Prayer for peace, unity and purity
Posted Monday, December 31, 2007
The subject of this transmittal is basically the inspiration for the detrimental division at Paola. While I certainly dislike the so-called PUP report of the denomination, the ideas behind these three words, separate from that report, need to be in the hearts of leaders on all sides.
As it stands, we have about 90 or so remaining with an excellent facility, with a large loan and questionable leadership. On the other side, we have one of the most evangelistic pastors ever produced in modern times by the Presbyterian denomination, with about 300 supporters and no real suitable facility. The myriad of programs promulgated by this group will no doubt suffer.
Paola is a community with serious drug problems, youth need direction and salvation, the elderly need help and fellowship. While it is a commuter town, it does have heart. Further complicating the fiasco caused by Heartland Presbytery is the fact that somewhere in this mess is the ownership of the old Paola High School, which the B.O.E. sold to the church on the basis of some sound community promises for future use. That showed the heart of the community. What will become of the promises made to the community in regard to this building?
I cannot help but question whether the presbytery, beyond looking at their personal vendettas with Pastor Johnston, have thought of the community needs this church was beginning to fill.
I would ask and pray that leaders in all three groups, Paola Presbyterian Church, Lighthouse Church and Heartland Presbytery consider the prohibitions against judgment, the need to pray for our enemies and the need to give our cloak to someone who wants our coat – the most important laws one and two laid out by Jesus Himself.
I believe Kirk is trying his best in these areas. Leadership, let’s make this work for the furtherance of the Gospel.
John West Hillsdale, Kan.
Heartland should be called ‘Heartless Presbytery’
Posted Monday, December 31, 2007
Are you sure it’s Heartland Presbytery? Perhaps, if you look closer, it’s Heartless Presbytery. At least it sounds heartless to me.
Howard Fogle Katonah, N.Y.
A reply to the letter by Robert Smith
Posted Monday, December 31, 2007
I have a slightly different take on the building fund request discussed in Robert Smith’s letter [Letters, December 28, 2007]. Is there, perhaps, a conflict of interest here?
The session of a congregation that had properly withheld its per capita is summarily replaced by the presbytery and its administrative commission. That session had offered to assume the responsibility for a nearly $1,000,000 mortgage on its property, which offer was rejected by the presbytery. The pastor was fired. The vast majority of the membership departed.
The presbytery, which had guaranteed a nearly $1,000,000 mortgage, is now faced with having to pay it off from a much diminished membership base. The administrative commission, acting as the session of the congregation, puts as its very first priority the protection of the presbytery’s interests. Not the mission of the church, not worship, but collecting money to bail out the presbytery. And they have the temerity to accuse the old session of being unable to manage wisely the affairs of the congregation?
If I were a member of the congregation, I would not have much confidence in my appointed “session.”
Michael R. McCarty Downingtown, Pa.
Case in Heartland Presbytery an illustration of ‘the needy’
Posted Friday, December 28, 2007
In reference to “Presbytery defrocks suspended pastor of Kansas church that voted to leave PCUSA:”
I note that the First Presbyterian Church of Paola’s Web site contains a link to the December 12th “Messenger,” which updates the happenings at the congregation. In that issue, the announcement is made – with great fanfare in a very public manner – that some named individuals have put forth a large amount of money to set up a matching gift to challenge others to raise the money to pay off the mortgage for the church building. Certainly enough funding to have paid off any “per capita” not paid by the church. The donors and the amounts are displayed for all to see.
There is nothing wrong with “challenge giving” or in having a “matching funds campaign,” but to announce the donors’ names and amounts in public? … especially such extraordinary amounts? What does the Gospel say about such public and prideful giving? Will the “big” donors get a special pew named after them? Will they earn a special place in heaven? Not according to our Lord.
Matthew 6: 1-4: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” [NIV]
It does seem the First Presbyterian Church of Paola, its administrative commission and Heartland Presbytery are indeed needy … perhaps not so much needy for money as they are needy for the humility, wisdom and discernment of the will of the Father as expressed through His only Son, Jesus Christ.
Perhaps they have received their reward, but I will continue to pray for their repetance of such hubris and their ultimate understanding of how grievously they have offended Him.
Robert Smith Pittsburgh, Pa.
A response regarding Heartland Presbytery’s actions
Posted Friday, December 28, 2007
Can somebody tell me how God was glorified on Dec. 18 in Heartland Presbytery?
