Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

M I N U T E S O F T H E 

S Y N O D 

and 

Y E A R B O O K 

of the 

R E F O R M E D 

PRESBYTERIAN 

C H U R C H 

O F N O R T H 

A M E R I C A 

1 9 9 7

M I N U T E S 

OF THE 

ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVENTH 

S Y N O D 

OF THE 

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

OF NORTH AMERICA 

WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE 

LIBERTY, MISSOURI 

JULY 12-18, 1997 

CHURCH HEADQUARTERS 

MR. LOUIS D. HUTMIRE 

7408 PENN AVENUE 

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15208 

(412)731-1177

MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE 

Robert McCracken 

Moderator of Synod—1997 

SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1997, 7:30 P.M. 

The One Hundred Sixty-Seventh Synod of the Reformed Presbyteri 

Church of North America met in the Yates College Union on the campus 

of William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, 

July 12, 1997. 

The Moderator, Robert Copeland, welcomed the delegates and guests 

and announced that the men joining him in the leadership of the opening 

worship service were some of his classmates and friends at Geneva College 

in the class of '66. Paul Martin presided in the service. Paul Finley led 

Synod in the singing of Psalm 67A and Paul Martin led in prayer. Wayne 

Duffield read Ephesians 3:14 - 4:16. The Moderator then led in prayer 

and preached God's Word on the theme 'Church Unity'. The worship 

service was concluded with the singing of Psalm 133B.

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 

The Moderator constituted the court in prayer. 

The roll was called and is as follows for all the sessions of Synod: 

Adams, Roy, Eastvale 

Adams, Roger, Iron County MC 

Adjemian, Christian, Smiths Falls 

Backensto, Bruce, Geneva 

Bessell, Roy, Rose Point 

Black, Keith, First Beaver Falls 

Blackwood, Edwin, Evansville 

Boyle, Samuel E. 

Braum, Jim, Denison 

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XX 

Buck, Francis, Los Angeles 

XXX XXXXXXXXXXX 

Bump, Larry, Belle Center 

Carroll, Charles, Wichita MC 

Carson, James D. 

Chin, Glen, Ridgefield Park 

Comanda, Joseph, Atlantic DD 


XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 


XXXXXXXXXXXXX 


Comin, Doug, Washington 

XXX XXXXX XXXXX 

Coombs, Brian, Syracuse 


Copeland, Robert, College Hill XXXXXXXXX XXXXX 

Copeland, Jim, Alleghenies DD XXXXXXXXXXXX XX 

Copeland, Joe, Quinter 


Copeland, Stan 

XXXXXXX X XX 

Cowley, Tony, Elkins Park 

Curtis, James D., Southfield 


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Dowds, Terrence, Shawnee 

XXX XXXXX XXXXX 

Duffield, A. Wayne, New Alexandria 

Duguid, Phil, Topeka 


XXXXXXXXXXXXX 

Edgar, William, Broomall 

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England, Mark, Lancaster MC 

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Faris, Harold, Shawnee 

XXXXXXXXXXX XXX 

Fawthrop, Arthur, Endwell 

Filson, Dean, Second Indianapolis 



Finley, Paul, Winchester 

X X X 

Franklin, Godfrey, Multiracial 

Ganz, Richard, Ottawa 

George, Glen, Geneva 

Goerner, Aaron, Oswego 

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X 


XX xxxxxxxxxxxx 

Good, Ronald V., Sharon 


Gordon, Drew, Covenant Fellowship xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Graham, Ron, Minneola 

E EEXXXXXXX E EEEE 

Hemphill, Bruce, Covenant Fellowship XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hemphill, Robert L., Westminster 

Hemphill, E. Raymond 

Henderson, Bruce, Walton 

Henning, Robert 

Hindman, J. Edward, Denison 

Hueber, George, Rochester 

Hutcheson, T. Richard 

Iamaio, Nicholas, Fulton 

Johnston, Rich, Second Indianapolis 

Joseph, Ralph, Selma 

Joseph, Raymond P., Southfield 

Keddie, Gordon, Grace 

LaMay, Robert 

Lamont, Joe, Seattle 

Leach, Charles, Coldenham-Newburgh 

Leach, Jonathan B. 

Long, David, Lafayette 

Lowe, Duncan, Covenant Fellowship 

Magill, Keith R., Southside 

Mann, Wade, Lisbon 

Martin, J. Bruce, Ridgefield Park 

Martin, Mel 

Martin, Paul M., Phoenix 

McBurney, Charles, Allegheny 

McBurney, Scott, Winchester, Alt. 

McBurney, Kenneth 

McCracken, Robert, Trinity 

McCracken, Andrew, Bloomington 

McCracken, D. Ray, Orlando 

McCracken, J. Paul, Springs 

McCracken, Timothy, Fresno 

McElroy,Bill, Topeka 

McFarland, Robert H., Topeka 

McFarland, John, Christ Our King MC 

McGrath, John, Oswego 

McMahon, James 

McMillan, John M. 

Metzger, Harry, Westminster 

Milligan, Harold, Hebron 

Milroy, Jerry, Christ Covenant 

Mohr, David, Finance Committee 

Morrow, Samuel, Sparta 





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XXX XXXXX XXXX 




E XXXXXXXXE EEE EE 






E EEE EEE EEE EEE EE 



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EEXXXXXXXXXXXXX 


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X XX XX XX 


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Morrow, Robert 

Morton, Ray, Sparta 

Morton, John, Almonte 

Mueller, Dick, Westminster 

Munday, Michael, Evansville 

Noell, Alan, Stillwater 

O'Neill, Jerry F. 

Orr, Kenneth, Los Angeles 

Parnell, R. Bruce, Stillwater 

Pennington, Jim, Allegheny 

Piper, Donald, Seattle 

Pockras, Philip, Belle Center 

Prutow, Dennis J., Sterling 

Reid, Tom, Multiracial 

Roberts, William L. Bloomington 

Robson, Edward 

Rosenberger, Leverne, Grace MC 

Russell, John, North Hills 

Scavo, Vince, Eastvale 

Schep, Andrew, Columbus 

Schisler, Ed, Columbus 

Schmidtberger, Robert, Rose Point 

Schwertley, Brian, Southfield 

Smith, Peter, Anchor Fellowship 

Smith, Dean, First Beaver Falls 

Smith, John, Sharon 

Smith, Kenneth, Syracuse 

Soma, Phil, Great Lakes - Gulf DD 

Spear, Wayne R. 

Stegall, Ronald 

Stewart, Bruce C. 

Stine, Daniel, Anchor Fellowship 

Stoicheff, Karl, Second Indianapolis 

Stringer, Andrew, Ottawa 

Swartz, Walter, W., Oswego 

Takiura, Shigeru, Okomoto Keyaku 

Tweed, John 

VanCamp, Sidney W., Midland MC 

Watt, Jonathan, College Hill 

White, John H. 

Wilkinson, Scott, Walton 

Willson, David, College Hill 




XX 








XX XXXXXXXXXXX 





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XXX XXXXX XXXX 






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XXX 

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E EEE XXXXXXXXXXX 


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6 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE 

Wilsey, Marty, Westminster XXXXXXX XXXXX 

Wing, Dennis, Shawnee 


Wittke, James F., North Hills 


Wood, Everett, St. Lawrence DD XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

Worsham, Jay, Orlando 


Wright, Christopher, Cambridge XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

York, Barry, Sycamore XXXXXXXXX XXXX 

The following were introduced as delegates to the Synod for the first 

time: 

Teaching Elders Brian Schwertley, Southfield Associate Pastor for work 

in Lansing, Ml; Roger Adams, Iron County Mission Church; Aaron 

Goerner, Oswego Associate Pastor for work in New Hartford, NY; 

Kenneth Orr, Los Angeles; John McFarland, Christ Our King Fellowship, 

Orange County, CA; Brian Coombs, Syracuse Associate Pastor; Scott 

Wilkinson, Walton; Andrew Stringer, Ottawa Associate Pastor for work in 

Bancroft, Ontario; Shigeru Takiura, Okomoto Keiyaku; 

Ruling Elders Samuel Morrow, Sparta; Daniel Stine, Anchor Fellowship; 

Michael Munday, Evansville; Jack Morton, Almonte; 

Deacons Phil Soma, Southfield for Great Lakes - Gulf Presbytery; Jim 

Copeland, Covenant Fellowship for Presbytery of the Alleghenies; Joe 

Comanda, Broomall for Atlantic Presbytery. 

The following were also introduced to the Synod: Joe Griffo, pastorelect 

of the San Diego Congregation; George Joseph Gatis, a PCA minister 

who worships with the Cambridge Congregation and serves as a chaplain 

for Harvard University; two pages, Mark Goerner and John Maginn; 

George Martin, a theological student under the care of the Springs 

Session. 

The Synod elected Robert McCracken to serve as Moderator of the onehundred 

sixty-seventh Synod. Bruce Martin and Raymond Morton were 

continued as Clerk and Assistant Clerk. 

Synod remembered the following servants of God who had passed away 

since the last meeting of Synod: 

Pastors 

June E. McElroy February 1, 1997 

William Cornell June 7, 1997 

Pastors' Wives 

Mrs. Paul (Esther) Martin November 16, 1995 

Mrs. M.W. (Velma) Doughtery November, 30, 1995 

Mrs. Lester (Dr. Betty) Kilpatrick March 14, 1996 

Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Henning May 25, 1996 

Mrs. Luther (Ethel) McFarland September 28, 1996


Ruling Elders 

Michael Campbell 

James L. Mitchell 

Dean Hinton 

Ray Milligan 

Robert Russell 

Clyde Redpath 

Clair Clawson 

Darrel Powell 

F.W. Huston 

Robert McConaughy 

Raymond Milroy 

July 4, 1995 San Diego 

July 30, 1995 Geneva 

August 23, 1995 Los Angeles 

August 14, 1995 Hebron 

December 27, 1995 Walton 

April 26, 1996 Olathe/Shawnee 

September 1, 1996 New Alexandria 

January 12, 1997 Topeka 

February 13, 1997 Winchester 

May 28, 1997 College Hill 

June 19, 1997 Hebron 

Raymond Hemphill read a memorial for June McElroy and Christopher 

Wright read a memorial for Bill Cornell. These memorials appear in 

Appendix B. Ray Hemphill then led in the memorial prayer. Synod sang 

Psalm 23B, St. 5. 

The report of the Clerk was taken up. Item 1 was amended and 

adopted. Item 2 was adopted. The report as a whole was approved and is 

as follows: 

REPORT OF THE CLERK OF SYNOD 

The Clerk of the 1995 Synod reports that he has, to the best of his knowledge, 

carried out the duties assigned to him by the Synod and responded to a variety of 

correspondence that has been addressed to him. 

The 1995 Minutes of Synod and Yearbook was edited by the Clerk. The 

managing editors of Crown and Covenant Publications secured the printer and 

handled the mailing of the books. 

The Clerk has prepared and distributed both the 1996 Digest of Reports and 

the / 997 Docket and Digest. 

If the time of the meeting of the 1998 Synod as recommended by the Business 

of Synod Committee is adopted, notice is here given that reports should be sent 

to the clerk for inclusion in the 1998 Digest by April 15, 1998 and no later 

than April 30, 1998. 

A page has been assigned in the Docket for all reports. Although some did not 

have a printed report ready to be included in the Digest, a page number is assigned 

for inclusion of these reports at Synod. It is intended that a time be set on the 

agenda for each report. The Clerk should be informed if no place has been 

assigned for a particular report. Please note that the dating in the shadow box at 

the bottom of reports should allow delegates to collate the 1996 Digest of reports 

into the 1997Docket and Digest if they so choose since action is to be taken on all 

reports in both Digests. 

Recommendations:


I. That the order of business and hours of meeting stated in the Dock 

accepted as the agenda for this meeting of Synod. 

2. That the following be referred to the Nominating Committee: 

a. Those to whom letters of remembrance should be sent (1974 Minutes, 

P. 60); 

b. Those to be elected tofill vacancies on Synod's boards and permanent 

committees. 

Respectfully submitted, 

J. Bruce Martin, Clerk 

The Report of the Business of Synod Committee on Communications to 

Synod was taken up. Items 1 -7 were adopted and are as follows: 

Report of the Business of Synod Committee on Communications 

Communication 97-1: Petition for Westminster Evangelical Ministries to be 

place under the jurisdiction of the Synod. 

Recommendation # 1: that Communication 97-1 be referred to the Board of 

Education and Publication, to report to the Synod of 1998, and to address two 

issues: 1) whether the Westminster Evangelistic Ministries should be recognized as 

a ministry of the Synod of the RPCNA, and 2) if so, whether WEM should be 

placed under the administrative oversight of the E « P Board. (Note:if the E at P 

Board is divided as outlined in their report, this matter would be referred to the 

new Board of Publications.) 

Communication 97-2: Removal of a Paragraph from the Directory for Church 

Government. 

Recommendation # 2: The Business of Synod Committee has recognized 

problems in the handling of overtures and is working on ways to clarify our 

practices to allow for them to be handled more smoothly. In the meantime, this 

paper has come to the court andis ruled to be in order by the Business of Synod 

Committee. Therefore, the Business of Synod Committee recommends that 

Communication 97-2 be referred to the Judicial Committee. 

Communication 97-3: Petition for a Psalter Revision Committee. 

Recommendation # 3: that Communication 97-3 be referred to a special 

committee appointed by the Moderator to report to this meeting of Synod. 

Communication 97-4: Petition to Declare Ordination Queries Part of the 

Constitution. 

Recommendation ft 4: that Communication 97-4 be referred to the Judicial 

Committee. 

Communication 97-5: Petition for Judicial Interpretation 

Recommendation # 5: that Communication 97-5 be returned to the Great 

Lakes/Gulf Presbytery on the following grounds: 1) Synod has requested that 

study on issues brought before Synod be completed as much as possible by the

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 9 

lower courts. This does not seem to be the case with this pape 

no specific issue in this paper with which Synod may deal. 

Communication 97-6: Petition for Revision of the Covenant of Church 

Membership. 

Recommendation ft 6: that Communication 97-6 be referred to a special 

committee appointed by the Nominating Committee and to report to the Synod of 

1998. 

Communication 97-7: Petition to Declare an Action of the 1995 Synod to be 

out-of-order. 

Recommendation ft 7: that Communication 97-7 be referred to the Judicial 

Committee. 

Communications 97-9 and 97-10 were presented to the Business of 

Synod Committee after the deadline for receiving communications had 

passed. By more than a two-thirds vote Synod agreed to receive each of 

these communications for action on Monday morning. 

The report of the Committee on Arrangements was taken up. Items 1 

and 2 were referred to the Nominating Committee. The report as a whole 

was approved and is as follows: 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARRANGEMENTS 

By the time you read this report, the Committee on Arrangements will have 

taken care of arrangements for the meeting of Synod in 1997. The job 

description of the Committee is found in the Minutes of Synod, 1991. 

The committee has corresponded by mail and e-mail in preparation for the 

meeting of Synod. We thank Synod's clerk, Bruce Martin, who made preliminary 

contact with William Jewell College. We have appreciated excellent cooperation 

and helpfulness from the William Jewell staff, particularly Darlene Atkinson, 

Associate Manager of Campus Living Systems. We have appreciated the 

(generally) timely registration correspondence from each of you, the Synod 

delegates. The committee appreciates the faithful assistance of Judy Linhart, in 

serving again as Synod's secretary. And we are thankful for a number of 

volunteers who have helped with many details. We hope that Synod's physical 

arrangements are pleasant and conducive to a prosperous week in conducting 

business for Christ and His church. 

The following items are referred to the Nominating Committee to consider and 

take appropriate action: 

1) The terms of Bob McFarland and Dennis Wing expire this year. 

2) As mentioned in the Minutes of Synod 1993, it is important to have,if at all 

possible, at least two members of this committee present at Synod and also to 

assure that at least two members live in reasonable proximity to Synod's meeting 

place in order to coordinate arrangements. 

Respectfully submitted,


David Carson 

Jack Lathom 

Bob McFarland 

Dennis Wing, Chairman 

Following the announcements Synod was led in prayer by the 

Moderator adjourning the court at 10:15 p.m. 

MONDAY, JULY 14, 1997, 8:30 A.M. 

Synod reconvened pursuant to adjournment in the Yates College Union 

on the campus of William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri on Monday, 

July 14, 1997 at 8:30 a.m. 

The Moderator welcomed the delegates reminding them of the 

sovereignty of God in their work. James Carson led in prayer constituting 

the court. 

The roll was passed. 

Walter (Kit) Swartz led Synod in the singing of Psalm 98B. Don Piper 

read Exodus 32:30-32 and preached God's Word on the theme, 

"Committed to One Another". He then closed the service in prayer. 

The minutes of the Saturday evening session were read and approved as 

read. 

Elders who are delegates without certification were seated as regular 

delegates to the Synod. Others elders present were seated as consultative 

members of the court. 

The Moderator announced the committees to be assigned by him as 

follows: 

COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE MODERATOR 

Judicial Committee: Bill Edgar, Ch., Godfrey Franklin, Phil Pockras, Ed Schisler, 

George Hueber. 

Nominating Committee: Glen Chin, 1 year, Drew Gordon, 1 year, Kit Swartz, 2 

years; Ed Hindman, 2 years; Timothy McCracken, Bruce Hemphill, Chairman. 

Resolution of Thanks: Stan Copeland, Ch., Francis Buck. 

State of the Church Committee: Ron Good, Ch., Tony Cowley, Don Piper. 

Special Committee on Paper 97-3 on a Revision of the Psalter: Ray Joseph, Ch., 

Barry York, Peter Smith. 

COMMITTEES TO REVIEW PRESBYTERY RECORDS 

Alleghenies: Andrew Schep, John McFarland, Joe Copeland. 

Atlantic: Christian Adjemian, John McMillan, Alan Noell 

Great Lakes - Gulf: Jonathan Leach, Wade Mann, Scott McBurney. 

Japan: Keith Black, Doug Comin, John Russell.


Midwest: Paul Martin, Karl Stoicheff, Dave Long. 

Pacific Coast: Ed Blackwood, D. Ray McCracken, Glen George 

St. Lawrence: Mark England, Kenneth Orr, Larry Bump 

The report of the Business of Synod Committee on Communications 

was taken up again. Items 8-10 were adopted and are as follows: 

Communication 97-8: Declaration concerning "Psalm Choruses". 

Recommendation ft 8: that Communication 97-8 be referred to the Committee 

to Revise the Directory for Worship, and to report to the Synod of 1998. 

Communication 97-9: Petition to Deal with the American Presbyterian 

Churches. 

Recommendation tt 9: that Communication 97-9 be returned to the Atlantic 

Presbytery on the following grounds: 1) the paper was not in an acceptable form 

to be received by Synod; 2) procedures for congregations joining the RPCNA are 

outlined in the Directory for Church Government. Any orall of the American 

Presbyterian Churches are free to follow these; 3) the Interchurch Committee is 

proposing a different direction than this paper. 

Communication 97-10: Covenant with the Japan Presbytery 

Recommendation ft 10: that Communication 97-10 be referred to a committee 

of three elders to consult with Pastor Takiura and representatives of the Foreign 

Mission Board, and to report to this meeting of Synod. 

The Moderator announced the committee to meet with Pastor Takiura 

and representatives of the FMB as follows: Ed Robson, Christopher 

Wright, Charles Leach. 

Item 5 from the Business of Synod Committee on the disposition of the 

1996 reports was taken up and adopted. The reports appear in Appendix 

A to the Minutes. 

Following announcements, Synod took recess at 9:30 a.m. 

MONDAY JULY 14, 1997, 1:30 P.M. 

Synod re-convened at 1:30 p.m. being led in prayer by Samuel E. 

Boyle. 


The minutes of the morning session were read and approved. 

Lt. Col. Tom Vann was introduced to the court. Chaplain Vann is 

present to answer questions regarding the armed forces chaplaincy. 

Mark Harrington from Lincoln, Nebraska, was introduced to the Synod 

as a fraternal delegate representing the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.


The reports of the Presbyteries were taken up. The Presbytery of the 

Alleghenies reported asking that Joseph Griffo be allowed to participate in 

the Travel Fund. The request was granted. Following each report Synod 

was led in prayer for that presbytery as follows: Roger Adams for the 

Presbytery of the Alleghenies; Doug Comin for Atlantic Presbytery; 

Dennis Prutow for Great - Lakes Gulf Presbytery; Jim Pennington for 

Midwest Presbytery; Arthur Fawthrop for Pacific Coast Presbytery; Sidney 

Van Camp for St. Lawrence Presbytery, and; Paul McCracken for the 

Japan Presbytery. 

Synod took a fifteen-minute recess at 3:00 p.m. 

Shigeru Takiura presented a special petition from the Japan Presbytery 

which was received during the Saturday evening session as Communication 

97-10. 

Rev. Wesley Brice, pastor of the Northland Reformed Church was 

introduced to the court as the fraternal delegate from the Reformed 

Church in the United States. 

The reports of the Presbyteries were received and are as follows: 

REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY OF THE ALLEGHENIES 

Dear Fathers and Brothers, 

The Presbytery of the Alleghenies gives thanks to our Gracious God for His 

many mercies. We have 14 congregations under our care. All congregations 

are settled with full-time pastors, with the exception of Rimersburg. We would ask 

the prayers of the church for their need of a settled pastor. Our congregations 

enjoy the blessings of the gospel being preached, the instruction of the word of 

God for their edification, the fellowship of the saints as well as the oversight of the 

eldership of regular elders. We are thankful to our Sovereign God for these His 

mercies. 

This past January (the 17th) presbytery met in Washington D.C. to organize the 

Anchor Fellowship as a congregation of the RPCNA. We rejoice in our God's 

goodness in this and ask for the prayers of the church for Pastor Peter Smith and 

this young congregation. Last year we asked for prayers for Anchor as well as 

Trinity. At our spring meeting we heard of some measure of answers to those 

prayers for Trinity as well. While the work isstill at a fragile stage, some new 

people have been attending and the presbytery's prayeris that this will continue 

and that others will likewise be drawn into the fellowship of the gospel there. 

Mr. Keith Black was installed as pastor of the First Beaver Falls Congregation on 

July 18th, 1996. 

The Bible Study in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh has progressed during the 

last year. Weekly Lord's Day evening worship services have been conducted since 

last August. Two seminarians, Joe Griffo and C. ]. Williams, have shared 

responsibilities with RPTS President Jerry O'Neill. There have been a number of


professions of faith through Bible studies, led by Joe Griffo, which 

enthusiastically received. Some of those professing faith have attended the worship 

services. 

We have four men under the care of the Presbytery. Mr. Tom Gray (North 

Hills) and Mr. Joe Griffo (Covenant Fellowship) finished their seminary training last 

May. C. J. Williams (North Hills) has completed his middler year at RPTS. He 

joined the RPCNA as a result of attending RPTS. Mr. Joel Bagdon (North Hills) 

graduated from Geneva College this spring and plans to begin his seminary work in 

the fall. Mr. Griffo and Mr. Williams are certified to preach. Mr. Griffo 

anticipates being certified eligible to receive a call at this Synod's meeting of the 

Presbytery. The Presbytery gives thanks for these men and the gifts God has 

graciously given them. We pray that the Lord of the Church will guide them to 

suitable places of service for the glory of His name. Mr. Tom Gray is laboring in 

Japan under the supervision of Pastor Takiura for the summer 1997. 

Our "retired" pastors continue to serve the Lord and His church. Serving as 

Interim Moderators, Commission and Committee members as well as supplying 

many pulpits in our congregations. Several have been called upon by the FMB to 

serve in a variety of ways to further the work in Cyprus while they await the arrival 

of Pastor Sterrett this August. John and Willard McMillan, Norman Carson, Bruce 

Stewart and their respective wives have served the FMB in this effort during the 

past year. Pastor Renwick Wright is similarly being used in the HMB's "Pastor's 

Pastor" effort. We give thanks to our gracious God for the health, incomes and 

willingness our retired men enjoy to serve Him in these many ways. Their wisdom 

and labor is truly a blessing to the church. 

As stated above Pastor William Sterrett is planning to take up his Cyprus labors 

in August. Please pray for Him, the Japanese Church as well as the Cyprus 

congregation as they all undertake this transition. We pray God would bless these 

final days of Mr. Sterrett's Japan labors and moves to Cyprus. 

Kelly Moore continues to serve as a Chaplain with the U.S. Army and is 

currently serving in Panama. 

Since the last meeting of the Synod we have had regular meetings in the fall and 

spring of 1995 - 1997. Our next scheduled meeting is to be held at the New 

Alexandria RPC on Nov. 7/8, 1997. 

Our Presbytery family camp at Laurelville is planned for August July 28 to Aug. 

1, 1997. 

Our representative to the Geneva College Board of Corporators is Al Miller. 

Our representative to the Home Mission Board is Dean Smith. Our Moderator is 

Peter Smith and our Clerk is Robert Scmidtberger for the 1997-98 term. Our Ad 

Interim Commission Moderator is Dan Kepple. 


Robert Schmidtberger, Clerk


REPORT OF ATLANTIC PRESBYTERY 

The Atlantic Presbytery met on two occasions since last year's report to Synod, 

on October 11, 1996 at Hazleton, Pennsylvania for the organization of Hazleton 

Area Reformed Presbyterian Church, and on March 13-14, 1997 at Cambridge, 

Massachusetts. 

We give special praise to our sovereign Lord for building and blessing His church 

over the past year, with the addition of a seventh organized congregation to our 

Presbytery. 

Of the seven established congregations and two mission churches in Atlantic 

Presbytery, four congregations are currently served by ministers: Broomall, PA; 

Coldenham-Newburgh, NY; Elkins Park, PA; and White Lake, NY. Ridgefield 

Park, NJ anticipates the arrival of its new pastor, Rev. J. Bruce Martin, at the end 

of this month. The Cambridge pulpit is declared vacant as of March 16. Hazleton 

Area RPC does not yet have a settled pastor. Lancaster Area RP (Mission) Church, 

Lancaster, PA welcomed Rev. Mark England as church planting pastor on 

November 16, 1996. Grace RP (Mission) Church in Middletown, NY continues 

to be served by the Rev. H. Leverne Rosenberger, church planter. 

The Broomall congregation continues to be served by Dr. William J. Edgar. In 

addition to his local pastoral duties, Dr. Edgar is active on the Presbytery and 

Synod levels of the Church. He also continues his full time teaching work at a local 

high school. The weekly schedule remains asit has been, with morning and 

afternoon services on Sabbath and the Wednesday prayer meeting. The 

congregation has been pleased by the attendance of several adherents during the 

past year and is anticipating several of them becoming members. In 1996, 

Michael Lydon was ordained and installed in the office of ruling elder. 

Improvements to the Church property included new roofs on the church building 

and on the parsonage, and a new carpet in the sanctuary. Broomall has continued 

its support of the Lancaster work with families worshipping with them week by 

week. 

The Cambridge congregation is without a pastor, as Pastor James Kern resigned 

from its pulpit in March. Jim's faithful labors have been greatly appreciated by all, 

and they are glad that the Kerns plan to remain in their midst. The congregation 

has been privileged to minister to several families who came to the Boston area for 

short-term work situations over the past year. There is a strong desire to have a 

more fruitful outreach to unconverted friends and family members. Reshingling of 

the front of the church building was completed in the fall. 

The Coldenham-Newburgh congregation is shepherded by Pastor Charles Leach. 

Communicant membership increased by four in 1996, for which they thank God. 

1996 was also a year for births, with the baptism of five babies! Death has also 

visited the congregation, with two members being called home in the fall of 1996 

and another member this spring. The session realizes the critical need for 

faithfulness to Christ, and prays for diligence and positive results in addressing the


problem of delinquent members. The election of deacons in December 1996 was 

an answer to a long-standing prayer. Pray for the session and membership in 

working together side by side for the cause of Christ's kingdom and mutual growth 

in His grace. 

The Elkins Park congregation has been served by Pastor Tony Cowley for seven 

years. There are no resident elders, but Glen Chin (of Ridgefield Park) serves as 

provisional elder. The session has been encouraged in seeing the addition of a 

number of young families and an engaged couple. Some members of long-standing 

left for other denominations in 1996. There is an increased spirit of unity. The 

congregation is strongly committed to Reformed theology, but there Is a need to 

grow in individual and corporate understanding of, and commitment to, Reformed 

government and worship. In September 1996 three elders were elected and two 

of them have consented to be examined for ordination this spring. 

The Grace mission church (Middletown, NY) is under the pastoral oversight of 

Mr. Leverne Rosenberger and the Middletown Commission. David Coon continues 

as Moderator of the Commission and Charles Leach as Clerk. Don Crawford Is 

now member Emeritus, he having moved to Cheshire, CT. Deacon Dan Bosch now 

serves on the Commission, together with Michael DeSocio of the Middletown 

congregation, and H.L. Rosenberger, ex officio. The congregation has lost the 

support of several families recently, one through death, two through moving away, 

one about to move away. Special prayer is requested for a new leadership family 

to work with Mr. Rosenberger in developing the church. 

The Hazleton Area Reformed Presbyterian Church purchased a building for 

worship and fellowship at 9th and Roosevelt Streets in Hazleton, PA last August, 

1996, which is now almost completely renovated. The congregation was duly 

organized on October 11,1996 by the Atlantic Presbytery. The two elders on 

location and on the Hazleton Commission were installed and became the Hazleton 

Session. The average weekly attendance for 1996 has been 31. They now have a 

total of 31 (communicant and baptized) members. 

The Lancaster mission church is under the pastoral oversight of church planter 

Mr. Mark England and the Lancaster Commission (temporary governing body). 

Mr. England began preaching on October 13, 1996 and was installed on 

November 16. The congregation meets weekly for worship and is currently 

conducting regular Bible studies in Lancaster and York, PA. Worship attendance 

averages in the low twenties. The membership roll has grown to 21, up 3 from 

the previous year. The congregation is thankful for the aid it receives from the 

HMB, and enjoys the close relationship it has with the Broomall congregation. It is 

thankful for the mercies of God, and continues to seek the face of our Lord Christ. 

The Ridgefield Park congregation testifies of God's grace towards them. Over 

the past two years they have been challenged as a congregation as they have sought 

a new pastor. They have sought to maintain good fellowship, Bible study, prayer, 

and evangelism while without a pastor. As they look forward to J. Bruce Martin


coming to serve as their new pastor, they thank God for His continual mercy 

keeping them as a body intact. God has truly been good. Their numbers have 

remained consistent and many of them have seen how God has used them, blessed 

them, and caused them to grow in maturity. They are pleased to have had Lilly 

Roche rejoin their church family after moving back into the area. They are also 

excited to have Matilde Wong and Francis Chao join their congregation. Both are 

involved in Bible study and are faithful to the worship of the Lord. They continue 

to see how God provides a variety of cultures in their midst. They are truly a 

diverse body of believers, yet knitted together by the same Spirit. Through the 

challenges, many of them have found where their gifts are. Many of them have 

been blessed as other faithful members have met needs in teaching, in the 

diaconate, and in encouraging one another in the Lord. They look forward to even 

greater things taking place as their new pastor arrives in April. God has already 

provided graciously in giving housing for the pastor in close proximity to the 

Church. Pray for them as they seek to establish a greater presence in the 

community of Ridgefield Park and as they seek to grow in His grace. 

The White Lake congregation is served by Pastor David Coon. The congregation 

gives thanks to their Gracious God for continuing to renew and nurture life within 

their congregation. They added siding to the exterior of the church building and 

plan for more of the building to be handicap-accessible. They elected two new 

deacons this year. One of their former Datop residents has settled in their area. 

The Lord is building a greater sense of community, including plans for another 

congregational retreat at the camp this summer. Please pray with them that the 

Husbandman will cause them to be more effective. 

Atlantic Presbytery maintains the ministerial credentials of five teaching elders 

who are not currently serving as pastors of congregations: 

1. Philip Coon, retired and residing in Gettysburg, PA. 

2. William Cornell, currently working as a professional truck driver, serves as 

member of the Broomall Session and preaches occasionally upon request rendering 

pastoral services for RP congregations in the presbytery and for the Presbyterian 

Reformed Church in Bethesda, MD. Bill also assists at a truckstop chapel in Elkton, 

MD. 

3. Thomas Houston teaches high school Spanish in the Lancaster area. He 

preaches occasionally upon request and remains a member of the Lancaster mission 

church. 

4. James P. Kern has resigned from the pastorate of the Cambridge RPC as of 

this meeting of Presbytery, and plans to remain in the area for the time being. 

5. Jonathan Leach serves as Chaplaincy Program Director at White Haven 

Center, a residential care facility operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Jonathan also serves as chaplain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 

preaches monthly for the Hazleton congregation and is a member of the session.

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 1 7 

The following men are theological students under the care of Atlantic 

Presbytery: 

1. Mr. Michael Lydon, member of Broomall RPC 

2. Mr. Scott Rocca, member of Lancaster RP mission church. 

3. Mr. Nicholas Beckwith, a member of Elkins Park RPC. 

4. Mr. Caton Tompkins, also a member of Elkins Park RPC. 

Atlantic Presbytery continues to maintain fraternal relations with elders of the 

American Presbyterian Church. 

Presbytery's Family Camp, held jointly with St. Lawrence Presbytery at White 

Lake, NY, will be held August 1-9, featuring guest speaker Dr. Edward Robson. 

Officers of presbytery are: Moderator-Thomas Fisher; Clerk- Charles Leach; 

and Treasurer-Glen Chin. The Ad interim Commission is comprised of the 

Broomall Session. Our corrected roster is in the hands of the clerk of synod. Our 

membership is accounted for and travel assessment paid in full. Our deacon 

delegate to this year's meeting of Synod is Joe Commanda. 


Charles Leach, Clerk of Presbytery 

REPORT OF GREAT LAKES-GULF PRESBYTERY 

At the end of the "Great Commission", the Lord Jesus Christ said, "Lo, I am 

with you alway, even unto the end of the world." In this report we testify to our 

Savior's faithfulness to this promise. 

The Evansville RPC in Evansville, IN, was organized on December 6. In last 

year's report, we mentioned that we hoped that this would come to pass by the 

end of the year. The Lord was pleased to bring this to pass. Elkhart, IN, and Iron 

River, Ml, are now to the stage of Mission Churches. Presbytery is in different 

stages of exploring new work in the Raleigh-Durham, NC, area, the northern 

Kentucky suburbs of Cincinnati, OH, Mobile, AL, and the Atlanta, GA, area. We 

continue to pray for new work in Ocoee, FL. The two Michigan groups have men 

currently working on site. Rev. Brian Schwertley is at Lansing, and the Rev. Roger 

Adams is at Iron River. Lansing has had a number of trials in the last year, but 

things seem to be stabilized now. At the time this report was written, we werestill 

looking and praying for a church planter at Elkhart. Belle Center Session has been 

given oversight of the group near Cincinnati, and Rev. Pockras is preaching there 

monthly. 

Again there have been few changes in personnel in the past year. After some 

delay, Brian Schwertley was ordained to the Gospel ministry on October 25, and 

installed as Associate Pastor at Southfield, with responsibility to minister to the 

group in Lansing. 

Our membership statistics have been generally good. We record numerical 

growth for another year, by the grace of our God. The net total increase for the 

Presbytery comes to 56. Average Church attendance is up by 59, Sabbath School 

is up by 77, and CYPU membership is up by 5. Generally, we believe that these


show continued commitment of our people. Of our growth, 39 wer 

and 24 by profession of faith. Further, 13 of our baptized members personally 

professed faith in the Savior. We gained in Christians from other denominations 

by 9. 

Finances this year were mixed. Most categories were up. These included gifts 

to "Other RP Work", although RP M fit M was down slightly. "Other Income" 

was up somewhat, and contributions took a healthy jump of over $100,000. 

Again, we mention with concern that the finances of several congregations are 

either precarious or soon will be. Please pray with us that the God Who owns the 

cattle on a thousand hills will continue to provide for the fiscal needs of all our 

churches. 

Two congregations are currently vacant: Hetherton and Oakdale. The Rev. 

Milton Harrington continues to serve as Stated Supply at Hetherton, while Oakdale 

enjoys its arrangement with the Rev. Raymond Morton. Columbus congregation is 

still seeking a new building, and Sycamore is beginning to look for one. Southside 

Indianapolis will soon begin construction on greatly expanded facilities, and West 

Lafayette has finally found a building in Lafayette. Construction is complete on 

2nd Indianapolis' new structure. 

Belle Center saw closer fellowship, new adherents, and property improvements 

over the past year, although there was a diminished roll. Please pray for many 

more encouragements. They are excited about some new members and the 

opportunity to help the folk near Cincinnati. Their financial situation is still not 

comfortable. Bloomington's revitalization efforts continue to bring good results. 

We are glad to see new church officers there, easing a rather long standing 

concern. At the time this report was being written, they were anticipating the 

Church Revitalization Conference in their midst to be, D.V. on April 21-23. 

Columbus elected additional leadership to help them in claiming their area for King 

Jesus. The congregation saw some internal turmoil in this past year, but we hope 

matters are calming down. They still badly need a bigger building. 

Evansville, since its organization, has been sobered by the first death in the 

congregation and a disruption in their fellowship. Nonetheless they push on. They 

have a campus outreach at the University of Southern Indiana called "Students 

United for Reformation" and had a favorable mention in the campus newspaper. 

We ask for prayer for another resident ruling elder. 

Hetherton's situation is improving. They have a growing potential for witness in 

their area. The Rev. Robert Henning was able to spend some time there late this 

past winter, and found much openness for witness. Presbytery hopes they will 

soon have a full-time minister there again. Lafayette continues to see God's hand 

of blessing in their current location. They ask for prayer for continued growth in 

Christian maturity among the members. Several members of the congregation 

have been very active in public witness via the media. Multiracial asks for prayer 

for their new small-group evangelism efforts, their new young people's group, a


planned pastoral counseling institute, and a Tutorial Academy for Exc 

all of these the congregation is seeking for evangelistic opportunities. Their 

building is still needing the completion of some repairs from hurricanes two years 

ago. Oakdale had a successful VBS this past summer. Please be praying for 

developing contacts through this and other outreach efforts. There have been 

health problems in some of the older members. Their field of labor is not easy, 

with growing unemployment and a shrinking population. 

Orlando has recast their CE efforts. They continue their outreach to young 

families through their Mothers of Preschoolers program. Please continue to pray 

for outreach in Ocoee, a northwest suburb of Orlando, a very fast growing area in 

the metro area. 2nd Indianapolis saw God's blessings in many ways. Several of 

their men were able to participate in a study trip to the State of Israel. Their 

building program is done. They specifically ask that this facility would soon be 

filled so that they could build a yet larger structure. They are grateful for the 

training many of their young men received in construction skills over the past year. 

Selma asks for prayer for the Knox Kindergarten, for their young people, especially 

those about to start college, and for the development of more leadership among 

the men of the congregation. Visits by some of the Young People from other 

congregations in Presbytery for the past two years and a visit by the Genevans were 

encouraging. Southfield continues to experience God's gracious hand. Their 

Session is loaded with two outreach works as well as their own local responsibilities, 

which include some discipline cases. The Rev. Brian Schwertley works diligently at 

Lansing. The group continues to sponsor a television show on the local access 

cable channel. The group there and the local Orthodox Presbyterian congregation 

co-sponsor a campus ministry at Michigan State University. Further, the Iron 

County Reformed Fellowship is sponsored by Southfield. Several families are 

regularly meeting together there as a Mission Church. Rev Roger Adams was 

appointed by the Michigan Church Extension Commission to be the Church Planter 

there. Southside Indianapolis is still needing much more room, which is why they 

are expanding their building. They have continued their Junior High ministry along 

with their other youth and young adult work. This includes much summer mission 

work by the youth and young adults of the congregation. They have around 100 

kids of high school age and younger. They ask for prayer for their children and 

young adults, for God's guidance in their callings. 

Southside also asks prayer for their renewed diaconal ministry. Sparta has had 

difficulty and trial through the very serious illness of their minister's wife. They 

continue to work hard, though. In an area of falling employment and population, 

hard work is necessary! They had an encouraging Presbyterial Visitation. They are 

receiving a few new members, but their money is nearly gone, and there is concern 

how much longer they can support a minister. Sycamore continues to grow, 

although the Lord has sent several people from them to other areas of service. 

They are working on new ministries in Christian education, fellowship and


hospitality, and a nursery. Their interest in student ministry at the Indiana 

University branch continues unabated. The congregation is trying to focus on 

household evangelism and are seeking to meet one another's physical needs, too. 

They have been active in helping with mission development in the Elkhart/ Goshen, 

IN, area. Westminster is rebuilding now, with the Lord having replaced all the 

members lost by moving from the area. They are seeing new converts through 

their evangelism efforts. Please pray that these people will become fully involved in 

the life of the church. They hope this year to elect and install deacons. 

Two more of our congregations have now followed Southfield's lead and have 

put up web pages. Belle Center and Bloomington have jumped in, Westminster is 

working on one, and we hope the rest of the alphabet in between will follow along 

shortly. Nearly every one of our congregations is linked by email, at least, to each 

other and the wider church. We find that the instant prayer and mission news 

from the "CovieNet" out of Geneva College are very useful, indeed. 

Several of our congregations have had to exercise discipline on members, 

ranging from admonition to excommunication. Please pray for these under 

discipline, that it would have the desired effect of weaning them from sin and 

keeping the Bride of Christ pure for her Husband. 

Our Young People's work continues under the direction of Richard Johnston, 

John Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. James Long, and the presbyterial CYPU staff. We 

plan on the fun and learning we normally get at Covfamikoi Conference, again at 

Johnson Bible College near Knoxville, TN. 

Presbytery has met three times since our report last year. We met on October 

25 in Southfield, Ml, to deal with troubles in the Columbus congregation and to 

ordain and install Rev. Schwertley. We met again on December 6 at Evansville, 

IN, to organize the congregation there. Our stated Spring meeting was at 2nd 

RPC of Indianapolis, IN, on April 3-5. 

Dear brethren, we again implore your prayers for us. Particularly this year are 

we feeling the pinch of a lack of workers in the harvest. We have groups 

contacting us for work, when there is no one to send. Pray the Lord of the harvest 

with us, that He may send more workers into the fields. The crop is white for 

harvest. 

Respectfully submitted for the Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery, 

Philip H. Pockras 

Assistant Clerk 

REPORT OF THE JAPAN PRESBYTERY 


We greet you in the name of our One Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

The Japan Presbytery held six regular meetings during the past year and several 

special sessions to deal with crucial matters. The Ad Interim Commission has also 

met several times throughout the year.


In the fall of 1996 a document declaring the formation of the Japan Presbytery 

was distributed to our congregations, as well as to other Kobe churches and 

denominations with which we have fraternal relations. 

The Presbytery has fraternal relations with several churches in Japan. In 1996 

fraternal delegates were received from the Reformed Church of Japan and the 

Presbyterian Church of Japan. 

The Japan Presbytery consists of four organized congregations: Higashi Suma 

pastored by Sumito Sakai; Okamoto Keiyaku pastored by Shigeru Takiura; 

Mukonoso pastored by Gene Spear; and Kasumigaoka which is currently without a 

pastor. There are also two mission stations: Hontamon pastored by Sumito Sakai 

under the Higashi Suma Session; and Kita Suzurandai pastored by Bill Sterrett. 

Bill Sterrett has accepted a call to be pastor of Trinity Christian Community 

Fellowship in Larnaca, Cyprus. He is to leave Japan on July 2, 1997. A 

presbytery farewell dinner was held for the Sterrett family on June 14 at Suma 

International House, Kobe. 

Pastor Gene Spear will reach retirement age in August and is to return to the 

U.S. 

Lie. Shigeki Komuro returned to Japan from Korea in the fall of 1996. He has 

done occasional preaching at Kasumigaoka and other congregations. 

Pastor Nobuo Miwa continues to do independent evangelistic work in Korea. 

He is still a member of the Japan Presbytery, but his work is not officially under 

the Presbytery. Support from Japan is through private voluntary contributions. 

The Presbytery processed two pastoral calls to Pastor Miwa. One was from 

Mukonoso Church to be pastor after Pastor Spear's departure, and the other call 

was from the Presbytery to be missionary-pastor at Kita Suzurandai Mission 

Station. Pastor Miwa has declined both of these calls. 

With Pastor Miwa in Korea, Pastor Sterrett's call to Cyprus, and Pastor Spear's 

retirement, the Presbytery is concerned that there will be a shortage of pastors in 

Japan. Pastors Takiura and Sakai will be the only ordained ministers with six 

worship centers to serve. The Presbytery has reminded the Foreign Mission Board 

of its commitment to maintain two ordained missionaries in Japan. The Foreign 

Mission Board has not yet found replacements for Pastors Spear and Sterrett. The 

Foreign Mission Board has formed a plan to send pastors from the U.S. on a shortterm 

trial basis, with the hope that some will be led to serve in Japan on a longterm 

basis. We ask you to continue to pray that the Lord will raise up pastors for 

His Church in Japan. 

From June 1-15, an evangelistic team from the Westminster Church in 

Singapore visited our R.P. churches in Japan. They are a fervent Psalm-singing 

church who hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith. The team gave 

testimonies and did personal work in each of our congregations.


Tom Gray, who is a theological student under the care of the Presbytery of the 

Alleghenies, arrived in Japan on June 4, 1997 and is serving as a summer intern. 

We pray that this will be for the blessing of both Tom and the Japanese Church. 

The Presbytery regrets to report that in April 1996 a trial was held to bring 

charges of contempt for the Church Court against former pastor Samuel Youn. 

Mr. Youn had previously confessed to charges of breaking the seventh 

commandment, false teaching, and false witness. Later it was found that he had 

publicly denied his confession and displayed contempt for the court. The 

Presbytery summoned Mr. Youn twice, but he did not respond to the summonses. 

The trial was held in his absence. He was found guilty as charged, and the results 

of the trial were sent in a certified letter to him which he refused to accept. After 

the trial, the summons letter was returned unopened, so it was decided to set 

another trial date in July and send a summons letter which would require proof of 

Mr. Youn's having read it. Mr. Youn again failed to respond to the summons, so 

the Presbytery reconfirmed its original verdict. On July 8, 1996 Samuel Youn was 

pronounced deposed from the office of minister of the gospel and was 

excommunicated by the court of the Japan Presbytery. We continue to pray for 

Mr. Youn's repentance. 

New officers have been elected for the Religious Bodies Organization 

(Shukyohojin). Pastor Takiura has replaced Pastor Spear as the representative 

officer. Pastor Sakai and Elder Kazuo Ishii were elected as officers. 

The Covenanter Bookstore Board of Directors is in the process of making final 

plans for the rebuilding of the Bookstore as the "Covenanter Center Building." 

Contributions continue to be received from our own denomination in Japan, from 

other churches in Japan, and from our churches in the U.S. The congregations in 

Japan have each pledged to contribute funds over a maximum ten-year period. 

At the end of August 1996, Elder Shozo Hagiwara accepted the position of 

Manager of the Covenanter Bookstore. Under his leadership, book sales are 

gradually returning to their pre-earthquake levels. 

In August we were pleased that several members of the Japan R.P. Church were 

able to attend the international conference at Calvin College. At the conference 

an appeal was made on behalf of the Covenanter Bookstore building fund. An 

appeal was also made for the sending of more missionaries to Japan. 

After an experimental session in the spring of 1996, The Kobe Theological Hall 

began regular classes on September 12, 1996 under the direction of Pastor 

Takiura. There are currently seven students enrolled in evening classes. Courses 

are offered in Practical Theology, Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Greek, 

and Church History. KTH was pleased to have Tom Reid and Ed Robson as guest 

lecturers from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1997. 

The Psalm committee continues to make progress in preparing new Psalms in 

Japanese for singing. An enlarged edition of the Japanese Psalter is being 

prepared and will soon be ready for publication.


Pastor Toshio Masunaga has published a book of sermons which he preached 

while he was pastor of Higashi Suma Church. Higashi Suma Church distributed the 

book for the members of each congregation. Pastor Gene Spear is preparing a 

book on worship to be published by the presbytery. 

The Presbytery was also responsible for the oversight of the following activities: 

1. The annual Young People's Conference was held August 12-14, 1996 at 

Hyogo Prefecture Shoogai Kyoiku Center in Ureshinodai. The theme was 

"Knowing God's Will." 

2. The annual Fall Church Conference was held on September 23, 1996 at the 

YMCA camp on Mt. Rokko, Kobe. The declaration of the establishment of the 

Japan Presbytery was studied. 

3. The Life of Christ in the Psalms was sung at the annual Psalm Program on 

December 23, 1996 at the Kobe Kyoiku Kaikan. 

4. The Young People's prayer fellowship has continued on the first Lord's Day of 

every month. 

5. The Japan Presbytery continues to participate in the support of the Reformation 

Translation Fellowship. Officers of Presbytery for 1997 are: 

Moderator: Shigeru Takiura 

Clerks: Sumito Sakai and William Sterrett 

Treasurer: Shozo Hagiwara 


William J. Sterrett, Clerk 

REPORT OF MIDWEST PRESBYTERY 

The Presbytery has held one regular meeting for business in November of 1996. 

There are now 16 Organized Congregations and 2 Mission Churches in the 

Midwest Presbytery. There are four congregations with vacant pulpits; Christ 

Covenant Church (Lawrence), Clarinda, Greeley and Hebron. 

Christ Covenant: One of the highlights of the past year was a spring seminar on 

"Raising Teenagers" with several timely and insightful messages by Rev. Paul 

McCracken. The congregation was encouraged by the messages and by the 

fellowship with Rev. & Mrs. McCracken. The motivation for this seminar was the 

many young people who are part of the families of the congregation. In October, 

Rev. Mark England accepted the call to church plant in Lancaster, PA. 

Clarinda: In March, Rev. Robert LaMay took a position with Presbyterian 

Evangelistic Fellowship. The Session and congregation continue to seek direction 

for the congregation and for God to raise up leaders to labor with then in Clarinda. 

Denison: One significant event of the year was the celebration of the 125th 

Anniversary on August 10 K 11, 1996. Guest speakers were Rev. Paul Faris, a 

son of the congregation; Rev. Jim Wright, a grandson of the congregation; and 

Rev. Ken McBurney, former pastor. 

Greeley: In November, Rev. Charles Carroll accepted the call to church plant in 

Wichita. They praise God for His provision and seek His will for their direction.


Hebron: In November, the congregation celebrated 125 years of ministry in the 

Clay County, KS community. They are thankful that God does use us in His 

service, in ministering to the community as they seek to be faithful in witness for 

Jesus Christ. In February 1997, Rev. Bruce Martin accepted the call to the 

pastorate in Rigdefield Park. 

Midland Mission Church: Two areas of outreach have been door-to-door 

distribution of literature and a radio spot. They continue to look for a better place 

to worship. 

Minneola: There have been a number of good activities over the last year. 

Three different missionaries spoke - Richard Ramsay, missionary from Chile; Matt 

Filbert, mission trip to Russia; and Shirley Wright, missionary from Japan. The 

congregation also hosted Presbyterial in April. 

Quinter: The congregation continues to be instructed and challenged by the 

faithful preaching and teaching of God's Word by Pastor Steven Work. They 

hosted the men's retreat this spring and will host the meeting of Presbytery this 

fall. 

Sharon: On the observance of their sesquicentennial, speakers included Duncan 

Lowe, Dr. John Edgar and Rev. Richard Hutcheson. A daughter of the 

congregation, Mrs. Robert (Louise Edgar) Copeland led the praise in worship. 

Shawnee: The congregation continues to be very active in equipping the 

Presbytery. They had Andrew Stringer as a summer Intern. The Outreach 

Committee invited Barry York to come for series on outreach titled "Biblical 

Compassion." In September, Dr. Robert Godfrey from Westminster West came 

for another Reformed Conference. He spoke on the subject of our "Spiritual 

Environment." 

Springs Reformed Church: The Lord continues to bless and use this 

congregation. They note God's sending them out into the work of the kingdom 

and rejoice at His adding to their congregation. They pray for much increase in 

their contact with the lost, and an earnest desire to expose them to the everlasting 

gospel. 

Sterling: In their report to Presbytery, the Session thanked the Lord for 7 

covenant children who became communicant members, 6 others who joined the 

church as communicants, and 8 children added to the baptized roll. During the 

month of May 1996 the elders visited almost every family in their homes. One 

question that was asked each member was whether or not the Sterling church had a 

future. The majority said, "Yes," if we are obedient to God's word. Other 

positive things mentioned were the college students, the number of families living 

in surrounding communities, the fellowship at the dinners the first Lord's Day of 

each month and the outreach to the children of the community whose parents do 

not attend. 

Stillwater: As Alan Noell reported at the annual congregational meeting, "Our 

faithful Lord has continued to be gracious to our congregation during the past


year. Tangible evidence of His goodness to us include one birth, eight bapt 

and professions of faith on the part of two of our covenant children. Our 

bimonthly times of Communion have also been a blessing. The Lord has also sent 

us new households who have been an encouragement to us, and he has given us 

opportunities for witness and service to the unbelieving." 

Topeka: The congregation gives thanks to God for the safe completion of their 

new building and for the generous contributions of time, labor, and finances 

necessary for this project. It was dedicated on November 11, 1996. Their new 

address is 8345 SW 33rd Street. Pray for direction in this new beginning in their 

109th year in Topeka. We are saddened with them at the death of Darrel Powell, 

ruling elder. 

Washington: A highlight of the year was the election, ordination, and 

installation of the first deacons that the congregation has ever had. The Lord 

raised up three young men who are gifted for this office and zealous for ministry 

among our congregation and community. They are meeting monthly and are 

carefully and prayerfully planning avenues of mercy ministry among the people. 

We praise God for His provision of qualified servants for this important work and 

trust that the deaconate will be a source of blessing. 

Westminster: The congregation currently has 66 Communicant and 36 

Baptized members. As they reported to Presbytery in the fall, "Our visionis to 

grow to 150-200 people and then daughter other congregations. With this vision 

in mind, the Building Committee is planning a new building to accommodate this 

growth. We hope to break ground in 1997. Please pray for the resources and 

energy for us to go forward in this project. 

Wichita Mission Church: On February 14, 1997, Charles Carroll was installed 

as pastor in the newly designated Mission Church in Wichita. This new mission 

fellowship eagerly continues with the vision that the core group has always had and 

that has been nurtured by the Commission, namely that God would send them into 

the harvest and use their words, their outreach, their preaching as a means of 

bringing the light of the gospel to their community. 

Winchester: The congregation praises God for growth in membership over the 

past year. They have welcomed 19 new members, which include 6 covenant 

children by profession of faith, 5 transfers from other denominations, one 

profession of faith, and 7 transfers from other RP Congregations. They note the 

resignation of Howard Elliott as ruling elder and express their appreciation for his 

many years of service to the congregation as both a ruling and teaching elder. 

There are also many ways that the Presbytery works together. 

Greg at Jan Adams serve as Youth Sponsors giving leadership and 

encouragement to the Presbytery CY program. 

There are three family camps to choose from across the Presbytery. Crooked 

Creek in lowa, Horse Creek in northeast Kansas, and Horn Creek in Colorado.


There are four men under care of Presbytery; Nathan Corey, Matt Filbert, Bill 

Van Sciver, and Tom Zasadny. 

We are grateful for the faithful service of Chaplain Stan Copeland, who is 

stationed at Fort Leavenworth. 

Finally, we note with sadness the death of June McElroy, who served the Lord 

as a minister of His word. 


R. Bruce Parnell, Clerk 

REPORT OF THE PACIFIC COAST PRESBYTERY 

Dear Fathers and Brothers: 

The Pacific Coast Presbytery Reports that we have had two meetings since the 

last meeting of Synod. The first was reported in the Digest of Reports sent out by 

the Clerk of Synod last year. The Presbytery met in Phoenix Reformed 

Presbyterian Church building in March of 1997. 

At this meeting all of the congregations including the new Mission Congregation 

in Orange County, California, reported many evidences of the blessing of God. 

There are five regular congregations under the oversight of the Presbytery. Four 

have settled pastors. San Diego has prospered under the interim ministry of 

several retired pastors from the denomination. They reported great spirit, growth 

in numbers as well as having many visitors attending their worship services. During 

the summer of 1996 two families from the Seattle Congregation spent two weeks 

in San Diego helping with repair and renovation of the San Diego Church's 

building. This was greatly appreciated by the congregation and reflected a 

wonderful spirit which is reflected throughout the Presbytery. The Mission 

Congregation in Orange County reported growth and good spirit among the 

members. 

The Presbytery is anticipating a profitable Family Conference to be held in 

Northern California the last week of June. You may have noticed that the 

Conference was to begin on the Lord's Day. At the last meeting of the Presbytery 

the Presbytery directed that we will not again begin our conference on the Lord's 

Day. 

In its oversight the Presbytery sent a committee to visit the Seattle 

Congregation. The Committee reported that the congregation was in a very 

healthy condition. A Committee has been appointed to visit the Fresno 

Congregation this year. 

Give thanks to God for a good spirit of unity throughout the Presbytery. It was 

a wonderful time to hear of the blessing of God in all the congregations. Pray that 

God will continue to bring such blessing. It is at times like these that we must be 

most watchful. 


Paul M. Martin, Clerk


REPORT OF ST. LAWRENCE PRESBYTERY 

The St. Lawrence Presbytery has met 4 times since last year's report to Synod: 

October 8-9, 1996, at Syracuse, New York, March 25, 1997, at Walton, New 

York, April 4, 1997, at Bancroft, Ontario, and May 16, 1997 at New Hartford, 

New York. 

The Presbytery has eleven congregations and three mission stations, ten of which 

have pastors. Membership of 835 represents a growth of 5 from last year's 830. 

The Presbytery continues to concentrate much of its effort in preparing students 

for ministry and in placing them in appropriate fields of ministry. Four students 

completed their seminary work last year. Brian Coombs was ordained and installed 

as associate pastor of the Syracuse Congregation on October 8, 1996. Andrew 

Stringer served an internship with the Shawnee Congregation last summer, then 

was licensed as eligible to receive a call on October 8, 1996. He began work in 

the new mission in Bancroft, Ontario, in thefall and was ordained and installed as 

Associate Pastor of the Ottawa Congregation on April 4, 1997, for the work in 

Bancroft. Aaron Goerner has been working in the new outreach effort in New 

Hartford, New York this past year and was ordained and installed Associate Pastor 

of the Oswego Congregation on May 16, 1997, for the work in New Hartford. 

Kiernan Stringer served an internship in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, last summer 

and has been working with the Syracuse Congregation the rest of the year. 

Two students have completed their seminary work this year. Matt Kingswood 

served an internship with the Trinity Congregation in Northern Ireland last summer 

and has completed his final year of seminary at John Knox Seminary in Ft. 

Lauderdale, Florida. He hopes to complete licensure requirements soon and to be 

involved in outreach with the Ottawa Congregation. Matt Dyck was licensed to 

preach on October 9, 1996 and was licensed as eligible to receive a call on March 

25, 1997. While finishing his final year of Seminary at Ottawa Theological Hall, 

he has been living in the Almonte manse and preaching for Almonte. 

Two students, Philip Markert and Mark Goerner, have completed their first year 

at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. Philip is a 

summer intern in Lisbon and Markis a summer intern in Colorado Springs. 

The Almonte congregation has been thankful for the preaching of the students 

from the Ottawa Theological Hall during the past year. At present they have a 

student of theology, Matt Dyck, and his wife, Jennifer, and son, Calvin, living in 

the manse. He preaches for them each Lord's Day morning. They are encouraged 

by increased attendance in recent weeks. They ask for your prayers that the 

congregation would have a strong witness for Christ in the community. 

The Endwell Congregation is thankful for the services of Bob Macauley as 

Treasurer for the past five years. Their new Treasureris John Cantrell and they 

are thankful for his willingness to take on this new responsibility. They are also 

thankful to have the Rydingsward family as members and the prospect of two more


families. A College and Career group meets once a month and a discussion gro 

meets on Saturday mornings once a month. 

The Fulton congregation gives praise to God for his manifold blessings upon 

them. They have seen the Lord bring two new families into covenant membership 

just since January of this year, and several others are expressing serious 

commitment to the congregation. Pastor Iamaio enjoys his work in the study and 

teaching of the Word for worship and a midweek Bible study. Also, the systematic 

theology class has enjoyed continued success. Spiritual growth and maturity is 

increasingly evident in the lives of God's people in Fulton. Mr. Russ vanNorstrand 

was elected and installed as deacon in the last year. The congregation is currently 

investigating an opportunity to purchase a church building. We pray that the Lord 

will bless and use his people to further his kingdom in Fulton. 

The Lisbon congregation is thankful for the Lord's sustaining hand and blessing 

during the past year. Thisis evident in part by God's abundant financial provision: 

giving in 1996 exceeded the congregational budget for the first time in several 

years. In addition, the congregation is thankful for three new families worshipping 

with them, and for various new contacts through home Bible study groups, as well 

as a young mothers evangelistic study which met earlier this year. They are also 

pleased that one woman contacted by the Evangelism Explosion team continues to 

attend worship periodically. The congregation eagerly anticipates hosting Philip 

Markert as an intern this summer. They earnestly seek the Lord's wisdom and 

direction as a church extension opportunity is investigated. Above all, they pray 

that families will be firmly established in the Lord and equipped for effective 

Christian service. 

