17 June 2009
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Presbyterians Week Headlines
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[1] CRCNA Synod 2009 Begins 13 June 2009 at Trinity Christian College
[2] REC and WARC Executives Meet in Late May 2009 to Plan 2010 Merger
[3] Romania Amends Civil Code to Define Marriage as the Union of One Man and One Woman
[4] Erskine College Students Stage “Moonlight Revolution” in Reaction to Perceived Hypocrisy
[5] ARP Synod Meets 9-11 June 2009 at Bonclarken Conference Center in East Flat Rock, North Carolina
[6] PCA General Assembly Overtures Committee Rejects Study Committee on Women’s Roles in Churches
[7] Robert H. Schuller’s Daughter Sheila Schuller Coleman to Lead Crystal Cathedral Ministries
[8] Dr. James Dobson Pays Tribute to Dr. Ralph Winter
[9] Philadelphia Abortuary Offers Free Abortions on 9 June 2009 in Honor of Slain Abortionist George Tiller
[10] Pro-Life Organizations Sponsor Prayer Vigil and Prayer Walk in Wichita, Kansas 19 and 20 June 2009
[11] Free EBook Download Historical Revisionism: An Attempt to Rewrite America’s Christian History Available from American Vision
[12] A New Way Out Leadership Conference to be Held 18 July 2009 at Hope by the Sea in San Juan Capistrano, California
[13] Belleview Christian School Seeking High School Physical Science/Physics Teacher and High School and Junior High School Math Teacher
[14] Crown & Covenant Publications The Book of Psalms for Worship Available in Late June 2009
[15] Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church Celebrating 175th Anniversary 19-20 September 2009
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[1] CRCNA Synod 2009 Begins 13 June 2009 at Trinity Christian College
The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) Synod 2009 began 13 June 2009 at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, with the election of officers the Rev. William T. Koopmans, pastor of Grace Christian Reformed Church in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, as president; the Rev. Shelia Holmes, pastor of Northside Community Christian Reformed Church in Paterson, New Jersey, as vice-president; elder delegate Donald Dykstra of Hammond, Indiana, as first clerk; and the Rev. William Veenstra, pastor of Ancaster Christian Reformed Church of Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, as second clerk.
Synod 2009 will be reviewing the Belhar Confession, and has been asked to send the document to CRCNA churches with a recommendation that it be reviewed and adopted as another confession of the church. If the confession is sent to and adopted by the churches, Synod 2012 will be asked to act on it.
Synod 2009 additionally will be discussing proposals related to faith formation and how the church should respond to Third Wave Pentecostalism. Candidates for ministry will be presented and the ministry budget for next year will be reviewed and voted upon.
+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org
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[2] REC and WARC Executives Meet in Late May 2009 to Plan 2010 Merger
Full executive committees from the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) met in Geneva, Switzerland, the last week of May 2009 to plan the merger of the two bodies into the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Delegates from both organizations’ member churches will meet in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 18-28 June 2010 for the Uniting General Council.
+ Reformed Ecumenical Council, 2050 Breton Road Southeast, Suite 102, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546, 616-949-2910, rvh@recweb.org
+ World Alliance of Reformed Churches, 150 route de Ferney, Post Office Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6240, Fax: 41-22-791-6505, warc@warc.ch
+ World Communion of Reformed Churches, info@reformedchurches.org
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[3] Romania Amends Civil Code to Define Marriage as the Union of One Man and One Woman
Romania, in early June 2009, amended the country’s civil code to define marriage as the “freely consented to union of a man and a woman established according to the law,” to prohibit homosexual marriage and the legal recognition of such unions contracted outside Romania, and to criminalize euthanasia and assisted suicide.
World Congress of Families International Secretary Dr. Allan C. Carlson congratulated the Alliance of Romania’s Families for its successful efforts to amend Romania‘s civil code to protect marriage and the family, saying: “While some countries are choosing ‘diversity” over natural law and common sense, Romania is standing firm for marriage and the natural family. We are proud of the leadership role the Alliance of Romania’s Families has played in effecting these necessary changes.”
In 2006, the Alliance collected over 650,000 signatures of Romanian voters in support of a defense-of-marriage statute.
+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ World Congress of Families, 934 North Main Street, Rockford, Illinois 61103, 815-964-5819, Fax: 815-965-1826, info@worldcongress.org
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[4] Erskine College Students Stage “Moonlight Revolution” in Reaction to Perceived Hypocrisy
Evangelical Press News Service Editor Warren Cole Smith in an article titled “Annual Meeting Of Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Could Be Dramatic Battle In Theological Wars,” describes how conservative students at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP)’s Erskine College staged an impromptu “Moonlight Revolution” after the 24 April 2009 Convocation (on the eve of the annual Alumni and Accepted Students Day) where the students heard what they considered to be disparaging remarks made by the college president.
The “revolution” began when a student made sidewalk chalk available in front of the Daniel Moultrie Science Center, and students were invited to contribute. Students wrote complaints about the high cost of tuition, the inadequacy of housing, the continuing evolution vs. creation controversy, and the failure of the Erskine Administration to implement the mission of the college as Christian and Evangelical.