Fred Hoaglin elder, Providence Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Shame on Heartland Presbytery!’
Posted Friday, December 28, 2007
Shame on Heartland Presbytery! They should change their name because there certainly is no heart demonstrated by this presbytery.
Elizabeth Hickman
Thoughts and heartfelt prayers’ for the Paola congregation
Posted Thursday, December 27, 2007
My thoughts and heartfelt prayers are offered to the Paola congregation in Kansas. You are commended for your faithfulness. Pastor Johnston has obviously humbly followed the mandate of I Peter 5:2-3 – “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
The actions of Heartland Presbytery are not unique. I have seen these same sorts of tactics in my own presbytery (Western North Carolina) and I can say many times that I did not see God present in the actions of the leadership or many of the voting members. The meetings continue to be empty and often profane.
The root of the problem in both our presbyteries and in this and other denominations is not politics or little differences of opinion, but rather the straying away from the solid foundation of God’s authoritative Word.
In his commentary on the Book of Daniel, John Calvin wrote: “… the devil so fascinates men’s minds that they remain obstinately fixed in the errors which they have assimilated. … on the appearance of the signal, they directly fall down and adore the golden statue. Hence we may learn to reflect upon our own character, as in a mirror, with the view of submitting ourselves to God’s Word, and of being immovable in the right faith, and of standing unconquered in our consistency, whatever kings may command. Although a hundred deaths may threaten us, they must not weaken our faith … especially … as we are far too prone to vicious and perverse modes of worship.”
Those who know God’s Word – who stand, who preach and teach even when the message goes forth to an unfavorable audience – do not lose heart. Emmanuel is here; God is with us.
Cindy Coleman
A blessed Christmas season’
Posted Thursday, December 27, 2007
To all those beleaguered souls who minister through – or are ministered to by – the Lay Committee:
Come the new year, there will be struggles aplenty, as we strive to reform our beloved western Reformed church from the ravages wrought upon it by the disciples of naturalism (and, hiding behind them, our much more ancient enemies – the world, the flesh and the Devil).
But for now, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow reformers a blessed Christmas season. May the ancient tradition of celebrating Christ’s birth be used by Providence to work in you a refreshing of “the peace that passes all understanding” so that, as you take up the Spirit’s sword again, you may do so in His joy.
Grace to you and yours this Christmas season.
Rev. Russ Westbrook teaching elder, Riverside Presbyterian Church, PCA
The archbishop of Canterbury
Posted Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Today’s Drudge Report quotes from the archbishop, who questions the details of Jesus’birth. Hard to believe a high-level Christian leader would consider much of the Bible account of Jesus birth a “legend.”
Ben Vernon
A commentary on the ‘blame game’ in Heartland Presbytery
Posted Wednesday, December 26, 2007
It completely amazes me that there are those who are convinced that Pastor A. Kirk Johnston deceived and convinced 300 people to leave the building they’ve loved and the denomination that they’ve served for many years.
Cheryl Keimig [Letters, December 18, 2007] comments: “Why force someone to stay if he/she is so displeased with our denomination that they publicly do everything they can to sway an entire congregation to leave?”
A currently active member of the FPC Paola congregation addresses the moderator (and the crowd) stating, “I’m very sorry that he (Kirk) chose to come and disrupt our congregation and take away very many of my dear friends.”
Let me give you a few obvious strikes against the Presbyterian Church (USA) – and I found these on my own, thanks:
The PCUSA Web site posts its “What we believe” series about the Bible:
- Not only in the same denomination but also in the same congregation it is often possible to find folks who believe every word of the Bible to be factual worshiping alongside sisters and brothers in Christ who treat the Bible as true in meaning but not necessarily factual, and still others who would not even agree that the Bible is wholly true in meaning, let alone factual.
- None of these viewpoints contradicts our Presbyterian Constitution.
The PCUSA Web site posts it’s 2002 Christology from the Theology & Worship Department:
- No one is saved apart from God’s gracious redemption in Jesus Christ.Yet we do not presume to limit the sovereign freedom of “God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” [1 Timothy 2:4]. Thus, we neither restrict the grace of God to those who profess explicit faith in Christ nor assume that all people are saved regardless of faith. Grace, love, and communion belong to God, and are not ours to determine (lines 160-168).
