Presbylaw.

Info Wanted: Whole Presbteries Leaving PCUSA

2012-01-30T12:48:00.003-06:00

Can anyone provide the names of the 2 Presbyteries who are thinking of leaving PCUSA wholesale? If publicly known.

PCA starts new downtown Oklahoma City church

2012-01-30T12:44:00.000-06:00

News OK Story: Presbyterians start new downtown Oklahoma City church

FPC Orlando votes to leave denomination

2012-01-30T12:42:00.000-06:00

Orlando Sentinel Story: First Presbyterian votes to leave denomination

1,759 to 185 (91%)
3,600 members (55% voted)
First Presbyterian Orlando, Fla
largest Presbyterian church in Florida and fourth largest in the nation.
March 3 Presbytery Votes
Central Florida Presbytery

Mass exodus of churches continue to flee PCUSA into 2012

2012-01-26T12:34:00.003-06:00

Layman Online Story: Mass exodus of churches continue to flee PCUSA into 2012

On a Side Note: Wikipedia entry on ECO is already a battleground between those who feel it is homo-phobia vs those who think this is about multiple issues.

Bruce Reyes-Chow blogs about ECO.

2012-01-26T11:13:00.001-06:00

Bruce Reyes-Chow (former PCUSA Moderator) blog on Huffington Post:

My Thoughts on The Fellowship and The Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians

Ed: I've added some of his list of articles to mine.

PCUSA->EPC->ECO

2012-01-23T10:35:00.001-06:00

News Stories about the "NEW" Presbyterian Denomination:

Evangelical Covenant Order Of Presbyterians (ECO)

Wikipedia: ECO
The New American Story: Conservative Presbyterians Announce Break From Liberal PCUSA NEW
Huff Post: Evangelical Covenant Order Of Presbyterians (ECO), Conservative Denomination Launched To Break Away From PCUSA
ED: Caution a lot of hate speech in the comments section.
Christian Post: New Evangelical Presbyterian Body Unveiled
Houston Cronicle Blog: Believe It or Not: New Presbyterian body could divide denomination
Louisville, Ky Courier-Journal Faith Blog: New Presbyterian denomination named
Orlando Sentinel: Presbyterian denomination debuts Thursday in Orlando
Gant Daily(Clearfield, PA): Group leaves Presbyterian Church to form ‘reformed’ denomination
Christianity Today: New Presbyterian Body Aims for Orthodoxy with Less Bureaucracy
Religion News Service: Conservative Presbyterians Launch New Denomination
Rueters: Presbyterian Group Breaks Away Over Gay Clergy
John Shore: New Anti-Gay Presbyterian Denomination: Cowardly Lions
ED: Caution a lot of hate speech in the story and comments section.
Viola Larson: ECO is a sign of Christ's love for the PC (U.S.A.)
Don Sweeting: Wishing the ECO Well: Another Turning Point in Presbyterian Church History
Laura Ziesel: Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians
Denis Maher: Irony Abounds with the Formation of the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians
Ruth Hicks: I was there
Katie Mulligan: Wipe the Dust
Joanne Whitt: A Response to ECO
David Williams: A Response to ECO
Rocky Supinger: The Fellowship Theology Draft
PCUSA News Service: 24 PC(USA) Leaders Issue ‘Letter of Reconciliation’

Information from ECO: Website

ECO Retirement Plan Overview
Evangelical Covenant Order (downloadable pdf of ECO’s vision and purpose)
ECO Benefits
ECO Benefits Presentation
ECO Rate Sheet
Polity
Theology x
Theology
Press Release

Tidbits on ECO

Peer review systems for churches
Promoting leadership training
Instituting a less hierarchical form of government
Benefits have been defined, must be offered to all full time employees
2,100 Presbyterians from about 500 congregations attend the conference.
Presbyterians have the option of joining the ECO or becoming an affiliate member while remaining in another denomination.

ED: I left out the stories full of hate speech, which is all the liberals can use.

ED: I don't think any of the stories brought up the fact that conservative churches in PCUSA, feel like prisoners or victims of blackmail. PCUSA is using the property clause as a ball and chain to keep churches in the denomination that want to leave as well as the power of an AC to summarily fire the pastor and elders.

Lebanon PC (Lebanon, Ohio ) dismissed to EPC.

2012-01-17T16:45:00.001-06:00

Layman Online Story: Ohio presbytery unanimously agrees to church’s dismissal to EPC

Lebanon Presbyterian Church (LPC)
Presbytery of Miami Valley
205-year-old Lebanon, Ohio church
900-member church
$34,148 to Miami Valley (per-capita payment for 2012)
$15,000 to support an African medical mission
Presbytery voted to dismiss Jan 13, 2012
Layman Online Story: On Oct. 23, 2010, LPC voted 304-8 to leave

Gashland wins property-dispute appeal against Heartland Presbytery

2012-01-13T11:22:00.000-06:00

Layman Story: Missouri church wins property-dispute appeal against PCUSA presbytery

Gashland Presbyterian Church MO
Heartland Presbytery
September 2007, when Gashland requested dismissal
After waiting four months, the church voted to disaffiliate from the denomination, leading Heartland to belatedly form an administrative commission to hold a dismissal hearing in April 2008.
In November 2009, Heartland filed suit in circuit court.
a 2009 lower-court dismissal

Federated congregation leaves PCUSA and is now an American Baptist church

2012-01-13T10:55:00.001-06:00

Layman Story: Federated congregation leaves PCUSA and is now an American Baptist church

Saddlerock EPC (WA) celebrates dismissal from PCUSA

2012-01-05T13:33:00.000-06:00

Layman Online Story: Washington church celebrates dismissal from PCUSA

Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church (FPC of Wenatchee)
Presbytery of Central Washington
507 members in 2010 and brought in $795,557 in offerings
Terms:
- That we give $175,000 as a mission/church development gift to the Presbytery;
- That we give $47,892 for three years of presbytery per capita;
- That we give up to $5,000 in reimbursable expenses from the [administrative commission];
- That we incur all costs associated with the legal transfer of our property, assets, and corporation;
- To concur with the requests of the Rev. Patrick McElroy and the Rev. Paul Pankey [the church’s associate pastor] continue in their current pastoral positions and to have their ordination credentials transferred in good standing from the Presbytery of Central Washington of the [PCUSA] to the Presbytery of the Pacific of [EPC], a recognized Reformed body in relationship with the PCUSA;
- That all records of the First Presbyterian Church of Wenatchee PCUSA and its predecessors be converted into microfiche at First Presbyterian’s expense for the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia.”

