Report from the CREC Pastoral Commission for Saint Peter Presbyterian Church

Report from the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches Pastoral Commission for Saint Peter Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN

May 15, 2006

Dear saints of Saint Peter Presbyterian Church,

We greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At your request, the moderators of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches [CREC] appointed a Pastoral Commission to assist you in your time of need by providing pastoral counsel and directives. Our hearts go out to each of you as our brothers and sisters in Christ, and it is our desire and anticipation that Saint Peter Presbyterian Church [SPPC] will mature from this time of trial.

The Pastoral Commission was greatly heartened by our recent visit with you. Your obvious love for Jesus and commitment to His Kingdom was a cause of joy to us, as was your united desire to glorify God in the midst of this trial. We wish to commend the former session of SPPC, as the fruit of their labors was evident in your Christian demeanor and character. Our prayers for you continually ascend to the throne of grace, as we ask our loving God and Savior that He grant you wisdom and grace as you trust in Him.

The Pastoral Commission knew that as we entered into this situation it was unlikely that we would reach the end of our work and be able to provide an ideal solution to the various problems we are dealing with. We are keenly aware that we are limited men, with limited time, and limited knowledge. Nevertheless, God is aware of all these limitations, and thus we have depended on Him to direct our steps and to give us wisdom from above.

As we move to our report, we would remind you that both the former session and the members of SPPC covenanted to: “follow the recommendations of the Pastoral Commission in the spirit of submitting to the government of Christ.”

Quoting from our commissioning document: The CREC Commission has the following tasks:

1. To provide pastoral guidance for any immediate needs of St. Peter.


2. To provide pastoral recommendations to the congregation(s) of St. Peter and Covenant Reformed [CREC]. [Covenant Reformed Church in Knoxville, TN was considering the possibility of sponsoring SPPC as a mission church.]


3. To review the fitness of the deposed Session of St. Peter for ministry, whether by licensure or ordination under the CREC process.


4. To provide a report to be reviewed by a panel of ten prominent Reformed elders (from outside the CREC), so as to provide accountability and a review process for the CREC’s actions.

Taking these tasks in order, we report the following:

To provide pastoral guidance for any immediate needs of St. Peter.

1. At a meeting between the Pastoral Commission and the former Steering Committee of SPPC, the Steering Committee was disbanded. This was done with the unanimous approval of all seven members of the Steering Committee, and the three Pastoral Commission members who were present.


2. The Pastoral Commission is now providing direct pastoral oversight of the immediate needs of SPPC.

To provide pastoral recommendations to the congregation(s) of St. Peter and Covenant Reformed (CREC).

1. It is our recommendation that SPPC be governed by a session pro tempore, consisting of the five original Pastoral Commission members. These elders pro tempore will remain as part of the session, along with any duly elected elders, until such time as SPPC is placed under the care of another CREC church or is particularized.


2. It is our recommendation that the members of SPPC affirm by vote a Constitution provided to them by the session pro tempore. Should any member of SPPC not agree to be governed by this Constitution, they will be helped by the session pro tempore as they seek out a new church home.


3. The Pastoral Commission will appoint a secretary to keep and maintain a book of minutes, as well as a temporary moderator to conduct meetings until elders are elected.


4. Regarding the financial management of SPPC, the Pastoral Commission directs:
1. The appointment of John Vernot as the SPPC treasurer.


2. The implementation of all the recommendations of Robert Bradley C.P.A., concerning accounting soft ware and accounting procedures.


3. The provision and pay for any needed training for John Vernot, to the end that he might become proficient in the proper use of SPPC’s accounting soft ware and procedures. If necessary, a computer shall also be provided.


4. The treasurer shall provide monthly financial reports to the session.


5. The treasurer shall provide the following reports to the congregation of SPPC on a quarterly basis, no later than the 15th of the months of January, April, July, and October: 1) Year-to-Date Standard Balance Sheet; 2) Year-to-Date Standard Profit and Loss. In addition, the treasurer should be prepared to provide detailed information on specific income and expenditures.


6. The session pro tempore shall review the finances of the church and make specific salary recommendations to be voted on by the members of SPPC at a duly called business meeting. Until that time, some remuneration for services shall be paid to Laurence Windam, Wayne Hayes, Jay Barfield, and R.C. Sproul, Jr., as determined by the session pro tempore.


7. The Pastoral Commission will move toward an equitable distribution of funds from SPPC to the Highlands Study Center. The amount and reasoning behind the amount will be presented to the congregation for comment before the funds are disbursed.


5. It is our recommendation that those members of St. Peter who wish to particularize as a church distinct from SPPC accomplish this by becoming a mission work of a CREC church. This process is outlined in the CREC Constitution and Book of Procedures, and is to be overseen by Gregg Strawbridge, Moderator of the Augustine Presbytery of the CREC. Additionally:


1. This new work shall receive a one-time gift from SPPC commensurate with her relative numbers of member households as determined by the Pastoral Commission.


2. The newly formed Mission Church shall not use the name “Saint Peter.”


3. This new church and SPPC shall agree to:


1. Quarterly joint fellowship meetings for the first year.


2. A statement signed by each household that promises, the Lord being their helper, to not speak ill of one another and pledge to work diligently to show respect for the other congregation, and to pursue peace and fellowship with one another.


3. To agree, until each church becomes a full member church in the CREC or some other denomination or confederation, to binding arbitration from the moderator of the CREC Augustine presbytery if a dispute between the two churches shall arise.


6. For the peace and purity of the church, it is our recommendation that the members of SPPC refrain from contact with those who are obviously contentious, suspicious, and do not exhibit the characteristics of brotherly love.


7. It is our recommendation that Covenant Reformed Church (CREC), continue to provide pulpit supply for SPPC, but that she not become the CREC sponsoring church for SPPC at this time.

To review the fitness of the deposed Session of St. Peter for ministry, whether by licensure or ordination under the CREC process.

1. It is our finding that there were significant pastoral mistakes, errors and sins by the former Session. Specific recommendations will be shared with each of them individually, and we anticipate evidences of godly repentance from these men. While we regard this as unlikely, should any of these men persist in sin, they will be subject to public rebuke, according to the instructions of 1 Timothy 5:20.


2. It is our finding that none of the former Session members are disqualified from potentially serving as officers in the church, but rather must go through the proper processes of constitutionally being nominated and duly elected to office, along with the necessary ordinations and installations. This process involves the double witness of the session pro tempore serving SPPC, and her members. While the Pastoral Commission has not disqualified any of the former session members, it is important to note that it will be the actual votes of the SPPC membership, working in conjunction with the session pro tempore, that will make the final determination as to each man’s personal fitness to serve as an officer in the congregation of SPPC.


3. The four previous session members shall be considered for re-ordination or re-installation to office separately in the months to come. Although Mr. Sproul was deposed from the ministry (primarily for violations of the RPCGA BCO which would not apply in the CREC), we have determined that since he had been previously examined for ordination (by three different presbyteries of three denominations ARPC, PCA, and RPCGA), he shall not be required to fulfill the process for ordination and shall be considered ordained within the CREC accordingly. Therefore, the session pro tempore will begin a series of discussions with Rev. Sproul and the congregation to the end that the provisions of the Constitution regarding election and installation of a minister may occur. Respecting the court of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly [RPCGA], we believe the other men must be re-ordained, should they be called to serve as elders.


4. The session pro tempore will work pastorally with each of these men, giving personal counsel and guidance, and will make further recommendations as to an appropriate time and manner for their service to the church.

To provide a report to be reviewed by a panel of ten prominent Reformed elders (from outside the CREC), so as to provide accountability and a review process for the CREC’s actions.

This report has been distributed to the panel of elders for review and comment.

CREC Pastoral Commission members:

Pastor Randy Booth, [chairman], pastor of Grace Covenant Church, Nacogdoches, TX.
Elder Patch Blakey, ruling elder at Trinity Re formed Church, Moscow, ID.
Pastor Virgil Hurt, pastor of Providence Church, Lynchburg, VA.
Pastor Gene Liechty, pastor of Christ Church, Cary, NC.
Pastor Dennis Tuuri, pastor of Reformation Covenant Church, Oregon City, OR.

CREC and Saint Peter Presbyterian Church

March 14, 2006

RE: Saint Peter Presbyterian Church in Bristol, TN

Statement From:
Pastor Randy Booth, CREC Council Moderator

On Saturday, March 4, 2006, the congregation of St. Peter, Bristol, TN, voted to request that a Commission of five pastors or elders, from separate CREC congregations, be constituted to provide pastoral guidance for the immediate needs of the St. Peter congregation. This Commission is not judicial in nature, but rather pastoral. The CREC respects the judicial bounds of the RPCGA and intends to operate within those boundaries. The RPCGA has deposed the former session of St. Peter from office and has also released both the St. Peter congregation and her former session from RPCGA membership without censure. The RPCGA is aware that St. Peter has approached the CREC for pastoral counsel and care.