The Lochiel congregation has seen some increase in attendance and are seeking 

for the right man to be their pastor. They hope to continue morning services in 

the Lochiel church and to begin evening services in St. Lazare, Quebec, which is 

about half way between Lochiel and Montreal. The Dodenhoff family live in St. 

Lazare and itis hoped that the pastor might also locate there in order to further 

the outreach effort in that area. 

The Oswego congregation continues to experience God's blessings. Their 

membership has increased by five over the past year, bringing their total 

membership to 85 persons. However, they will be losing part of their number 

with the commencement of morning worship in New Hartford beginning in May, 

1997. Pastor Kit Swartz and Associate Pastor Aaron Goerner continue to labor in 

their work of Scripture study and exposition. Bible studies in Oswego and New 

Hartford are well attended and continue to be a source of good learning and 

fellowship. The George Goerner household in New Hartford has been very 

gracious in the opening of their home for Bible Study, in addition to providing 

fellowship meals following Evening worship on the Lord's Day. 

The Lord is also maintaining an open door for ministry in the Pulaski area. A 

number of families have expressed interest in seeing a church planted in their


community. The Lord has also blessed the congregation with an additional 

Mr. Kevin Plummer. His presence on the Session will enable us to provide for a 

Bible Study to begin soon in Pulaski. 

The Oswego congregation was greatly blessed last summer with the visit of Dr. 

Edward Robson and his wife, Gretchen. Dr. Robson conducted a weekend seminar 

on the subject of "Man and Woman in the Garden." Pastor Swartz and his family 

are well and continue to prosper in faith and health. 

The Ottawa congregation has had a strong focus on the preparation of students 

for ministry, and has seen several of them go out into ministry. This past year they 

have been involved in the beginning of a new work in Bancroft, Ontario, and are 

considering the possibility of starting another new work to the Southeast of 

Ottawa. A number of Bible studies are continuing in the congregation. The 

Sabbath School has now grown to twelve classes, two of which are for adults. One 

new deacon was elected and installed, and plans are under way for the election of 

more deacons. 

In the spring of 1996 the Ottawa Session became aware of several families in 

the Bancroft, Ontario area, including the Van Noppen family from the Ottawa 

congregation, who were interested in a new church work. Worship services were 

started in the late spring with students Andrew Stringer and Matt Dyck providing 

much of the preaching. In the fall, the Stringer family moved to Bancroft to begin 

full time work. Andrew was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor of the 

Ottawa congregation for the work in Bancroft on April 4, 1997. 

The Rochester congregation continues to wait upon the Lord to provide a 

pastor. With the election of Peter E. Robson and William H. Pihl as ruling elders, 

the congregation now has a resident session (augmented by provisional elders 

George Hueber and Gene Huggins). Regular preaching is currently provided by 

Pastors Edward Robson, Harold Harrington, and William Pihl. The congregation 

continues to meet at the Rochester Christian School on the Lord's Day. A 

midweek Bible study is held in one of the homes. A solid core group has been 

established during the past several years, and the congregation seeks to grow as the 

gospel spreads in Rochester and the surrounding communities. 

The Smiths Falls congregation gives thanks to God for the continuing love and 

unity enjoyed by its members. The congregation continues its practice of monthly 

communion and monthly fellowship meals, midweek Bible studies in three different 

locations, as well as an outreach study for young teens meeting weekly in Smiths 

Falls. Men's and women's studies also meet once a month. The teens organized a 

Winter Retreat this year, which the Lord greatly blessed. The congregation 

continues to draw people from a large geographic area. They continue to ask the 

Lord to provide for the planting of another congregation, perhaps in Kingston. 

In the summer of 1996 the Syracuse Congregation took on Associate Pastor 

Brian Coombs in an effort to extend their mission by establishing another preaching 

station in Greater Syracuse. So in November, another worship service was begun


in Chittenango, an eastern suburb, with Mr. Coombs in charge. 

additional a.m. service was begun in February making use of the services of pastoral 

intern Kiernan Stringer, a graduate of Ottawa Theological Hall, this time in North 

Syracuse. All of the congregation gather for an evening convocation once a month 

with the celebration of the Lord's Supper. In January twenty covenant youth were 

welcomed into communicant membership upon their having taken the Covenant of 

Church Membership. In March two new elders were ordained and installed, Jeff 

Bulow and Bruce Trexler. The completion of the educational wing and additional 

parking equips their church facilities for up to two-hundred persons at one time. 

But their space has been filled. So, the additional worship services represent a step 

of faith toward the development of additional churches in this urban district. 

The Walton congregation continues to be refreshed by God's Spirit through the 

ministry of Scott Wilkinson. They have rejoiced in his marriage and the 

anticipated arrival of a child to Elineke and him in May. They have also been 

encouraged that several families have begun to attend fairly regularly. Please pray 

for John and Mariann Cripps, new members of the congregation, as he seeks full 

time employment closer to Walton. They also have several elderly members whose 

weakness prevents them from regular attendance at worship services. 

St. Lawrence Family Camp met at a new location near Silver Lake, Ontario, on 

Labor Day weekend, and will be returning again this year on August 29 to 

September 1. This location better accommodates the growing numbers attending 

the camp. White Lake Family Camp will be held as usual in conjunction with the 

Atlantic Presbytery on August 1 -9. 

The officers of our Presbytery are Wade Mann, Moderator, Kenneth McBurney, 

Clerk, Everett Wood, Treasurer, Andy Curran, Assistant Treasurer, David Ayer, 

Associate Treasurer for Canada, Art Fawthrop, Moderator of the Ad Interim 

Commission, Ed Robson, Moderator of the Church Extension Commission, and Ed 

Robson and Rich Ganz, Co-chairmen of the Student Oversight Committee. 

Presbytery requests that a representative of Ottawa Theological Hall be heard at 

this time. 

Kenneth A. McBurney, Clerk 

A bouquet of flowers was presented to Synod from the Trinity 

Congregation in honor of their Pastor being elected Moderator of the 

1997 Synod. 

The report of the Special Interim Commission was taken up. The 

Moderator of the Commission reported that there was no business given 

to the Commission so there were no meetings and no actions were taken. 

The report was received. 

The report of the Board of Trustees was taken up. The report as a 

whole was discussed. The time for the afternoon session was extended for 

the completion of this report. Item 1 was referred to the Nominating 

Committee. Items 2 and 3 were adopted. Items 4-6 were referred to the


Committee on Finance. The report as a whole was approved and is as 

follows: 

1997 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF SYNOD 

The Trustees of Synod held three regular meetings since June of 1996. The 

Fall meeting was held in Topeka, Kansas so that the Board members could view the 

new church building. We thank the Lord for His blessings this past year. 

The members of the Board are: 

Class of 1997: Paul Finley, Louis D. Hutmire, Joseph Lamont, Jr. 

1998: Sam Chestnut, Steven McMahan, Dennis Olson 

1999: Stuart Schmidt, Jay Worsham, John P. Edgar 

The officers are Paul Finley, President, Steven McMahan, Vice President and 

Louis Hutmire, Secretary-Treasurer. Paul Finley has served two full terms and will 

be rotating off the Board at Synod this year. Paulis our current president and has 

served us well. We recommend that Louis D. Hutmire and Joseph Lamont, Jr. be 

reelected to another term and that William Roberts and J. Bruce Martin be 

nominated tofill the vacancy. 

The financial records of the Trustees of Synod for the year ending 12/31 /96 

were audited by Dale R. Hartzel, C.P.A. This report will appear as part of the 

Treasurer's Report in the Digest of Reports and should be received for information 

along with the 1995 Audit Report. 

The Trustees of Synod continue to invest the endowment funds along with other 

funds held by them for investment. These funds are invested in a pool of stocks 

and bonds using Paine Webber as our investment advisor and broker. The funds 

are managed similar to a mutual fund with the income being distributed annually to 

the departments and congregations owning the funds. As of 12/31/96, we had 

$7,127,407 invested in stocks and bonds with a market value of $9,520,272. 

We also had $1,454,561 invested in mortgages. 

The value of the "pooled" unit has increased over the years and the income has 

also increased. 

1993 1994 1995 1996 

Value Per Pooled Unit 11.076 10.9 12.614 13.236 

Income Distributed 520,037 509,696 513,474 532,046 

In 1996, the Trustees made loans from our General Investment Account to the 

Topeka Congregation, Jerry O'Neill, Kenneth Orr, Thomas Reid, and David Coon. 

These loans totalled $339,689. 

The financial report for the Building Loan Fund, which includes the Sale of 

Church Properties accountis included in the Treasurer's Report. The Fund ended 

1996 with $811,656 in loans receivable and had $207,383 available to loan. In 

1996, we made loans from this account to the Westminster (IL), Topeka, and 

Hazleton Congregations totalling $144,000. 

The sale of the Superior-Beulah church properties was finalized in 1996. We 

realized $28,107, including rent from the sale. One half of this was distributed in


1997 to the Home Mission Board's Kingdom Builder's Fund and the other hal 

went to the Building Loan Current Account. 

The goal for RPMetM in 1996 was $320,000. Contributions were received 

totalling $320,405 so each department received 100% of the amount granted. 

The RPMetM goal for 1997 was kept at $320,000. Some of the reasons we were 

able to reach the goal for 1996 are that we received a bequest from the Velma 

Dougherty Estate for $10,894.52 and the Los Angeles Congregation contributed 

$25,005 in 1996 compared to $12,098 in 1995. Since we assume that these 

will not be duplicated in 1997,it appears thatit will be a challenge to raise the 

$320,000 for 1997. However, as of 4/30/97, we received $63,539 compared 

to $43,299 at the same time last year. Thisis a good start. Let's trust that the 

contributions will continue to increase. 

The bequests received in 1996 are: 

Velma Dougherty 

Anna M. Johnston 

Bertha Nimick 

Betty Kilpatrick 

C.J.S. MacLaughlin 

Clyde Redpath 

Margaret Redpath 

Marjorie Sanderson 

Ruth Tannehill 

FMB 

2,003 

2,500 

1,474 

Seminary 

2,500 

10,163 

20,323 

1,474 

47,250 

53,764 

135,474 

HMB 

2,500 

RPMSCM 

10,894 

Undes. 

111,214 

Total 

10,894 

2,003 

7,500 

10,163 

111,214 

20,323 

2,948 

47,250 

206,893 

419,188 

17,882 

17,882 

117,365 

23,859 

20,382 10,894 228,579 

The financial report on the Unrestricted Undesignated Funds of Synod is part of 

the 1996 Treasurer's Report. Since 1992, most of the income available in the 

Unrestricted Undesignated Funds was from the MacLaughlin Trust and most was 

distributed to Geneva College and the Pension Board as per Synod's action. In 

1996, $228,579 was received in undesignated funds which included $117,365 

from the Ruth Tannehill Estate and received $100,546 more in 1997. Therefore, 

in addition to the $50,000 granted to Geneva College in 1996 and 1997 and the 

$50,000 granted to the Pension Board in 1996 and 1997, we still project that 

there will be $250,000 to distribute at this Synod. According to procedures 

approved by Synod, the departments of the church were notified of these funds 

and requests were submitted to the Trustees of Synod at their Spring meeting. 

The recommended distribution of these fundsis listed in Recommendations #5 et 

#6 of this report. 

The Unallocated Denominational Office financial reports for 1995 and 1996, 

including a proposed budget for 1998, are printed in the Treasurer's Report. 

The Trustees continue to carry a small accident insurance policy on delegates to 

Synod, presbyteries and boards and committees of Synod. In an international 

conference year,it also covers those travelling to the conference. This policy


covers anyone injured while travelling on church business, and is not fully 

by their own insurance. For further information, please contact the 

Denominational Treasurer. 

The Trustees also have insurance on the Seminary property and the 

Denominational Office building which includes an umbrella liability policy. 

Health insurance is now the responsibility of the Pension Trustees. 

RECOMMENDATIONS: 

1. We recommend that Louis D. Hutmire and Joseph Lamont, Jr. be re-elected to 

another term and that Bruce Martin and William Roberts be nominated tofill the 

third position in the Class of 2000. 

2. We recommend that the independent Auditor's Reports for the years ending 

12/31/95 and 12/31/96 as prepared by Dale Hartzel be received and printed in 

the Minutes of Synod. 

3. We recommend that the 1995 Treasurer's Report (as printed in the 1996 

Digest of Reports) and the 1996 Treasurer's Report (as printed in the 1997 Digest 

of Reports) be received for information. 

4. We recommend that the Unallocated Denominational Office financial report for 

1995 and 1996 be received and the 1998 proposed budget be approved. 

5. We recommend that in 1998, $50,000 of the MacLaughlin Trust income be 

given to Geneva College and $50,000 to the Pension Board. 

6. We recommend that the 1995 and 1996 financial reports of the Unrestricted 

Undesignated Funds of Synod be received for information and the following 

distribution be made for 1997: 

REQUEST REC. GRANT 

Education et Publication $41,834 $25,000 

Home Mission Board 95,000 70,000 

Foreign Mission Board 75,000 40,000 

Pension Board 50,000 35,000 

Theological Seminary 50,000 35,000 

Disability Board 5,000 -0- 

RP Woman's Assoc. 23,000 10,000 

Geneva College 50,000 35,000 

Total $389,834 $250,000 

(Note: This $250,000 is in addition to the $50,000 granted to Geneva College 

and $50,000 to the Pension Board for 1997 as per Synod's action from the 

MacLaughlin Trust income.) 

Rich Johnston guided Synod in a time of prayer for the presbyteries. 

Delegates gathered in small groups to pray. The time of prayer was 

concluded with the singing of Psalm 134A. 

Following the announcements Synod took recess at 4:15 p.m.


Monday July 14, 1997, 6:30 P.M. 

Synod gathered at 6:30 p.m. for a banquet and program to celebrate 

the centennial of the Reformed Presbyterian Home graciously hosted by 

the Woman's Association. 

The Moderator expressed the gratitude of Synod for the banquet and 

program and the Synod concurred with a rising ovation. 

By common consent Synod agreed to meet to take up the reports on 

the agenda for the evening although the time for adjournment had passed. 

Synod re-convened at 9:15 p.m. being led in prayer by Duncan Lowe. 

The report of the Executive Director of the Woman's Association was 

taken up, received and appears in Appendix B. 

The report of the Administrator of the Reformed Presbyterian Home 

was taken up, received and appears in Appendix B. 

The report of the Board to Address Disability Concerns was taken up. 

Item 1 was amended and approved. Items 2 and 3 were referred to the 

Committee on Finance. The report as a whole was received and appears in 

Appendix B. The recommendations are as follows: 

1. That Synod recommend to presbyteries that they place on their agenda an 

annual report from the Presbytery Advocate of their presbytery. 

2. That Synod grant the Board's request of $5,000 from the unrestricted 

undesignated funds of Synod. 

3. That inasmuch as Synod established the Board to Address Disability 

Concerns, we request that Synod support the work of the Board annually 

by monies from the Miscellaneous Fund. 

By motion, Synod commended the Woman's Association for its faithful 

work in its three areas of ministry. 

Dean Filson directed Synod in the evening prayer time. Charles 

McBurney led in prayer for the ministry of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Home and John Russell for the work of the Board to Address Disability 

Concerns. Robert Hemphill led in prayer adjourning the court at 9:50 

p.m. Synod concluded the prayer time and the evening session by singing 

Psalm 146A, stanzas 5-7. 

TUESDAY JULY 15, 1997, 8:30 A.M. 

Synod reconvened pursuant to adjournment in the Yates College 

on the campus of William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri on Tuesday, 

July 15, 1997 at 8:30 a.m.


The Moderator welcomed the delegates reminding them of the mercy of 

God in their work. Francis Buck led in prayer constituting the court. 


David Long directed Synod in coming to the throne of grace. Andrew 

McCracken led Synod in singing of Psalm 57B. Barry York read Isaiah 

40:3-5 and John 1:19-23, preached God's Word on the theme, 

"Committed to Humility" and closed the devotional service in prayer. 

The minutes of the Monday afternoon and evening sessions were read 

and approved as read. 

The report of the Stated Clerk was taken up. Corrections were made 

from the floor. The report was approved and is as follows. 

THE REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK 

December 31,1996 

Listed below are the denominational statistics compiled from reports submitted by the 

clerks of congregations through their clerks of presbyteries. It is noted that we Increased by 

134 members in 1996. We have had increaases each year since 1987. 

Communicant Members 

Baptized Members 

Total Members 

Increases: 

By baptism 

By profession of faith 

From other R..P. Congregations 

From other denominations 

Other 

Total Increase 

Decreases: 

Deaths 

To other R.P. Congregations 

Toother denominations 

Final removal 

Other 

Total Decrease 

Baptized children making public profession 

MEMBERSHIP 

12/31/95 

4,123 

1,687 

5,810 

CONGREGATIONS 

Congregations 

Mission Churches 

Men under care of presbyteries 

Certified eligible to preach 

Certified eligible to receive a call 

113 

100 

111 

115 

32 

471 

48 

110 

111 

69 

24 

362 

56 

71 

8 

22 

3 

10 

12/31/96 

4,223 

1,721 

5,944 

149 

76 

133 

115 

31 

504 

38 

121 

119 

47 

45 

370 

62 

73 

7 

21 

4 

7


Ruling Elders 

Deacons 

Missionaries 

Sabbath School, aver, attend. 

Sabbath Worship, aver, attend. 

Young People's Society members 

305 

240 

5 

3,252 

4,652 

394 

308 

239 

4 

3,287 

4,902 

341 

Beginning Balances 

Receipts 

Disbursements: 

Pastors Salaries et Comp. 

R.P. Mission fitMinistry 

Other R. P. Works 

Other 

Total Disbursements 

Ending Balances 

CONGREGATIONAL FINANCES 

12/31/95 

$1,024,201 

6,008,463 

2,468,819 

CONGREGATIONS ORGANIZED 

Evansville, IN 

12/06/96 

MISSION CHURCHES ORGANIZED 

Elkhart, IN 

07/03/96 

Iron County, Ml 

Presbytery 1995 

Alleghenies 38 38 

Atlantic 

Great Lakes/Gulf 

10 

26 

11 

29 

Midwest 

31 30 

Pacific Coast 10 10 

St. Lawrence 13 14 

Japan 

4 4 

Totals 132 136 

MINISTERS INSTALLED 

Kenneth Orr 

Roger Adams 

Mark England 

MINISTERS ORDAINED et INSTALLED 

John McFarland 

Keith Black 

Brian Coombs 

Brian Schwertley 

MINISTERS 

269,405 

380,632 

3,031,264 

6,150,120 

$ 882,544 

8/11/96 

Other 

Church 

1996 Pastors Work Retired 

14 8 

7 1 

18 1 

13 2 

5 1 

9 1 

3 0 

69 14 

Los Angeles 

Iron County 

Lancaster 

Christ Our King 

First Beaver Falls 

Syracuse 

Southfield 

15 

1 

3 

9 

2 

2 

0 

32 

12/31/96 

$ 882,544 

6,255,429 

2,679,520 

273,159 

402,849 

2,817,692 

6,173,220 

$ 964,753 

Other 

1 

2 

7 

6 

2 

2 

1 

21 

03/08/96 

10/25/96 

11/16/96 

03/09/96 

07/18/96 

10/08/96 

10/25/96


MINISTERS RELEASED FROM PASTORAL CHARGE 

Robert LaMay 

Clarinda 

John Monger 

Rimersburg 

John Tweed 

First Beaver Falls 

Charles Carroll 

Greeley 

MINISTER REMOVED FROM THE ROLL 

John Monger 

DEATHS OF RULING ELDERS 

James L. Mitchell 

STATED SUPPLIES 

Milton Harrington 

Steven Work 

Sidney VanCamp 

CERTIFED ELIGIBLE TO PREACH 

Matthew Dyck 

Matthew Filbert 

Joseph Griffo 

Andrew Stringer 

CERTIFED ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A CALL 

Donald Cassell 

Brian Coombs 

Aaron Goerner 

Fikre Membere 


Kiernan Stringer 

Rick Sutton 

THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS 

Tom Gray 

Joseph Griffo 

Adam Mastris 

C.J. Williams 

Joel Bagdon 

Michael Lydon 

Scott Rocca 

Nicholas Beckwith 

Caton Tompkins 

Jack Baumgardner 

Rick Sutton 

Fikre Membere 


Michael LeFebvre 

Nathan Corey 

Matt Filbert 

Tom Zasadny 

Geneva 

Hetherton 

Quinter 

Midland 

Alleghenies 

Alleghenies 

Alleghenies 

Alleghenies 

Alleghenies 

Atlantic 

Atlantic 

Atlantic 

Atlantic 

GL Lakes/Gulf 

Gt. Lakes/Gulf 

Gl Lakes/Gulf 


Gt Lakes/Gulf 

Midwest 

Midwest 

Midwest 

03/31/96 

08/11/96 

09/30/96 

I 1/30/96 

8/11/96 

07/30/96


Bill VanSciver 

Mathew Dyck 

Mark Goerner 

Mathew Kingwood 

Philip Markert 


CONGREGATION ORGANIZED 

Anchor Fellowship 

Midwest 

St. Lawrence 

St Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

ADDENDA 

Waldorf, MD 

MISSION CHURCHES ORGANIZED 

Christ Our King Fellowship Orange Co., CA 

Wichita, KS 

Bancroft, Ontario 

New Hartford, NY 

MINISTERS ORDAINED et INSTALLED i 


Ottawa 

Aaron Goerner 

Oswego 


Peter Smith 

Charles Carroll 

Bruce Martin 


Wichita, KS 

Ridgefield Park, NJ 

MINISTERS RELEASED FROM PASTORAL CHARGES 

James Kern 

Cambridge 

Bruce Martin 

Hebron 

MINISTERS REMOVED FROM ROLL 

William Blackwood 

MINISTERS REMOVED BY DEATH 

June E. McElroy 

William Cornell 

01/17/97 

02/09/97 

02/14/97 

04/04/97 

05/16/97 

04/04/97 

05/16/97 

01/17/97 

02/14/97 

06/07/97 

03/16/97 

04/20/97 

01/11/97 

02/01/97 

06/07/97 


Louis D. Hutmire, Stated Clerk 

The preliminary report of the Committee on Finance was taken up. 

Recommendation #3 of the Board to Address Disability Concerns which 

was referred to the Committee on Finance was referred to the Trustees of 

Synod. The report was received. 

The report of the Pension Trustees of Synod was taken up. The report 

as a whole was discussed. Items 1 and 2 were adopted. Items 3-5 were 

referred to the Committee on Finance. Items 6 S 7 were adopted. Item 

8 was divided to have Synod decide the policy matter on an exception for 

Wayne Duffield's Board membership since he has already served two 

consecutive terms. The exception was granted. The remainder of Item 8 

was referred to the Nominating Committee. Item 9 was adopted. Ray


Hemphill, a participant in Plan A, and speaking on behalf of others in t 

plan thanked Synod for the provision being made for them. Synod 

authorized the amending of the second paragraph under the portion 

entitled "Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code" following the 

completion of this report. The report as a whole was approved and is as 

follows: 

REPORT OF THE PENSION TRUSTEES 

The Board of Pension Trustees have met twice since our last report to Synod on 

September 13-14, 1996 and on April 25-26, 1997. The September meeting 

was held at the Reformed Presbyterian Home and the April meeting was held at 

the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, both in Pittsburgh, PA. 

The officers of the Board, elected at the fall meeting, are as follows: Bruce 

Lundeen, Chairman; Don Lamont, Vice-Chairman; A. Wayne Duffield, Secretary, 

and Louis D. Hutmire, Treasurer. 

All correspondence should be mailed to the Secretary of the Board, A. Wayne 

Duffield, POB 373, New Alexandria, PA 15670. He may be reached by calling 

(412) 668-7506, by e-mail using the address wduffiel@westol.com or by fax at 

(412)668-7252. 

REPORTING 

The Board wants to remind the clerks of presbyteries and/or clerks of ad interim 

commissions of the importance of informing the Secretary of the Pension Trustees 

of actions taken by the presbyteries relative to licensures, ordinations, installations, 

and any other changes from active or inactive service. This informationis needed 

for insurance and/or pension purposes. 

RECOMMENDATION 1: That Synod instruct the presbyteries to include in 

the minutes of each installation service the date that the teaching elder actually 

started working in the congregation. This is needed because participants are 

enrolled in the pension plan on the first day of the month following the date they 

actually started working. 

CONTRIBUTIONS 

The Pension Trustees are recommending that Plan B continue to be upgraded by 

having employers (as defined by Plan B) contribute a minimum contribution rate of 

$2,200.00 in 1998 (an increase of $100 from 1997). This amount is to be 

forwarded by the congregation or presbyterial treasurer to the denominational 

treasurer quarterly (4 x $550.00), and will be credited to the respective 

participant's account. Itis noted that in 1996 fifteen (15) employers contributed 

more than the minimum contribution. All employers, including boards of the 

church are encouraged to contribute over the minimum. 

It may be observed in this connection that the Boardis aware that thereis some 

concern about the yearly increase of the employers contribution with respect to 

the ability of congregations to pay this amount. However, the Board believes that


it is necessary to continue to increase this amount by at least $100 per year to 

adequately provide for the participants in Pension Plan B. This is at least necessary 

to deal with the problem of the increased cost of living. The Board will continue 

to evaluate the appropriateness of the current funding levels to determine if these 

levels meet the objectives of the program. 

RECOMMENDATION 2: That Synod approve and set the minimum 

contribution rate of $2,200 by each employer of a participant in Plan B for 1998 

(an increase of $100 from 1997). 

ASSESSMENTS 

The Pension Trustees are recommending that congregational/presbyterial 

treasurers forward $16.00 per communicant member (which is the same as last 

year), based on their membership as of the 31st day of December, 1997, to the 

congregational treasurer's office. This amount is to be paid in quarterly 

installments. It will be credited to the Current Account of the Pension Trustees 

and used to fund the expenses as shown in the Treasurer's report. 

RECOMMENDATION 3: That Synod set the 1998 amount for current 

pension program funding at $16.00 per communicant member as of December 

31, 1997 (same as last year). 

BENEFITS 

As of January 1, 1997, pensions for Plan A participants (those over 54 years 

of age on January 1, 1974) are being paid to thirteen (13) couples and twelve 

(12) individuals. Couples receiving a full pension are receiving $360.00 per 

month and individuals are receiving $300.00 per month. In 1996, $93,398.02 

was paid out and it is projected that $89,340.00 will be paid out in 1997. 

In light of the present finances of the Board, the Pension Trustees are not able 

to recommend an increase for the participants in Plan A for 1998 from current 

funds. However, the Pension Trustees have requested $50,000 from the 

unrestricted undesignated funds of Synod so that monthly payments may be 

increased from $360 to $400 per month for couples and from $300.00 to 

$350.00 per month for single persons for the next four years, beginning on July 

1, 1997. The projected cost of funding this increase is $47,208. At the end of 

this period, the Board expects to be able to pay these amounts by revising its 

budget. 

In 1996, $7,397.83 was received for the Supplement Fund. This amount was 

distributed proportiontely according to the pensioners payment. Couples receiving 

a full pension received $588.15 and individuals receiving a full pension received 

$294.06 through the Plan A Supplement Fund. As of March 31, 1997, an 

additional $675.00 was received for the Supplement Fund. The Board plans to 

continue this program and will be making appeals for funding for this program. 

Congregations will again be receiving a letter explaining this program along with 

bulletin inserts, and the Board plans to promote this program through the 

Covenanter Witness. Congregations are encouraged to include the Supplement


Program in their annual budgets. The good response to this program is much 

appreciated and it is hoped that even more congregations, individuals, and groups 

may become involved. 

Under Plan B, annuities are normally purchased for individuals when they retire, 

from which participants receive monthly checks from the insurance company 

involved. In 1996 one (1) annuity was purchased for a total of $64,020. As of 

March 31, 1997, three (3) annuities were purchased for a total of $191, 671. 

Financial reports for Plan B are included in the Treasurer's report. 

RECOMMENDATION 4: That $50,000 be granted to the Pension Trustees 

from the unrestricted undesignated funds of Synod to fund a cost of living increase 

to participants in Plan A according to the plan outlined above. 

FUNDING THE PENSION PROGRAMS 

A study prepared for the Pension Board in 1992 indicated that a yearly 

contribution of approximately $50,000 would be needed for 15 years to Plan A 

to maintain the current payments to Plan A participants. It should also be noted 

that funding for the Pension Programs of the denomination now comes from four 

sources: 1) employer contributions to Plan B, 2) congregational assessments, 3) 

unrestricted undesignated funds, and 4) gifts designated for the Plan A Supplement 

Program. 

The latest actuarial study of Pension Plan A, done in 1992, indicated at that 

time that there was an unfunded liability of $454,000. Therefore, beginning in 

1993 Synod began the process of funding this unfunded liability by granting funds 

to Plan A from the unrestricted undesignated funds of Synod from the McLaughlin 

Trust income. Also, the Board decided to transfer an additional $10,000 per year 

from its Current Account in 1995, 1996, and 1997 to Plan A. This means that 

with the above funding of Synod and with the additional funds from the Current 

Account of the Board a total of $60,000 will be applied to this unfunded liability 

in 1997, as was done in 1995 and 1996. Projections indicate that if $60,000 

per year is added to Plan A it will be funded by the year 2000. 

RECOMMENDATION 5: That $50,000 be granted to the Pension Trustees 

from the unrestricted undesignated funds of Synod towards funding the unfunded 

liability of Pension Plan A. 

RECOMMENDATION 6: That Synod receive the Auditor's Audit Report of 

Plan B for the year ending December 31, 1996 for information. (This report has 

been supplied to the Finance Committee.) 

HEALTH INSURANCE 

Health insurance is also part of the work of the Pension Trustees. As previously 

reported, the present state and future of the denominational health insurance 

program is a matter of considerable concern. A number of persons, are not 

enrolled in either the program with Blue Cross and Blue Shield or in the Keystone 

Blue HMO (available in western Pennsylvania). This means that a small group is 

becoming even smaller as more people are obtaining health coverage elsewhere.


Additionally, the cost of the present program continues to increase at such a rat 

that some are finding it prohibitive. Consequently, the Board is still looking at 

alternative programs. One interesting possibility is a partially self-funded insurance 

program offered by Allianz in conjunction with Professional Risk Management, Inc. 

This program has been under study by Geneva College and Donald McBurney, a 

member of the Board and Director of Human Resource Management at Geneva 

College, reports that Geneva switched to a partially self-insured plan on May 1, 

1997, for several reasons: 

• Ability to "write our own" plan regarding what procedures are covered and 

not covered - support pro-life position, hearing aid coverage, coverage for 

disposable contacts 

• Ability to accumulate unspent claim dollars in an interest bearing account to 

mitigate future medical cost increases and/or increase medical benefits 

• Demonstrate increased trust in the employee's decision about medical care 

• Ability to pay charges for medical care based on a "common sense" 

approach 

• Freedom of choice in providers with nationwide coverage 

• Increased and speedier payment to providers and reimbursement to 

employees 

• Increased convenience for employees 

"The rates for Geneva's partially self-insured plan were very competitive with 

what we were paying for our previous Managed Health Care plan and significantly 

lower that what Synod is currently paying for medical coverage. Geneva's rates for 

medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage under the new plan are listed 

below: 

Single $164.56 per month $1,974.72 per year 

Single Parent $334.34 per month 

$4,012.08 per year 

Husband/Wife$367.31 per month 

$4,407.72 per year 

Family $380.85 per month $4,566.48 per year" 

The above compares favorably with the present rates under Blue Cross/Blue 

Shield as listed below: 

Single $196.97 per month $2,363.64 per year 

Couple $476.10 per month $5,713.20 per year 

Family $526.85 per month $6,322.20 per year 

It should be noted that the Blue Cross/Blue Sheild coverage does not include 

dental and vision coverage. The new coverage, therefore, would provide coverage 

in these areas at less cost. While the first set of costs only apply to Geneva's new 

program, it is expected that the costs would be much the same for the RPCNA. It 

should also be noted that it is likely that Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be increasing 

their rates for 1997-1998.


Because of the ability of the new plan to be self-insured, self-directed, and yet 

nationwide, the Pension Board thought that it would be good to at least present 

this proposal to Synod as a whole for stimulating thinking, generating discussion, 

and obtaining feedback Please see the additional information outlining the 

"Features and Provisions" of this Comprehensive Medical Plan submitted with this 

report. You are urged to give this proposal thorough and prayerful consideration. 

RECOMMENDATION 7: That Synod hear a presentation from Mr. Richard P. 

Caputo and Donald McBurney concerning this new comprehensive medical plan 

and allow time for discussion, the whole not to exceed an hour, on Wednesday, 

July 16, at 1:30 p.m. 

SOCIAL SECURITY 

It has come to the attention of the Board that some have opted out of Social 

Security. It should be understood that the pension plan cannot adequately provide 

for a young family without the help of Social Security. Persons who opt out of 

Social Security will need to purchase adequate insurance coverage to provide for 

their family to supplement the benefits paid by the Pension Plan. Additionally, 

there are certain advantages to being eligible for Medicare with respect to 

qualifying for other programs. 

SECTION 107 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE 

The Pension Trustees have designated 100% of the pension received by 

ordained elders as a Section 107 exclusion for appurtenances, housing, utilities, 

etc., under the Internal Revenue Code. 

As stated in previous reports, the Board is again recommending to 

congregations, presbyteries, and boards of the church, that for teaching elders who 

are required to file income taxes to the Internal Revenue Service of the U.S. 

Department of the Treasury and who are participants in Plan B, up to 60% of their 

compensation be set aside as a Section 107 exclusion for appurtenances, housing, 

utilities, etc., under Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code. 

TAX-SHELTERED ACCOUNTS 

In 1994 the Pension Trustees adopted the resolution "that the Board authorize 

employees to participate in tax sheltered accounts as permitted under Section 

403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code" (Pension Trustee Minutes, May 6, 1994, 

p. 3). 

Persons are eligible for this program if they are an employee of a qualified 

employer, as defined by the IRS in Section 501C(3), such as a church, a religious 

organization, a private school, college or university, or a charitable institution. 

Persons are advised to consider this program if they wish to pay less income tax, 

need to increase disposable income, are in a dual income family, are currently 

investing with after tax dollars, or need to save for retirement. 

This program is not part of the Pension Program of the denomination as such, 

but is set up as an additional option. Interested persons should contact Brian L.


Roulin, 125 Bungalow Terrace, Syracuse, NY 13207-1101. Telephon 

428-1519 (H); (315) 448-8304 (O); (315) 448-8424 (Fax); e-mail 

BRICITY@aol.com. 

SEVERANCE PAY PROGRAM 

Presbyteries and ad interim commissions are reminded thatitis the policy of the 

Pension Board to pay an allowance toward a three (3) month severance 

compensation for teaching elders who are participants in the Pension Plan of 

Synod. Certain eligibility requirements must be met for teaching elders to qualify 

for this program. Provided that one does qualify, as determined by the Pension 

Board, funding for this program should be by congregation, presbytery, and the 

Pension Trustees in that order. This means that the Pension Trustees will only be 

responsible for a maximum of one-third of the total of the three-month severance 

pay package. Please see the 1991 Minutes of Synod, pp. 23-25, for the details of 

this program. 

MOVING ALLOWANCE PROGRAM 

The Pension Trustees have been authorized to pay an allowance toward the 

Once-ln-A-Lifetime moving allowance, as specified in the statement of this 

program. The amount that will be paid will be an allowance equal to 50% of the 

moving expense, up to a maximum pay out of $2,000. Please see the 1991 

Minutes of Synod, pp. 25-27 and the 1993 Minutes of Synod, p. 58, for the 

details of this program. 

INVESTMENTS 

The Plan B investments were as follows:: 

1995 1996 

Common Stock $904,430 $1,462,622 

Bonds 1,048,347 1,055,104 

Money Market 566,215 255,015 

2,518,992 2,772,741 

The earnings distributed for Plan B at the end of 1996 was 10%. 

NEW PENSION PLAN BOOKLET 

The Board has updated the booklet "Employee' Pension Plan Summary." The 

new booklet called "Your Pension Plan and Other Benefits," updated as of January 

1, 1997, has been mailed to all the participants in the program. Please notice that 

the new booklet contains information on all the programs and benefits available 

through the Pension Trustees of Synod. Any participant who has not received a 

new booklet should contact Lou Hutmire. Copies will also be available at the 

meeting of Synod. 

BOARD MEMBERSHIP 

The Board of Pension Trustees consists of seven (7) members elected by Synod. 

The membership is divided into three (3) classes. The term of the members in the


Class of 1997 expire at this meeting of Synod; namely, Brian C. Roulin and A. 

Wayne Duffield. Brian Roulin is completing his first three (3) year term and is 

being nominated by the Board. A. Wayne Duffield is completing his second three 

(3) year term and therefore would not normally be eligible for re-election due to 

the two term rule of Synod. The Board, however, is requesting an exemption for 

Wayne Duffield since he has been providing valuable service as secretary of the 

Board. The Board is nominating Wayne Duffield to serve another three (3) year 

term. The Board is also suggesting the name of Paul Finley as a third nominee for 

the ballot. 

Bruce Lundeen, a member of the Board in the Class of 1998, has moved to 

Perth, Australia and has submitted a letter of resignation. The Board has 

appointed Marsha Siebring tofill his unexpired term. 

RECOMMENDATION 8: That Synod grant an exception for A. Wayne 

Duffield from the two-term rule, and that Synod elect A. Wayne Duffield and 

Brian Roulin to a three-year term in the Class of 2000. The Board also suggests 

the name of Paul Finley as a third nominee for the ballot. 

RECOMMENDATION 9: That Synod amend Pension Plan "B" as follows: 

WHEREAS, the Synod last restated The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church of North America Employees' Pension Plan "B", as of January 1, 1989 

(hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"); and 

WHEREAS, the Synod reserved the right in Article VIM of the Plan to amend 

the Plan; and 

WHEREAS, the Synod wishes to amend the Plan to make certain changes, a 

summary of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Plan is hereby amended to 

make the changes described in the attached summary, effective as of January 1, 

1997, except as otherwise indicated in the summary, subject to review, comment 

and modification, if necessary, of the specific Plan language by the Pension Trustees 

at its next regularly scheduled meeting. 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of the Plan, as amended, and a summary of 

the Plan, as amended, shall be made available to the Synod at its next annual 

meeting. 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Thomas C. Graves, Attorney-at-Law, Morrison et 

Hecker, L.L.P. shall be and is hereby authorized to submit an application to the 

Internal Revenue Service for a determination that the Plan, as amended continues 

to qualify for favorable tax treatment as a church pension plan under Section 

401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and to represent the Pension Trustees with 

respect to such application. 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Pension Trustees are authorized to make any 

further changes that may be required to secure a determination from the Internal 

Revenue Service, that the Plan, as amended, continues to qualify for favorable tax 

treatment under Section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.


SUMMARY OF CHANGES CONTAINED IN AMENDMENT NO. ONE TO 

THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 

EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN "B" 

AS RESTATED EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 1989 

(A) Section 1.05, which defines the term "Continuous Service", is amended to 

(i) clarify that membership in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North 

America is a condition of the recognition of continuous service under the Plan 

and (ii) provide that military service during which a Participant" s reemployment 

rights are guaranteed by federal law counts as continuous service for both 

vesting and benefit purposes. 

(B) Section 1.09, which defines the term "Employee", is amended to clarify that 

membership in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America is a 

condition for treatment as an eligible employee under the Plan. 

(C) Section 3.03, which sets forth the Employer Uniform Contributions 

provision of the Plan, is amended to reflect the $150,000 limit on the 

compensation that may be recognized by the Plan after December 31, 1993 

pursuant to Section 401 (a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

(D) Section 3.04, Group Term Life Insurance, is amended to clarify that death 

benefit payments under decreasing group term life insurance coverage purchased 

by the Plan shall be paid to the Trust Fund to provide Plan death benefits. 

(E) Section 3.07, Reemployment after a Military Leave of Absence, is added to 

comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights 

Act of 1994 by providing for Employer Uniform Contributions during period 

of military service during which the participant's reemployment rights are 

guaranteed by federal law and the participant is reemployed in a timely manner 

after the military service. 

(F) Section 6.01, Method of Distribution, is amended to provide for the 

payment of retirement benefits in the form of joint and survivor annuity 

contracts with term certain or cash refund guarantees. 

(G) Section 6.02, Election of Method of Distribution, is amended to refer to 

direct rollovers to individual retirement accounts or another qualified retirement 

plan. 

(H) Section 6.03, Time of Distribution, is amended to provide that Plan benefits 

must commence at age 701/2 or retirement, whichever occurs last, and to 

allow a participant age 701/2 or older who has not retired to elect to 

commence distributions at any time. This change is made to bring the Plan into 

compliance with Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended 

by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996. 

(I) Section 6.04, distribution in Cash or Annuities, is amended to clarify that 

annuity benefits may be paid from the Trust Fund or in the form of the 

purchase of an annuity contract from a commercial life insurance company.


(J) Section 6.05, Lump Sum Payments, is amended to allow amounts other 

payable as a lump sum to be directly rolled over to an individual retirement 

account or another qualified retirement plan. 

(K) Seaion 6.06, Death Benefits,is amended to provide the payment of 

surviving spouse benefits in the form of joint and survivor annuity contracts with 

term certain or cash refund guarantees. Additionally, this sectionis amended to 

clarify the annuity benefit that may be paid to children or other contingent 

beneficiaries after the death of a participant' s spouse (the Plan's automatic 

primary beneficiary), or after an unmarried participant's death if the 

participant's benefit was paid in the form of a term certain annuity or a cash 

refund annuity. Additionally, this section is amended to clarify thatlife 

insurance proceeds are credited to the deceased Participant's Uniform 

Contributions Account to partially fund the death benefits provided by the Plan. 

Finally, this sectionis amended to clarify that death benefits paid to a surviving 

spouse or non spouse beneficiary (such as children) are paid in an annuity form, 

unless the surviving spouse or non spouse beneficiary (or guardian of a minor 

child or children) elects in writing that up to forty percent (40%) of the death 

benefit be paid in a lump sum (or in the case of a surviving spouse, a direct 

rollover to an individual retirement account). 

(L) Seaion 6.09, Direa Rollover Distributions,is added to provide for direct 

rollovers to individual retirement accounts or another qualified retirement plan. 

(M) Seaion 9.03, Nonassignability,is amended to provide that benefits may be 

paid under the Plan to a spouse, former spouse or dependent child or 

dependent children pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order pursuant to 

Seaion 414(p) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Department 

regulations and rulings thereunder. 

(N) Seaion 11.01, Voluntary Nondeductible Employee Contributions,is 

amended to refer to the $150,000 annual limit on compensation that may be 

recognized by the Plan (by a cross-reference to Section 3.03). 

(O) Seaion 11.03 is deleted because retroactive voluntary nondeductible 

contributions could cause the Plan to exceed the annual additions limit in 

Seaion 415 of the Internal Revenue Code (which is a limitation in this Plan 

under Plan Seaion 10.01). 


Don Lamont, Vice Chairman 

Donald R. McBurney 

Dean O'Neill 

Brian Roulin 

Shane Shoop 

A. Wayne Duffield, Secretary 

Godfrey Franklin led in prayer in behalf of Frances McCracken, wife of 

J. Paul McCracken, who was scheduled for eye surgery in half an hour.


Synod took a fifteen-minute break at 10:30 a.m. 

Synod returned for business and sang Psalm 84B. 

The Order of the Day, the report of the Geneva College Board of 

Corporators, was taken up. Items 1-3 were adopted. In keeping with 

item 2, Dr. John H. White, President of Geneva College, addressed the 

court. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CORPORATORS 

The Board of Corporators wishes to acknowledge God's faithful care and 

direction to Geneva College. We rejoice in His continuing blessings in the life of all 

who are involved in helping Geneva to fulfill its mission. 

The Board met for its regular meeting on July 12, 1997 at William Jewell 

College in Liberty, MO. Dr. John H. White, President of the college, presented a 

report on aaivities and encouragements in the life of the college. He expressed 

the excitement of the college community in the anticipation of the 

sesquicentennial, and noted several "snapshots" of where the college finds itself at 

the present, including. . . 

1) External evidence that we are fulfilling our mission. In student surveys, the 

spiritual area routinely receives the highest level of response. 

2) Enrollment. General enrollment in 1994 was 1,341. In 1997, general 

enrollment is 1,546. 

3) Academics. The average SAT scores have increased by 70 points. 

4) Budgets. The administration is confident that the college will balance its 

budget and have a substantial surplus for the third straight year. 

5) Major overhaul in the Business Office (positive developments with regard to 

the ownership of Geneva's Mission Statement). 

6) Physical refurbishing of the campus. 

7) Faculty recruitment. Ph.D. rate continues to increase. Faculty solidly 

committed to Foundational Concepts of Christian Education. 

8) In February, 1997, work began on a new academic building with the goal of 

this building being ready by January, 1998. 

Lynn Buzzard and Brad Jacob were introduced and addressed the Corporators 

with regard to the developing vision for a School of Law at Geneva. A helpful 

exchange with members of the Board followed. 

The celebration of Geneva's Sesquicentennial has begun. Dr. White expressed 

that the college would like the Corporators to take some leadership with regard to 

having a commemorative event in connection with the celebration. The Board of 

Corporators requests the Business of Synod Committee to set aside some time at 

the 1998 meeting of Synod to commemorate Geneva College's sesquicentennial. 

The Corporators discussed at length approaches to continue working together 

with the Trustees and administration in increasing the commitment of Trustees and 

Corporators to confessionally Reformed Christianity, rooted in the Westminster 

Standards and the Testimony of the RPCNA.


The following persons were elected by the Corporators: 

Elected to the Board of Trustees 

Representing the Reformed Presbyterian Church: Rob Baumgartner, John 

Edgar, Ken Orr, Bruce Stewart 

Representing the Alumni Association: Walter Helsing 

Nominated by the Trustees: James Roy 

Nominated by CUTS: Glenn McDowell 

Elected to the Board of Corporators 

Phillip Duguid, Reed Gilmore, Robert McKissick 

Elected as Officers of the Corporators 

William Weir, Chairman 

Doug Carson, Vice-Chairman 

Doug Comin, Secretary 

Bill Joseph, Treasurer 

Recommendations: 

1. That the Report of the Board of Trustees be received. 

2. That the President of Geneva College, Dr. John H. White, be heard by Synod. 

3. That the Business of Synod Committee consider a special time at the 1998 

meeting of Synod to commemorate Geneva College's Sesquicentennial. 


Douglas W. Comin 

REPORT OF THE GENEVA COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

TO THE BOARD OF CORPORATORS 

At the end of another academic year, the Trustees rejoice in God's faithfulness 

in providing for Geneva College. Although the year has had its trials, we have seen 

progress on many fronts, and we believe that God continues to use the College in 

the process of transforming society for the Kingdom of Christ. 

As Dr. White has been providing you with copies of The Report on a regular 

basis, this report will highlight some of the particular decisions and discussion topics 

the Board has addressed this year. 

ACADEMIC SERVICES 

The College is in the middle of the Institutional Self Study for reaccreditation by 

Middle States. The self study is being chaired by Dr. Phil VanBruggen. The 

accreditation site visit is scheduled for March, 1998. The team from the 

Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs visited campus in April 

pursuant to the accreditation of our Business Program. Results of the application 

for accreditation should be known by June 1997. 

At the April meeting of the Board, the Trustees approved a motion to move 

forward with the establishment of an accreditation-track school of law at Geneva 

College. We have long believed the idea of a law school to be an important part of 

our vision, and have developed a plan requiring an overall investment of 

approximately $4.1 million. We are now seeking to raise $1.7 million in


donations and pledges over the next year from sources different from those 

targeted by the Capital Campaign. We are targeting the first class to begin in the 

fall of 1999. Please pray with us as we embark on this endeavor. 

Throughout the year, the Board has discussed a Diversity Statement and a Plan 

for Diversity proposed by the Administration. A subcommittee of the Board was 

established to help the Trustees explore the issues involved. Much of our 

discussion has revolved around how to see the College reflect the fullness of 

Christ's Kingdom while avoiding a secular understanding of multiculturalism. The 

Trustees reaffirmed commitment to the 1991 Statement of Affirmation and 

instructed the President to supervise, on an ongoing basis, the work of revising the 

Diversity Plan and developing programs, policies and procedures to encourage 

diversity at the College. The Diversity Statement itself is being treated as a working 

document that will remain on the agenda of the Board into the new year. 

In October, 1996, ground was broken on a new $3.5 million academic 

building. The building will house the Business and Psychology Departments, as well 

as several multimedia classrooms, computer teaching laboratories, and seminar 

rooms. Progress has been good, and we expect the building to be available for use 

in the spring semester of 1998. 

BUSINESS SERVICES 

The Board would like to commend Jim MacDonald and Mike Fox who, over the 

past two years, have made a tremendous effort to bring the College's financial 

systems and controls up to date and into compliance with new Financial 

Accounting Standards Board (FASB) requirements. As a result, the Trustees are 

receiving more and better information than in the past. Although this information 

has revealed some weaknesses, we are now in a much better position to make 

necessary corrections. 

One significant change is that FASB now requires full budgeting of depreciation. 

This should help the College better plan for and fund the ongoing maintenance of 

its physical plant. Further, the Board took action in January to fully repay the debt 

to the endowment from funds held in quasi-endowment and adding to quasiendowment 

from operations $200,000 per year for the next nine years. These 

changes both correct past errors and set a course for strengthening the financial 

position of the College. 

The Trustees approved a working budget for 1996-1997 of $24,280,000. 

This budget included a $500,000 surplus, an average 3% wage increase, and 

$50,000 set aside for adjustments to faculty salaries. As of April 25 it would 

appear that we will have a budget surplus for this year. 

In April, 1996, the Trustees approved the borrowing of $5,600,000. The 

loan was finalized in September, and was used for the purchase of the 38th Street 

Apartments, Telephone System, Computer Networking, Track, Soccer Field, 

Architect Fees and the Academic Building.


In November, a tentative settlement agreement was reached betw 

Trustee for the New Era estate, the non-profit plaintiffs, and Prudential Securities, 

Inc. We are hopeful that this breakthrough will pave the way to a plan for the 

distribution of recovered funds and a final resolution to this matter. We received 

$121,000 in January and anticipate a final recovery of at least 80%. 

DEVELOPMENT 

Geneva's Capital Campaign is under way. To date, pledges have been received 

in the amount of $1,150,104. Trustee participation in the Campaign stands at 

76%. 

As of January 10, total gift income for the College was up almost $280,000 

from one year previously, over $400,000 of designated scholarships are included. 

In total support, including campaign giving, we expect to exceed $3 million and 

could reach $4 million in fiscal year 1996-97. We praise God for his abundant 

blessing. 

Chick O'Data is retiring after 36 years of service to Geneva. He will be 

continuing as a consultant to the College on the Capital Campaign, major and 

planned gift projects, and the MRI Centers. We thank Chick for his years of 

service and have appointed him Vice President Emeritus in honor of his efforts on 

behalf of Geneva. 

We ask that you be in prayer for the College at this time. There is the concern 

that Chick's departure might slow progress on the Campaign. A search for a new 

Development officer has commenced, and Dr. White will be assuming more 

responsibility for development both now and in the future. 

ENDOWMENT-INVESTMENT 

The Endowment-Investment Committee reported that the endowment has 

performed extremely well this year. Our policy guidelines have worked well, and 

the people managing our funds have done a good job. 

The values of the College property and endowment fund are: 

1995 1996 

(Audit of 5/31 /95) (Audit of 5/31 /96) 

Land $ 1,633,286 $ 1,633,286 

Buildings* 7,250,360 7,162,569 

Furniture and Equipment * 2,101,929 2,970,030 

$10,985,575 $11,765,885 

Market Value of Endowment $ 17,306,354 $23,843,194 

Endowment held by the Trustees $ 1,908,817 $2,003,244 

of the R. P. Synod 

Size of Campus (114 acres) (116 acres) 

*At cost less accumulated depreciation.


ENROLLMENT AND STUDENT SERVICES 

Dr. Katip has announced that he will be leaving to become Vice President for 

Enrollment Management at Robert Morris College. We thankBill for his service to 

the College and wish him God's blessing as he pursues God's call. The 

Administration has decided not to replace Dr. Katip immediately, but will use this 

time to consider the appropriate structure for the Enrollment Services area. Please 

pray for the College during this period of transition. 

Enrollment for the 1996-1997 year was as follows: 

Day Full-Time 

Day Part-Time 

Night Full-Time 

Night Part-Time 

Total Day/Night 

DCP 

Grad Psych 

Higher Ed 

MSOL 

Resident Halls 

Spring 1997 

1,101 

78 

3 

25 

1,207 

196 

47 

38 

48 

795 

Fall 1996 Spri ng1996 

1,184 1,037 

68 93 

0 0 

41 31 

1,293 1,161 

195 

55 

49 

22 

856 

195 

58 

45 

754 

Fall 1995 

1,096 

66 

1 

37 

1,200 

196 

67 

44 

Importantly, the College achieved an 80% retention rate from freshmen to 

sophomores this year. 

Trustee Scholarships were awarded this year to the following students: Sarah 

Brewer, Nicole Anna Edgar, Laura Herrmann, Lorrie Musser, Jennifer Olsson, 

Luke O'Neill, and Adam Trotta. 

Charges to resident students for the 1997-1998 academic year have been set at 

$5,625 per semester for tuition and $375 per credit hour. Room charges will be 

$1,150 per semester and Board $1,225. In addition, a technology fee of $100 

will be assessed to defray the cost of providing expanded access. 

The 1997 Commencement services were held on Saturday, May 10, 1997, at 

10:00 a.m. in Metheny Field House. The commencement address was given by 

Dr. Larry Woiwode, a freelance writer from Mott, ND. He is a frequent 

contributor to The New Yorker magazine, as well as many Christian magazines, and 

he is the author of several major novels written from a Christian perspective. 

Baccalaureate services were held on Friday evening, May 9, with Rev. Timothy 

Russell, Chaplain at Geneva College giving the address. 490 candidates were 

awarded degrees. 

Of these 150 were from the Degree Completion Program and 66 from CUTS, 

awarded at a separate ceremony in Philadelphia. 440 received bachelor's degrees, 

10 received associate degrees, 23 received the MA in Professional Psychology, and 

17 received the MA in Higher Education. In addition Dr. Woiwode was awarded 

an honorary Doctor of Literature degree. 

786


TRUSTEE SERVICE 

The joint meeting of the Corporators and Trustees on January 30 was extremely 

well received, and the thought was expressed that such joint meetings should be 

held periodically. 

Board officers for 1996-1997 have been Joseph Lamont, Chairman; Thomas 

Fisher, Vice-Chairman; and Ken A. Smith, Secretary. Meetings of the Board were 

held on October 24-25, 1996, January 30-31, 1997, and April 24-25, 1997. 

New trustees joining the Board in October were Robert McFarland, Kenneth Orr, 

Kathy Schmidt, and Jewel Thompson-Chin. 

Officers for the coming year, to take effect in October, 1997, are: 

Chairman 

Joseph Lamont 

Vice-Chairman Thomas Fisher 

Secretary 

Ken A. Smith 

The terms of the following trustees expire this year and their successors should 

be chosen: 

Representing the Church: Robert Baumgartner, John Edgar, 

Kenneth Orr, Donald Reed, Bruce Stewart 

Representing the Alumni: Walter Helsing 

Trustee Nominated: Dennis Bakke, David Murdoch 


Joseph Lamont, Chairman 

Ken A. Smith, Secretary 

The report of the Committee to Revise the Book of Discipline was 

taken up and approved. The request for another committee member was 

referred to the Nominating Committee. The report is as follows: 

REPORT OF COMMITTEE 

TO REVISE THE DIRECTORY FOR CHURCH DISCIPLINE 

Your committee is unable to set before you a rough draft of our revision as we 

had planned. We will continue to work on this important assignment. Future 

progress will depend upon the availability of members of the committee to 

complete their accepted assignments. 

We have received written suggestions and materials from several members of 

this Synod. We continue to encourage your response to our committee. 

In order to complete the proposed revision by the meeting of Synod of 1998, 

we would request that Synod add one more pastor to our committee. 

Robert H. McFarland, Chairman 

(email-BMcfarl958@aol.com) 

Philip Pockras 

Robert Tweed 

Dennis Olson 

Richard Weir


The report of the Reformation Translation Fellowship was taken up, 

received, and appears in Appendix B. 

The report of the Committee on Revitalization of Declining 

Congregations was taken up. The report was discussed. Items 1-5 were 

adopted. Item 6 was referred to the Nominating Committee. In keeping 

with item 1 Andy McCracken addressed the court for the Bloomington 

Session. 

Following announcements Pastor Takiura informed Synod of the death 

of a member of his congregation. Pastor Takiura had been his roommate 

in the hospital and God used that contact to bring him to faith. 

Ed Blackwood directed Synod in a time of prayer for the financial 

ministry of the church. The delegates joined in small groups to pray and 

concluded the prayer time with the singing of Psalm 81B, St. 7. 

Synod took recess at 12:15 p.m. 

TUESDAY JULY 15, 1997, 1:30 P.M. 

Synod reconvened at 1:30 p.m. and was led in prayer by J 

McMillan. 


The minutes of the morning session were read and approved as read. 

The report of the Committee to Revise the Directory for Worship was 

taken up. Items 1-7 were adopted. The E at P Board was assigned the 

task of bringing to the 1998 Synod a proposal to implement item 7. 

Item 8 was ruled out of order by the Moderator. The ruling of the 

Moderator was challenged and seconded. Synod upheld the ruling of the 

Moderator. Phil Pockras asked that his dissent to the decision of the 

Moderator and Court be recorded. 

The proposed revision to the Directory for Worship was taken up 

chapter by chapter. The introduction was considered and following 30 

minutes of discussion it was returned to the committee. The first chapter 

was considered. 

Synod took a fifteen-minute break at 2:45 p.m. 

Synod returned to business and sang Psalm 95A. Discussion of Chapter 

1 of the proposed Directory for Worship continued. The chapter was 

returned to the committee. Discussion of chapter 2 was taken up. The 

Moderator asked the former Moderator to take the chair. The chapter 

was returned to the committee. 

Rich Johnston directed Synod in the afternoon prayer time. The 

delegates joined together in small groups to pray for the ministry of 

worship and concluded by singing Psalm 96B St. 4.


Following the announcements John McFarland led in prayer as S 

took recess at 4:00 p.m. 

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 1997, 7:00 P.M. 

Synod reconvened at 7:00 p.m. Robert Copeland continued to ser 

Moderator. He announced three items for prayer: 1) that the Moderator 

was resting comfortably although it was necessary for him to relinquish 

the chair for evening session, for health concerns; 2) that Paul Finley has 

been unable to return to Synod since his presence Saturday evening 

because of a physical malady that is not fully diagnosed, and; 3) that the 

surgery on Frances McCracken, wife of J. Paul McCracken, is reported to 

have gone well and that she is home and doing well. 

Synod sang Psalm 103A and was led in prayer by Bruce Stewart. 

The roll was passed 

The minutes of the afternoon meeting were read and approved as read. 

The report of the Home Mission Board was made the Order of the Day 

on Wednesday afternoon following the break unless there is opportunity 

to consider it earlier. 

The report of the Foreign Mission Board was taken up. The report was 

discussed. Item 1 was referred to the Nominating Committee. Items 2 

and 3 were referred to the Committee on Finance. Item 4 was referred to 

the Nominating Committee. Item 5-8 were adopted. In keeping with 

item 8, Robert Henning addressed the court. The report as a whole was 

approved and is as follows: 

FOREIGN MISSION BOARD 

The members of the Foreign Mission Board are thankful to Almighty God for 

the privilege of serving Him as He builds His church worldwide! Jesus commanded 

His disciples to "disciple the nations" and the Reformed Presbyterian Church has 

taken that command seriously. over the years since organizing here in North 

America. 

In 1994 the Board reported with praise the organization of the Trinity Christian 

Community Fellowship, Larnaca, Cyprus. This graciously came about through the 

united efforts of Trinity RPC in Ireland and the FMB of the RPCNA. Various 

Teaching Elders have served for varying time frames since the church's 

organization. Pastor Bill Sterrett was called by TCCF and accepted the call 

following completion of over 20 years of ministry in the Kobe area of Japan. The 

Sterretts are to leave Japan in July, 1997, and move to Cyprus in August. Pastor 

Sterrett will remain on the pension and health insurance programs of the RPCNA 

through 1997. Pray with TCCF that the congregation will grow and daughter 

another congregation in the near future there in Cyprus.


With the move of the Sterretts to Cyprus, Kita Suzurandai in Japan is without a 

missionary/church planter. The Mission Station called Pastor Miwa to serve as the 

new mission pastor. Pastor Miwa has declined the call. With the retirement of the 

Spears, effeaive in August, 1997, the Mukonoso congregation has called Pastor 

Miwa to serve as their Teaching Elder. Pastor Miwa has declined the Mukonoso 

call as well. With this in mind, the Board informed Pastor Spear that should the 

Mukonoso congregation desire that Pastor Spear remain their Teaching Elder the 

Board would act favorably upon any request by the Spears that they remain in 

Japan presently. It is understood that annually Pastor Spear would receive a health 

exam before extending his time there another year. The Mukonoso congregation 

has been asked to provide a financial package should they wish Pastor Spear to 

remain their Teaching Elder. 

