Keeping You Informed
Posted by Sally Page at 6/18/2011 4:11 PM 
Categories: Weekly Announcement
Tags: ordination communication form of governement PCUSA session meeting change changes PFR Presbyterians
Categories: Weekly Announcement
Tags: ordination communication form of governement PCUSA session meeting change changes PFR Presbyterians
Our session met on Wednesday evening for their regular, monthly meeting and discussed, among other things, ways to communicate with you, our members and guests, concerning some impending changes in our Book of Order (Part II of our Constitution). In particular, we want you to be aware of a change in language related to our ordination standards that will soon take effect and the steps your session is taking in response to this impending change.
Below this paragraph you will find two concise, yet informative, source documents prepared by an organization with which some of you are familiar, Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR). The Session believes that these two documents faithfully articulate both the issue before us and the concerns we, your session, have with the change in language. Accordingly , the session has voted (with but one abstention) to endorse the use of these documents as a source of information and a place to begin further discussion concerning the change in ordination standards that will take effect on July 10, 2011, when this new language becomes a part of our Book of Order.
Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) Cover Letter
Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) Pastoral Conversation on the Passage of Amendment 10-A
Because many of the congregations in our presbytery are also concerned about this and other changes that will soon effect the way we govern ourselves, the presbytery asked its moderator to appoint a committee to examine the denominational issues before us and provide its member churches a recommendation that honors our desire to retain the unity and fellowship we have long enjoyed and fulfill our calling to advance the kingdom of God. Their discernment process was prayerful, frank, and purposeful. One of our Ruling Elders was a member of this committee. The committee was unanimous in recommending that the Presbytery of Mississippi authorize the establishment of a Fellowship of Presbyterian Congregations which each of its member churches or ministers may join. The purpose of the Fellowship is outlined in the following document: The presbytery overwhelmingly approved this recommendation, though the vote was not unanimous. Here is the committee's report:
Report of the Denominational Concerns Committee
In addition to endorsing the two PFR documents as a source of information and a place to begin further discussions concerning the change in ordination standards, the session of this church has agreed that we will participate in the Fellowship authorized by the Presbytery of Mississippi and described in the aforementioned document.
The session also agreed to send our pastor and two of our elders to Minneapolis, MN, August 25-26, 2011, for a gathering of like-minded, evangelical church leaders, to worship, pray, and further consider ways that we might faithfully remain a part of our beloved denomination in light of these soon-to-be-implemented changes (i.e. change in language concerning ordination standards and a new Form of Government) that will significantly impact the way that we conduct our individual and collective mission and ministries. The following is a copy of the minutes of our May 22, 2011 session meeting, reflecting the actions identified above.
Minutes of the Called Session Meeting, May 22, 2011
We invite you to read each of these documents, to spend some time in prayer as you reflect upon their content, and to contact either Pastor Bendall and/or one or more of the members of our session to discuss these important matters further. Our church office would be happy to provide you with contact information for our members of session. They and pastor Bendall stand ready to listen and discuss with you the issues before us, as well as to pray with you for clarity and discernment.
May the Lord God Almighty mark the path ahead of us with truth, grace, and peace.
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