PRESBYTERY  MINUTES

December  7, 2002 

Presbytery was called to order at 9:19 AM with a welcome from the host church by Rev. Wagner, with prayer by Calel Butler, and with the singing of Psalm 78H. 

The presbytery devotion was delivered by Dr. Charles Butler.  The topic was the church’s responsibility to care for its pastors, especially in their old age. The Scripture passage was 1 Corinthians 9:13-14.  He related this to Numbers 18 where the holy things were for used for families, but the most holy things were exclusively for the priests. Also in Numbers 15, the heave offering of the first fruits was exclusively for the priests. An example of this was Elijah in his dealings with the widow of Zarepath. Another passage cited was 2 Corinthians 9:6-14 where we are commanded to sow bountifully that we may reap bountifully. The principle is that generosity will be blessed and niggardliness will lead to want and poverty. We are to be generous in a cheerful and voluntary way. And we are to be generous with present resources rather than saving for the future trusting God can and will supply all our needs in the future. Psalm 112A was sung as verse 9 was a quotation from it. Verse 10 promises that the Lord will the supply the needs of all Christians. In the New testament this function was performed by the ministry of the deacons. The ministry of the deacons is not restricted to the local church, but encompasses the church at large. The devotional was concluded by prayer offered up by Dr. Butler. 

ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and all members of Presbytery were present, except for Rev. Morrow on account of his illness.  Joel Butler, man under care, was also absent due to his attendance at the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary in Pittsburg, PA. 

THE DOCKET:
The docket presented by the moderator was approved as amended by the following changes.

MINUTES OF PRESBYTERY:
Minutes of presbytery for September 21, 2002 were read and approved as read.  

THE  CLERK’S  REPORT: 
As the Clerk’s report was limited to communications dealing with interchurch matters these communications will be dealt with under the Report of the Interchurch Committee.. 

THE TREASURER’S REPORT:
The Treasurer’s report was presented and received.  It was also MS&A to request the Treasurer to add to his Report a category of projected Presbytery expenditures. 

THE REPORTS OF THE CHURCHES:
The reports of the churches were read and approved.  The following items were noted.

·        Presbytery had prayer for Pastor John Morrow led by Rev. Wagner.

·        Presbytery voted a contribution of $1000.00 towards Rev. Morrow’s medical expenses. 

THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN PRESS REPORT: 
Rev. DeBoer reported on the APP’s publication ministry, noting book sales for 2002, and reviewing current publishing projects that are pending. These included… T

·        The publication of his book, “Hymns, Heretics, and History.”

·        The publication of an extract from Charles Hodge’s “Constitutional History of the PCUSA” covering the Great Awakening and the Schism of 1741, containing his defense of the Old Side.

·        The publication of an abridged version of Frederick Nolan’s, “An Inquiry into the Integrity of the Greek Vulgate” which constitutes one of the best defenses of the Textus Receptus against current textual criticism.

 He also gave a report of the websites and presented the statistics for the number of “hits” to each web site for 2002 to date.  The traffic to the websites has greatly increased throughout this year and now totals about 6000 hits per month. This was attributed to the mass of new material, especially on Presbyterian Church history and to the continued advertising of the sites.

The report of the American Presbyterian Press was received. 

THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT:
Rev. Dymond, the Treasurer gave the report of the Investment Committee which was received.  

Presbytery was adjourned for lunch by prayer offered up by Re. Dymond. 

Presbytery was reconvened by prayer offered up by Rev. DeBoer. 

THE INTERCHURCH COMMITTEE REPORT:   
Rev. DeBoer reported on the proposed additions to the Form of Government of the Synod that is being formed with the American Reformation Presbyterian Church, as per his discussion with Dr. Bacon of the ARPC. All of the proposed amendments were approved by Presbytery.

It was MS&A to receive the report of the InterChurch Committee.  

REVIEW OF SESSION MINUTES:
This was postponed until the next meeting of Presbytery.   

OLD BUSINESS:
CALEL BUTLER’S TRIAL FOR LICENSURE:

Calel Butler was examined on his knowledge of the Constitution of the American Presbyterian Church. After extensive questioning on the Confession of Faith, the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Directory of Worship he was sustained. This completes all the parts of Calel’s trial for licensure.  

NEW BUSINESS:
PRESBYTERY DEVOTIONAL:

It was MS&A to transcribe and publish Dr. Butler’s presentation. 

THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS:
Rev. DeBoer reviewed the work that he is doing on the Church’s website that involves a defense of the Textus Receptus. He also reviewed his plans to work with Dr. Letis in the publication of an abridged version of Nolan’s book on the text of the New Testament. The Presbytery voted to approve this work and support these labors.  

TIME & PLACE OF NEXT MEETING:
It was MS&A to meet, D.V., in W. Wyoming, PA at 9:00 AM on Saturday  April 12, 2003. 

ADJOURNMENT:
Presbytery was adjourned by the singing of Psalm 57B and with prayer offered by Elder Forney.