Knowing that the Presbytery in Japan would have only two Teaching Elders 

serving by the Fall of 1997, the Board called upon the church-at-large to pray that 

some person(s) would present himself (themselves) as willing to serve as a 

missionary in Japan. No one stepped forward to answer that informal call. The 

Board asked eight Elders to prayerfully consider ministering in Japan for three or 

four consecutive Lord's Days to become acquainted with the congregations and 

mission stations in the Japan Presbytery and to become known by the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church in Japan. This procedure was followed at the request of the 

Japan Presbytery. As this report is being written Bob and Cheryl Hemphill have 

consented to travel to Japan from mid-September to mid-October 1997. Pray for 

the Hemphills as they take this step of faith. Of the remaining seven Elders 

contacted three have said "No" and four are still praying about the request. The 

Board intends to continue sending Elders and their wives to Japan until the vacant 

pulpits are filled. Presently Pastor Takiura is serving the Motoyama-Keiyaku RPC 

and Pastor Sakai is serving the Higashisuma RPC. Pastor Sakai is also serving the 

Hontamon Mission Station under the oversight of the Higashisuma Session. 

Kasumiga-oka RPC is without a Teaching Elder. Both Mukonoso and the Mission 

Station at Kita Suzurandai will be without Teaching Elders with the possible 

retirement of the Spears and the move of the Sterretts to Cyprus. Our brothers 

and sisters need our prayer support as they seek the LORD'S leading in the matter 

of calling Teaching Elders to fill the vacant pulpits within the Japan Presbytery and 

to maintain the mission stations presently established. The Board is budgeting over 

$50,000 in anticipation of someone being called as a missionary to serve under 

the oversight of the Japan Presbytery. Shirley Wright Smith completed her service 

as Director of the Covenanter Book Store and returned to the States during the 

Summer of 1996. Shirley Wright was married to Mark Smith in December, 1996. 

The Board thanks Mrs. Smith for her faithful service as Director of the Book Store. 

Elder Hagiwara of the Higashisuma RPC is presently serving very effectively as the 

Book Store Director. The Board is paying his salary. Mrs. Park continues to serve


in the Book Store. The Board of Directors reports that sales have returned 

earthquake level. 

The Japan Presbytery reports that work on the building of the Covenanter 

Church Center, which will house the Book Store, Meeting Center and an 

apartment, hopefully will be completed this year, D.V. The congregations in Japan 

are giving sacrificially to this endeavor. The North American Reformed 

Presbyterian Church pledged to contribute $200,000 toward the projected 

$450,000-500,000 expense to build the Covenanter Church Center. Since the 

most recent projection from the Japan Presbytery as to the final cost of the project 

is $500,000, the Board requested from Synod's Board of Trustees that $50,000 

be granted to the Directors of the Covenanter Book Store from the Unrestricted 

and Undesignated Funds. 

The Board rejoices with the Japan Presbytery over the successful start of Kobe 

Theological Hall. Presently there are Japanese men training primarily to be 

licensed to preach. An agreement has been reached between RPTS and KTH 

which should strengthen each institution. No doubt the Seminary Board will 

report further on this development. 

The Board is committed to guidance in appointments and nominal financial 

support to Specialized Ministries personnel. Presently there are six fields being 

served by ten adult RP "missionaries." Due to the nature of some of the fields 

where some of these folks are serving they will not be named here, however, 

prayer should be offered faithfully in their behalf throughout the denomination. A 

team of young adults was in Scotland during June. Matt Filbert, a Seminary 

student, developed this plan and oversaw its becoming a reality. Tom Gray, a 

graduate of the RPTS this past May, is spending the summer in an internship 

program in Japan. 

The Board is seeking the LORD'S leading as to where He might have us begin a 

new mission. To that end the Board requested $25,000 of Synod's Board of 

Trustees from Unrestricted and Undesignated Funds. Old patterns of mission 

work are not viable now so we do have several who are serving in what we classify 

as Specialized Ministries. There are possibilities of church planting work in China; 

Bangladesh and Eastern Europe. The Board is considering each of these fields at 

various stages of interest. 

A close relationshipstill exists between the Reformation Translation Fellowship 

and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. Many members of 

Synod are members on the Board of the RTF. Pray as translation work continues 

on significant Reformed material into the Chinese language through the efforts of 

Dr. Charles Chao, his son and RTF members as well. 


1. Since the terms of Sandra Johns and Bob Mann expire at this meeting of Synod 

their positions be filled by the Synod. The names of Dennis Olson and Paul


Kilpatrick have been placed in nomination. The Board waits upon the 

Synodical Missionary Fellowship for a nominee to replace Sandra Johns. 

2. That the Board be granted $65,000 from RPMetM to help meet its 1998 

Budget of approximately $254,800. 

3. That Synod's Trustees be requested to grant $50,000 to the Directors of the 

Covenanter Book Store toward the expense of the Covenanter Church Center 

and $25,000 to the Foreign Mission Board to investigate new mission fields. 

4. That Bob Henning be appointed for one year as Executive Secretary. 

5. That the denomination fervently pray for Teaching Elders to be raised up for 

the Reformed Presbyterian pulpits in Japan. 

6. That Bob and Cheryl Hemphill be upheld especially as they travel to Japan in 

the Fall of 1997. 

7. That names of persons who might serve in Japan be forwarded to Bruce 

Backensto as the LORD may lead any of you presbyters to suggest in 1997-98. 

8. That Bob Henning be heard on behalf of the Board for up to ten minutes. 

The report of the Representatives to the Presbyterian and Reformed 

Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel was taken up. The 

report was discussed. Item 1 was adopted. In keeping with this item, 

Chaplains Jonathan Leach and Stan Copeland were recognized and Synod 

delegates applauded to express their appreciation for the work of the 

chaplains. Shigeru Takiura informed the Synod that because of matters of 

conscience regarding church-state relations in Japan he must abstain from 

voting on item 2. Items 2-5 were adopted. In keeping with item 2, Ken 

Smith led Synod in prayer for the chaplains. The report as a whole was 


REPORT OF THE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE 

PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED JOINT COMMISSION 

ON CHAPLAINS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL 

We rejoice in God's blessing on the lives and ministry of our missionaries to the 

uniformed services throughout another year. Our Reformed Presbyterian chaplains 

continue to benefit from our membership in the Joint Commission and our 

affiliation with the NAE Commission on Chaplains. 

CHAPLAINS 

Our roster of chaplains includes two on active duty (Copeland, Moore), one 

with the National Guard (Leach), and one in the Reserves (Pihl). Kelly Moore 

continues his assignment in Panama as pastor of the Protestant chapel at Fort 

Clayton. Stan Copeland is Family Life Chaplain at Ft. Leavenworth. Bill Pihl has 

applied for Active Duty status and is awaiting word on that application. As of 

February 1997, the chaplain forces endorsed from four denominations by the 

Joint Commission include seventy Active Duty, twenty National Guard, forty-three 

Reserves, forty Other (Civil Air Patrol, VA chaplains, etc.), twelve Chaplain


Candidates, and thirty-seven Retired, for a total of 222. By denomina 

includes 194 PCA, twenty OPC, four RPC and four KAPC. 

ISSUES 

The question of military chaplains praying in Jesus' name at certain functions has 

become controversial in recent months. One of the issues is whether troops are 

present voluntarily or not. The NAE Commission on Chaplains, with which the 

PRJC is affiliated, is pursuing this question to ensure that commanders and 

government policy do not interfere with the work of the Chaplains. The PRJC is 

sending a letter to each of the Chiefs of Chaplains explaining our Reformed creedal 

position, which defines prayer as that which is offered specifically in Jesus's name. 

A question which is arising from within the PCA is the appropriateness of 

women serving in combat, and the related issue whether this is an appropriate 

subjea for official comment by the denominations. The report of a committee on 

this issue will be presented to the PCA General Assembly as an Overture from the 

Presbytery of Philadelphia, but at this writing there is no indication what the 

Assembly will do with it. If it should be adopted, the report will probably come to 

the Reformed Presbyterian Synod of 1998 for concurrence. Copies of the PCA 

Overture will be available at the Synod of 1997 for information. 

Funding for the PRJC is becoming a problem for the first time, with Chaplain 

David Peterson now full-time Executive Direaor. While the monthly assessment 

paid by the Chaplains has increased, the amount that denominations are assessed 

has not been increased, which means that voluntary contributions are urgently 

needed. One means of supporting our chaplains is through membership in the 

Chaplain Guardian Corps. Any member of the Commission can supply 

information about this program. 

OPPORTUNITIES 

All three branches of the service as well as the Reserves are in need of incoming 

chaplains, and the Army is particularly in need. In the providence of God, now is 

an opportunity to expand our ministry to the military, as our category of 

denomination is actively sought by the services. In addition, opportunities for 

nonmilitary chaplains are expanding; it is estimated that three-quarters of all 

chaplains in the United States are nonmilitary (hospitals, prisons, industry, colleges, 

police and fire departments, retirement homes, etc.). 

COMMISSION 

The annual meeting of the Commission was held in Atlanta, March 3-4, 1997, 

followed by telephone conference calls on March 12 and April 3. The Chairman 

of the Commission is Rev. James Pakala (PCA), the Vice-Chair is Rev. William 

Warren (OPC), and the Secretary is Robert Copeland (RPCNA). The term of 

Robert Copeland expires at this meeting of Synod, and his successor should be 

chosen. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:


1. That the Chaplains present at Synod be recognized. 

2. That Synod pray, and encourage our congregations and members to pray 

faithfully, for the needs of our Chaplains and their families, and for our members 

who serve in the Armed Forces. 

3. That congregations and members of the denomination be encouraged to 

consider giving additional financial support for the Joint Commission. 

4. That a representative to the Commission be elected in the Class of 2000. 

5. That Synod make an exception to the two-term rule and consider Robert 

Copeland as a nominee for election to the Class of 2000. 


Robert Copeland 

Jonathan Leach 

Dennis Prutow 

The report of the Committee on Revitalization of Declining 

Congregations was taken up again. Synod proceeded to accomplish the 

directive of item 5 in the report. The committee gave its presentation and 

Synod discussed the possibility of a board of church restoration. The 

report as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE 

REVITALIZATION OF DECLINING 

CONGREGATIONS 

Since the last meeting of Synod, the Committee has met two times - once on 

July 29, 1996, as part of the International Conference at Calvin College, Grand 

Rapids, Michigan, and on May 27 at 28, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. 

HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE'S WORK 

In 1991, Synod appointed a committee to plan a seminar to be held at the 

1992 International Conference, inquiring into the concern denominationally for 

revitalization. Following this a proposal was to be brought to the 1993 Synod on 

how best to aid in the renewing of declining congregations. The seminar was 

conducted, andit was discovered that there existed in the denomination a high 

degree of discouragement and concern for the number of congregations which had 

declined and then disorganized. And many involved in what they felt were 

declining situations expressed strongly that the denomination should not focus on 

new works without coming to the aid of the churches that needed revitalization. A 

tentative report was given in '93, but nothing substantive was laid before the 

court. When the committee had no report in 1994, the present committee was 

organized. 

CURRENT CONCERNS 

The Committee believes that the work of revitalization is crucial if the RPCNA is 

going to continue with its stated goal "to promote healthy, growing, and 

multiplying congregations." The attendance at the Bloomington Conference on


Revitalization (held on April 21-23, 1997) demonstrates that this is 

the denomination as well. In addition to the conference being full, all the North 

American presbyteries were represented. The feedback has been generally quite 

positive with many people suggesting that such a conference should be done on a 

regular basis. 

(The Committee wishes to thank the Bloomington Session and congregation for 

their work in organizing and hosting the Revitalization Conference. The Committee 

played a small role in the Bloomington Conference. The Bloomington Session 

requested our help in co-sponsoring the conference. This the committee agreed to 

do. In addition, the Committee agreed that our part in the cost of that conference 

would be the payment for conference speakers' travel, which was done. This 

Committee requests that Synod should take time to hear a brief report of what was 

done there.) 

If current trends continue, it seems likely that some churches will be closed 

within the next few years. The Committee estimates that about 20% of our 

churches will face significant numerical or financial pressures by the end of the 

century. 

The Committee also believes that the work of revitalization primarily belongs 

with the local congregations with the assistance and oversight of the presbyteries. 

PRESENT DIRECTION 

In our meeting in November, 1995, in Colorado Springs, the Committee 

agreed on a proposal which included the following steps: 

A. Circulation of basic questionnaires to Sessions and pastors regarding 

congregational health; 

B. Identification of two congregations for pilot revitalization; 

C. Written permission sought from the two presbyteries involved; 

D. Initiation of the pilot programs, committee visits carried out, follow-up 

done, and reports then presented to the respective courts and congregations. 

The questionnaires were sent out to both sessions and pastors. A low 

percentage of them were returned. The surveys that were returned were from 

those sessions and pastors (for the most part) that felt that their congregation was 

not in need of revitalization at this time. Several congregations where it seems that 

the need for revitalization may exist did not even return the questionnaires. In 

addition, the Committee received several significant letters of criticism as to the 

value of the questionnaires and to the work of the Committee as a whole. 

The Committee's purpose with the surveys was to try to isolate those items 

(apart from the ones that are obvious from Scripture) that lead either to the 

growth or decline of churches. In other words, are such things as small groups, 

specific prayer seasons calling for the revitalization of the church, unconfessed sin, 

etc., usually present in churches that are healthy or not


The Committee feels that our method or the questionnaire itself may h 

offended some of our fellow elders. If our any of our brothers were offended, the 

Committee asks for your forgiveness. We did not intend offense. 

We do wish to thank those members of Synod who have shown a keen interest 

in this work, and have helped the committee. And we particularly wish to 

acknowledge those who have offered criticisms and helpful suggestions for new 

direction. This has helped to correct and clarify our thinking and planning. 

Revitalization is a relatively new focus in our denomination, and there is much to 

be learned about it. We have found it to be a very sensitive area touching the 

emotions and frustrations of many from our denominational membership. 

Responding, then, both to this lack of participation, and to the counsel we 

received, we set about rethinking the whole of our plan. 

The direction we propose to go presently is as follows: 

A. We wish to make available to the presbyteries and the congregations, for sale, 

both the audio or video tapes, and helpful written materials, from the 

presentations made at the Bloomington Conference. 

B. We wish to be re-appointed for at least one year for the chief purposes of 

producing a "Handbook on Revitalization" to give to the congregations and 

presbyteries to help them to address this work and to study how we can 

more effectively serve the congregations, presbyteries, and denomination in 

the area of revitalization. 

C. Further tasks that have been suggested to us, but have not been approved, 

are... 

1. Arrangement for an elder's and deacon's conference in conneaion with 

the next International Conference, with a focus on revitalization. 

2. Attention paid to the financial needs of congregations in decline and 

developing of a better policy to assist these, where desirable and 

appropriate. 

The Committee also has discussed the possibility of forming a "Board of Church 

Restoration." It seems thatif the denomination is going to have a significant 

impact on helping congregations in need of revitalization, then something like this 

proposed Board needs to be established. The Committee will ask Synod for time 

to hear about this proposal and to receive input from Synod on this idea. We will 

not be asking for approval of the idea, but only for feedback and ideas from our 

fellow elders. If Synod so desires, we could present a plan for the establishment of 

such a Board at the Synod of 1998. 


1. that a representative of the Bloomington Session be given up to 10 minutes 

to report on the Revitalization Conference held in Bloomington in April, 1997. 

2. that the committee be re-appointed for at least one year. 

3. that the Committee's plan to prepare a Revitalization Handbook to aid 

congregations and presbyteries be approved.


4. that presbyteries be instructed to give careful attention to requests f 

from congregations where there is both an evident desire for, and diligent work 

toward, the revitalizing of its life and ministry. 

5. that Synod grant time for the Committee to present ideas on the possible 

establishment of a Board of Church Restoration, and that up to 15 minutes be 

given to hear feedback and input on the desirability of such a Board. 

6. that, in light of Pastor Jim Wright's request not to be re-appointed to the 

Committee, this vacancy be filled, and that an additional member be added to the 

Committee, preferably another ruling elder. 


Robert LaMay, Harry Metzger, John 

Smith, James Wright, Renwick Wright 

(consultant), 

Paul McCracken, Chairman. 

Dean Filson directed Synod in the evening prayer time reminding Synod 

of the authority of Christ in missions. The delegates met in small groups 

to pray and concluded the prayer time with the singing of Psalm 67A, 

stanza 1. 

Synod adjourned at 9:05 p.m. being led in prayer by Brian Coombs. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1997, 8:30 A.M. 

Synod met pursuant to adjournment on Wednesday, July 16, 1997 

8:30 a.m. in the Yates College Union on the Campus of William Jewell 

College, Liberty, Missouri. 

The Moderator expressed his gratitude for the prayers of the delegates 

and his gratitude to God for enabling him to continue as Moderator. 

Vince Scavo led in prayer constituting the court. 

Paul McCracken led in the morning devotional service and directed 

Synod in prayer using Psalm 63. Ray McCarcken led Synod in singing 

Psalm 112B. Paul McCracken read Ephesians 5:1-14 and George Martin 

led in prayer. Paul McCracken preached God's Word on the theme, "The 

Elder Is Committeed to Blamelessness" and closed the service in prayer. 

Pastor John Morrow of Westminster, Maryland, was introduced as the 

fraternal delegate from the American Presbyerian Church. 


The minutes of the Tuesday evening session were read, amended and 

approved. 


made the order of the day following the break this morning.


The Synod offering was received in the amount of $695.65. Duri 

the offering Synod sang Psalm 96A. Ray Morton led in prayer thanking 

God for His provision. 

The report of the Committee on Church History was taken up. Item 1 

was referred to the Committee on Finance. The report as a whole was 


CHURCH HISTORY COMMITTEE 

Dear fathers and brethren: 

One of the purposes for which this committee was established was to provide a 

repository for materials dealing with the history of the denomination. 

Our committee hoped that we might negotiate with the Seminary for space in 

its building for such a collection. But the Seminary has not felt thatit could tie up 

its space for this purpose. The cost of independent space for such a colleaion and 

of personnel for its administration is beyond the present financial means of the 

committee. However, the seminary librarian, Tom Reid, a member of this 

committee,is continuing to collect materials and preserve them for the time when 

space can be provided. A notable example of acquisitions is a collection of 

artifacts from Reformed Presbyterian missions in Syria and China, the gift of 

Charles Murphy, of Syracuse, NY, whose mother served the church as a missionary 

in Syria. The committee continues to solicit such contributions. Under the 

auspices of the committee, two oral history projects have been completed: John 

Edgar has interviewed Mrs. Claude Brown (and others) about the career of her 

husband; and Tom Reid has interviewed Lois Reade Boal about the life of her 

father, Rev. F. F. Reade. Some other projects are in process. We would welcome 

further oral history contributions. 

We note with approval the work of John More in collecting histories of 

congregations, both congregations now disorganized and congregations that are 

active. 

We have not taken steps toward providing a short history of the denomination, 

though we recognize the utility of such a publication. 

The year 1998 is a year of celebrations. Working with the Business of Synod 

Committee our committee is planning programs at next year's Synod to recognize 

the 200th anniversary of the establishing of the Reformed Presbytery in 1798. 

The members of this committee are elected for six-year terms; none of the 

terms expire this year, so no reference to the Nominating Committee is necessary. 


1. That the Church History Committee be granted the sum of $500 for its 

work during the year. 


David Carson, chairman 

Thomas Reid 

David A. Weir


The report of the Business of Synod Committee was taken up. I 

4 were adopted. Item 5 had been adopted on Monday. Items 6 and 7 

were adopted. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

BUSINESS OF SYNOD COMMITTEE REPORT 

Part 2 - OTHER BUSINESS 

The Business of Synod Committee met at the Reformed Presbyterian Homein 

the Fall of 1996 and also on Saturday, July 12, before the meetings of this year's 

Synod. Several decisions were made as well as progress on other issues assigned to 

the Committee. 

Devotional Theme and Speakers for the 1997 Synod. 

The Business of Synod Committee has developed the devotional theme for this 

year's Synod as The Commitments of an Elder. The various titles and speakers for 

each message were also assigned. (The Retiring Moderator, Robert Copeland, who 

is also a member of this Committee, plans his sermon on the theme of unity. As 

the Business of Synod Committee worked on the theme for this year's devotional 

messages, it was apparent that the Retiring Moderator's address was an integral 

part of the theme. Therefore, we have included his message as part of the 

devotional messages.) The messages for each day are as follows: 

Saturday: An Elder Is Committed to Unity - Bob Copeland (Retiring Moderator 

Address) 

Monday: An Elder Is Committed to One Another - Don Piper 

Tuesday: An Elder Is Committed to Humility - Barry York 

Wednesday: An Elder Is Committed to Blamelessness - Paul McCracken 

Thursday: An Elder Is Committed to the Lord - Terry Dowds 

Friday: An Elder Is Committed to the Word - Doug Comin 

Closing Devotional: An Elder Is Committed to Prayer - Ken Smith 

The Lord's Day evening service was planned with the commemoration of the 

100th Anniversary of the Reformed Presbyterian Home in mind. Dr. Bruce 

Stewart will be preaching on the theme of "Our Obedience which Accompanies 

Our Profession." 

Ed Blackwood, Rich Johnston, and a ruling elder from Second RP of Indianapolis 

will be the prayer coordinators for these sessions of the Synod. 

Commemoration of the 100^ Anniversary of the RP Home. 

In light of the 100"1 Anniversary of the Home, the Business of Synod 

Committee asked the Reformed Presbyterian Women's Association how this event 

could be highlighted at the 1997 Synod. In addition to the Lord's Day service 

mentioned above, the Women's Association and the Home would like to host a 

banquet for the members of Synod. The Business of Synod Committee approved 

the plan submitted by the Women's Association.


Plans for the 1998 Synod. 

The Business of Synod Committee has set the tentative dates and location for 

the 1998 Synod as June 12-19, 1998, at Geneva College. (At this meeting, 

there will be a commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Geneva College and 

the 200th Anniversary of the founding of the Reformed Presbytery.) 

RECOMMENDATION #1: that the dates and location of the 1998 Synod be set 

for June 12-19, 1998, at Geneva College. 

Plans for the 1999 Synod. 

In keeping with the past traditions, the Business of Synod Committee would like 

to hold the 1999 Synod in central Indiana. The exact location and dates will be 

determined later. 

RECOMMENDATION #2: that Synod authorize the Business of Synod 

Committee to continue with the plans to hold the 1999 Synod in central Indiana. 

(The exact time and date will be presented for approval at the Synod of 1998.) 

The Business of Synod Committee also discussed the possibility of having a 

seminar as part of the 1999 Synod. Members of the Business of Synod 

Committee have done some initial contact with Ken Sande to seeif he would be 

available to conductall or part of his seminar on Biblical Reconciliation as either a 

pre-Synod conference or work it in as part of the devotional times (including the 

Lord's Day afternoon) of Synod. 

RECOMMENDATION #3: that Synod authorize the Business of Synod 

Committee to make plans to have a seminar in conjunaion with the 1999 Synod. 

Presentation of Reports at Synod. 

The Business of Synod Committee would like to propose a change in the way 

reports are handled on the floor of Synod. It seems that a better way to handle 

them would be to deal with questions on the report as a whole before going to the 

recommendations. Often, questions and clarifications from items in the report 

may have a bearing on the recommendations. Therefore, the Business of Synod 

Committee would request the Moderator to field questions on the report as a 

whole before proceeding to the recommendations. 

Evaluation of Having No Synod in 1996. 

The Synod of 1995 asked the Business of Synod Committee to bring in an 

evaluation of having no Synod in 1996. At our meeting in the Fall of 1996, the 

Business of Synod Committee noted the following items: 

I) The International Conference can be successfully conducted without the 

concurrent meeting of Synod. 

2) The denomination has "survived" without a Synod in 1996. 

3) No issues were brought before Synod's Ad Interim Commission that the 

congregations or presbyteries felt were worthy of calling special meetings of 

Synod. If Synod exists to facilitate the work of the presbyteries and


congregations, there were apparently no issues that absolutely required the 

attention of Synod. 

4) There were, undoubtedly, some elders, both teaching and ruling, who did 

not attend the International Conference who normally would have attended 

Synod. If part of Synod's function is to equip and encourage the elders, does 

this lack of fellowship among the elders, by necessity, weaken the church 

5) By law, presbyteries were not allowed to meet for their normal meetings at 

the time of Synod. Has this put a burden on the presbyteries 

6) About $30,000 from Synod's Travel Fund was saved by not having a 

Synod in 1996. 

7) Several factors were in place, which, the Business of Synod Committee feels, 

were helpful to not having a Synod. A docket of reports wasstill published 

so that the work of the various Boards could still be studied by the church. 

An Ad Interim Commission was in place to handle any crisis or emergency 

situations that may have developed. 

In spite of these faaors, the Business of Synod Committee believes thatit isstill 

premature to give a final evaluation of not conducting meetings of Synod in 1996. 

Several factors need to be seen after at least a year - the health of the 

denomination, the funaioning of the various Boards, the financial implications, the 

amount of work either accomplished or not accomplished as a result of having a 

year without a Synod, etc. 

The Business of Synod Committee plans to send out information to all the 

Boards to receive feedback on how not having Synod affected their ministry, both 

negatively and positively. This information will be studied and a further report will 

be given at next year's Synod. 

Finance Committee. 

For a couple of years now, in response to some questions raised by the 

members of the Finance Committee, the Business of Synod Committee has worked 

on issues raised by the Finance Committee. Some of the ideas of the Business of 

Synod Committee have been implemented; others have been presented to the 

Trustees of Synod. It is the plan that recommendations for the possible 

reorganization of the Finance Committee will be presented at the 1998 Synod, 

coming from the Trustees, the Finance Committee, and the Business of Synod 

Committee. 

Evaluation Procedure for the Boards of RPCNA. 

An item that was assigned to the Business of Synod Committee was the 

development of a plan to help the various Boards and Institutions of the 

denomination to evaluate the various aspects of their ministry in light of the stated 

purpose of the denomination. The Business of Synod Committee is working on 

this process and will have a further report on this assignment at next year's Synod.


Membership of the Business of Synod Committee. 

The terms of Robert Copeland and Drew Gordon expire at this meeting of 

Synod. Their positions must be filled. Both were elected in 1995 to fill the 

positions of men who were unable to serve. Both are also eligible for reelection. 

RECOMMENDATION #4: that the vacancies on the Committee be filled. 

ADDENDUM TO THE BUSINESS OF SYNOD COMMITTEE REPORT 

A few items have come to the attention of the Business of Synod Committee at 

this meeting of Synod that we believe need to be addressed. 

RECOMMENDATION #5: that the reports published in the 1996 Digest of 

Reports be received for information and printed in the Appendix to the Minutes. 

Board to Address Disability Concerns 

It has come to the attention of the Business of Synod Committee that there is 

some confusion over the relationship of this Board to the Synod. The Business of 

Synod Committee would direct the court to the following records from the 

Minutes of the 1994 Synod - Report from the Committee to Address Disability 

Concerns {Minutes, page 100) and the Report from the Business of Synod 

Committee (Minutes, page 69 and 70). 

The Board to Address Disability Issues was never established as a Board of the 

Synod, but as a Board under the jurisdiction of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Woman's Association. 

The representatives of the Business of Synod Committee will meet with 

representatives of the Board and the Woman's Association to help this Board 

better understand its relationship with the Synod and to offer help and 

encouragement as to how they can best serve the church in light of this 

relationship. The Business of Synod Committee will also keep the Trustees of 

Synod informed of our progress. 

Overture from 1994 Synod. 

In researching the above issue,it was pointed out to the Business of Synod 

Committee that there was a change to the RP Testimony passed by the 1994 

Synod that was to go down in overture. This never happened. 

RECOMMENDATION # 6: that the matter of the 1994 change to the RP 

testimony, which should have gone down in overture, be referred to the Business 

of Synod Committee to report to the 1998 Synod. (The Business of Synod 

Committee is investigating the matters relating to overtures, as to what matters 

need to be sent down in overture and which ones do not. We hope to have 

recommendations on this at the 1998 Synod.) 

Transmission of Communications to the Synod. 

One of the communications received by the Synod this year was widely 

distributed via e-mail. The Business of Synod Committee has worked hard to 

develop a reasonable means for the reception of papers by Synod. Even though


papers may not be received in time for publication in the Docket and Digest, w 

still have a means for its orderly presentation to the delegates of Synod. In 

addition, transmission of papers via e-mail are received by only a part of the 

delegates. Therefore, the Business of Synod Committee would urge members of 

Synod to follow the prescribed practices in the distribution of papers. 

Plans for the Commemoration of the Denomination's Bicentennial. 

The Church History Committee has presented their tentative plans for the 

commemoration of the denomination's bicentennial for feedback from the Business 

of Synod Committee. 

RECOMMENDATION ff 7: that Synod pay, out of the Miscellaneous Fund, the 

expenses for the celebration of the denomination's bicentennial, planned in 

conjunction with the Synod of 1998. 

The action to refer recommendation #3 of the report of the Board to 

Address Disability Concerns to the Finance Committee was reconsidered 

by more than a two-thirds vote. The recommendation was referred to the 

Business of Synod Committee to report back to this meeting of Synod. 

The Judicial Committee distributed its report and the chairman of the 

committee made comments to prepare Synod delegates for the 

consideration of the report. 

The report of the Committee on Psalm Translation was taken up. Item 

1 was adopted. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

1997 PSALM TRANSLATION REPORT 

Dear Fathers and Brethren, 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in 

thy sight O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." 

Your Translators are happy to make another progress report. Since our last 

(1994) full report to you, we have translated and critiqued sixteen (16) chapters. 

Which means that there are now sixty-one (61) chapters completed (including 

Psalm 119) and eighty-nine (89) chapters remaining. About half of the verses of 

the Book of Psalms (1,088 out of a total of 2,461) have been translated. There 

are now fifty-three (53) chapters waiting to be "prosodized" or rendered from the 

very literal wording of the translation into a singable form. 

And we found last year that there is a better way of working. That is, when two 

or three Translators (Professors Clark Copeland, Alastair McEwen, Norris Wilson, 

and Duncan Lowe) worked together last year with Prosodists Norm Carson and 

Dick Weir for two and a half days, we were able to complete work on twelve (12) 

Psalms. Translators and Prosodists agreed that working together greatly expedited 

the process and helped with their understanding of special needs. For example, 

Dr. Carson asked the Translators "to help him to know how much flexibility he can 

have in writing into English the Hebrew participles." And we are planning to meet 

again soon (at least with the North American members of the Committee)


sometime this summer. It is possible to do this work by correspondenc 

much more efficient to do it by meeting together. We will of course correspond 

carefully with the Irish and Australian members of the Committee so that this will 

not be just another 'American Translation.' We have found that there are chapters 

in the current Book of Psalms for Singing which are correct (i.e. good and accurate 

translations of the Hebrew text) as they now stand, and others which need only a 

word change or tense correction or taking out of 'padding' words that were just 

added without any textual justification. Surely Revelation 22:18 and 

Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32 do apply. These findings and developments in 

procedure will greatly expedite our work. 

We are encouraged to hear of progress being made by Synod's Committee on 

Music as they work to find or to write the music that will bring out more of the 

meaning of each chapter. We believe many of these tunes will later be fitted to the 

words we are translating in such a way as to bring out even more of the meaning 

God has written into His Psalms. 

In many ways the work of Prosody is now the most difficult. Partly because 

there is only one Prosodist, Dr. Norm Carson, who works alongside Dr. Dick Weir, 

for literature critique. But also because the Chapters continue to add up (now 53 

chapters waiting to be prosodized) and it becomes a lonely work. Norm himself 

has now done seven (7) chapters. We report this detail because we need help in 

this matter. Are there people you know, in or out of the RP Church, who can 

write good poetry and yet are willing to work with rough draft translations, staying 

within the parameters or confines, which God has laid down in the Hebrew text, 

who would be willing to work with us Norm would welcome such help and so 

would all of us. The Church would benefit from it and we believe God would be 

pleased and praised by it. 

Please pray for your Committee. We are attaching to this Report a few chapters 

complete with music. Please do not think these words are bound to this particular 

music. One of the flexibilities of the more accurate translation is to be found in 

the fact that many other tunes can be fitted to the words - to bring out more of 

the meaning that God has written into it. When you "listen" to these, please do 

not (just) compare them with someone else's English ideas of what the text is 

saying, get out your Hebrew text and ask what God is attually saying in the original 

Text and make that the basis for your comparison and evaluation. 

It is encouraging to know the Church has worked on this for over 1,500 years. 

Athanasius, (born around 298 AD, died May 2, 373) writing to a close friend 

Marcellinus, "on the interpretation of the Psalms," after reviewing the entire 

Psalter, issues a warning: 

One word of warning is needed. No one must allow himself to be 

persuaded, by any arguments whatever, to decorate the Psalms with 

extraneous matter or make alterations to their order or change the words 

themselves. They must be sung and chanted with entire simplicity, just as


they are written, so that the holy men who gave them to us, recognizin 

own words, may pray with us, yes and even more that the Spirit, who spoke 

by the saints, recognizing the self same words that He inspired, may join us in 

them too. 

And in the preface to the 1545 edition of his Psalter, Luther warned us about a 

problem he foresaw: 

For alreadyit looks asif everybody were beginning to compose Prayers, and 

Paraphrases of the Psalter according to his own devotional feeling, and were 

seeking thus to have his work famous and in general use in the Church and 

amongst the Christian people; just asif the Psalter and the Lord's Prayer had 

been some wretched trifle of a thing. If care be not taken the Psalter and the 

Lord's Prayer will come to be despised as before [the ReformationJ. I admit 

that some of these new compositions are good; butitis to be presumed that 

the Psalter and Lord's Prayer are better, yea the best. 

Respectfully Submitted 

For the Committee, 

Roy Blackwood 

From Ireland From Australia From North America 

Hugh Blair Lynsey Blakston Clark Copeland 

John McGregor Alastair McEwen Norm Carson 

Norris Wilson 

Duncan Lowe 

Dick Weir 

Brian Coombs 


1. That we request the Synods of Ireland, and North America and the Presbytery 

of Australia to re-appoint the same men to this Committee. 

Synod took a fifteen-minute break at 10:35 a.m. 

Synod returned to business and sang Psalm 36B. 

The preparation for elections was set for Thursday morning following 

the reading of the minutes; the elections were set to be held following the 

Thursday afternoon recess; the report of the Judicial Committee was set 

for Thursday morning following the recess. 

The order of the day, the report of the Committee to Revise the 

Directory for Worship was taken up again. The introduction to the 

Directory was adopted by more than a two-thirds vote. Chapter 3 was 

discussed and returned to the Committee. Chapter 4 was discussed and 

returned to committee. Chapter 5 was discussed and returned to the 

committee. 

Ed Blackwood directed Synod in the morning prayer time. Delegates 

joined in small groups to thank God for His work in the history of the 

church and to pray for proper order in the church and for the worship


ministry of the church. The prayer time was concluded with th 

Psalm 119R, stanza 3. 

Following announcements. Synod took recess at 12:15 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1997, 1:30 P.M. 

Synod reconvened at 1:30 p.m. being led in prayer by John McGrath. 

The roll was passed 

The minutes of the morning session were read, corrected and approved. 

The order of the day, the discussion of health insurance plans was taken 

up. Don McBurney, Director of Human Resource Management at Geneva 

College and Richard P. Caputo, an insurance broker who has worked with 

Geneva College on its health program and who is a professing Christian, 

addressed the court regarding a proposal for self-insured health insurance 

program. Members of Synod asked questions of these men about such a 

program. 

Synod thanked the men for their work and took a fifteen-minute recess 

at 2:50 p.m. 

Synod returned to business and sang Psalm 47A, stanza 1, then 

practiced and sang the chant of 47B. 

The order of the day, the report of the Home Mission Board, was taken 

up. The report was discussed. It was moved, seconded and passed that 

since Renwick Wright is not present to give a report of his work as the 

pastor's pastor, that up to two minutes per work be given to hear about 

each of the exploratory works now in progress. This replaced item 1 of 

the report. The time of the afternoon session was extended ten minutes. 

Items 2-5 were adopted. Items 6 and 7 were referred to the Committee 

on Finance. Item 8 was adopted. Item 9 was referred to the Nominating 

Committee. Item 10 was adopted and Keith Magill led in prayer to fulfill 

its objective. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

REPORT OF THE HOME MISSION BOARD 

Synod's Charge to the Home Mission Board 

In order to contribute to the denominational priority of developing "healthy, 

growing, multiplying congregations", the specific assignment given to the Board of 

Home Missions by the Synod is: 

to facilitate the establishment of new RPCNA congregations in 

North America 

by providing Counsel, Encouragement, Resources and Training 

to its Presbyteries. 

In addition, the Synod has charged the Home Mission Board with the 

responsibility:


to help develop the outworking of Biblical evangelism in the 

life of the church. 

The HMB is comprised of representatives from each of the 6 North American 

Presbyteries along with the help of Marcia Elliott of the Women's Synodical and 

ex-officio member Treasurer Louis Hutmire. 

Current Presbytery Representatives are: 

Allegheny Dean Smith 

Atlantic Richard Weir 

Great Lakes-Gulf Keith Magill 

Midwest Bruce Parnell 

Pacific Coast Tim McCracken 

St Lawrence John McGrath 

Present Situation as of July 1997 

After a lull of about a year, the past 15 months has seen a flurry of new activity 

in church extension across the church. 

Congregations which were fully organized: 

Anchor RPF Waldorf, MD Pastor Peter Smith 

Evansville RPC Evansville, IN Pastor Ed Blackwood 

Hazleton RPC (1) Hazleton, PA Elders Leach et Oliveri 

Mission Churches Organized: 

RPF of Elkhart County (2) Elkhart, IN Searching 

RPF of Iron County (3) Iron River, Ml Pastor Roger Adams 

Wichita RPF (4) Wichita, KS Pastor Charles Carroll 

Christ Our King Fellowship (5)Orange, CA 

Pastor John McFarland 

Bancroft RPC (6) Bancroft, Ontario Pastor Andrew Stringer 

New Hartford RPC (7) New Hartford, NY Pastor Aaron Goerner 

Triangle RPF (8) Raleigh/Durham, NC Searching (As of July 

27, 1997) 

Exploratory Work Initiated 

Lansing, Ml 

South Hills Pittsburgh 

Russell, Ontario 

Cincinnati, OH 

Atlanta, GA 

Syracuse, NY 

Goals for 1995-2000 

The church planting goals which were adopted by the 1995 Synod were: 

8 New Mission Churches by 2000 

comprised of at least: 

1 new mission church in each Presbytery 

4 new mission churches which are daughter congregations


1 Ethnic (cross-cultural) mission church 

By July 27, all eight of these mission churches will have been organized!! And, 

as you can see from the list above, many more possibilities are on the horizon. For 

this we give all the praise to our Redeemer "who desires all men to be saved and to 

come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:4). 

What is even more encouraging is that these new works are spread across five of 

our six North American Presbyteries and that one of them is a classic "daughter" 

work. 

Because of this unprecedented growth, the Board has decided to modify its 

priorities within our overall goal to the following: 

1. Strengthen newer works 

2. Develop additional new works which God sends us 

3. Evangelism training 

4. Develop additional church planters 

What this means is that our first priority is to look for ways to help the 

presbyteries strengthen their newest mission churches. This may mean that we 

may offer additional church planter training opportunities and materials. 

Presbyteries are encouraged to make suggestions to the HMB. 

Church Planter/Organizing Pastor Training 

At last summer's RP International Conference the HMB offered a series of 

workshops and training sessions for interested church planters, seed families, 

sessions and other interested people. These workshops are available on tape for 

your use. 

There are at least 14 men who are involved directly in church planting that have 

not yet been able to attend an RP Church Planter Training Conference. In 

addition, those who have attended in the past have progressed to later stages of 

the church planting process and could benefit from more advanced training. In 

light of this, we hope to offer another Training Conference sometime in the next 

12 months. Please pray with us about this and give us your suggestions. 

Evaluating Potential Church Planters 

The 1995 Synod approved the following recommendation: 

That Synod encourage the HMB to work with presbyteries in the development 

of an evaluation process which will enhance the appointment of qualified men to 

be church planters. 

The Board continues to see an evaluation process for potential church planters 

as a useful tool to help a presbytery decide who they should call to a new work. 

We would like to have a process that is done by Reformed Presbyterians for 

Reformed Presbyterians with a possibility of some outside experienced help. In 

order to work toward this goal, we participated in an OPC "Readiness for 

Reformed Ministries in the '90's" seminar. One of us served as an evaluator and 

church planter John McFarland volunteered to participate as an evaluatee. As 

John will readily tell you, it was a positive experience for him as well as for the


evaluator. The OPC has given us an open invitation to participate in their 

in the future. However, the HMB has appointed a committee to begin developing 

our own process. A broad based group is being gathered to see what we can come 

up with which willfit the RPCNA. Our desire is to help presbyteries call men to 

responsibilities which fit their gifts and experience so that they can be the most 

productive for our Lord. 

Finances 

In 1997 we anticipate giving over $210,000 to the Presbyteries for aiding their 

new works. Please remember that once a new work is approved for reducing aid, a 

multi-year commitment is made that can total over $100,000 for each new work. 

The Board must have a sustained year to year cash flow, as well as some reserves, 

in order to be faithful to the presbyteries. 

Last year at this time, we were predicting a deficit by 1998. For 1996 and 

1997, the Board "gave up" some of its RPMetM request to meet the needs of the 

seminary. Thankfully, God has provided the possibility of restoring this from 

Unrestricted Undesignated Funds. If our request for $95,000 from these funds is 

granted in 1997 and if our request for $65,000 from RPMetM for 1998 is 

granted and if contributions to the "Time to Plant Fund" continue , we hope to be 

able to fund most of the approved aid requests which we anticipate through 1998. 

We know that "what God orders, He pays for" (Matthew 28:18, 20b) and that 

He will "supply our needs according to His riches in glory" (Philipians 4:19) and 

that "we walk by faith and not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7). With these promises 

and His clear instruction to "disciple all the nations", we will continue to press 

ahead. 

Time to Plant Fund 

We urge congregations and individuals to continue giving to the Time to Plant 

Fund. These "above and beyond RPMetM" contributions are essential for the 

work to go forward. 

Aid Completed 

Two works complete their six year reducing aid program in 1997 - Kokomo, IN 

and Pensacola, FL. These are the first two to "graduate" to self sufficiency from 

the six year program. Before 1992, reducing aid lasted up to eight years. The 

shorter program frees up funds for additional new works. 

Kingdom Builder's Fund 

The Board has grants available for qualifying new works to help with their first 

church building. Although funds are available, no applications were received 

during this past year. 

Evangelism Explosion 

The HMB continues to provide scholarship aid for attending EE clinics by 

pastors and lay people. A number of pastors and lay people participated during 

this past year. Among them are Pastor Keith Black who has had a particularly 

fruitful ministry using EE, Charles Leach who participated in an EE training in


Norfolk, VA, June 20-25, 1997, and Paul McCracken who particip 

training in Tulsa, OK and plans on implementing a modified version of the 

program this coming year. It may be well to note that an EE clinic may take on 

some of the "flavor" of the particular church whereitis held. 

Personnel Needs on the Board 

Pastor Keith Magill has undertaken many time consuming projects of the HMB 

while, at the same time, serving as the representative from the Great Lakes-Gulf 

Presbytery. The Board desires to enable him to be free from the Presbytery 

Representative responsibilities to lighten his load. Therefore, the Board desires to 

exercise the opportunity afforded by its Constitution, Article V. Paragraph 5, by 

requesting that Synod elect Rev. Keith Magill as an at-large member of the HMB. 

If elected by the Synod, he would no longer serve as the representative from the 

Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery but would be replaced by someone appointed by that 

Presbytery. Followingis the applicable section of the HMB Constitution: 

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP 

The membership of the Board shall be as follows: 

1. One representative from each presbytery appointed by the presbytery 

they represent. 

2. One member nominated by the Board in consultation with the Women's 

Synodical and elected by Synod. 

3. Appointments usually begin following the adoption of the Nominating 

Committee report at Synod. 

4. Members elected by Synod shall serve no more than two full consecutive 

terms of three years each. After a one year interval, he/she shall be eligible 

for re-election. Members appointed by the Presbyteries should be elected for 

a three year term. The number of consecutive terms shall be determined by 

the Presbytery. 

5. If the Board determines that there are particular needs or expertise 

required on the Board,it may from time to time, request the Synod to elect 

an additional at-large member to the Board. The term of office shall be the 

same as for other members elected by Synod. 

Resources for New Works 

The Board wishes to express its gratefulness to Geneva College's New Song 

group, especially to Mrs. Louise Copeland, and to Lynne Gordon and Crown and 

Covenant for the production of the newest Psalm tape. This is a most wonderful 

tool to introduce people to Psalm singing and to our Psalter. It will be very useful 

in all our new works. We urge you to give one to every new member of your 

ministry. 

Relations with NAPARC churches 

Last November our President met with several of the NAPARC Home Missions 

leaders at a Home Missions Consultation held in conjunction with the annual 

NAPARC meetings. In preparation for that meeting more than 50% of our active


pastors responded to a survey asking about relations with other NAPARC chur 

church planting efforts. The general conclusions of the survey were presented at 

the consultation. All of the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to live by the 

Comity Agreement. If you have a problem with another NAPARC church's 

church planting efforts in your area that cannot be resolved locally, please contact 

Keith Magill. He will try to resolve it with the appropriate leaders of the other 

denomination. 

Evaluating Our Work 

We are grateful for the analytical work which Dr. Dean Smith has done over the 

past several years helping us to get at least one view of how God is working among 

us. "Know well the condition of your flock" the proverbial writer tells us. 

Statistics and numbers do tell us at least a little about what is going on. Of course, 

they don't tell the whole story but they can be helpful. We hope you will find 

them to be so. 

Pastor's Pastor 

Dr. Renwick Wright has continued to serve as our Pastor's Pastor. He has 

finished about 3 years in this very helpful role of being a "behind the scenes" 

friend and counselor to many of our pastors. We anticipate his reappointment to 

this role for another year, health and time permitting. 

Our Greatest Need 

Laborers for the Harvest 

Continue to pray for qualified men for the great harvest in which we are 

involved. Truly "the harvestis plentiful but the laborers are few". 

Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send workers into His 

harvest. Matthew 9:38 


1. That the Synod hear from Dr. Renwick Wright concerning the Pastor's Pastor 

program for 5 minutes. 

2. That the Synod urge congregations to utilize the Pastor's Pastor program during 

the coming year. 

3. That Synod affirm the Board's appointment of Dr. Wright to continue, as he is 

able, the ministry of a Pastor's Pastor for 1997-98. 

4. That Synod encourage the HMB to work with the presbyteries in the 

development of an evaluation process which will enhance the appointment of 

qualified men to be church planters. 

5. That an analysis of the growth patterns of the denomination during the past 18 

years done by Dr. Dean Smith be included as an appendix with the statistical 

reports in the Minutes of this Synod. 

6. That $95,000 be granted from Synod's Unrestricted Undesignated Funds in 

1997 

7. That $65,000 be granted from RPMetM in 1998


8. That Synod elect an at-large member of the HMB. 

9. That Keith Magill be nominated for the at-large member of the HMB. 

10. That Synod rise and give praise to God for allowing us to be involved in His 

great work. 

Dean Filson directed Synod in the afternoon prayer time focussing on 

the praise of God who heals, and petitions for our worship ministry and 

for people new to our churches. Synod sang Psalm 100C to conclude the 

prayer time. 

Synod took recess at 4:20 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1997, 7:00 P.M. 

Synod reconvened at 7:00 p.m. being led in prayer by Keith Black 


The minutes were read and approved as read. 

The reports of the exploratory works as directed during the report of 

the Home Mission Board were given. Jerry O'Neill reported on South 

Hills, Pittsburgh; Phil Pockras on Cincinatti; Andrew Stringer on Russell, 

Ontario; Ralph Joseph, on Atlanta; Brian Coombs on North Syracuse; 

Brian Schwertley on Lansing, Michigan; and Godfrey Franklin on Triangle 

Fellowship in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area. 

Following the singing of Psalm 48B, Ed Blackwood, Rich Johnston and 

Dean Filson directed Synod in the prayer time to which the evening has 

been devoted as follows: 

REBUILDING BROKEN WALLS - THEMES OF PRAYER FROM NEHEMIAH 

I. Prayer of confession and prayer for rebuilding - Nehemiah 1:4ff 

a. Mourning, fasting 

b. Silent, personal prayer 

c. Psalm 32C 

2. Quick focused prayers ("arrow prayers") - Nehemiah 2:4 

a. Built on foundation of lengthy personal prayer 

b. Small groups - sentence prayers for specific needs 

c. Psalm 4B 

3. Imprecatory prayers against God's enemies - Nehemiah 4:4-5 

a. Imprecatory prayers 

i. Not for personal vengeance 

ii. Against enemies of God's work 

iii. OT includes commands to love enemies 

iv. NT includes imprecations 

v. Includes desire for redemption for God's enemies 

b. Small group prayer 

c. Psalm 83C


4. Praying a guard - Nehemiah 4:9 

a. We wrestle not against flesh and blood ... so prayer is setting a guard 

b. Presbytery representatives praying for God's protection 

c. Psalm 127A 

5. Praising and blessing our everlasting God - Nehemiah 9:5ff 

a. Glorious, matchless, creator, electing, merciful, redemptive,lawgiver, 

forgiving 

b. Individual prayers of praise 

c. Psalm 72D 

Paul Martin led in prayer adjourning the court at 9:05 p.m. 

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1997, 8:30 A.M. 

Synod met pursuant to adjournment in the Yates College 

campus of William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri on Thursday, July 17, 

1997 at 8:30 a.m. 

The Moderator welcomed the delegates reminding them of the wisdom 

from above as opposed to the disorderly wisdom of the world. Joe 

Lamont led in prayer constituting the court. 


Mark England led in prayer opening the devotional service. Ed 

Blackwood led Synod in singing Psalm 45C. Terry Dowds read Luke 

14:25-35, asked God's blessing on the ministry of the Word, then 

preached God's Word on the theme, "Committed to the Lord." He 

concluded the service in prayer. 

The minutes of the Wednesday evening session were read and approved 

as read. 

The order of the day, the preparation for elections, was not able to be 

taken up at this time but was delayed to be taken when the Nominating 

Committee is ready. 

The report of the Board of Education and Publication was taken up. 

Item 1 was discussed at length and returned to the Board. 

Synod worked on preparing for elections but returned the International 

Conference Advisory Committee to the Nominating Committee. The 

break was delayed to complete the report. 

Synod took a fifteen-minute recess at 10:50 a.m. 

Synod returned to business and sang Psalm 135B. 

The order of the day, the report of the Judicial Committee was taken 

up. The first item on the report for consideration was paper 97-2 which 

requests the removal of Directory for Government, Chapter 8, Paragraph


22. Item 1 was adopted. Item 2 was referred to the Business of Synod 

Committee. 

The report of the Judicial Committee on Communication 97-4 was 

taken up. Communication 97-4 asks that the Queries for Ordination be 

declared part of the Constitution of the RPCNA. The report was 

discussed at length. 

Rich Johnston directed Synod in the morning prayer time for the 

educational ministries of the church. Delegates gathered in small groups 

for prayer and concluded the prayer time singing Psalm 119E, stanza 1. 

Following the announcements. Synod took recess at 12:20 p.m. 

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1997, 1:30 P.M. 

Synod reconvened at 1:30 p.m. being led in prayer by Jim McMahon. 


The minutes of the morning session were read and approved. 

The report of the National Reform Association was taken up. The 

request for three delegates from Synod was referred to the Nominating 

Committee. The report was received and appears in Appendix B. 

The report of the Committee on Understanding the Times was taken up, 


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES 

As the first generation raised by postwar parents attains adulthood, the 

counterculture of the sixties has, in turn, become mainstream. The pervasive 

outlook one encountersis less a worldview thanit is a reaction against worldviews 

as such.It is thus fitting that contemporary thinking should acquire a label merely 

noting a place in history in terms of the demise ofits predecessor without 

intimating any content: "postmodernism." 

Thomas Oden has opined that Modernism, the great secular experiment, was 

finally laid to rest with the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989, precisely two 

hundred years afterits birth with the French Revolution. Tracing this shift in 

thinking in an article for Modern Reformation (September/October 1995), Gene 

Veith writes, "if scientific rationalism cannot be depended on to give us objective 

truth, maybe thereis no objective truth. The postmodernists argue that truthis not 

so much a discovery but a construction." In linguistics, the dominant realm of 

current philosophizing, the "deconstructionist" school discovers beneath claims to 

express objective meaning thatall communicationis actually the assertion of power 

and the attempt to dominate. 

The cynical and relativistic outlook is not confined to the ivory tower, but has 

been widely, though almost unconsciously, absorbed. Modernism rejected the 

Christian faith because its truth could not be established scientifically. Orthodox


Christianity is objectionable to the postmodernist, on the other hand, simply 

because it claims to be true. The real question is not about what is true and right, 

but what is liked and chosen. As a result, society is fragmented into competing 

tribes and special interest groups. 

What holds things tenuously together is not a common pursuit of truth and 

meaning, but a political correctness that anathematizes intolerance of any free 

choice. From the regionalization of Canada following the 1997 federal election to 

the widespread torching of black churches in the South, many recent events force 

us to confront the frailty of this arrangement. 

It is to those who are simultaneously perpetrators and victims of this 

individualistic hedonism that the church is called to minister Jesus Christ, the Truth 

who sets us free indeed. Fearful withdrawal and undiscerning conformity are both 

unacceptable responses on the part of God's army. Christians must struggle to 

answer the same question in every age: How can cultural trends be seen as 

opportunities for meaningful outreach and ministry 

The family - the incubator of morality and healthy relationships - has been hit 

hard by the postmodernist spirit. The teenager stuffing her freshly born baby into 

the trash can in the girl's restroom before rejoining her friends at the high school 

prom and requesting a song to dance to is the stark epiphany of contemporary 

ethics, postmodernism's manger scene. Even as it disgusts him, it poignantly 

captures the dilemma of the distorted Imago Dei at the end of the second 

millennium, the trousered ape. If it had been done by a professional in a licensed 

facility, it would have received the determined protection of President Clinton 

himself! 

A few years ago, National Public Radio featured an interview with a young 

Muslim convert who had been raised in an evangelical Christian home. He located 

the attraction of Islam in its sense of community and its code of ethics. 

Apparently, family and church had failed to provide either. While committed 

Christians slowly and laboriously protect and nurture the covenant home, we must 

studiously avoid alienating a generation that cannot relate, but secretly wishes it 

could. The majority come from broken homes. For the rest, many were raised by 

surrogates while both parents pursued fulfilling careers. They have been taught by 

example that the object of a relationship is not building a home but finding sexual 

gratification; the gender from which one finds it has ceased being a cause for much 

concern. To our great advantage is the visibility of God's wrath and, beneath the 

desperate endeavor to suppress it, the inescapable knowledge of God by those 

made in His image. And Jesus still offers rest to the weary and heavy-laden. 

On the issues of the day, we can lock arms with many diverse co-belligerents, 

whether to the right or to the left. (And, by the way, let's not be hypocritical! We 

have learned to speak loudly and clearly on abortion. Do we avoid being vocal 

against racism, child and spousal abuse, pollution, sexual harassment, and the 

anarchistic militia movement because we fear we will be perceived as attempting to


be politically correct Have we succumbed to an alternative, right-wing, politi 

correctness, sleeping with what we hope is the better enemy) In and of itself, 

however, culture war Christian activism only amounts to the treatment of 

symptoms. We must never lose sight of the fact that the deeper problem - and, 

thus, the real solution - is spiritual, and that discipling the nation begins with the 

cleansing water of baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 

Holy Spirit. 

Respectfully Submitted For the Committee, 

Andrew Schep 

Members: David Carson, Chairman 

Aubrey Ayer 

Andrew Schep 

The report of the Committee to Consider Communication 97-10 

regarding the special resolution from the Japan Presbytery was taken up. 

It was agreed to take the recommendations as a whole. Items 1 -9 were 

adopted. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

COMMITTEE RESPONSE TO PAPER 97-10 

The Petition of the Japan Presbytery asks for assurances in the following areas 

from the Synod of 1997: 

1. The Japan Presbytery wishes to be assured of the continuing commitment of 

the RPCNA to the Japan Mission. The Japan Mission Field consists of the Japan 

Presbytery and the Covenanter Book Room work. 

2. The Japan Presbytery wishes to have the RPCNA send and support long term 

missionaries, trained in the Japanese language, to help in the work in Japan. 

3. The Japan Presbytery recognizes the importance of the Kobe Theological 

Hall, and desires the assistance of missionaries as theologians and educators. KTH 

is supervised by the Japan Presbytery. 

4. The Japan Presbytery requests a formal covenant between the Synod of the 

RPCNA (FMB) and the Japan Presbytery. 

5. Finally, the Japan Presbytery expects formal and written communications 

between the Foreign Mission Board and the Japan Presbytery as they work together 

for the Japan Mission. 

The five items above summarize the concerns of the Petition of Paper 97-10, as 

we understand them. Also included within the Petition of the Japan Presbytery to 

the Synod of 1997 are references to the following Church bodies which have 

influenced the work in Japan: I.) Synod 2.) Japan Mission 3.) The Board of 

Foreign Missions and 4.) the Japan Presbytery. Absent from the Petition is any 

reference to the Japan Commission which functioned alongside the FMB until the 

formation of the Japan Presbytery in 1995. 

In responding to the Petitions of Paper 97-10 your committee makes the 

following observations:


1.) A combination of changes have upset the Japanese Churches. These 

changes are the departure of the Leach Family from Japan, the early retirement of 

Paster Masunaga due to illness, the deposition and excommunication of Pastor 

Youn, the Kobe earthquake, the departure of the Sterrett Family to Cyprus, new 

leadership on the Foreign Mission Board, the possible retirement of Pastor Gene 

Spear, the establishment of the Japan Presbytery, the declining of two calls from 

the Japan Presbytery by Pastor Miwa; and the fact that although the FMB has tried 

to find missionaries to go to Japan, no pastors have as of this report come forward 

to serve. When ineffective communications between leaders is added to these 

changes, the Synod can understand some of the reasons for the Petitions in the 

Paper 97-10. 

2.) Because of a number of hours of face to face conversation between Pastor 

Takiura and the Foreign Mission Board, a number of the concerns in the Petition 

Paper 97-10 have been addressed. Your Committee has greatly benefited from 

several hours of conversation with members of the FMB, Pastor Takiura, and 

people well acquainted with the Japan Church. Your Committee acknowledges the 

help of many people in this response. 

Two documents attached to this report may also be helpful to the Synod. The 

first is an agreement already entered into by Kobe Theological Hall and the 

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. 

The second is a written summary by the FMB of a lengthy conversation between 

Pastor Takiura and the Foreign Mission Board which took place at this Synod. This 

paper of two pages speaks to a number of questions and concerns found in Paper 

97-10. Other questions not answered in paper from the FMB will be addressed 

specifically in this Report. 

One issue your Committee considers very important is the status of the 

relationship between the RPCNA Synod, the Foreign Mission Board, and the Japan 

Presbytery. The relationship has changed as follows: 

Before the formation of the Japan Presbytery, the affairs of the Church in Japan 

were governed by the Foreign Mission Board, and the Japan Commission. The 

Japan Commission was made up of ordained missionary personnel and pastors and 

elders from each congregation in Japan. The members of the Commission were 

appointed annually by the Synod. The Foreign Mission Board was made up of 

Christians in America elected to the Board by the Synod of the RPCNA. There 

were in essence two governing bodies under this system. The missionaries on the 

field related to each governing body in very specific ways. Nearly all of the 

missionaries operated under the Japan Commission. Women missionaries and 

short term missionaries also operated under the Japan Commission. The 

Commission gradually accepted more and more responsibility as the Japanese 

Church developed. The FMB and the Mission Association gradually reduced their 

oversight of the Japan Mission. At the time of the formation of the Japan 

Presbytery the Commission was aaing in many ways as a presbytery.


The changes in the relationship between the RPCNA Synod, the 

Presbytery, and the Japanese congregations are requiring adjustment. Many of the 

difficulties now being encountered and reflected in Paper 97-10 are adjustment 

difficulties to the new relationship between the FMB and the Japan Presbytery. 

RECOMMENDATIONS OF SYNOD'S COMMITTEE 

Your committee has attempted to isolate the key issues underlying the present 

concerns expressed in the Petition of the Japan Presbytery. The following 

recommendations are offered in hope of alleviating the Presbytery's concerns, and 

providing the Presbytery and the FMB with a workable framework for carrying out 

the work of the Synod in Japan. Your committee is not trying to do the work of 

the FMB or the Japan Presbytery. 

I. We recommend to the Japan Presbytery and the FMB a slower pace of 

transition. We would therefore respectfully recommend the re-establishment of 

the Mission's Account on the field with English speaking administrators. 

2. In conformity with the 1995 commitments of the FMB (Minutes of Synod, 

1995, p. 56, Japan Presbytery Report to the 1997 Synod, p. 740), we 

recommend the continuing of the Call for two ordained men to serve under the 

oversight of the Japan Presbytery. These men should be trained in the Japanese 

language and when called should anticipate serving in Japan for a considerable 

period. Period of service will be determined by the Presbytery and FMB in 

consultation (see recommendations 6 and 7 below). 

