Sweden Approved as New Mission Field
The PCA's Mission to the World Committee approved
the sending of a team of Swedes and Americans to Sweden. If successful,
this team will be instrumental in organizing the first Presbyterian
and Reformed denomination in all Scandinavia.
PCA Pastor Jim Alexander, whose only son was on board
TWA Flight 800 two years ago, helps others cope with loss by means
of his unique ministry.
Mission to North America Representatives Appear Before
Central Georgia Presbytery
Concerned about church planting in the West, Central
Georgia Presbytery had raised some issues by means of overture
to the 1998 General Assembly. Representatives of the home missions
committee appeared before the court at its October stated meeting
in Macon, Georgia. In their public appearance, they asserted
no favoritism toward contemporary worship; declared that liturgical
dance, liturgical drama, video clips in public worship and the
use of rock music are not forbidden by their committee guidelines
for church planters; and pledged 'sunshine' regarding committee
records.
The Mission to North America responded formally to
several questions posed by Central Georgia Presbytery.
Phil Stogner Responds to Central Georgia
Central Georgia Presbytery also sent questions to
the Rev. Mr. Phil Stogner, Pastor of Park City (UT) Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Stogner had reneged on a prior agreement to mentor
Mr. Jason Wallace, who was being ordained in early 1998 by Central
Georgia and sent to Utah to plant a church.
Northern California Replies to Central Georgia
Central Georgia Presbytery also wanted Northern California
Presbytery to answer some questions regarding its controversial
mission church, New Song-Salt Lake.
MNA Committee Hears Reports from Its Coordinators
At its October 1-2, 1998, stated meeting, the Mission
to North America Committee heard reports from various coordinators.
MNA Approves New Church Planters
Mission to North America gave its blessing to four
more men to engage in organizing churches.
MNA Committee Meets in Executive Session
The Mission to North America Committee met for almost
two hours behind closed doors. Ruling and teaching elders were
excluded, while three women were allowed to stay.
MNA Establishes Women in Leadership Award
The Mission to North America Committee approved establishing
the Urban and Mercy Women in Leadership Award. The minimum amount
of the award will be $20,000, with the money to be taken from
the Women in the Church Love Gift.
Northern California Refuses to Entertain Charges
Against MNA Western Coordinator
Lewis Ruff, the Western Coordinator for Mission to
North America, has been a key figure in the controversy regarding
church planting in the West. In October, Northern California
Presbytery refused to entertain charges against him brought by
the Rev. David Brown, a retired minister of that Presbytery.
'Information Meeting' Held in Johnson City Regarding
Home Missions
An 'information meeting' was held in Johnson City,
Tennessee, in October with regard to home missions policy in Westminster
Presbytery. Also discussed was the possibility that some of Westminster
Presbytery's churches may leave that court in order to join Tennessee
Valley Presbytery.
1998 NAPARC Meets in South Dakota
The 1998 meeting of the North American Presbyterian
and Reformed Council completed the suspension of the Christian
Reformed Church.
The Editor offers his thoughts in two editorials:
"Reflections: 25 Years Later", and "Is MNA Caught
in a Dilemma?"
Presbyterian International News Service is pleased
to announce the appointment of an Editor-in-Chief.
PINS to Appoint Ministerial Advisors
Presbyterian International News Service will be appointing
ministerial advisors by early 1999, in order to assist it in bringing
you the news in the best possible way.
Our readers respond on a variety of issues.
Jimmy Lyons Address 25th Anniversary Service for
Western Carolina Presbytery
The PCA's most beloved and most famous Choctaw Indian
Chief gave one of his rousing sermons at a service celebrating
the silver anniversary of the founding of the Presbyterian Church
in America.
Presbyteries
Posted are reports from Ascension, Calvary, Central
Georgia, Covenant, Eastern Canada, Eastern Carolina, Gulf Coast,
James River, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Georgia, Northeast,
Palmetto, Philadelphia, South Texas, Susquehanna Valley, Tennessee
Valley, and Westminster Presbyteries.
Covenant Children and Education
Should covenant children be educated in the public
school system? One PCA presbytery boldly gives answer.
A Declaration to President Clinton
Great Lakes Presbytery calls upon William Jefferson
Clinton to repent.
Presbyteries Declare Church Court Minutes to be Public
Two PCA presbyteries go on record that minutes of
church courts are public documents.
Ascension Inquires Regarding Service of Public Worship
with Baseball Theme
Ascension Presbytery, located in Western New York,
Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Northeastern Ohio, expressed its
concern to North Georgia Presbytery regarding the worship practices
at one of its churches.
Here are some choice quotes from recent meetings
of three PCA presbyteries.
A Request for Prayer and for Financial Assistance
A church in Arizona makes a plea for help in obtaining
property.