Fort Scott Kansas Pastor leaves First Presbyterian

2012-01-04T08:54:00.000-06:00

Fort Scott Tribune Story: Citing theological and differences in personal beliefs, Mansour Khajehpour has resigned his post as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott.

This is the opposite of yesterdays story of a pastor leaving. He is a "member" of Fellowship of Presbyterians which is conservative.

Pastor breaks away to start own church

2012-01-03T21:44:00.002-06:00

Petaluma Patch StoryFirst Presbyterian Pastor to Start Own Church.

Dave Weidlich, 56
New Church: The Vine
Supports Occupy Movement

Ed: Looks like a far left pastor, left a moderate church.

2012-01-03T16:45:00.000-06:00

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story: Ligonier church sued over withdrawal

Presbytery of Redstone
voted to seize the keys of the church
Covenant Presbyterian Church
allegedly ignoring internal procedures for withdrawing from the presbytery.
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
425 members
The congregation of St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church near Somerset split off in 2008 and, more recently, members of Fort Palmer Church in Fairfield left the presbytery.
Church lawyer says they followed procedure.

PCUSA pastors leaves to start new church instead of fighting.

2012-01-03T16:20:00.001-06:00

Delaware Online Story: New paths for many as church diverges

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant
Wilmington, Delaware
more than 300 members
Pastor Kathi Busch is leaving to start a new church: River Crossing Fellowship.
"To fight in court did not seem the loving thing to do," Busch said.
New Castle Presbytery

Fremont Presbyterian split and land holdings challenged

2011-12-31T22:50:00.002-06:00

Fremont Presbyterian split and land holdings challenged

Fremont Presbyterian, Sacramento, CA
Congregation voted 427-164 to leave the national denomination in October.
A vote on establishing the investigating committee will be held Jan. 9.
Local Presbyterian leaders have called for an investigation of Fremont to determine if there is a schism
The announcement by the presbytery has shocked Fremont church leaders, who said they followed Presbyterian guidelines on leaving the denomination.
They contend that presbytery leaders are changing the rules to keep the church and its 5 acres across the street from California State University, Sacramento.
Ed: The Presbytery of Sacramento: Thy shall not covert thy neighbors ...

2011-12-22T10:10:00.000-06:00

The Christian Post: Pa. PC(USA) Presbytery Sues Church Seeking to Leave

Redstone Presbytery
Covenant Presbyterian Church of Ligonier
425 members
Pittsburgh Live
Last month, Redstone voted to seize the keys of the church to thwart the move to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, saying it first needed to assess church members' desires and the church's finances before allowing the move.
The congregation of St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church near Somerset split off in 2008 and, more recently, members of Fort Palmer Church in Fairfield left the presbytery.

First Orlando Session recommends dismissal

2011-12-12T14:01:00.001-06:00

Layman Story: First Orlando Session recommends dismissal to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Church Website
Congregation Vote: Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 10:00am
Founded: March 18, 1876
Last PCUSA size: 3,521
Central Florida Presbytery

4 more Ohio PCUSA out the door!

2011-12-09T08:42:00.001-06:00

Dayton Daily News Story: 4 area Presbyterian churches leave national denomination

Lebanon Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian in South Charleston
Kirkmont Presbyterian in Beavercreek
Greenville Presbyterian in Greenville
And at each church, more than 90 percent of votes supported measures to split from the denomination.
Presbytery of the Miami Valley

FPC of North Palm Beach to discuss leaving PCUSA

2011-11-30T14:54:00.001-06:00

Palm Beach Post Story: North Palm Beach church may split from Presbyterian group that OK'd gay clergy

1,100 members
Jack Nicklaus
former GE head Jack Welch.

First Presbyterian Wenatchee, WA out the door and in EPC

2011-11-27T19:06:00.001-06:00

This is one church that has been under the Radar. voted two years ago to leave the PCUSA, Has 600 members, Has been released by the North Central Washington Presbytery, with all Property, Has been accepted by the EPC, and took oaths to join EPC last week. I believe there are 10 to 15 other churches in Washington, that are just starting the process to leave PCUSA, the biggest presby churches in Washington.

Sumner PC votes to leave PCUSA

2011-11-18T08:22:00.001-06:00

Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald Story: Sumner Presbyterian votes to leave national Presbyterian denomination

90% Yes
6% No
4% Undecided
move to Evangelical Covenant Church

The Presbytery of Olympia opted out of ordainments. Lay leadership appointments were left up to individual congregations.

Recent departure-elect congregations:

Chapel Hill Presbyterian of Gig Harbor
First Presbyterian of Tacoma
Evergreen Presbyterian in Graham.

EPC church under attack? by Golf balls!

2011-11-07T09:28:00.001-06:00

Washington Post Story: Fairfax church in dispute over errant balls from driving range neighbor

2,600 Balls a year!

I seeing golf crews every day picking up driving range balls from the sidewalk and ditch next to ours. Even though they have a HUGE fence to stop them.

Statistics Anyone?

2011-11-03T15:18:00.002-05:00

Is it time for me to fire up the statistics machine and see where PCUSA stands (or falls down) in number of churches and members? anyone interested?

Or is the review from GA Junkie sufficient?

Presbytery removes minister from Enid Church that voted to leave PCUSA

2011-11-03T10:41:00.001-05:00

Enid News Story: Enid minister removed from post

The Rev. Roy Schneider
Retirement scheduled for Dec. 18.
Enid First Presbyterian Church
by the Presbytery’s Administrative Council. (Ed: Is this unusual?)
At a Committee on Ministry meeting Tuesday, Schneider accepted the judgment of the Presbytery’s Administrative Council and stepped aside.
Members of First Presbyterian voted 131-69 in October to seek dismissal

2 Churches leave the same Ohio Presbytery.

2011-11-03T10:02:00.000-05:00

Layman Story: Ohio church votes to leave PCUSA By Jason P. Reagan, The Layman, Posted Thursday, November 3, 2011

Oct. 30, FPC of South Charleston voted 102-0 to disaffiliate from the PCUSA to EPC.
Six Presbyterian churches have voted to leave the denomination in October.
Lebanon Presbyterian Church (LPC) of Lebanon, Ohio voted 304-8 to disaffiliate a week before South Charleston. STORY
The Presbytery of Miami Valley voted to approve Amendment 10A by a vote of 58-36 and nFOG by voice vote.
Miami Valley “wants to keep the word grace in gracious dismissal.”

Fremont PC (Sacramento) votes to dissmiss to EPC

2011-11-01T09:48:00.001-05:00

KY Post Story: Sacramento congregation to leave Presbyterian Church USA over gay clergy ordination

Fremont Presbyterian Church
voted 427 to 164 last Sunday
join Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
weekly attendance of about 1,400
The seventh Sacramento-area church to leave
The Presbytery of Sacramento

Eastminster votes to leave PCUSA for EPC

2011-10-31T09:07:00.000-05:00

The Wichita Eagle Story: Eastminster church decides to break from denomination

"people have voted with their feet,"
2,302 members - Eastminster had been the largest church in the presbtery
Presbytery of Southern Kansas
The Presbyterian News Service estimated earlier this year that 100 congregations had left the denomination in the past five years
Presbyterian Lay Committee says that at least four congregations, including Eastminster, have left this month.
St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Newton also has voted to leave the denomination.
In a vote last Sunday, the congregation overwhelmingly approved the break on a vote of 657-20.
Voted to join EPC

FPC Mansfield, OH votes to leave PCUSA

2011-10-26T09:01:00.000-05:00

Mansfield News Journal Story Muskingum Valley Presbytery

A view from an Atheist

2011-07-17T14:22:00.000-05:00

Blog on PCUSA and allowing gays as leaders.

Four congregations dismissed from Presbyterian Church (USA)

2011-05-17T10:18:00.000-05:00

Commercial Appeal Story, Memphis Tennessee: Four congregations dismissed from Presbyterian Church (USA)

Advent Presbyterian Church of Cordova (1,230 members)
Woodland United Presbyterian Church of Memphis (287)
First Presbyterian Church of Ripley, Tenn. (29)
First Presbyterian Church of Adamsville, Tenn. (37)

Mid-South Presbytery

Synod of Living Waters
55 congregations
Rejected the amendment by one vote

Presbyterians are not all PCUSA

2011-05-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

The News Start Story Monroe, Louisiana

PCUSA no longer exists! Updated

2011-05-11T10:29:00.003-05:00

Presbyterian Church USA in now Presbyterian Club USA.

Fox News Story

Christian Post Story

Looks like someone agree with me. The Daily Reporter Story: PCUSA No Longer a Church

Los Alamitos Presbyterian Church Reaffirms Ordination Policy On Human Sexuality In Face Of Expected Changes In National Rules

2011-05-04T13:51:00.000-05:00

OC 180 News (blog) Los Alamitos Presbyterian Church Reaffirms Ordination Policy On Human Sexuality In Face Of Expected Changes In National Rules

Trinity Presbyterian Church will close its doors May 1

2011-04-28T14:35:00.002-05:00

Trinity Presbyterian Church will close its doors May 1

Oregon Court of Appeals backs PCUSA in property dispute

2011-04-28T14:34:00.000-05:00

Oregon Court of Appeals backs national Presbyterian Church in property dispute

Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned the trial judge's decision, ruling the PC(USA) held title to the property, citing both secular law and church doctrine.

Text of rulling on Legeal

Desert Hills PC, Carefree, AZ members support leaving to EPC

2011-01-29T10:29:00.000-06:00

Church’s voting majority supports PCUSA departure The Layman

Desert Hills PC
Presbytery of Grand Canyon
253-46, 84% written ballot
500 members
Congregation declared its intent May 2010
18-month discernment process.
Presbytery’s vote March 11-12, 2011
Note: multiple PCUSA churches named, Desert Hills.

Georgia Supreme Court Will Hear Christ Church Appeal (Episcopal )

2011-01-18T10:27:00.001-06:00

Virtue Online Story By David W. Virtue
Episcopal Diocese of Georgia Story

Christ Church, Savannah,GA
Episcopal Diocese of Georgia
Supreme Court of Georgia Case: # S10G1909
Two amicus briefs (friend of the court briefs)

The Presbyterian Lay Committee Brief (PLC)
The American Anglican Council Brief(AAC)

Disaffiliated from The Episcopal Church (TEC) in 2007

Olivet Evangelical PC loses Appeal and Property.

2010-12-18T22:45:00.000-06:00

Layman Online: Indiana court decision overturned!