3. We recommend that Gene Spear be permitted to remain in the short term as 

a missionary in Japan to minister where the Japan Presbytery determines he can 

best be used. 

4. We recommend that the Synod encourage the relationship between KTH and 

RPTS in accordance with the attached agreement. We also recommend to KTH 

and RPTS that teachers from RPTS and other qualified persons, be scheduled 

specifically to teach at KTH for the next five years, D.V. If this year's pattern 

continues, as many as two visiting professors per year may go to teach at KTH 

from RPTS. 

5. We recommend the following statement of relationship between the Synod of 

the RPCNA and the Japan Presbytery: 

Synod rejoices that the Japan Presbytery and the Board of Foreign Missions of 

the Synod of the RPCNA are bound together in Jesus Christ, each earnestly 

desiring the firm establishment and full maturity of the Japan Presbytery. Each 

should therefore regard the other as a true partner in every significant decision 

concerning strategic planning, missionary staffing and delineation of financial 

responsibility. Synod, however, recognizes the Presbytery as having primary 

responsibility and spiritual authority, with the Board supplying "Counsel, 

Encouragement, Resources, and Training". The Presbytery and the Board should 

ensure that all important communications are made in writing, Presbytery to 

Board, and Board to Presbytery. Presbytery and Board should endeavor, wherever


possible, as they communicate, to come to united decisions; and if, on any m 

of significance, they are unable to come to united understanding, they should 

together submit that issue to the next meeting of Synod for resolution. 

This statement of relationshipis expressed with full confidence in our Lord that, 

in due time, the Presbytery will in every way be firmly established and the Board's 

work in Japan will be completed. 

6. We recommend that Synod direct the FMB and the Japan Presbytery to draw 

up an agreement for the implementation of their relationship, this agreement to be 

reviewed from time to time. It would be most important for this agreement to 

include such things as the delineation of the functions of missionaries and the 

respective financial responsibilities of the Presbytery and the FMB. 

7. We recommend that a delegate from the Japan Presbytery be present at 

future meetings of the RPCNA Synod. 

8. We recommend that Pastor Takiura translate into Japanese this Committee's 

report for other elders of the Japan Presbytery. 


Charles W. Leach 

Christopher Wright 

Edward A. Robson, Chairman 

ATTACHMENT#1 

AGREEMENT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE KOBE THEOLOGICAL 

HALL (KOBE, JAPAN) AND THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN 

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, USA) 

Preamble 

The Kobe Theological Hall (KTH), Kobe, Japan, founded in 1996, and the 

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 

USA, foundedin 1810, enter into an agreement of cooperation with one another, 

because of our commitment to furthering the ministries of each institution to the 

worldwide church of Jesus Christ. 

Faculty 

KTH and RPTS faculty will be free to serve in the other institution, as schedules, 

finances, needs, and translation facilities permit. 

One RPTS faculty member will be encouraged to minister at KTH each school 

year. 

Each KTH faculty member will spend a two-week period in intensive personal 

study at RPTS, involving one public lecture, and preaching in local churches and in 

the RPTS chapel. 

The cost of these interchanges is negotiable between KTH et RPTS. 

Students 

RPTS may grant transfer academic credit to KTH students in order to complete 

the M. Div. or other degrees or diplomas.


Four years of training at KTH may be followed with three quarters at 

the attainment of the M. Div. degree. 

Two years of training at KTH may be followed with six quarters at RPTS for the 

attainment of the M. Div. degree. 

English language competency for KTH students may be provided by previous 

study, or through the Geneva College program or the University of Pittsburgh 

program in the fall-winter-spring. 

Scholarships to RPTS will be offered to students at KTH on the same basis as to 

other students. (Includes RP scholarships for all students under care.) 

RPTS students will be encouraged to spend a summer in ministry in Japan, 

arranged through KTH. 

The cost of travel by KTH or RPTS students to the other seminary is a personal 

responsibility. 

Library 

KTH will collect widely in Japanese language, materials essential to ministry in 

Japan. 

RPTS will collect widely in English language, materials essential to ministry in 

Japan. 

The RPTS Librarian will counsel in the development of the KTH Library. 

The online catalog of RPTS will be made available on CD-ROM at KTH. 

Eventually, the KTH online catalog will be made available on CD-ROM at RPTS. 

RPTS will honor inter-library loan requests from KTH students and faculty 

through email, fax, or telephone requests. 

Implementation 

This agreement is effective immediately upon signing by both RPTS and KTH. 

This agreement may be changed at any time by written agreement of both RPTS 

and KTH. 

This agreement will be formally reviewed by both RPTS and KTH every seven 

years. 

ATTACHMENT #2 

FMB SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION WITH PASTOR TAKIURA PREVIOUS TO 

THE 1997 MEETING OF SYNOD. 

Dear Elders of the Japan Presbytery, 

The Board is grateful to the LORD for an eye opening and refreshing time of 

conversation with Pastor Takiura. It is our desire that a delegate of the Japan 

Presbytery annually attend meetings of Synod. Without such face-to-face 

interaction it is difficult for effective communication to take place. 

The Board is writing this letter to foster a freer and more thorough dialogue 

between the elders of the Japan Presbytery and Board of Foreign Missions 

specifically regarding the Board's role in the ministry of the Japan Presbytery. In 

our time with Pastor Takiura it is clear that we share like purposes regarding ways


in which the Board can be a part of the mission in Japan. Among our areas of 

apparent agreement, we believe: 

-That we need to strengthen the International ties between the newly formed 

Japan Presbytery and the North American Churches 

-That we widely appreciate that the Presbytery status now prevailing in the 

Japan churches as being a good mixture of unity and independence. (Though 

the manual speaks of complete autonomy in chapter eight section B four, the 

Board is not equating independence with autonomy.) 

-That we need to be working closely together over this present generation of 

changing roles; that is, the Board is not abandoning the mission In Japan 

within this generation nor is the Board anticipating an unending formal 

involvement with the church in Japan. 

--That we have a role in developing the breadth of future Japanese leaders 

through the ties which have been established between KTH and RPTS. 

-That we can assist in constitutional discussion that will allow for the 

possibility of having one Constitution with two Testimonies (understanding 

the cultural differences between North America and Japan). 

-That we have a continuing role in the confirming and establishing of a 

cluster of self-sustaining congregations centered in the greater Kobe area. 

-That we may have a part in enhancing the doctrinal maturity and 

consistency of the Reformed Presbytenan Churches, as they relate to the 

culture around them and as they relate ecumenically with other evangelical 

churches In Japan. 

The above points surfaced from our conversations with Pastor Takiura. Are 

there other points which the Japan Presbytery believes ought to be discussed which 

are not mentioned above Do you, the Japan Presbytery, have priorities or 

concerns which the Board needs to understand better 

As we pursue how best to address the above mentioned concerns, the following 

steps might be taken. 

-The mlssionary-pastor(s), for whom we have been searching, may need to 

have a medium-range term in mind (i.e. more than 3-5 years but fewer than 

30-35 years), and the location in which he serves would need to be 

negotiated between the Japan Presbytery and Board. 

-The calling of a missionary-teacher may be especially helpful at this stage of 

your development, and one who could speak Japanese would be highly 

desirable. (It is not clear to us that this kind of a position would need to 

involve more than a year's commitment.) 

-It may be helpful to explore the possibility of providing supply preaching for 

Higashisuma to allow Pastor Sakai some study time in RPTS in the near 

future. 

-We need to dialogue on the future of the Covenanter Book Store (as 

distinct from the Covenanter Center Building) in order to be sure that its


work serves the intents of the Japan Presbytery In building the church of 

Christ. 

The Board is sure that the Japan Presbytery is well aware of the financial 

commitment of the North American churches to the mission in Japan by virtue of 

the fact that the Board is anticipating $130,000 designated for Japan in our 1998 

budget. The Board anticipates raising more than $100,000 toward the rebuilding 

of the Book Store, and contributed another $100,000 from proceeds from the 

sale of the Mukonoso property. 

Itis our heartfelt hope that we can maintain peace and encourage each of you 

during this time of change, and that we may foster a spirit of brotherhood and 

negotiation toward the ministry of the gospel in Japan. We look forward to 

receiving correspondance from your Presbytery. 

Sincerely yours in Christ, 

Executive Secretary 

President of the Board 

For Members of the FMB 

The Committee to Consider Communcation 97-10 was given special 

thanks for its work which required many hours of labor. Mr. Takiura was 

given a rising vote of thanks for making the effort to be present at this 

meeting of Synod. 

The report of the Judicial Committee was taken up again dealing with 

Communication 97-4. 

Synod took a fifteen-minute break at 2:45 p.m. 

Dan Dermeyer was introduced as fraternal delegate from the PCA. 

The time for the afternoon recess was deferred until 5:00 p.m. 


taken up again. Item 1 was adopted by more than a two-thirds votes, 79- 

21. Items 2 and 3 were adopted. Synod ordered that the appendix to 

the committee report be included with the overture when it is mailed. 


taken up. A minority report was prepared by George Hueber and read to 

the court. He proposed keeping the Special Resolution in effect until the 

Queries for Ordination are passed in overture. The majority report was 

considered. Items 1 and 2 were adopted. The report of the Judicial 

Committee is as follows: 

Report of the Judicial Committee re: Communication 97-2 

Paper 97-2 asks the Synod of 1997 to rescind the action of the Synod of 1995 

in which it amended the Directory for Church Government, Chapter 8, by adding 

a new paragraph 22. The new paragraph prescribes that in counting Session votes 

on an overture tie votes not be counted in the total number of Sessions voting. 

The paper notes that the new provision in the Directory for Church Government


contradicts the procedure detailed in The Book of Discipline, which pr 

an overture will be passed "ifit is found that two thirds of the sessions...that cast 

votes have voted in favor of adoption...provided the decision represents a majority 

of the elders voting." (8:6, E-15) 

The Judicial Committee notes that the Synod is authorized to amend the 

Directory for Church Government by a 2/3 vote. Therefore, its action of 1995 in 

adding paragraph 22 to chapter 8 was done properly. However, by adding 

paragraph 22 to the chapter, "Rules of Order for a Meeting of Synod", in the 

Directory for Church Government, the 1995 Synod contradicted the provision for 

counting ballots contained in chapter 8, "Petitions, Memorials and Overtures" in 

the Book of Discipline. The Judicial Committee believes that the new paragraph 

22 is infelicitously placed in the Directory for Church Government in a chapter 

dealing with "Rules of Order for a Meeting of Synod" and its contradiction with 

The Book of Discipline introduces confusion Into the subordinate standards of the 

church. We therefore recommend: 

1.) That the 1997 Synod rescind the new paragraph 22 in chapter 8 of the 

Directory for Church Government. 

2.) That the 1997 Synod amend Chapter 8:6 in the Book of Discipline,if it 

wishes to change the way in which overture votes are counted (Refer to Business of 

Synod Committee). 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Godfrey Franklin 

George Hueber 


Ed Schisler 

William J. Edgar, Chairman 


Paper 97-4 asks the Synod of 1997 to declare the Queries for Ordination for 

church officers to be a part of the Constitution of the RPCNA. 

The Judicial Committee agrees that the Queries for Ordination should be part 

of the Constitution of the RPCNA. The Queries connect the hearts of the church 

officers with the church's confession. As Paper 97-4 notes inits points five and 

six: 5) "Failure to include Queries for Ordination within the Constitution 

dramatically weakens the procedures which most closely bind the officers of the 

church to her standards...." 

6) "If a Synod can set aside Ordination Queries or parts of the 

Queries by simple majority vote and without the approval of the Sessions the 

ability of Synods to set aside significant standards of the church is dramatically 

increased." 

However, our present Queries were in fact adopted by a mere simple majority 

of the Synod in 1939 (Minutes of Synod, p. 107). They are not even listed


among the subordinate standards in the History of the Standards. (1-1 

introduction to the Directory for Church Government names only The Confession 

of Faith and The R.P. Testimonyas the doctrinal statements of the church. 

It will not be sufficient for the Synod of 1997 to declare judicially by majority 

vote that the Queries are part of the Constitution of the RPCNA. Such a 

declaration could be easily reversed by a later Synod. Instead, the Queries 

adopted by simple majority in 1939 should now be individually sent down in 

proper overture. In evaluating our present Queries, the committee commends the 

report on vows adopted by the 1981 Synod. Recommendations: 

I.) That the Clerk of Synod send down in overture each of our current Queries 

individually, except for Queryit's that was approved by overture in 1979. 

2.) That church courts continue to use the Queries as they now stand until the 

overture has been completed. 

3.) That whatever Queries are approved in overture will then become a part of 

the Constitution of the RPCNA, to be changed only by the procedures outlined In 

The Book of Discipline, chapter 8 "Petitions, Memorials, and Overtures." (E-14) 





Ed Schisler 


Appendix. 1981 Minutes of Synod page 128. 

That Synod stateits approval of the principles stated in Part I of this report, 

governing the content and form ofits ordination vows. 

1.) There is warrant for ordination vows which promise faithfulness in the 

performance of the duties and responsibilities of the office. 

2.) Ordination vows should include statements of adherence to the confessional 

and constitutional documents in which are expressed the church's understanding of 

God's truth and will. 

3.) Ordination vows should include the promise to respect the structure of 

authority which Christ has established in the church. 

4.) In general, ordination vows should not focus upon particular doctrines or 

practices, but should indicate a hearty acceptance of the church's confession and 

testimony as a whole. 

5.) Ordination vows should contain only those things which the church has 

officially declared in her Confession and Testimony to be clearly taught in the 

Word of God. 

6.) While guarding against defection, ordination vows should allow for an 

orderly way of dealing with any future change of conviction by the ordained or the 

church. 

7.) The wording of the ordination queries should include an appeal to God.


8.) The ordination vows should be so stated that the church n 

should not, allow exceptions to, or qualification of them. 


Paper 97-7 asks the Synod of 1997 to declare an action of the 1995 Synod to 

be out of order. The action was a special resolution that reads as follows: 

"Whereas we believe that the abstinence clause of ordination query #8 is 

not part of the New Testament description of the characteristics of elders and 

goes beyond the testimony of the church, 

and whereas a number of synods have voted to change this abstinence 

clause to bring It into conformity with the Word of God, 

and whereas a majority of elders has repeatedly voted to change this 

clause, while a minority of sessions has resisted reformation of ordination 

query #8, 

be it resolved by the Synod of 1995 that ecclesiastical discipline and 

exclusion from office be suspended for all who take exception to the 

abstinence clause of Query #8 for conscience's sake, provided that they 

commit themselves to Christian sobriety and love for the brethren and the 

peace of the church." 

The Judicial Committee agrees that the 1995 special resolution was improper 

for the following reason: 

The Synod has both a legislative and a judicial function. The Synod together 

with all of the Sessions has repeatedly failed legislatively to amend Query #8. As a 

judicial body the Synod could, of course, simply refuse to enforce the debated 

clause in Query #8. However, judicial precedents can only be set in response to 

specific and concrete judicial cases. It is never the province of a court to announce 

beforehand how it will rule in a case. Therefore, the Special Resolution adopted 

by the 1995 Synod, that ecclesiastical discipline in the matter of Query #8 will be 

suspended was both an improper usurpation of the legislative function and an 

improper effort to tie the hands of a future court. 

We recommend that: 

1.) The provision allowed by this special resolution be terminated. 

2.) That those who benefited while this special resolution was in effect be 

allowed to retain that benefit or yield that benefit, as their conscience allows. 





Ed Schisler 


Christian Adjemian, Larry Bump, Brian Coombs, Tony Cowley, Gordon 

Keddie, Robert LaMay, Thomas Reid, Vince Scavo and Andrew Schep


asked that their dissent be recorded against the passing of item 1 of the 

above report. 


taken up again. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO REVISE 

THE DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP 

In response to a paper from the Ohio-Illinois Presbytery, the 1990 Synod 

instructed your Committee to revise the Directory for Worship. The thrust of the 

paper as well as the discussion on the floor of Synod pointed us in the direction of 

using the present directory as a basis for making current application of the Biblical 

principles of worship. 

The Committee presented a proposed revision to the Synod of 1991. Both in 

correspondence and in discussion on the floor of Synod, there was concurrence 

that we should not merely update the wording of the document, but also 

incorporate a tone which would more positively express the reverence and joy and 

thanksgiving of our approach as we respond to God's gracious call to worship. The 

Synod approved this approach, and the Committee was asked to bring in another 

revision of the Directory. We were also asked to include an explanation of what 

constitutes worship and non-worship situations or activities in the use of the 

Psalms; since decisions of the 1972 Synod relate to these distinctions,it was 

recommended that we incorporate material which was approved by that Synod. 

Subsequent revisions were brought to both the 1993 and 1994 Synods. There 

was opportunity for discussion at the 1993 Synod and for recommendations to the 

Committee. In 1994, press of other business left no time for discussion of the 

Revision which was brought to that Synod. With a few minor changes, the same 

Revision was presented to the 1995 Synod along with a proposed replacement for 

the entire Directory submitted to the Committee by Gordon Keddie. The 

Committee recommended discussion of the merits of both documents prior to a 

decision as to which document should be used as the model for the Committee's 

proposed Revision to be presented to the Synod of 1997. The Synod voted to 

use the replacement document as the model for the new Directory for Worship. 

Both documents were printed in the Appendix of the 1995 Minutes of Synod. 

Sessions and members of Synod were asked to study both documents and to send 

proposed changes to the Committee by October 1, 1996. (1995 Minutes, p. 

136) Only two men sent suggested changes to the Committee. 

The Committee held anall day meeting in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, February 11, 

1997. Chapters of the proposed replacement document were assigned to 

subcommittees to bring in recommendations for possible changes. There was 

extended discussion in some areas and differing viewpoints were presented, but we 

thank God for the unity of spirit which prevailed in the Committee. Many 

proposed changes were adopted by consensus; some changes were proposed by


motion and adopted. The Preface and each of the Chapters as they appear in 

attached Revision were unanimously approved by the Committee. 

You will notice that we changed the name of the document to The Directory of 

Worship for the Public Worship of God. In this document we are focusing our 

attention on the public worship of God's people. This in no way lessens our 

concern for the place of individual or family worship. In fact, we are 

recommending that Synod see to the preparation and publication of new materials 

for guidance and encouragement in private and family worship. There is much 

more in the way of counsel and instruction needed for individuals and families than 

we had considered in The Directory for Worship. 

We have followed the precedent of the Committee to Revise the Form of 

Church Government in making the proposed Directory for Worship a manual of 

definitions, procedures and guidelines for congregations in their corporate worship. 

The proposed Directory upholds the doctrinal position of the Church regarding 

worship, but relegates the argumentation of that doctrine to the Westminster 

Standards and our Testimony. 

The Revision of the Directory for Worship must be approved by a two-thirds 

vote of the Synod, and by overture to the Sessions of the Church.. When 

approved, the revised Directory is to be received as a subordinate standard 

declaring the law and order of the Church. Following its adoption, the Directory 

may be amended by any Synod by a two-thirds majority vote. If, however, Synod 

considers that the item before it should have the consideration and discussion of 

the Sessions,it can by a simple majority vote decide to use the procedure of 

sending proposed amendments down in overture. Such amendments must be 

adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Synod before they can be sent down in 

overture to the Sessions. 


I. That the proposed revision of the Directory for Worship be received by the 

Synod for action. 

2. That following the precedent in handling the Revision of the Testimony and the 

Revision of the Form of Church Government, that 30 minutes be allotted for floor 

discussion and debate on each chapter of the proposed Directory for Worship, and 

that individual speakers be limited to 3 minutes. No amendments shall be allowed 

from the floor. Each chapter shall be voted on in its entirety. Approval requires a 

two-thirds vote. 

3. That failure to receive a two-thirds majority vote on any chapter will have the 

effect of returning that chapter to the Committee for revision in light of the floor 

discussion. 

4. That when each chapter has received the necessary two-thirds vote of the 

Synod, the entire Directory for Worship be submitted to the sessions in overture, 

and that the sessions be asked to vote on each chapter separately, thereby allowing


sessions, if in agreement with a portion of the Directory, to vote in favor of the 

chapters with which they stand in agreement. 

5. That any chapter not approved in overture be returned to the Committee for 

revision and resubmission to the Synod and the sessions. 

6. That the revised Directory for Worship replace the present Directory for 

Worship only upon approval of all the chapters, and the declaration by Synod of 

their adoption. 

7. That the Synod see to the preparation and publication of new materials for 

guidance and encouragement in private and family worship. 

8. That to maintain historical perspective, the Scottish National Covenant of 

1638 and the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643 be included with our Church 

Standards. 



Gordon Keddie 

Raymond Joseph 

Jerrold Milroy 

Alan Noell 

William Russell 

Andrew Schep 

Bruce Stewart, Chairman 

It was ordered that the minority report of the Judicial Committee be 

included in the minutes. Those registering their dissent signed the 

minority report as their grounds for opposing the action adopted in the 

majority report. The minority report is as follows: 

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE MINORITY REPORT RE: COMMUNICATION 97-7 

As a member of the Judicial Committee I wish to record my dissent from the 

committee's ruling regarding communication 97-7. I believe that the Special 

Resolution of 1995 was proper and within the Law and order of the Church. It is 

also within the task of the Synod as described in the Directory for Church 

Government: "[Synod]is responsible for the continuing reformation of the church 

in maintaining the subordinate standards of the church in harmony with the 

Scriptural truth and order" (Chapter 7, paragraph I, pages D-35, 36). And 

further, "Synod, however, may assume original jurisdiction over all matters 

affecting the purity and welfare of the Church, and may, without complaint or 

appeal, investigate and adjudicate any matter requiring its attention or may direct 

the lower courts to deal with the matter" (Chapter 7, paragraph 11, page D-37). 

It was an attempt to bring Query #8 into compliance with our subordinate 

standards. The Special Resolution was also warranted since there were a number 

of possible discipline cases, resignations and those who would not pursue church 

officeif the abstinence clause of Query #8 was not dealt with.


The Synod of 1939 had exceeded the boundaries of the Scriptures by inser 

the abstinence clause of Query #8. This violation of Scriptural warrant has stood 

unresolved for nearly 60 years. In my view this was a gaping, self-inflicted wound 

upon the Christian conscience. The Special Resolution of 1995 was an honest 

attempt to heal this wound. 

May the Lord grant us continued and growing insight into the Scriptures that we 

might not exceed the limits imposed by the Scriptures. May the Lord Jesus Christ 

spare us from teaching the traditions of men asif they were the commandments of 

God. 

I recommend that the Special Resolution remain in affect until the Queries for 

Ordination are passed In overture. 



Ed Blackwood led Synod in the afternoon prayer time. Delegates met 

again in small groups to pray for reformation of our hearts, our 

congregations and our nations. Synod sang Psalm 2, stanza 4 to conclude 

the prayer time. 

Following the announcements. Synod took recess at 5:00 p.m. 

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1997, 7:00 P.M. 

Synod reconvened at 7:00 p.m. singing Psalm 99C and being led 

prayer by George Hueber. 


The minutes were read and approved as read. 

The report of the Committee on Finance was ordered to be considered 

immediately for up to fifteen minutes. Item 1 was referred to the 

Nominating Committee. The time was extended to take the vote on the 

recommendations. Items 2-15 were adopted. In keeping with Item 15, 

Joseph Comanda led Synod in prayer thanking God for the financial 

blessings He has given the church and to petition Him for His continued 

blessing on the church. The report as a whole was approved and is as 

follows: 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 

The Committee on Finance has met 8 times during the 1997 Synod. We have 

endeavored to respond toall matters which have been referred to us. Deacon 

delegates from 4 presbyteries have assisted in the work of the Committee. We 

have appreciated the valuable counsel which they have provided. 

Presbyteries, please select deacon delegates well in advance of the 1998 Synod, 

and if possible, for terms greater than one year. Please forward their names to 

both the Clerk of Synod and the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. Jay 

Worsham.


The work this year's committee had before it was extraordinarily different t 

that of two years ago. In 1995 the Synod was facing another financial crisis in 

spite of five years of steep cuts in many programs. We praise God that over the 

last two years large amounts of funds have come into the agencies of the church. 

For example, in 1996, the RPMaiM goal was met for only the second time in 

many years. In 1996, $419,000 were received in bequests and already in 1997 

over $380,000 have been received in bequests. The Seminary received over 

$298,000 in contributions and bequests in 1996. Geneva College projects a 

positive balance at the end of FY96-97. The RP Home has been able to add a 

whole new ministry while having a positive cash flow the last two years. Also, 

continued carefulness in financial management has resulted in cost savings without 

significantly reducing the effectiveness of our ministries. 

As a result of these unexpected financial blessings, the Synod has the 

opportunity to distribute special grants of $250,000 from its Unrestricted 

Undesignated Funds. Synod's Trustees have made all the agencies aware of the 

availability of these funds and received requests from them. 

There is much for which we must give praise to God, including the fact that, 

D.V., no significant ministry of any of our agencies will need to be cut back or 

eliminated this coming year as a result of the lack of Synod financial support. 

Following are some of the factors affecting recommendations for financial 

distributions: 

Foreign Mission Board 

In June of 1995, the FMB had projected a deficit at the end of 1997 of 

$75,000 partially because of the Board's willingness to give up funds for the 

Seminary. Because of such things as missionaries leaving Japan, the sale of the 

Mukonoso property, the retrieval of apparently all the formerly blocked funds in 

Cyprus and the inability, so far, of finding new missionaries for Japan, they now 

project a balance of approximately $130,000 at the end of 1998 plus 

approximately $100,000 from the sale of the Mukonoso property available for 

capital expenditures. However,it is very important to be prepared for the call of 

at least one and possibly two missionaries to Japan, so a healthy balance is 

appropriate. 

We believe that the funds to complete the construction of the Bookstore are 

available from the balance in the Board's current account or can be obtained 

through contributions for that specific project. A special grant of $15,000 from 

the Unrestricted Undesignated Funds is recommended for their anticipated search 

for a new field of ministry. 

Home Mission Board 

The HMB gave up $50,000 of anticipated RPMetM revenue during 1996 and 

1997 in order to help the Seminary through its financial crisis. The recommended 

special grant from the Unrestricted Undesignated Funds will replace that loss and


give a boost for the many new works that continue to be initiated by the 

Presbyteries. 

Seminary 

By Synod of 1995, the Seminary had developed a plan to deal with the financial 

crisis in which it was engulfed. Synod granted it unusually large RPMetM amounts 

for 1996 and 1997. We should all give praise to God for the way in which He 

has heard our prayers for the seminary and honored the seminary staff's diligent 

labor and sacrifices. They ended the year with a cash balance of over $143,500. 

This puts them in a sound position for dealing with such issues as deferred 

maintenance, capital improvements and the faculty salary freeze. The Finance 

Committee commends the Seminary Board for the very important upgrading of 

their financial statements and budget reports. God has indeed brought them 

through a very difficult time. 

Without receiving the special grant requested from Unrestricted Undesignated 

Funds, they have already completed the parking lot expansion and paving, unfrozen 

the faculty salaries and found less expensive ways to deal with other needs. 

The President of the Seminary has fulfilled his commitment to balance the 

Seminary's budget and significantly reduce the seminary's reliance on RPMetM for 

future years. In fact,it appears that the Seminary will be able to replace some of 

their Unrestricted Designated invested funds which had been sold over the last 7 

years to pay for budget deficits. 

Education and Publication 

The Finance Committee commends the EetP Board for its diligent cost 

containment efforts over the last several years. We would remind the Synod that 

this Board has only about $2,000 of endowment income per year and very few 

fund raising opportunities. They are the most dependent on grants from the 

Synod. The recommended special grant from Unrestricted Undesignated Funds 

will pay off their equipment loans and free up funds for such possibilities as 

upgrading computer equipment and raising inadequate salaries. 

Women's Association 

With the recommended special grant from Unrestricted Undesignated Funds, 

the RP Home will be able to replace some of its internal funds which were used to 

upgrade their computer system. Although there is a need to help cover the 

expenses of RP residents who are not able to pay their entire costs, the Home has 

other sources of income more readily available to them than do other agencies of 

the Church. 

Disability Board 

Although this Board is actually a part of the Women's Association, for this year 

we are recommending that they be funded separately rather than including them in 

the requests from the Women's Association. At the end of 1996 they had a cash 

balance of about $9,600. As a new ministry of the church, they are in the 

process of developing their budgeting system. Even though no specific needs were


presented which require funding beyond their current balance, to show 

support for this ministry, we are recommending a special grant for this year. We 

would also recommend that, unless Synod changes the Disability Board's 

relationship, their funding requests in future years come through the Women's 

Association. These requests should be specific and clear, accompanied by an 

up-to-date budget. 

Synod Operations (Miscellaneous Fund) 

This fund handles the dozens of financial transactions involved in operating the 

Synod itself. Included are such things as: Synod's committee expenses, delegate 

expenses, travel for Synod meetings, printing Synod's minutes, Graduate Study 

subsidies, Clerk's expenses, dues for organizations to which we belong such as the 

Joint Commission on Chaplains, etc. We are suggesting a name change to more 

accurately describeits Important function. 

Pension Trustees 

Supporting our retired faithful servants is a high priority of Synod. The 

recommended special grant from the Unrestricted Undesignated Funds will give 

the Plan A participants their first guaranteed raise in more than six years. Please 

refer to the report of the Pension Trustees to see exactly how this will work. 

The Pension Trustees continue to fund their regular needs through 

congregational assessments, employer contributions and $50,000 from the 

MacLaughlin Trust Income (Unrestricted Undesignated Funds) and therefore do 

not require RPMetM funds. 

Geneva College 

With the help of the recommended special grant from the Unrestricted 

Undesignated Funds, the College will be able to progress with equipping one of the 

classrooms in the new academic building as they requested. They should also 

receive their traditional grant from the MacLaughlin Funds. 

Bequests to Boards 

It should be noted that the FMB and the HMB each received a significant 

bequest (in excess of $100,000 each) from the estate of Clyde Redpath. The 

Finance Committee believes that, as a general practice, bequests like this should 

not reduce what a Board receives from RPMetM and Unrestricted Undesignated 

Funds. Respecting the wishes of the benefactor who wanted to give an extra gift to 

specific ministries of the church, the Finance Committee did not consider this 

bequest when recommending distributions to these Boards. We understand that 

both the FMB and the HMB have moved the bequested funds to their respective 

Board's Unrestricted Designated accounts to produce additional long term 

investment income for their ministries. 

Long Range Strategic Planning 

Because we are not presently in a financial crisis, the Finance Committee found 

it less difficult to formulate our recommendations for the distribution of Synod's 

funds. However, the need remains to establish strategic planning for our


denomination's service for our Lord. We continue to urge the Business of 

Committee to actively pursue plans which will accomplish this purpose. 

Policy Reminders 

1. Only money actually received for RPMetM will be distributed to the 

agencies. Any shortfall will reduce all the agencies grants in proportion to their 

respective grants for that year. 

2. Boards are not allowed to deficit spend. 

3. Normal committee expenses are automatically paid from the Synod 

Operations Fund. Recommendations in committee reports regarding regular 

expenses are not needed. 

Recommendations 

I. That since the terms of Hector Pino and Andy Curran expire at this meeting 

of Synod, the following persons be nominated for the Committee on Finance for 

the class of 2000: Jack Morton, Kay Klein and Everett Wood. 

2. That the Financial Statements for the Year ended December 31, 1995, and 

the Independent Auditor's Report as prepared by Dale R. Hartzel, CPA, be 

accepted as distributed and printed in the Minutes of Synod. 

3. That the Financial Statements for the Year ended December 31, 1996, and 

the Independent Auditor's Report as prepared by Dale R. Hartzel, CPA, be 

accepted as distributed and printed in the Minutes of Synod. 

4. That the financial reports of the Unallocated Denominational Office 

Expense be received and that the 1998 budget be adopted. (See page 170-171 of 

the 1997 Financial Reports of Synod's Boards and Committees.) 

5. That Synod set the congregational assessment for Synod's Travel Fund for 

1998 at $8.00 per communicant member based on communicant membership as 

of December 31, 1997, as reported to the Stated Clerk. 

6. That Synod set the congregational assessment for the Pension Fund Current 

Account for 1998 at $16.00 per communicant member based on communicant 

membership as of December 31, 1997, as reported to the Stated Clerk. 

7. That Synod set the minimum contribution for the employer of each 

participant in Pension Plan B at $2,200 for 1998. 

8. That $50,000 from the 1998 income of the MacLaughlin Trust 

(Unrestricted Undesignated Funds) be granted to the Pension Trustees for Pension 

Plan A in 1998. 

9. That $50,000 from the 1998 income of the MacLaughlin Trust 

(Unrestricted Undesignated Funds) be granted to Geneva College in 1998. 

10. That future requests and distributions for the Disability Board be included 

with the requests from the Women's Association. 

11. That Synod approve distribution of up to $325,000 from RPMetM in 

1998 (all of which must come from contributed funds) and $250,000 from 

Unrestriaed Undesignated Funds in 1997 as follows:

»00 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE 

Foreign Missions 75,000 

Home Missions 

95,000 

Seminary 

50,000 

Education et Publication 41834 

Woman's Association 

Disability Concerns 

Synod Operations 

Pension Trustees 


Totals 

1997 Special 

Unrestrlcted/U ndesljjnated 

Requested Recommended 

23,000 

5,000 

50,000 

50,000 

389,834 

12. That any contributions to 

1 5,000 

70,000 

35,000 

41,000 

1 3,000 

1,000 

50,000 

25,000 

250,000 

RPMetM 

1998 RPMNM TOTAL 

Requested Recommended Recommended 

65,000 

65,000 

80,000 

78,500 

30,000 

65,000 

65,000 

80,000 

78,500 

12,000 

80,000 

135,000 

1 15,000 

119,500 

25,000 

1,000 

24,500 24,500 24,500 

50,000 

25,000 

343,000 325,000 575,000 

in 1997 above $320,000 be 

distributed to all the agencies in proportion to their respective grants for that year. 

13. That, beginning January 1, 1998, Synod use the established IRS business 

mileage reimbursement r3te as its rate for mileage reimbursement. 

14. That the Committee on Church History be granted up to $500 in 1998 for 

the expenses of its regular work, to be taken from the Synod Operations Fund 

(Miscellaneous Fund). This is in addition to the funds already provided for the 

bicentennial celebration at the 1998 Synod. 

15. That the Committee on Youth Ministries be granted up to $9,500 in 1998 

for the expenses of its regular work, to be taken from the Synod Operations Fund 

(Miscellaneous Fund). 

16. That following the adoption of this report, Synod rise for prayer to give 

thanks to God for His provision during the past years and to pray for continued 

financial blessings on this branch of His church, as led by Deacon Delegate ]oe 

Comanda. 


Deacon Delegates 

Jim Copeland, Alleghenies 

Phil Soma, Great Lakes-Gulf 

Joe Comanda, Atlantic 

Everett Woods, St. Lawrence 

Elected Members 

Andy Curran, absent (1997) 

Hector Pino, absent (1997) 

David Mohr (1st Term - 1998) 

William Roberts (Ist Term - 1998) 

Keith Magill (1st Term- 1999) 

Jay Worsham, Chairman (2nd Term - 1999) 

Consultative Member 

Louis Hutmire, Denominational Treasurer


DALE R. HARTZEL (412)452-2176 

Certified Public Accountant 114 N main STREE* 

ZEUENOPIE. PA 16063 

Trustees of Ihe S>nod of ihe Reformed 

Presb\icnan Church of North America 

Pittsburgh. Penns\lvama 

*Ae ha^e audned the accompanying statement of financial position of the Trustees of the Ssnod of the Reformed Presbytenan 

Church of North America (the "Trustees") as of December 31. 1995. and the related statements of activities, and cash flows 

for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of the Trustees Our 

responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit 

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and 

perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement! are free of material misstatement. 

An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements 

An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significani estimates made by management, as well as 

evaluating the overall financial statement presentation We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, except for the matter 

described in the followingpaj-agraph. the financial position of the Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbytenan 

Church of North America as of December 31. 1995, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then 

ended in conformity « .Hi generally accepted accounting principles 

As described in Note 5 to the financial statements, comprehensive actuarial reports and valuations are not available for the 

two pension plans maintained by the Trustees Accordingly, the information necessary to provide the disclosures specified 

by Statements of Financial Accounting Standards Numbers 87 and 88 has not been determined and such disclosures have not 

been made Additionally, pension benefits incuned under Pension Plan "A" have been charged to expense when paid rather 

than determining pension expense using an acceptable actuarial cost method. We believe ihat omission of the disclosure of 

the foregoing information and failure to determine pension expense using accepted actuarial cost methods are departures 

from generally accepted accounting CA principles 

As Zehcnople. discussed Pennsylv. in Note I io the financial statements, in 1995 the Trustees changed its method of accounting for contributions 

and April us 19. method 1996 of financial reporting and financial statement presentation


Statement of Financial Position December 31,1995 

ASSETS 

Cash 3nd cash equivalents $ 219,148 

Investments 8,232,801 

Accounts and notes receivable 84,579 

Contributions receivable 90,807 

Accrued investment income receivable 71,646 

Bequests receivable 43,015 

Deferred student aid receivable 

(Net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $32,500) 84,727 

Inventories 99,378 

Building loans receivable 642,208 

Property and equipment-net 212,367 

Other assets 51,104 

Total Assets $9,831,780 

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $268,526 

Pension contributions payable 79,022 

Payable to denomination-related organizations 1,755,606 

Total Liabilities 2,103,154 

Net Assets: 

Unrestricted 1,810,399 

Temporarily restricted 262,854 

Permanently restricted 5,655,373 

Total Net Assets 7,728,626 

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $9,831,780 

Statement of Activities For the Year Ended December 31, 1995 

Temporarily Permanently 

Revenue and Support: Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total 

R.P.M. etM. $298,507 $ 

$ $298,507 

Other contributions 

Bequests 

238,194 

175,469 

S05 238,699 

175,469 

Investment income 

Sales of publications, etc. 

485,532 

112,518 

29,517 37,419 552,468 

112,518 

Tuition, fees and assessments 

Rental income 

Other income 

368,61 3 

5,700 

96,918 

368,613 

5,700 

96,918 

Net assets released form restrictions: 

Restrictions satisfied by payments 38,971 

Total Revenue and Support 1,820,422 

(38,971) 

(9,454) 

37,924 1,848,892


Expenses: 

Salaries and wages 

Pensions 

Presbytery aid 

Maintenance and supplies 

Postage 

Publications and books 

Travel 

Field 

Utilities 

Hospitalization 

Social Security 

Insurance 

Property taxes 

Other board expenses 

Grants 

Miscellaneous 

Depreciation 

Total Expenses 

Change in Net Assets 

Net Assets, beginning of year, 

as restated 

Net Assets, end of year 

591,571 

100,440 

157,525 

24,272 

16,140 

74,939 

71,966 

39,834 

30,295 

53,458 

20,821 

19,145 

3,241 

31,745 

56,362 

454,126 

19,357 

1,765,237 

55,185 

1,755,214 

(9,454) 

272,308 

37,924 

5,617,449 

591,571 

100,440 

157,525 

24,272 

16,140 

74,939 

71,966 

39,834 

30,295 

53,458 

20,821 

19,145 

3,241 

31,745 

56,362 

454,126 

19,357 

1,765,237 

83,655 

7,644,971 

$1,810,399 $262,854 $5,655,373 $7,728,626 

Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended December 31, 1995 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Increase in net assets $83,655 

Adjustments to reconcile increase in net assets to net cash used in operating 

activities: 

Depreciation 19,357 

Contributions restriaed for long-term purposes (505) 

Realized gains on sales of investments (306,825) 

(Increase) in accounts receivable (21,535) 

(Increase) in contributions receivable (7,929) 

Decrease in accrued investment income receivable 256 

Decrease in bequests receivable 75,341 

Decrease in deferred student aid receivable 18,918 

(Increase) in inventories (16,171) 

(Increase) in building loans receivable (155,246) 

Decrease in other assets 1,542 

Increase in accounts payable 1 ,000 

Increase in pension contributions payable 15,085 

(Decrease) in payable to denomination-related organizations (33,559) 

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities (326,616)


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Purchases of equipment (89,693) 

Proceeds from sale of investments 4,837,488 

Purchases of investments (4,268,740) 

Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities 479,055 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Proceeds from contributions restricted for: 

Investment in permanent endowment 505 

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities 505 

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 152,944 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year 66,204 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year $219,148 

Notes to Financial Statements 

NOTE I - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

General - The financial statements of the Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America (the "Trustees"), a nonprofit corporation 

organized in Pennsylvania, have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. 

Basis of Presentation - The Synod is the highest court in the denomination 

known as the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. The Trustees hold 

title to property and are responsible to the Synod for managing and reporting on 

the financial condition of the denomination. The financial activities are 

accomplished through various boards and committees of the Synod. Congregations 

and domestic and foreign missions are sanctioned by the Synod through such 

boards and six regional Presbyteries. The accompanying financial statements include 

the assets, liabilities, fund balances and financial activities of the Trustees and of the 

Synod's various boards and committees. 

Although sanctioned by the Synod, congregations and mission churches 

(domestic and foreign) of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America do 

not have financial accountability to the Trustees. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities, 

fund balances and financial activities of such organizations are not included in the 

accompanying financial statements. Periodically, certain of these assets, to which 

the Trustees hold title, are sold. Proceeds from the sale of such assets are 

recorded at the time of disposition. Further, funds disbursed in support of 

domestic and foreign mission fields are charged to expense in the accompanying 

financial statements. 

Change for New Pronouncements - The Trustees elected to adopt Statement of 

Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 116, Accounting for Contributions 

Received and Contributions Made, in 1995. In accordance with SFAS No. 116, 

contributions received are recorded as unrestricted, temporarily restricted, or


permanently restricted support, depending on the existence or nature of 

restrictions. As permitted by SFAS No. 116, the Trustees have retroactively 

applied the provisions of this new Statement by restating net assets as of December 

31, 1994. 

In 1995, the Trustees also elected to adopt SFAS No. 117, Financial 

Statements of Not-for-ProfIt Organizations. Under SFAS No. 117, the Trustees 

are required to report information regarding its financial position and activities 

according to three classes of net assets: unrestricted net assets, temporarily 

restricted net assets, and permanently restricted net assets. As permitted by this 

new Statement, the Trustees have discontinued its use of fund accounting and has, 

accordingly, reclassified its financial statements to present the three classes of net 

assets required. This reclassification had no effect on the change in net assets for 

1995. 

Contributed Services - During the year ended December 31, 1995, the value of 

contributed services meeting the requirements for recognition in the financial 

statements was not material and has not been recorded. 

Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally 

accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and 

assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, 

actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Income Taxes The Organizationis a not-for-profit organization thatis exempt 

from income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the 

Organization considers all unrestricted highly liquid investments with an initial 

maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. 

Property and Equipment - Land, buildings and improvements, and furniture, 

fixtures and equipment are carried at cost or estimated fair value at the date of 

gift. Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets are transferred to expendable operating 

unrestricted funds. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the 

respective assets on a straight-line basis. 

Cash and Investments - The cash and investment amounts for all funds of the 

Trustees are commingled and are allocated for financial reporting purposes based 

on assets (other than cash and investments), liabilities and fund balance. 

Investments are recorded at the lower of cost (or fair market value at the date of 

gift) or market. Net realized gain or loss on the disposition of investments is the 

difference between the proceeds received and the average cost of investments sold. 

Substantially all investments are pooled and allocation of income (ordinarily 

income and gains and losses upon sale or other disposition of investments) to the 

various funds is accomplished using the market value unit method. Substantiallyall 

ordinary income from investments of endowment fundsis restricted for support of


particular purposes. These purposes are usually broad enough to be en 

within one of the designated boards of the Synod. 

Other Matters - Inventories (principally religious publications) are carried at the 

lower of average cost or market. 

Contributions received during early January from congregations and individuals 

are recorded as receivables when such amounts relate to the prior year's budget. 

Advances made to eligible seminary students for payment of tuition, summer 

training fees and living expenses (deferred student aid receivable) are recorded as a 

deferred charge and are amortized to expense, usually over a period of five years 

from the date that the graduate seminarian begins service for the Synod. 

Repayment of advances must be made onlyif the student or graduate does not 

provide service to the Synod. An allowance for uncollectible student aid has been 

established for potentially uncollectible amounts. 

NOTE 2 - CASH AND INVESTMENTS 

Cash and investments at December 31, 1995, are comprised of the following: 

Carrying 

Market 

Value 

Value 

Cash in bank $219,148 $219,148 

PaineWebber cash fund 109,216 109,216 

U.S. Government obligations 1,924,690 1,989,273 

U.S. Government agency securities 1,275,269 1,302,529 

Corporate common stocks 3,227,147 4,800,039 

Corporate bonds 475,565 488,236 

General mortgages receivable 1,220,914 1,220,914 

Total $8,451,949 $10,129,355 

General mortgages receivable are due over periods from one to twenty-one 

years and bear annual interest ranging from 5% to 10%. The aggregate annual 

Maturities of general mortgages receivable at December 31, 1995, are as follows: 

Year Ending 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 and beyond 

Total 

Amount 

$ 130,701 

67,701 

65,150 

68,300 

71,600 

817,462 

$1,220,914 

The general mortgages receivable at December 31, 1995, are due from the 

following groups:

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA f 07 

Congregations of the denomination $ 594,666 

Ministers of the denomination 483,749 

Members of the denomination 65,816 

Commercial 76,683 

Total 1,220,914 

The following summarizes the changes in relationships between carrying values 

and market values of cash and investments for the years ended December 31, 

1995 and 1994: 

Unrealized Appreciation 

Carrying Market (Depreciation) 

Value Value 1995 1994 

December31, 1995 $8,451,949 $10,129,355 $1,677,406 

December 31, 1994 $8,560,928 $ 8,912,967 352,039 352,039 

January 1, 1994 $8,724,369 $9,718,627 994,258 

Increase in unrealized appreciation for the year $1,325,367 $ (642,219) 

Realized net gain for the year $ 306,825 $ 222,097 

During the year ended December 31, 1995, the average annual yield on 

investments excluding realized net gains (calculated by dividing total dividends, 

interest, and net rental income earned on investments during the year by the 

average of the beginning of the year and end of the year carrying value of 

investments, excluding cash in bank) was 5.6%, and the annual total return 

(calculated by dividing total dividends, interest, net rental income and realized net 

gains earned on investments during the year by the average of the beginning of the 

year and end of the year carrying value of investments, excluding cash in bank) was 

9.3%. 

NOTE 3 - BUILDING LOANS RECEIVABLE 

Substantially all of the building loans receivable at December 31, 1995, have 

been granted by the Building Loan Committee at interest rates ranging from 1% to 

12% for the purchase or construaion of residences or church buildings. The 

aggregate annual Maturities of building loans receivable at December 31, 1995, 

are as follows: 

Year Ending 

Amount 

1996 $51,759 

1997 47,176 

1998 48,800 

1999 50,978 

2000 44,171 

2001 and beyond 399,324 

Total $642,208


Such loans are generally made to either ministers, employees of the Synod, or 

congregations. At December 31, 1995, the composition of the balances 

receivable were due from: 

December 31, 1995 

Congregations and denominational boards $622,998 


Other 6,636 

Total $642,208 

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 


Buildings and improvements $320,516 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment 331,055 

Total 651,571 

Less accumulated depreciation 439,204 

Property and equipment- net $212,367 

Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 1995, was $ 19,357. 

NOTE 5 - PENSION PLANS 

There are two pension plans (Plan "A" and Plan "B") which were adopted 

effective January 1, 1974, and together cover all ministers, missionaries and 

employees of the Synod. The provisions of Plan "B" were restated effective 

January 1, 1984, and January 1, 1989. 

Plan "A" - Plan "A" is a noncontributory defined benefit plan and covers 

basically ministers, missionaries and employees of the Synod who were age 55 or 

over on January I, 1974, the date of adoption of the plan. The normal retirement 

benefit for 1995 was $300 per month for single employees and $360 for married 

employees. A monthly benefit of $300 is continued to the survivor. A minimum 

of 30 years of service is required to be eligible for the full normal retirement 

benefit. Total pension expense for the years ended December 1995 was 

$100,440. This plan is self-administered and pension benefits, which are charged 

to pension expense, are substantially all paid from ordinary investment income, 

proceeds of sales of certain investments or funds transferred from the Pension 

Board. 

Current comprehensive actuarial reports and valuations are not available for Plan 

"A". Accordingly, the information necessary to provide the disclosures required 

by Statements of Financial Accounting Standards 87 and 88 has not been 

determined. Under Plan "A", the Trustees charge pension benefits to expense as 

incurred and credit investment income and net gain on investment transactions to 

revenue. Generally accepted accounting principles require that pension expense be 

determined using an acceptable actuarial cost method. Plan "A" was substantially 

curtailed as of December 31, 1995, as there were no participants still actively


employed by the Trustees and, as such, use of an acceptable actuarial cost 

would have resulted in insignificant expenses for the years then ended. Use of 

actuarially determined costs as of the most recent valuation (January 1, 1987) for 

Plan "A" would have resulted in an increase in pension liability and a decrease in 

the unrestricted-designated fund balance of approximately $225,000. 

Investments with a cost of approximately $73,000 and market value of 

approximately $87,000 at December 31, 1995, included in the financial 

statements of the Trustees, are available to satisfy a portion of the Plan "A" 

pension liability. A 9% assumed rate of return was used in determining the 

present value of accumulated vested benefits. There are no nonvested 

accumulated benefits. 

Plan "B" - Plan "B" is a defined contribution plan and covers substantially all 

ministers, missionaries and employees of the Synod who are not covered under 

Plan "A". Total pension expense for the year ended December 31, 1995, was 

$168,122, which includes amortization of past service cost over an average period 

of approximately 25 years, and is recorded under restricted-designated. The 

Trustees' policy is to fund pension costs accrued. Plan "B" is administered and the 

funds are invested by the Pension Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America. The estimated amount of vested benefits 

as of December 31, 1995, is less than the amount of the net assets of Plan "B". 

Comprehensive actuarial reports and valuations are not available for Plan "B". 

Accordingly, the information necessary to provide the disclosures required by 

Statements of Financial Accounting Standards 87 and 88 has not been detemined. 

However, the final determination of such amounts is not expected to have a 

material effect on the accompany financialstatements. 

NOTE 6 - CONTINGENT ASSETS 

At December 31, 1995, approximately $80,000 of cash (based on the 

prevailing exchange rates) were held in blocked accounts in Cyprus. Because of the 

restrictions imposed on these assets and the uncertainty with regard to their 

realization, they are not recorded by the Trustee's until funds are recovered. 

Approximately $15,700 was received in 1995. 

NOTE 7 - CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK 

The Trustees maintain its cash balances in one financial institution located in 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The balances are insured by the Federal Deposit 

Insurance Corporation up to $100,000. At December 31, 1995, the Trustee's 

uninsured cash balances total $119,148.


DA Lb K. HAKIZbL 

Certified Public Accountant 

fax(412)452-2044 

114 N. main STREET 

ZEUENOPLE. PA 16063 

Independent Auditor's Report 

Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America 

Pittsburgh. PA 

We have audited the accompanying statement of financial position of the Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North Amenca (the 'Trustees") as of December 31,1996, and the related statements of 

activities, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financialstatements are the responsibility of the 

management of the Trustees. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our 

audit 

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we 

plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material 

misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 

financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made 

by management, as well as evaluating the overall financialstatement presentation. We believe that our audit provides 

a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred lo above present fairly. In all material respects, except for the 

described m the following paragraph the financial position of the Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church of North America as of December 31, 1996, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year 

then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. 

As described in Note 5 to the financial statements, comprehensive actuarial reports and valuations are not availabl 

lor the two pension plans maintained by the Trustees. Accordingly, the Information necessary to provide the 

disclosures Zelienople, specified Pennsyl by Statements of Financial Accounting Standards Numbers 87 and 88 has not been determined 

and April such 28.1997 disclosures have not been made. Additionally, pension benefits incurred under Pension Plan *A" have been 

charged to expense when paid rather than determining pension expense using an acceptable actuarial cost method. 

We believe that omission of the disclosure of the foregoing Information and failure lo determine pension expense 

using accepted actuarial cost methods are departures from generally accepted accounting principles.


Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North Ameri 

Statement of Financial Position December 31,1996 

ASSETS 

Cash and cash equivalents $311,437 

Investments, at market value 10,975,213 

Accounts and notes receivable 81,626 

Contributions receivable 91,966 

Accrued investment income receivable 75,190 

Bequests receivable 29,298 

Deferred student aid receivable 73,635 

Inventories 89,063 

Building loans receivable 779,310 

Property and equipment-net 193,912 

Other assets 61,049 

Total Assets $12,761,699 

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $281,317 

Pension contributions payable 183,877 

Payable to denomination-related organizations 2,287,401 

Total Liabilities 2,752,595 

Net Assets: 

Unrestricted 2,308,743 

Temporarily restriaed 182,850 

Permanently restriaed 7,517,511 

Total N et Assets 10,009,104 

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 12,761,699 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of 

Statement of Activities For the Year Ended December 31,1996 

Revenue and Support: 

R.P.M.H M. 

Other contributions 

Bequests 

Investment income 

$ 320,405 

288,689 

408,294 

473,184 

Investment income - Unrealized Gains 1,957 

Sales of publications, etc. 

Tuition, fees and assessments 

Rental income 

Other income 

Net assets released from restrictions: 

Restrictions satisfied by payments 

Total Revenue and support 

Expenses: 

Salaries and wages 

Pensions 

Presbytery aid 

Maintenance and supplies 

Postage 

Publications and books 

Travel 

Field 

Utilities 

Hospitalization 

Social Security 

Insurance 

Property taxes 

Other board expenses 

Grants 

Miscellaneous 

Depreciation 

Total Expenses 

Change in Net Assets 

Net Assets, beginning of year, 

as restated 

Temporarily Permanently 

U nrestricted Restricted Restricted Total 

109,794 

425,204 

6,310 

75,787 

159,633 i (159,633) 

2,269,257 (87,075) 

558,201 

93,398 

149,567 

51,146 

16,832 

76,798 

50,132 

42,004 

33,389 

47,584 

1 7,708 

22,962 

3,100 

26,188 

43,392 

438,410 

31,934 

1,702,745 

566,512 

1,742,231 

$ - 

50,000 

19,656 

2,902 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

0 

(87,075) 

$ 

5,945 

7,483 

536,291 

269.925 ( 5.967.792 

$ 320,405 

344,634 

408,294 

500,323 

541,150 

109,794 

425,204 

6,310 

75,787 

- - 

549,719 2,731,901 

549,719 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

0 

558,201 

93,398 

149,567 

51,146 

16,832 

76,798 

50,132 

42,004 

33,389 

47,584 

1 7,708 

22,962 

3,100 

26,188 

43,392 

438,410 

31,934 

1,702,745 

1,029,156 

8.979.948 

Net Assets, end of year $2,308,743 $ 182,850 $7,517,511 $10,009,104 



Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of N 

Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended December 31,1996 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Increase in net assets $ 1,029,156 

Adjustments to reconcile increase in net assets to net cash 

provided by operating activities: 

Depreciation 31,934 

Contributions restricted for long-term purposes (5,945) 

Realized gains on sales of investments (244,863) 

Unrealized gains on investments (688,050) 

Decrease in accounts receivable 2,953 

(Increase) In contributions receivable (1/159) 

(Increase) in accrued investment income receivable (3,544) 

Decrease in bequests receivable 13,717 

Decrease in deferred student aid receivable 11,092 

Decrease in inventories 10,315 

(Increase) in building loans receivable (137,102) 

(Increase) in other assets (9,944) 

Increase in accounts payable 12,791 

Increase in pension contributions payable 104,855 

Increase in payable to denomination-related organizations 189,366 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 317,572 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Purchases of equipment (13,479) 

Proceeds from sale of investments 2,487,145 

Purchases of investments (2,704,894) 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (231,228) 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Proceeds from contributions restricted for: 

Investment in permanent endowment 5,945 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 5,945 

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 92,289 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year 219,148 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year $311,437 



Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Churc 

Notes to Financial Statements 

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

General - The financial statements of the Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America (the Trustees ), a nonprofit corporation 

organized in Pennsylvania, have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. 

Organization Background - The Synod is the highest court in the denomination 

known as the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. The Trustees 

hold title to property and are responsible to the Synod for managing and reporting 

on the financialcondition of the denomination. The financial activities are 

accomplished through various boards and committees of the Synod. 

Congregations and domestic and foreign missions are sanaioned by the Synod 

through such boards and six regional Presbyteries. The accompanying financial 

statements include the assets, liabilities, net assets and financial activities of the 

Trustees and of the Synod's various boards and committees. Although sanaioned 

by the Synod, congregations and mission churches (domestic and foreign) of the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America do not have financial 

accountability to the Trustees. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities, net assets and 

financial activities of such organizations are not included in the accompanying 

financial statements. Periodically, certain of these assets, to which the Trustees 

hold title, are sold. Proceeds from the sale of such assets are recorded at the time 

of disposition. Further, funds disbursed in support of domestic and foreign mission 

fields are charged to expense in the accompanying financialstatements. 

Basis of Presentation - Financial statement presentation follows the 

recommendations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board in its Statement of 

Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 117, Financial Statements ofNot-for- 

Profit Organizations. Under SFAS No. 117, the Trustees are required to report 

information regarding its financial position and activities according to three classes 

of net assets: unrestricted net assets, temporarily restricted net assets, and 

permanently restricted net assets. 

Fund Accounting - The accounts of the Trustees are maintained in accordance 

with the principles of fund accounting. Under fund accounting, resources for 

various purposes are classified for accounting and reporting purposes into funds 

established according to their nature and purpose. Separate accounts are 

maintained for each fund; however, in the accompanying financial statements, 

funds that have similar characteristics have been combined according to the three 

classes of net assets, mentioned above. 

Use of Estimates - The preparation of financialstatements in conformity with 

generally accepted accounting principles includes the use of estimates that affea


the financial statements. Accordingly, actual results could differ from tho 

estimates. 

Contributions - The Trustees account for contributions in accordance with the 

recommendations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board in SFAS No. 116, 

Accounting for Contributions Received and Contributions Made. In accordance 

with SFAS 116, contributions received are recorded as unrestricted, temporarily 

restricted, or permanently restricted support, depending on the existence or nature 

of any donor restrictions. 

All donor-restriaed support is reported as an increase in temporarily or 

permanently restricted net assets depending on the nature of the restriction. When 

a restriction expires (that is, when a stipulated time restriction ends or purpose 

restriction is accomplished), temporarily restricted net assets are reclassified to 

unrestriaed net assets and reported in the statement of activities as net assets 

released from restrictions. 

Contributed Services - During the year ended December 13, 1996, the value of 

contributed services meeting the requirements for recognition in the financial 

statements was not material and has not been recorded. 

Income Taxes - The Organization is a not-for-profit organization that is exempt 

from income taxes under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the 

Organization considers all unrestricted highly liquid investments with an initial 

maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. 

Property and Equipment - Land, buildings and improvements, and furniture, 

fixtures and equipment are carried at cost or estimated fair value at the date of 

gift. Proceeds from the sale of fixedassets are transferred to expendable operating 

unrestriaed funds. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the 

respective assets on a straight-line basis. 

Cash and Investments - The cash and investment amounts for all funds of the 

Trustees are commingled and are allocated for financial reporting purposes based 

on assets (other than cash and investments), liabilities and fund balance. 

Investments are recorded at the lower of cost (or fair market value at the date of 

gift) or market. Net realized gain or loss on the disposition of investments is the 

difference between the proceeds received and the average cost of investments sold. 

Substantially all investments are pooled and allocation of income (ordinarily 

income and gains and losses upon sale or other disposition of investments) to the 

various funds is accomplished using the market value unit method. Substantially all 

ordinary income from investments of endowment funds is restricted for support of 

particular purposes. These purposes are usually broad enough to be encompassed 

within one of the designated boards of the Synod.


Other Matters - Inventories (principally religious publications) are carried 

lower of average cost or market. Contributions received during early January from 

congregations and individuals are recorded as receivables when such amounts relate 

to the prior year's budget. Advances made to eligible seminary students for 

payment of tuition, summer training fees and living expenses (deferred student aid 

receivable) are recorded as a deferred charge and are amortized to expense, usually 

over a period of fiveyears from the date that the graduate seminarian begins 

service for the Synod. Repayment of advances must be made only if the student 

or graduate does not provide service to the Synod. 

NOTE 2 - CASH AND INVESTMENTS 

Cash and investments at December 31,1996, are comprised of the following: 

Cash in bank 

Paine-Webber cash fund 

U.S. Government obligations 

U.S. Government agency securities 

Corporate common stocks 

Corporate bonds 

General mortgages receivable 

Total 

1996 

Carrying Market 

Value 

Value 

$311,437 $311,437 

574,129 574,129 

1,924,690 1,869,223 

1,275,269 1,267,055 

2,912,180 5,339,369 

470,548 470,496 

1,454,941 1,454,941 

$8,923,194 $11,286,650 

General mortgages receivable are due over periods from one to twenty one 

years and bear annual interest primarily from 7% to 9%. The aggregate annual 

Maturities of general mortgages receivable at December 31, 1996, are as follows: 

Year Ending 

Amount 

1997 $88,962 

1998 76,600 

1999 81,450 

2000 85,840 

2001 70,055 

2002 and beyond 1,052,034 

Total $ 1,454,941


The general mortgages receivable at December 31, 1996, are due from th 

following groups: 

Congregations of the denomination $ 744,921 


Members of the denomination 13,666 

Commercial 90,296 

Total $1,454,941 

The following summarizes the changes in relationships between carrying values 

and market values of cash and investments for the years ended December 31, 

1996, and 1995: 

Unrealized Appreciation 

Carrying Market (Depreciation) 

Value Value 1996 1995 

December 31,1996 $8,923,194 $11,286,650 $2,363,456 

December 31,1995 $8,451,949 $10,129,355 $1,677,404 $1,677,406 

January 1,1995 $ 8,560,928 $ 8,912,967 $352,039 

Increase in unrealized 

appreciation for the year $ 686,050 $1,325,367 

Realized net gain for the year $ 244,863 $ 306,825 

The Trustees carry investments in marketable securities with readily 

determinable fair values and all investments in debt securities at their fair values in 

the statement of financialposition. Unrealized gains and losses are included in the 

change in net assets in the accompanying statement of activities. 

During the year ended December 31, 1996, the average yield on investments 

excluding realized net gains (calculated by dividing total dividends, interest, and net 

rental income earned on investments during the year by the average of the 

beginning of the year and the end of the year carrying value of investments, 

excluding cash in bank) was 5.5%, and the annual total return (calculated by 

dividends, interest, net rental income and realized net gains earned on investments 

during the year by the average of the beginning of the year and end of the year 

carrying value of investments, excluding cash in bank) was 8.4%. 

NOTE 3 - BUILDING LOANS RECEIVABLE 

Substantially all of the building loans receivable at December 31, 1996, have 

been granted by the Building Loan Committee at interest rates of 4% to 5% for 

the purchase or construction of residences or church buildings. The aggregate 

annual Maturities of building loans receivable at December 31, 1996, are as 

follows:


Year Ending Amount 

1997 $53,245 

1998 53,695 

1999 55,597 

2000 51,745 

2001 51,550 

2002 and beyond 513,478 

Total $779,310 

Such loans are generally made to either ministers, employees of the Syn 

congregations. At December 31, 1996, the composition of the balances 

receivable were due from: 

Congregations and denominational boards 

Ministers of the denomination 

Other 

Total 

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 

Building and improvements 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment 

Total 

Less accumulated depreciation 

Property and equipment - net 


$762,994 

10,795 

5,521 

$ 779,310 


$320,516 

344,534 

665,050 

471,138 

$193,912 

Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $31,934. 

NOTE 5 - PENSION PLANS 

There are two pension plans (Plan "A" and Plan "B") which were adopted 

effective January 1, 1974, and together cover all ministers, missionaries and 

employees of the Synod. The provisions of Plan "B" were restated effective 

January 1, 1984, and January 1, 1989. 

Plan "A" - Plan "A" is a noncontributory defined plan and covers basically 

ministers, missionaries and employees of the Synod who were age 55 or over on 

January 1, 1974, the date of adoption of the plan. The normal retirement benefit 

for 1995 was $300 per month for single employees and $360 for married 

employees. A monthly benefit of $300is continued to the survivor. A minimum 

of 30 years of service is required to be eligible for the full normal retirement 

benefit. Total pension expense for the years ended December 1996 was 

$93,398. This planis self-administered and pension benefits, which are charged to


pension expense, are substantially all paid from ordinary investment income, 

proceeds of sales of certain investments or funds transferred from the Pension 

Board. Current comprehensive aauarial reports and valuations are not available 

for Plan "A". Accordingly, the information necessary to provide the disclosures 

required by Statements of Financial Accounting Standards 87 and 88 has not been 

determined. Under Plan "A", the Trustees charge pension benefits to expense as 

incurred and credit investment income and net gain on investment transactions to 

revenue. Generally accepted accounting principles require that pension expense be 

determined using an acceptable aauarial cost method. Plan "A" was substantially 

curtailed as of December 31, 1996, as there were no participants still actively 

employed by the Trustees and, as such, use of an acceptable actuarial cost method 

would have resulted in insignificant expenses for the years then ended. Use of 

actuarially determined costs as of the most recent valuation (January 1, 1987) for 

Plan "A" would have resulted in an increase in pension liability and a decrease in 

the unrestritted-designated fund balance of approximately $225,000. 

Investments with a cost of approximately $73,000 and market value of 

approximately $103,000 at December 31, 1996, included in the financial 

statements of the Trustees, are available to satisfy a portion of the Plan "A" 

pension liability. A 9% assumed rate of return was used in determining the 

present value of accumulated vested benefits. There are no nonvested 

accumulated benefits. 

Plan "B" - Plan "B" is a defined contribution plan and covers substantially all 

ministers, missionaries and employees of the Synod who are not covered under 

Plan "A". Total pension expense for the year ended December 31, 1996, was 

$183,801, which includes amortization of past service cost over an average period 

of approximately 25 years. The Trustees' policy is to fund pension costs accrued. 

Plan "B" is administered and the funds are invested by the Pension Trustees of the 

Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. The estimated 

amount of vested benefits as of December 31, 1996, is less than the amount of 

the net assets of Plan "B". 

Comprehensive aauarial reports and valuations are not available for Plan "B". 

Accordingly, the information necessary to provide the disclosures required by 

Statements of Financial Accounting Standards 87 and 88 has not been 

determined. However, the finaldetermination of such amounts is not expected to 

have a material effea on the accompany financialstatements. 

NOTE 6 - CONTINGENT ASSETS 

At December 31, 1996, approximately $52,000 of cash (based on the 

prevailing exchange rates) were held in blocked accounts in Cyprus. Because of the 

restrictions imposed on these assets and the uncertainty with regard to their 

realization, they are not recorded by the Trustees until funds are recovered. 

Approximately $19,400 was received in 1996. 

NOTE 7 - CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK


The Trustees maintain its cash balances in one financial institution located 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The balances are insured by the Federal Deposit 

Insurance Corporation up to $100,000. At December 31, 1996, the Trustee's 

uninsured cash balances total $211,437. 

NOTE 8 -CUSTODIAN FUNDS 

Custodian Funds represent funds received by the Trustees from congregations, 

Presbyteries, and other denomination-related organizations which are invested for 

the benefit of, and are returnable upon request to, such resources. Such funds are 

reported as payable to denomination-related organizations. 

NOTE 9 - TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS 

Temporarily restriaed net assets are comprised of primarily annuity and life 

income funds that are subjea to agreements whereby assets are made available to 

the Trustees on the condition that the Trustees be bound to pay to the donor or 

other designated person or organization a stipulated amount or the income earned 

of fund assets for a period of time specified in the agreements. 

NOTE 10 - PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS 

Permanently restricted net assets are comprised primarily of nonexpendable 

endowment funds that are subject to restriction of gift instruments or of other 

means of conveyance requiring in perpetuity, or until the occurrence of some 

remote event, that the principal be invested and only the income used. 

NOTE 11 - RESTATEMENT OF BEGINNING NET ASSETS 

During 1996, the Trustees adopted SFAS No. 124, Accounting for Certain 

Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations. Net assets as of January 1, 

1996, were restated to reflect the adoption of this new accounting standard. 

The following resolution was considered by a more than two-thirds 

vote, 79-15: "That the 1997 Synod of the RPCNA send ordination query 

#8 down to the sessions in overture without the words "to abstain from 

alcoholic beverages and habit-forming narcotics." The resolution passed 

by more than a two-thirds vote, 72-25. 

The reports of fraternal delegates were taken up. 

Robert McFarland reported on his visit to the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church of Ireland in 1996. Bruce Stewart read greetings from the Clerk 

of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Andrew Stewart. 

Mark Harrington, an evangelist serving in Lincoln, Nebraska, brought 

greetings from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. 

Robert Hemphill reported on his visit as fraternal delegate to the 

Presbyterian Church of America. Dan Dermeyer, pastor of the Olathe 

PCA, brought fraternal greetings from the Presbyterian Church of 

America.


Ray Hemphill reported on his visit as fraternal delegate to the Reformed 

Church in the U.S. in 1996. Wesley Brice, pastor of the Northland RCUS 

in the North Kansas City area, brought fraternal greetings from the 

Reformed Church in the United States. 

Jonathan Taylor, a pastor in the ARP in St. Louis, brought greetings 

from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. 

John Morrow, pastor of the American Presbyterian Church in 

Westminster, MD, brought greetings from the American Presbyterian 

Church. 

Bruce Stewart read greetings from Don Argue, President of the 

National Association of Evangelicals. 

The report of the Interchurch Committee was taken up. The report as a 

whole was discussed. Item 1 was divided. The first portion, "That Synod 

discontinue fraternal relations with the American Presbyterian Church." 

was considered. 

The time for adjournment was postponed until 9:30 p.m. 

The first part of item 1 was lost. The second part of item 1 was 

adopted. Item 2 was adopted. Item 3 was referred to the Nominating 

Committee. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows with 

the recommendations as adopted: 

REPORT OF THE INTERCHURCH RELATIONS COMMITTEE 

The Interchurch Relations Committee (hereinafter IRC) has met three times 

since the last Synod (1995)-- on Nov. 28-29, 1995, in Philadelphia and on Nov. 

19-20, 1996, in Pittsburgh, both in connection with Annual Meetings of the 

North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council, and on Feb. 12, 1997, at 

the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. 

1. Relations with other churches. 

1.1 The IRC continues to appoint delegates to the various denominations with 

which we have fraternal relations. The increasingly standard practice is for 

denominations to send and receive delegates every other year. In 1997, 

appointments were made to the following churches: 

Free Church of Scotland (N.American Synod) 

Presbyterian Church in America 

We also appoint delegates annually to NAPARC and the National Association 

of Evangelicals. 

We are greatly appreciative of the opportunies for exchange of delegates with 

fraternal churches and warmly welcome those who will address this Synod. 

1.2 The IRC voted to recommend to Synod that we discontinue fraternal 

relations with the American Presbyterian Church. The APC has three 

congregations and less than 100 members. They share our position on worship 

but have some distinctive positions of their own largely arising from their 

background in the Bible Presbyterian Church. We would welcome the union of


the APC with the RPCNA on a local, congregation to presbytery, basis. W 

understand that a paper proposing formal union talks with the APC will be 

brought to this Synod by Atlantic Presbytery. 

2. North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council. 

2.1 Itfell to the RPCNA to host the 1996 NAPARC meeting. Future hosts 

will be the PCA (1997 in Atlanta), and the RCUS (1998, no venue 

announced as yet). 

2.2 The Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) was admitted to 

NAPARC by the 1995 vote of the Council and subsequent ratification by 

member denominations, and took its seat at the 1996 Council for the first 

time. 

2.3 The IRC voted twice (1995 and 1996) in NAPARC in favor of the 

admission of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) to the Council, but 

since the required two-thirds majority of member churches was not acheived, 

the EPC was not admitted in 1996. There are no plans for the renewal of the 

EPC application in the forseeable future. 

2.4 The IRC continues to consider its stance on the pending decision in 

NAPARC on the motion (from the PCA General Assembly) calling for the 

suspension of the Christian Reformed Church from the Council. 

2.5 The Chairmanship of NAPARC for 1997-98 falls, by rotation, to the 

RPCNA, and accordingly our IRC Chairman, and currently Vice-chairman of 

NAPARC, Gordon Keddie is to Chair the upcoming Atlanta meeting of the 

Council on Nov. 18-19, 1997. 

3. The International Conference of Reformed Churches 

1997 is the year for the admission of the RPCNA to membership of the ICRC. 

Jack White and Shigeru Takiura are to represent our church at the meeting in 

Seoul, Korea at which we will be received. 

4. The task of the IRC 

We are working on a job-description for the IRC and would welcome hearing 

the views of members of the Synod in this matter over the coming year. 

5. Nominations 

The IRCis constituted as follows: 

Class of 1997: Robert Henning Robert Mann 

Class of 1998 Gordon Keddie Bruce Stewart (Secretary) 

Class of 1999 Andrew Schep Jack White 

For the class of 2000, Robert Henningis eligible for a second term, but Bob Mann 

has asked to be replaced. We would note that unless a ruling elder Is elected to 

replace Bob Mann, the IRC will be composed entirely of teaching elders in 1997 


1. That Synod discontinue fraternal relations with the American Presbyterian 

Church, but invite the APC to enter into union with the RPCNA by application 

through the Presbyteries in which their congregations are situated.


2. That the responsibilities of the Committee on a Declaration of the 

Relationship Among RP Churches be assigned to the Interchurch Committee, 

which is the appropriate agency. 

3. That Aubrey Ayer, Robert Henning and Johannes Verlinde be nominated to 

fill the class of 2000. 

Respectfully submitted; 

Robert Henning 

G.J. Keddie (Chairman) 

Andrew Schep 

Bruce Stewart 

John White 

The following special resolution was received by more than a two-thirds 

vote (RE: fraternal relations with the CRC): 

Motion: That the 1997 Synod of the RPCNA break Fraternal Relations with the 

Christian Reformed Church (CRC). 

Grounds: 

1) The CRC has continued to persist in theological trends and ethical deviations 

which evidence a rejeaion of the authority of the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Their repudiation of Inerrancy, capitulation to Evolutionism, unwillingness to 

confront the sin of Homosexuality and the recent series of Synodical decisions 

allowing for opening ofall ecclesiastical offices to women, together bear witness to 

this sad reality. 

2) Although it is painful to break ties with those whom we have regarded as 

precious fathers and brothers in Jesus Christ, a church from whom we have learned 

so much, and with whom we have enjoyed such long-term fellowship, we must 

support those congregations, sessions, ministers, elders, deacons and members who 

are now departing from the CRC due to its persistence in various anti-confessional 

and unbiblical trends. 

3.) Itis an obligation of consistent Reformed Christians to be in the process of 

either aaive protest and dissent from the CRC, or to depart from the CRC at this 

time in history. If we maintain full fraternal ties with the CRC, our churches will be 

officially bound to favor and support the CRC over against those congregations and 

members who are departing from this denomination for good and necessary 

reasons. 

4.) Our sister bodies in the PCA and the OPC have already broken their 

fraternal ties with the CRC, and last year NAPARC decided to hold a vote on the 

suspension of the CRC from that body at its fall, 1997, meetings. 

The resolution was referred to the Interchurch Committee to be 

brought to Synod in 1998. 

Ray Morton reported on his visit to the National Association of 

Evangelicals. The report was received.


Dean Filson directed Synod in the evening prayer time. Delegate 

gathered in small groups to pray for relationships with ^ other 

denominations around the world. The prayer time was concluded with the 

singing of Psalm 122B, stanza 3. 

Following announcements. Synod adjourned at 9:30 p.m. and was led 

in prayer of adjournment by Roy Adams. 

FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1997, 8:30 A.M. 

Synod met pursuant to adjournment in the Yates College Union on 

campus of William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri. The Moderator 

reminded the delegates of the strength the Lord gives to those who wait 

on Him. 

Alan Noell led in prayer constituting the court. 

Wade Mann led Synod in singing Psalm 19B. Gordon Keddie led in 

prayer. Doug Comin read 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and preached God's Word on 

the theme, "Committed to the Word." He concluded the devotional 

service in prayer. 

The minutes of the Thursday evening session were read, amended and 

approved. 

The parliamentarians were asked to determine how tie ballots would be 

regarded in the count of the overtures Synod has ordered be sent down 

this year. 

The remaining agenda was reviewed. 

Josh Wilsey and Jonathan Morton reported to Synod on the work of 

the mission team that went to Scotland. 

The report of the Education and Publication Board was taken up again. 

Items 1-3 were adopted. Item 4 was referred to the Nominating 

Committee. Item 5 was adopted. Items 6-7 were referred to the 

Nominating Committee. Item 8 was adopted and referred to the 

Nominating Committee. Items 9-11 were adopted. In keeping with item 

11, Drew Gordon and Jim Pennington addressed the court. Jim 

Pennington was given a rising vote of gratitude for his work. The report 

as a whole was approved and is as follows: 

(CLERK'S NOTE: The following report is printed as adopted. Following 

discussion, the adopted recommendations were significantly altered by the Board at 

the meeting of Synod but the changesin terminology are not reflected in the 

approved report.) 

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS 

/ will declare Your name to My Brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will 

praise You.


We give thanks to the Lord who has continued to bless the work of thi 

We thank God for devoted and hard-working employees who serve the church 

with gladness. We are grateful that He is blessing our efforts to provide Psalms for 

singing to the church of Christ. We thank Him for giving us opportunities to bring 

young people together and to bring nations together in our conferences. In these 

works of your Board of Education and Publication, God has made himself known 

and His presence has encouraged and directed what we have been able to 

accomplish. 

This report is in two parts. The firstprovides some details of the work of the 

Board during the last year. The second is a significant proposal to restructure the 

Board to better enableit to carry out its work in the future. We desire for Synod 

to act on this proposal this year. 

THE WORK OF THE BOARD 

Publications 

The publications work of the board is of three sorts. First, the Covenanter 

Witness, our nearly monthly denominational magazine. Second, the publications of 

Crown sc Covenant, chiefly the Book of Psalms for Singing, but also a significant 

list of titles of theological and bible studies, as well as Psalm-singing materials and 

recordings. Third, printing services, recently made possible by the in-house printing 

capacities acquired with the Risograph equipment. Although there have been 

technical snags in getting this equipment to run as well as was expected (you may 

have noticed the change in quality of print, especially of graphics in the Covenanter 

Witness), the decision to buy in-house printing equipment has so far proved to be 

a wise one. It permits lower per unit costs in publications and gives the staff a 

greater degree of control over the work. We are very thankful for the hard-working 

personnel of the Publications office, Director of Publications and Managing Editors 

Drew and Lynne Gordon, Production Assistant and Secretary Linda M. Au, Office 

Manager Steve Hostetter and a series of Mail Clerks that have served us. These 

people do their work with gladness, serving the Lord and this branch of His body. 

Sales of our published work continue to be strong. The Covenanter Witness has 

been slowly building its subscription base. Its production costs have been reduced 

so that it now requires far less in subsidies than it has in the past. We continue to 

be encouraged with the quality of the volunteer work provided for the Witness, in 

the Learn sc Live, Youth Beat, Kids Page, and Watchwords columns. The staff 

continue to work to improve the technical quality of the magazine. 

Crown sc Covenant has had another very strong year of sales, producing an 

even higher profit than in 1995. Projects currently underway include Psalm Visuals 

for Teaching Children, "First Forty" Psalm CD, Psalm Settings Teaching CD by 

Jason Coghill, Trinity Psalter Song Leader's Edition. The moneys generated by 

Crown sc Covenant are deposited in a revolving fund from which large publication 

projects may be funded. Significant funds are needed, for example, whenever we 

reprint the Book of Psalms for Singing. In 1997-1998 we anticipate deficit


spending of $30,000 for reprinting the Psalter and an additional deficit spending 

of $30,000 for the printing of the Trinity Psalter Leaders' Edition. These deficits 

are made up by sales of the printed works. 

The third area of publication work, that of providing Services to outside 

agencies, was not as productive as we had anticipated due to a nagging string of 

technical problems with the new equipment, which required many hours of work 

to clear up. We are building for the future! 

This year we had to draw $8,000 from the profits in the Crown sc Covenant 

revolving fund to help bring down the deficit of the general EscP budget. This 

deficit was caused by several factors. These include a failure to meet our 

anticipated target of Services work (printing and publication for outside agencies), 

a failure to receive the Youth Ministries contribution to the budget because fund 

raising had not been completed by the end of the year, and because of higher 

building maintenance costs, especially after a burst water pipe caused important 

damage to the office. In this context, we were deeply grateful to have received the 

full amount of the RPMscM grant which the Synod had granted to us. We have 

also requested a grant from the unrestricted undesignated funds of Synod to help 

us repay the equipment loan and ease the budget pressures which this Board has 

felt for several years. 

Youth Ministries 

The Youth Ministries committee of the Board has been primarily occupied with 

preparing the proposal to create a Presbytery-centered Youth Ministries agency of 

the Synod, as outlined later in our report. This has required much thought and 

effort. Nevertheless, Jim Pennington, who has filled the quarter time youth 

director's position, has managed to do a few things to keep the Youth Ministries 

part of our Board ministering. We do commend Jim for being able to turn a 

quarter-time (1) position to any fruitful purpose. Jim has been involved in 

supervising the Summer 1997 Short Term Mission Trip to Scotland. He has also 

been getting the initial work going on the planned 1998 RP Youth Conference, to 

be held at Geneva College next summer. Jim has also provided oversight for the 

co-editors of the Covenanter Witness "Youth Beat" section. 

RP International Conference 

Our Board was the agency of Synod responsible for overseeing the RP 

International Conference in 1996. Jim Pennington, Conference Director, will be 

addressing the Synod and will report on the Conference. We merely note that this 

was the best attended International Conference yet, and that the staff and 

conferees all appreciated the facilities at Calvin College. Nevertheless, the planning 

and selection of teaching and preaching personnel and topics for the conference 

required hard work and some significant debates among members of the Board. 

We remind the Synod of the importance of the impact of this conference on the 

church and thus counsel serious consideration to the proposal (below) for selecting 

a new conference committee to oversee this work.


THE DIVISION OF THE BOARD 

We now move to the second, and very significant part of our report. Most of 

our recommendations to Synod follow from the proposal which follows. Members 

should read this carefully. 

In 1968 the Synod took action to merge the Board of Christian Education and 

the Publications Board. This merger actually took place in 1970 largely due to 

what was perceived as a similarity in their main purposes. Their first responsibility, 

as described in the report of the Committee to Unite the Boards of Christian 

Education and Publication, was to "serve God and the Church by promoting the 

Gospel of Jesus Christ through published materials and educational processes." 

Ironically in the year just prior to the actual merger, the Board of Christian 

Education declared their desire to implement a new focus, one of leadership 

development and youth training. In their report of that year they write, "Our 

major concern up to this point has been in the realm of curriculum development. 

At our regular winter meeting last December, our Board went on record making 

our major concern the matter of development of leadership." (1969 Minutes of 

Synod, p. 16) 

The responsibilities drawn up for the new E. sc P. Board were rather extensive, 

taking up 6 pages of the 1970 Minutes of Synod (19-24). It is our conclusion that 

the scope of the E. sc P. Board, especially when one adds the International 

Conference component, is too broad. 

Our current Board, attempting to implement two important but varying 

emphases and seeking to give proper oversight to the Coordinator of Youth 

Ministries and the staff of our Publications office, decided to divide its members 

into two committees, a "youth ministries" committee and a "publication" 

committee. In the last several years however, we have been frustrated by 

fragmentation in the present board structure, and the resulting inefficiency in use 

of time, energy and money. 

Finances continue to be a significant hurdle in accomplishing our goals. For the 

past several years the E. sc P. Board has had to tighten its belt. We are unsatisfied 

with the salary compensation for our staff and have had to cut back the 

Coordinator of Youth Ministry position to an impractical quarter-time position. 

The Youth Ministries Committee met in November to discuss several options. It 

was felt that this particular committee could not justify the value of our present 

roles and the expense of flying to the meetings. 

This committee also voiced what seems to be a growing concern that more of 

the energies of the Youth Ministries side of our Board ought to go into supporting 

and encouraging ministry at the presbytery level. The above concerns, coupled 

with the upcoming conclusion of Jim Pennington's term as Coordinator of Youth 

Ministries have led us to propose the following changes:


* The division of the current E sc P Board into a Board of Youth Ministries sc 

Christian Education (YM-CE) and a Board of Publications. (A return to two 

distinct boards. - See Recommendation ff1.) 

* The new YM-CE Board would be funded initially from the portion of the Board 

of E sc P budget currently designated for Youth Ministries. The position of 

Coordinator of Youth Ministries would be phased out at the completion of Jim 

Pennington's term (end of 1997). It should be noted that the joint E sc P Board 

request to RPMscM would have been $90,000 while the two separate Boards 

total request will only be $88,000. (see Recommendation ff 2) 

* The following statement of purpose is proposed for the new YM-CE Board: 

The purpose of the Board of Youth Ministries sc Christian Education is to: 

1. Encourage and support the work of youth ministry throughout the church. 

2. Provide opportunities for growth and development of youth ministry skills 

through training, sharing and discussion. 

3. Provide a framework for planning, implementing, reporting, and evaluating 

specific youth ministry activities. 

4. Promote a maturing understanding of the theology of the church among the 

youth. (see Recommendation ff 3) 

* Re-focusing efforts on the presbytery level, the new YM-CE Board would be 

made up of one youth coordinator from each of the 6 North American 

Presbyteries and one teaching elder at large elected by Synod. Presbyteries 

wishing to send additional, non-voting representatives to the annual meeting 

would be asked to defray the additional expenses. It might be advantageous to 

decentralize and meet in different cities hosted in turn by the presbyteries, (see 

Recommendations ff 4 and 5) 

* The new Board of Publications will continue serving the church by developing 

and distributing denominational publications, (see Recommendations #6 and 7) 

* The International Conference can and should be financiallyself-supporting, 

under the direct oversight of Synod. A balance of $15,697.56 remained 

following the 1996 conference, $10,000 of which has been designated for the 

planning of the International Conference in 2000. The remainder of that fund is 

designated for the planning of the 1998 R. P. Youth Conference (LTP '98). An 

advisory committee solely devoted to the International Conference should be 

activated to approve the programs, as this present board has done. A staff 

would then be appointed by the Conference Coordinator to plan the program 

and other arrangements for the conference, (see Recommendations ff 8 and 9). 

RECOMMENDATIONS: (See CLERK'S NOTE at the beginning of this report.) 

1. That Synod create a Committee on Youth Ministries made up of one 

Presbytery representative from each North American Presbytery and one 

teaching elder at large elected by Synod. 

2. That the youth ministries responsibilities of the E sc P Board be given to the 

Committee on Youth Ministries.


3. That the Committee on Youth Ministries develop a statement of purpose 

taking into account the statement of purpose suggested by the EscP Board. 

4. That Andy McCracken be appointed as the teaching elder for the initial three 

year term and have him serve as chairman for the first year. 

5. That the attached draft of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Education and 

Publication Board be received and transmitted to the new Board for final 

review and approval. 

6. That the following names be placed in nomination for the E sc P Board: 

Class of '98: Norman Carson, Christian Adjemian 

Class of '99: Ingrid Birdsall, Karen Moberg 

Class of 2000: Jan Comanda, Don Reed 

7. That this Synod elect a Coordinator for the International Conference for the 

year 2000. 

8. That this Synod appoint a five-member advisory committee to oversee the 

International Conference for the year 2000. 

9. That Synod grant the E sc P Board $78,500. 

10. That Synod grant the Committee on Youth Ministries $9,500. 

11. That Drew and Lynn Gordon and Jim Pennington be heard for 10 minutes 

each. 

The Chairman of the Committee on Finance moved that the report of 

the Committee on Finance be adjusted to reflect the changes approved in 

recommendations 9 and 10 of the report of the Board of Education and 

Publication as follows (The report as printed reflects these changes): 

a) Reduce the grant from RPMscM for the EscP Board from $88,000 to 

$78,500, and 

b) Increase the allocation from RPMscM for the Synod Operations Fund 

(Miscellaneous Fund) from $15,000 to 24,500, and 

c) Authorize expenditure of up to $9,500 for the regular work of the 

Committee on Youth Ministries from the Synod Operations Fund. 

The report of the Special Committee to Consider Communication 97-3 

on Psalter Revision was taken up. The Special Committee recommended 

that Synod proceed to vote on the recommendations of Communication 

97-3. Items 1 -4 were adopted. The report of the committee as a whole, 

which is the communication to Synod, was approved and is as follows: 

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER COMMUNICATION 

97-3 ON PSALTER REVISION 


1. That this Synod appoint a committee to prepare and publish a revised edition 

of The Book of Psalms For Singing by the year 2002. 

2. That this revision retain the goals and format of the 1973 edition, including 

only such changes in words and/or music as will make it more closely conform to 

its title.


3. That this committee consist of seven men and/or women, at l 

the current Psalm Translation Committee, at least two under the age of forty-five, 

and at least one from the 1968-73 Psalter Revision Committee. 

4. That this committee prepare regular progress reports to Synod and develop 

other appropriate publicity and support. 

Some Considerations In Support of This Action: 

1. Good features of The Book of Psalms For Singing should be preserved: 

(1) All of every Psalm carefully translated, 

(2) Psalm and verse numbers corresponding to those in our Bibles, 

(3) music designed to encourage congregational singing. 

2. Careful translation and insightful accompanying notes for seventy or more 

Psalms by the International Psalm Translation Committee over the past twelve years 

offers much encouragement for revision. Line by line comparison of these 

translations with versions in our current Psalter 

(1) indicates that much of what we have needs little or no change beyond 

modernization of language 

(2) identifies Psalms and Psalm portions calling for improved versions. 

3. Continuing modernization of our Psalm-singing language seems timely. In 

1973 the prevailing modern English Bible was NASB, which uses "you" for 

humanity but only "Thee-Thy-Thine-Thou" for Deity. The now-prevailing NIV 

follows Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, as well as AV and the 1635 Scottish Psalms 

In Metre, which make no such distinction. Most of us who lead in prayer now 

address God as "You." Consistency would suggest that "From everlasting You are 

God," as well as "Who with love and mercy crowns you," can be appropriate for 

singing. 

4. Revision might easily correct twenty or more mis-translations of the names of 

God found in our current Psalter. 

5. Endeavoring to capture the force and feeling of the Hebrew may help to 

reduce the wordiness found in many of our present versions, especially in longer 

Psalms. 

6. Words and music which the 1968-73 Committee considered superior and 

introduced as alternates 

(1) may by now have made "old" versions unnecessary or 

(2) may have had insufficient use to justify inclusion in a revision. 

7. The 1968-73 Committee's decision to assign a different tune for each 

selection has resulted in further avoidance of thirty or more Psalms or Psalm 

portions which are rarely called for, because their tunes are unfamiliar, even to 

some of our precentors. Judicious repetition of some good tunes (a common 

practice in hymnals and previous Psalters) might encourage singing of such 

selections on occasions (possibly rare) when their use is appropriate. 

8. Careful revision could give attention to the selection and/or arrangement of 

tunes to avoid notes too high or too low for average voices.


9. Five years seems neither too much or too little time for pr 

publishing a better Psalter by a careful and prayerful committee which recruits and 

receives general support. 

Available Materials For Consideration By A Revision Committee: 

1. Current and continuing translations by the Psalm Translation Committee. 

2. Psalm Settings which includes many versions and tunes worth considering. 

3. The Complete Book of Psalms for Singing of 1991, prepared and published 

by Rowland S. Ward of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. Extensive use of 

words and music from The Book of Psalms For Singing but containing insightful 

alterations and other good versions and tunes. 

4. The Trinity Psalter of 1995, essentially a words-only edition of The Book of 

Psalms For Singing but making alterations and choices of versions from other 

sources and suggesting many singable hymn tunes. 

5. Rough drafts in modern English of everything in the current Psalter not 

already modernized. 

6. Versions and tunes rejected by the 1968-73 Psalter Revision Committee. 

7. Unpublished tunes composed for existing or proposed Psalm versions by 

Robert Copeland, Mike Tabon, Jay Worsham, Brian Coombs, and others. 

The report of the parliamentarians on tie ballots was given as follows: 

"In the aaion of this Synod rescinding paragraph 22 in chapter 8 of the 

Direaory for Church Government, we have reverted to the previous procedure of 

counting tie votes by Sessions as part of the total number of Sessions. This 

approach will be used in tabulating the votes of Sessions on the overtures to be 

sent down by this Synod." 

The Clerk of Synod was ordered to include the above decision with the 

overture when it is mailed to the sessions. 

The elections were taken up. The morning break was delayed to 

complete the elections. Bruce Backensto led in prayer for the elections 

and delegates marked their ballots. 

Synod took a fifteen-minute recess at 10:40 a.m. 

Synod returned for business and sang Psalm 150B. 

The report of the Board of Seminary Trustees was taken up. Synod 

expressed praise to God for His wonderful financial provision since Synod 

last met. Items 2-3 were referred to the Committee on Finance. Items 5- 

6 were referred to the Nominating Committee. Items 1 and 7 were 

accomplished by ballot. Jerry O'Neill was re-elected 82-1 and Jim 

Pennington was re-elected 78-4 with 1 abstension. Item 4 was adopted. 

In keeping with this item, Bill Edgar addressed the court and Jerry O'Neill 

led in prayer asking our gracious heavenly Father for forgiveness according 

to His promise for the sin of racism against two students who attended the 

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary many years ago. The 

remarks of Bill Edgar appear in Appendix B. The Seminary Board asked


for Synod's forgiveness for this sin and the delegates responded by 

standing to indicate their forgiveness. Item 8 was adopted and in keeping 

with this item, Jerry O'Neill, President of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Theological Seminary, addressed the court. The report as a whole was 


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 

The Seminary Board of Trustees adopted a new committee structure to help it 

better oversee the different aspects of the Seminary's life. The committees, 

appointed by the Board President, are Academic and Student Affairs, Business 

Affairs, Development, and Personnel. There is also an Executive Committee to 

function for the Board when necessary in-between our twice yearly meetings. Our 

reportis organized according to our committees. 

Executive Committee 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the Rev. Jim Wright conveyed the 

repentance of the Seminary to the widows of Rev. Claude Brown and Rev. 

Clarence Bottoms for their sometimes shabby treatment by the Reformed 

Presbyterian Seminary in their student days. The Seminary Board of Trustees 

would also like to repent on behalf of the Seminary forits behavior, which did not 

live up to our commitment as a Church to not be a respecter of persons. 

Academic and Student Affairs Committee 

As part ofits ongoing effort to think through its mission and program, the 

Board approved a statement this spring describing the characteristics of mind, 

spiritual maturity and ministry skills that each student graduating from the 

Seminary should exhibit. The statementis included as an appendix to this report. 

As part of the same effort to evaluate and clarify our work as a Seminary, 

Professor Wayne Spear and Librarian Thomas Reid have put in much time 

preparing for a visit from the American Theological Schools accrediting association 

this September. The Seminary's self study in connection with this visitis nearing 

completion and will be available to any member of Synod who would like to see a 

copy. 

The Seminary began formal evaluations of everyone connected with the 

Seminary this spring: Board members, the President, faculty and staff. The 

evaluations are designed to help each member of the Seminary family improve his 

service. The evaluations will also help the Seminary President and the Board of 

Trustees in making personnel decisions. 

The Board rejoices with Professor Lowe in the finalapproval of his doctoral 

dissertation. We encourage pastors with an interest in teaching at the Seminary to 

begin advanced study. There will be an urgent need for new faculty in the next 

decade as current professors reach retirement age. Please pray for future 

professors at the Seminary.


For the first time in several years, we are planning a Faculty Developmen 

Seminar. Its titleis "Faculty Use of Computer Resources." Professor Edward 

Robson will make a presentation on tools for Biblical studies, and Librarian Thomas 

Reid will discuss data bases and on-line capabilities for research. The Seminar will 

be on September 3 and will be open to any RP pastors who would like to attend. 

Also in line with our desire to encourage faculty development, the Board plans to 

grant Professor Wayne Spear a short sabbatical in the spring of 1998 so that he 

can work on a small book. Itis a study dealing especially with Barth's theology and 

it is tentatively entitled, "Barth for Dummies." 

The Board and faculty plan to pursue approval by the Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania to grant either of two new degrees: an M.A. in Biblical Studies or a 

Master of Theological Studies. This would be a two year program tailored to meet 

the needs of Pittsburgh area pastors and others who do not want to pursue the 

more demanding Master of Divinity degree. 

The Seminary President and the Chairman of the Home Mission Board have 

discussed seeking Unrestricted Undesignated Funds from Synod's Trustees in order 

to establish year-long church planting internships. These internships would greatly 

enhance our present summer intern program while they also provided direct aid in 

church planting work. 

The Teagle Foundation has granted Geneva College funds to begin an innovative 

program in community ministry in Pittsburgh. Geneva will collaborate with the 

Seminary, the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry, whose classes already meet in the 

Seminary building, and the MetroUrban Institute in this program. The Seminary 

will provide its library and rooms for classes. We anticipate the program will help 

make the Seminary further known in the Pittsburgh area and will also provide 

additional income. 

Student morale continues to be excellent. Professor Robson works with the 

Caretaker and coordinates life in the residence hall. The resident students are 

helpful in many ways, volunteering many hours to help in almost any way needed, 

thus keeping expenses for building upkeep and maintenance to a minimum. 

Commencement exercises were held on Friday, May 23. Seven seniors were 

graduated: two Reformed Presbyterian (Tom Gray and Joe Griffo), two PCA, one 

OPC, one ARP, and one Evangelical Free who has announced his intention to join 

the RPCNA. 

Business Affairs 

The Lord abundantly blessed the Seminary in its finances last year. Expenditures 

remained stable for the third year in a row. Giving and tuition were up 

significantly, and there were some sizable bequests. These developments, together 

with the extra help from Synod's budget the past two years, have put the 

Seminary's finances on a much sounder basis than they were two years ago. We 

thank God for His abundant care! We are requesting $80,000 from Synod's 

budget for 1998, the level of support given in 1995.


The Board again increased tuition, from $150 to $160 per credit hour. 

Although RPTS is no longer the reformed seminary with the lowest tuition, we 

remain near the bottom. Because the cost of living in Pittsburgh is fairly low and 

our room and board for those who live in the residence hall is low, the total cost 

of attending RPTS is still quite modest. The Board intends to continue to make 

small increases in tuition in the next several years. We are also developing more 

concrete procedures for financialaid to RP students, involving either a forgivable 

loan or work-study grants. All resident students now work six hours per week and 

pay $300 quarterly for their room and four meals weekly. 

Sophie Sekowski announced her retirement after 31 years of service preparing 

meals for students and faculty. The Seminary family will miss her greatly. 

The former porch classroomis being turned into the new computer center, and 

part of the original library of the Seminary buildingis actually going to be used by 

the library. The rest will remain a place where students and faculty can mingle 

during breaks between classes and chapel. 

John Mitchell, Lou Hutmire, and Jerry O'Neill have been working on a revised 

budget which better shows how money is being spent on the various funaions of 

the Seminary. These changes will be evident in the 1997 budget. 

Development 

President O'Neill and President-Emeritus Bruce Stewart, now Director of 

Development, have increased the Seminary's fund-raising efforts in the past year. 

They have been increased mailings and personal contacts. President O'Neill has 

preached in chapel at Covenant College, Geneva College, and Grove City College. 

Dr. Stewart visited Sterling College, and Librarian Thomas Reid visited Messiah 

College. Efforts are especially being made to attract support from new sources 

outside of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the wider Reformed and 

evangelical community. A fund-raising dinner was held at Station Square Sheraton 

Hotel on April 5 with approximately 140 attending. The dinner resulted not only 

in greater exposure for the Seminary but also in significant pledges of "new" 

money. President O'Neillis now working on beginning a weekly radio program on 

WORD-FM., hoping to try this means of reaching the Pittsburgh area for a trial 

period of six months. 

Personnel 

The death of Darrell Powel, elder in the Topeka RP Church, was a great loss to 

his family and his church. His death was also a loss for the Seminary Board, and 

we will miss him and his contributions to the work of the Seminary. 

John Mitchell has served on the Board for only part of one term, which expires 

this summer. 

Curriculum Revision 

In conjunction with the curriculum revision done this past year, a serious effort 

was made to develop a curriculum that would better enable us to achieve our 

stated mission. As one example of this, we determined to require that all M.Div.


students take a class in the Theology and Method of Missions, with the goal t 

students would in such a course gain a greater vision for discipling the nations. 

This was a direct response to statements from our Mission Statement and Student 

Outcomes which read as follows: 

"Our training emphasizes scholarship in Biblical studies, systematic 

theology, and church history; the cultivation of personal and interpersonal 

skills; and the development of spiritual gifts-all with a vision for discipling the 

nations of the world." 

"(RPTS) is committed to developing the following qualities in its 

students:... (an) eagerness to labor for Christ and His church with a servant's 

hear, motivated by a vision to see the nations discipled." 

In addition to this newly required course, we offer other missions courses to 

students who desire such. We also continue to offer a Missionary Candidate 

Certificate Program. 


1. That Synod elea Jerry O'Neill for a seven year term as President of the 

Seminary and Professor of Pastoral Theology. 

2. That Synod approve $80,000.00 for the Seminary from the budget of 

RPMscM in 1998. 

3. That Synod allocate to the Seminary a proportionate amount of its 1997 

undesignated unrestriaed funds for capital improvements. 

4. That Synod Grant Dr. Bill Edgar ten minutes to make a presentation seeking 

the forgiveness of Synod for the Seminary's sin of racism in its treatment of 

Lawrence Bottoms and Claude Brown. 

5. That John Mitchell be nominated to fill a board position for the Class of 2003. 

6. That Leverne Rosenberger and Richard Buck be nominated to fill a board 

position for the Class of 2003. 

7. That Pastor James Pennington be eleaed by Synod to serve another two year 

term as Professor of Missions, a part-time Faculty position responsible for teaching 

and coordinating our training in Missions, effeaive immediately. 

8. That Synod grant Jerry O'Neill 10 minutes to speak in behalf of the Seminary. 

Respeafully Submitted, 

The report of the Psalm Music Committee was taken up. The following 

motion was adopted regarding this committee: That the Committee be 

discharged with thanks and that the Report be referred for information to 

the Psalter Revision Committee to be appointed at this Synod. 

Rich Johnston directed Synod in the afternoon prayer time. Delegates 

joined again in small groups to pray and concluded the prayer time singing 

Psalm 4A, stanza 6. 

The time for re-convening for the afternoon meeting was set for 1:15 

p.m. Following announcements, Synod took recess at 12:15 p.m.


FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1997, 1:15 P.M. 

Synod reconvened at 1:15 p.m., being led in prayer by Tom Reid 


The minutes of the morning session were read and approved as read. 

A run-off election was held. 

The report of the Graduate Study Committee was taken up. Following 

discussion, item 1 was referred back to the Committee. Item 2 was 

referred to the Nominating Committee. The report as a whole was 


REPORT OF THE GRADUATE STUDY COMMITTEE 

Significant changes in Committee guidelines, procedures and related criteria 

were the result of extensive Committee review and Committee recommendations 

approved by the 1995 Synod. These changes are the basis for a new Graduate 

Study Committee Policy and application form. The new Policy Statementis 

submitted with this report for Synod approval. The application form is submitted 

for information only. 

Given the above referenced changes and the actions of the 1995 Synod, the 

Committee functioned in the interim according to the following guidelines since 

June 1995. 

1. No publicity was generated. 

2. The Committee reviewed and approved the new draft policy 

guidelines and application form, making them "operational" on an 

interim basis prior to 1997 Synod approval. 

3. If a request for funds was received,it would be treated in accordance 

with the interim policy. 

4. Any request received prior to the April 1, 1997, deadline would be 

treated on an "ad hoc" basis, and only after careful review by the 

Committee. 

5. Only in a particularly pressing circumstance would the Committee 

consider making an award during 1996 and prior to 1997 Synod 

approval. 

No application was received prior to the April 1, 1997, deadline. 

The Committee requests approval of the following recommendations. The 

Committee recommends that: 

1. the accompanying Graduate Study Committee Policy be approved and 

2. a new Chair of the Graduate Study Committee be appointed effective 

immediately. 

Respeafully Submitted on Behalf of The Committee 

Wendell F. McBurney, Chair 

Members: Norman Carson Jerry O'Neill 

Wendell McBurney Jack White


Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America 

Graduate Study Committee Policy 

Name: Graduate Study Committee 

Purpose: To recommend to the Synod applicants considered worthy of receiving 

awards consistent with the criteria of the Committee and with the 

purposes approved by the Synod for which funds may be used for 

graduate study. 

Membership: Presidents of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 

Geneva College, Board of Education and Publication, and a Chair to be 

appointed by the Synod, for a total of four members. 

Applicant Eligibility: Membership in the Reformed Presbyterian Church; specific 

future assignment within the denomination requiring graduate study and 

a yet unattained terminal graduate degree; and a financial need arising 

from the cost of the related tuition; in unique circumstances other 

criteria may be considered by the Committee. 

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based upon the above referenced conditions of 

eligibility, plus the following criteria; verification of future 

denominational assignment; proposed graduate degree, major, and 

institution; institutional accreditation; letter of acceptance to graduate 

study; letters of support, recommendation and/or commitment from 

applicant's Session and Presbytery; and justification of financial need. 

Award Type: Normally, awards will be in the form of interest bearing loans which 

will be forgiven (both principal and interest) at the rate of ten percent 

per year, for a period of ten years following receipt of the degree. 

Award/Loan 

Conditions: Normally, the following loan conditions will be agreed upon by the 

recipient and the authorized official of the Synod (the Treasurer). 

• Awards will be restricted to payments of invoices submitted by the 

degree granting institution for tuition expenses (only) incurred between 

the award/loan date and the date the degree is awarded. 

• The total award/loan will be forgiven following ten years of consecutive 

and successful employment by the denomination (as verified by the 

employer) in the general assignment area upon which the original 

application was based. 

• Leaving the denomination or being released from the assignment (upon 

which the original application was based) for any purpose, including less 

than successful performance, will result in the repayment of the loan 

amount including interest prorated for time remaining in the originally 

agreed-upon ten-year loan repayment period. 

• The award/loan agreement shall be in the form of an interest bearing 

note, set at an interest rate by the Synod's Board of Trustees at the 

time of the agreement.


• Payment of principal and interest shall be made in ten annual 

installments with the first payment being due and payable one year from 

the date upon which the degree was awarded. 

• In no case may the firstloan repayment be more than seven years 

following the date on which the agreement was signed. 

• The award/loan recipient's obligation to repay is to be canceled in the 

event of the recipient's death or total disability. 

Administration: The Graduate Study Committee's responsibility is limited to 

providing procedural guidelines to the applicant, administering the 

receipt and review of applications and forwarding recommendations to 

the Synod. This includes all related publicity, correspondence, and 

record keeping (related to the receipt, review and subsequent 

recommendations pertaining to applications only). It will be the 

Committee's responsibility to keep the policies, procedural guidelines 

and an awareness of the availability of funds before the denomination. 

The consummation of the loan agreements and all related record 

keeping, including future correspondence with the recipient, billing, and 

legal action if necessary, is the responsibility of the authorized officer of 

the Synod (the Treasurer) on behalf of the Synod. 

The report the of Committee on a Declaration of the Relationship 

among RP Churches Around the World was taken up. For the 

consideration of this report, the former Moderator, Robert Copeland, 

again took the Chair. Items 1-6 were adopted. The report as a whole 

was approved and is as follows: 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON A DECLARATION OF THE 

RELATIONSHIP AMONG RP CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD 

May I, 1997 


At the Carleton Meeting of Synod in 1988 the Fraternal Delegate from the 

Australian Reformed Presbyterian Church, Lynsey Blakston, made a 

recommendation which was written into the Minutes (Minutes, page 77); 

That Synod needs to clarify its view of the organic relationship between the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of 

Scotland, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia and the need and 

means of maintaining a global Reformed Presbyterian Testimony especially in the 

light of discussions of possible organic union with other churches and Testimony 

revisions within the churches. 

So far as we can find, nothing was done about this in the 1989 Synod. 

At the 1990 Synod (Minutes pp 111,112) the Interchurch Committee made 

specific response to the request from Australia by acting to: 

"approve the establishing of a committee with representatives from the 

Reformed Presbyterian Churches of Ireland, Scotland, Australia and North


America to draw up a declaration expressing our present relationship and a 

statement of procedure expressing the regular working out of this 

relationship." 

They also "appointed Roy Blackwood and Robert McCracken (to) be Synod's 

appointees to the above Committee and that Roy Blackwood serve as the convener 

of the Committee." 

At the 1991 Synod this Committee reported "real interest on the part of our 

sister churches" and that "individuals from all three of the other countries have 

said that there is a very great and practical need for more formal and official 

communications among our churches." They closed their report by saying, "The 

request of this Synod is now before them and they will be taking action on it at 

their next meeting." 

At the 1992 Synod, this Committee reported (Minutes pp 98, 99) that in 

response to our request: 

"The Synod of Ireland had appointed Knox Hyndman and Fred Leahy, the 

Synod of Scotland appointed Sinclair Home and Barry Galbraith and the 

Presbytery of Australia appointed Alastair McEwen and Lynsey Blakston to 

this Committee". 

Sometime in 1991 or 1992, Roy and Bob requested the two Australian 

members of this Committee, since they had initiated the subject, to draw up a 

proposed rough draft of the Declaration of Relationships. They responded 

promptly. 

And at the 1993 Synod (Minutes pp. 114, 115) this Committee reported that; 

"when we received the proposed Declaration from our brethren in Australia, 

we forwarded it to the Committees of the other two Synods and expect to 

hear from them after their Synod meetings this summer." 

We recommended that Synod review the proposed Declaration this year (1994) 

with the end in view of adoptingit next year. (1995) The Declaration including all 

editorial changes was printed in the Minutes, pages 164, 165. 

At the 1994 Synod this Committee also received a request: 

"to include the Trinity Christian Community Fellowship of Cyprus as the fifth 

church". 

We responded by saying, "We are happy to include the Cyprus Church and have 

forwarded to Cyprus a copy of the attached statement." On May 24, 1995, we 

received a copy of the Declaration of Relationships signed by Paul Burgess, Adam 

Mastris and Ron Stegall, representing the "Trinity Christian Community Fellowship 

of Cyprus". 

In our report to Synod for 1995 (Minutes pp. 126,127) we titledit to the five 

churches, pointed out that the Declaration asit appears now had been edited by 

men in Scotland, Ireland and America, approved by those in Australia who had 

proposed it originally, and is "just an informal Declaration of relationships, not a 

Testimony which would need to be more carefully worded and perhaps even "sent


down in overture." This Synod adopted the edited version of the stat 

relationships. 

The Clerk of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, Mr. 

Andrew Stewart, has told us that their Synod did adopt the Declaration of 

Relationships last year (1996). The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland 

will be considering this Declaration again this year. 

It is important to notice in all this how our relationships and communications 

have developed. The Church in Scotland discovered, to our shame, that they did 

not have a copy of the Testimony and Confession of the North American Church 

(this Committee sent them a copy). They and we, as a committee, have also 

requested and received from the Australian Church a copy of their new 

Constitution, dated 1994. We have discovered that there is no arrangement for 

the regular exchange of published Minutes among our churches. Individuals may 

send or receive Minutes on a personal basis, but there is no plan for regular, 

formal, official exchange of Minutes. Perhaps some of this communication could 

be accomplished by the regular exchange of fraternal delegates. And the R. P. 

Church of Ireland has set an example by making provision for sending a delegate 

to the North American Synod each year. But we have not followed their example 

and none of us have made provision for sending or receiving delegates with the R. 

P. Church of Australia. The Synods of Scotland and Ireland are exchanging 

delegates but so far as your Committee can find there are no plans or 

arrangements between the Scottish and American churches for exchanges of 

delegates. 

Synod's original assignment to this Committee called for two things: 

I. "To draw up a declaration expressing our present relationship." 

2. "To draw up a statement of procedure expressing the regular working out 

of this relationship." 

We trust that the Church in Scotland will adopt either this version or some 

edited version of it which we too can approve. But in any event we should move 

on to the statement of procedure for the regular working out of this relationship. 

We are proposing: 

1. That the Clerks of all five Churches work out plans for the annual exchange 

of one copy of the Printed or Published Minutes and that the Clerk or someone 

whom he appoints, will make a brief review of those Minutes for the Synod each 

year. The single copy would be held by the Clerk but made available to borrow by 

other members of Synod as requested. 

2. That the dates for the annual meetings of the Synods, Presbytery, and Session 

be provided to the Clerks as early in advance as possible in order that Teaching and 

Ruling elders who are traveling for any purpose might be appointed Fraternal 

Delegates and arrange their travels in such a way as to represent us to each other.


3. That financial provision be made for sending delegates not less than on 

every four years toall four of these Churches and that delegate appointments be 

made by the Interchurch Committee beginning in 1998. 

4. That a Committee in each of our five churches review similarities, and 

differences, among these five churches with the goal of open reciprocation among 

the five churches in these areas: 

1. Ordination 

2. Church Membership 

3. Communion 

5. That we encourage the exchange of pulpits and Professorships, and the 

invitation and hosting of members, especially the youth among the five churches. 

6. That the editors of periodicals in the five churches be encouraged to receive, 

circulate and publish news and information from the other churches. 


Roy Blackwood 

Bob McCracken 

The Moderator returned to the Chair. 

The Business of Synod Committee reported back to Synod regarding 

recommendation 3 of the report of the Board to Address Disability 

Concerns. The recommendation, which is to deny the request, was 

adopted. The Chairman of the Business of Synod Committee further 

reported that representatives of the Committee plan to meet with the 

Board to Address Disability Concerns to address funding for that board. 

The report of the Travel Agent, Scott Wilkinson was taken up. He 

reported that the amount of $10,516 was paid out at Synod and 

approximately $13,000 was paid before Synod met through Fair Winds 

Travel Agency, making a total estimated travel cost of $23,516. The 

report was received. 

The time for the afternoon session was extended to complete the 

agenda of Synod. 

The report of the Nominating Committee was taken up, approved and 

is as follows: 

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

Board of Trustees of Synod (Class of '00): Louis Hutmire, Joseph Lamont, 

Bruce Martin 

Board of Pension Trustees (Class of '00): Wayne Duffield (Sp. req.), Brian 

Roulin, Marsha Siebring 

Board of Corporators of Geneva College (Class of '01): William Joseph; (Class 

of '00): Robert Pinkerton 

Board of Home Missions (Class of '00): Keith Magill


Board of Publications and Christian Education (Class of '98): Norman 

Christian Adjemian; (Class of '99): Ingrid Birdsall, Karen Moberg; (Class of '00): 

Don Reed, Calvin Troup 

Board of Foreign Missions (Class of '00): Christopher Wright; Martha 

Hutcheson, Robert Henning 

Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary (Class of '03): John Mitchell, 

Richard Buck 

Permanent Committees: 

Arrangements (Class of '99): Jim Bishop, David Neel 

Business of Synod (Class of '00): Robert Copeland, Drew Gordon 

Finance (Class of '00): Jack Morton, Everett Wood 

Graduate Study Chairman (Class of '00): Jonathan Watt 

interchurch (Class of '00): Aubrey Ayer, Johannes Verlinde 

Joint Commission on Chaplains (Class of '00): Robert Copeland (sp. req.) 

Understanding the Times (Class of '00): Mark England 

Youth Ministry Chariman (Class of '00): Andy McCracken 

Coordinator for International Conference: Cliff Glovier 

International Conference Advisory Committee: Ken Smith, Convenor, Jack 

McCready, Doug Carson, Bob McFarland, Alaistar Graham 

Other Committees 

Psalter Revision: Duncan Lowe, Brian Coombs, Elaine Tweed, Robert Copeland, 

Lori McCracken, Peter Smith, Mike Tabon, Charles McBurney as 1st year 

convenor 

National Reform Association Delegates: David Carson, William Gould, Dan 

Stein 

Revise the Covenant of Church Membership: Ken Smith, Chairman, Bruce 

Backensto, Robert Koch, George Hueber, Christian Adjemian, Andrew Schep 

Revise the Book of Church Discipline - additional member: Robert L. Hemphill 

Revitalize Declining Congregations: Wade Mann (to replace Jim Wright), Jack 

Morton (additional ruling elder) 

Letters of Remembrance 

To: 

From: 

Roy Blackwood 

Keith Magill 

David M. Carson 

Charles McBurney 

Norman M. Carson 

Christian Adjemian 

Joseph M. Caskey 

Keith Black 

R. Wyley Caskey Jerry O'Neill 

Charles Chao 

Sam Boyle 

David Coon 

Bill Edgar 

Philip L. Coon 

Mark England 

E. Clark Copeland Bruce Hemphill 

John O. Edgar 

Bruce Backensto 

Kermit S. Edgar 

Vince Scavo


D. HowardElliott 

Paul Faris 

Robert Fullerton 

Harold Harrington 

Mellville Martin 

Philip Martin 

Toshio Masunaga 

Glen McFarland 

Robert McMillan 

Willard G. McMillan 

Nobuo Miwa 

Kelly Moore 

Timothy Russell 

Sumito Sakai 

Gene Spear 

Charles S. Sterrett 

William J. Sterrett 

Robert Tweed 

S. Bruce Willson 

J. Paul Wilson 

J. Renwick Wright 

James M. Wright 

Jim Pennington 

Robert Schmidtberger 

Robert McCracken 

Glen Chin 

Roy Adams 

Bob Hemphill 

Bob Henning 


Bruce Hemphill 


Charles Leach 

Phil Pockras 

Ken Smith 

John McMillan 

Tom Reid 

Ron Good 


Jim Carson 

Bill Roberts 

Paul Martin 

Andrew Schep 

Ralph Joseph 

The report of the Assistant Clerk on Records of Presbyteries was taken 

up approved and is as follows: 

REPORT ON RECORDS OF PRESBYTERIES 

The Assistant Clerk would respeafully report that the Minutes of all the 

Presbyteries (7 of them) under the care of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church of North America were read and approved. Nothing substantial was found 

contrary to the law and order of the church except some minor matters which 

were indicated to the appropriate presbyteries. Among these minor matters are: 

minutes not signed by either the Moderator and/or the Clerk of the meeting, and 

some spelling or editorial errors. 

One comment that appeared in more than one review report was that in 

recording minutes surnames be included with first names in all minutes. 

However, the Assistant Clerk would record the following comments from those 

who read the respeaive Minutes: 

1. From the committee to read the St. Lawrence Presbytery Minutes: 

"Nothing was found contrary to the law and order of the church. 

However, more details should have been included regarding the resignation of 

the Almonte Session. The lack of detail regarding their voluntary resignation 

leaves open the possibility of a 'creative discharge', or a forced resignation 

under duress. This would, of course, be the equivalent of a trial-less


deposition. More detail would preclude the future possibility of an 

accusation against the Presbytery." 

2. From the Great Lakes - Gulf Minutes: 

"that when edicts and notices of ordination or installation are waived, the 

reasons be clearly stated in the minutes" 

3. From the Midwest Minutes: 

that the contract/arrangement with Steven Work be signed; 

and that the procedure and reasons which permitted Steven Work to 

administer the sacrament of communion be stated as positive statements 

rather than by questions which assume answers. 

4. From the Presbytery of the Alleghenies Minutes: 

that either Drew Gordon's name be added to those present at the Ad 

Interim Commission meeting of June 21, 1995, or the one who was clerk at 

that meeting sign the Minutes; 

that in the January 17, 1997 Minutes, concerning the Anchor R.P. 

Church calling a pastor, it is recorded, "Jim Partridge on behalf of the 

Commission nominated Peter Smith." This is factually accurate but the 

question is raised as to whether our system of church government should call 

for one of the new members of the congregation nominating their own pastor 

instead of the Commission. 

5. from the Minutes of the Japan Presbytery (both the Japanese and English 

versions): 

that a committee be appointed on a yearly basis to meet with a Japan 

Presbytery representative to verbally review the reports on a yearly basis 

during Synod; 

that issues and actions be explained in more detail where that is possible. 

The Minutes of the various Presbyteries shows the blessing of God in a great way 

and praise and thanks are due to Him!! 

Respecfully submitted, 

Raymond E. Morton, Assistant Clerk 

The report of the State of the Church Committee was taken up, 


REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEE 

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, 

Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship 

therein. (Revelation 11:1 KJV) 

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds. 

(Proverbs 27:23 KJV) 

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not 

consumed. (Habakkuk 3:6) 

As leaders of God's flocks responsible to Him for the oversight of the sheep 

whom he purchased with his own blood and entrusted to our care (Acts 20:28) it


is part of our task to seek discernment as to the state of the flocks, so as to be 

enabled to lead them in the right way. We claim no infallible insight. Indeed, we 

find it difficult to know our own hearts, let alone the state of the whole Church. 

However, we are called to judge with righteous judgment and not merely according 

to outward apperance. For... 

The catholick or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the 

whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into 

one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the 

fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Westminster Confession of Faith 

XXV: 1). 

In this State of the Church report we review the facts brought before this Synod 

in the light of our confessional statement as to what the Church is, expressing our 

thanks to God for the good we can see the Lord doing, listing matters for prayer in 

areas of concern which may represent a danger to the health of the church and 

taking note of other items which simply deserve our attention. 

The visible church, which is also catholick or universal under the gospel, 

(not confined to one nation, as before under the law,) consists of all those 

throughout the world that profess the true religion, together with their 

children; and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and 

family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation. 

(Westminster Confession of Faith XXV:2). 

