OFFICERS AND STAFF OF THE PRESBYTERY OF MISSISSIPPI

 

MODERATOR 

Ms. Peggie Herrington (2007), 2523 Guedon Road, Church Hill 39120-9460 (442-2066); joenpeg@netdoor.com

VICE MODERATOR

Rev. Charles Bowdler (2007), 620 Briarwood Dr., Jackson 39211 (956-4553; 605-6009); bowdler1@aol.com

STATED CLERK

Rev. John C. Dudley, D.Min. (2010), 710 S. 28th Ave., Suite A, Hattiesburg, 39402 (582-9135; 268-6225; FAX 582-9136); theelderjohn@yahoo.com

EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER 

Rev. William A. dePrater, D. Min. (2009), 710 S. 28th Ave., Suite A, Hattiesburg, 39402 (582-9135; FAX 582-9136); wadepraterIII@aol.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Mrs. Beverly Strong, 710 S. 28th Ave. Suite A, Hattiesburg, 39402 (582-9135; FAX 582-9136)

CAMPUS MINISTRY DIRECTOR

Mrs. Amy Ruff, 115 North 25th Avenue, Hattiesburg, 39401 (545-1922; 261-0922); amyruff@yahoo.com

HUNGER ACTION ENABLER

Mrs. Sara Brown, 166 Dogwood Trail, Laurel, 39443 (649-8054)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Minutes of the Stated Meeting – October 25, 2007

 

Roll…………………………………………………………………………………….Pages 2-4

Report of Stated Clerk ……………………………………………………………………..4-10

Overtures ……………………………………………………………………………………..7-9

Presbytery Council ………………………………………………………………………..10-18

Revised Policy on Property ………………………………………………………………12-17

Finance Subcommittee………………………………………………………………………..17

Administrative Commission for Disaster Recovery …………………………………..…...19

Administrative Commission for J.J. White Memorial………………………………………19

Administrative Commission for Grace Chapel …………………………………………20-21

Committee on Ministry ……………………………………………………………………21-22

Agreement with Covenant Presbyterian Church ………………………………………22-23

Nominations Committee ………………………………………………………………….24-27

Other Ecclesiastical Committees…………………………………………………………….27

Program Committees…………………………………………………………………….. 28-30

Review of Session Minutes ………………………………………………………………….30

Bills and Overtures ………………………………………………………………………..30-31

Adjournment …………………………………………………………………………………...31

 

 

NOTE: It is the policy of this presbytery to authorize the Moderator and the Stated Clerk to read and approve the minutes for the presbytery.  The minutes are not printed until this approval is given.  Also, once a year the presbytery prints a separate directory, with the committee structure, and with names and addresses of all churches, ministers, clerks of sessions, candidates, and committee members.  Also, once a year the annual audit is reported and made available to the presbytery at a regular stated meeting.

 

 

STATED MEETING

October 25, 2007

 

            The Presbytery of Mississippi met for its eightieth stated meeting at First Presbyterian Church in historic Port Gibson, Mississippi on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. with the Moderator, Elder Peggie Herrington, presiding. The meeting began with the worship service led by Rev. Michael Herrin, pastor of the host church. The sermon, titled “Presbytery – God’s Trust in Us” and based upon Romans 14:1 – 8, was delivered by Rev. David Daniels, the senior-most member of the presbytery. During the worship service the stated clerk presented the following memorials for ruling elders who had died since October 19, 2006 and whose names had been reported to presbytery:

 

Waverly Artz; First Vicksburg; June 9, 2007

Gerald E. Braddock; First Vicksburg; July 1, 2007

Jim Cantrell; First Ocean Springs; December 8, 2006

Robert L. Carroll; First-Trinity; February 22, 2007

Lamar Carroon; Briarwood; May 19, 2007

J.C. Dixon; Pisgah; April 1, 2007

Negley England; Briarwood; September 20, 2007

Roger Lind; Briarwood; March 30, 2007

Clifton McLeod; Vernal; December 1, 2006

Paul D. Mullendore; Magnolia; October 13, 2006

Eliza Phillips; First Brookhaven; July 12, 2007

Daniel Pipkins; Vernal; October 12, 2006

George Reed; First Ocean Springs; February 22, 2007

Fred Roseman; Diamondhead; February 6, 2007

Robert Dunbar Wade, Jr.; First Port Gibson; July 20, 2007

George Watkins; Diamondhead; January 21, 2007

 

 

ROLL

 

A quorum was present with the following twenty ministers and thirty-one elders enrolled for the meeting:

 

Churches

Ministers

Elders

 

 

 

Bay St. Louis, First

Rob Butler

Virgil Harris

Bay Springs, Gavin Chapel

vacant

Fannie Triplett

Brookhaven, First

Edwin J. Wolff, CLP

excused

Canton, First

vacant

F.W. McKay, Jr.