Ohio Valley Presbytery
Olivet Evangelical PC
Synod of Lincoln Trails
Declaring that Olivet’s participation in the denomination equates to compliance with the so-called trust clause – specifically its remaining in the PCUSA at reunion and agreeing to participate in Ohio Valley Presbytery’s dismissal process – the appeals court favoured the presbytery based on its interpretation of the same neutral principles of law that often favour's congregations.

Greater Atlanta Presbytery seeks appeal of Timberridge ruling.

2010-12-10T08:34:00.000-06:00

The Layman Online: Greater Atlanta Presbytery seeks appeal of Timberridge ruling.

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus

2010-12-09T08:42:00.014-06:00

Editor: Wow! Wow! Wow! The smiles on the faces of the singers make all the difference in the world!. The use of multiple professional photographers, and excellent editing make this a work of art! Viewed: 16,591,04 as of 12/10/2010

Nov 13, 2010 - Noon, Niagara Falls, Ontario

You Tube Video

One minute, Stephanie Tritchew was just a face in the busy Seaway Mall crowd, sipping coffee at a cafeteria table and chatting on her cellphone. Then next, the St. Catharines native was standing and belting out "hallelujahs" from the famed chorus in Handel's Messiah in front of a stunned food court congregation.

"The first reaction was jaw-dropping surprise and people laughing," said the startling soprano, who broke into song around noon last Saturday at the Welland mall. "Then just about everyone whipped out their phone cameras at once." Tritchew wasn't a one-woman surprise show. Within minutes, more than 80 Chorus Niagara singers previously blended into the weekend mall multitude had joined the chorus. The seemingly spontaneous event actually took weeks to plan, said Jennifer Blakeley of Niagara Falls-based Alphabet Photography, who organized the event.

The cafeteria chorus was part Alphabet advertisement, part performance art designed to put people in the Christmas spirit, Blakeley said. "I was sitting right in the middle of it all, and some people's faces were just classic," she said, laughing. "And I think it was quite touching — some people were actually in tears."

Blakeley said the event was modeled on "flash mobs," brief events often planned through social media in order to mobilize large groups of people quickly.

Chorus Niagara website
Facepage
/A\ News Video Interview with Stephanie Tritchew.
St Catharine Standard Story
Niagara This Week: Shock and joy says soloist
Niagara This Week: No flash (mob) in the pan.
The TribuneChorus Niagara 'flash mobs' Seaway Mall
St. Louis Globe Democrate: Flash mob video gets 3.1 million views
The London Free Press: You brought joy to our lives’ FLASHMOB: Shoppers surprised as others burst into song in mall food court
T Dot Society-What's Up: (several stories down page) Handel’s Messiah flash mob a Youtube smash
The London Free Press: BOB RIPLEY Song such an intrinsic part of life
Niagara Falls Review The world's most famous food court.
Google search show 3,270 results!

2 Binghamton NY Presbyterian churches to merge

2010-12-08T23:01:00.002-06:00

Press Connects story

First Presbyterian of Binghamton: 35-6
West Presbyterian Church of Binghamton: 25-4
-> The United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley

Children's Prayer

2010-12-08T09:33:00.003-06:00

Angels of God, from heaven so bright,

Watch over my children, and guide them aright.

Fold your wings round em and guard them with love.

Sing to them softly of heaven above.

from 12/7 episode of "CSI: Miami"

Ga. appeals court favors Timberridge

2010-12-02T15:16:00.003-06:00

Layman Story: Ga. appeals court favors Timberridge

The Georgia Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s judgment that had awarded the disputed property to the Presbytery.

On a Side note, when looking for news on the Presbytery website, I found:

dissolved a church in July: Midway
will dissolve another church: Riverdale, soon.
Dissolve a AC for Rehoboth, which upheld the Session and Pastor.

San Francisco Presbytery grants Danville dismissal

2010-11-18T16:36:00.000-06:00

Layman Online Story: San Francisco Presbytery grants Danville dismissal request.

Fair Oaks reaches departure settlement with synod.

2010-11-17T14:53:00.000-06:00

Layman Online Story: Fair Oaks reaches departure settlement with synod.

Synod of the Pacific
Fair Oaks PC pays:

$1.1 million
half PCUSA attorney fees ($100,000-$150,000)

Sacramento Presbytery

Houston congregation appeals property case judgment

2010-10-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

Layman Story: Houston congregation appeals property case judgment.

Windwood PC Houston, TX
Presbytery of New Covenant
District Court of Harris County ruled against the congregation
1,600-members
Court summary judgment says:

TX is a hierarchical deference state
PCUSA is a hierarchical denomination

Colo. County Files Petition to U.S. High Court Over Church Land Dispute

2010-10-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

Christian Post Story: Colo. County Files Petition to U.S. High Court Over Church Land Dispute

Boulder County did not approve Church expansion plans, four years ago
Rocky Mountain Christian Church in Niwot, Colo.
Expansion project for Alexander Dawson School was approved in 1995
Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), under which religious institutions are protected from discriminatory land-use laws.

Sequim Presbyterian PCUSA and EPC

2010-10-06T15:05:00.000-05:00

Sequim Gazette Story: Sequim Presbyterian Fellowship begins anew PCUSA: ~ 20 members

The second part of the story is Sequim Community Church (EPC) ~ 780 members

Jermain Memorial PC takes back its church, joins new Presbytery

2010-10-06T09:43:00.003-05:00

Troy Record Story: Watervliet congregation takes back its church, joins new Presbytery

Time Union Story: A fight on high gets ever higher

Jermain Memorial PC, Watervliet, NY (Troy)
Albany Presbytery
Joined Ecumenical Presbytery. Ed: Anyone know this one?
Presbytery changed the locks and padlocked the building in May
Some charge the Presbytery with coveting its $169,000-$500,009 endowment (Presbyter denies)
The Jermain will stated that when the church is no longer used that the 1 1/3-acre property would be reverted back to the next Jermain heir
New York City resident Ann Jermain Walling Billings is a possible heir.
Billings granted the property back to the parish in a deed dated in March

Eastminster Presbytery sues its own lawyers for malpractice , and loses

2010-10-04T15:04:00.000-05:00

Layman Story: Presbytery sues its own lawyers, and loses over Hudson Presbyterian Church who was granted its own property.