As we consider the state of the Church, we are profoundly grateful to the Living 

Head of the Church for building many New Congregations, opening doors for new 

exploratory works, and for sending many new pastors, elders, deacons and 

member families to unite with our congregations. We are thankful for the many 

covenant children He has entrusted to us. We are humbly reminded of the labors 

of a thousand generations of believers who have preserved the truth of the Gospel 

for this generation. We profess the true religion of Christianity. We pray that the 

new structure and arrangement of the committee of Youth Ministry will assist our 

presbyteries and congregations to ever more effectively raise our Covenant youth 

in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We are thankful for the assistance of 

the Education sc Publication board which continues to provide us with Psalters for 

our Worship of our great God, and which keeps us in touch with one another and 

the church at large through the Covenanter Witness as they also provide other 

materials for our instruction and education. We are thankful for the nearly 150 

years of ministry of Geneva College. We rejoice in recent developments which 

may lead to a Law School on the Campus of Geneva which will hold forth and 

apply the doctrine of the mediatorial kingship of Jesus Christ to the questions of 

law and jurisprudence. 

We also give thanks that we are not all there is to the Church of Jesus Christ, 

and we rejoice in the preservation and promotion of brotherly relations with other 

denominations and we must persist in our prayers for the purity as well as the unity


of the Church. We are thankful for the extensive unity we have with our brethren 

in the American Presbyterian Church and pray that God might open a door soon 

for these brethren to join with us in full organic union. We note with concern 

trends in the Christian Reformed Church, and pray that the Lord would guide 

them back to sounder paths. 

Unto this catholick visible church Christ hath given the ministry, 

oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the 

saints in this life, to the end of the world; and doth by his own presence 

and Spirit, according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto. 

(Westminster Confession of Faith XXV:3) 

We thank the Lord for the work of the Committee to Revise the Directory for 

the Public Worship of God, and we trust that it shall issue in a Directory which will 

assist our churches to bring greater glory to God in His public worship. We thank 

Him for the work of our presbyteries and congregations. We praise him for 

preserving the RP Seminary since 1810 as a sound, orthodox institution of 

Scriptural instruction for men entering the ministry. We thank the Lord that 

through RPTS and Ottawa Theological Hall He is raising up preachers of His word. 

We are thankful for His sending us the students and for providing the finances 

necessary for these works of instruction. We share with the cry of our Japanese 

Presbytery that the Lord would raise up more workers. We pray that the Kobe 

Theological Hall will be an effective means to see new Japanese pastors come 

forward. We pray, "O Lord, Send us Laborers for the Harvest! And give us eyes 

to see the Harvest white before us!" We are thankful for an increasing awareness 

as a denomination of home missions, we are grateful that we are growing in 

confidence to plant new churches and see them come to full stature. 

We note with awe the new congregations, mission churches and exploratory 

works the Lord of the Church has placed among us: Anchor (Adelphi, Md), 

Evansville (Indiana), Hazleton (Penna), Elkhart (Ind.), Iron County (Mich.), 

Wichita (Ks), Christ Our King (Orange, Co., Calif.), Bancroft (Ontario), New 

Hartford (NY), Triangle (Raleigh-Durham, NC), Lansing (Mich), South Hills 

(Pittsburgh, Pa.), Russell (Ontario), Cincinnati (Ohio), Atlanta (Georgia), Syracuse 

(NY). We are thankful for the new ministers and elders who were presented to 

the Synod this year. 

We are also thankful for the progress of our Cyprus sister Church, for Bill and 

Pitsa Sterrett who have gone there to labor in the word at Trinity Community 

Christian Fellowship. At the same time we are concerned that we are at this time 

putting so few missionaries in the Field. We need the Lord's help to keep up the 

work in Japan. We are thankful for those who are on the mission field, and we 

pray that new missionaries would be given us by the Lord of the Harvest. 

We give thanks for Mr. Takiura being present and join in his prayer for the Lord 

to raise up missionaries to go to Japan to finish the work of outreach we began. 

We give thanks for our missionary chaplains serving through the Presbyterian St


Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains being well received by the Armed 

Forces. 

This catholick church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. 

And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less 

pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, 

ordinances administered, and publick worship performed more or less 

purely in them. (Westminster Confession of Faith XXV:4) 

We are moved that the Lord God almighty would save sinners such as us and 

bring us into union with Himself through the election of grace, the proclamation of 

the Word, effectual calling, the sacraments and fellowship of the Church - all 

working together In the mystery of redemption. 

We confess our blindness towards the overwhelming kindness of our Great God 

and Savior, a general dullness towards the things of God, and a tendency to be 

concerned only with the things of this world. As we bewail our thanklessness and 

weakness in Spiritual matters, we yet give thanks for God's provision of a Savior 

from sin, and we seek His strength to enable us to worship and adore Him asis 

fitting for those washed by the blood of the Lamb. What we see in the RPCNA 

today is not a single, monolithic picture, either of a vibrant and healthy church, 

nor of a sick and grossly negligent church, but rather, a number of churches in 

various states of health, some thriving spiritually and in other ways, and some 

congregations sitting under the judgment of Him whose eyes are like a flame of 

fire. We recognize that the task of our Synod is the oversight of the presbyteries 

and congregations which Jesus has called into being within our community of faith 

and discipline. We praise God that he has provided the RPCNA for us as a bond 

of union and accountability. For, we know that we are one with each other in 

Jesus Christ. We confess that we are accountable for one another in God's divine 

covenantal arrangement of the Church. And we are thankful for one another as 

part of our glorious inheritance in the saints in light. We bless God for the Church 

of Jesus Christ and our part together in that Church. 

The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and 

error; and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, 

but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on 

earth to worship God according to his will. (Westminster Confession 

XXV:5) 

Our Synod sees the desire for congregational revitalization as a healthy trend. 

While we seek light as to means and methods which can be employed to strengthen 

our declining congregations, and are grateful for the insights which we can share 

with one another, we appeal to the head of the Church as the only one who can 

give resurrection power to the dead, healing to the sick and strength to the weak. 

We are thankful for the revitalization conference that took place in Bloomington, 

Indiana, and are hopeful that the committee on revitalization will be used of God 

to bring before our churches ever more helpful and challenging matter of


instruction which the congregations and presbyteries will take to heart so as to 

repent where there is sin, learn where there is ignorance, and grow where there is 

yet life and hope. We pray, "Revive us O Lord. O Lord, have mercy upon us!" 

We pray that we may build upon a firm foundation for the future in both old and 

new works. 

There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor 

can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that antichrist, 

that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church 

against Christ, and all that is called God. (Westminster Confession of Faith 

XXV:6) 

Jesus, and He alone, is Lord. We pray that none of us would usurp His 

prerogatives as the divine law-giver, king and judge. We thank the Lord for His 

wonderful provision for our needs in terms of the financial reports which were 

pure joy this year. We pray that the future of the market would not be our 

security, but only Jesus Himself. We remember with gratitude the gracious 

foresight of many in years past who devoted a portion of their estates as bequests 

to the Church, as well as for the gracious giving of the faithful in the congregations. 

Due to these positive developments we are able to speak of our Pension programs 

with thanks to the Lord for the ability to increase the funding of the retirement 

plan so as to better provide for those who have labored in the vineyard in the heat 

of the day. As we look to the future, we also rejoice to remember the past. We 

are grateful that the Lord Jesus Christ raised up the ministry of the RP Home 100 

years ago, and has been pleased to bless the ministry of the RP Women's 

Association. We pray that the Disability Committee will be used to keep us aware 

of those with special needs. We praise God for our brothers and sisters with 

disabilities, and pray that we would learn to be more effective in our ability to 

meet their needs. 

We are thankful to hear that, as other sister churches look upon us, they see a 

community which shows love and concern for one another. We share for our 

common prayer the concern which was expressed in various ways this Synod about 

the potential danger of becoming too top heavy. Yet, we also are thankful that no 

one expressed the sense that this was anyone's intention. 

Concern for justice and the health of the Church led the Judicial Committee, 

and Synod as she deliberated, to come to a decision to send our present vows 

down to the sessions in overture, so as to make them a part of the Constitution 

which cannot be amended by a simple majority vote of Synod. Aspects of this 

issue divide the denomination, yet we are all concerned for the consciences of our 

brethren on both sides of the issue concerning the abstinance requirements of 

query #8. We pray that the Lord will guide the Sessions to adopt the best version 

of Query #8 in this coming year. We also pray that we come to some further 

unity of mind regarding the worship so as to protect the liberty of conscience of all 

worshippers in our churches.


Jesus has given us our task: 

Matthew 28:18-20 18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19. Go ye therefore, 

and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 

Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20. Teaching them to observe all things 

whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even 

unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV) 

We thank the Lord that He always equips his church with the ability to do the 

work he calls us to do. And, we give thanks for our times of prayer together this 

Synod... May they continue through the whole year. 

Ephesians 1:15-23 

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto 

all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my 

prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give 

unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes 

of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his 

calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And 

what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to 

the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised 

him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name 

that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And 

hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to 

the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV) 


Anthony A. Cowley 

Donald Piper 

Ron Good, Chairman 

The report of the Resolution of Thanks Committee was taken up, 


RESOLUTION OF THANKS 

"Praise Jehovah! Praise the Lord! Ye His servants, Praise accord! 

Blessed be Jehovah's Name! Evermore His praise proclaim." 

We servants of the Lord, who serve in "the court of the Lord's house" as the 

167th Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, respond to 

Jehovah's goodness and to His invitation, by praising Him for His willingness to use 

such flawed vessels as we, to glorify His name and extend His Kingdom. 

Praise the Spirit who authored Holy Writ, for the work on the upcoming edition 

of the Japanese version of Psalms for Singing. Praise the God of truth, for positive 

developments with Kobe Theological Seminary, and progress in developing the new 

"Covenanter Center" as a successor to the former Covenanter Bookstore destroyed 

in an earthquake.


Praise the Prince of Peace, that His Spirit permeated Synod's deliberations and 

that no crises arose since Synod in 1995 which required emergency meetings of 

Synod. Praise the Head of the church, that during the past years He caused 

numerical growth, conversions, and sanctification. Praise Him that historic 

congregations arestill bearing fruit in old age, and some are experiencing 

revitalization. Praise Him that congregations are spinning off daughter churches 

across the U.S. and Canada. Praise Him for raising up new church-planting 

pastors. Praise Him for a renewed vision of the entire world under Christ's 

dominion! Praise Him for the Japan Presbytery, its representative's presence in the 

court, and God's extensive work there. 

Praise the Head of the Church that the apparatuses instituted by Synod to 

expedite the works of the church are working smoothly. Praise the Lord for 

leading the Arrangements Committee, Dennis Wing, Jack Latham, David Carson 

and Robert McFarland to provide accommodations that conduce to effeaiveness 

during Synod's labors. Praise the Captain of the host of heaven for providing 

Godly leadership through our Moderator, Rev. Robert McCracken. Praise our 

Lord for the efficient service of Synod's clerks, Revs Bruce Martin and Ray 

Morton, for the helpfulness of the Pages, Jon Maginn and Mark Goerner, and for 

Miss Judy Linheart's consistently-excellent secretarial support. 

Praise the Lord of the Harvest for leading this tiny denomination, through the 

Home and Foreign Mission Boards, into numerical growth and spiritual maturation. 

Praise Him whose purposes stand forever, that young people are being equipped 

for life-times of service through the denomination's institutions of higher 

education. Praise "the orphan's Father, widow's Friend" that, thanks to the 

Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association, our aged saints and young children 

receive ministry through the "Robin's Nest" and the Reformed Presbyterian Home, 

the centennial of which we celebrated. 

Dr. Francis S. Buck, M.D. 

Stanley R. Copeland, Chaplain, USA 

The minutes of the afternoon meeting were read and approved as read. 

In the closing devotional service, Charles McBurney led Synod in 

singing Psalm 31E and Ken Smith led in prayer. Following the singing of 

Psalm 31F, Ken Smith read Acts 6:1-8, and preached God's Word on the 

theme, "The Elder is Committed to Prayer." Synod concluded the 

devotional service singing Psalm 31G. 

Synod adjourned at 3:05 p.m. being led in prayer of adjournment by 

the Moderator and singing Psalm 133A. 

The Moderator announced that Synod stands adjourned to meet again at 

Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, on June 12, 1998, at 7:30 

p.m.


APPENDIX A 

1996 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS 

THE REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK 


Listed below are the denominational statistics compiled from reports submitted by 

the clerks of congregations through their clerks of presbyteries. It is noted that we 

increased by 109 members in 1995. We have had increaases each year since 

1987. 

MEMBERSHIP 

12/31/94 12/31/95 

Communicant Members 4,036 4,123 

Baptized Members 1,665 1,687 

Total Members 5,701 5,810 

Increases: 

113 By baptism 

By profession of faith 

From other R.P. Congregations 

From other denominations 

Other 

Total Increase 

Decreases: 

Deaths 

To other R.P. Congregations 

To other denominations 

Final removal 

Other 

Total Decrease 

Baptized children making public profession 

Congregations 

Mission Churches 

Men under care of presbyteries 

Certified eligible to preach 

Certified eligible to receive a call 

Ruling Elders 

Deacons 

Missionaries 

Sabbath School, aver, attend. 

Sabbath Worship, aver, attend. 

Young People's Society members 

CONGREGATIONS 

136 

118 

125 

101 

24 

504 

37 

119 

135 

124 

46 

461 

47 

70 

9 

19 

5 

6 

298 

225 

7 

3,179 

4,547 

427 

100 

111 

115 

32 

471 

48 

110 

111 

69 

24 

362 

56 

71 

8 

22 

3 

10 

305 

240 

5 

3,252 

4,652 

394


CONGREGATIONAL FINANCES 

12/31/94 

Beginning Balances $ 936,762 

Receipts 5,973,020 

Disbursements: 

Pastors Salaries sc Comp. 2,413,242 

R.P. Mission SC Ministry 267,654 

Other R. P. Works 361,508 

Other 2,843,177 

Total Disbursements 5,885,581 

Ending Balances $1,024,201 

CONGREGATIONS ORGANIZED 

Hazelton, PA 4/1/95 

12/31/95 

$ 1,024,201 

6,008,463 

2,468,819 

269,405 

308,632 

3,031,264 

6,150,120 

882,544 

Presbytery 1993 

Alleghenies 33 

Atlantic 13 

Great Lakes/Gulf 26 

Midwest 33 

Pacific Coast 10 

St. Lawrence 12 

Japan 4 

Totals 131 


Charles Leach, Jr. 

Ronald V. Good 

Andrew Schep 

Bruce Hemphill 


Daniel Kepple 

MINISTERS 

1994 1995 

35 38 

13 10 

26 26 

30 31 

10 10 

13 13 

4 4 

132 132 

MINISTERS ORDAINED SC INSTALLED 

Scott Wilkinson 

Pastors 

15 

6 

16 

14 

5 

8 

3 

62 

Coldenham/Newburgh 

Sharon 

Columbus 

Covenant Fellowship 

i Geneva 

Manchester 

Walton 

MINISTERS RELEASED FROM PASTORAL CHARGE 


Ridgefield Park 

Thomas Houston 

Lancaster 

Kenneth McBurney 

Almonte 

Other 

Church 

Work 

8 

1 

1 

2 

0 

1 

0 

14 

Retired Other 

14 I 

1 2 

2 7 

9 6 

3 2 

1 3 

0 1 

29 22 

10/27/95 

11/8/95 

5/7/95 

6/30/95 

10/4/95 

11/3/95 

7/14/95 

9/3/95 

3/19/95 

9/30/95


MINISTER RELEASED BY DEATH 

Waldo Mitchel 

MINISTERS REMOVED FROM THE ROLL 

Joseph Paul 

George Price 

Brian Randazzo 

DEATHS OF RULING ELDERS 

Charles Millican 

Ray A. Milligan 

Robert Russell 

Dean Hinton 

Michael Campbell 

STATED SUPPLIES 

Milton Harrington 

Steven Work 

CERTIFIED ELIGIBLE TO PREACH 

Aaron Goerner 

Brian Coombs 


CERTIFIED ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A CALL 

Brian Schwertley 

Fikre Menbere 


Brian Coombs 

Aaron Goerner 


Keith Black 

Clifford Glovier 

John Kistler 

Rick Sutton 

THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS 

Keith Black 

Tom Gray 

Joseph Griffo 

Adam Mastris 

Michael Lydon 

Scott Rocca 

Jack Baumgardner 

Rick Sutton 

Fikre Membre 

Cambridge 

Hebron 

Walton 

Los Angeles 

San Diego 

Hetherton 

Quinter 

Alleghenies 

Alleghenies 

Alleghenies 

Alleghenies 

Atlantic 

Atlantic 




6/20/94 

3/19/95 

8/14/95 

12/27/95 

7/4/95



Matt Filbert 

Tom Zasadny 

Bill VanSciver 

Brian Coombs 

Mathew Dyck 

Aaron Goerner 

Mark Goerner 

Mathew Kingwood 

Philip Markert 



Shigeki Komuro 


Kenneth Orr 


ELIGIBLE TO PREACH 



Midwest 

Midwest 

Midwest 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

St. Lawrence 

Japan 

ADDENDA 

Los Angeles 

Christ Our King 

Respeafully submitted, 

Louis D. Hutmire, Stated Clerk 

3/8/96 

3/9/96 

BOARDS OF SYNOD 

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND PUBLICATION 

Once again our praise and thanks go to our sovereign God, who in his mercy 

and love has exercised his providence in our personal lives and in the life and work 

of this board. 

YOUTH MINISTRIES 

Virtually the entire work of Jim Pennington as Co-ordinator of Youth Ministries 

has been devoted to the planning and implementation of the 1996 International 

Conference, to be held on the Calvin College campus, July 26- August 1. 

Beginning January 1, 1996, Jim, in cooperation with the Allegheny congregation, 

assumed an additional quarter time to direa the program coordination of the 

conference. The planning has moved ahead through the first five months of this 

year, but not without difficulties. The securing of staff and the establishing of a 

viable program is never an easy task. Under the policy established by the Board in 

1995 and effected by the statement of philosophy for denominational 

conferences,all staff appointees, speakers, seminar leaders, discussion leaders and 

teachers had to meet with Board approval. Although there occurred some


differences about the precise interpretation of this policy, and despite 

difficulty in fleshingout the program, the Board came to a working agreement 

which has enabled the Program Co-ordinator and his staff by June, 1996, to 

complete virtually the entire conference program. For this we give thanks to God. 

As of June more than 1,000 persons have registered for the conference. From 

October to the present, the Program Co-ordinator has kept the denomination 

informed of the progress being made by means of the Witness and the Conference 

Advance. A matter of some concern-the securing of able and willing counselorshas 

not proven to be an ongoing problem, and for that we rejoice as well. 

We are pleased with the appointment of youth co-editors for the Witness, Maro 

Adjemian and Catherine Magill. Their contribution, as seen in the Witness, gives 

evidence of a wise choice on Jim's part. Furthermore, the youth ministry project, 

"Spring Mission 1996, Washington, D. C, proved to be successful as well. 

In all these matters the work of the Co-ordinator of Youth Ministries, despite 

times of discouragement and frustration, has been exemplary. The Church should 

be aware of how much is demanded of him and how little time has been allotted 

him to accomplish significant goals, particularly in a conference year. 

CROWN AND COVENANT PUBLICATIONS 

The Church's ministry through our publications office continues to give us great 

encouragement. Over 3,500 clothbound psalters (8th ed.) were sold in 1995. 

The Book of Psalms for Singing continues to be our biggest seller. The 1995 

figure represents an increase of about 2,100 psalters over the previous year. The 

sale of the Trinity Psalter numbered 2,200 in 1995 and 820 more by March, 

1996. In addition, to date, more than 500 copies of the blue words-only edition 

have been sold. Currently, the editors are redesigning a Song Leader's edition of 

this psalter. 

Work continues on a number of other projects, including a 12-session series of 

video tapes featuring Dr. Clark Copeland, entitled Revelation as Covenant. A third 

New Song CDis now available. A variety of tapes remain successful sellers. 

COVENANTER WITNESS 

In the fall of 1995 the Board authorized the purchase of the Risograph, a major 

piece of equipment which we felt would enable the publications office to print their 

entire output, with the exception of the Book of Psalms, in house, therefore 

effeaing genuine savings for the office and ultimately, the denomination. The 

Risograph is essentially a "hybrid of a photocopier and an offset press" and 

interfaces with the computer. Calculations showed that the savings made by using 

this equipment, particularly in the printing of the Witness, could pay for the 

Risogaph within fiveyears. Moreover, this calculation did not take into account 

the probable income which could be made from the printing and the sale of other 

materials, normally let out to other printers. Consequently, the Board, in a special 

October meeting, authorized our borrowing $50,000 from Synod's Board of 

Trustees to purchase this equipment.


The Directors of Publication have subsequently reported both positive 

negative results from this purchase. Initially, many of the publications projects 

were "frozen" in place because of the time needed by the staff to learn the 

machine. In some ways the Witness had to be redesigned as well. Although 

"interface bugs" slowed the breaking in period considerably, by March, 1996, the 

situation had improved greatly, and the savings anticipated by the purchase seem 

not to be unrealistic. With every succeeding issue of the Witness some new effect 

of the Risograph may be seen. 

The financial situation in the office continues to be precarious, despite some 

encouraging signs. Witness subscriptions resulted in a record income, as did sales 

from Crown and Covenant Publications. Because of a shortfall in the RPMscM 

giving, however, Synod's grant to our Board was less than expected. Several other 

sources of income were less than normal. 

One major news item should be reported. During a particularly severe cold 

snap this past winter, the office suffered a damaging "flood" raining down from 

above, which resulted in a loss to books, carpet and plaster of above $1,500. 

Providentially, we were spared what could have been a much greater loss. During 

the spring there has occurred a considerable amount of change in the office staff. 

The latest reports show, however, that most of the necessary replacements have 

been made, for which we are grateful. 

In every action the Directors of Publication have attempted to serve the Church 

with zeal and prudence. Theirsis not an easy task. They too, in some respects, 

are undermanned, but thereis much to be encouraged about as we continue to 

advance the witness of the RPCNA, particularly in the use of God's book of praise. 

Norman Carson, Chairman 

THE FOREIGN MISSION BOARD REPORT 

The Lord Jesus commanded His church to disciple the nations. As the For 

Mission Board of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America we are 

pleased to be called to serve the LORD of the Church through this branch of His 

Church in obedience to this command of Jesus. Since Synod met in 1995 and 

heard our last report MUCH has taken place in Japan, our one major field of 

ministry, as well as on the field of Cyprus. We may only praise the LORD that He 

knows what Heis doing to build His Church in His time and through His servants. 

(Some might say the call of Bill Sterrett to Cyprus by the Trinity Community 

Christian Fellowship and his acceptance of the call in March of 1996 can be 

compared to the Great Hinshin earthquake of 1995! Some think the foundation 

of the mission in Japan has been shaken again!) 

While the Foreign Mission Board meets twice a year the work of the Boardis 

not confined to two regular meetings! Executive Director, Bob Henning, is kept 

quite busy handling correspondence, answering questions raised by folks from 

around the world concerning missions, keeping the denomination aware of


developments on the field, and being a missionary's pastor as needed. The Board 

is thankful for Mr. Henning's tireless service rendered to the Lord through his 

position. 

Before taking up the matter of Japan and Cyprus, let's be reminded of others 

who presently are being helped financially and prayerfully as they serve through 

other foreign mission agencies while remaining Reformed Presbyterians. 

1. Jan Buchanan, Mission to the World, Dakar-Fenn, Senegel, West Africa 

2. Donn SC Betty Treese and children, Navigators, South East Asia 

3. Scott sc Anna McCullough and children, Middle East 

4. Cariann Faris, Middle East 

5. Tom sc Jackie Pinson and children, Wycliffe Translators 

Certainly there are many others whom we know who are serving the LORD in 

foreign lands, however, they are not receiving financialaid through the FMB so 

they are not mentioned here. The Board is thankful for the small roll being played 

in the ministries of these folks as they remain members of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America while serving through other mission 

agencies. 

Our primary mission endeavor, Japan, has been quite shaken since the FMB last 

reported. Shirley Wright, Director of the Covenanter Book Store in Kobe, is 

resigning her position in July, 1996. The Board is thankful for the five years of 

faithful service Miss Wright has rendered to the LORD and this ministry. She 

learned the Japanese language so as to communicate with customers and persons 

who eventually became interested in Bible study. The Board is now laboring with 

the Board of Directors of the Book Store seeking the LORD'S replacement for Miss 

Wright. The Church in North America is called to pray that the LORD would 

raise up someone to replace Miss Wright either from among us here or from one 

of the Japanese Reformed Presbyterian congregations. This is especially important 

as funds are being raised to replace the Book Store building as soon as possible. 

Plans are being drawn to replace the destroyed two-story building with a threestory 

building-the Covenanter Center. Along with a Book Store and Director's 

apartment, it is hoped that a conference/meeting floor will be added. The North 

American Church is being challenged to raise up to $250,000 of the 

approximately $500,000 toward the cost of replacing the building lost to the 

earthquake. 

Of the four established Japanese congregations three have teaching elders. 

Higashisuma is shepherded by Pastor Sumito Sakai. He is also, along with the 

session of Higashisuma, responsible for the Church Planting ministry in Hontomon. 

Keiyaku is being served ably by Pastor Shegiru Takiura. Pastor Takiura is also 

moderator of the Japan Presbytery. Mukonoso is being ministered to by Pastor 

Gene Spear. The Lord willing, the Spears plan to retire in 1997, when the Spears 

will have served the LORD for 45 years in Japan. The denomination thanks the 

LORD for the Spears faithful ministry for Jesus Christ over those years.


Kasumigaoka has been without an installed teaching elder for several years. We 

thank the LORD for the faithful shepherding being carried on by the elders of that 

congregation and for the preaching shared by the other teaching elders in the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church in Japan. Kitasuzurandi is the second Church 

Planting ministry going forth in Japan. Pastor Bill Sterrett has been ministering in 

Japan with his wife Pitsa for 23 years. The LORD of the Church has blessed the 

Sterretts' labors over the years and the congregation of the Kitasuzurandi mission 

church has grown to love and respect the Sterretts very much. They spent March 

3, 1996, in prayer and fasting as they joined the Sterretts search for the LORD'S 

will concerning the call Pastor Sterrett received by Trinity Community Christian 

Fellowship of Cyprus to become the teaching elder. On March 4, 1996, the 

Sterretts announced their intention to accept the call and move to Cyprus in the 

Summer of 1997. This will leave the pulpit vacant at Kitasuzurandi. 

With the Sterretts going to Cyprus in the Summer of 1997 and the Spears 

planning to retire in 1997 (after Gene's 70th birthday) the Board is seeking the 

Lord's will with respect to the future ministry of the RPCNA in Japan. 

The need in Japan is very great! There are many hearts for whom the LORD 

JESUS CHRIST shed His blood who have not yet come to receive Him. "How 

shall they hear without someone preaching to them And how shall they preach 

unless they are sent" (Romans 10:14) 

The Board is calling for one or two persons to come forward indicating their 

desire to serve in Japan as a teaching elder who would be able tofill pulpits as 

needed and help teaching in the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary (Kobe 

Theological Hall) which has begun under the oversight of the Japan Presbytery in 

general and the Keiyaku Session in particular. If no one comes forward by the 

close of the International Conference the Board will seek to call at least one 

teaching elder to go to Japan. Since Rev. Spear serves Mukonoso RPC as their 

called Pastor that congregation may call any teaching elder within the RPCNA to 

succeed Pastor Spear. The Board does not believe it should seek a direct 

replacement for Gene Spear for long term ministry. The Board's prayer is that 

men in Japan will be prepared for the teaching eldership, perhaps through KTH, to 

fill the vacancies at Kasumigaoka, Mukonoso (soon), KitaSuzurandi and Hontomon 

(these last two are still mission churches, you recall). 

The Board rejoices that God has raised up an established church in Cyprus 

(TCCF) of a distinctively reformed nature. Furthermore, the Board is thankful for 

the help we have been able to offer this infant church. Andrew Stewart of Ireland 

served six months in Cyprus while John McMillan and Willard McMillan have 

shepherded his congregation in Ireland for three months respectively in Pastor 

Stewart's absence. Others from North America have labored in Cyprus for short 

terms to help Trinity Community Christian Fellowship as they await the Teaching 

Elder, Pastor William Sterrett, they have called. Pray for the Sterretts as they


prepare to move to Cyprus. Uphold the Kita-suzu Mission Church that th 

will hold them together and provide another Under shepherd very soon! 

Annually the Board hears reports of the ministry of the Reformation 

Translation Fellowship. In 1948 with funding from Loraine Boettner, the 

Reformation Translation Fellowship began translating English Reformed Theological 

works into Chinese under the inaugural work of Revs. Samuel E. Boyle, Charles H. 

Chao, and J. G. Vos. Steady progress is being made to consolidate plans for RTF 

to continue its vital ministry as Founder and Translator Rev. Charles H. Chao, 

D.D., turns his administrative duties over to others. Jonathan Chao, Charles and 

Pearl's second son, is gradually assuming administrative responsibilities for RTF. 

Jonathan is known around the world through China Ministries International, a 

ministry he established himself. Phoebe Ma has agreed to help Charles edit his 

manuscripts and prepare them for publication. She will be attending the 

International Conference in Grand Rapids so that those attending may meet her 

and hear her in a workshop. Let's keep Charles in prayer as he continues 

translating and editing materials of a Reformed perspective into the Chinese 

language. Also uphold Phoebe Ma and Jonathan Chao, along with the Board of 

RTF, as they seek to spread the knowledge of the LORD in China. 

The Board enters 1996 with a projected shortfall of upwards to $70,000if the 

LORD does not provide significant changes in the expenses of the Board. 

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CORPORATORS 

JUNE 1996 

The Board of Corporators wishes to acknowledge God's faithfulness and grace 

to Geneva College through another year. We are thankful and rejoice in His 

continuing blessings in thelife ofall who are involved in helping Geneva to achieve 

its mission. 

The Board met forits regular meeting on June 15, 1996 at Geneva College. 

Dr. John H. White, President of the College, presented a report which 

highlighted aaivities of interest to the Corporators. 

The leadership of Mr. James MacDonald has produced some very positive 

changes in the Business Office. He also recognized the excellent work of Mr. Don 

McBurney as Direaor of Human Resource Management. Dr. White stated that all 

of the new non-teaching employees understand our Christian commitment and a 

large percentage of them embrace Christ as their Lord and Saviour. 

The Mission Statement has taken hold and is now the focal point for the entire 

Geneva community. Dr. Minna Weinstein, Vice President of Middle States, in a 

campus visit, complimented Geneva in a thank you note by stating, she had rarely 

seen an institution where the mission is so central to the life of the college. 

Everywhere she went and those she talked to knew and understood the mission and 

had thoroughly assimilatedit into their every activity.


The College has received a commitment letter from Century National Bank for a 

loan of 5.6 million dollars to fund a running track, computer connections and 

telephone upgrade, a new academic building, and the purchase of 38th Street 

School apartment building. Pending Board of Trustees' approval, work could begin 

later this summer. 

The New Era Foundation legal appeal process continues to move along slowly. 

A committee of the Board Of Trustees has worked diligently on minor changes 

to the Foundational Concepts. The Corporators have affirmed these after making 

one additional change. One Corporator registered a dissenting vote. 

Last year the College ended with a balanced budget and is hopeful of a modest 

surplus this year. A new accounting procedure is being required of all colleges and 

universities by 1998 (FAS 117). It requires accounting for depreciation which has 

not been done before. This will provide unique challenges for the future. 

Mr. Tim Russell, Chaplain at the College, gave us an encouraging review of his 

first year. He expressed great excitement with the response of the Geneva 

community and especially the student body toward his new role. Mr. Russell also 

answered questions concerning the school's drama production of Godspell. 

Mr. Cliff Glovier, Director of Donor Development, outlined details of a 20 

million dollar capital campaign which will be announced in the near future. 

The Corporators continue to receive a monthly news report from Dr. White and 

the school newspaper. These give helpful information which keep the Board 

current on things happening at the college. 

A possible Joint Trustee/Corporator Meeting is being considered for the end of 

January. 

The following persons were elected by the Corporators: 

To the Board of Trustees - Class of 2000 

Representing the RPCNA: 

Joseph Lamont, Robert McFarland, 

Kathy Schmidt, Jewel Thompson-Chin 

Ken Orr was elected to fillthe unexpired term of Gayle Copeland. He will 

be Class of 1997. 

Representing the Alumni Association: 

Clarence Farmer 

Nominated by the Trustees: 

Raymond Damadian, George Henning 

To the Board of Corporators - Class of 2000 

Cheryl Hemphill, Herb McCracken, Dennis Wing 

Officers of the Board of Corporators: 

Chairperson 

William Weir 

Vice Chairperson Douglas Carson 

Secretary 

Doug Comin 

Treasurer 

William Joseph


Recommendation: 

1. That the Report of the Board of Trustees be received. 


Robert Baumgartner 

Secretary 

REPORT OF THE GENEVA COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

TO THE BOARD OF CORPORATORS 

May 24, 1996 

At the end of another academic year, the Board of Trustees looks back with a 

sense of humble gratitude for God's faithfulness in providing for Geneva College in 

every way. God has blessed the College richly in terms of its personnel, students, 

their parents, faculty, staff, and administration. He has also provided physical and 

material needs along with the challenges of continuing to use those gifts in ways 

that honor Him in the development of servant leaders. The following report will 

highlight some of the particular ways in which the Lord has blessed during the past 

year. 

ACADEMIC/ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS 

In December, 1995, the College received a letter of commendation from the 

Middle States Association for its Periodic Review Report with no current follow-up 

required. The Administration is already beginning the process of preparing for the 

next full evaluation by Middle States which will take place in 1998, coinciding with 

Geneva's sesquicentennial. 

Earlier in the year, the College officers received word that Geneva's Engineering 

program had received accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering 

and Technology (ABET). 

The first class of the new Master of Science in Organizational Leadership 

program got under way in February. The program, under the leadership of Dr. 

James Dittmar, uses a cohort method similar to the present Degree Completion 

Program. The College is planning to expand the offering of the DCP to the 

Johnstown area. 

The Center for Law and Public Policy has had an active year of student and 

campus-wide programs. Brad Jacob, Director of Operations, has recently been 

elected to the Board of the National Association of Evangelicals. 

During most of its 1995-1996 meetings the Board has worked on a proposed 

editorial revision of the Foundational Concepts. The Board was pleased to come to 

consensus and approve the publication of the revised document at its January 

meeting. None of the doctrinal or philosophical concepts have been changed. An 

example of change would be when the document refers to students and faculty it 

uses the first and third person plural to better reflect the inclusive nature of our 

campus and the larger Kingdom of God.


New faculty appointments for the 1995-1996 year included: Dr. 

as Librarian, Dr. John Stein as Associate Professor of Mathematics and Mr. Gary 

VanderPlaats as Assistant Professor of Accounting. Tenure was granted to Dr. 

Randall Bergen, Mr. Harvey Johnson, Dr. Carol Luce, Dr. David Shaw, and Dr. 

Dean R. Smith. 

Two faculty members are retiring at the end of the academic year. They are 

Mrs. Betty Douglas in Humanities and Dr. Stanley Reyle in Mechanical Engineering. 

Faculty searches are continuing in Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, 

and Psychology. 

BUSINESS/DEVELOPMENT RELATED AREAS 

The operating budget adopted for 1995-1996 showed general fund revenues 

and general fund expenditures of $21,955,000. We expect to end the fiscal year 

with a small surplus as well as to repay some of the past debt to the endowment 

fund. 

To help in the fulfillment of their financial responsibility the Administration and 

Trustees asked Deloitte sc Touche, P.C. to condua a fiscal management review. 

This report was quite extensive and included several recommendations which are 

being implemented. 

The College through CUTS is part of the United Response to New Era a joint 

effort to recover some of the funds placed with New Era. We are continuing to 

pursue maximized recovery with maximized peace among the creditors. 

Campus physical improvements during the past year include new windows and 

new classroom furniture in Old Main, new furniture in Clarke and Pearce Halls, 

and new bleachers in Metheny Field House. Some new parking lots were built and 

other areas were refurbished with new pavement and replacement lighting. 

The administration is continuing to seek a means to make some major capital 

improvements on the campus through both borrowing and fund raising. The 

proposal includes such projects as: a new track, construaion of a new academic 

building and purchase of a new apartment building for graduate student housing. 

Progress on the Route 18 project is slow but is continuing. With the College 

conducting the engineering and environmental work that progress may be sped up. 

Work on the $20,000,000 Capital Campaign, "Keeping Faith with the Future" 

has continued at a somewhat slower pace than originally anticipated, but is now 

ready to begin its public phase. 

The values of the College property and endowment fund are: 

1994 1995 

(Audit of 5/31/94) (Audit of 5/31/95) 

Land $ 1,628,286 $ 1,633,286 

Buildings * 7,233,920 7,250,360 

Furniture and Equipment * 2,397.341 2,101,929 

$11,259,547 $10,985,575


Market Value of Endowment $ 16,063,194 $ 17,306,354 

Endowment held by the Trustees $2,027,131 

of the R. P. Synod as of 12/31/95 

Size of Campus (114 acres) (114 acres) 

* At cost less accumulated depreciation. 

STUDENT RELATED AREAS 

Total on-campus enrollment for the firstsemester of 1995-96 was 1503. Offcampus 

enrollment was 195. During the second semester on-campus enrollment 

was 1465 with off-campus enrollment numbering 171. 

Trustee scholarships were awarded this year to the following students: Christen 

Adels, Hope Dawson, Andrew Gallagher, Traci Keim, Morgan Tait McMillan, 

Jenelle Elizabeth Spear, and Steven C. Wing. 

The College was saddened during the past year by the deaths of three students. 

Matthew Bellows and Janacyn Seltzer were killed in an automobile accident 

between semesters, and Mark Odum died in February. Appropriate memorial 

services were conduaed for each of these students. 

Charges to resident students in the 1996-1997 academic year have been set at 

$5,350 per semester for tuition and $350 per credit hour. Room charges will be 

$1,100 per semester and Board $1,200. 

The 1996 Commencement exercises were held on Saturday, May 11, 1996 in 

Metheny Field House with the commencement address being given by Dr. William 

Pannell, Professor of Preaching and Praaical Theology and Dean of Chapel at Fuller 

Theological Seminary. Baccalaureate services were held on Friday evening, May 

10, with Saleem Ghubril, Executive Direaor of The Pittsburgh Projea, being the 

speaker. 489 candidates were awarded degrees. Of these, 166 were from the 

Degree Completion Program and 60 from CUTS, awarded at a separate ceremony 

in Philadelphia. 458 received bachelor's degrees, 18 received associate degrees, 26 

received the MA in Professional Psychology, and 2 received the MA in Higher 

Education. In addition the following honorary degrees were conferred: 

Dr. John H. Gerstner, Doaor of Literature (Awarded in Johnstown on March 

17 one week before his death.) 

Miss Rachel George, Doaor of Literature 

Dr. William E. Pannell, Doaor of Christian Service 

BOARD RELATED AREAS 

Board officers for 1995-1996 have been Joseph Lamont, Chairman, Bruce 

Stewart, Vice-Chairrnan, and Joyce Lynn, Secretary. Meetings of the Board were 

held on October 26 and 27, 1995, January 25 and 26, 1996, and April 25 and 

26, 1996. New trustees joining the Board in Oaober were Barry Rosales, Bonnie 

Weir, and Dennis Wing. Many Board members continue to serve the College in 

extensive ways beyond their investment in regular and special meetings. 

Officers for the coming year, to take effect in October 1996 are:

f 64 


Chairman Joseph Lamont 

Vice-Chairman Thomas Fisher 

Secretary 

Kenneth Smith 

The terms of the following trustees expire this year and their successors should be 

chosen: 

Representing the Church: Roy Blackwood, Joseph Lamont, William Martin 

and Edmund Schisler. (Also Gayle Copeland 

who resigned in January.) 

Representing the Alumni: Clarence Farmer 

Trustee Nominated: Raymond Damadian and George Henning. 

(Also Yvonne Allison who resigned in January.) 

REPORT OF THE HOME MISSION BOARD 


Joseph Lamont, Chairman 

Joyce Lynn, Secretary 

Synod's Charge to the Home Mission Board 

In order to contribute to the denominational priority of developing "healthy, 

growing, multiplying congregations", the specific assignment given to the Board of 

Home Missions by the Synod is: 

to facilitate the establishment of new RPCNA congregations in 

North America 

by providing Counsel, Encouragement, Resources and Training 

to its Presbyteries. 

In addition, the Synod has charged the Home Mission Board with the 

responsibility: 

to help develop the outworking of Biblical evangelism in the life of the church. 

The HMB has diligently gone about its work this year principally through the 

work of representatives from each of the 6 Presbyteries with the very important 

help of Mrs. Eileen Falk of the Women's Synodical and ex-officio member 

Treasurer Louis Hutmire. 

Current Presbytery Representatives are: 

Allegheny Dean Smith 

Atlantic 

Richard Weir 

Great Lakes-Gulf Keith Magill 

Midwest Mark England 

Pacific Coast Tim McCracken 

St Lawrence John McGrath 

Present Situation as of April 1996 

No new mission churches have been organized in the last twelve months nor 

have any mission churches become fully organized congregations. In looking back


over the last six years it seems that there was a "wave" of men who bec 

available for new ministry. We then went through a period of training and 

assimilation of these men and the new works they were leading. 

Now Christ is again answering our prayers for laborers to expand the witness to 

"Christ's Crown and Covenant" across our nation. In these events He keeps. 

reminding us that HE is, in fact, the "Lord of the Harvest". 

Orange, CA - John McFarland has been called, ordained as a Teaching Elder 

and appointed as Organizing Pastor/Church Planter to this new work. 

Lansing, Ml - Licentiate Brian Schwertley moved to Lansing last September and 

has undertaken the work of church planting under the direction of the 

Southfield session. He was elected and installed as a Ruling Elder by the 

Southfield congregation. The Presbytery continues to anticipate his 

ordination as a Teaching Elder later this year. 

Iron River, Ml - The Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery received Rev. Roger Adams 

of Iron River, Ml as a Teaching Elder in February of this year. Since the 

fall of 1995 Roger has been actively ministering as a bi-vocational church 

planter in Iron County, Ml located in the western part of Michigan's 

Upper Peninsula. A groupis worshipping each Lord's Day and reaching 

out with the gospel in their area. This workis under the direction of the 

Southfield, Ml Session andis in the process of applying for HMB aid. 

Elkhart, IN - Licentiate Fik Menbereis providing front-line leadership to several 

families who are forming into a committed core group in this highly 

industrialized northern Indiana community near South Bend. The Elkhart 

Commission of the Presbytery anticipates organizing it as a Mission 

Church later in the summer. 

Wichita, KS - The Wichita Commission is actively searching for an Organizing 

Pastor/Church Planter to lead the core group which is now worshipping 

three Lord's Days a month in this city. 

Utica, NY ~ Licentiate Aaron Goerner begins an internship under the Oswego 

Session this summer with the principal assignment being to develop a 

core group in his home town of New Hartford, a Utica suburb. A Bible 

study conduaed this past winter had sufficient fruit to warrant this new 

thrust. 

Aid Completed 

Westminster Fellowship of Prairie View, IL (formerly Vernon Hills, IL) 

completed its reducing aid program at the end of 1995. We give praise to God 

for this ministry which began from the "stump" of the Chicago RPC (Job 14:7, 

14), one "seed" family and organizing pastor Harry Metzger. Today, itis a 

growing work with their own building, a second group of ruling elders who were 

raised up locally (the founding ruling elders were "seed families" sent out from 

other congregations) and with their first "seed family" sent out to start another


new work (Licentiate and Ruling Elder Fik and Ritva Menbere sent to Elkhart, IN) 

For a fuller report, please see the January 1996 issue of the Covenanter Witness. 

Goals for 1995-2000 

8 New Mission Churches by 2000 

comprised of at least: 

1 new mission church in each Presbytery 

4 new mission churches which are daughter congregations 

1 Ethnic (cross-cultural) mission church 

The Synod of 1995 adopted this numerical goal for Home Missions for the 

remainder of this decade with an emphasis on "daughtering" new works. Our 

hopes are to have at least one new work in each Presbytery, to have at least four of 

the new works be daughtered by a parent congregation and to have at least one of 

the new works be predominantly cross-cultural. 

If all of the ministries listed above were to be blessed and prospered by our 

Lord, seven of these eight projected new works are already within view! 

In addition to the goal of more mission churches, we will continue our emphasis 

on evangelism and strengthening newer congregations - that is, those who are 

receiving aid through the HMB. Our desire is to be: 

Helping Presbyteries Plant and Multiply Congregations 

"Daughtering" 

In the past twenty years at least seven existing congregations have daughtered a 

new work in a nearby area. This means they have nurtured, trained and sent out 

some of their own members to be the founding laborers in a new ministry. There 

are more than a dozen existing congregations who could possibly daughter a new 

work in the next fiveto seven years. 

To get this emphasis underway, the HMB will be presenting a workshop at 

RPInternational 96 on "Daughtering a New Ministry". Special invitations will be 

sent to congregations who may be able to daughter a new work, urging them to 

send their pastor and ruling elders to this workshop at the conference. The 

workshop is open to any and all who are interested in this subjea. 

Evangelism Explosion 

Trainees from White Lake, NY, Lisbon, NY and Second Indianapolis have been 

given scholarships to attend EE training in the last year. As a result, at Second 

Indianapolis, one sixteen week training session has been completed by 9 people 

and a second sixteen week training is now underway with 12 people participating. 

Teams are going out almost every week to share the gospel with a variety of 

contacts. 

In Lisbon, NY, Pastor Wade Mann reports that 

"Evangelism Explosion was the stimulus I needed to more 

faithfully and effectively accomplish the task of equipping the 

saints in evangelism....We have witnessed professions of faith by


two couples....Most significantly, we have seen the Lord work 

through the prayers of His people. Once a month the EE team 

goes out while the congregation in the prayer meeting offers 

petitions on our behalf. Each of the two couples' professions 

took place on such evenings and were the fruit of cold calls in 

questionnaire evangelism." 

Pastor Dave Coon reported his fivedays of training at the EE clinic as "the week 

that changed my life". 

The HMB continues to urge congregations to send their leaders to an EE clinic. 

Scholarship funds are available. Contaa your Presbytery representative for 

information and an application form. 

Church Planter/Organizing Pastor Training 

After evaluating the needs of our organizing pastors and the resources of the 

Board, we decided to do this year's training in conjunction with RPInternational 

96. Ongoing training for our established church plantersis very important, and 

initial training for new church planters is absolutely essential. The Board remains 

committed to helping Presbyteries provide this training. Please pray that the Lord 

of the harvest will direa us in how best to do this training in 1997. 

Helping One Another 

"...there are many members but one body..." (I Corinthians 12:20) 

One of the encouraging developments this past year is that Presbyteries are 

beginning to serve one another. For example, the HMB Representative from 

Allegheny Presbytery was asked by Atlantic Presbytery to spend a weekend visiting 

one of their struggling new ministries to help evaluate the situation and make 

recommendations for improving that ministry. Midwest Presbytery requested that 

a team from Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery come to visit one of its potential new 

works to evaluate the situation and make recommendations. This has taken place 

and proved to be helpful. Midwest also asked Great Lakes-Gulf to help them train 

one of their newer church planters by having him visit several of their new 

ministries to learn how they approach church planting. In the process, a Great 

Lakes-Gulf pastor will assist Communion at the Midwest's new work to better 

prepare for the church planter's training experience. 

In addition, at every HMB meeting the Presbytery representatives share insights 

and give counsel to one another in a very stimulating and encouraging way. 

Finances 

The Board has become more adept at projeaing its financialcondition in future 

years. This is critical to its ministry because when a new workis approved for aid, 

the Board makes a commitment for as much as seven years and often for a total 

cost of $90-100,000. Therefore, we must have some idea of how this will work 

out.


For the first time in recent years, the Board is projecting a deficit positi 

future years. Due to the dramatic reduction in RPMscM grants in 1996 and 

1997, coupled with the rapid expansion of possible new ministries, we are 

projecting that all of the HMB funds will be exhausted before the end of 1998. 

Because of this, one aid request had to be delayed by about one year and another 

potential aid request was told that if they actually applied they could not be helped 

for several years. 

We know that "what God orders, He pays for" (Matthew 28:18, 20b) and that 

He will "supply our needs according to His riches in glory" (Phillipians 4:19) and 

that "we walk by faith and not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7). With these promises 

and His clear instruction to "disciple all the nations", we will continue to press 

ahead. 

The Board thankfully received the firstcontribution from the J.D. Edgar 

Memorial Fund which will become part of the Board's endowment. 

Time to Plant Fund 

In light of this situation, we urge congregations and individuals to continue 

giving to the Time to Plant Fund. These "above and beyond RPMscM" 

contributions are essential for the work to go forward. 

Publicity 

This past year we published in the Covenanter Witness (July/August 1995) an 

explanation of the general process of church planting which the Board is 

promoting. We hope to put this in pamphlet form for use by Presbyteries. In 

many locations this material is presented to a potential core group of people as 

they consider whatit means for them to be involved in a new ministry. 

We want to pay special tribute to Mrs. Eileen Falk, a very faithful member of 

the HMB for the past six years. She has coordinated the publication of over 40 

pages of articles in the Covenanter Witness which have wonderfully highlighted the 

work of our Lord in new ministries. She has diligently contaaed by phone all of 

our organizing pastors/church planters regularly to gather prayer requests for the 

Witness' Prayer Calendar. And she has developed the HMB's mobile display which 

many have seen across the church. She and her family have been members of two 

new works over the years - Hays, KS, and Kokomo, IN ~ which has given her a 

deep commitment to new ministries that is reflected in her keen service through 

the HMB. We will greatly miss her work and fellowship as she "retires" due to 

Synod's two term rule. As Eileen's replacement, the Synod has eleaed Marcia 

Elliott to serve on the Board beginning this summer. 

Our Greatest Need 

Where there is no vision, the people perish. 

Proverbs 29:18 

In recent years we have seen a greater vision for outreach, evangelism and 

disciple-making that is bringing renewal, growth and multiplication to this branch of


Christ's Church. We desire every local congregation to become 

carrying out this vision of "preaching the Gospel to every creature" and "discipling 

all the nations". 

Continue to pray for qualified men for the great harvest in which we are 

involved. Truly "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few". 

Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send workers into His 

harvest. 

Matthew 9:38 

REPORT OF THE PENSION TRUSTEES 

The Board of the Pension Trustees have met twice since the last meeting of 

Synod on September 22-23, 1995 and on April 26-27, 1996. The September 

meeting was held at the Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, Prairie View, 

III and the April meeting was held at Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA. 

The officers of the Board, eleaed at the spring meeting, are as follows: Bruce 

Lundeen, Chairman; Everett Wood, Vice Chairman; A. Wayne Duffield, Secretary, 

and Treasurer, Louis D. Hutmire. 

All correspondence should be mailed to the Secretary of the Board, A. Wayne 

Duffield, POB 373, New Alexandria, PA 15670. He may be reached by calling 

(412) 668-7506, by e-mail using the address wduffiel@westol.com or by fax at 

(412)668-7252. 

REPORTING 

The Board wants to remind the clerks of presbyteries and/or clerks of ad interim 

commissions of the importance of informing the Secretary of the Pension Trustees 

of actions taken by the presbyteries relative to licensures, ordinations, installations, 

and any other changes from active to inactive service. This information is needed 

for insurance and/or pension purposes. 

CONTRIBUTIONS 

The 1995 Synod adopted the recommendation of the Board that Plan B 

continue to be upgraded by having employers (as defined by Plan B) contribute a 

minimum contribution rate of $2,000 for each participant in 1996 and $2,100 in 

1997. These amounts should be forwarded by the congregational or presbytery 

treasurers to the denominational treasurer in quarterly payments, and will be 

credited to the respective participant's account. It is noted that in 1995 sixteen 

(16) employers contributed more than the minimum contribution. All employers, 

including boards of the church, are encouraged to contribute over the minimum. 

It may be observed in this connection that there is some concern about the 

yearly increase of the employers contribution with respect to the ability of 

congregations to pay this amount. However, the Board believes that it will be 

necessary to continue to increase this amount by at least $100 per year to 

adequately provide for the participants in Pension Plan B. This is necessary,if for


no other reason, to deal with the problem of the increased cost of living. The 

Board will continue to evaluate the appropriateness of the current funding levels to 

determine if these levels meet the objectives of the program. 

ASSESSMENTS 

The 1995 Synod adopted the recommendation of the Board that 

congregational/presbytery treasurers forward $16.00 per communicant member, 

based on their communicant membership as of the 31st day of December, 1995 

to the denominational treasurer's office. The same amount was approved for 

1997, based on the communicant membership as of the 31st day of December, 

1996. These funds are to be paid in quarterly installments. They are credited to 

the Current Account of the Pension Trustees and used to fund the expenses as 

shown in the Treasurer's report. 

BENEFITS 

As of January 1, 1996, pensions for Plan A Participants (those over 54 years of 

age on January 1, 1974) are being paid to thirteen (13) couples and twelve (12) 

individuals. Couples receiving a full pension are receiving $360.00 per month and 

individuals are receiving $300.00 per month. In 1995, $100,400.00 was paid 

out and it is estimated that $93,300.00 will be paid out in 1996. 

In light of the financialsituation at the 1995 meeting of Synod, the Board did 

not recommend an increase for the participants in Plan A for either 1996 or 

1997. However, the Board is continuing the Plan A Supplement Program, which 

is providing some additional funds for Plan A participants. A bulletin insert was 

sent out to all the congregations in 1995 urging congregations and individuals to 

contribute to the Pension Plan A Supplement Fund. In 1995, $16,590.35 was 

received in response to this program. Each year the response to this program has 

increased. These funds were distributed proportionately according to the 

pensioners payment. Of the above amount, $15,168.95 was distributed in 

1995. At the writing of this report, $2,430.00 has been received for the 

Supplement Fund and $3,401.97 has been distributed thus far in 1996. Any 

additional funds received for this program will also be distributed proportionately 

in 1996. The Board plans on sending out another appeal for funds for this 

program this year. Congregations will be receiving a letter explaining this program, 

bulletin inserts, and the Board hopes to promote this program through the 

Covenanter Witness. Congregations are encouraged to include the Supplement 

Program in their annual budgets. The good response to this program is encouraging 

and it is hoped that even more congregations, individuals, and groups may become 

involved. 

Under Plan B, annuities are purchased for individuals as they retire, from which 

participants receive monthly checks from the insurance company involved. In 

1995 three (3) annuities were purchased for a total of $195,598 and one annuity 

has been purchased to date in 1996. As of December 31, 1995 Pension Plan B


Securities totaled $2,518,992. Financial reports for Plan B are included in 

Treasurer's report. 

FUNDING THE PENSION PROGRAMS 

A study prepared for the Pension Board in 1992 indicated that a yearly 

contribution of approximately $50,000 would be needed for 15 years to Plan A 

to maintain the current payments to Plan A participants. It should also be noted 

that funding for the Pension Programs of the denomination now comes from four 

sources: 1) employer contributions to Plan B, 2) congregational assessments, 3) 

unrestricted undesignated funds, and 4) gifts designated for the Plan A Supplement 

Program. 

Due to the need to fund the unfunded liability of Pension Plan A, the 1995 

Synod granted the Pension Trustees $50,000 from the unrestricted undesignated 

funds of Synod for the funding of Plan A for 1996 and again for 1997. 

The latest actuarial study of Pension Plan A, done in 1992, indicated at that 

time that there was an unfunded liability of $454,000. If the Board were to 

continue to fund Plan A at a level of $50,000 per year,it is projeaed that over 

$76,000 would be needed in 1998. In order to address this problem, the Board 

decided to transfer an additional $10,000 per year from its Current Account in 

1995, 1996, and 1997 to Pension Plan A. This means that with the above 

funding of Synod and with the additional funds from the Current Account of the 

Board a total of $60,000 will be applied to the unfunded liability of pension Plan 

A in 1996 and 1997, as was done in 1995. Projections show thatif $60,000 

per year is added to Plan A it will be funded by the year 2000. 

HEALTH INSURANCE 

Health insurance is also part of the work of the Pension Trustees. As reported 

in 1995, the present state and future of the denominational health insurance 

program is a matter of some concern. A number of persons, in excess of 25%, 

are not enrolled in the program with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This makes an 

already small group even smaller as more people are obtaining health coverage 

elsewhere. This trend could jeopardize the whole program. Additionally, the cost 

of our present program continues to increase at a very significant rate. Notification 

was recently received that there will be a 6% increase this year. Consequently, 

the Board is in the process of looking at alternative programs. The Board has 

reviewed information from five (5) health care providers and has heard a 

presentation from Christian Brotherhood. However,it did not seem that any of 

these providers could adequately meet our needs. The possible use of certain 

HMO's, especially in the Pittsburgh area, has also been discussed. The Board is 

continuing to explore alternative health care coverage programs. 

SOCIAL SECURITY 

It has come to the attention of the Board that a number of people have opted 

out of Social Security. It should be understood that the pension plan cannot


adequately provide for a young family without the help of Social Security. Person 

who opt out of Social Security will need to purchase adequate insurance coverage 

to provide for their family to supplement the benefits paid by the Pension Plan. 

SECTION 107 

The Pension Trustees have designated 100% of the pension received by 

ordained elders as a Secion 107 exclusion for appurtenances, housing, utilities, 

etc., under the Internal Revenue Code. 

As stated in previous reports of the Pension Trustees, the Board is again 

recommending to congregations, presbyteries, and boards of the church, that for 

teaching elders who are required to file income taxes to the Internal Revenue 

Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and who are participants in Plan B, 

up to 60% of their compensation be set aside as a Section 107 exclusion for 

appurtenances, housing, utilities, etc., under Section 107 of the Internal Revenue 

Code. 

TAX-SHELTERED ACCOUNTS 

In 1994 the Pension Trustees adopted the resolution "that the Board authorize 

employees to participate in tax sheltered accounts as permitted under Section 

403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code" (Pension Trustee Minutes, May 6, 1994, 

P. 3). 

Persons are eligible for this program if they are an employee of a qualified 

employer, as defined by the IRS in Section 501(c)(3), such as a church, a religious 

organization, a private school, college or university, or a charitable institution. 

Persons are advised to consider this program if they wish to pay less income tax, 

need to increase disposable income, are in a dual income family, are currently 

investing with after tax dollars, or need to save for retirement. 

This program is not part of the Pension Program of the denomination as such, 

but is set up as an additional option for participants. Interested persons should 

contact Brian L. Roulin, 125 Bungalow Terrace, Syracuse, NY 13207-1101. 

Telephone: (315) 479-7339 (H); (315) 448-8304 (O); (315) 441-8765 

(Fax). 

SEVERANCE PAY PROGRAM 

Presbyteries and ad interim commissions are reminded thatit is the policy of the 

Pension Board to pay an allowance toward a three (3) month severance 

compensation for teaching elders who are participants in the Pension Plan of 

Synod. Certain eligibility requirements must be met for teaching elders to qualify 

for this program. Provided that one does qualify, as determined by the Pension 

Board, funding for this program should be by congregation, presbytery, and the 

Pension Trustees in that order. This means that the Pension Tustees will only be 

responsible for a maximum of one-third of the total of the three-month severance 

pay package. Please see the 1991 Minutes of Synod, pp. 23-25, for the details of 

this program.


MOVING ALLOWANCE PROGRAM 

The Pension Trustees have been authorized to pay an allowance toward the 

Once-ln-A-Lifetime moving allowance, as specified in the statement of this 

program. The amount that will be paid will be an allowance equal to 50% of the 

moving expense, up to a maximum pay out of $2,000. Please see the 1991 

Minutes of Synod, pp. 25-27 and the 1993 Minutes of Synod, p. 58, for the 

details of this program. 

INVESTMENTS 

The Plan B investments as of December 31, 1995, were as follows: 

Common Stock 

U.S. Gov't. Obligations 

Bank Money Market 

Non-Gov't. Obligations 

$ 

1994 1995 

$ 712,533 

821,836 

152,531 

365,675 

2,052,575 

$ 904,430 

542,552 

566,215 

505,795 

$ 2,518,992 

The earnings distributed for Plan B at the end of 1995 was 19.7355%. It may 

also be noted that since 1985 there has been an average gain of 9.07%. 

The Board at its April meeting took action, after a long process of hearing from 

a number of investment management and custodian services, to transfer the 

invested pension funds of Plan B from the United Missouri Bank to Smith Barney, 

Inc. This transfer is scheduled to be completed by July 1, 1996. This action was 

due to a number of factors, including changes in the structure of the Board, what 

seemed to be a lack of responsiveness from UMB, the need to have a little more 

aggressive investment strategy, and a general sense that a greater rate of return and 

other options were available elswhere. The Board was also impressed with whatit 

heard from Smith Barney concerning socially conscious investing and was assured 

that this would not be a problem with respect to the rate of return. It may also be 

noted that Smith Barney has an office in Pittsburgh, PA which should facilitate 

more direct and personal communication. As is implied above, the Board is 

seeking to develop a more productive investment policy and asset allocation 

strategy. 

PENSION PLAN DOCUMENT 

The Board is in the process of updating the pension plan document to comply 

with recent changes in the applicable federal tax laws related to the plan. The 

changes that need to be made at this point are relatively minor and are being 

drafted by Mr. Thomas C. Graves of Morrison and Hecker. He will also be 

submitting all the necessary forms to facilitate these changes. 

It may be noted in this connection that the Board is working on updating the 

booklet that summarizes the Pension Program. This work is scheduled to be


completed sometime in June. It should be available from the Board lat 

summer. 


