CALLED MEETING

June 18, 2007

 

The Presbytery of Mississippi held a called meeting at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. with the Moderator, Ms Peggie Herrington, presiding. The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. William dePrater.

 

ROLL

 

A quorum was present with the following twenty-two ministers and twenty-five elders enrolled for the meeting.

 

Ministers: George Bendall, Charles Bowdler, Tim Brown, Steve Bryant, Chris Bullock, Karen Bullock, Scott Castleman, William dePrater, John Dudley, Tim Erskine, Michael Herrin, John Larson, Ron McFarland, Su McLain, James Rackley, Steve Ramp, Clint Regen, Clarence Roberts, Cory Stott, Sally Lodge Teel, James Truesdell, Andrew Wells

 

Elders: Hank Holcomb (Diamondhead), Norma Loposser (Handsboro), Mary Rebecca Magee (Pisgah), Anne Hodges (Briarwood), Jim Weems (Covenant), Jeff Weill (Covenant), Helen Boone (Fondren), Robert Stratton (Liberty), Tom Lewis (Unity Memorial), Annie Ruth Thigpen (First Lucedale), Peggy McLeod (Vernal), Miller Brock (Grace Chapel), Stewart Robison (JJ White Memorial), Gerald Snell (Jones Memorial), Roger Soons (Trinity), Peggie Herrington (Westminster Natchez), Alice Martin (First Ocean Springs), Charles Ray (Commissioned Lay Pastor, Magnolia and Osyka), Vance Sprague (Pineville), David St. Louis (Ruth Memorial), Jim Cassell (First Port Gibson), Cheryl Ashby (First Vicksburg), Jim Chaney (First Vicksburg), Bill Pettey (Commissioned Lay Pastor, Wiggins), James Rabby (Wiggins)  

 

Visitors: Norma Bassett, Renee Belote, Sara Brown, Ann Catron, Harry Collins, Frank Cuervo, Myra Hester, Ralph Loposser, Sam Marshall, Gay Martin, Genieve McFarland, Pete McLeod, Gene Price, Robert St. John, Linda Soons, Marsha Taylor, Reid Whittington, Beth Wild

 

An excused absence was granted to all active minister members not present and all sessions not represented. Excused absences were also granted to minister members-at-large Martha Blount, Morris “Skip” Ehrlich, and Lynn Miller.

 

The following ministers were absent without excuse: Barron Banks, Theophilus King, and David Ray.

 

The meeting was called in response to the request of Rev. Karen Bullock, Rev. Steve Ramp, and Elders Helen Boone (Fondren) and Beth Wild (JJ White Memorial).

 

The purpose of the meeting was to consider and to act upon a procedure to be followed in the event that a congregation should seek to be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church (USA).

 

Rev. Steve Ramp presented a draft of such procedures that had been prepared by him and the executive presbyter in consultation with the members of the Committee on Ministry.  He emphasized that the draft contained guidelines that were intended to be flexible and that could be adapted to meet the needs of a given situation. The purpose of the guidelines are to provide for fairness in any congregational deliberations on the question of denominational affiliation and to guarantee that any congregational decision be made only after an opportunity for a full discussion of all relevant information. It is of course understood that a congregation can be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church (USA) only by action of the presbytery.

 

It was moved and seconded that presbytery approve “Guidelines for Withdrawal of a Congregation form the PC(USA), Last Revised June 13, 2007” as guidelines to follow in the event that a congregation should seek to be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church (USA). A subsidiary motion was moved and seconded that consideration of the main motion be postponed for three weeks until July 9, 2007. This subsidiary motion was defeated.

 

It was moved that “Guidelines” be amended by adding the word “Recommended” immediately before the word “Guidelines” in the title of the document. The amendment was approved. The main motion as amended was then approved.

 

The purpose of the meeting having been accomplished, the meeting was adjourned with prayer by Rev. John Larson at 4:15 p.m.

 

Ms. Peggie Herrington, Moderator                ATTEST: ___________________________

Rev. John C. Dudley, Stated Clerk                               John C. Dudley, Stated Clerk

 

 

 

The Presbytery of Mississippi

Recommended Guidelines for Withdrawal of a Congregation from the PC(USA)

Last Revised June 13, 2007

 

 

A.  BACKGROUND      The Presbytery of Mississippi has been advised, informally, that some churches in this presbytery are in conversation with representatives of other Reformed bodies and may request the presbytery to dismiss them from the PC(USA).  The Committee on Ministry knows of no standing procedure for dealing with such requests. This paper sets forth principles and procedures intended to help pastors, sessions, congregations, and presbytery representatives navigate these turbulent waters with a maximum of grace and a minimum of confusion.  Naturally, the presbytery wants to retain all of its member congregations.  However, in some cases, the desire to withdraw and join another denomination may be so deeply felt and widely held that the best thing is to honor the will of the congregation while fairly protecting the interests of all persons involved.

 

Strictly speaking, the Form of Government in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part II (Book of Order) does not prescribe a procedure governing a congregation’s request to leave the PC(USA) for another Reformed body.  In each case, the interests of the presbytery, the congregation, those wishing to leave, and those wishing to remain part of the PC(USA) need to be treated fairly.  Because each situation is unique, each petition for dismissal must be treated separately on a church by church basis, and each situation must be decided on its own merits.  Therefore, this document should not be seen as mandatory, but as illustrative of the kinds of questions and procedures that may apply if and when this issue presents itself.

 

B.  PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE THE PROCESS   There are some overarching Biblical principles and tenets of Reformed polity that should inform a session’s deliberations, the decision-making process of the congregation, and the presbytery’s role in these situations.  Illustrative of these principles are the following:

 

            1.  Jesus Christ is Head of the Church.  Therefore church discipline and the actions of congregations and governing bodies should reflect Jesus’ values and will as revealed in Holy Scripture.

 

            2.  Each particular congregation is a particular manifestation of one Church of Christ (G-1.0400).The connection is both spiritual and organic. Each particular church is formed by the Spirit of Christ and is the fruit of his Spirit.  Each particular congregation is organically connected to and is inherently part of a larger spiritual body that transcends time and space.  We are not a group of independent societies that are free to come and go at will.  We are in a covenant relationship with each other and with Jesus Christ.  The hand cannot unilaterally sever its relationship from the arm. It is true that the relationship can be severed, but this is traumatic, and the decision to break the relationship must rest with the body, not the hand.  This is why a simply majority vote to leave will generally not be sufficient to sever the relationship. 

 

            3.  In matters of controversy, a larger part of the Church (or a representation of it) should govern a smaller. Our system of graded courts reflects this understanding (G-1.0400).

 

            4.  The Book of Order contemplates that, in case of schism, the presbytery shall attempt to effect a reconciliation or a division into separate churches within the PC(USA)  (G-8.0600). This means the presbytery has the right and responsibility to assess the situation within the congregation.  Accordingly, the presbytery needs to inquire and make an informed judgment as to the possibilities of reconciliation, what or who is preventing reconciliation, approximately how many people are determined to leave and how many wish to remain in the PC(USA), does the congregation understand what it is being asked to vote on and have the implications of leaving the PC(USA) been fully and fairly explained, has the process been open and fair to all concerned.  This assessment should be made via open forums and discussion before matters are submitted to a formal vote of the congregation.  It is important that the process of discernment be conducted in a way that seeks the truth and is fair to all parties.  Votes of the congregation will not be considered valid unless the presbytery has first met with and received the cooperation of the session and any installed clergy and determined that the principles and procedures herein outlined will be fairly implemented. 

 

            5.  The example of the apostles and of the primitive Church is authoritative in dealing with such matters (G-1.0400). The Council at Jerusalem engaged in a process of discernment as it exercised leadership and oversight over the missionary activities of Paul and Barnabas.  The role of testimony, prayer, discussion, deliberation, and collective discernment of the will of God were, and are, important. The process by which a congregation comes to decide that it is being called by God to seek dismissal and realignment should respect dissent and safeguard and provide sufficient time and opportunities so that the will of God can be received by the whole congregation.  A rush to judgment is not consistent with Biblical principles or Reformed polity.  

 

            6.  Article 13 of the Articles of Agreement between the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (see Book of Order at Appendix B-13) prescribes a detailed procedure for churches seeking to be dismissed to other Reformed bodies.  While Article 13 no longer applies, the concerns and safeguards for a fair process can serve as guidance for churches in our presbytery:

 

·        The role of the session is to call the congregation together to discuss the issue

·        The presbytery is included in and participates in these discussions

·        Information meetings are held where no vote is taken.  This fosters discernment

·        This process takes time (six months), so that judgments are not made in the heat of passion or rashly.  People need time to think and talk and reflect and pray

·        Meetings are well publicized and attendance is encouraged

·        At least one-third of the congregation must be present to transact such business

·        People are given the opportunity to speak and respond

·        Voting is by secret ballot to minimize intimidation or peer pressure

·        A super-majority vote is required to leave (2/3^rd of the church)

            If more than one-third of the members voting wish to stay with the

            denomination, then the organic connection should not be severed

·        Either side may appeal to the presbytery, and the presbytery’s decision is final.    

 

                                                  

C.  THE PROCESS WE PROPOSE TO FOLLOW:

 

            The following process incorporates these principles with the clear understanding that, in particular cases, exigencies may require modification and flexibility in the interest of fairness and practical wisdom.  

 

            1.  The decision to withdraw from the PC(USA) is a traumatic one that can easily polarize a congregation.  The presbytery is committed to working for reconciliation whenever practicable. When this is not feasible, the presbytery will endeavor to achieve an amicable separation to preserve the bonds of friendship and fellowship.  This is not and need not be an adversarial process.  It is a process designed to discern the will of God for this particular church at this time.  The emphasis is on fairness and creating full opportunity to hear many points of view so that decisions of such high stakes are made carefully and after much prayer, discussion, and thoughtful deliberation.

 

            2.  The session of a congregation should notify the stated clerk that it intends to call a congregational meeting to consider and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the membership as a body remaining in or withdrawing from the PC(USA).  The stated clerk shall forward each such notice to the moderator of the Committee on Ministry, executive presbyter, and the Council of Presbytery.

 

            3.  The quorum and the requirements of calling the initial congregational meeting must conform to the requirements of the Book of Order for all congregational meetings.  The Committee on Ministry, Moderator, or Council should appoint representatives to attend the meeting, and they will be allowed sufficient time to speak on behalf of the PC(USA).  The initial called meeting of the congregation should take place at the church after 3:00 p.m. and not less than 20 days after such notice and should be set so that the presbytery has a fair opportunity to send representatives to participate in the meeting.

 

            4.  This policy statement should be distributed to the congregation one week before the meeting and may be read or summarized at the meeting by a representative of presbytery. 

 

            5.  The sole business to be conducted at the initial congregational meeting, or any adjournment thereof, should be a discussion of the merits and demerits of staying or leaving.  Representatives of the presbytery should be given opportunity and sufficient time to address the congregation and to respond to questions or comments.  Fairness and transparency and upholding the right of every member to be heard are especially important.

 

            6.  After the initial congregational meeting, ordinarily three months should pass, and the presbytery should be consulted as to a date and time for a congregational meeting to consider whether the membership as a body should withdraw from the PC(USA).  Reasonable effort should be made so that appropriate representatives of presbytery will be able to attend the meeting.  Written notice should be given by mail to all members at least 30 days prior to the time of the meeting, as well as announced from the pulpit of the church at regular church services on four successive Sundays immediately prior to the meeting. The minimum requirement for a quorum should be one-third of the active confirmed members in good and regular standing. The meeting should take place after 5:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary to give the presbytery and those traveling from other places sufficient time to attend.

 

            7.  The Committee on Ministry, Moderator, or Presbytery Council will appoint representatives to attend the meeting and they should be allowed sufficient time to speak on behalf of the PC(USA).  This meeting of the congregation should be moderated by a member of the Committee on Ministry, the executive presbyter, or the stated clerk of presbytery.

 

            8.  After a full and fair discussion, in which everyone present who wishes to speak (for up to five minutes) has had an opportunity to do so, a secret ballot will be taken on the categorical question: “Shall the membership of the ___________ Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) request dismissal as a body by the Presbytery of Mississippi to _____________, another Reformed body?”

 

 

            9.  The ballots should be counted by two elders from the congregation and two representatives of the presbytery.  Only ballots clearly legible should be counted.  In case of ambiguity, the ballot should be counted as “No.”  Abstentions count as “No” votes.  The ballots should be counted twice and the results should be announced at the meeting, and the results should be communicated in writing to the stated clerk of the presbytery. 

 

            10.  Ordinarily, a request for dismissal requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those present and voting. Following notice of such a vote, the Moderator will follow the normal procedures for calling a meeting of presbytery, provided that there is not already scheduled a stated meeting of presbytery within 45 days of the congregational vote requesting dismissal.  The presbytery shall determine whether the process for dismissal was fair and represents the will of the congregation.  If so, the congregation should be dismissed to another Reformed denomination, subject to any agreements that may be reached regarding the fair treatment of those members who do not wish to leave the denomination.  If the presbytery determines that the vote for dismissal was invalid, the request for dismissal should be denied, and the congregation shall remain a member of the PC(USA).  

 

            11.  Within ten days of the congregational meeting any person of the unsuccessful side may contest the regularity of the call for, or the conduct of, or the vote taken in, the congregational meeting by a written notice to the presbytery. The presbytery shall review the questions at issue and, if the contest is sustained, it should direct the calling of a new congregational meeting. 

 

            a.    If the contest is filed by those persons voting for dismissal from the PC(USA) and the contest is not sustained by the presbytery, such church shall continue to be a member church of the PC(USA). 

 

            b.   If the contest is filed by those voting against, and is not sustained by presbytery, such congregational members shall have the right to remain as members of the church or to be transferred to another congregation of the  PC(USA).

 

            c.  Once the vote is determined to be fair and regular, the decision of the presbytery shall stand and, ordinarily, no further action should be taken to reconsider the matter for at least 24 months. 

 

            12.  In the event that at least 25% of the members of a congregation being dismissed vote against dismissal, the congregation being dismissed as a body to another Reformed body may be required not to use the same name in their new congregation that they previously used as a particular congregation of the PC(USA).

 

            13.  Ministers of the Word and Sacrament (active and retired) in the PC(USA) will not be authorized to serve as a Temporary Supply to such particular congregational members that are dismissed as a body to another Reformed body and thereafter formed a congregation within that other Reformed body. 

 

            14.  The presbytery will make every effort to provide those members who do not wish to leave the denomination continuing pastoral leadership in the case that their minister chooses to transfer his/her membership to another Reformed denomination. The presbytery will make every effort to reorganize the remaining members of the PC(USA) congregation for worship and service under the traditionally used congregational title, or transfer their membership to another Presbyterian/Reformed congregation that is in correspondence with the PC(USA).