Diamondhead, Diamondhead

Chas Jones*

excused

Gautier, Gautier

Chris Bullock*

Pamela Martin

Gulfport, Handsboro

Scott Castleman

Norma Loposser

Gulfport, New Life Community

Scott Castleman

excused

Gulfport, Westminster

George Bendall*

Karen Bullock,*             Int. Assoc.Pastor

Pearce Sunderland

Hattiesburg, Pineview

T.S.

Sarah Amos

Hattiesburg, Westminster

Steve Ramp

Lola Norris

Heidelberg, Fairview

vacant

Herietta Bender

Heidelberg, McFarland       

vacant

without representation

Heidelberg, Pisgah

vacant

without representation

Jackson, Briarwood

Charles Bowdler

Carol Busbee

Jackson, Faith

William Jones

Shirley G. Middleton

Jackson, Fondren

vacant

Helen Boone

Jackson, St. Luke’s

vacant

Sallie Wilson

Kosciusko, Alexander Memorial

vacant

without representation

Laurel, First-Trinity

James Truesdell

Sara Brown

Liberty, Liberty

vacant

Robin Stratton

Liberty, Unity Memorial

vacant

Tom Lewis

Long Beach, Long Beach

Richard Jones, I.P.*

Ruth Lewis

Lucedale, First

James Rackley, S.S.

Margaret Read

Lucedale, Vernal      

vacant

Norma Bassett

Madison, Grace Chapel

vacant

without representation

Magnolia, Magnolia

Charles Ray, CLP**

without representation

McComb, J.J. White Memorial

vacant

Becky Morgan

Meridian, Jones Memorial

T.S.

Jerry Snell

Meridian, Prospect

T.S.

Rachel Covington

Meridian, Trinity

Cory Stott

Nelson Hall

Natchez, First

John Larson

Larry Brown

Natchez, Westminster

Marc Mihail

Wallace Willard

Peggie Herrington***

Newton, Pilgrim Grove

Mattie Jordan, CLP**

without representation

Ocean Springs, First

Tim Brown*

without representation

Osyka, Osyka

vacant

without representation

Pascagoula, First

Clint Regen*

without representation

Pass Christian, Pineville

T.S.

Vance Sprague

Poplarville, Ruth Memorial

Sally-Lodge Teel, S.S.*

excused

Port Gibson, First

Michael Herrin

John Torrey

Sandersville, United

vacant

without representation

Toomsuba, Toomsuba

vacant

without representation

Vicksburg, First        

Tim Erskine

Louis Field

Bobby Robinson

Vicksburg, Yokena

David Daniels, S.S.

John Hyland

Wiggins, Wiggins     

Bill Pettey, CLP*

excused

*=Excused      **=Absent Without Excuse      ***=G.11.0101c

 

Other Ministers Present:   Bill dePrater, John Dudley, Andy Hoffecker, Theophilus King, Clarence Roberts, Morris Taylor, and Richard Swayze

Other Ministers with Excused Absence:  All honorably retired ministers, except those listed above as being present, George Barnett, Martha Blount, Skip Ehrlich, Joe Martin, and Lynn Miller

 

Ministers Absent without Excuse: Joe Pack Arnold, Barron Banks, Ron McFarland, and David Ray,

 

Corresponding Members:  none

 

Other Visitors:  George Bates (moderator of Mission Committee), Linda Bates, Jim Cassell, Martha Cherry, Greg Elmore, Susie Lee Harrison, Connie Hartfield, Myra Hester (moderator of Presbyterian Women), Bubba Martin (moderator of Administrative Commission for Grace Chapel), Larry Mills (Belhaven College), Carolyn Newell, Jimmie Person, R.L. Richardson (moderator of the Administrative Commission for Disaster Recovery), Hilda Roberts, Robert St. John, Clark Simmons (Board of Pensions), Linda Soons, Roger Soons, Annie Ruth Thigpen, Nuhad Tomeh (Middle East Council of Churches)

 

The docket presented by the stated clerk, Rev. John Dudley, was adopted. Ms. Herrington appointed Dr. Steve Ramp and elders Louis Fields and Norma Loposser to the Bills and Overtures Committee. Rev. William Jones was appointed to the Thanks Committee.  Rev. Michael Herrin welcomed the presbytery to First Presbyterian Church.