IRS Complaint Filed Against Edmond Okla. Church Over Pulpit Politics

2010-09-30T00:25:00.000-05:00

Christian Post: IRS Complaint Filed Against Okla. Church Over Pulpit Politics

Layman Files brief in Episcopal Property Fight in Georgia

2010-09-28T15:28:00.000-05:00

Virtue Online Story: Two Amicus Briefs Filed to Protect Georgia Property from being seized by National Church

These briefs are posted at the church website

Oakfield 1st (now OCBC) buys back original building at autcion.

2010-09-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

Daily News Online: Oakfield congregation's long 'wandering' is over

Oakfield Community Bible Church formerly Oakfield First Presbyterian
Left PCUSA in 2008 from Genesee Valley Presbytery
2009 a judge ruled in the Presbytery’s favor
OCBC couldn’t agree on a price with the Presbytery
OCBC ended up buying the two parcels for $50,000 at a March auction.

Pastors to Challenge IRS by Talking Politics from Pulpit

2010-09-26T22:54:00.000-05:00

Christian Post Story

Christian Post Editorial: Legislated Laryngitis

Third annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday
Organized by the Christian legal group Alliance Defense Fund
Will use the Bible’s teachings to preach on the the positions of electoral candidates or current government officials in defiance of an IRS rule proposed by then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson and passed by Congress in 1954.

UPDATED: MO Judge has dismissed, with prejudice, Heartland Presbytery’s claims to the property of Gashland PC.

2010-09-18T20:13:00.005-05:00

The Layman Online: Judge dismisses Gashland property case

A Clay County (Mo.) circuit court judge has dismissed, with prejudice, Heartland Presbytery’s claims to the property of Gashland Presbyterian Church, which left the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2008 to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).

The court ruled that Missouri property cases must be judged on the neutral principles of law, rather than the hierarchical-based argument that church property is held in trust for the denomination.

NOTE: The next standard meeting of the Presbytery is November 16, 2010.

NOTE: On Sept 18 docket, Mound City Presbyterian Church is requesting an AC, as they feel they no longer may be able to maintain their facility.

Administrative Commission Report For Churches Seeking Dismissal From The PC(USA) (summarized from Sept 18 Docket)

Gashland: Aug 25: The judge would not grant the first request by Gashland to dismiss.

Colonial:

Aug 13: The AC instructs Heartland's Stated Clerk to contact EPC to inquire as to their communication with Colonial.
Aug 18: Session secures TRO against the AC. These are later contested and dismissed. Additionally, the Session filed a lawsuit against Heartland.
Aug 19: The AC is holds a hearing to take over the Session. The Session is absent.
Aug 22: A congregational meeting and declares their departure to EPC

Congregation looks for ways to mend rift, Ewing Presbyterian Church

2010-08-30T08:10:00.000-05:00

NJ.com Story: Congregation looks for ways to mend rift, Ewing Presbyterian Church

170+ members meet with the Presbytery panel
demolition plans that pitted church members against each other in angry camps
Ewing Administrative Commission’S report overturning the raze decision
143-year-old sanctuary.
vacant since being condemned as unsafe since the spring of 2007.
the commission has given them three options for the sanctuary

renovate it for use as a house of worship
sell or donate it to another organization
lease it to another organization for restoration.

Colonial PC, (Kansas City) votes to leave PCUSA 927-27

2010-08-24T14:31:00.004-05:00

Layman Story: Colonial leaving PCUSA

Colonial Presbyterian Church near Kansas City
1,700-member
2-campus
Congregation voted 927-27 Sunday to leave
voted 914-29 to join the EPC
the second largest congregation in Heartland Presbytery.
2 Sessions File complaint:

Southminster PC, Prairie Village, KS 371 members
First PC, Lee’s Summit, MO 546 members
G-7.0304 and G.11-0103i
General Assembly PJC case Sundquist et al. v. Heartland Presbytery.
Aug. 19, Heartland’s PJC granted a stay of enforcement against Colonial

district court in Johnson County, Kansas granted a restraining order request by Colonial

Note: That the Colonial web sites has:

HEARTLAND PRESBYTERY (on Colonial Web)

Jermain Memorial PC (Watervliet, N.Y) CLOSED by Presbytery, awaiting appeal

2010-08-19T14:03:00.000-05:00

The Layman Story Church closure hurts local needy; members eye settlement, appeal

Georgia Episcopal Church Appeals Property Ruling to State Supreme Court.

2010-08-12T16:20:00.000-05:00

Virtue Online Story: Christ Church, The Mother Church of Georgia in Savannah, has asked the Georgia Supreme Court to review a recent ruling of the Court of Appeals upholding Judge Michael Karpf's October, 2009 decision that Christ Church holds its property in trust for the Diocese of Georgia and The Episcopal Church.

NEWS FLASH: (Layman) No more Mr. Nice Guy in Heartland

2010-08-12T15:29:00.001-05:00

Layman Story: No more Mr. Nice Guy in Heartland: Heartland Presbytery seems to have lost faith in its own process and replaced the administrative review committee it assigned to work through a period of discernment with Colonial Presbytery Church, as it decides whether to remain in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Two Presbyterian churches to merge

2010-08-09T08:53:00.000-05:00

Indiana Gazette: Story about 2 churches merging in PA.