The chalk was washed away in preparation for the next day’s events, but between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. the morning of the big event, the students recreated the washed-away messages and posted what were called the “Erskine 95 Theses” on doors and walls around the college.
The chalk messages included questions about why the school was not fulfilling its Christian and Evangelical mission, and why the school was not being “Gospel driven.” The perceived permissiveness and secular nature of the college was addressed by one student who wrote: “Alcohol – Big trouble next time. Sex in Dorms – We’ll let it slide. Christian Commitment – How dare you!”
+ Evangelical Press News Service, 612-562-1234, editor@epnews.com
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Center, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729
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[5] ARP Synod Meets 9-11 June 2009 at Bonclarken Conference Center in East Flat Rock, North Carolina
The 205th annual meeting of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) Synod was held 9-11 June 2009 at the Bonclarken Conference Center in East Flat Rock, North Carolina.
A pre-synod conference called “The Powerful Word” was held the evening of 8 June and the morning 9 June, with messages provided by the Rev. Dr. R.J. Gore, the Rev. Iain H. Murray, and the Rev. Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson.
The ARP Synod, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Interchurch Relations, voted overwhelmingly to sever fraternal relations with the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) due to the PCUSA’s long-running descent into apostasy.
After the close of business on the evening of 10 June, questions were posed to the President of Erskine College and Seminary, Dr. Randy Ruble, and the Vice President of Erskine Theological Seminary, Neely Gaston. In answer to one question, Dr. Ruble said that he had instructed the biology department to go on record stating they affirmed biblical creation.
The biology department did not comply directly with the request, but instead issued a separate statement, which said that Christianity and science were complementary and not enemies, and that Christianity was relegated to matters of ethics and values, and distinct from scientific inquiry. The statement further stated that the biology department believed in “organic evolution.” Dr. Ruble characterized the statement to be a “Christian position.”
Another questioner asked about ordination of women. Dr Gaston said that he did not support the ordination of women. Dr. Ruble said that he personally favored female ordination, but had always complied with ARP practices.
On 11 June, a memorial was passed to form a commission to investigate the practices of Erskine College and Seminary. Erskine students were given the privilege of the floor during debate on the memorial, and were allowed to read a petition and to show a video to the church court. ARP pastor the Rev. Tim Phillips of Midlane Park ARP Church in Louisville, Kentucky, characterized the Erskine students as “very impressive in their manner and character.” The commission will report its findings and actions to the 2010 General Synod.
A motion was approved to explore other endorsing agencies for the ARP military chaplains, because the current agency also endorses PCUSA and Cumberland Presbyterian Church (CPC) chaplains, and there are serious theological differences between the ARPs and the other denominations served by the current endorsing agency.
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Center, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729
+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005
+ Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8207 Traditional Place , Cordova, Tennessee 38016, 901-276-4572, Fax: 901-272-3913
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[6] PCA General Assembly Overtures Committee Rejects Study Committee on Women’s Roles in Churches
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) General Assembly Overtures Committee, meeting during the PCA’s 37th General Assembly in Orlando, Florida, by a vote of forty to thirty-four with two abstentions, on 15 June 2009, rejected two overtures that asked that a study committee be formed to consider women’s roles in PCA churches.
A minority report may be presented when the committee recommendations are reported to the General Assembly commissioners later in the week.
+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org
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[7] Robert H. Schuller’s Daughter Sheila Schuller Coleman to Lead Crystal Cathedral Ministries
The daughter of the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, Sheila Schuller Coleman, was named 7 June 2009 to be the new leader of Crystal Cathedral Ministries (CCM).
Coleman expressed surprise at being selected as a woman to lead what she considers to be a conservative Christian church, saying: Our church didn’t even start ordaining women until 1973. I’m proud of my dad for doing this and I hope I can serve as a role model for younger women who want to get things accomplished in this church.”
Coleman holds a Bachelor’s degree in organic chemistry from Hope College in Holland, Michigan; a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of California at Irvine (UCI), California; and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from UCI. Coleman was ordained to the ministry a month prior to the 7 June 2009 announcement.
Coleman’s brother, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, was ousted from the position of senior pastor for CCM several months ago after the younger Robert Schuller’s vision for the ministry, including a more scriptural emphasis in the Sunday services, was rejected by his father and other church leaders.
+ Orange County Register, 625 North Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92701, 877-469-7344, thorne@ocregister.com
+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org
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[8] Dr. James Dobson Pays Tribute to Dr. Ralph Winter
Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family sent the following tribute in honor of the late Dr. Ralph Winter to the U.S. Center for World Mission:
“Dr. Ralph Winter is being remembered as a pioneer of the modern world missions movement, and indeed, he was. I remember being moved and inspired by the courage he demonstrated when he purchased the old Pasadena Nazarene College campus back in the 1970s. We all knew at the time that Dr. Winter was faithfully following the Lord’s leading, but we were also aware of the serious financial obstacles that seemed to stand in the way of his dream.”