 

REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK

 

Communications and other matters presented by the stated clerk were handled as indicated:

 

1.      Excused absences were granted as requested and as reflected in the roll for this meeting.

2.      The minutes of the Commission to install Rev. George Bendall as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Gulfport were received and admitted to record.

 

Minutes of the Commission to Install Rev. George Bendall

as

Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Gulfport

 

The commission to install Rev. George Bendall as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, Mississippi met on August 12, 2007 at 2:40 p.m. in the pastor’s study with Rev. Dr. Bill dePrater serving as moderator. The moderator opened the meeting with prayer. The following members of the commission, constituting a quorum, were present: Rev Chris Bullock, Rev Karen Bullock, Rev. Dr. Bill dePrater, Rev. Dr. John Dudley, Rev. Clint Regen, Rev. Sally-Lodge Teel and elders Scott Ellzey, Tom McIlwaine, and William Pettey. Elder Jean Summerfield of West Virginia Presbytery was also invited to sit with the commission. Dr. Dudley was elected to serve as the clerk of the commission. The commission reviewed the order of worship for the installation service. It was agreed that the meeting of the commission would be closed with the benediction in the worship service and that the moderator and clerk would review and approve the minutes afterwards. Members of the commission then entered the sanctuary for the installation service.

 

Rev. Karen Bullock preached the sermon, titled “A Future with Hope” and based upon

Philippians 1:1 – 11. Dr. dePrater then propounded the constitutional questions (G – 14.0405) to Rev. George Bendall. Elder Scott Ellzey directed the constitutional questions (G – 14.0510a) to the congregation. Dr. Dudley then led in the prayer of installation. Rev. Chris Bullock gave a charge to the newly installed pastor, and Ms. Summerfield gave a charge to the congregation. Also leading in the worship service was Rev. Clint Regen. The service was concluded with the pronouncement of the benediction by Rev. George Bendall.

 

3.      The minutes of the Commission to install Rev. Rob Butler as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bay St. Louis were received and admitted to record.

 

Minutes of the Commission to Install Rev. Rob Butler

as

Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Bay St. Louis

 

The commission to install Rev. Rob Butler as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi met on June 3, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. at the church with Rev. Dr. Bill dePrater serving as moderator. The meeting was opened with prayer by Ms. Norma Loposser. The following members of the commission, constituting a quorum, were present: Rev. Dr. Bill dePrater, Rev. Dr. Steve Ramp, and elders Harry Collins, Virgil Harris, Norma Loposser, and Vance Sprague. Dr. Ramp was elected to serve as the clerk of the commission. The commission reviewed the order of worship for the installation service. It was agreed that the meeting of the commission would be closed with the benediction in the worship service and that the moderator and clerk would review and approve the minutes afterwards. Members of the commission then entered the sanctuary for the installation service.

 

Dr. Ramp preached the sermon, titled “The Generosity of God” and based upon Genesis 18:16 – 23. Dr. dePrater then propounded the constitutional questions (G – 14.0405) to Mr. Butler. Elder Virgil Harris directed the constitutional questions (G – 14.0510a) to the congregation. Dr. dePrater then led in the prayer of installation. Following the prayer Dr. dePrater gave a charge to the newly installed pastor, and Elder Norma Loposser gave a charge to the congregation. Elder Hank Holcomb also participated in the leading of the worship service. The service was concluded with the pronouncement of the benediction by Rev. Rob Butler.

 

4.      The minutes of the Commission to install Rev. Tim Erskine as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg were received and admitted to record.

 

Minutes of the Commission to Install Rev. Tim Erskine

as

Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg

 

The commission to install Rev. Tim Erskine as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg, Mississippi met on July 15, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. at the church with Rev. Dr. Bill dePrater serving as moderator. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Steve Ramp. The following members of the commission, constituting a quorum, were present: Rev. Dr. Bill dePrater, Rev. Dr. Steve Ramp, and elders Louis Field and Bob Friley. Rev. Bob Bullock of Cherokee Presbytery was also invited to sit with the commission. Dr. Ramp was elected to serve as the clerk of the commission. The commission reviewed the order of worship for the installation service. It was agreed that the meeting of the commission would be closed with the benediction in the worship service and that the moderator and clerk would review and approve the minutes afterwards. Members of the commission then entered the sanctuary for the installation service.