Don Lamont 

Bruce Lundeen, Chairman 

Dean O'Neill 

Brian Roulin 

Donald R. McBurney 

Everett Wood 

Wayne Duffield, Secretary 

Louis D. Hutmire, Treasurer 

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 

The Trustees reorganized into the following committees to which members are 

appointed by the Board President: the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, 

the Business Affairs Committee, the Development Committee, and the Nominating 

Committee. The Trustees also appointed an Executive Committee to carry out the 

instructions of the Board in interim periods and to make emergency decisions 

subject to the Board's approval at its next meeting. The following reportis 

organized along the lines of the new committee structure. 

Academic Affairs 

The seminary trustees adopted the following mission statement and 

understandings at the April 1996 meeting. The faculty adopted this statement at 

its February meeting. We plan to always keep the Understandings with the more 

general mission statement in order to give everyone interested a clear sense of who 

we are and what we are doing. 

Mission Statement of The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary 

The mission of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary is to train 

pastors for the ministry of the Gospel and to prepare other disciples of Christ for 

effective service in His Kingdom. 

Understandings 

1. The founding purpose of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary 

was to train pastors for the Gospel ministry within the sponsoring denomination. 

This fundamental purpose remains unchanged as we enter the twenty-first century. 

2. As God has provided opportunity, the mission of the Seminary has expanded 

to include the training of men and women from many Reformed and evangelical 

churches for a variety of ministries including missions, Christian education, youth 

and campus work, and other specialized fieldsof service.


3. Our instruction is guided by the theology and practice of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America, a denomination which wholeheartedly 

embraces the historic Reformed faith while stressing Christ's Kingship over every 

area of life. 

4. Our training emphasizes scholarship in Biblical studies, systematic theology, 

and church history; the cultivation of personal godliness and Interpersonal skills; 

and the development of spiritual gifts with a vision for discipling the nations of the 

world. 

5. Our educational setting is a multicultural urban environment which provides 

both challenges and opportunities for ministry. Because the redemptive grace of 

God is the basis for ultimate answers to the personal and interpersonal problems 

around us, our ministry presents a message of reconciliation to God and to one 

another through the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Two faithful faculty members, Bill Russell and Rachel George, are retiring this 

year. They will be greatly missed. Both do their jobs very well and are highly 

respected by the students. There was a recognition dinner for them at Geneva 

College on Friday, April 26, 1996. 

Mr. Tom Reid has located a house in Pittsburgh and began his responsibilities 

June 1, 1996. He will serve as Registrar and Librarian. Also, we have a gifted staff 

person, Karen Pie, to help in the library. 

Church history courses for the 1996-97 year have been assigned to capable 

instruaors. Jonathan Watt will teach Medieval and Patristic History, Wayne Spear 

will teach History of the Reformation, and Tom Reid will teach The Church in 

Modern Times. In the providence of God, these courses perfectly fiteach man's 

area of expertise. Bruce Backensto has agreed to teach Apologetics to free Dr. 

Spear to teach the church history class. 

The ATS, Association of Theological Schools, visitation, originally scheduled 

for the spring of 1997, has been pushed back to the fall of 1997, at the request 

of President O'Neill. This was done because of the change in leadership and to 

enable Tom Reid to be well established before such a visit. Dr. Wayne Spear will 

lead our process of self-study. Tom Reid will do much of the writing of the actual 

report. 

A major project of the Board and the Seminary administration is the 

development of a comprehensive plan for evaluation of all parties of the Seminary, 

including the Board itself, the administration, the faculty, staff and students. 

In faculty matters, we are happy to report that Mr. Duncan Lowe gave an oral 

defense of his dissertation at Westminster Seminary on March 27, 1996. Plans are 

being made to give Dr. Wayne Spear a short sabbatical, financespermitting. Dr. 

Ed Robson continues his work with computers in both research and teaching. 

At its April meeting, the Trustees approved in principle a proposed D.Min. to 

be offered at RPTS, with the degree being granted by Westminster Theological


Seminary. The proposal was forwarded to Westminster Seminary for con 

of their Board of Trustees. 

Business Affairs 

We regret that 1995 was another year of deficit spending. Happily the deficit, 

despite the expenses incurred with the changeover of administrations, was less than 

in 1994, down from $78,000 to $36,000. To help with finances the Trustees 

approved a 7% increase in tuition for the 1996-97 school year. In addition, we 

also voted to charge full-time students next year for 12 hours, not 10. These 

tuition changes bring us more in line with what we should be charging as a fully 

accredited institution. Room and board charges are also being raised to reflect 

more fully the actual cost of housing and feeding students. 

President O'Neill has given attention to accounts receivable this year and 

outstanding loans to Reformed Presbyterian students. Some of these are 15 years 

old. President O'Neill has negotiated some accounts receivable, forgiven some, 

and pushed for payment on some. 

For the longer term the Seminary would like to begin planning to increase the 

size ofits endowment. However, balancing the budget has immediate priority. 

Nominating 

After 12 years of faithful service, Pastor Jim Wright rotates off the Board. We 

will miss this fellow laborer but know the Lord has other things for Jim to do. We 

thank Jim for his service and look forward to his continued support of the work of 

RPTS. Rich Johnston, a friend and colleague from Indianapolis, replaces Jim on the 

Board. Rich's enthusiasm for the training of men will be an encouragement to us 

all. 

Development 

Dr. Stewart has agreed to serve as our Director of Development. The title he is 

using in approaching churches and corporationsis President-Emeritus and Direaor 

of Development. He spends approximately one day each week working on this 

assignment and is especially seeking to cultivate church giving, both inside and 

outside the Reformed Presbyterian Church. President O'Neill has also been active 

in representing the Seminary in many parts of the country, at RP churches and also 

at colleges such as Geneva, Covenant and Grove City. He has twice been 

interviewed on a Pittsburgh radio station about the Seminary. 

One of the highlights of this year was the presence on campus in January of 

three leaders from the Korean Revived Presbyterian Theological Seminary 

(KRPTS).It was a pleasure to host them, and they went home with a very positive 

impression of RPTS. Since KRPTSis an undergraduate institution, we hope to have 

the opportunity to train a few of their students after they finishtheir studies in 

Seoul. Dr. Stewart spent the last week of February in Korea speaking in two of 

their churches and also speaking at their seminary.


We have a large number of potential new students. We need to t 

students into applicants. We are optimistic that we will have a good number of new 

students in the fall. This optimism Is based on the following facts: 1) God is 

blessing us in many ways, and thereis a great deal of enthusiasm for what we are 

doing, 2) we have a large pool of prospective students, and 3) ATS accreditation 

should make us far more attractive to prospective students. 

We have 25 full-time students with a total of 80-100 students receiving training 

each year. Even though the seminary began the 1995-96 school year with fewer 

students than the previous year, there were 17 more students enrolled in the 

spring term of 1996 than that of 1995, 61 as compared with 44. We pray that 

this trend of increased enrollment will continue. 

1996 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF SYNOD 


Executive Committee, 

Bill Edgar, Chairman 

Don Piper 

The Trustees of Synod held three regular meetings since the last meeting of 

Synod. The Winter meeting was held by telephone conference call on March 2, 

1996 in order to cut down on travel time and expenses. 

The members of the Board are: 

Class of 1997: Paul Finley, Louis D. Hutmire, Joseph Lamont 

1998: Sam Chestnut, Steve McMahan, Dennis Olson 

1999: Stuart Schmidt, Jay Worsham, John P. Edgar 

The officers are Paul Finley, President and Louis Hutmire, Secretary-Treasurer. 

Bob Hemphill was our vice president but he has rotated off the Board so we will 

not have a vice president until new officers are elected at the Fall meeting. We 

have appreciated Bob's years of service on the Board. 

Financial 

The financial records of the Trustees of Synod for the calendar year 1995 were 

audited by Dale R. Hartzel C.P.A. This report will be sent to Synod's Finance 

Committee for their information and will be distributed to the 1997 Synod next 

year. 

Again this year the Treasurer's Reportis printed in the Digest of Reports. 

Investments 

The Trustees of Synod invest the endowment funds of boards, Geneva College, 

R.P. Woman's Association, funds owned by congregations but invested with the 

Trustees of Synod, annuity funds and other miscellaneous funds. These funds are 

invested in a pool of stocks and bonds using Paine Webber as our investment 

advisor and broker. We also had $1,518,915 invested in mortgages as of 

12/31/95.


In 1995 we made loans to the Multiracial Congregation, Jerry O 

Schep, Lafayette Congregation, and the Board of Education sc Publications. These 

loans totaled $344,210. A loan has been approved for the Topeka Congregation 

but the funds have not been needed yet. 

From these investments, we distribute for spending that portion of realized gains 

that when added to the actual dividends and interest results in an income 

distribution of 6% of the average market value of the pooled invested funds for 

the previous twelve quarters. This is a net figure after the Unallocated 

Denominational Office Expense is deducted. The following chart shows the 

distribution for the past three years: 

Actual Div. sc Int. Income 

Average Unit Value 

Amount to distribute (6%) 

Annual Realized gains 

Amt. gains needed (line 3-1) 

Balance (+/-) to Fund Balance 

1993 1994 1995 

373,709 

11.076 

520,037 

113,143 

146,328 

-33,185 

317,438 

10.9008 

509,696 

204,824 

192,258 

12,566 

317,323 

12.6136 

513,474 

290,700 

196,151 

94,549 

Note that while the actual income (line 1) went down during the three year 

period the actual amount distributed (line 3) stayed about the same. To do this 

more of the realized gains had to be declared as dividends and distributed as 

income (as allowed by Pennsylvania law). The boards continue to get their income 

but there is less growth in the funds thus reducing the future buying power, 

effectively reducing the endowment. The policy of distributing 6% is reviewed 

annually by the Trustees. 

Building Loan Fund 

The financialreport for the Building Loan Fund, which included the Sale of 

Church Properties account is included in the Treasurer's Report. The Building 

Loan Fund ended 1995 with $741,239 invested in mortgages which included five 

new loans. We had $227,211 cash available and $5,687 from the income of the 

Superior-Beulah Church building. The Property should be sold in 1996 and the 

income will be distributed (50% to the Kingdom Builder's Fund and 50% to the 

Building Loan Fund). 

John McFarland is now on site in Orange County, California, so the funds held 

for this new work are being used by the Pacific Coast Presbytery to support it. 

RPMscM 

In 1994 Synod set the RPMscM goal for 1995 at $320,000. $298,506.52 

was received so each department received a little more than 93% of their 

budgeted amount. The same goal of $320,000 has been set for 1996.


The bequests received in 1995 are: 

FMB: Margaret Redpath $ 1,432.82 

Anna M. Johnston 1,503.93 

James Beatty 23,730.24 

Sem: Margaret Redpath 1,432.83 

Sarah Stewart 12,196.76 

Eleanor Wilson 12,447.55 

Undes: CJS MacLaughlin 112,724.57 

The $112,724.57 of the MacLaughlin Fund is Unrestricted Undesignated but 

the distribution was determined by Synod as follows: 

Geneva College 50,000.00 

Pension Board (for Plan "A") 56,362.28 

R.P. Woman's Association 6,362.29 

One annuity was distributed in 1995 which went to the Seminary from Fred 

Millican for $10,000. 

Office Budget 

The Unallocated Denominational Office financialreport, including budgets, is 

printed in the Treasurer's Report. 

Insurance 

The Trustees continue to carry a small accident insurance policy on delegates to 

Synod, presbyteries and Boards and committees of Synod. In an international 

conference year, it also covers those traveling to the conference. This policy 

covers anyone injured while traveling on church business, and is not fully covered 

by their own insurance. For further information, please contact the 

Denominational Treasurer. 

The Trustees also have insurance on the Seminary property and the 

Denominational Office building which includes an umbrella liability policy. 

Health insurance is now the responsibility of the Pension Trustees. 

REPORTS OF PRESBYTERIES - 1996 

REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY OF THE ALLEGHENIES 


The Presbytery of the Alleghenies would respectfully report that we have 14 

congregations under our care. We are thankful to God that all have settled 

pastors, that the gospel is being proclaimed and that our Sovereign God is saving 

and building up His people. Three installations took place this past year. Pastor 

Bruce Hemphill was installed in the Covenant Fellowship congregation on June 30,


1995. Pastor Bruce Backensto was installed in the Geneva congregation on 

October 4, 1995 and Pastor Dan Kepple was installed in the Manchester 

congregation on November 3, 1995. The presbytery would covet your prayers 

on behalf of all our congregations, but especially these three with their newly 

settled pastors. 

The Presbytery has four special concerns within our bounds. 

1. First Beaver Falls petitioned the presbytery to designate it a "Special 

Outreach Effort" of the Presbytery. Mr. Keith Black has been called by the 

Geneva Congregation as part of this effort. Itis expected that He will be installed 

July 18th, 1996. 

2 sc 3. The presbytery would continue to seek the prayers of God's people on 

behalf of the Anchor and Trinity congregations in the Washington, D.C. area. The 

core group of each is seeking the blessing of God to build them up and add to 

their number those the Lord would have them minister to. 

4. The South Hills area of Pittsburgh is an area that the Pittsburgh 

congregations are exploring as a possibility for establishing a new work. 

We have two theological students under our care. Both Mr. Tom Gray and Mr. 

Joe Griffo are completing their final year at the Seminary. Mr. Gray is in the 

midst of his Licensure exams and hopes to complete these by the spring. Mr. 

Griffo was just taken under the care of presbytery this past spring, after completing 

two years at R.P.T.S. While Joeis well known to the Seminary community heis 

relatively new to the presbytery as a whole. He will be caretaker at the Seminary 

for the coming year while completing his studies and taking his Licensure exams. 

Two of our men, Pastor John McMillan and Pastor Willard McMillan, supplied 

the pulpit of the Glenmanus (Portrush) Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland, 

thus enabling their pastor, Andrew Stewart of the Reformed Presbyterian Church 

of Ireland, to serve in the Trinity congregation in Cyprus. One of our members 

Pastor William Sterrett has indicated his acceptance of the Trinity (Cyprus) 

Congregation's call to serve as their pastor. Pastor Sterrett plans to move to 

Cyprus in the summer of 1997. Please pray for him during this transition. Kelly 

Moore continues to serve as a Chaplain with the U.S. Army and is currently 

serving in Panama. 

Since the last meeting of the Synod we have had 2 regular meetings in the fall 

and spring. Our next scheduled meeting is to be held at the R.P. Home on 

November 8 and 9th. 

Due to the international Conference there will not be a presbytery family camp 

at Laurelville this year. 

Our representative to the Geneva College Board of Corporators is Al Miller. 

Our representative to the Home Mission Board is Dean Smith. 


Robert Schmidtberger, Clerk


REPORT OF ATLANTIC PRESBYTERY 

The Atlantic Presbytery has met twice in the past year: on June 17, 1995 in 

Beaver Falls, PA during Synod's annual meeting and again on April 4-5, 1996 at 

Broomall, PA. 

We are thankful to our Almighty and Everlasting Father for sustaining our six 

established congregations and three mission churches over the past year. 

Five of our six established congregations receive pastoral care from their own 

teaching elders: Broomall, PA; Cambridge, MA; Coldenham-Newburgh, NY; 

Elkins Park, PA; and White Lake, NY. Our Ridgefield Park, NJ congregationis 

without a pastor. Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church, a mission church in 

Middletown, NY, receives pastoral care from Rev. Leverne Rosenberger, church 

planter. Our mission churches in Hazleton and Lancaster, PA are without pastoral 

leadership except for that provided by their temporary governing bodies. 

The Broomall congregation receives the pastoral ministry of Dr. William Edgar. 

His sound preaching and teaching are continual encouragement to the 

congregation. The congregation is also encouraged by the number of adherents 

who attend regularly. We hope to see many come to full membership. The 

congregation is blessed with the many children that God has entrusted to us, and 

we continually pray for their growth in grace and faith in Christ. Broomall 

continues its close liaison with the Lancaster outreach work in supplying preaching 

and support families. Broomall looks forward to the April 13, 1996 

congregational meeting for the election of elders and deacons, and looks for God's 

guidance in that important meeting. 

The Cambridge congregation receives the pastoral ministry of Mr. James Kern. 

The congregation celebratedits centennial during the first week in July. Dr. Bruce 

Stewart, who began his ministry here, preached at the observance and on the 

following Lord's Day. Many former members and brethren from sister 

congregations came for the celebration or sent greetings and added much to the 

event. The congregation is grateful toall those who worked hard to make the 

centennial an enjoyable time of thanksgiving to God and fellowship with one 

another. We are also thankful for new members and adherents who have come 

into our midst over the last year. However, the congregation has been discouraged 

by difficulties with some members who have abruptly left the church in a manner 

inconsistent with their membership vows. We continue to seek God's grace in 

advancing the work of His Kingdom as we enter our next century of ministry. 

The Coldenham-Newburgh congregation welcomed Mr. Charles Leach asits 

pastor on October 27, 1995. The congregation looks forward to growth in unity, 

developing effeaive ministry to the community this year. Concerns about 

members negligent in attendance, outreach, and financialobligations require 

constant prayer. 

The Elkins Park congregation receives the pastoral ministry of Mr. Tony Cowley. 

The ministry of the Gospel continues faithfully as well as outreach to the north of

f 82 


the Philadelphia region. An area Bible study in the home of a new member 

as well as a new outreach to Swedenborgians is most encouraging to the 

congregation. While the congregation prays for new elders, the congregationis 

expectant for God's blessing and encouraged by the fellowship of the saints. 

The Grace (Middletown, NY) mission church is under the care of the 

Middletown Commission and church planter Mr. Leverne Rosenberger. Worship 

services have been carried on regularly since July 1994. Currently six families are 

committed to establish a Reformed Presbyterian Church in Middletown. Visiting 

families who are considering uniting with us number three or four. We are eager 

to organize as soon as the Lord brings in a few more families. Please pray that a 

family who can sing will unite with us. 

The Hazleton Area mission church is without a church planter. Preachingis 

shared between Mr. Tony Olivieri and Mr. Jonathan Leach, members of the 

Hazleton Commission. They have begun observing the Lord's Supper quarterly 

and meeting midweek twice a month for instruaion and prayer. They are 

beginning to look for quarters that allow a wider range of activities than the single 

room in which they have been meeting. The 16 communicant and eight baptized 

members regularly are joined by several other adherents. 

The Lancaster mission churchis under the oversight of its temporary governing 

body consisting of Anthony Cowley (moderator). Marshall Smith, and David 

Ashleigh (clerk). The regular weekly worship of God has continued. Communion 

was observed three times. God has blessed the congregation through the 

preaching ofBill Cornell and others. The spirit of unity and mutual concern has 

increased, and membership has grown from six to 19. A close relationship with 

the Broomall Reformed Presbyterian Church continues. The mission church plans 

to make a pastoral call in the near future. 

The Ridgefield Park congregation has been without a pastor since September 

1995. 

The White Lake congregation receives the pastoral ministry of Mr. David Coon. 

The Lord blessed the congregation in various ways in 1995: 1) through the 

vehicle of Evangelism Explosion, God led people to positions of greater 

responsibility as well as bringing many people to faith in Christ and follow-up; 2) 

various programs of the church were strengthened - like Church School and 

Pioneer Club; 3) our ministry at a drug rehabilitation facility was blessed through 

on-site Bible studies and a good group participating in the life of the congregation; 

4) improvement to the physical facilities - a ramp to the auditorium and new sign. 

The Atlantic Presbytery maintains the credentials of four teaching elders who 

currently are not serving as pastors of congregations: 

1. Philip Coon is retired from pastoral ministry and lives in Gettysburg, PA; 

2. William Cornell serves as a ruling elder on the Broomall RPC session and 

preaches occasionally for congregations in the presbytery. He also assists in a 

ministry to fellow professional truck drivers.


3. Thomas Houston teaches high school Spanish in the Lancaster 

supports the mission church there, and preaches occasionally. 

4. Jonathan Leach serves as Chaplaincy Program Director at White Haven 

Center, a residential care facility serving over 350 Pennsylvanians with mental 

retardation. The Center is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Public 

Welfare. He also serves as chaplain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 

and as a ruling elder on the temporary governing body of the Hazleton Area 

mission church. 

The following men are students of theology under care of Atlantic Presbytery: 

1. Mr. Michael Lydon (Broomall RPC); 

2. Mr. Scott Rocca (Lancaster RPC mission church). 

Atlantic Presbytery maintains fraternal relations with our brethren the elders of 

the American Presbyterian Church. 

Presbytery's Family Camp held at White Lake in conjunction with the St. 

Lawrence Presbytery features Dr. Richard Ganz speaking on the topic of "Take 

Hold of Your Life: Lessons from the Psalms." It will be held August 9-17, 1996. 

Officers of Atlantic Presbytery are Dr. William Edgar, Moderator; Mr. Charles 

Leach, Clerk; and Mr. Glen Chin, Treasurer. The Cambridge session serves as Ad 

Interim Commission. Our corrected roster is in the hands of Synod's Clerk. Our 

membership is accounted for and travel assessment paid in full. 

Rejoice with us, brethren, that the Lord Jesus Christ is reigning in the affairs of 

men and nations for the covenant blessing of His church! 

Respeafully Submitted, 

Jonathan B. Leach, Clerk, Atlantic Presbytery 

REPORT OF GREAT LAKES-GULF PRESBYTERY 

"The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless "us"; he will bless the house of 

Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the 

Lord,"both" small and great." (Ps 115.12-13) This is the testimony of the Word 

of God, and we in the Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery have much experience of God's 

blessing through this past year. With the Psalmist at the opening of Psalm 115 we 

say, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy 

mercy, and for thy truth's sake." (Ps 115.1) 

The mission church, Evansville RPC in Evansville, IN, has had a very trying year. 

Many of you have kept current with the deep afflictions they have borne. One 

family mourned the loss of an infant daughter. The minister's wife has carried the 

burden of two benign, yet dangerously located, brain tumors. These hardships 

have sapped some of the energy of this promising little group, yet not all. They 

continue to grow in numbers and spirituality. They hope soon to begin elder 

orientation classes and, if the Lord is pleased, to be a fully organized congregation 

by the end of this year. Presbytery is excited that there are works in different 

degrees of development and exploration in Iron River and Lansing, Ml, Elkhart,


IN, and Columbus, OH. We continue to pray for new work in Ocoee and 

Okaloosa Co., FL. The two Michigan groups have men currently working on site. 

Lie. Brian Schwertley and Elder John McCarthy are at Lansing, and the Rev. Roger 

Adamsis at Iron River. 

Again there have been few changes in personnel in the past year. After 

examination, we received the Rev. Roger Adams as a member of Presbytery. He 

had held ministerial credentials in the Independent Fundamentalist Churches of 

America. The Rev. Thomas Reid, who currently serves a Free Church of Scotland 

congregation in Edmonton, AB, while retaining his and his family's membership at 

Multiracial, will soon be moving to Pittsburgh to take up his new dutes as Librarian 

and Registrar at the Seminary. We were privileged to have the Rev. Prof. W. 

Norris S. Wilson in our midst for several months. Rev. Wilsonis the pastor of the 

Dervock congregation of our Irish Synod and the Old Testament professor at the 

Reformed Theological College in Belfast. He and the Rev. Philip Pockras of Belle 

Center exchanged pulpits for the summer, to the benefit of all parties. We 

appointed Rev. Pockras as our fraternal delegate to the Northern Presbytery of the 

RPCI. Lie. John McFarland was called as the church planter in Orange County, 

CA, and we sent his credentials to Pacific Coast Presbytery. We anticipate hearing 

good things from there. 

Our membership statistics have been generally good. We record numerical 

growth for another year, by the grace of our God. The net total increase for the 

Presbytery comes to 86. Church attendanceis up by 44, Sabbath Schoolis up by 

25, but CYPU membership is down, showing a decrease of 25. On the other 

hand, we have a new active college and career work in the Presbytery that involves 

about 35 young adults in their early to mid 20s. Generally, we believe that these 

show continued committment of our people. Of our growth, 31 were by baptism 

and 29 by profession of faith. Further, 15 of our baptized members personally 

professed faith in the Savior. We seem, too, to see a greater influx of Christians 

from other denominations. The net gain in this category was 30. 

Finances this year were mixed. Most categories were up. This included gifts to 

RP M et M, although "Other RP Work" was down slightly. "Other Income" was 

down substantially, as several congregations transferred funds for the remodelling, 

expansion, construction or purchase of meeting places. We mention with concern 

that the finances of several congregations are either precarious or soon will be. 

Please pray with us that the God Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills will 

continue to provide for the fiscal needs ofall our churches. 

Two congregations are currently vacant: Hetherton and Oakdale. The Rev. 

Milton Harrington continues to serve as Stated Supply at Hetherton, while Oakdale 

enjoysits arrangement with the Rev. Raymond Morton. Due to growth, Columbus 

congregationisstill seeking a new building. Southside Indianapolis will soon begin 

construction on greatly expanded facilities, and West Lafayette has finallyfound a


building in Lafayette. Construction has progressed far on 2nd Indianapoli 

structure. 

Belle Center saw closer fellowship, new adherents, and property improvements 

over the past year, although there was a diminished roll. They rejoice in two 

weddings since last year, and a new covenant child this past spring. The 

congregation is getting younger! Please pray for many more encouragements. 

Their financialsituation is not comfortable for them right now. Bloomington's 

revitalization efforts continue to bring good results. Further, their prayers for 

resident ruling elders have been answered. 

Please pray for the new diaconal training program. Columbus elected additional 

leadership to help them in claiming their area for King Jesus. They are enjoying 

their relationship with their new minister and continuing to see growth. Hetherton 

continues to hold on. They have a huge potential for witness in their area. Besides 

much tourism, people are building houses in the countryside around. They had a 

very encouraging visitation this past year. Lafayette has obtained a building in 

Lafayette, which explains their change of name. We give thanks to God for this 

favor He has given them. Their university ministry to Purdue studentsis reviving 

nicely, even though they are on the other side of the Tippecanoe River. Their Jail 

ministry continues to grow, and their young people's group is thriving. Multiracial 

continues to grow. Their new building has already helped in their labors for the 

Lord. They are quite grateful to our God for delivering them and their property 

during last summer and fall's very active hurricane season. They ask for prayer for 

their new small-group evangelism efforts, their new young people's group, a 

planned pastoral counselling institute, and a Tutorial Academy for Excellence. All 

of these are hoped for evangelistic opportunities. 

Oakdale's members continue strongly committed to the work of our church, as 

witnessed by their maintained high giving. Still, they need the prayers of the 

church for their revitalization. They share some of the same demographic 

problems that Sparta does, with growing unemployment and a shrinking 

population. Orlando has recast their CE efforts. They continue their outreach to 

young families through their Mothers of Preschoolers program. They celebrated 

their 75th anniversary this year. Please continue to pray for their missionary work 

in Ocoee, a northwest suburb of Orlando, and for wise ways to deal with pastoral 

concerns within the congregation. 2nd Indianapolis saw God's blessings in many 

ways. Their building program has advanced well. A number of new members 

have come to them from other denominations because of their desire for Scriptural 

worship. They have begun a new counseling ministry. Please pray that their 

evangelism efforts will increase. Selma received excellent nation wide publicity 

through the Associated Press this past winter. This benefited several other 

congregations besides them. They have a new flierwhich they are distributing to 

local motels, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Selma Welcome Center. 

Southfield continues to experience God's gracious hand. Again, the degree of


computer expertise there has produced what may be the first World Wide We 

homepage of any congregation in the denomination. Anyone, around the world, 

can access the Reformed Witness Pageif they have a Web browser. The URLis 

http://www.reformed.com. It gives a full listing of all churches in our Synod, and 

offers literature for downloading. In this, Southfield has shown leadership that can 

be followed by other congregations. They have begun more organized work in the 

Lansing area. As mentioned, they have onsite leadership. As well, they now have 

a meeting place, a television show on the local access cable channel, and they have 

begun worship services. Further, the Iron County Reformed Fellowship, 'way up in 

the Upper Peninsula',is sponsored by Southfield. Several families are regularly 

meeting together there. Southside Indianapolis' evangelism program has seen some 

success. They are needing much more room, which is why they are expanding 

their building. They have begun a new Junior High ministry, and have appointed 

elder John Hanson as their Coordinator of Youth Ministries. Many of their young 

people were able to participate in summer mission trips. Sparta has some smallgroup 

Bible studies now going, and believes that they may be beginning to see 

some fruit from their seed planting. Their money is getting tight, though. 

Sycamore continues to grow. They continue an active evangelism program, and are 

developing quite a mercy ministry in their area. They have further developed work 

at the local Indiana University branch, and have been aaive in helping with mission 

developments in the Elkhart/Goshen, IN, area. Westminster is retrenching this 

year. They lost around 40 members, mostly due to job transfers, but the Lordis 

rebuilding them quickly. The Lord is building the Session, too, for which we give 

thanks. 

Strong interest continues in the seminary level training that has been offered in 

the Indianapolis area. Many Reformed Presbyterians have eagely participated as 

students. The anticipated emphasis in the coming few years will be Church 

History, from the Primitive, Medieval, and Reformation eras to the present. 

Our Young People's work continues under the direaion of Richard Johnston, 

John Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. James Long, and the presbyterial CYPU staff. We 

plan on no Presbytery conference this year, with the running of the International 

Conference at Calvin this year. 

Presbytery has met once since the last meeting of Synod, on 22-24 February at 

Columbus, IN. This was our stated "Spring" meeting. It was generally a very 

encouraging and loving time. 

Dear brethren, we again implore your prayers for us. As we often sing in Psalm 

122, "Pray, then, for the peace of Salem. May they prosper who love you! Be 

there peace within your walls." Pray that we will remain true to our professions, 

our Covenants, to the Covenant of Grace, and to the Head of the Covenant, the 

King of Zion and King of Kings, the only Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Respectfully submitted for the Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery, 

Phil Pockras, Assistant Clerk of Presbytery


REPORT OF THE JAPAN PRESBYTERY 


We greet you In the name of our One Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We rejoice 

that we are able to report to you for the first time as the Japan Presbytery of the 

Reformed Presbyterian Church. 

The Japan Presbytery held six regular meetings during the past year and several 

special sessions to deal with crucial matters. An Ad Interim Commission was 

formed which has dealt with the organization of the new presbytery. 

A document declaring the formation of the Japan Presbytery has been prepared 

to be distributed to the congregations, as well as to other Kobe churches and 

denominations with which we have fraternal relations. 

The Japan Presbytery consists of four organized congregations: Higashi Suma 

pastored by Sumito Sakai; Okamoto Keiyaku pastored by Shigeru Takiura; 

Mukonoso pastored by Gene Spear; and Kasumigaoka which is currently without a 

pastor. There are also two mission stations: Hontamon pastored by Sumito Sakai 

under the Higashi Suma Session; and Kita Suzurandai pastored by Bill Sterrett. 

Lie. Shigeki Komuro has gone to Korea for study and his work at Inano was 

closed at the end of 1995. He was examined for eligibility to receive a call, but 

the examination was not sustained. 

Pastor Nobuo Miwa has continued to do independent evangelistic work in 

Korea. He is still a member of the Japan Presbytery, but his work is not officially 

under the Presbytery. Support from Japan is through private voluntary 

contributions. 

Pastor Gene Spear's membership credentials have been transferred from the 

Midwest Presbytery to the Japan Presbytery. 

Pastor Sterrett was in the process of transferring his membership from 

Presbytery of the Alleghenies when he received a pastoral call from the Trinity 

Christian Community Fellowship in Cyprus. The transfer was postponed to 

expedite the processing of the call which he has accepted to begin as pastor of 

TCCF from September 1997. 

At the time of this report, the Presbytery is in the process of a Church Court 

Trial against Samuel Youn, former pastor of Kasumigaoka Church. 

At the beginning of this year Elder Yoshio Nitta of Higashi Suma Church retired 

after more than thirty years of aaive service. He had been Higashi Suma's regular 

delegate to the Japan Commission and Presbytery and had served as treasurer for 

many years. The Presbytery gives thanks to God for the faithfulness of Elder Nitta. 

We are thankful for the Lord's provision of ruling elders. During the past year, 

Yoichiro Fukuya and Kazuo Ishii were ordained and installed as ruling elders at 

Mukonoso and Higashi Suma respeaively. 

Mukonoso congregation has purchased the house with its enlarged worship 

room for their church center from the Foreign Mission Board.


In April 1996, the house which had been rented for the Hontamo 

Station became unavailable, and worship services are currently being held at a local 

coffee shop. 

In the fall of 1995, Pastor Takiura was the delegate to synod of the Reformed 

Church of Japan. He gave greetings and reported on the formation of the Japan 

Presbytery. Pastor Takiura also had the opportunity to visit the U.S. and attend 

the fall meeting of the Board of Foreign Missions. 

The Psalm committee continues to make progress in preparing new Psalms in 

Japanese for singing. In the spring of this year a Psalter supplement containing 

fifty-two new Psalm selections was published for trial use in the congregations. 

The Covenanter Bookstore Board of Directors is continuing to formulate plans 

for the rebuilding of the Bookstore as the "Covenanter Center Building." Funds 

are being solicited from our own denomination in Japan, from other churches in 

Japan, and from our churches in the U.S. 

Under the direction of Pastor Takiura, a new center has been started with the 

goal of preparing men to preach the word of God. In April 1996, the Kobe 

Theological Hall was begun at Okamoto Keiyaku Church on an experimental basis. 

Currently there are four students enrolled in courses, however there are presently 

no prospective candidates for the ministry. Pastors Takiura, Sakai, Spear, and 

Sterrett are sharing teaching responsibilities, and occasional lectures are to be given 

by Japan Reformed Church pastors. Courses are being offered in Practical 

Theology, Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Greek, and Church History. 

We ask you to pray for this effort to be used by the Lord to continue to provide 

for the regular preaching of the Word. 

The Presbytery was also responsible for the oversight of the following activities: 

1. The annual Young People's Conference was held August 14-16, 1995, 

at Ayabe. Dr. Richard Ganz was the main speaker on the theme of Personal 

Evangelism. 

2. The annual Fall Church Conference was held on September 23, 1995, at 

Shiawase no Mura. Pastor Toshio Masunaga spoke on the theme of Being 

Reformed Presbyterian. 

3. The Life of Christ in the Psalms was sung at the annual Psalm Program on 

December 23, 1995 at the Hyogo Kyoiku Kaikan. 

4. The Young People's prayer fellowship has continued on the first Lord's 

Day of every month. 

5. The Japan Presbytery continues to participate in the support of the 

Reformation Translation Fellowship. 

Officers of Presbytery for 1996 are: 

Moderator: Shigeru Takiura 

Treasurer: Shozo Hagiwara 

Clerks: Sumito Sakai and William Sterrett 


William ]. Sterrett, Clerk


REPORT OF MIDWEST PRESBYTERY 


There have been several changes in the Presbytery since ourlast report which 

reminds us that God is faithful through all seasons of life. You can read about each 

congregation below but there are several things you should note especially for 

praise and prayer. 

Greg SC Jan Adams continue as Youth Sponsors in the Presbytery for which we 

are very thankful. They have given significant time, encouragement, and 

organization to the Young People in their spiritual growth. Along with summer 

camp, the Young People also have a Retreat every other month for instruction, 

training and fellowship. 

Speaking of camps, there are usually three camps to choose from across the 

Presbytery. Because of the International Conference this summer, there will be 

only one. The Horse Creek Conference is to be held June 24-28 in northeast 

Kansas. Next year both Crooked Creek Conference in eastern lowa, and Horn 

Creek Conference in Colorado will be held. Horn Creek is scheduled to be held 

August 9-16, 1997. 

Last summer brought the opportunity for a Mexico Project which included 14 

high school age youth and 6 college age and adult leaders. They helped the 

missionaries of the ARP in Rio Verde, Mexico with their children's clubs as well as 

a street ministry in one of the town squares. In addition, the Project had their own 

program of Bible study, small group sessions and large group meetings. Four small 

groups met daily for study, sharing and fellowship while the large group sessions at 

night covered topics such as Evangelism, Personal Devotions, Lordship of Christ, 

Responsibility of Youth in the Church and being a Missionary in Your Vocation. 

They also stopped off in Stillwater, OK to practice what they had learned and to 

see how they can be involved in their home churches. 

The Presbytery continues to have three theological students under the care of 

presbytery. Tom Zasadny is studying at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis and was 

approved by Presbytery as Eligible to Preach. Matt Filbert has completed his first 

year at RPTS. Bill Van Sciver continues under the direction of the Presbytery and is 

seeking God's direction concerning the Gospel Ministry. We thank God for the 

progress these men have made. 

Stan Copeland has been transferred to Fort Leavenworth which is within striking 

distance to the Winchester congregation. Praise God for faithful students of the 

word such as Stan in our Armed Services as they show our nation's defenders the 

way of truth and life. 

We are saddened by the death of Ray Milligan, a faithful servant of God's 

kingdom and of the Hebron Session. 

Now the reports from the congregations. 

The Aurora Congregation after carefully weighing their opportunities and 

concerns, was closed on June 1, 1996. There are hopes of a new work beginning


in the Aurora/Denver area in the near future. Bill Van Sciver continues with a 

Bible Study in the hopes of seeing a new nucleus of a church develop. 

Christ Covenant Church (Lawrence) appreciates the ministry of the Jarrows as 

they serve the congregation as youth directors, encouraging the parents to train 

their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. As a congregation they 

desire to reach out into the community but are confronted by the general busyness 

of not only society but of their members. Pray with them as they seek to 

emphasize time for church fellowship and outreach. 

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Clarinda, lowa is thankful to Robert 

LaMay for his service to their congregation and are sad to see him move on in 

April 1996. He has taken a position as Direaor of Personnel for Presbyterian 

Evangelistic Fellowship in Atlanta, GA. With the pulpit vacant they start the 

process of seeking a pastor to serve as their under-shepherd. 

The Denison Congregation reports the following: 1) Give thanks for 125 years 

in their community, 2) Pray for health concerns of members, several of which 

were treated for cancer, 3) Pray for the economic needs of members in farming, 

4) Pray for outreach and additional families to become a part of the congregation. 

The Greeley congregation gives thanks to God for the two young couples who 

sought out employment in their community after graduating from Geneva College. 

They are also encouraged by the visitors who are showing some interest in the 

church and the gospel. 

The Hebron Congregation continues to minister in a small town in north central 

Kansas, about 35 miles from Kansas State University. During the past year, the 

Lord took Elder Emeritus Ray Milligan to Himself. He had lived a good long life, 

was a faithful example to many and served 12 years as a deacon before serving 44 

years as an elder. The Congregation is also grateful for young people who are 

showing great interest in the work of God's Kingdom. The pastor began work in 

January in a Doctor of Ministry program at Westminster Theological Seminary in 

California. The Rick Baybutt family continues to host Bible studies in Manhattan. 

The Midland Mission Church reports that they are starting to increase in 

numbers and develop leadership. Their goal is to become a particular congregation 

within the next two years. They are trying to evangelize and impaa their 

community with the gospel. One of their major needs at this time is a rather 

permanent place to worship. They are presently located in a school, but only until 

next October. 

The Minneola Congregation has witnessed God's "great power 

and...outstretched arm" (Jer.32:17st18) during the past year. Both A.C. 

McKissick and his son, Dr. Robert A. McKissick are a testimony to the Lord's 

healing mercies. "Archie's" long battle with lymphoma was a testing time, but 

God has answered fervent prayers and there continues to be no sign of cancer. 

And "Bob" has been blessed with a remarkable recovery from open heart surgery 

last summer. There have been other evidences of God's outstretched arm in


Minneola. In spite of financial constraints, they were able to give their pastor 

generous raise as well as install a new furnace at the church and re-shingle the 

parsonage. A new Deacon has been elected and will, Lord willing, have been 

installed by the time this report is distributed. Thank God for the active 

involvement of many members in various community, Presbytery, and Synod 

ministries. Pray for two new families to be added to their fellowship. One 

adherent family has stopped attending and plans to move away. Many hours had 

been invested in their lives and we are saddened by this setback. 

The Quinter congregation reports that they have really been blessed by the 

ministry of Steven Work as he preaches through the Gospel of John in the morning 

worship and through the Book of Psalms in the evening worship. During the past 

year they have been aaive with the youth of the Presbytery, especially hosting the 

Mexico Projea. They were encouraged to observe the youth preparing to share 

their faith with another nationality and to hear their enthusiasm on their return. 

The Sharon Congregation thanks God for pastor Ron Good who was installed in 

November 1995. Pray that God would bless them as they work together in the 

harvest of the Lord. 

The Shawnee Congregation has also been very active in equipping the 

Presbytery. They have used their new educational wing to host a youth retreat 

featuring the late Dr. John Gerstner and his son Dr. Jonathan Gerstner, and hosted 

another conference featuring Dr. Robert Godfrey who presented a series of 

lettures on "The Reformed Critique on the Church Growth Movement." 

The Springs Reformed Church has completed their third year of use of the new 

building in the Colorado Springs downtown area. It has proven to be a very useful 

and effeaive tool for them. They praise the Lord for His building the church - 13 

communicants and 4 children have been added to their rolls since January 1995. 

They also thank the Lord for His blessing in a sharp increase in tithes and offerings. 

They hope to pursue several means of reaching the unsaved in 1996 including a 

new regular weekly Bible Study which has been started by three of their couples in 

Pueblo with the hope of seeing a church develop there. Pueblo is 45 miles to the 

south of Colorado Springs. 

The Sterling Session completed a round of family visitation in the spring aimed 

at gathering data from members regarding their views of the future and how the 

congregation can better reach into the community. What is our community The 

city of Sterling Rice County Central Kansas People come from a wide area to 

worship with us. New members and covenant children have been received from 

Lyons, North of Sterling, and Hutchinson, South of Sterling. We thank God for 

this growth. James Tweed plans to spend the better part of the summer with us 

working in Sterling, working with youth and following Pastor Prutow around. The 

newspaper outreach and tape ministry of Westminster Evangelistic Ministries 

continues to grow along with the Sterling Pulpit radio ministry.


The Stillwater Congregation also had the pleasure of touching base with t 

Mexico Project. The young people stopped in Stillwater on their way home and 

spent several hours in a community canvas. From those contacts the congregation 

had several opportunities to go back with Bible Studies. They also hosted the late 

Dr. Greg Bahnsen both in an evangelistic meeting on the campus of Oklahoma 

State University and in a conference "Interface with the World", in which they 

were seeking to equip and challenge Christians to confront competing worldviews 

and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They praise God for answered prayer 

that the Lord would send them out to minister in their community. 

The Topeka congregation plans to move into their new building at 33rd and 

Auburn Road by August of 1996. God continues to show great unity and 

patience as they have been in months of transition during this time. Pray for 

direaion in this new beginning in their 108th year in Topeka. 

The Washington RPC gives thanks and praise to God for His evident blessings in 

our congregation during the past year. We have eleaed, ordained and installed 

three deacons by God's grace. These are the firstdeacons that this congregation 

has ever had! They are godly men who clearly meet the Biblical requirements for 

this office, and they have a real heart for the ministry of mercy. We have also 

continued to hold English as a Second Language classes for local Hispanic 

immigrants, and we rejoice in the opportunity to make contacts among members 

of this growing community. We have some tough challenges, but we are rejoicing 

in the evidence of spiritual growth among many members of the congregation. We 

welcome you to pray with us that God would continue to enable us to be faithful 

inall things to His glory. 

The Westminster, CO Congregation desires to be faithful in discipling the 

members it now has and in reaching out evangelistically to the unsaved. Ron 

Garcia has headed up a sports program in which many participate. Lew Flowers 

and the building committee are moving toward presenting the congregation with a 

plan to put a new building next to the present church house. We thank God for 

forty visitors attending a Friends Day service in April. 

The new work in Wichita, KS took a step forward at the fall '95 meeting of 

Presbytery. A Commission was appointed to oversee the start of a Mission 

Church. They anticipate receiving aid from the Home Mission Board in 1997 and 

from the commitment of the local group are now seeking a pastor to be on scene 

by September. There are seven households which faithfully participate in the 

worship services three times a month. The other week of the month, several of 

these families travel to Sterling to be a part of the service there. The Presbyteryis 

thankful for the hard work and guidance given by Denny Prutow and the chairman, 

Mark England. 

The Winchester congregationis once again thankful to our Lord for His mercies 

to them during 1995. Pastor Finley has served diligently in the congregation, 

faithfully proclaiming God's Word to His people. Highlights for the year include


the receiving of 17 individuals into communicant membership, and the electi 

two elders and two deacons. A major concern for the congregation is the care and 

upkeep of an aging church building. Goals for the future include continued 

outreach in the community, and working with the youth within the congregation. 

Please continue to pray for them in these endeavors. 


R. Bruce Parnell, Clerk 

REPORT OF THE PACIFIC COAST PRESBYTERY 

June 16, 1996 


With thanksgiving to God for His abundant mercies we report the ministry of 

Jesus Christ in the Pacific Coast Presbytery. There are five congregations under 

our care and one mission station. Our Annual meeting was a particularly eventful 

meeting for the Presbytery. 

That meeting was preceded by an eventful meeting called by the Ad Interim 

Commission for the purpose of examining Pastor Kenneth Orr to determine 

whether he was eligible for a call to the pastoral ministry in the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America. He had met several times with the 

commission either individually or through assignments with members of the Ad 

Interim Commission. At the meeting November 3 and 4, 1995, of the Ad 

Interim Commission in Los Angeles, all the settled pastors of the Presbytery, 

except one, plus the stated supply of the San Diego Congregation, Robert Tweed, 

were present and there was at least one ruling elder present from each 

congregation except for one for the examination of Mr. Orr. Following a very 

thorough examination the work was sustained and Mr. Orr was declared eligible for 

a call within the denomination. 

Mr. Orr comes from the Presbyterian Church in America. He had last served 

the congregation in Glendale and was familiar with the Los Angeles Congregation. 

More recently he has been employed as a teacher in a Christian school in Pasadena. 

He had worshipped some with the Los Angeles Congregation and had preached 

several times for them especially since the retirement of Dr. James D. Carson. He 

has served the Great Commissions Publications as a seminar instructor. 

The Los Angeles Congregation soon called him as pastor. The call was judged a 

regular gospel call by the Presbytery; it was duly passed on to him and he 

subsequently accepted the call. The date for installation was set for Friday, March 

8, 1996. 

Last Fall the Orange County Commission extended a call to John McFarland to 

be the organizing pastor of the new Orange County, California, work. Mr. 

McFarland expressed his intention to accept the call upon the completion of his 

work. His work at the seminary was completed in November 1995. The date for 

his examination was set for Friday, March 8, 1996, in Los Angeles. Assuming


that all things would do well the date for his ordination to the Gospel Ministry 

his installation as the organizing pastor of the Orange County Ministry was set for 

March 9, 1996, in Orange County. 

Things did go as planned and Kenneth Orr was installed as Pastor of the Los 

Angeles Congregation on March 8, 1996, and John McFarland was ordained and 

installed as Pastor of the Orange County work which has taken the name Christ 

Our King Fellowship. 

Each congregation reported encouragement and a good spirit in them. The San 

Diego Congregation has been without a settled pastor since Andrew Schep 

accepted the call to pastor the congregation in Columbus, Indiana. Michael 

Campbell had been serving the congregation in an informal pastoral manner as he 

was preparing for ordination to the gospel ministry in the RPCNA. But he was 

stricken with cancer and was taken to be with the Lord early in 1995. Though his 

life was shortened the Lord had been pleased to minister to many through his life. 

The memorial services for him were a testimony to the grace of God in and 

through him. We miss him but rejoice in his freedom and new health. In his place 

Robert Tweed has been serving as the stated Supply for the San Diego 

Congregation. He has spent about three weeks out of the month in San Diego and 

returned home to Winchester, Kansas, for a week then returned for another time. 

This has worked out very well and God has prospered the ministry in San Diego 

during this time. Professor Wayne Spear will be spending some time with the 

congregation this summer. 

Another matter of encouragement to the San Diego Congregation and to the 

Presbytery is the plan for a team to be headed up by two families from the Seattle 

Congregation to go to San Diego and spend two weeks doing much-needed repairs 

on the San Diego Church's Building. The plan grew out of our family conference 

held at the Furs Conference Center in Bellingham, Washington, in August of 

1995. There was an excellent attendance and spirit at the conference. Pastor 

Andrew McCracken challenged us from God's Word on the work of renewing 

existing congregations. 

The Fresno congregation continues to struggle under the concern for their 

building. The Phoenix congregation is gaining greater stability and is better able to 

meet its financialobligations. Though the death of Esther Martin brought sadness 

and disappointment to the congregations there are many ways in which this has 

served to spur many on to greater devotion and service to the Lord Jesus. The 

Seattle congregation continues to be a source of great strength to the Presbytery. 

They very graciously hosted many from the Presbytery congregations on the 

weekends surrounding the conference. We trust that the Lord will bless them as 

they bear this extra burden for the Presbytery. 

Besides the settle pastors, Philip Martin is retired and serves on the Phoenix 

Session; James D. Carson serves in the Administration at Westminster Seminary in 

Escondido, California; Glenn McFarland is teaching in Orange County and is a


member of the organizing team in the Orange County Ministry; Robert McMillan 

retired and Is residing in the Home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has asked for 

his membership to be transferred to the Presbytery of the Alleghenies. Charles 

Chao continues to some extent to serve in the Reformation Translation Fellowship. 

Continue to pray for us as we minister in the diversity of the Pacific Coast. 


Paul M. Martin, Clerk 

REPORT OF ST. LAWRENCE PRESBYTERY 

The St. Lawrence Presbytery has met 7 times since last reporting to Synod: 

June 16, 17, 19, 20, 1995, during the meetings of Synod in Beaver Falls; July 

14, 1995, in Walton, New York; October 17, 1995, in Rochester, New York, 

and March 12,1996, in Almonte, Ontario. 

The Presbytery now has eleven congregations and one mission station, eight of 

which have pastors. The Presbytery grew from 783 members to 830, an increase 

of 47. 

The Lochiel congregation will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary this year 

and have completed scraping and repainting their church building. Students from 

Ottawa Theological Hall gave some relief last summer to elder Brian Brodie who 

has been preaching for the past 11 years. Though some outreach efforts continue 

in the Montreal area, the members are actively involved with the Lochiel 

congregation. 

Fulton, the newest congregation in the Presbytery, is considering the need for a 

different place to meet when they have grown a little more. They have a 

systematic theology class on Sabbath evenings and a Bible study on Tuesday 

evenings. 

The Syracuse congregation has completed a new addition with numerous 

classrooms and office space to help accommodate their growing congregation. 

They now have evening worship in three locations and are seeking the Lord's 

direaion on how to expand their ministry to the North and the East of their 

present location . 

The Rochester congregation is hoping to be able to have a pastor in the near 

future. 

The Almonte congregation is in a period of transition since their elders resigned 

last summer and the pastor resigned at the end of September. Tom Burns and 

Jack Morton were installed as elders on February 25 and they hope to have a new 

pastor in the near future. Students from Ottawa Theological Hall have been 

providing much of the preaching the last few months. 

The Ottawa congregation is making good use of their new building and is 

continuing to grow. The Bible studies to the East of Ottawa are doing well and it is 

hoped that a new work may eventually develop in that area. It is also hoped that a 

new work may be started in the Toronto area in the near future.


The Smiths Falls congregation is thankful for two ongoing Bible studies, an acti 

youth group, and increasing opportunities to sow seed in the town of Smiths 

Falls. They have prayed for mature workers, God has answered. They now pray 

to see more conversions. They also are thankful to be able to support the work of 

Ottawa Theological Hall. 

The Endwell congregation rejoices that attendance is up and that new members 

have been added. They are also happy to have Harold Harrington as a new elder. 

The Walton congregation is enjoying their new pastor after almost two years 

without a pastor. 

The Oswego congregation is beginning to regain the members they lost to the 

new Fulton congregation and is now beginning a new outreach project with Bible 

studies in New Hartford, near Utica, New York. 

The Lisbon congregation is thankful to the Lord for the evidences of His hand 

working among them. They are grateful for the addition of the Markerts to the 

congregation in early 1995. Phil Markert is preparing for the pastoral ministry at 

Ottawa Theological Hall. Three small groups have met through 1995, and 

continue to meet, which have provided new contacts for ministry. Also, an 

Evangelism Explosion training program was started in February, 1996. They are 

patiently and earnestly waiting upon the Lord's grace and power to bring in His 

harvest. 

J. Scott Wilkinson was ordained and installed pastor of the Walton congregation 

on July 14, 1995. Kenneth McBurney submitted his resignation from the 

Almonte congregation and the pastoral relationship was dissolved effective 

September 30, 1995. Charles Leach was transferred to the Atlantic Presbytery on 

October 17, 1995, in order that he could become pastor of the Coldenham- 

Newburgh congregation. 

Eight students are currently under the care of Presbytery, four of whom are 

completing their studies this year. Brian Coombs and Kiernan Stringer were 

licensed as eligible to preach on March 28, 1995, and licensed as eligible to 

receive a call on March 12, 1996. Aaron Goerner was licensed as eligible to 

preach on October 17, 1995, and licensed as eligible to receive a call on March 

12 1996. Andrew Stringer was licensed as eligible to preach on March 12, 1996. 

Matt Kingswood and Matt Dyck hope to be licensed as eligible to preach in the 

near future. Mark Goerner and Phil Markert were taken under care as students of 

Theology on March 12, 1996, and Donald Millar was removed from care of 

Presbytery on the same date. 

White Lake family camp will be held in conjunction with Atlantic Presbytery on 

August 16-24, and St. Lawrence Camp will be held August 30 to September 2 in 

a new location near Silver Lake, Ontario. 

The officers of our Presbytery are Wade Mann, Moderator, Kenneth McBurney, 

Clerk; Everett Wood, Treasurer; Bruce Trexler, Assistant Treasurer; David Ayer, 

Associate Treasurer for Canada; Kenneth Smith, Moderator of the Ad Interim


Commission; Ed Robson, Moderator of the Church Extension Commission and 

Walter Swartz, Chairman of the Student Oversight Committee. 

The attached report of Ottawa Theological Hallis provided for information. 

Kenneth A. McBurney, Clerk 

STUDENTS UNDER CARE: (Addresses as of Digest due date) 

Eligible to Receive a Call: 

Brian Coombs, 7500 Penn Ave., Apt 8, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. (Until he 

takes a pastorate.) 

Aaron Goerner 7418 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Phone: 412-242- 

2527. (Until August, then wherever he takes a pastorate.) 

Kiernan Stringer, in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, for the summer, then in care of 

the Syracuse Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2517 S. Salina St., Syracuse, 

NY 13205-1525. Phone:315-476-5618. 

Eligible to Preach: 

Andrew Stringer, 4-2123 Honeywell, Ottawa, ON K2A 0P7, Canada. Phone: 

613-725-2287. (Except for summer when in Shawnee R.P.C., P.O. Box 

3427, Shawnee, KS 66203.) 

Other Students: 

Matthew Dyck, 862 Broadview Ave., Ottawa, ON K2A 2M5 Canada. 

Phone: 613-722-9356. 

Mark Goerner, 1 Huntington Place, New Hartford, NY 13413. (Until fall 

when in Seminary in Pittsburgh, 7418 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208.) 

Matthew Kingswood, 33 Beckwith Road, Ottawa, ON K1S 0K6, Canada. 

Phone: 613-234-4268. (Except for summer when in Trinity R.P.C, 

Northern Ireland.) 

Philip Markert, 1100 Raquette River Road, South Colton, NY 13687. Phone: 

315-262-2309. 

REPORT OF OTTAWA THEOLOGICAL HALL 

TO ST. LAWRENCE PRESBYTERY 

March 12, 1996 

Ottawa Theological Hall heldits 14th Annual Convocation on September 5, 

1995, with Rich Ganz giving the firstlecture in his Biblical Counseling Course and 

Ken McBurney giving the charge to the students. This was the firstconvocation in 

the new facility in the Ottawa congregation's new building. Itis a beautiful 

facility for OTH anditis a great blessing to have it. A very convenient feature for 

visiting professors and, on occasion, their wivesis the "prophet's chamber" on the 

upper floor,where they can stay whenever they are in Ottawa to teach a course. 

A new venture this yearis the videotaping of the Biblical Counselling Course 

taught by Rich Ganz, which he has entitled "Take Charge of Your Life." It is 

hoped that these can have a widespread ministry internationally.


There are currently six full time students attending OTH, five of whom are in 

the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Class size ranges from half a dozen up to 

thirty, depending on the class. Andrew and Kiernan, Stringer hope to complete 

their course this year. Andrew is scheduled to intern this summer with Terry 

Dowds in the Shawnee congregation. Kiernan is scheduled to intern this summer 

with Robert McCollum in the Lisburn congregation in Northern Ireland. Matt 

Kingswood will be an intern with Ted Donnelly in the Trinity congregation in 

Northern Ireland. Matt Dyck is planning to stay in Ottawa this summer and will be 

doing pulpit supply in local congregations. Phil Markert, from the Lisbon 

congregation, is the newest full-time student, and is scheduled to be taken under 

care of Presbytery at the March 12, 1996 meeting of Presbytery. John 

McDonald, from another church in Ottawa, is continuing to pursue full-time 

studies. 

Continued excellent teaching is given by a variety of men. Rich Ganz and Chris 

Adjemian schedule their classes on a weekly basis through the year. Others, such 

as Harold Harrington, Clark Copeland, Kenneth Smith, Jack White, Andrew 

Schep, David Weir, and Bill Edgar, each of which were in the teaching schedule this 

year, come for a concentrated series for a week or two. 

Please pray for the professors as they take time from already busy schedules to 

teach at OTH, and for the board as they supervise the work of OTH. Prayer 

would be appreciated for the students as they complete their studies and seek 

places of ministry- They represent the possibility of considerable enlargement of 

the ministry in Canada. 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 

REPORT OF THE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE 

PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED JOINT COMMISSION 

ON CHAPLAINS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL 

We praise God for His care and protection for our missionaries in the Armed 

Forces and for His blessing on their ministry in 1995-96. The Reformed 

Presbyterian Church currently has two active duty chaplains, one National Guard, 

and one Reserve. MAJ Stan Copeland is currently Family Life Chaplain at Ft. 

Leavenworth, KS. CPT Kelly Moore serves in the Chapel at Ft. Clayton, Panama. 

MAJ Jonathan Leach serves the Pennsylvania National Guard. MAJ William Pihl is 

Assistant Division Chaplain for the 98th Division (reserve). 

The Joint Commission has had one regular meeting, in Atlanta on 5 Mar 96, 

and one Conference Call meeting, 16 May 96. All three Reformed Presbyterian 

commissioners attended both meetings. Items of interest to the Synod include: 

1. The financialreport of the Commission indicates a significant deficit. Each 

active duty and reserve chaplain is required to pay a monthly fee, and we believe


that all of the RPCNA chaplains have been faithful In this obligation, al 

some from other denominations have not. The very modest annual fee paid by the 

member denominations has not been increased for many years. 

2. The Commission has established a "Chaplain Guardian Corps" to encourage 

interested Christians to pray for the ministry of PRJC Chaplains and to contribute 

financially. The suggested annual membership giftis $100, but gifts of any size are 

welcomed. 

3. The combination of downsizing the Aaive Duty forces and the activation of 

Reserve units for Bosnia, Haiti, and similar missions has made the job of Reserve 

and National Guard chaplains extremely challenging. 

4. The Commission continues to be concerned with the policy of some 

commanders during Operation Desert Shield/Storm which required chaplains to 

remove their branch insignia from their uniforms. We are seeking ways to ensure 

that this kind of symbolic compromise not be repeated. 

5. The Commission has adopted a policy for making urgent decisions between 

the annual meetings in Atlanta. 

6. Rev. John MacGregor retired as Chairman of the PRJC after 18 years of 

service in that capacity. He was eleaed Chairman at the organizing meeting of the 

Commission in 1978 and served continuously until 1996. The new Chairman is 

Rev. James Pakala of Covenant Seminary. William Warren (OPC) continues as 

Vice-Chairman, and Robert Copeland (RPCNA) as Secretary. 

7. The Commission approved the application of the Korean Presbyterian Church 

in America to be endorsed by the PRJC. This is the American daughterdenomination 

of the Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea. The latter has fraternal 

relations with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The KPCA adheres to the 

Westminster Standards. The Commission's action means that chaplains from the 

KPCA, like those of the Korean American Presbyterian Church, will be endorsed 

through the Commission, but the denomination will have no members on the 

Commission. 



Jonathan Leach 

Dennis Prutow 

GRADUATE STUDY COMMITTEE 

(An Un-Report to the Non-Synod of I996J 

The primary investment of time since the 1995 meeting of the Synod has 

involved communication with the Clerk of Synod and the Chairman of the Finance 

Committee in an attempt to clarify and accurately interpret Synod's aaions 

regarding the availability of funds for graduate study in 1995-96, and 1996-97; 

revision of funding guidelines and policy based upon the 1995 Graduate Study


Committee and Synod aaions; and revision of the Graduate Study applicatio 

form. 


Wendell F. McBurney on behalf of the Committee 

INTERCHURCH COMMITTEE REPORT 

The Interchurch Committee was not able to meet as a whole this year. Three 

members met in Philadelphia on November 28 during the NAPARC meeting. 

Other matters were cared for by mail. 

Action in regard to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church becoming a member of 

NAPARC was postponed until 1997. 