“But with every financial challenge that arose, the Lord made a way around them. God’s people caught the vision and responded generously, and the U.S. Center for World Mission and William Carey International University were born. The establishment of these institutions represented a tremendous answer to the prayers of many people, as well as a significant advancement to the cause of world missions. I did what I could, but it was Dr. Winter who led the charge in those days. Everyone who cares about the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ-and who is passionate about the salvation of lost souls from every tribe and tongue and nation-owes Dr. Winter a debt of gratitude. He was one of a kind, and he is sorely missed. But his legacy lives on.”
James C. Dobson, Ph.D.
Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Focus on the Family
+ Mission Frontiers, 1605 Elizabeth Street, Pasadena, California 91104, 626-797-1111, Fax: 626-398-2263, mission.frontiers@uscwm.org
+ Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995, 800-232-6459
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[9] Philadelphia Abortuary Offers Free Abortions on 9 June 2009 in Honor of Slain Abortionist George Tiller
The Philadelphia Women’s Center on 9 June 2009 provided free abortions in order to honor slain late-term abortionist George Tiller.
Operation Rescue President Troy Newman commented: “There seems to be no comprehension of the value of human life with these people. Killing babies for free to honor someone who was murdered can only be described as sick….There is no such thing as a ‘free abortion.’ It costs the life of an innocent baby and puts the woman at risk for increased problems in her life. The loss of each innocent life diminishes us all. If the people running that abortion clinic really wanted to help women, they would follow the Tiller family’s example and close their clinic for good.”
+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ Operation Rescue, Post Office Box 782888, Wichita, Kansas 67278-2888, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org
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[10] Pro-Life Organizations Sponsor Prayer Vigil and Prayer Walk in Wichita, Kansas 19 and 20 June 2009
Pro-life organizations including the Christian Defense Coalition, Operation Rescue, and Living Word Outreach are sponsoring a prayer vigil and a prayer walk through Wichita, Kansas on 19 and 20 June 2009 to pray for the family of slain abortionist George Tiller and to ask God to bring healing to the City of Wichita, Kansas.
Reformed Presbyterian minister and director of the Christian Defense Coalition the Rev. Pat Mahoney commented: “As members of the pro-life and faith community, we are coming together for a time of prayer and remembrance. We will be praying for the Tiller family as well as asking God to bring healing to the City of Wichita. We will also be asking God to end the violence both inside and outside of abortion clinics. Specifically, we will be praying that Wichita respects human rights and social justice and that no abortions would ever be performed in the city again. The activities will also include a time of remembering the 70 thousand innocent children who lost their lives at Women’s Health Care Services as well as the women who have been bruised and diminished through abortion.”
+ Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741
+ Operation Rescue, Post Office Box 782888, Wichita, Kansas 67278-2888, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org
+ Living Word Outreach, 3033 South Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67216, 316-683-8641, Fax: 316-683-4010, livingword@livingwordks.com
American Vision has made available for free download the eBook Historical Revisionism: An Attempt to Rewrite America’s Christian History by Gary DeMar.
+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org
The ‘A New Way Out Leadership Conference with Dick B.!’, sponsored by the International Christian Recovery Coalition (ICRC), will be held on 18 July 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hope by the Sea in San Juan Capistrano, California.
The conference begins with a discussion of modern, Christian-oriented recovery efforts that incorporate the fruits of Dick B.’s nineteen years of historical research into the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in the astonishing, documented, seventy-five percent success rate in Akron, Ohio of the early Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) program developed by Bill W. and Dr. Bob during the summer of 1935 and documented by Frank Amos on page 131 of the A.A. General Service Conference-approved book, DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers; and with a discussion of the successes, problems, and needs of Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena—with a view to improving the effectiveness of their efforts in carrying the message to those who still suffer with life-controlling problems and self-destructive behaviors such as alcoholism and drug abuse.
Further information is available at the ICRC website.
The Belleview Christian School of Clyde Hill, Washington, is seeking a High School Physical Science and Physics Teacher, and a High School and Junior High School Math Teacher for the school year beginning August 2009.
+ Belleview Christian School, 1601 98th Avenue Northeast, Clyde Hill, Washington 98004, 425-454-4028, info@bellevuechristian.org
+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-731-1177, Fax: 412-731-8861
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[14] Crown & Covenant Publications The Book of Psalms for Worship Available in Late June 2009
Crown & Covenant Publications is taking pre-orders for The Book of Psalms for Worship, which is shipping in late June 2009.
+ Crown & Covenant Publications, 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-241-0436, info@crownandcovenant.com
+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-731-1177, Fax: 412-731-8861
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[15] Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church Celebrating 175th Anniversary 19-20 September 2009
Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPRPC) in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on 19-20 September 2009, will be celebrating the 175th anniversary of its founding as the “Slippery Rock Branch” of the Reformed Presbyterian Church on 12 April 1834.
For further information, please contact RPRPC pastor Charles A. Brown at modernreformation@yahoo.com.
+ Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church, 468 Rose Point Road, New Castle, Pennsylvania 16101, 724-924-9519, modernreformation@yahoo.com
+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-731-1177, Fax: 412-731-8861
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