us that have! I have seen more baptisms and transformed lives in 1 year out than 10 years in. Make the move brothers and sisters. Don’t get caught when the boat finally sinks- there is no salvation for those clinging to idols…
Is there then any inherent difference in the connectionalism of modern PCUSA’s version of Presbyterian governance and the Hierarchical Episcopal form of governance found in Roman Catholicism? Titles and words are different but functionally appears to be identical.
Calvin, I think you are rignt on with the comment “If one continues to cling to the ship as it sinks, one should not be surprised when they drown.” The sad thing for me is that there are children still left in the pusa that will grow up denying the suthority of scripture and all that will go with that belief because that is what they were taught. They will drown with the sinking ship and won’t even know why as they are kept in darkness by their parents or whoever has care over them. Please pray for the kids.
Snicker. Machen was refused the right to speak in his own defense. To do so was to disobey the (kangaroo) court.
IOW church polity is a means to the truth, not a way to obscure it. True unity is in the truth of Scripture – and it’s not homosexual marriage or female ordination – and not outward nominal organizational top down unity. The presbytery controls/oversees the preacher, but it does not own the congregational property lock stock and barrel. That is hierarchical episcopacy.
Some believe the pcusa is a churhc/denomination, but, in reality, the pcusa is an organization run by infidels rejecting the Word of God, both Old and New Testaments since 1929, and the beat goes on.
Some believe the pcusa is a churcc/denomination, but, in reality, the pcusa is an organization run by infidels rejecting the Word of God, both Old and New Testaments since 1929, and the beat goes on.
Profound piece, thank you for it.
Just a small historical correction. Machen was defrocked in 1936, the same year he founded the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (originally named the Presbyterian Church of America, until they were sued by the PCUSA for having a too similar name). 1929 was the year Princeton Seminary’s board was reorganized and Machen left the school to found Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia.