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Report from Presbytery—Spring 2008 Meeting

Great Lakes/Gulf Presbytery held its spring meeting in the sunny climes of Florida, in the sanctuary of Orlando Reformed Presbyterian Church, convening at 1:30 PM, Thursday, Feb. 28, and continuing through 12 Noon on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2008. Orlando RPC dates from the 1930s and occupies a stucco-clad building in the Lake Eola Heights Historic District, one of the oldest and most beautiful residential parts of Orlando, with fine old homes, old oak trees hung with Spanish moss, and streets paved with red brick. The sanctuary is wide and lofty, and simply decorated. The newly renovated basement fellowship hall provided a pleasant setting for our meals and coffee breaks.

The meeting was well attended. Rev. James Faris of Southfield, MI, had to be remain at home due to the birth of his fifth child; and Rev. David Smith, pastor of Orlando RPC, had to be excused much of the time in order to care for his son, Aaron, age 8, who was undergoing emergency treatment at a nearby hospital for cellulitis around and in one eye socket, the result of a strep infection in his sinuses that went undetected for too long. Rev. Lanning and Student Nathan Eshelman arrived in mid-afternoon on Thursday, in time for the 3:30 PM break for refreshments.

A principal part of the meeting was to hear reports from each congregation; each report was followed by a time of thanksgiving and intercession. Rev. Lanning presented our congregational report, and Rev. Keith Magill offered a heartfelt prayer, expressing love for our church and invoking God’s help and blessing on our congregational life, the work of our officers, and our united witness.

Highlights from other reports include: The organization of the RP Fellowship of Atlanta as the North Atlanta RP Mission Church on Feb. 16; substantial growth in the Bloomington, IN, RPC, crowding their present building to capacity; the miraculous provision of a new building for the Columbus, IN, RPC, better to serve the needs of their growing flock; a moving appeal for help in supporting and renewing the small and struggling work in Hetherton, MI; a warning that the historic Oakdale, IL, RPC may have to close its doors in the near future, along with encouraging news from her sister church in nearby Sparta, IL, is showing signs of new life and growth; expansion of the building of Southside Indianapolis RPC; plans for a vigorous city-wide evangelistic outreach in April sponsored by Sycamore RPC in Kokomo, IN; and the relocation and renaming of Triangle RPC as First RPC of Durham, NC.

The Candidates and Credentials Committee provided most of the other business before the meeting. Four men preached, including Nathan Eshelman, who delivered an outstanding sermon on Isaiah 53:12. David Whitla’s exegesis paper on Col. 1:15 was critiqued by Messrs. Lanning and Wise; Nathan Eshelman’s church history paper on Bernard of Clairvaux, by Messrs. LeFebvre and Reid; both were commended to presbytery as specimens for trial. Students Whitla and Eshelman were licensed to preach as probationers. Dr. Dan Bartel was received from Piedmont-Triad Presbytery (PCA) into membership in our presbytery as a teaching elder. Mr. Stephen McCarthy of Southfield, MI was taken under care as a student of theology.

Thursday afternoon the presbytery took up the report of a special committee to conclude a long-standing discussion of the meaning of subscription to the doctrinal standards of the RPCNA dating back to 2000. At issue was whether or not the presbytery could or should impose its own particular interpretation on Ordination Query 4. In the end it was decided to take no such action, but to accept the disposition of the matter by synod in 2007.

On Friday evening presbytery granted Dr. Roy Blackwood’s request to be released from his position as Senior Pastor of Second RPC, Indianapolis, IN, where he has served since 1964. Rev. Keith Magill offered a well-deserved tribute to Dr. Blackwood, highlighting his life and ministry, with its many achievements for the greater good of Christ’s church and kingdom on earth. Presbytery then adjourned to the fellowship hall for a reception in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Blackwood.

Other items of interest include the continuation of the Grand Rapids Commission to assist our church in its further assimilation into the life and work of the denomination; and the reappointment of Rev. Keith Magill as coordinator of church extension. In sum, the meeting was most edifying and encouraging, and your delegates were truly sad when it came time to say farewell to the brethren and return to Grand Rapids