The RPCGA has not precluded the possibility that some or all of the St. Peter session might be reinstated to office in the future, provided they go through the normal credentialing process. That is not to say that reinstatement is a forgone conclusion, only that the judgment of the RPCGA does not necessarily call for their permanent exclusion from office. Ultimately, these decisions will be made by the congregation of St. Peter and any ecclesiastical body to which they might join themselves.

Some of these matters have been treated in an anti-ecclesiastical way via web sites on the worldwide web. There is definitely false and misleading information that is being advanced at some of these sites, including false information pertaining to the nature and make-up of the CREC Commission. Self-appointed arbiters of justice do not contribute to a godly resolution of anything and we hereby call upon them to recuse themselves from such public discourse, to immediately remove any material related to these matters from the web, and to pray for all those affected by these matters. It is the desire of the CREC to work to honor Christ and His Church.

More On RC

More On RC
Topic: A Justice Primer

I want to follow up my previous post on RC Jr. I am doing this, not because I have anything new to say, but rather because the situation demands that we go over the basics again and again.

My point has been that those who jump into a situation like this with glee, and who cut loose with scurrilous attacks are, on the face of it, not to be trusted with anything. I would provide links to the kind of sites I have in mind, but I don’t think it is responsible to administer poisons just to try to exhibit your skill with antidotes. But anyone who knows the situation knows about these people. And any responsible Christian who knows about these people knows his Christian responsibility to base absolutely no conclusions about RC and his friends from what is said on these sites. It is equally necessary to refuse to countenance anything from people who are associated with the character assassins, but who do not participate in any direct attacks themselves. The unconverted Saul never actually threw any of the stones at Stephen — he just held the cloaks.

Some might want to object that I write with a satiric edge, but that when I or any of my friends are in the crosshairs, I start immediately talking about the need to “love your brother.” Two points. Folks who cannot tell the difference between the long and honored literary tradition of satire, and the equally long and dishonored tradition of scurrility may be left to their own devices. I approve of the former and disapprove of the latter. In this I have the support of some of my friends, and all of Western civilization. The second point is related to the first. Not only can people approve the former and disapprove the latter, as I do, but I have frequently noted how some people reverse this. There are many who have no problem with scurrilous attacks but who become positively indignant about biblical satire. Some of the nastiest attacks I have ever experienced have come from people who belonged to the school of thought that would outlaw Erasmus, the prophet Amos, Swift, or Horace. So it is not quite true that these folks cannot tell the difference. They usually can tell the difference between the two approaches — they have just inverted the values (Is. 5:20).

And last, I am not defining scurrility as holding to the view that the action of the RPCGA was correct. It is not a scurrilous attack to disagree with me here, or to have a concern based on the fact that there was a decision of the RPCGA through their moderator. This was a public action, taken by the moderator of a Presbyterian denomination. It was not done in a corner, and I can easily envision a responsible person holding to the view, for example, that RC ought to have stayed and appealed. And I can easily imagine someone responsible holding the reverse. That is why I urged everyone to let the governing bodies involved in all this to sort it all out in a godly and charitable way — which is what is happening.

But in the meantime, while this is occurring, the only course of action that should be obvious to godly Christians everywhere is that of ignoring and despising attack sites that savage men’s reputations. These sites despise their responsibility under the 9th commandment to be guardians of their brother’s good reputation and name. In this, the pagan officials of Ephesus have more wisdom than our internet vigilantes. “Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies; let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly” (Acts 19:38–39).

Posted by Douglas Wilson — 2/13/2006 10:35:19 AM

RC Sproul Jr.

RC Sproul Jr.
Topic: A Justice Primer

I have not really said anything in particular about the web controversy that has engulfed St. Peter Presbyterian Church and the Highland Study Center (R.C. Sproul Jr.’s ministry), and I am not going to say anything specific about it now. But I do need to say a few things at the general level. If you don’t know anything about the situation, then that is just great and your world remains a better place. But if you do know about it, I would urge you remember two things, and bind them on your forehead and on your right hand.

The first thing is that everyone involved needs to honor and respect (and pray for) the principals in the situation, which would be Ken Talbot, as the moderator of the RPCGA, and the congregation and leadership of St. Peter. These are the entities and men involved, and they have ways of addressing us all if they want to say something. Responsible Christians everywhere should wait patiently while these responsible adults sort this one out.

