PRESBYTERY MINUTES

Elder Colbeck called the meeting to order at 9:45 AM.
Rev. Wagner opened with prayer.
Psalm 100 was sung.
Elder Forney welcomed everyone on behalf of the Westminster Congregation.

The devotion was given by Elder Colbeck. It was based on Psalm 106, 2 Chronicles 29:1-11, and 2 Kings 18:4. It dealt with the apostasy of Hezekiah’s father, Hezekiah’s reformation, and the destruction of the brazen serpent that Moses had raised up in the wilderness which had become an idolatrous relic. This was compared with modern idolatry and will-worship evidenced in such practices as unscriptural holydays (Christmas) and use of an uninspired hymnody. The devotion was closed by the singing of Psalm 134 and by prayer led by Rev. DeBoer.

ROLL CALL AND HEARING OF EXCUSES:
Excuses were received from Calel Butler (he had pressing work to do) and Joel Butler (he is still at Seminary). Everyone else was present except Rev. Morrow who has been medically unable to come for an extended period of time, and Rev, Dymond who was suffering with an abscessed tooth.

ADOPTION OF THE DOCKET:
The docket was approved as proposed.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS:
Deacon Barry Lyons of the Westminster Congregation was welcomed and seated by the Presbytery.

READING OF MINUTES:
The minutes were read by Elder Forney and approved as corrected.

SUBSCRIPTION TO STANDARDS:
The subscription form still needs to be signed by Rev. DeBoer and Rev. Morrow, neither of whom were present at the last Presbytery meeting. Rev. DeBoer who has the form will sign it and forward it to Elder Forney who will obtain Rev. Morrow’s signature.

REPORT OF STATED CLERK:
The clerk, Rev. Mr. DeBoer, reviewed the substance of a letter to Rev. Gebbie of the Presbyterian Reformed Church which is the Presbytery’s response to their inquiry regarding the application of Rev. Bancroft to associate with the PRC. The letter was approved and the report of the stated clerk was received.

REPORT OF TREASURER:
Elder Colbeck, as Moderator, gave the treasurer’s report in his absence. It was M, S, and A to approve the treasurer’s report.

REPORT OF CHURCHES:
Westminster Church Report:
Elder Forney read the Westminster Church report and reported verbally on Rev. Morrow’s condition, which in God’s mercy was much improved. However his recent hospitalization and extended stay in a nursing home have placed him under the burden of $30,000 of medical expenses.

The Presbytery had Rev. Wagner lead in prayer for Rev. Morrow and it was approved to receive the report of the Westminster Congregation. The Presbytery also requested Dr. Butler to send a letter on behalf of Presbytery to Robert Eizensoph to thank him for his diligence in caring for Rev. Morrow in his illness.

West Wyoming Church Report:
Elder Forney read the report of the West Wyoming congregation and led the Presbytery in prayer for them.

Bordentown Church Report:
Rev. Wagner read the report of the Bordentown Congregation, and Rev. DeBoer led the Presbytery in prayer for them.  It was approved to receive the reports of the churches.

Report of the Theological Education Committee:
There was no report presented at this time. However, there was a discussion about the licensure of Joel Butler.

REPORT OF AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN PRESS:
Rev. DeBoer presented the report of the American Presbyterian Press. Due to his commitment to teaching at Integritas Academy his work for the American Presbyterian Press has been drastically curtailed. He is still working on preparing his manuscript on hymnody, "Hymns, Heretics, and History" for publication and it is in the final phases of proof-reading. Book sales have been slow and he has not been able to do much to stimulate them. The work on the websites has also been curtailed, but has continued. The website of the American Presbyterian Church continues to build up material on American Presbyterian Church history and is currently serializing Dr. McIntire’s book, "The Death of A Church," which documents the continuing apostasy of the PCUSA after the departure of the conservatives in the 1930’s, culminating in the new Confession of Faith of 1967. Hits to the web sites continue to grow and are currently running close to 6000 hits per month for each website. Rev. DeBoer cautioned that as is typical, over 90% of these hits have a duration of a minute of less and only the remaining hits represent persons actually staying on the site and reading one or more articles, etc.

PROOF READING ASSIGNMENTS:
There was a brief discussion with respect to the progress that is being made on these assignments.

REPORT OF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE:
In the absence of the Treasurer, no report was tendered at this time.

REPORT OF INTER-CHURCH COMMITTEE:
Rev. DeBoer reported that the only activity in interchurch affairs was the letter to Rev. Gebbie already covered under the Stated Clerk’s report. It was noted that Rev. Dymond did not make the trip to Rowlett, Texas, to participate in the Reformation Day observance of the American Reformation Presbyterian Church, as had been planned.

REVIEW OF SESSION MINUTES:
This was tabled until another meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:
Ministerial Support Fund:
Elder Forney continued his presentation to Presbytery on how to finance the ministerial support fund. He outlined the present arrangements he has made to provide an income for Rev. Morrow through his sales organization (Part of Market America) and how this could be expanded to provide more support for Rev. Morrow or other recipients per the Presbytery’s discretion.

NEW BUSINESS:
It was agreed to place on the docket of the next meeting a discussion on whether ruling elders ought to preach at presbytery without being licensed.

SETTING OF TIME FOR NEXT MEETING:
It was decided to meet in April of 2004, at 9:00 A.M. in Bordentown, New Jersey. The particular date will be decided after Reverend DeBoer and Elder Forney consult their schedules and coordinate the dates they will be free. Presbytery was closed by the singing of Psalm 127 and by prayer led by Dr. Butler.