NuMine Presbyterian Church (95 yrs)
Rural Valley Presbyterian (175 yrs)
-> NuValley Presbyterian Church (@ Rural building)

Rumor: Colonial Pres wants to leave Heartland

2010-07-14T17:10:00.000-05:00

From the blog: Classical Presbyterian: Colonial Pres (probably 4k plus members) has asked Heartland to negotiate their dismissal. The response. Essentially, you're not getting off that easy.

Comments are now Moderated

2010-07-13T09:51:00.004-05:00

Due to comment spam, usually in a pictographic language. I have changed to moderated comments. This will cause comments to appear slowly, as I do work for a living. I am an embedded programmer. Please be patient. This is a case of 1% being bad makes life "interesting" for the rest of use.

One of my favorite sayings is supposedly an ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times"

Jim

P.S. Just rejected one of those comments on this post! 7/14 08:00

Synod of Lincoln Trails vs Canaan PC of Glenview, IL

2010-07-09T08:53:00.000-05:00

Layman Story: An administrative commission for the Synod of Lincoln Trails is exceeding its authority by acting as the synod, the presbytery and the local session in a bitter dispute over property and leadership at Canaan Presbyterian Church in Glenview, Ill., according to a remedial complaint filed with the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission.

Church firing of accountant - Upheld by Appeals court

2010-06-30T10:35:00.002-05:00

Leagle Story: ERDMAN v. CHAPEL HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Jim,
Why did you lead this story with the headline "Church firing of accountant - Upheld by Appeals court"? I read through the court's opinion and the plaintiff and defendant briefs found on the Washington state web page, it appears the church and pastor have some poor judgement. It also appears the courts upheld some important claims of the plaintiff (Title VII).
It appears the church is trying very hard to make this go away - never imaged a church would try and call the accoutant a pastor to avoid a lawsuit. Sadly a better headline would have been "Church succeeds in part in hiding behind the 1st amendment" :)
Sincerely,
An advocate for the harassed

Fallbrook pays $1.4M; Roseville’s price: $810K

2010-06-29T15:32:00.000-05:00

Layman Story: 2 Calif. churches, presbyteries reach settlements on property Fallbrook pays $1.4M; Roseville’s price: $810K

First Presbyterian Church of Orange (NJ) to disolve Sept 26.

2010-06-29T08:32:00.000-05:00

Orange St. Mark’s Cemetery Stands Pat

Lancaster PC to pay $550,000 blood money to leave PCUSA

2010-06-21T08:51:00.002-05:00

Buffalo News: Lancaster congregation will pay $550,000 after break from PCUSA

An administrative commission appointed by the presbytery determined the $550,000 amount by adding up legal fees, as well as unpaid “per capita” dues that Lancaster Presbyterian had owed to the presbytery over the past decade or so. It also factored in 10 percent of the overall value of the property.

(Ed.) Still sounds like blood money to me.

Presbyterian Church gets second chance (Singelton, NSW, AU)

2010-06-15T15:25:00.001-05:00

It is interesting to note that the USA is not the only country to struggle to keep churches open. Singleton, New South Wales, Australia

Singleton Argus: Presbyterian Church gets second chance

FPC Bakersfield Joins EPC

2010-06-15T15:20:00.000-05:00

Just an update, as the church officially joins EPC. Story from Bakersfield.com: First Presbyterian Church realigns with new governing body

Southport PC (Indiana) dismissed to EPC by Whitewater Valley

2010-06-07T10:24:00.002-05:00

Layman Story: Indianapolis church dismissed from PCUSA

Whitewater Valley Presbytery: approved at June 2 meeting by a 200-6 vote
Southport Presbyterian Church

1,200-member
Indianapolis, Indiana
voted in late 2009 to leave-95.3%: 786-37-2 (Absentees: 49-0-2)
two-campus

Settlement:

lump sum of $330,582.10 to Presbytery by Dec. 31, 2010.
$165,582.10 in per capita payments for 2009-2013
$105,000 for basic PCUSA mission support from 2010 to 2012
$60,000 in support for Hispanic ministries, Camp Pyoca and Westminster Ministries.
Southport will pay for Presbytery counsel’s costs and fees

Previous Stories on Whitewater:

From clergy shortage to clergy glut

2010-05-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

Christian Century Story: From clergy shortage to clergy glut

"We have a serious surplus of ministers and candidates seeking calls," said Marcia Myers, director of the vocation office for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has four ministers for every opening.
The main cause of the sudden turnaround: the bad economy.
According to PCUSA data, the church has 532 vacancies for 2,271
older clergy who saw their retirement funds evaporate are delaying retirement
"Everyone talked about a clergy shortage, but there never really was one," said Chang. There has long been a surplus of ministers, she said. They're simply not serving where they're needed—in small churches.
No mention of the amount of money wasted on legal fights

Sierra Presbyterian Church ordered to close its doors

2010-05-18T11:23:00.002-05:00

Merced Sun Star Story: Sierra Presbyterian Church ordered to close its doors

Stockton Presbytery: 25-14
church plans to file an appeal
Sierra Saving Grace Homeless Project in Jeopardy
Presbytery part of unusual Sierra Mission Partnership- 3 presbyteries
$30,550 noninterest loan from the Presbytery for the building of a parking lot
the group paid $100 monthly and then, several years ago, raised the payment to $250 a month.
3603 M Street, Merced, CA

Church fund creates bitter feud

2010-05-18T10:36:00.000-05:00

Regional officials, congregants battle over $2M 'legacy'

FPC of Aurora Officially Shifts To EPC

2010-05-13T20:09:00.001-05:00

A News Release from The Religion Wire™: First Presbyterian Church of Aurora Officially Shifts Denominational Affiliation

Layman Online: story

FPC Aurora, Ill
Blackhawk Presbytery: (58-48)Press release on there front page
152 year-old church
some 700 members
dismissal payment of $140,000 and other long-term provisions
pastor Jeff Moore and associate pastor Stephen Rhodes have been dismissed to EPC.
Property Appraisal: 2.2-2.6 million - Estimated Sale Price 1 Million
Membership voted on April 8, 2009. 317-17
Letter to those not attending:

