PCA Chaplain Installed at Harvard
For the first time since the 1930s, a conservative
Calvinist chaplain has been officially recognized by Harvard University.
At an installation ceremony on December 6, 1997, Northeast Presbytery
of the Presbyterian Church in America installed the Rev. Dr. G.
Joseph Gatis, Esq., as a chaplain at the prestigious Ivy School.
North Carolina Church Accepts Dr. Gilchrist's Apology
The Session of the North Carolina church that had
raised concerns about the General Assembly Stated Clerk, Dr. Paul
R. Gilchrist, has expressed its satisfaction with his proferred
apology.
Meeting of Presbytery Stated Clerks
The annual meeting of the Presbytery Stated Clerks
with the General Assembly Stated Clerk raised some interesting
questions. Among them are the matter of background/credit checks
for ministers transferring into the Presbyterian Church in America;
and whether church court and committee minutes are public or privileged.
Founding PCA Church and Its Pastor Leave for EPC
Grace Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, LA, one of
the initial congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America,
and its pastor, the Rev. Mr. Robert Vincent, were dismissed by
Louisiana Presbytery (PCA) to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Among the concerns cited were the toleration of theonomy in the
PCA, and the prominent role played by a minister member of Louisiana
Presbytery in the League of the South, a group that is calling
for political secession from the federal government.
NAPARC Votes 6-1 to Suspend the Christian Reformed
Church
In a move that was long expected, the annual meeting
of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC)
voted, 6-1, to suspend the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). The
key issue in the dispute is the CRC opening ruling and teaching
church office to women. The proposed suspension now goes to the
constituent denominations, at least five of which must approve
the measure before it takes effect.
NAPARC 1997 Hears the Concerns of the Churches
Each year, the North American Presbyterian and Reformed
Council hears from the member churches and from observer denominations.
One of the more interesting presentations this year was that
from one of the observers, the Presbyterian Reformed Church.
President Brock Urges NAPARC Delegates to Empower
the Laity
Dr. Frank Brock, President of Covenant College, urged
the delegates to the North American Presbyterian and Reformed
Council to "empower the laity." The chief executive
of the Presbyterian Church in America's Lookout Mountain, GA,
institution of higher learning downplayed the use of preaching
and emphasized the use of small groups in evangelization and Christian
education.
Reports were heard about home and foreign missions
at the 1997 meeting of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed
Council.
In other business of the North American Presbyterian
and Reformed Council (NAPARC), the delegates decided to postpone
for a year what to do with excess moneys from the commemoration
of the 350th anniversary of the Westminster Assembly; to ask the
Korean American Presbyterian Church to solicit funds from other
NAPARC churches for famine relief for North Korea; and postponed
for a year any action on a web site.
Interview with the Chairman of NAPARC
The Rev. Mr. Gordon Keddie, pastor of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church of North America congregation in State College,
PA, comments candidly on the vote to suspend the Christian Reformed
Church and on the future of the North American Presbyterian and
Reformed Council.
Heartland Presbytery Commission Questions Legitimacy
of News Service
Heartland Presbytery, through a commission it had
erected to correspond with Northeast Presbytery, has questioned
the legitimacy of Presbyterian International News Service and
its publication, Presbyterian and Reformed News. The Commision
claims that the news service is being operated "in a manner
analogous to the 'vigilantes' and 'lynch mobs' of old."
PINS Editor Responds to the Allegations
The Editor of the Presbyterian International News
Service responds to the allegations made by Heartland Presbytery.
Reaction from the PC(USA) to the Heartland Story
As the second largest American Presbyterian denomination,
the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has long struggled to
distance itself from the larger, "mainline" body known
as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), or PC(USA). PINS decided
therefore to see what policies there may be in the PC(USA) regarding
openness of meetings and minutes in that denomination.
Editorials and Letters
Read about "The Coming Revival";, "A
Request for Assistance";, and the concerns of our readers.
The Editor reviews a new book on Presbyterian missionaries
to China.
News from the Presbyteries
Reported on this time are Calvary, Central Carolina,
Central Georgia, Covenant, Grace, Heartland, Louisiana, Northeast,
Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Potomac, Southern Florida,
Warrior, and Westminster.
Thomson (GA) Presbyterian Church voted on February
1, 1998, to withdraw from Central Georgia Presbytery. The pastor
of the congregation had been the subject of a complaint lodged
against his reception into the presbytery, because of his prior
divorce.
Veteran Minister of Mercy Bill Rushbrook Deals with
El Nino
Long-time minister of mercy Bill Rushbrook deals
with the effects of inclement weather in his home state of California.
This time, however, he has taken to rescuing sheep.
Preacher, Poet, Author
Dr. Peter Doyle, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church,
Opelika, AL, is not only a preacher. He also is a poet and the
author of children's adventure books.
Our Condolences
Veteran churchman Edwin P. Elliott, Sr. passes away in Manassas, VA.