 

Rev. Bob Bullock preached the sermon, titled “In the Sight of God” and based upon

I Timothy 6:11 – 16. Elder Bob Friley then propounded the constitutional questions (G – 14.0405) to Rev. Tim Erskine. Elder Louis Field directed the constitutional questions

(G – 14.0510a) to the congregation. (Name) then led in the prayer of installation.

Dr. dePrater gave a charge to the newly installed pastor, and Dr. Ramp gave a charge to the congregation. Also leading in the worship service were Jay Hall, Schuyler Oaks, and Jessie Oldham. The service was concluded with the pronouncement of the benediction by Rev. Tim Erskine.

 

5.      The minutes of the Commission to install Dr. Marc Mihail as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Natchez were received and admitted to record.

 

Minutes of the Commission to Install Rev. Dr. Marc Mihail

  as

Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Natchez

 

 

The commission to install Rev. Dr. Marc Mihail as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Natchez, Mississippi met on Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 4:40 p.m. at the church. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. John Larson. The following members of the commission, constituting a quorum, were present: Rev. Dr. Bill dePrater, Rev. Michael Herrin, Rev. John Larson, Rev. Dr. Steve Ramp, and elders Joan Gandy, Peggie Herrington, Robert St. John, and Wallace Willard. Dr. dePrater was elected to serve as the moderator of the commission, and Rev. Michael Herrin was elected clerk. The commission reviewed the order of worship for the installation service. Rev. John Larson moved that Rev. Michael Herrin be appointed to pronounce the declaration of installation. Dr. Ramp seconded the motion which was approved without dissent. It was moved and seconded that the moderator and clerk meet after the service to approve the minutes. The motion was approved. It was agreed that the meeting of the commission would be closed with the benediction in the worship service. Elder Robert St. John offered a prayer, after which members of the commission entered the sanctuary for the installation service.

 

Dr. Ramp preached the sermon, titled “The Strange Shape of Ministry” and based upon Acts 15 and 16. Dr. dePrater then propounded the constitutional questions (G – 14.0405) to Dr. Mihail. Elder Robert St. John directed the constitutional questions (G – 14.0510a) to the congregation. Rev. Michael Herrin then led in the prayer of installation after which he declared Rev. Dr. Marc Mihail to be installed as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Rev. John Larson gave a charge to the newly installed pastor, and Ms. Peggie Herrington gave a charge to the congregation. The service was concluded with the pronouncement of the benediction by Rev. Dr. Marc Mihail

 

6.      Certificates of dismissal have been received for Rev. George Bendall (Presbytery of West Virginia), Rev. Rob Butler (Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley), Rev. Tim Erskine (Cherokee Presbytery), and Rev. Marc Mihail (Presbytery of Alaska).

7.      The stated clerk reported that the annual audit for 2006 required by the Book of Order has been completed. Copies are available in the presbytery office.

8.      The following overture from the session of Briarwood Presbyterian Church was referred to the Bills and Overtures Committee.

 

Overture from Briarwood Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

            To the Presbytery of Mississippi

 

Whereas we are living in times of tremendous change in the mainline church and society, and

Whereas for the year 2007 the presbytery had an $80,000.00 shortfall in contributions to the benevolence budget, and

Whereas the Synod of Living Waters gave the Presbytery of Mississippi a grant of $80,000.00 to cover our 2007 budget deficit, but such funds will not be available for 2008, and

Whereas Covenant Presbyterian Church, one of the presbytery’s largest congregations, has been dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and

Whereas J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church, another one of the presbytery’s larger congregations, has lost approximately half its membership due to a defection of members who are in the process of forming a Presbyterian Church in America congregation in McComb, and

Whereas Grace Chapel, the presbytery’s congregation with the greatest innate potential for growth because of the demographics of Madison County, has voted to disaffiliate from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and become a part of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and

Whereas a number of our congregations depend on the presbytery for financial support;

 

Therefore, the Session of Briarwood Presbyterian Church respectfully overtures the Presbytery of Mississippi to form a task force at its October 2007 stated meeting, comprised of the Moderator, the Vice Moderator, and the chairpersons of the presbytery’s ecclesiastical and program committees, to explore all the options available to the presbytery, including, but not limited to: staffing models, the scope of the presbytery’s work, and the presbytery’s possible connections with St. Andrew Presbytery and South Alabama Presbytery, and that the task force report to the presbytery at the February 2008 stated meeting.

 

Respectfully requested on this 25th day of August in the year of our Lord 2007.

 

9.      The following overture from the session of First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson was referred to the Bills and Overtures Committee.

 

Resolution on the Property of

Bethel Presbyterian Church

 

Whereas the Presbytery of South Mississippi, at its stated meeting on May 22, 1962, made the Bethel Presbyterian Church “an outpost of the Port Gibson Presbyterian Church,” and

 

Whereas the session of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson transferred the members of the Bethel Presbyterian Church to the roll of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson on December 4, 1962, and

Whereas the session of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson holds two worship services at Bethel Presbyterian Church every year, and

Whereas the First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson has overseen the maintenance of the property of the Bethel Presbyterian Church for over 40 years, recently painting the interior and the exterior of Bethel’s sanctuary, and

Whereas the Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson will in all likelihood need to take out a loan to replace the roof and the steeple on the Bethel Presbyterian Church in the near future,

 

The Presbytery of Mississippi hereby

 

Resolves that the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson is empowered to act as legal successors to the trustees of the Bethel Presbyterian Church.

 

10.   The following overture from the Task Force on the Form of Government appointed by council was referred to the Bills and Overtures Committee.

 

 

 

The Presbytery of Mississippi overtures the 218th General Assembly to

 

Receive the report and recommendations of the Form of Government (FOG) Task Force, and

 

Entrust the proposed FOG revision to the church for at least a two-year period of study, discernment, and consideration of the advisability of further action.

 

Rationale

 

            The Form of Government Task Force was established by the 217th General Assembly to prepare a revised Form of Government (FOG) for the church’s consideration.  The Task Force was directed to issue its report to the church no later than September 1, 2007, to allow sessions, presbyteries and synods ample time to study the proposed FOG and, if necessary, suggest amendments to it.  This simply has not provided enough time for governing bodies to comprehend fully, let alone critique effectively this lengthy and important document before the deadline for introducing business related to constitutional changes.

For example, the Mississippi Presbytery Council met on September 27, and appointed a committee of four to study the proposed Foundations and FOG and make a recommendation to the presbytery, which was to meet on October 25.  During their necessarily swift study of the proposed Foundations and FOG, different members of the committee came to widely disparate conclusions, ranging from a desire to vote down the whole project, to a desire to significantly rework the documents.  More time to study both documents would probably have yielded greater agreement, but more time simply was not available if the Presbytery was to be able to take action.

There is simply no need to rush the acceptance of what even the members of the Task Force recognize as a radical change in our church’s governance.  A period of study and discernment of at least two years in length will cost us nothing, and will undoubtedly result in a stronger Form of Government that will serve the church well for years to come.

 

11.   The following overture from the session of First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg was referred to the Bills and Overtures Committee.

 

Resolved, that the Presbytery of Mississippi support and concur with the overture to the 218th General Assembly from Cherokee Presbytery requesting the adoption of the following authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 of the Book of Order:

 

   A governing body is not permitted to ordain or install a candidate for deacon, elder, or minister of the Word and Sacrament after determining that the candidate has departed, without repentance, from the standards for ordination expressly provided in the Book of Order. Such unrepentant departure is a failure to adhere to the essentials of Reformed polity, and is a negative answer to the required constitutional question: “Will you be governed by our church’s polity?” Provisions of the Book of Order are signified as being standards by the use of the term “shall,” “is/are to be,” “requirement,” or equivalent expression.

 

12.   A request from the session of Toomsuba Presbyterian Church for a waiver from the requirements of G-14.0201a was granted.

 

 

REPORT FROM THE MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

 

Rev. Jim Truesdell introduced Rev. Nuhad Tomeh, Presbyterian Church (USA) missionary who works with the Middle East Council of Churches in Beirut, Lebanon. Mr. Tomeh spoke of the work of the council in ecumenical relations and in relief efforts with Iraqi refugees. He concluded his remarks with an eloquent plea for Christians to serve as peacemakers.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

 

   Following announcements, visitors and first-time elder commissioners were introduced. No minister members from other presbyteries attended this meeting of presbytery.

 

PRESBYTERY COUNCIL

 

Rev. Charles Bowdler, vice moderator of presbytery, moderated the meeting while Ms. Herrington presented the following report of the presbytery council.

 

For Information:

 

1.   The next stated meeting of presbytery will take place, Deo volente, on Saturday, February 23, 2008. At present we have no invitation from a congregation.

 

2.   Council approved the lease agreement between Westminster Presbyterian

Church, Hattiesburg, and the Presbytery of Mississippi for the house located at

107 North 25th Avenue, Hattiesburg.

 

3.   The council has asked Rev. Michael Herrin, Rev. John Larson, Dr. Steve Ramp, and Dr. John Dudley to review the proposed revision of the Form of Government.

 

For action:

 

Council recommends:

 

1.   That 6.2.9 of the standing rules be relocated to Article 22 in the operational procedures. This will in effect transfer the responsibility of planning the annual pastors renewal weekend from the Committee on Ministry to the Christian Nurture Committee. If approved, 6.2.9 would be stricken, and 22.1.10 would read as follows: “To plan and organize a Pastors Renewal Weekend to be held annually the weekend after Easter.

Attendance at this event is strongly encouraged for pastors actively serving congregations, and this Sunday does not count as vacation time.“ (second reading)

 

2.   That the responsibility for training commissioned lay pastors be transferred from 6.2.8 of the standing rules to 22.1.11 of the operational procedures.  If approved, 6.2.8 would read: “The Committee on Ministry will supervise the service of commissioned lay pastors in accordance with G-14.0801.” 22.1.11 would read: “To supervise the training of commissioned lay pastors in accordance with G-14.0801. Presbytery’s training program for commissioned lay pastors is found in Article 25.” (second reading)

 

3.   That the second sentence in Appendix X of the presbytery manual be stricken. Appendix X deals with presbytery trust funds. The second sentence reads as follows: “All interest earned by these funds shall be transferred to the program budget and used to defray the normal operating expenses of the presbytery office and its program committees.” (second reading)

 

4.   That every request for salary support for presbytery staff be approved by presbytery council before being submitted.

 

5.   That the amount of $5,000, authorized by presbytery at the called meeting of August 27, 2007, for the cost of preparing the new presbytery office be increased by $5,000, provided that the presbytery staff proceed parsimoniously.

 

6.   That items 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Appendix A, II. Policy Statement from the Original Property Policy adopted November 30, 2006 be stricken and that the following statements be adopted as items 8, 9, 10, and 11:

 

     8.   Recognizes that those churches which exercised the property exemption

     (G-8.0701) that was available in the eight year window after reunion (which

     action is duly recorded in the minutes of the Presbytery of Mississippi) have

     the ability to sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise encumber any of their real

     property without further written permission of the presbytery.

 

     9.   Recognizes that those churches which exercised the property exemption

     (G-8.0701) that was available in the eight year window after reunion (which

     action is duly recorded in the minutes of the Presbytery of Mississippi) have

     the ability to acquire real property subject to an encumbrance or condition

     without further written permission of the presbytery.

    

    10.   Resolves, in dealing with questions involving real property, subject to the

     requirements of the Book of Order, to fairly consider the history, claims, and

     needs of each particular congregation, including the interests of those who

     wish to leave the PCUSA and any minority that remains loyal to the PCUSA.

 

11.     Resolves that nothing contained in this policy statement shall abrogate

      the authority and responsibility of presbytery under Chapter 8 of the Book of

      Order. 

 

7.   That the annual report of Presbyterian Women be received with thanks and printed in the minutes of this meeting.

 

8.   That the gracious invitation of First Presbyterian Church of Brookhaven, received during this meeting, to host the February 23, 2008 meeting of presbytery be accepted

 

Action items 1 – 3 and 5 – 8  were approved.

 

Action item 4 was amended to read “That presbytery council be informed of every request for salary support for presbytery staff.” This item as amended was approved.

 

It should be noted that Dr. Steve Ramp presented background information on action item 6. The presbytery expressed its appreciation to Dr. Ramp for his diligence and perseverance in working with members of the council and members of the synod’s Special Committee on Administrative Review to bring the matter of our policies with respect to property to a happy conclusion.

 

The Property Policies of the Presbytery of Mississippi as Amended follows.

Property Policies of the Presbytery of Mississippi

Originally Adopted on November 30, 2006

and

 Amended on October 25, 2007

I.  Purpose of this Statement of Policy

The Presbytery of Mississippi desires to retain all of its congregations as sister churches based on our organic spiritual unity found in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  Our unity rests in Jesus Christ, not in real estate. Quoting Isaiah 66:1-2, Stephen admonished his critics, “Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands” (Acts 7:48).  It has ever been thus in Israel and in this Presbytery.  Property should neither hold us together nor pull us apart. 