Dismissal: 322
Not Active: 36
Remain/as FPC: 12
Remain/Transfer: 2
Abstain: 6

Desert Hills PC (Carefree, Ariz) intends to leave PCUSA

2010-05-06T16:37:00.003-05:00

Layman Online Story: Arizona congregation seeks dismissal from PCUSA
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Not the one in Yucca Valley, CA
500-members
Founded in 1969
Carefree, Ariz., just outside of Scottsdale
past 18 months in discernment
Reformed independent church
Presbytery of Grand Canyon
Presbytery remains open to church remaining

Majority group maintains control of Peters Township church

2010-04-28T09:14:00.000-05:00

The Almanac: Majority group maintains control of Peters Township church

I can't decide if this is a second ruling or a older story.

San Joaquin dismisses Bakersfield with its property

2010-04-26T22:14:00.000-05:00

The Layman Online: San Joaquin dismisses Bakersfield with its property.

Court denies Lancaster appeal request

2010-04-12T08:54:00.000-05:00

Layman Online: Court denies Lancaster appeal request

FPC Edgewater, NJ to close on May 23.

2010-04-10T23:04:00.000-05:00

North Jersey (Edgewater View newspaper): First Presbyterian Church of Edgewater, NJ on Undercliff Avenue forced to close its doors.

"It's closing because the existing congregation could not bear the weight of the financial burden of the church," said Rev. Wanda Lundy, referring to church's budget.
Lundy said people nationwide are flocking to non-denomination and Pentecostal churches.
But on a local level, the church has also lost membership due to the lack of parking. (ed: That is why I attend an urban church as opposed to a downtown church.)
The final service is tentatively scheduled for May 23.

Judge rules in favor of majority in Peters Creek UPC

2010-04-10T22:57:00.001-05:00

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Judge rules in favor of majority in Peters church schism lawsuit

The Layman Online: Peters Creek gets another legal victory

EPC’s Ridgebury asks for appeal

2010-04-06T14:41:00.003-05:00

EPC’s Ridgebury asks for appeal

The Church at Ridgebury (EPC)
Hudson River Presbytery
Blogging Religiously: Denomination wins appeal in ‘divorce’ case with dissident church

The Going Price Of An Historic Church Building In Upstate NY

2010-04-05T08:55:00.003-05:00

GA Junkie Blog: Follow-up To The Oakfield Sale -- The Going Price Of An Historic Church Building In Upstate NY

I have the same problem locally, The city is trying to sell the old downtown hospital. No one is biding! Tearing it down is expensive due to asbestos. The corner lot is just inside the downtown area, which has been flooded twice in the last 20 years. Add to this, many in our town are hung-up with preserving downtown's image. Sonic wants to tear down an old car dealership and build a new sonic there. Eating places downtown are few, if you don't want expensive.

Anglican Curmudgeon: On the Proper Application of "Neutral Principles"

2010-03-30T14:22:00.000-05:00

Anglican Curmudgeon: On the Proper Application of "Neutral Principles"

PCUSA Louisville to reduce staff by 30

2010-03-29T09:56:00.005-05:00

NewsOK Story (AP): Presbyterians offer severance to 30 in Louisville
Original Story: Courier Journal Louisville KY

250 jobs in five separate cuts since 2002, 186 through layoffs.
346 denominational employees in Louisville
300 mission and other workers elsewhere.
14 laid off in March 2009

Projected Income 2012: $76.2 million — down 19 percent from this year’s $93.8 million
budgets for final approval by the church’s legislative General Assembly in July
unpaid one-week employee furlough in 2009
salary freeze for 2010. Prior to the recession
projected revenue was $100 million per year

First PC in Beaver, Pa dismissed

2010-03-25T13:37:00.002-05:00

Layman Online Story: Beaver-Butler’s largest church to leave PCUSA

Christian Post Story: Multi-Site Church Cleared to Leave PC(USA)

If the Indiana court ruling is approved by the US Supreme Court, this could be extortion legally as well as morally.

Beaver County Times: Beaver congregation splits from national Presbyterian Church (USA)

Oakfield (N.Y.) Community Bible Church wins auction of own property from Presbytery

2010-03-22T14:47:00.004-05:00

Layman Story: "Congregation wins back property at auction"
Ga Junkie: An Interesting Tale Of Stewardship, Property, And The PC(USA) Trust Clause
Daily News Online: 'A million prayers' answered at church auction

Community Bible Church was Oakfield Independent Presbyterian Church.

Genesee Valley Presbytery

Valued: $400,000 Bid: $50,000

Genesee Valley General Presbyter Linda Badger Becker described the property as a liability.

Oakfield Independent be auctioned off March 18 in Oakfield, N.Y.

2010-03-14T14:28:00.000-05:00

Layman Story: Embattled church property on the auction block

Oakfield Independent Presbyterian Church (OIPC)
Presbytery of Genessee Valley

Indiana court rejects PCUSA property claim to Olivet EPC

2010-03-14T14:16:00.008-05:00

Heldt’s ruling rejects virtually every argument that PCUSA lawyers have been making in various property disputes across the country.

Article Summary:

To affiliate or not to affiliate: That is the question
No legally cognizable trust
Inconsistencies in the Book of Order

Document Freedom Day 2010 - March 31st

2010-03-02T15:15:00.001-06:00

Church Membership Rises in USA 1/2 percent

2010-02-22T14:48:00.005-06:00

From The Christian Post Story: or NCC website

NOTICE: only about half of the denominations have reported.

Guess who has the largest lost?