But a good deal of the inflammatory aspect of this is coming from outside. If you come across a rogue web site, then remember that I have been writing extensively here about the principles of justice for more than academic reasons. Anyone running such a site should take it down in repentance and tears, and anyone remotely associated with such a site should walk away from it and never look back. Scurrilous attacks (such as I have seen) do nothing but discredit those who mount them, and those who listen to them

The comeback may be that some of these attacks from outside are being mounted by those who used to be inside, and so they have first-hand knowledge. But any responsible individual with first hand knowledge should be supplying that information to the appropriate bodies involved privately. To the extent that they take the show on the road (and team up with groups that are discreditable on other grounds) to that same extent they are demonstrating just how reliable that “first hand knowledge” must be. In our skirmishes here, I have seen more than one person demonstrate (by their subsequent unbiblical behavior after leaving us) that their first-hand knowledge was actually first-hand ignorance.

The second principle is this. I have seen some websites in this that had a powerful amount of “information,” and lots of links to other attack sites and/or purported proofs. When you are shoveling excrement, the basic operating strategy has to be one of moving total tonnage. Many of the things claimed were issues about which I had no personal knowledge (with the only thing to go on being the way the charges were being made; cf. my series on justice). But happily mixed in with all this were slanders that I did have personal knowledge of. And guess what? These guys are about as reliable as any other guy with a spittle-flecked keyboard.

So honor Ken Talbot, and pray for the RPCGA. Honor RC Jr. and Laurence Windham and pray for St. Peter and the Highland Study Center. Dishonor character assassination websites — that kind of scurrilous behavior is one reason why prayers of imprecation are still in the Bible. And finally, on a personal level, Laurence Windham and R.C. Jr. are friends of mine. I wanted readers of this blog to know that nothing has happened that would even begin to alter that.

Posted by Douglas Wilson — 2/11/2006 10:36:48 AM

CREC Constitution

F. Any candidate for pastor, minister, or teacher regardless of his level of formal education, will be examined before ordination (See Article IX.C). The candidate will be examined by a local session of elders with regard to his manner of life, knowledge of Scripture, and doctrinal understanding. The presbytery will also examine him with regard to his manner of life, knowledge of Scripture, and doctrinal understanding. The presbytery may or may not recommend his ordination to the session of the local congregation. The local session is not judicially bound by the recommendation of presbytery. If a local session does not abide by the presbytery recommendation, then the presbytery may or may not initiate proceedings according to Article IV.P. . . .

L. When a church joins the CREC, the existing ordination of all its officers is thereby accepted, and does not necessitate a formal examination as with other candidates. Nevertheless, observations and questions concerning current pastoral and elder qualifications may occur in the discussion of that church’s potential admission. (CREC Constitution, Articles II/F & III/L)

CREC Book of Procedures

Procedures of Presbytery

ARTICLE I. Ordination Examination
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The pattern established in the scriptures (2 Tim. 2:1–2) is that Timothy was to commit the things that he had learned to those faithful men who would be able to teach others. Having established elders in every city, it further was the pattern that this process of succession was perpetuated by those already established in the office. This task clearly requires that a determination be made as to whether a man is characterized by a faithful life and whether he is skilled in teaching others.

Our purposes are therefore twofold, first we must examine a Teaching Elder candidate’s manner of life and doctrine and secondly his ability to teach scripturally. We believe that it is the local session that primarily carries the burden of this critical determination.

As a Presbytery, our purpose is to provide assistance to the local session in this examination, while recognizing the limitations of a presbytery to review a pastoral candidate. First, it is the session that is preeminently qualified to examine a candidate’s manner of faithful life and ability to teach. Secondly, it is prudent for the session to seek the accountability of the broader church as a protection to the flock, and it is a good testimony when they do so. Thirdly, the broader church, as represented by the Presbytery, is generally better able to examine a candidate’s doctrinal preparedness, ability to use the original languages, and his exegetical abilities, and knowledge of English bible.

Ultimately, the session is charged with faithfully considering the wisdom of the broader church and is responsible before God for the ordination of a candidate.

Ordination Examination Process
The examination process and related matters is described fully in the document Guidelines and Instructions for the Presbytery Ordination Exams and Related Matters of Ordination available from the Moderator.

The examination process for ordination to the office of pastor (teaching elder) is divided into three phases: a) Preliminary written exam from the Moderator administered in the context of the local church; b) A second written examination overseen by an Ordination Committee from the Presbytery appointed by the Moderator, and c), An oral examination administered at Presbytery by the Ordination Committee.