Matters concerning property within the bounds of the Presbytery of Mississippi would be largely academic, were it not for current events in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  In April of 2006, the Trustees of Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery filed an affidavit placing a claim on all the real property belonging to congregations within the bounds of that presbytery.  This was a strategy recommended in a paper entitled “Church Property Disputes” which was produced for the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.  Many congregations throughout the Presbyterian Church thus believe they have reason to fear coercive action by their presbyteries.  The First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge, for example, has asked the courts of Louisiana to issue a declaratory judgment that the congregation alone owns its property, and the Presbytery of South Louisiana has concurred with that request.

It is solely to allay such fears that the Presbytery reiterates and reaffirms its historic stand with respect to property issues.  The Presbytery offers this Statement of Policy to its particular churches as the definitive statement on how this Presbytery interprets and intends to enforce the Book of Order with respect to real property.

II.  Revised Policy Statement  (This section supersedes original Section II)

 

The Presbytery of Mississippi hereby:

 

1.  Desires all its particular churches to remain in fellowship with each other under the jurisdiction of the presbytery;

 

2.  Resolves that pure preaching of the gospel and right administration of the sacraments are constitutive of the church, that our unity, purpose, and mission are found in Jesus Christ and nowhere else, and that decisions affecting ownership of property are subordinate to, and should support, our spiritual unity in Christ;

 

3.  Resolves that the Great Ends of the Church found in G-1.0200 summarize the mission of this presbytery and explain the purpose for the existence of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);

 

4.  Resolves that whenever particular churches of this presbytery pursue the Great Ends of the Church they are in fact using their property for the benefit of this presbytery and of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);

 

5.  Trusts its particular churches to make their own decisions concerning how best to use their property to accomplish the Great Ends of the Church;

 

6.  Resolves that property has not been, is not, and shall not be a basis for our unity or an opportunity for division among us;

 

7.  Recognizes that many of its particular churches believe they hold clear title to their own property;

 

8.  Recognizes that those churches which exercised the property exemption (G-8.0701) that was available in the eight year window after reunion (which action is duly recorded in the minutes of the Presbytery of Mississippi) have the ability to sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise encumber any of their real property without further written permission of the presbytery;

 

9.  Recognizes that those churches which exercised the property exemption (G-8.0701) that was available in the eight year window after reunion (which action is duly recorded in the minutes of the Presbytery of Mississippi) have the ability to acquire real property subject to an encumbrance or condition without further written permission of the presbytery.

 

10.  Resolves, in dealing with questions involving real property, subject to the requirements of the Book of Order, to consider fairly the history, claims, and needs of each particular congregation, including the interests of those who wish to leave the PCUSA and any minority that remains loyal to the PCUSA. 

 

11.  Resolves that nothing contained in this policy statement shall abrogate the authority and responsibility of presbytery under Chapter 8 of the Book of Order.

 

III.  Theological Reflection and Rationale

1.  The Church is founded by Jesus Christ and should embrace his methods and his values.  The Holy Spirit is building the church “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).  Jesus established the church by calling and gathering the apostles to himself.  He trained, taught, and commissioned them to preach, teach, make disciples, baptize, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with the risen Lord.  Our Book of Order recognizes that it is Christ who calls the Church into being, giving it all that is necessary for its mission, edification, and service. 

2.  Jesus did not call or train the church to deal with real property.  When we turn to what Jesus had to say, this is what we find:

When a man asked Jesus to settle an estate with his brother, Jesus replied:  “Man, who has made me a judge or divider over you” (Luke 12:14)?  Jesus refused to get involved with the property issue.  Instead, Jesus used this occasion to warn people not to covet and place one’s trust in larger barns.  

When the sons of Zebedee were vying for power, Jesus said, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  But it shall not be so among you” (Mark 10:42-44).

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

3.  The Goal of the Church is not ownership but discipleship.  “It belongs to Christ alone to rule, to teach, to call, and to use the Church as he wills, exercising his authority by the ministry of women and men for the establishment and extension of his kingdom” (G-1.0100(b)).  Thus, the goal of the church is not to acquire, own, manage, buy, or sell real property.  The goal of the church is to extend Christ’s reign on earth. 

4.  According to John Calvin, the marks of the church are the preaching of the gospel and the right administration of the Sacraments.  Real estate is not and never has been one of the marks of the church.  In the early church, congregations did not own real estate.  People met in houses, often in secret.  Our Book of Order and its historic principles of Church Government are derived from the example of the apostles and the practice of the primitive Church.  This includes their attitude towards property.