The PCUSA boasts 2.3 million members in the denomination, but the whole story is alarming. A loss of 2 million members since 1965, and a loss of nearly a million since the big Presbyterian merger in 1983. Yes, Charles Spenser. I agree. By its “figs” you will know them. Not bananas, or oranges or ruby-red grape fruit – by its figs.
We’ve made this choice for ourselves, thanks. The “blame game” won’t satisfy.
Ryan DeBok youth pastor , Lighthouse Presbyterian Church , Paola, Kan.
People have ‘strong feelings about per-capita giving’
Posted Friday, December 21, 2007
I was concerned to read Parker Williamson’s commentary attacking Brian Ellison for a number of reasons.
My initial trouble comes with the notion that there is some kind of vendetta based solely on per-capita giving. I served for many years on my previous presbytery’s Budget, Property and Finance Committee and I remember specifically when the Heartland Presbytery case came up. I believe it dealt more with churches requesting denominational loans with favorable rates while at the same time withholding per capita.
I know many of the people who read this site have very strong feelings about per-capita giving. However, I believe there is a certain level of hypocrisy when a church asks the denomination for a loan and then fails to support it through per-capita giving.
I was also troubled by the tone of Williamson’s article. Do you really think it is appropriate to use phrases like “Yuletide lynching?” I wonder what crusaders like Ida B. Wells would say to your cavalier use of such an offensive comment. Williamson seems to fancy himself a wordsmith, but the only thing he is drumming up through this hateful rhetoric is the reader’s anger. Perhaps that was the point of using volatile speech and leaving out important facts about the initial case.
I have never met Parker Williamson, but I do know Brian Ellison and am blessed to call him my friend. He is a faithful servant of the Gospel and a generous soul. He is not the pope of Heartland Presbytery nor the bishop of the COM. I do not believe it is right, fair or even accurate to single him out in this commentary. I believe it speaks much more about the writer’s heart than anything else.
Rev. Dave Burgess pastor , First Presbyterian Church , Eufaula, Ala.
A reply regarding liberal theology
Posted Thursday, December 20, 2007
I have read with growing interest your letters to the editor regarding both conservative and liberal theologians protesting that both hold to the “Authority of the Scriptures and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”
Would one of your Layman theologians write an article on the word and concept of “deconstructionism” as it applies to affirmation of doctrines and commonly understood theological truth and time-honored definitions? Do we see today a subtle, but pronounced, shift in “definitions of theological terms” rather than an actual shift in theological doctrine? Does this result in the phenomenon of both camps using the same theological words, but not having the same definition or picture in both the minds? Same words, different definitions.
Bill Solomon executive pastor , Montreat EPC
A reply to the letter by Cheryl Keimig
Posted Thursday, December 20, 2007
I’m afraid that Cheryl Keimig [Letters, December 18, 2007] completely misunderstands the “voluntary” nature of per-capita giving and the relationship which exists between a particular church and a presbytery.
A particular church is the actual organic body, while a presbytery is an artificial construct designed to foster common ministry and mission within a geographic boundary. Far too often we have taken a “top down” view of the presbytery – for example, treating executive presbyters like bishops and the pastors and people of the local churches as underlings whose sole reason for existence is to serve the presbytery.
In many ways, it reminds me of colonial America where all the resources flowed out toward mother England and very little flowed in to support the actual people who settled the land. Perhaps it is time to realistically assess what benefits a particular church receives from its presbytery.
Ms. Keimig is also incorrect in stating that there are “… other avenues to utilize as an expression of displeasure with our governing body.” The fact is that evangelicals can protest until they are blue in the face and watch as overture after overture is shot down, never to see the light of day. Everyone knows “polity-wise” the deck is stacked against evangelicals.
The one card they hold is per capita and the refusal to fund initiatives and, in some cases, an organization seen as godless and in complete variance with God’s will revealed in Jesus Christ. So, when the “hopes of the mission of Heartland Presbytery are not realized” because per-capita revenue is insufficient, perhaps it is time for Heartland Presbytery to re-evaluate its hopes and the direction of its mission. If not, it will continue to see a decline in per-capita revenue and its ministry and mission become increasingly irrelevant.
We should also note Ms. Keimig’s gracious invitation for those in disagreement to leave the denomination. How kind of her and the members of Heartland Presbytery to essentially tell a faithful minister like Kirk Johnston, with over 15 years of service and who apparently followed the Book of Order in requesting dismissal to another Reformed body, that if he doesn’t like it he can just leave.