Recommendation Procedures
At the end of the (c) oral examination (phase three), the Evaluation Committee will, by majority vote, recommend or not recommend the candidate for ordination at that time. The Committee will report their decision and any other recommendations to the Moderator of the Presbytery and to the elders of the local congregation. If the Committee does not recommend ordination and the session determines to proceed with ordination against the recommendation of the Committee, then the session is to indicate in writing to the Moderator their reasons for disregarding the recommendation. The Moderator will, in that case, evaluate the criteria of the session to determine if there is egregious sin involved on the part of the session, and then proceed as per article 3(R) of the constitution.

Previously Ordained Men Entering the CRE
While we believe in the holy catholic Church and therefore accept the ordination of ministers outside of the CREC, it is both wise and proper for their credentials to be examined. It is recommended, though not obligatory, that CREC churches seek the wisdom of the broader church in assessing these credentials. Assessing the credentials and views of an ordained minister is not the same process as an ordination examination and is not to be as comprehensive. The aim in examining a transferring minister is to assist the local congregation in confirming orthodoxy and competency.

1. When the church desires to call a man to the office of pastor one who was ordained outside of the CREC or who is not a minister in the CREC, the elders of the church shall inform the Moderator.


2. The Moderator will facilitate the ministerial credentials examination by appointing a committee composed of three CREC presbyters. This may take place at a time determined by the Moderator, in coordination with the local church elders.


3. The Committee will provide a report of their decision and any other recommendations to the Moderator of the Presbytery and to the elders of the local congregation. If the Committee recommends the call of the minister, the church may proceed with the call. At the next Presbytery, the minister will then be received into the CREC as an ordained minister with a report from the Committee and an opportunity for a brief examination on the floor of the Presbytery. If the session determines to proceed with the call against the recommendation of the Committee, then the session is to indicate in writing to the Moderator their reasons for disregarding the recommendation. The Moderator will, in that case, evaluate the criteria of the session to determine if there is egregious sin involved on the part of the session, and may proceed as per article 3(R) of the constitution.

This process of assessing the credentials of a minister being called to a CRE church is described fully in the document Guidelines and Instructions for the Presbytery Ordination Exams and Related Matters of Ordination available from the Moderator.

The Ordination of Elders Not Recognized in the CREC as Pastors (“Ruling Elders”)
The Presbytery is not involved in the process of a “ruling elder’s” examination or ordination. Nevertheless, since all elders are required to perform the same primary function of ruling and overseeing the church as do pastors, a similar standard of Biblical and doctrinal knowledge should be encouraged.

ARTICLE II. Recognition of Ordained Ministers

1. Any CREC member church that wishes to have her minister(s) ordination formally recognized by the CREC shall submit such a request to the moderator (in writing).


2. Ordained ministers who are members of a CREC church and duly installed as a minister of that church shall be added to the list of recognized ordained men under one of the following conditions:


1. A previously ordained man, upon entering the CREC along with his church, was received by the presbytery and thus had his ordination formally recognized by the presbytery.


2. Any man who sat for a CREC ordination exam and was recommended by the examining committee, ordained by his local CREC church, and installed as a minister.


3. Any previously ordained man who was called by a CREC member church to be their minister, and is duly installed; subject to final approval at the next presbytery meeting.


3. The moderator shall establish and maintain a list of recognized ordained ministers in the CREC. Upon request, the moderator may issue a letter to an inquiring body stating that the minister in question has been formally recognized by the CREC as a lawfully ordained minister of the gospel. (CREC Book of Procedures)

CRE Minutes

Providence Church:
Covenant Reformed Church — Knoxville, TN
Motion to receive Covenant Reformed Church as a fraternal delegation into the CRE (Hurt, Hatcher)
Mr. Hurt gave an overview of Covenant Reformed Church and his relationship with them. R.C. Sproul’s church will provide pastoral oversight

• Mr. Strawbridge asked for clarification on the relationship with the PCA. Mr. Queener took the floor to give an explanation. Mr. Queener took the opportunity to give a brief overview of Covenant Reformed Church and her relationship to other churches in the area.
• Mr. Shade asked for clarification on the status of the ordination of the leadership.

The motion passed unanimously. (MINUTES, Sixth Annual CRE Presbytery, Bellevue, WA — 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM, Friday, October 18, 2002)

CRE Minutes

— Motion (DW/RB) to seat St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN (R.C. Sproul, Jr., pastor). After discussion, the motion passed 5-0. (MINUTES, Third Annual CRE Presbytery, Moscow, ID — 7:00 PM, September 30, 1999)