A Texas Presbyterian megachurch is asking for prayers as it readies for the trial date for its property lawsuit against the mainline Protestant denomination that its voted to disaffiliate from.
Highland Park Presbyterian Church of Dallas’ sent out a statement requesting prayers as they neared the date for arguments in their lawsuit against Presbyterian Church (USA).
The letter sent to the congregation last week by Highland Park Presbyterian’s leadership, or Session, outlines the events leading up to the fall trial.
“We thank you for your support and prayers throughout this process, and we are asking for you to continue to pray in the future,” stated the leaders. “The Session is committed to keeping you up-to-date with information regarding the case as details become available to share.”
The church leaders called for supporters to pray for “our legal team and executive staff”, “the Elders and Pastors on Session”, “the mission of Highland Park Presbyterian Church”, “our new denomination”, and “for insulation from distractions during this time.”
“Thank you again for your prayers, your patience, and your understanding during this time,” stated the Session near the end of the letter.
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I am praying, not only for HPPC, but for other Texas PCUSA congregations that could be liberated from the trust clause by a HPPC court victory. And that victory seems all but assured in light of the state supreme court’s recent decisions.
You are correct Don. The recent Texas Supreme Court rulings against the Episcopal Church’s use of an implied trust via their Dennis Canon, makes any other implied trust clause moot!!
I have known of HPPC since 1957 and Dr. Elliot’s ministry. The congregation was associated with the PCUS, or the Southern wing of American Presbyterianism. During the ministry of Clayton Bell, the congregation when it was able before the door closed on change nearly voted to depart with the property. A few votes
shy of going is all that stood between the departure.
A significant, or a large number of former HPPC members, left and took their pledges with them to form the Park Cities Presbyterian Church.
Now, a generation later, the congregation wants to go, as does the FPC, Amarillo, TX., and other large
congregations.
I understand the biblical rationale for departure. I lament the fact that the denomination structure denies
congregations this option of good will with departure and no penalty.
In a great sense, it appears presbyteries are worried about future financing of their structures rather then a congregation wanting to fulfill its Christian mission, a mission that is biblical and has a historical and theological basis.
I am not sure God will be a denomination when the executive leadership has thrown out the Lampstand [Revelation 2].
Love HPPC. Served as seminary student intern there for 18 months in early 80s under Woody and Clayton. Delighted to see them make this move, long time coming. PCUSA has turned its back on the catholic faith of the church, severing connections to the historic Reformed faith as understood in the old Southern Presbyterian Church of our ancestors. L. Nelson Bell, (Clayton’s father, Ruth Graham’s father), the great Southern Presbyterian missionary to China, was outspoken opponent of leaving the denomination for years, but would certainly be of a different mind now that the mainline Presbyterian Church has so transparently departed from historic Christianity. Will pray!