2010	2009	Denomination	Membership	Change
-	-	Total	147,384,631	↑ 0.49 %
1	1	The Catholic Church	68,115,001	↑ 1.49 %
2	2	Southern Baptist Convention	16,228,438	↓ 0.24 %
3	3	The United Methodist Church	7,853,987	↓ 0.98 %
4	4	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	5,974,041	↑ 1.71 %
5	5	The Church of God in Christ	5,499,875	?
6	6	National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc	5,000,000	?
7	7	Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	4,633,887	↓ 1.62 %
8	8	National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.	3,500,000	?
9	10	Assemblies of God	2,899,702	↑ 1.27 %
10	9	Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)	2,844,952	↓ 3.28 %
11	11	African Methodist Episcopal Church	2,500,000	?
12	12	National Missionary Baptist Convention of America	2,500,000	?
13	13	Progressive National Baptist Convention	2,500,000	?
14	14	The Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod (LCMS)	2,337,349	↓ 1.92 %
15	15	The Episcopal Church	2,057,292	↓ 2.81 %
16	16	Churches of Christ	1,639,495	?
17	17	Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America	1,500,000	?
18	18	Pentecostal Assemblies of the World	1,500,000	?
19	19	The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church	1,400,000	?
20	20	American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.	1,331,127	↓ 2.00 %
21	22	Baptist Bible Fellowship International	1,200,000	?
22	23	Jehovah’s Witnesses	1,114,009	↑ 2.00 %
23	22	United Church of Christ	1,111,691	↓ 2.93 %
24	25	Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)	1,072,169	↑ 1.76 %
25	24	Christian Churches and Churches of Christ	1,071,616	?

? no membership updates reported

164 year old Bristol PC closes in Philadelphia

2010-02-22T13:09:00.000-06:00

PhillyBurbs.com Story: The Bristol Presbyterian Church closed its doors Sunday after almost 164 years of being a part of the community.

Philadelphia Presbytery

UPDATE: Community Presbyterian Church Session votes to Leave PCUSA to EPC

2010-02-18T09:13:00.002-06:00

The Layman Story: Large San Francisco congregation announces desire to leave PCUSA

UPDATE: Christian Post: Calif. Megachurch Seeks Dismissal from PC(USA)
2,000-member Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) in Danville, Calif.
Presbytery of San Francisco/li>
Session approved the action at its Feb. 2 meeting
Church Special webpage
San Francisco dismissal policy

Presbyterians vote to sell Rock Hill church

2010-02-15T09:38:00.002-06:00

From St. Louis Today Website.

Roseville and Fair Oaks vs Sacramento - Local Churches loses

2010-02-01T09:07:00.008-06:00

Google found a new legal website for me:

Leagal: Popularizing the Law™
(Search millions of pages of law with a single query)

It contains the text of Roseville vs Presbytery of Sacramento Appeal

Also from Metropolitan News-Enterprise: C.A. Reverses Ruling Giving Local Churches Control of Property

Layman finally has the story.

If you search for Presbytery, it contains many more property cases.

A Little History

Fair Oaks Website
Roseville Website
Dec 5, 2007: Fair Oaks PC and FPC Roseville, CA Dismissed by Presbytery.
May 8, 2008: Final Ruling in FPC Roseville, CA v. Presbytery of Sacramento
May 16, 2008: Synod of the Pacific FORCES Sacramento Presbytery to Appeal Property
June 11, 2008: TWO More Churches Disaffiliate! UPDATED
Sept 24, 2008: Back in the battle again for Roseville and Fair Oaks
Charter Day EPC – Sunday, January 24, 2010

Presbytery appeals Carrollton decision

2010-01-15T14:44:00.000-06:00

Layman Story: Presbytery appeals Carrollton decision

Land and Building Wars

2010-01-12T12:01:00.000-06:00

Christianity Today Article: This is about Episcopal Church vs All Saints Church in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It also talks about PCUSA on page 3.

Struthers OH church secedes from Presbytery

2010-01-11T10:30:00.000-06:00

Again the story from Vinny.com:

97% in favor of disaffiliation
Standing-room only
Each side had 10 minutes to present views before the members.
General Presbyter: said the church had between 180 and 185 members on its last report to the presbytery
Presbytery first learned of intention to leave the denomination at a meeting Jan. 4
The church has been without a pastor for 10 months
On Jan. 5, the church obtained a temporary restraining order
Struthers church, in 1983, “disavowed any trust interest.”

Presbylaw Commentary:

The GP comments as reported are disappointing. They are either "political" mis-statements or unbelievable ignorance.

Everyone know membership size reports are inaccurate, only worship attendance is a good indication of size.
If the Presbytery knew nothing until Jan 4 meeting, Then the Presbytery is failing to communicate in-between its meetings or is failing to keep in touch with Struthers.

Update on Struthers PC withdrawl vote Sunday.

2010-01-07T11:41:00.000-06:00

This updated story from Vindy.com has more details:

in December Session voted Unanimously recommends withdrawal.
on Tuesday, Judge issued a TRO barring the Eastminster Presbytery.
Hearing in two weeks.
PCUSA strategy paper used as evidence for TRO
Representatives of the presbytery have been invited to observe Sunday’s vote
Church wants to settle out of court.
Church founded in 1804 and joined the Presbyterian Church USA in 1983.

Struthers, OH PC to vote Sunday to secede from the PCUSA

2010-01-06T22:40:00.002-06:00

Vindy.com Story: Members of Struthers Presbyterian Church are expected to decide Sunday whether to secede from the Presbyterian Church USA and its Eastminster Presbytery.

Sunday’s congregational meeting follows last month’s unanimous recommendation from the church’s 12-member session that the local church no longer be affiliated with the national church and the presbytery “for theological reasons of conscience.”

Struthers PC - The Bridge (facebook)

173 members, $138,000 budget (2007)