5.  The church is called to exercise spiritual discipline, not worldly power.  St. Paul cautions the church at Corinth:  The weapons of our warfare are not worldly [physical] but spiritual (II Corinthians 10:4).  In the Institutes of the Christian Religion John Calvin carefully describes the spiritual character of ecclesiastical jurisdiction.  The spiritual power of the church—to resist offenses and eliminate scandal—should be “completely separated from the right of the sword” (Institutes IV.xi.5).  The church does not exercise “power through fines or prisons or other civil penalties,” but through the power of the Word.  This power is exercised by preaching, admonishing and use of “the final thunderbolt:” excommunication (Institutes IV.xi.5).

Calvin thundered against the church’s attempt to usurp and wield civil power.  He cites with approval Ambrose’s statement:  “To the emperor belong the palaces; to the priest the churches” (Institutes IV.xi.8).  He also cites Bernard, who admonished Pope Eugenius to refrain from making decisions regarding property:  “What seems the greater honor to you:  to forgive sins or to divide estates?  There is no comparison.  These base and earthly things have their own judges, the kings, and princes of the earth.  Why do you invade another’s border?”  He again cites Bernard:  “This is the form of apostleship:  lordship is forbidden; ministry is bidden” (Institutes IV.xi.11).

Calvin also recalls a time, under Pope Gregory, when priests and bishops confiscated land.  “Gregory then called a council of bishops together, inveighed stoutly against that profane custom, and asked whether they would anathematize the cleric who tried to occupy some possession by inscribing a title on his own initiative; similarly, a bishop who either ordered it done or let it go unpunished.  All declared, ‘Anathema’” (Institutes IV.xi.14).

6.  The Church should always operate out of love and fairness, so as to build up and not injure the faith of its members.  Calvin discusses the fact that the church’s rule-making authority is subject always to the requirement that it not violate love.   The church in Jerusalem decreed that the Gentile Christians should observe certain dietary laws, etc., (Acts 15:20).  Calvin comments:  “This is no new law laid down by the apostles, but the divine and eternal command of God not to violate love” (Institutes IV.x.21).  Calvin concedes that constitutions are necessary to keep peace and order, but they must be “founded upon God’s authority, drawn from Scripture, and, therefore, wholly divine”  (Institutes IV.x.30).  When Jesus is silent on a point, the church may impose rules for order and decorum, but they should be tested by the law of love.  “But love will best judge what may hurt or edify; and if we let love be our guide, all will be safe” (Institutes IV.x.30).  “[W]e are mutually bound, one to another, to nourish mutual love” (Institutes IV.x.31).

7.  In applying the law of love, the Presbytery should honor local custom.  “Nevertheless, the established custom of the region, or humanity itself and the rule of modesty, dictate what is to be done or avoided in these matters” (Institutes IV.x.31).

8.  In accordance with the mission of the church – to extend the reign of Christ in the world by pursuing the Great Ends of the Church – decisions by the church should be made with a view to the up-building of the witness of the local congregation.  Fighting over title to real property damages faith and destroys the witness of the church.

9.  In Mississippi, land and identity are deeply intertwined.  This Presbytery has always regarded real property as part of the local congregation’s core identity.  During the 1970s, a number of congregations in Mississippi elected to withdraw and join other Reformed denominations.  These were difficult and heartbreaking decisions.  Some of the decisions to leave were fueled by anxiety over what would become of the church property if they remained with the denomination.  Many of the congregations who chose to remain in the PCUS believe that, when they exercised the exemption clause provided in G-8.0701, they retained their property free of any denominational claims.  Feelings about ownership of real property run very deep in this Presbytery and we have learned, by hard experience, to err on the side of grace in dealing with such matters. 

10. For the past twenty years, it has been the policy of this Presbytery not to use real property as a weapon or bargaining chip.  Although the Presbytery has an encouraging role to play, especially in the formation of new congregations, it continues to be the responsibility of the congregations themselves to pay for their buildings and to maintain them, in order that the mission of the Church might be carried out in particular places.

11.  This statement is in no way intended to abrogate the Presbytery’s role in determining what happens to the property of a congregation which is dissolved or in schism or which seeks to be dismissed from the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.).  Instead, this statement seeks to reassure all the particular congregations of the Presbytery of Mississippi that, while they remain in fellowship with us, their property is safe for them to use and develop as they see fit. 

12. This statement is an attempt to be faithful to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Because of incomplete records, the Presbytery has long assumed that all its congregations that were formerly members of the PCUS did exercise the clause in G-8.0701 that allowed them to be exempt from needing the permission required in G-8.0501 and 0502.  G-8.0501 does