Tennessee Valley

Covenant College hosted Tennessee Valley Presbytery at its meeting on April 18, 1998. Moderator Mark Cushman presided. The Rev. Mr. J. Render Caines led in worship and Candidate Len Teague preached from Hosea.

Presbytery approved an overture from the Session of St Elmo Presbyterian Church, which asks the General Assembly to amend the Rules of Assembly Operation so as to require that Exceptions of Substance taken by the Committee on Review of Presbytery Records be accompanied by the Committee's rationale. The proposal would also require that "whenever an apparent violation of the Constitution of the PCA is the reason for the Exception of the Substance, the committee must cite specific Scnptural and BOCO references."

TE George Long presented and Presbytery adopted a memorial for Clyde C. Cobb, who had helped to establish the Grace Fellowship (PCA) Church, Kingston, TN.

Presenting the work of the Christian Education Committee was the Rev. Mr. John Boles. TE Jim Pickett reported on the Presbyterian Youth Association camp to be held at Ridge Haven, and Paul Green reported on Children's Ministry.

Ruling Elder Mark Wilson reported for the MTW Committee. The Rev. Mr. Sam Cappel spoke of an opportunity for short-term mission work in Portugal and Spain in the fall of 1998.

The MNA Committee report was presented by Pastor Dennis Griffith. Two ministers reported on Reformed University Fellowship work: Jed Johnston (UT-Chattanooga) and Kevin Teasley (Tennessee Tech). Pastor Tom Gibson reported on Trinity Presbyterian Church, a mission church in Cleveland, Tennessee. Candiate Chris Clark spoke of his involvement with a church plant in south St. Louis. The Rev. Mr. Carter Johnson reported on his mission church in Dayton, TN.

After lunch, Candidate Patrick Dare preached from Hebrews 12:1-2.

Presenting the report of die Minister and His Work Committee was TE Gary Roop. Presbytery extended for another four years TE Fred Schumpert's license to preach. Rob Fossert (First Presbyterian, Chattanooga) and David Arthur (Lookout Mountain) were taken under care as candidates. TE Wayne Zavadil was transferred from Louisiana Presbytery to become Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Kingston. Candidate Len Teague was licensed and approved for ordination as an Associate Pastor at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church. The court unanimously voted that knowledge of Greek and Hebrew be waived in light of his many years of experience as a Minister of Youth. Candidate Patrick Dare was licensed and approved for ordination as an Assistant Pastor at Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Sevierville, TN. Licentiate Joe Hishmeh sustained examination for ordination. He will serve First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, as an Assistant Pastor.

J. Render Caines, Stated Clerk

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