Heartland Presbytery Called Meeting Summary

On December 18, 2007, Heartland Presbytery had a called meeting to work through business brought before it by the Committee on Ministry.

The Moderator of the Committee on Ministry, Rev. Brian Ellison and the Moderator of the Administrative Commission, Rev. Leslie King made brief presentations before each motion (1a, 1b and 2). Rev. Kirk Johnston presented following their presentations. Each motion was thoroughly discussed and the presbytery was led in prayer before each vote. The following motions were approved:

1a.That the presbytery concur with the Administrative Commission and Committee on Ministry that the Reverend A. Kirk Johnston has "after consultation and notice, persisted in a work disapproved" by the presbytery and presume that he has renounced jurisdiction (G-6.0702), effective November 18, 2007, directing the Stated Clerk to remove his name from the roll and take such other actions of an administrative character as may be required by the Constitution.

Vote results: 131 for Motion 1a and 35 against Motion 1a.

1b. That the presbytery concur with the Administrative Commission and Committee on Ministry that the Reverend A. Kirk Johnston has "accepted membership of any character in another denomination" (G-11.0416) since November 18, 2007, directing the Stated Clerk to delete his name from the roll, and take such other actions of an administrative character as may be required by the Constitution. The presbytery proceeds in this action with a sad heart and offers its prayers for God’s grace and blessing in the future ministry of A. Kirk Johnston.

Vote results: 148 for Motion 1b and 10 against Motion 1b as amended

(The second sentence was added as an amendment.)

2. That the presbytery determine that any further pastoral or ministerial activities by A. Kirk Johnston (G-6.0200) in connection with "Lighthouse Presbyterian Church of Paola" or any other worshipping community within the geographic bounds of Heartland Presbytery--including, but not limited to, preaching, leading worship, or the administration of the sacraments of baptism or the Lord's Supper--is disapproved.

Vote results: 108 for Motion 2 and 39 against Motion 2

From the floor, Rev. Brian Ellison, Moderator of Committee on Ministry moved that the previously adopted motions 1a and 1b both be amended so that effective date in each motion is December 18, 2007.

Votes results: 143 for and 0 against

The presbytery did their work with faithfulness and diligence, listening to the Committee on Ministry and the Administrative Commission’s report and Rev. Kirk Johnston’s responses to those presentations. Heartland Presbytery Moderator Sunok Pai led the presbytery in prayer and song prior to adjournment.

Rev. A. Kirk Johnston has been removed from the roll of Presbyterian Church (USA) ministers of the Word and Sacrament effective December 18, 2007, based on G-6.0702 and G-11.0416.

Minutes for this meeting will not be released until the presbytery has approved them at their next stated meeting.

Vote counts for motions 1A and 1B have been corrected in this posting. 12/19/07 3:20 p.m.