Perhaps while Ms. Keimig is enjoying Christmas with her friends and family she can reflect a little on the draconian tactics of a presbytery that has left Rev. Johnston and his family in a very vulnerable position this holy season. But that may be asking too much. My own experiences have led me to believe that folks like this are basically devoid of conscience and care very little about the suffering they themselves have caused because they can salve their consciences by putting up a display about some peace initiative in “Timbuktu” at the next presbytery meeting.
I would be happy to send Ms. Keimig a copy of my 2003 GAPJC decision on per capita (Minihan and Richards vs. Scioto Valley Presbytery). Perhaps she could learn something about the nature of per capita and also about the concurrent responsibilities a presbytery owes the churches it serves.
Rev. Dr. John C. Minihan First Presbyterian Church , Newark, Ohio
Heartland Presbytery ‘nearly criminal in its spite and cruelty’
Posted Thursday, December 20, 2007
Regarding Heartland’s defense by Cheryl Keimig [Letters, December 18, 2007]:
I am sure Rev. Johnston, his spouse and family are all greatly pleased that the folks in Heartland were able to expedite his departure from the denomination in the middle of the Advent season.
I wonder how long it would take to find pastors who deny basic beliefs, as well as the essential tenets of the Reformed tradition, who have never been disciplined. I wonder that it has already taken and will take many, many years before any special presbytery meeting would be called to defrock one of them.
I agree that we on the outside have a hard time knowing all the facts, but all of us know how hard it is generally to get a special meeting called to accomplish any task – but there seems no problem getting together the whole presbytery to hammer this man and his family during this Christmas season for the gross error of preaching without proper permission. Is two weeks really too long to have waited?
I don’t doubt that every jot and tittle of the law is being obeyed in Heartland and it is still nearly criminal in its spite and cruelty. Merry Christmas Heartland!
Rev. Bill Crawford pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Thibodaux, Thibodaux, La.
The root of the problem
Posted Thursday, December 20, 2007
I see that Mr. Apel [Letters, December 17, 2007] responded to my letter [December 12, 2007], asking and stating:
“What does Mr. Perry mean by the bodily Resurrection? I do believe in the spiritual Resurrection of Jesus. I always thought that was one of the points of Christianity was that our spirit will be resurrected in the end. Scripture doesn’t even support the idea of the body being resurrected. It is the soul. We may have new bodies in the end, but it is not the same body we have on this earth.”
If Scripture doe not even support the idea of the body being resurrected, I would suggest that the Office of the General assembly recall all copies of The Book of Confessions. The Book of Confessions has an entire section on the resurrection of the body and references those creeds and confessions that state just that. In further error, The Shorter and Longer Catechism give Scriptural references to support the resurrection of the body.
However, I don’t think that will be necessary because I may have discovered the root of the problem!
In reviewing Mr. Apel’s letter [Letters, December 18, 2007] to Rev. Yearsley, he said:
“Mr. Yearsley also comments on my words about communion and the decomposition of Jesus and His being like fertilizer to our faith. He notes: “Uh … what? Where is the Scriptural support of this sophistry? Which confessional statement illuminates it? Where do you get this kind of nonsense? If this is the doctrine you are learning in your particular congregation, it is clearly not a Reformed body, either that, or perhaps it is guilty of malpractice.” Well, all I can say is my thoughts on this are simply based on my own life experience as a human and Christian.”
Well, there’s your problem!
In Orthodox and Reformed Christianity, the theology starts with the sovereignty of God and the infallible Word of God. In the understanding of Orthodox and Reformed Christianity, humankind “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) or, as understood in Reformed theology, the doctrine known as total depravity.
To start one’s theology from one’s own life experience as a human, we would have to presume that humanity is basically good. When theology starts with life and human experiences, then all experiences are individual and therefore acceptable, equal and all is permissible as long as it does not offend or hurt anybody.
I must agree with Rev. Yearsley – to engage in these discussions is pointless and a waste of time and energy. When you base your “theology” on life experiences as a human, you continue to prove my previous statement on liberal theology having much in common with gnosticism and little to do with Christianity.
The True Church stands on the sovereignty of God and God’s infallible Word without apology, and I shall stand firm with the True Church.
Rev. David Perry Flat Branch Presbyterian Church , Bunnlevel, N.C.