PRESBYTERY  MINUTES
April  27, 2002 

Presbytery was opened at 9:00 AM with a welcome from the host church by Rev. Wagner, with prayer by Elder Forney, and with the singing of Psalm 111A.

The presbytery devotion was delivered by Rev. Dymond.  The Scripture passage was 2 Peter 3 and the text was 2 Peter 3:17-18.  Peter is stirring us up to be awake. We are to be awake and carry out the Great Commission preaching the truth and the whole truth. We are to take heed of ourselves first, stirring ourselves up. And then we are to start in our own mission field which begins at home with our own family. All the knowledge that Peter is stirring us up to remember we are to preach, teach, and confess, starting with our own families. 

ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and all members of Presbytery were present, except for Rev. Morrow from whom Presbytery received his excuse on account of his illness. Dr. Butler led Presbytery in prayer for Rev. Morrow. Both Calel and Joel Butler, men under care, were also present. 

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

MINUTES OF PRESBYTERY:
Minutes of presbytery for December 15, 2001 were read and approved as read.  

THE  CLERK’S  REPORT: 
The clerk read the following communications  to Presbytery.

·        A communication from the American Presbyterian Church of Florida. The Clerk was instructed to contact this body and obtain more information about this body.

·        A letter from the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission On Chaplains and Military personnel regarding Rev. Dymond’s application to the chaplaincy.

The Clerk’s report was received. 

THE TREASURER’S REPORT: 
The Treasurer’s report was presented and received.  

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

·        The Bordentown Church noted that Dan and Abdi Bertram were considering continuing with New Tribes Missions as missionaries as opposed to their present status in New Guinea as support personnel. However they have run across some unexpected difficulties. They are as follows…

1.      NTM requires them both to go to missionary school fulltime and put their children in day care. They home school and this goes against their beliefs.

2.      NTM expects them both to become a full time missionary team and Abdi to give up her responsibilities as a mother in favor of day care. This too is against their beliefs.

3.      NTM is a Baptistic organization and will require them to assent to immersion as the Biblical mode of baptism.

For these reasons they are seeking other venues for their missionary endeavors.

·        Joel Butler of the Bordentown congregation has applied to the RPCNA Seminary in Pittsburg and is seeking to attend this fall.

·        Rev. Dymond of the West Wyoming congregation is still in search of supplemental employment and is considering a chaplaincy position if something can be found in his area in some kind of prison or hospital ministry. He is currently selling insurance on a commission basis. The church is currently able to meet all its financial obligations.

·        Rev. Morrow’s condition is such that he is still extremely weak. Elder Forney is assisting in the services and Rev. Morrow is still preaching. Although the sermons are shorter due to his condition they are still excellent and a blessing to the congregation. Rev. Morrow is spiritually and temporally prepared to depart this life if the Lord should call him. The church has no specific plans for continuing the ministry there if the Lord should call him. 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 of Rev. Schwertley’s book, Exclusive Psalmody, A Biblical Defense. He also gave a report of the websites and presented the statistics for the number of “hits” to each web site for 2001 to date.  It was MS&A to grant $500.00 for the expenses of the websites. It was MS&A to receive the report of the American Presbyterian Press.  

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

THE INTERCHURCH COMMITTEE REPORT:   
·        Micro-Presbyterian Federation:  With respect to the formation of a Federation of the Micro-Presbyterian Churches there is only the following to report.  There is still no official revised version of a proposed constitution for this Federation. And The American Reformation Presbyterian Church has rejected the whole concept of the proposed Federation. 

·        Federal Union of Some Micro-Presbyterian Bodies:  The clerk has received several communications on this subject.  They are as follows…

1.      A communication from Dr. Richard Bacon of the ARPC respecting some minor changes in the proposed Form of Government for the Union to deal with some practical realities.

2.      Some e-mail communications from Dr. Edwin Elliot of the RPCUS (Hanover Presbytery) expressing interest in the Union. 

It was MS&A that Rev. DeBoer work out the details with Dr. Bacon with respect to any proposed amendments to the FOG, and present the results to the next meeting of Presbytery. (Note: It was noted that all groups in the Union will have to subscribe to the Doctrinal Standard of the Union. This will exclude all theonomists who cannot subscribe to the Westminster position on the law of God.)

·        Dr. Butler discussed the situation of the Rev. John McKnight of the Evangelical Methodist Church. They are premill, separatist, and Calvinistic. Dr. Butler knew him from the Psalmody conference in Bonclarken, NC in 1990. Rev. McKnight is in search of ecclesiastical fellowship and Dr. Butler was appointed to meet with him. 

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

LICENSURE OF CALEL BUTLER:
Rev. DeBoer, who had been appointed to this task, extensively questioned Calel on Church History. He was then further questioned in this area by Rev. Wagner. It was then MS&A to sustain Calel in this part of his trails for licensure. 

SUBSCRIPTION TO THE STANDARDS: 
Rev. DeBoer moved to continue the annual practice of subscription to the standards by all members of Presbytery. The subscription vow is to be amended to delete the words, “until such a time as our Constitution is complete” as we have now completed the proof texting of all our standards. This was approved, with Robert Colbeck desiring his dissent from this decision to be recorded.  

OLD BUSINESS:
No old business from the previous docket was transacted.  

NEW BUSINESS:
1.      Pastor Morrow’s Situation: This has been adequately covered under the Reports of the Churches. 

2.      Pastor Dymond’s Situation: Rev. Dymond has discussed his application for the chaplaincy with Rev. Peterson of the P&RJCCMP. There are currently no openings in the chaplaincy in his area. His plan is to stay in the area and continue as Pastor of the West Wyoming congregation, but seek supplemental employment. The Presbytery MS&A to support Rev. Dymond in his application to the chaplaincy. Rev. Dymond requested prayer by members of Presbytery with respect to his calling.

3.      Presbytery Fund For Ministers in Need: The issues related to the establishment of such a fund were discussed. It was MS&A to have Elder Forney present a paper at the next meeting of Presbytery to discus the financing of such a fund. It was also MS&A to have Dr. Butler give the Presbytery devotion on the subject of “Diaconal Care for Ministers.”  

TIME & PLACE OF NEXT MEETING:
It was MS&A to meet, D.V., in Westminster, MD at 9:00 AM on Saturday  September  21, 2002.  

ADJOURNMENT:
Presbytery was adjourned by the singing of Psalm 133A and with prayer offered by Rev. Wagner.