The International Council of Presbyterian Churchesis to meet in Korea October 

14-23, 1997. Jack White has been appointed to attend the conference since 

Geneva College has an interest in students from Korea. An effort is being made to 

hold an ICPC Far East Regional Missions Conference in Seoul, Korea, July 1996. It 

is not confirmed at the time this reportis being written. 

Robert McFarland is to be a fraternal delegate at the Irish Synod in June since 

he will be visiting his daughter's family. Other fraternal delegates are CRC - 

Andrew Schep; OPC - Willard McMillan; ARP - Gordon Keddie; APC - Tony 

Cowley, and the RCUS -Raymond Hemphill. Douglas Comin was our delegate to 

the National Association of Evangelicals convention in Minneapolis in March. 

In accordance with the action of Synod, a letter was sent to the CRC regarding 

its action on ordaining women elders. 

The Committee is to entertain the meeting of the NAPARC Council in 

November in Pittsburgh. 


Andrew Schep, Chairman 

AGENCIES 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN WOMAN'S ASSOCIATION 

As we reflect on the events of 1995, we see it as a year of progress for the 

Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association. Our ministry to the elderlyis 

prospering. (See the report of the Administrator of the RP Home.) The ministry 

to disabled persons has begun to establish its area of service. (See the 

accompanying report from the Board to Address Disability Concerns.) In 1995, 

yet another ministry was explored, this time to the children of working parents. 

Robin's Nest: In August of 1996, the Woman's Association will open a child 

day care center, the Robin's Nest, at 2404 Perrysville Avenue, in the house 

formerly owned by the Weir family.


Employer-based child care has become the answer for many companies wish 

to attract and retain good employees. Nursing homes have moved easily into this 

field because of their experience in the delivery of human services. Dependable, 

quality child care near the Home will enable employees who are parents to meet 

their work responsibilities andstill provide for the well being of their children. 

We conducted a survey of employees to learnif there was an interest in child 

care provided at the RP Home. The survey demonstrated a degree of interest 

sufficient to warrant further discussion. Employees mentioned friends, relatives 

and neighbors who might also use a dependable, neighborhood child care center. 

We will maintain a financially self-sustaining operation that provides valuable 

community services accessible to middle and low income clients. In keeping with 

the charitable mission of the Woman's Association, charges will be set at, or 

slightly below, operating costs. 

The umbrella of the Woman's Association will provide the Robin's Nest with 

ongoing financialbenefits (such as the ability to offer employees health insurance 

and pension under the existing Woman's Association plans) that will help us strike 

a balance between the need to reimburse a highly qualified, motivated staff against 

the need to keep charges within the reach of clients. 

The Robin's Nest will be a place where Christis honored in word and deed. 

Intergenerational aaivities, parenting classes and after school tutoring will enrich 

the lives of young children and the older adults. Residents have already 

volunteered for story telling, after school tutoring and mentoring. 

Director of Program Development: In 1995, the Woman's Association 

created the position of Director of Program Development and hired Margaret 

Hemphill, R. N., to fillthe position. Mrs. Hemphill reports to the Executive 

Director and is responsible for the researching and development of new programs 

that will expand the services offered by the Woman's Association. The Robin's 

Nestis the first program to come from this effort. 

In addition to her work as Direaor of Program Development, the Board of 

Directors has asked Margie to obtain a nursing home administrator's license. To 

qualify for examination, she must take 180 hours of course work and perform 

2,000 hours of administrative responsibilities under the direction of a licensed 

nursing home administrator. She has already completed the classwork and is 

beginning to accumulate hours serving as assistant administrator of the RP Home 

under Bill Weir. In addition,Bill has asked Margie to direct our delivery of 

personal care in the residential unit of the Home and to chair the Quality 

Assurance Committee of the RP Home. With these major duties assigned to her, 

Margie's days have quickly filled with responsibilities. 

Long Range Planning: We have been very active this last year looking for ways 

to expand the services of the Home to older persons. Thisis a complicated time in 

health care and decisions can only be made after study and prayer. We are very


aware of considerable interest in a personal care setting being developed in th 

Beaver Falls area. 

The Reformed Presbyterian Home was established before Medicare, Medicaid 

and Social Security programs were in place. As these funds became available, we 

moved to take advantage of them. Now, with the uncertainties regarding the 

future of welfare programs, we must plan wisely so that we can continue to 

provide charitable care even if these sources diminish or dry up altogether. 

Centennial Celebration: The Woman's Association was founded in 1897. 

Next year will be our centennial year. A committee has been appointed by the 

Board of Directors to plan an appropriate celebration. 

Giving: At the end of 1994, the Home had an opportunity to retire a 

mortgage at a discount. We sent letters to every person who had given $100 or 

more in recent years. Response was immediate and enthusiastic. Between 

December 21, 1994 and January 5, 1995 we received $22,155 toward this debt 

retirement. Donation Day 1995 was highly successful with $49,557 coming to 

the Home through purchases and gifts. We also received generous bequests in 

1995. However, we are concerned about what appears to be a plateau in 

undesignated giving throughout the rest of the year. 

Mission Statement: As a result of our long range planning, the Board of 

Directors unanimously voted to adopt the following mission statement. "The 

Reformed Presbyterian Home is a charitable, non-profit institution with the mission 

of providing a supportive living environment to older adults in a manner consistent 

with the affection, honor and care that the Holy Scriptures teach us as children to 

give our parents." We believe thatit describes the purpose of the Home, making 

clear to everyone our intention to serve the aging saints of the church and 

community in a way that will bring glory to God. 


Faith M. Martin, Executive Direaor, RPWA 

ADMINISTRATOR, REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN HOME 

Life brings the aging process, and, whether one is a resident or an employee, the 

aging process brings us through some difficult times and some happy times. During 

1995 the Home was privileged to provide independent living, personal care 

services, and nursing services to a total of 108 persons. I am thankful for God's 

providence over the Home throughout the course of this past year. 

Our average occupancy rate in the Nursing Unit was a healthy 96%, while our 

average occupancy in the Residential/Personal Care Unit was 79%. 1996 was the 

first full year of the Home's Personal Care program, and we feel this was a good 

start. Our Personal Care services include assistance with and supervision of 

medications, regular reminders, vital sign checkups, bathing assistance, clothing 

assistance, bed making assistance, and special treatments which must be handled by 

trained personnel.


In May the Refundable Life Use Fee payment plan for residential admissions w 

no longer offered, and residents entering now pay a monthly charge. 

Two long time and dedicated employees retired in 1995. Following 34 years of 

employment in Nursing, Rita West retired in October, and in February, Betty 

Lynch retired from Housekeeping after 29 years of service to the Home. We 

thank God for these women who have given so much of themselves to care for our 

Home family. Please pray that God would continue to provide for our human 

resource needs in all departments, for it is through our employees that care is 

rendered and the good reputation of the Home is established. As part of her 

preparation for licensure, Margie Hemphill has recently taken on responsibilities as 

Assistant Administrator. 

At the conclusion of 1995, the Board of Directors adopted some significant 

amendments to the link between the wage scale and the employee performance 

appraisal system which we trust will improve the function of the performance 

appraisal system. 

The Home provides an Employee Assistance Program through professional staff 

conneaed to St. Margaret's Memorial Hospital. Employees may seek anonymous 

personal counseling through these channels. 

In November the Home adopted an Affirmative Action Policy which serves as a 

public statement and measure of the Home's desire to provide employment and 

service to people from all walks of life. Copies of this policy are posted onall 

bulletin boards around the Home. 

The Financial Accounting Standards Bureau initiated some new reporting steps 

which we are now following. 

One event contributing to this financialyear was the one-time opportunity in 

January, 1995 to buy back the smaller of our two construction loans at a 17% 

discount! This reduced our interest expense for 1995 and years to come. 

Our audited Financial Statements show sufficient total income to meet expenses, 

although we continue to depend upon the non-operating gains to erase our loss 

from operations. This year our loss from operations was $272,000. 

The Home continues to be certified under both the Medicare and Medicaid 

programs. Beginning in January, 1996, the Department of Public Welfare has 

instituted a much debated reimbursement program for those in nursing homes. It 

is called the Case-Mix reimbursement system, and nursing homes are now paid 

according to an average sickness level with rehabilitation potential for its residents 

living in the facility. We continue to monitor as closely as possible the future 

availability of government health care dollars. 

The Woman's Association recently received a gift of the small point of property 

at Federal Street/Perrysville Avenue. 

One major projea completed this year was the refurbishing of the 1957 

northwest stairwell. Plans are underway to redo the 4th floordeck. We continue 

to keep up a schedule of refinishing and repainting rooms and hallways.


This is a summary of some significant events in the operation of the Reforme 

Presbyterian Home. I continue to rely on God's providence and wisdom in the 

daily functioning of the Home. I thank God for the opportunity He has provided 

in working here. 

William J. Weir, Administrator 

Reformed Presbyterian Home


APPENDIX B 

ITEMS RECEIVED BY THE 1997 SYNOD 

MEMORIALS 

Bill Cornell 

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Ps. 116:15 

William H. Cornell was translated from the Church Militant to the Church 

Triumphant on Saturday, June 7th, 1997. He died suddenly of a heart attack at 

the age of 48. His funeral service was conducted by Rev. William J. Edgar, pastor 

of the Broomall RPC. 

Bill grew up without the benefits of a Christian upbringing and came to faith 

through the study of the Scriptures as a teenager. He was a gifted theological 

student, graduating first in his M.Div. class at Westminster Seminary. Ordained as 

associate minister of the Broomall, PA R.P. Church in 1975, he served in a 

mission work in Phoenixville, PA from 1975 to 1979. Bill's labors there were 

used by the Lord to bring several people to faith. From 1979 to 1985, he was 

pastor of the Cambridge, MA congregation, where his ministry attracted many to 

the Reformed Presbyterian Church. In 1985, he moved back to Wilmington, DE 

to care for his mother and sister. Taking up full-time work as a truck driver since 

that time, Bill maintained an active ministry as a truckstop chaplain, as a ruling 

elder on the Broomall session and as a faithful preacher of the Word in several 

congregations of the Atlantic Presbytery. 

Bill was so conscientious that he would never preach the same sermon twice: if 

he had occasion to preach on a text he had preached before, he would begin with 

the Scriptures and exegete them afresh. The clarity and simplicity of Bill's 

preaching could easily make one lose sight of the hours of careful study and 

thought that he put into each sermon. His death is a tremendous loss to the 

Atlantic Presbytery, and particularly to the Broomall congregation. 

In Cambridge RPC, we spent a Sabbath evening giving thanks to God for 

bringing Bill Cornell into the life of our congregation. We thanked the Lord for 

using Bill to shepherd the congregation through the critical transition from being a 

congregation of mostly older, established RPs to being a younger group of relative 

newcomers to the RP Church. We are thankful for Bill's sense of humor, for his 

wisdom, for his knowledge of the Scriptures and of church history, for his 

thoughtfulness expressed in countless cards and notes of encouragement, for his 

clarity of thought, for his guilelessness, and for his constant, selfless devotion to 

others. Most of all, we thank God for his sound and faithful proclamation of the 

Word of God. All of these testify to the abundance and graciousness of God's 

work in Bill Cornell's life. 

Never seeking to draw attention to himself, Bill poured himself out in the service 

of others because he was a true servant of Jesus Christ. He has now entered into


the joy of his Lord, and we rejoice that God has given Bill this gracious deli 

from his earthly labors. Please remember to pray especially for his surviving sisters, 

who do not know the Lord, for non-Christians touched by his ministry, and for the 

Broomall congregation. 

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead 

which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 

from their labours; and their works do follow them." Rev. 14:13 

Tom Fisher 

Cambridge, MA RPC 

June Erskine McElroy 

June Erskine McElroy was born at Quinter, Kansas, December 3, 1911, to 

Joseph and Mary Alexander McElroy. He was the youngest of six children. He 

graduated from Quinter High School in 1929, attended Ft. Hays State College 

1930-31,and graduated from Sterling College in 1936. He taught school two 

years before entering the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary from which 

he graduated in 1941. 

He was licensed to preach by Kansas Presbytery and ordained to the Gospel 

Ministry also by Kansas Presbytery on Oaober 24, 1941. He served well in 

pastorates at Superior, NB, 1941-1950, Morning Sun, IA, 1950-1959, and 

Denver, CO, 1959-1970. He was employed by a Funeral Home in Denver, 

1970-1983. He continued preaching whenever needed. 

On June 12, 1941, he married Jennie Sterrett of Quinter, KS. She has been a 

constant companion and co-laborer for 55 years. God blessed their home with 

four children. 

Since June and I were roommates for two years at the Seminary, we developed 

a close and lasting friendship which continued through the years. This had grown 

to be very special for my wife and me during the past 15 years as we have 

worshiped together with the McElroys in the Westminster Church, much of the 

time. 

Failing health had limited his aaivities for several years, but seldom did he miss 

the public worship services or the midweek prayer meeting, including the week 

before he died on February 1, 1997. June was a family man, a man of prayer and 

a good neighbor. He was interested in missions and loved his Lord and his Lord's 

Church. 

He is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Jennie, and by their four children 

and their spouses: James McElroy of Los Angeles, CA, Jerel McElroy of Denver, 

CO, Janis Adams of Denver, CO and John McElroy of Grand Junction, CO, and 

by three grandchildren: Jeff Adams of Evergreen, CO, Matt Adams of San Diego, 

CA, and Kyla McElroy. 

His funeral was conducted by Pastor Robert Hemphill on February 5, at 

Quinter, KS, where June was buried. A Memorial Service was held at the


Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church in Colorado, on February 8, 1 

which many neighbors and friends spoke highly of his impression upon their lives. 

His works do follow him and his rewardis with him in Heaven. 

Prepared by E. Raymond Hemphill 

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN WOMAN'S ASSOCIATION 

1897 - 1997 

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. 

Behold, I will do a new thing, nowit shall spring forth; Shall you not know it 

I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 

In 1890, a member of the Wilkinsburg Reformed Presbyterian Church lost her 

hand. Unable to work and therefore unable to support herself, she applied for 

admission to the Presbyterian Home in Wilkinsburg; but they had no room for her. 

Her plight came to the attention of the women of the Pittsburgh Presbyterial 

(RPCNA) and served as a catalyst for aaion. They petitioned the 1892 Synod to 

consider the "necessity of taking steps to provide a Home for Aged Persons and an 

Orphanage if found praaicable." At the same time, Mary McKee Morton of the 

Allegheny congregation asked her aged father, John A. McKee to make financial 

provision for a Home in his will. Aaing on his daughter's suggestion, he left 

$5,000 to the Synod on the condition that a work be started within fiveyears. 

Mr. McKee died a month later. 

Fearing that the $5,000 would be lost because of inaction, the women again 

petitioned Synod in 1895. Synod's response was to approve the cooperation 

between the women of Pittsburgh Presbyterial and Synod's Board of Trustees "in 

the matter of establishing a widow's and orphan's and aged people's home." The 

women commenced to examine twenty-five properties as potential sites. They 

narrowed the search to four and left the final decision to the Trustees who chose 

the McNaugher residence on Linden Avenue. 

Soon it became apparent to the Trustees thatit would be appropriate for the 

women to assume sole responsibility for the work and recommended the same to 

the Synod of 1897, which passed a resolution stating, "that the board of Trustees 

of the Synod be relieved from further work, management and responsibility in 

conneaion with the Home, and that Synod, by formal resolution, commit such 

management and responsibility from this time forth to the women of the church 

under the corporate Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association". In 

anticipation of this resolution, the RPWA was chartered in March of that year. 

The purpose of the RPWA, as stated in its charter,is to establish a home for 

"widows, orphans, infirmed and aged persons of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church and others." The doors of the Reformed Presbyterian Home opened that 

same summer.


In researching the beginnings of the Association, it becomes clear that the 

founders envisioned a scope of service well beyond the care of aged persons. The 

predicament of a disabled woman had spurred the women into aaion, and their 

first petition to the Synod mentioned children. While their first step after 

incorporation was to open a home for elderly persons, their overall plan had been 

broader. 

So it is with great excitement that we close out this century of service by 

fulfilling, however modestly, the original intent of the founders by establishing two 

more ministries: Robin's Nest, a child day care center, and the Board to Address 

Disability Concerns. 

At the beginning of 1996, Robin's Nest did not even have a name. It was just 

an idea. Now we have a fully operational child day care center. In March of 

1996, the Disability Ministry was formally incorporated into the RPWA and 

became better known to the denomination through their activities on behalf of 

disabled persons at the 1996 RPCNA International Conference. 

As we begin a new century, we are looking for ways to extend our ministry to 

older adults in other locations. We ask for your prayers, input and support as we 

examine the opportunities and look for needs that we can serve. 

This year has a peculiar feel to it. We are looking back, yet moving forward. 

We are studying our history in preparation for the Centennial Celebration, and, at 

the same time, we took forward steps by incorporating the Disability Board and 

opening Robin's nest. The sensation is best compared to being aboard a train, 

sometimes standing at the throttle of the engine and at other times in the caboose 

watching the tracks disappear. But even in the caboose, we are moving forward. 

The scripture at the beginning of this report admonishes us not to look back in 

longing. We are to be future minded, expecting a new thing. God is opening a 

road in the wilderness. But too often we look fearfully at the days ahead, 

especially with regard to our society. We wonder aloud at our ability to meet the 

great human need which seems to be opening before us. But did the founder face 

a task that was any easier 

To celebrate our centennial, we will dress in the clothing of the 1890's and 

remember that generation's ability to enjoy life through song and laughter. But the 

task of looking out for one's brother and sister was no easier then than it is now. 

We speak almost nostalgically of the days when there were no telephones or motor 

cars. But there was also no public support for a person without family or funds. 

The firstannual report of the RPWA records the $.25 gift and a dozen eggs with 

the dignity which we accord a $1,000 gift today. Inflation is not the reason. Back 

when there was no public assistance, it was sometimes the poor who supported the 

poor. 

Today we may have Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. But they are 

hardly sufficient to supply the needs around us. Public assistance may keep the


body alive, but it doesn't touch the soul. It is our mission to provide help in 

that those who are helped feel the touch of Christ. 

We have mentioned three kinds of people who started this Association: The 

Mary Mortons who had ideas and gave their time; the John McKees who were 

generous with their wealth; and, the people who gave $.25 and a dozen eggs. We 

still have those same people here, and we still have a great work before us. 

Please join us by becoming a member of the RPWA. An annual membership is 

only $1.00. A life membership is $35.00. Associate memberships (annual and 

life) are available to persons who are not members of the Reformed Presbyterian 

Church. In honor of our Centennial year we are giving every life member either a 

silver pendant or gold plate pin with the RPWA monogram. 


Faith M. Martin, Executive Director, RPWA 

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN HOME 

The mission of the Reformed Presbyterian Home is to provide a supportive 

living environment to older adults in a manner consistent with affection, honor and 

care that the Holy Scriptures teach us as children to give our parents. I am 

thankful that the staff of the Home is able to bring these words off paper and make 

them come alive. Every day I ask the Lord to give the Home staff patience, love, 

and grace in fulfilling the tasks before them. 

During the course of the past year, one hundred and twenty people considered 

the Reformed Presbyterian Home their home. While the average occupancy for 

the Nursing Unit remained a healthy 96.1%, we enjoyed the highest average 

occupancy ever for the Residential and Personal Care Unit at a 89.7% average. 

Much of this increase is attributable to the continued expansion of assisted living 

within the Personal Care Program. We saw our population for these services grow 

during 1996, and additional staff has been added to meet their needs as well as 

regulations for Personal Care Boarding Homes. 

The Home had the opportunity to link up with our first Medicare HMO 

program, and we entered into a contract with US HealthCare. With the ever 

changing face of healthcare, we continue to see the need to prepare the 

groundwork for possible future alliances in various shapes and forms, and this link 

to US HealthCare was a firststep. Another important step was to improve our 

rehabilitative services. Our physical, occupational, and speech therapy programs 

have all been enhanced. 

The balance between setting charges and meeting operating expenses is always 

delicate. In 1996 our loss from operations was covered by generous donations, 

bequests, and investment income and we thank God for this. 1996 was also the 

first year under a newly established case mix reimbursement system for the 

Medicaid program, and we faired well.


Retirement and healthcare facilities are called upon to place a significant 

emphasis on total quality management. Quality assurance is a continuing process. 

Helping residents to reach their highest possible level of funaion involves every 

member of the staff working together. Both the Home's Nursing Unit and 

Personal Care Unit have current operating licenses. 

Altering organizational structure is sometimes necessary to meet changing 

scenes. During the firstfew months of 1997, the Home established new positions 

of Assistant Administrator for Resident Care Services, Direaor of Assisted Living 

Services and Restorative RN and Aide. Please join me in prayer that God would 

provide for the personnel needs as they arise and for the entire staff of the Home 

as we work together to assure as high a quality of life as God will allow each 

resident to reach. 

The renovation of the 4th floor sun deck was a significant improvement for the 

Home residents to enjoy. We thank the Home's Auxiliary for partially funding this 

long awaited project. 

As we stand at the century mark, I marvel at His providence through the years. 

As the Woman's Association strives to meet the future needs of our residents, we 

must step out in faith believing that God will provide wisdom and guidance for 

every day. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously 

to all without findingfault, and it will be given him." (James 1:5) 


William J. Weir, Administrator 

REPORT OF BOARD TO ADDRESS DISABILITY CONCERNS 

Dear Fathers and Brethren: 

"How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth 

is full of your creatures. These all look to you...when you open your hand, they 

are satisfied with good things" (Excerpts from Psalm 104). 

This past summer at our International Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it 

was the privilege of the Board to have Dr. James Vanderlaan of the Christian 

Reformed Church Disability Committee share with us his testimony to the grace of 

God in his life as one who is blind. He emphasized the vital role each one of us 

plays in God's creation and in particular how one who is disabled or deformed or 

otherwise limited in physical or mental development displays to the world an objett 

lesson on how Christ takes our brokenness to the cross and mends and heals our 

lives. He satisfies us with good things - His love and His salvation. 

As a Board we would acknowledge God's goodness in leading us in decision 

making and action throughout this past year. The desire to make it possible for 

our handicapped members to attend the International Conference was perhaps our 

greatest ambition. Financial contributions from the body of Christ allowed us to 

offer half tuition to those who needed that assistance to attend. Their presence 

made all of us aware that many had not ever been able to attend before and we


were thrilled with the thoughtfulness and concern displayed by young a 

make this a happy occasion for them. This summer we are making the same offer 

of half tuition to those who are disabled and their care givers who wish to attend 

the Presbytery camps or another Christian camp that may meet their needs more 

suitably and at a similar cost. 

Recognizing that pastors and sessions have many urgent calls upon their time, we 

still findthat there is a need to remind them to be sensitive to the stress and 

heartache of those who are for or suffer from debilitating handicaps. Of course, 

many deserve special commendation for their devoted attention. For young 

pastors in particular, learning how to relate to those folkis especially necessary. 

A very important part of the ministry of this Board is done through 

Presbytery Advocates. The Board has developed guidelines and a job description 

for this work. Advocates are asked to develop alist of handicapped and disabled 

persons who reside within the bounds of the presbytery, to visit with these persons 

and their families where possible, and to advise them of possible resources, 

facilities, and other helps. Advocates are also asked to make regular contacts with 

congregations and to keep presbyteries alert to the needs in this area of ministry. 

Still another aspea of the ministry of the Advocatesis to work with those who are 

planning presbytery summer conferences with regard to the accessibility of the 

camp or conference facilities and to consider what assistance handicapped persons 

may need. It may be noted in this conneaion that even though facilities are 

handicapped accessible they maystill not meet the needs of particular persons. 

Those who have graciously volunteered their services as Presbytery Advocates 

are as follows: Presbytery of the Alleghenies, John Russell; Atlantic Presbytery, 

Shirley Smith; Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery, Joanne Webb; Midwest Presbytery, Dr. 

William Martin; Pacific Coast Presbytery, Danny Gathright; and St. Lawrence 

Presbytery, Grant and Valorie Pattingale. It is requested that presbyteries include 

on their agenda a report from the Presbytery Advocate. 

The Board maintains an extensive library of tapes, videos, pamphlets and 

booklets on various kinds of disabilities. Thisis housed in the North Hills Church 

building and may be accessed by writing to either Betty McBee or Vida Grace 

Brown at that address. 

One of the most pressing concerns we have, but do not have the resources to 

meet,is the need to provide resident care for those members of our denomination 

who are developmentally challenged. What is a parent to do when he or she can 

no longer provide for a child who has the body of an adult, but whose mind will 

always be that of a child At present we are recommending other Christian 

facilities, butit would be much more preferable and comforting to have our own 

home, a refuge that was secure where special ones could enjoy the type of loving 

care given to our elderly at the Reformed Presbyterian Home. While we do not 

have the resources to begin a ministry of this magnitude at present, we would like 

to build our resources to makeit a reality.


The Board is in the somewhat unusual position of being "under the umbrella" of 

the Woman's Association. We are in this position due to how this Board came 

into being and due to certain financialand legal considerations. Although we 

report to the Woman's Association, and through the Woman's Association to 

Synod, we are a separate entity and do not receive any funds from them. The 

Board has received certain funds from Synod, for which we are most appreciative, 

and through its own fund-raising efforts. Consequently, once the Board became 

aware that there was going to be approximately $250,000 available this year for 

distribution from the unrestricted undesignated funds of Synod, the Board 

forwarded a request to the Board of Trustees for $5,000 that we hope will be 

looked upon favorably. 

One of the reasons for the above request is that the Board is looking at the 

possibility of establishing a revolving fund that would provide immediate monies for 

wheelchairs, ramps for homes and perhaps other facilities, and to meet other 

pressing needs of handicapped persons and their families. Monies could be 

borrowed from this fund and then repaid at a later date. If this request were to be 

granted,it would enable the Board to establish such a revolving fund. 

The members of the Board who meet each quarter of the year are as follows: 

Vida Grace Brown, Wayne Duffield, Ruth Hall, Mary Lou Hemphill, Martha 

Joseph, Michelle LaMay, Faith Martin, Betty McBee, Lynn McCracken, Roy 

McDonald, Ann O'Neill, Mary Spear, and Dr. Richard Wood. Meg Spear is our 

accountant. 

Their faithful attendance and willingness to serve are much appreciated. 


1. That presbyteries place on their agenda an annual report from the Presbytery 

Advocate of their presbytery. 

2. That Synod grant the Board's request of $5,000 from the unrestricted 

undesignated funds of Synod. 

3. That inasmuch as Synod established the Board to Address Disability Concerns, 

we request that Synod support the work of the Board by monies from the 

Miscellaneous Fund annually. 


Lynn McCracken, President 

REPORT OF THE REFORMATION TRANSLATION FELLOWSHIP 


Revelation 5:9 states, "And they sang a new song, saying 'Worthy art Thou to 

take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for 

God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.'" 

From this verse we are reminded that God's design and purpose in the death of 

Jesus Christ always has been andstill is world-wide in scope. One of those 

"tongues" is Chinese. The Reformation Translation Fellowship continues to be


dedicated to producing Reformed literature in Chinese. As we look at what is 

happening today, we can say that despite the hindrances and opposition which 

exist, the Lord has opened a wide door for the Reformation Translation Fellowship 

to serve in the growth of God's Kingdom. We rejoice at the opportunities for 

ministry among the Chinese that the Lord has given to us. 

During 1995, Dr. Charles Chao had the opportunity to make a ministry trip to 

the Far East. He was able to minister spiritually to some key people both in 

mainland China and the Pacific rim. Materials translated and published by the 

R.T.F. continue to be used to train house church leaders in mainland China. We 

trust that God will allow us to continue to send R.T.F. materials into mainland 

China and will open up further opportunities for Dr. Chao to minister personally in 

this way. Although designated as being retired, Dr. Chao continues his faithful 

labors of translation and publication. We hope that the expanded edition of The 

Dictionary of Theological Terms w\\\ have been published by the meeting of Synod. 

We are thankful for his continued good health and labors for the Kingdom of God. 

We are thankful for efforts of the American Board President, Dr. Robert 

Heimburger, in promoting the ministry of the R.T.F. and communicating what is 

currently happening with the R.T.F. 

More Reformed writings continue to be translated or revised and published in 

Chinese. Recent publications in Chinese were The Plight of Man and the Power of 

God by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spurgeon's Revival Year Sermons, and revised 

editions of Calvin's Commentary on Romans, Calvin's Commentary on Ephesians, 

and Westminster Shorter Catechism. Also being readied for publication are J. C. 

Ryle's Walking with God and J. G. Vos' Roadblock: Limiting Church Effectiveness. 

Funds have been set aside for the printing of the next edition of The Dictionary of 

Theological Terms. Efforts are being made to place sets of R.T.F. books in 

Reformed and Evangelical seminaries that have Chinese speaking students. Also 

Dr. Chao's autobiography Out of the Tiger's Mouth was made available to 

Christian colleges and seminaries which would place it in the school's library. Our 

prayer is that these efforts will make R.T.F. books better known to Chinese readers 

in North America. Christian Adjemian was added as a new member of the 

American Board. We do note the deaths of two supporters of the R.T.F. We will 

miss Dr. Betty Kilpatrick, wife of long-time American Representative Lester 

Kilpatrick, and Dr. John Gerstner, who served on the Board of Advisors. 

The R.T.F. is thankful for the faithful support of many individuals, 

congregations, and especially the Foreign Mission Board of the RPCNA. Prayer 

support is such a critical need for the success of endeavors in God's kingdom, so 

we are particularly thankful for the prayers of God's people for the R.T.F. The 

work of the R.T.F. is becoming more widely known in various Reformed circles and 

the number of non-RP congregations and individuals supporting the ministry 

financially is increasing. Last year saw a big jump in the amount of giving to the


R.T.F., including a sizable amount of amount for Bibles to be sent into mainl 

China. The generous contributions from so many have made this increase possible. 

Efforts are made to keep the overhead as low as possible. The assistance of 

several others makes this possible. We are grateful to the Bloomington, IN, RPC 

for providing free office space and its members in providing assistance with various 

mailings. We are also grateful to Robb Tweddell for his vital support in providing 

the mailing labels at nominal cost. 

I try to keep a supply of R.T.F. books and pamphlets on hand in Bloomington. 

Please be aware of the Chinese readers who may be in your areas of ministry and 

the resources available through the R.T.F. I also have copies available of Dr. 

Chao's autobiography Out of the Tiger's Mouth. 


William L. Roberts 

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL REFORM ASSOCIATION 

The National Reform Association remains grateful to God for the prayers, 

support, and theological foundation which the RPCNA has given to us. We have 

continued to press the claims of Christ over civil government in 1995 and 1996. 

The Christian Statesman 

Since the last synod in June 1995 a total of 13 issues of The Christian 

Statesman have been released. We benefited from the editorship of Niles S. 

Campbell, who served from November 1994 to October 1995, John F. Perry 

who served from November 1995 to January 1997, and William O. Einwechter, 

who has served from February 1997 to now. We are endeavoring to focus the 

content of the magazine on civil government and applications of Scripture to issues 

in the current public debates going on in the country at large. Instructions for 

authors are available on request. 

Some good signs of growth are present. Circulation has increased modestly, 

from 950 to 1100. At this time two years ago, we were publishing six months 

behind schedule. As of the end of May we were four months behind schedule. 

Please pray for us that we may once again publish on schedule. 

Other Outreaches 

Our publishing arm has expanded into the Internet with a web site at 

http://www.NatReformAssn.org/. 

NRA news, our statement of purpose, publications catalog, instructions for 

authors, and selected articles from the Christian Statesman are posted on the page, 

as well as a link to be placed on the mailing list. 

We have sponsored two speakers at our annual meetings. Rev. Steve Schlissel 

addressed our 1995 meeting on "Proclaiming Christ's Claims in every Realm." At 

the 1996 fall meeting Dr. Samuel Blumenfeld addressed "The Tragic 

Consequences of Secular Education" for an audience including many who had not


previously known of the National Reform Association. Audio tapes of al 

speakers since 1990 are available through the Christian Statesman, and the NRA 

web site. 

In January, 1997, Dr. Jack Perry was a featured guest on the Randall Terry Live 

radio show. Response to his appearance on the show was excellent, with many 

inquirers from churches where the NRA was previously unknown. 

To the extent that anybody has heard of us, response to the NRA from the 

larger Christian community has been excellent. There appears to be an Increasing 

thirst for our message. The increasingly aggressive godlessness of the present civil 

government has continued to push Christians from pietism to activism, and the 

disappointing results of religious right aaivism is moving them to reconsider the 

theological foundations of political involvement. 

The message of the Christ's Lordship of civil government has found an very 

favorable reception in an unlikely corner. The government of Zambia has 

amended its Constitution to proclaim itself a Christian Nation, and the president of 

that country included a confession of national sin in his inaugural address. NRA 

President Andrew Sandlin was invited to go to Zambia this summer to preach 

about biblical principles of civil government to the president, parliament, and 

cabinet there. 

Appreciation for Service 

We wish to recognize those who have served us. Six Board members have 

retired in the last two years, including Tom Houston, Barry Long, Robert Dalbey, 

Bill Edgar, Randy Toman, and Daniel Stine. Also, Jack Perry stepped down as 

Executive Direaor. Rev. Mel Martin has retired from being Treasurer, although he 

remains on the board as Assistant Treasurer. 1995-1997 saw the conclusion of 

the services of Niles Campbell and Jack Perry as editors, and of Shannon 

Hostetter as financialsecretary. 

We also saw the conclusion of Linda Au's service as typesetter. We would like 

this occasion to specially commend Linda Au for her work at a time that was both 

a personal crisis for her and an institutional crisis for the NRA. Notwithstanding 

her own affliaion, she stood in the gap for us then. The fact that we are no longer 

in a crisisis in no small measure due to her service. 

Aaions of the Board 

At our 1995 and 1996 board meetings, we examined our statement of purpose 

and our constitution. The result was that we renewed our original statement of 

purpose from the 1870's. 

The mission of the National Reform Associationis to maintain and promote in 

our national life the Christian principles of civil government, which include, but are 

not limited to, the following: 

1. Jesus Christ is Lord inall aspects of life, including civil government. 

Jesus Christ is, therefore, the Ruler of Nations, and should be explicitly 

confessed as such in any constitutional documents.


2. The civil ruler is to be a servant of God, he derives his authority from 

God and he is duty-bound to govern according to the expressed will of God. 

3. The civil government of our nation, its laws, institutions, and praaices 

must therefore be conformed to the principles of Biblical law as revealed in 

the Old and New Testaments. 

We have also adopted revisions to our old constitution, which is available on 

request. One significant aspect is that our board is to be eleaed by delegates sent 

from supporting denominations and congregations. Synod may send 3 voting 

delegates, and each supporting congregation may send one. We request that the 

synod name three delegates to attend our annual business meeting on October 24. 

Anticipated projects 

We are producing a book tentatively entitled Explicitly Christian Politics to 

expound the basic principles of Christian civil government. RPCNA teaching elders 

Tony Cowley and Bill Edgar, and RPCNA deacon Bill Gould are contributing 

chapters. The book is in the proofreading stage at the time of this report. God 

willingit will go to press this summer and be available in September. Please pray 

the promotion of the book will multiply the opportunities to take the message of 

Christian civil government to Christians. 

Our upcoming annual meeting is scheduled for Friday evening, October 24, 

1997, at the chapel of Geneva College. Larry Pratt, a PCA ruling elder who is 

executive director of Gun Owners of America, will be our evening speaker. It is 

our hope that Mr. Pratt will attract people who fear the loss of liberty in America, 

and that through the NRA they will see that lasting civil liberty can only come 

from a civil government which submits to God. 

Also we hope to resurrect the speakers bureau which once operated. Please 

pray that the LORD will raise up the right person to manage it. 

Financial State 

In 1995 our total income was $18,438.02, and our total expenses were 

$18,939.72, leaving an operating deficit of $501.70. In 1996 our total income 

dropped to $14,145.61 but our total expenses dropped even further to 

$12,627.43, leaving an operating surplus of $1518.18. Our bank balance at 

the end of 1996 was $10,694.74. Detailed financialstatements for 1995 and 

1996 are available on request. We must thank the Lord, who has provided what 

we need to operate. 

We remain in need of continued income for 1997. We will invest a large 

portion of our bank balance on the book project. The Lord has provided what we 

need to operate, but has not yet financed a significant expansion. One of the 

reasons that expenses were less than income is that Jack Perry, who was a major 

financial contributor in 1995, served as editor without pay in 1996. 

Need for Laborers


Our need for workers exceeds our financial need. The publication of The 

Christian Statesman is going smoothly under the editorship of Vice-president Bill 

Einwechter. Treasurer Bill Gould is managing the day-to-day business 

correspondence and the circulation of The Christian Statesman. However, our 

executive direaor spot is vacant, and the work of making contacts, promoting the 

Association, and fostering the growth of local chapters is not being done 

adequately. This remains the greatest gap in our present situation. Pray that the 

Lord will raise up an executive director for us. 

Our editor can always use your article contributions. Not too long ago, a RP 

teaching elder justly criticized The Christian Statesman for not including the 

traditional RP viewpoint on an important topic. We cannot do that if traditional 

RP's do not send in articles! 

We also need prayer and godly counsel from the church. Our President, Vicepresident, 

and Treasurer have been on the NRA board since 1993. Many of you 

have labored with, given to, and prayed for the NRA for much longer. We benefit 

from your wisdom. 

The Holy Spirit has given His church pastors and teachers to build up the saints 

for the works of ministry. Are there any saints in your congregation whom God 

has burdened with a concern for Christian civil government. Please let them know 

about us, and let us know about them. 

Conclusion 

By the grace of God, we are surviving and operating, yet we remain small and 

relatively unknown. However, the readiness of Christians at large to hear our 

message appears to be increasing. There are great opportunities for progress in 

this labor. 

For Christ's Crown and Covenant, 

William W. Gould, Treasurer 

SEMINARY BOARD APOLOGY TO SYNOD 

FOR SEMINARY'S TREATMENT OF LAWRENCE BOTTOMS AND 

CLAUDE BROWN 

For years in the Reformed Presbyterian Church there have been guilty whispered 

memories of our Seminary's discriminatory treatment of two students from Selma 

in the 1930's. I heard several different versions of these events myself over the 

years. Two years ago the Seminary Board decided to investigate this part of our 

past. We both talked with students from that era and found some written sources. 

The Rev. Lawrence Bottoms came from the Selma RP Church and was its pastor 

for three years. He attended Geneva College and our Seminary. In a fascinating 

interview which he gave in 1978 recorded in the Journal of Presbyterian History, 

he recalled his stay in our Seminary.


The same was true at the seminary, in that the president of th 

gave up his office in order that I might have living accommodations, because 

the culture said that blacks and whites should not live together. 

.... I was not allowed to live with the others; because they did not want to 

come in conflict, I suppose, with the culture. The culture determined a great 

deal for the church, (pp. 51-52) 

Dr. Robert Copeland in his 1986 history of the Seminary, Spare No Exertions, 

records the recollections of a student from that era that "Dr. Bottoms was not 

allowed to live with us or use the same restroom. He had a little cubbyhole on the 

first floor beside the side entrance, and went to the cellar to use a bathroom." (p. 

90) 

Later in the 1930's Claude Brown attended our Seminary. His firstyear he 

slept in a separate room on the first floor as had Lawrence Bottoms. At the 

beginning of his second year, two fellow RP students on their own moved his bags 

up to the second floor and made a bed for him in the common dormitory room. 

There he stayed, and the reaaion that some students feared from the 

administration never came. 

After reviewing this part of our Seminary's history, the Board asked the Rev. 

Jim Wright of the Orlando, Florida RP Church to convey our apologies to the 

widows of both men, confessing the Seminary's sin in its treatment of their 

husbands. He did so, speaking with Mrs. Bottoms who lives outside of Atlanta and 

also with Mrs. Brown who still lives in Selma. 

The Board also decided to confess sin on behalf of the Seminary to the Synod: 

the Seminary's behavior in this matter contradiaed our Church's long-standing 

witness on human relations. Our Confession and Testimony have never given any 

justification for treating people differently from one another because of the color 

of their skin. 

Finally, in our resolution adopted in 1995, we wrote that "we ask the Lord to 

forgive our Seminary its wrong in this matter, and we plead with Him not to visit 

the sins of the fathers on our own and future generations." As Daniel confessed 

the sins of his fathers before the Lord, so we also desire to do the same and that 

publicly. 

I have asked the President of the Seminary, the Rev. Jerry O'Neill, to lead us in 

prayer at this point. 

William J. Edgar, 

for the Seminary Trustees


THE DIRECTORY 

FOR THE 

PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD 

INTRODUCTION 

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America believes that it is the 

teaching of the Word of God that "the acceptable way of worshipping the true 

God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may 

not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the 

suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not 

prescribed in the Holy Scriptures." (WCF, 21.1) This is the regulative principle of 

Scripture as it applies to the worship of God (Testimony, 21.1 -2). This Directory 

accordingly seeks to express faithfully our confessional commitment to the Bible as 

the sole and sufficient authority for the church's theology and practice of worship. 

It is designed to guide God's people in giving glory to God as they gather together 

to praise God in their congregations and families and so to be a help to them to lift 

their hearts and lives to Christ, to grow in His grace, to serve Him in the Church 

and before the world, and to encourage one another in the corporate exercise of 

devotion to God. 

The foundational Presbyterian direaory for worship is The Directory for the 

Publick Worship of God of the Westminster Assembly, completed in 1645. That 

excellent document offers both sound doarinal instruaion and godly spiritual 

advice, in that it sets out the various Scriptural elements of worship and also 

provides models for their faithful exercise, by means of suggested forms for the call 

to worship, prayer before and after the sermon, the administering of the 

sacraments, and such ancillary matters as the conducting of weddings and public 

fasts. The Westminster divines were careful to emphasize, however, that in their 

Directory, 

"care hath been to hold forth such things as are of divine institution in 

every ordinance; and other things we have endeavoured to set forth 

according to the rules of Christian prudence, agreeable to the general rules 

of the word of God; our meaning therein being only, that the general 

heads, the sense and scope of the prayers, and other parts of publick 

worship, being known to all, there may be a consent of all the churches in 

those things that contain the substance of the service and worship of God; 

and the ministers may be hereby direaed, in their administrations, to keep 

like soundness in doarine and prayer, and may, if need be, have some 

help and furniture, and yet so as they become not hereby slothful and 

negligent in stirring up the gifts of Christ in them; but that each one, by 

meditation, by taking heed to himself, and the flock of God committed to 

him, and by wise observing the ways of Divine Providence, may be careful


to furnish his heart and tongue with further materials of prayer and 

exhortation, as shall be needful upon all occasions." 

They did not conceive of their Directory as a mere rule-book prescribing a fixed 

order and form of words for services of public worship, but rather as collocation of 

practical spiritual counsels building upon and applying the fundamental doarine as 

formulated in The Confession of Faith, chapters 20-22, and 25-29, and 

accordingly commended to the church as fully consistent with the regulative 

principle of Scripture. It is in this spirit that the Reformed Presbyterian Church 

sends out this Directory. At the threshold of the twenty-first century, we look 

back with thankfulness to the legacy of the Apostles and the Reformers, and build 

upon the biblical heritage of our fathers in the faith. We also look forward with 

anticipation to the blessing of God in all the days he gives to us and our 

descendants in extending His Kingdom until its consummation at the coming of the 

Lord Jesus Christ at the end of the age.


CHAPTER 1 

The Heart of Worship 

1. All creation findsits purpose and destiny in returning to Almighty God, its 

maker, the glory due His name. Reborn in Jesus Christ, redeemed mankindis 

delivered from rebellion to this purpose: to glorify and enjoy God eternally. True 

worship is the faithful response of God's people, expressing their love for, 

dependence upon, and joy in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as 

revealed in the Scriptures. Worshipis acceptable to God only asit is offered from 

the depth of our being in full dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the only 

Mediator between God and man. 

2. The worship of God is essential to spirituallife and growth, and should be 

engaged in regularly and reverently, both privately, in our homes, and publicly, in 

the assemblies of the church. 

3. In public worship, we are called by the church to assemble ourselves 

together (Hebrews 10:25). God commands his particular blessing in these 

appointed times of corporate worship. From the resurrection of our Lord, the first 

day of the week, the Lord's Day, has been set aside as the Christian Sabbath, to be 

kept holy as the day for the church's worship and the Christian's rest from his 

regular work. The church may, in addition to the Sabbath, designate other 

occasions for public worship, for prayer, repentance, fasting and thanksgiving. 

4. When we gather for public worship, we ought firstto have prepared our 

hearts for coming into the presence of our God and Savior. Furthermore, we 

ought all to come and join in with a joyous willingness, not absenting ourselves 

either through contempt or negligence, or on account of family activities or other 

Christian meetings. In normal circumstances, neither personal devotions nor family 

worship at home are to be regarded as proper substitutes for public worship in a 

congregation of a true church of Jesus Christ. In addition to attending the stated 

services of public worship, the Lord's Day may be fruitfully observed by personal 

Bible reading and study, meditation and prayer, spiritual fellowship, instructing 

and catechizing the children in the home, and visiting the sick. 

CHAPTER 2 

The Practice of Worship 

1. The Scriptures do not prescribe a fixedorder of worship, but so that all 

things may be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40),itis desirable 

that the exercises of worship be conducted in a thoughtful, dignified and edifying 

manner. The following patternis suggested, but the order may be varied: a call to 

worship, which might be the singing of an appropriate Psalm; a prayer seeking the 

Lord's blessing; the singing of a Psalm; readings from the Old and New 

Testaments; prayers of thanksgiving and intercession; the reading and preaching 

of the Word; the receiving of the offering; singing a Psalm; and the Benediction.


2. Whatever the precise order of the service, there are certain invariable 

elements of worship that are essential to its being scriptural public worship. These 

are congregational praise, prayer, and the reading, preaching and hearing of the 

Word of God. On specified occasions, the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's 

Supper will be included. The receiving of tithes and offerings will often be 

incorporated in the service. On occasion the service may include a corporate 

affirmation of faith, or sharing personal testimonies of God's grace. 

Announcements should be made prior to the service and kept to a minimum so as 

not to detract from the worship of God. 

Call to Worship and Invocation 

3. The worshippers should enter the assembly reverently, taking their seats with 

quiet expectancy, looking to the Lord for his blessing upon the service. 

4. The minister, or presiding elder, after calling the congregation to the 

worshipping of the great name of God, perhaps using the apostolic salutation, 

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," should 

then begin with a prayer whichreverently acknowledges the incomprehensible 

greatness, goodness, and majesty of the Lord; solemnly confesses our unworthiness 

by nature to approach Him and our utter inability of ourselves to do sojhumbly 

seeks His pardon, assistance, and acceptancejblesses Him for the unspeakable gift 

of His Son Jesus, the only Savior of sinners;joyfully claims all the promises of his 

covenant of grace; expectantly applies for his blessing upon the praise, prayer, and 

proclamation of the Word that day; doing all in the name of the only mediator 

between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

5. After the worship has begun, everyone should give their undivided attention. 

The worshippers should refrain from any behavior disruptive to the minister and 

congregation, and a hindrance to their own faithful service to the Lord. 

The Singing of Praise 

6. The heartfelt singing of praise is an essential element of public worship. The 

Psalms of the Bible, because of positive biblical warrant, their inherent excellence, 

and their divine inspiration, are to be sung in the public worship of God, to the 

exclusion of all songs or hymns of human composition. They are to be sung 

without the accompaniment of instruments, since these are not authorized for New 

Testament worship. Psalm versions used in the praise of God ought to be accurate 

in their rendering of the original Scripture text, set to appropriate music, and be 

those which are approved by the church. Psalms, or portions of Psalms, should be 

chosen for the coherence of their content and their appropriateness to the theme 

of the worship. 

7. We are all under obligation to praise God and to sing thoughtfully, 

reverently, and enthusiastically, with grace in the heart. Careful attention should be 

paid to the music and to the leading of the precentor, that the praise might 

resound with an attractiveness refleaive of the glory of God and the beauty of 

holiness. Congregations should not fall into the habit of using only certain favorite


Psalms. All of the Psalms are to be used in the church's praise, but the worship o 

God's house ought not to be the occasion of instruction and practice in new and 

unfamiliar versions. 

8. Those who lead the singing in public worship should ordinarily be members 

of the congregation, and in any case must be persons of recognized Christian 

character. One of the fruits of the Reformation was the restoration of the Biblical 

practice of congregational singing. A choir may be formed to help lead the 

congregation in praise and worship. 

Psalm Explanation 

9. The Psalms have a depth of meaning and beauty which will repay the most 

careful study. It is vitally important that we understand what we are singing. 

Therefore it will be helpful if, before a Psalm is sung, attention is drawn in a few 

words to the theme of the praise and the reason for its being chosen. This is 

especially desirable because the Psalms look forward, often through explicit symbols 

and prophecies, to Christ and the New Testament era. 

Prayer 

10. Prayer is an essential element of public worship in which the worshipers are 

led to the throne of grace. Prayer is to be offered in the name of Jesus Christ, 

with the utmost reverence in thought, language, and manner, and with the deep 

humility appropriate to sinners approaching the presence of the Holy God. 

Although one person leads, it becomes the prayer of the whole assembly as the 

Lord's pepple participate by giving earnest attention to the content of the prayer 

and adding, by an audible or inaudible Amen, their enthusiastic concurrence with 

its petitions. 

11. the number of prayers will be determined by the nature and purpose of 

the service. Ordinarily, there will be a prayer at the beginning (see paragraph 4), 

a prayer of intercession prior to the sermon, and a prayer of thanksgiving after the 

sermon or the sacraments. 

12. Intercessory prayer should be comprehensive without being excessively 

prolonged. It may include the following: 

(a) Adoration of the majesty of God, as the giver of life and of every good 

and perfett gift, and, most especially, of the gift of~His Son, the Lord Jesus 

Christ, the Savior of sinners. 

(b) Confession of our great sinfulness, of the justice of God's 

condemnation of sinners such as we are, and of our unworthiness of the least 

of his blessings. 

(c) Thanksgiving for the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Mediator 

who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for sin and the sovereign grace by 

which He has sought and saved his people, and continues, by the gospel, to 

call all men everywhere to repent and believe in Him that they might have 

eternal life.


(d) Supplication for sanctification by His Spirit: the mortification of sin 

dwelling in us; the enlivening of our souls with the life of God in Christ; grace 

to equip us for our life and witness before God and in the world; strength 

against temptations; the godly use of both blessings and trials; and 

perseverance in the faith throughout our lives. 

(e) Intercession for the spread of the gospel and the kingdom of Christ to 

all the nations of the world: for conversion of the Jews, the fullness of the 

Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and the hastening of the second coming of our 

Lord; for the flourishing of the church at home and abroad; and for the relief 

from oppression of persecuted believers; and for civil governments, that they 

would rule with justice in the fear of the Lord. 

(f) Specific petitions for the people of the congregation and the 

community: for the sick and distressed; for the challenges of the coming 

week; for the growth of the fellowship and the reaching of the lost; and, in 

thankfulness, for the manifest blessings of the day and the promises for the 

future. 

(g) Blessing the Lord for the Lord's Day and the joy and privilege of 

gathering for worship; and praying for the demonstration and power of the 

Holy Spirit in the preaching of the Word, to the end that Christ may be so 

formed in us, and live in us, that all our thoughts might be brought into 

captivity to the obedience of Christ, and our hearts established in every good 

word and work forever. 

13. The prayer of thanksgiving follows the preaching of the Word, or the 

administration of the Sacraments, and gives thanks to God for his goodness toward 

us, together with the prayer that He impress the truth on the hearts of all present 

and accept graciously the worship that has been offered. 

14. The Scriptures do not explicitly command particular postures in prayer. 

They do give the examples of kneeling and standing as postures that are suitable 

signs of reverence. The condition for acceptable prayer is a reverent, humble 

attitude in the heart. 

15. When men other than the minister are called upon to engage in public 

prayer in any service of worship, they should be given time for thoughtful 

preparation. 

16. Congregations may join together in the corporate use of the Lord's Prayer, 

but the reading or recitation of written prayers is generally not to be encouraged. 

The Offering 

17. The receiving of tithes and offerings may be included in the order of 

service, since we are commanded to set aside our offerings on the first day of the 

week (I Cor. 16:2). God calls His people to return a portion of their substance to 

Him; cheerfully, systematically, and as He has prospered them. In general, the 

Christian's giving to the Lord's work should be through the church of which he is a 

member, without restrictive designation to specific aims, unless called for by the


session. The receiving of the offering may be preceded or followed by a bri 

prayer In which God's provision is joyfully recorded and the gifts committed 

solemnly to the work of Christ's kingdom and the blessing of the Lord. If the 

offering is not received during the service itself, a collection box for offerings may 

be placed near the door of the worship area. 

Reading the Scriptures 

18. The reading of the Word of God in public worship is an essential element of 

worship and a primary means appointed by God for the building up of His people. 

In it, we acknowledge our dependence upon the Lord and our submission to Him. 

19. All the canonical books of the Old and New Testament (but none of those 

which are commonly called Apocrypha) shall be publicly read in the language of 

the people, from a sound translation, distinctly, so that everyone may hear and 

understand. 

20. The length of the passage(s) to be read, is left to the wisdom of the 

minister. We would encourage the practice of reading a passage from each 

Testament in the service, perhaps in a consecutive manner, so as to read the 

whole of Scripture in the course of time. When reading, the minister should 

always make clear what is Scripture and what is his own comment. Worshippers 

should be attentive and follow the reading of Scripture in their Bibles. 

Preaching the Word of God 

21. The preaching of the Word is an essential element of public worship. Since 

itis the power of God unto salvation and one of the greatest works of the ministry 

of the gospel,it should done in such a way the workman need not be ashamed, but 

may save both himself and those who hear him. The minister is to prepare for the 

preaching by much study of the Word of God and prayer. He should seek the aid 

of the Holy Spirit that he may declare the whole counsel of God. He should read 

widely and keep abreast of the scholarship and the social and doctrinal issues of the 

times. His messages should be adapted to his audience, both in content and 

delivery (I Tim. 4:16). 

22. Sermons will be either expository or topical. Expository preaching will take 

up a whole book of the Bible, or perhaps a chapter or a Psalm. Topical preaching 

considers a text of Scripture, because of its particular doctrinal or practical 

teaching, or because it speaks clearly to the events and circumstances of the 

occasion. In any case, the explicit teaching of the Bible, the inscripturated Word 

of God, and the clear proclamation of Christ, the incarnate Word of God, must 

invariably be the constant focus of all faithful preaching. 

23. The servant of Christ, whatever his method of sermon preparation or style 

of preaching, is to perform his whole ministry: 

(a) Diligently, not doing the work of the Lord negligently, as a worker 

who need not be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth (2 Tim. 

2:15).


(b) Plainly, so that all ages and abilities may understand; delivering the 

truth not in the enticing words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of 

the Spirit and of power, in case the cross of Christ be made of no effea (1 

Corinthians 2:4; 1:17); also abstaining from an unprofitable use of 

unknown tongues, strange phrases, and cadences of sounds or words; and 

sparingly citing quotations from ecclesiastical or other human writers, 

ancient or modern, however elegant. 

(c) Faithfully, for the honor of Christ, the conversion, edification, and 

salvation of the people, and not his own gain or glory; keeping nothing 

back that may promote these goals, giving to everyone what he or she 

needs to hear, and having impartial respea to everyone, without 

neglecting the most vulnerable, or sparing the most influential, in their 

sins. 

(d) Wisely, framing all his teaching, exhortations, and especially his 

reproofs, in such a manner as may be most likely to be effeaive; showing 

all due respect to each individual's person and place, and not giving way to 

his personal animosities or prejudices. 

(e) Lovingly, that the people may see his ministry springing from a 

genuine love for the Lord and a deep desire to do them good. 

(f) Solemnly, as appropriate to the Word of God; avoiding the kind of 

gestures, tone of voice, and expressions, that give opportunity for people 

to despise him and his ministry. 

(g) As taught by God, and convinced in his own heart, that all that he 

teaches is the truth of Christ; and living before the congregation, as an 

example to them; earnestly, both in private and public, recommending his 

labors to the blessing of God, and watchfully looking to himself, and to the 

flock of which the Lord has made him an overseer. In this way, the truth 

will be faithfully preserved, many people converted to Christ and built up 

in the Christian faith and life, and he himself will receive many 

encouragements in his ministry in this life, and afterward a crown of glory 

in the world to come. 

24. The worshipers in the fact and manner of their attention have a part in the 

preaching of the Word. They should listen with "diligence, preparation, and 

prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up in their hearts, and praaice it in 

their lives" (Shorter Catechism, A. 90). 

The Benediction 

25. Public worship should be concluded with a solemn blessing upon the 

people. The common form is "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of 

God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" (2 

Corinthians 13:14). Scripture supplies several suitable benedictions (for example, 

Hebrews 13:20-21, 1 Corinthians 1:3, Ephesians 6:23-24, 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 

Num. 6:24-26).


26. The benediaion is a pronouncement, not a prayer of adjournment, and 

should never become a mere formality for dismissing the congregation. The 

bestowing of the blessing of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is a high and 

holy privilege for those who pronounce it in God's name and those who receive it 

as faithful worshippers of God. Accordingly, the congregation should wait quietly 

and reverently to receive the benediaion. 

CHAPTER 3 

The Administration of the Sacraments 

1. The sacraments ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament are 

two in number: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. They are to be administered 

according to Christ's appointment, and only by ministers of Christ, who are called 

to be stewards of the mysteries of God. They are normally to be administered in 

the house of worship and in conneaion with the public worship of the church. 

Nevertheless, if a Session judges that very unusual circumstances obtain in a 

particular instance, the sacraments may be administered elsewhere; but, in any 

event, the church must be represented in the service. 

Baptism 

2. Baptism marks admission into the visible church and symbolizes ingrafting 

into Christ. It is therefore not to be repeated. Its symbol is water, which, having 

been set apart by prayer for sacramental use, may be applied by sprinkling or 

pouring. 

3. Baptism is to be administered to those who make a credible profession of 

faith in Christ and to their children. The baptism of infant covenant children is not 

to be unnecessarily delayed. Notice of intention to present a child for baptism 

must be given to the session by a parent who is a believer. The baptism of adults 

must follow their public profession of faith in Christ and assent to the Covenant of 

Church Membership. 

4. In the administration of baptism, the minister should follow the pattern 

described in the following seaions, although he may employ different language, 

using his own liberty and godly wisdom, as the edification of the people shall 

require. 

4.1 Before administering baptism, instruction should be given as to the 

institution, nature, use and ends of the sacrament: 

"Baptism is a sacrament ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a sign 

and seal of the inclusion of the person who is baptized in the covenant of 

grace. Teaching that we and our children are conceived and born in sin, it 

witnesses and seals to us the remission of sins and the bestowal of all the 

gifts of salvation through union with Christ. Baptism with water signifies 

and seals cleansing from sin by the blood and Spirit of Christ, together 

with our death to sin and our resurreaion to newness of life by virtue of 

the death and resurreaion of Christ. Since these gifts of salvation are the


gracious provision of the triune God, who is pleased to claim us as His 

very own, we are baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son and 

of the Holy Spirit. Since baptized persons are called upon to assume the 

obligations of the covenant, baptism summons us to renounce the world 

and the flesh and to walk humbly with our God in devotion to His 

commandments." 

When an infant is to be baptized, the minister shall give instruction as to the 

ground of infant baptism; 

"Although our young children do not yet understand these things, 

they are nevertheless to be baptized. For the promise of the 

covenant is made to believers and to their seed, as God declared to 

Abraham, 'And I will establish My covenant between Me and you 

and your descendants after you in their generations, for an 

everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after 

you' (Genesis 17:7). Under the New Testament, no less than in the 

Old, the seed of the faithful, born within the church, have, by virtue 

of their birth, an interest in the covenant and a right to the seal of it 

and to the outward privileges of the church. For the covenant of 

grace is the same in substance under both administrations, and the 

grace of God for the consolation of believers is even more fully 

revealed in the New Testament era. Moreover, our Savior admitted 

little children into His presence, embracing and blessing them, and 

saying, 'Of such is the kingdom of God' (Mark 10:14). So the 

children of the covenant are by baptism distinguished from the world 

and solemnly received into the visible church. They are baptized 

because they are already, by birth, children of the covenant in the 

line of the generations of the people of God and members of the 

covenant community, the church." 

When an adult is to be baptized, the minister shall give instruction as to the 

distinctive basis of adult baptism: 

"Although the children of believers are to be baptized as members 

of the covenant, the baptism of adults must await their own 

profession of faith in Christ. Having come to years of discretion, 

they become the heirs of salvation and are admitted as members of 

the visible church by way of personal belief in Christ as Savior and 

Lord. So our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His church to 'make 

disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and 

of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' (Matthew 28:20)." 

The minister is also to admonish the congregation to look back to their own 

baptism; to repent of their sins against their covenant with God; to stir up their 

faith; to improve and make the right use of their baptism and of the covenant 

which it sealed between God and their souls.


4.2 The parents of the child presented for baptism reaffirm the Covenant of 

Church Membership for themselves and assent to the Covenant of Baptism in 

relation to their child. If one believing parent is not a member of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church, he or she may come forward with the one who is a member 

and may give assent to the Covenant of Baptism so far as he or she is willing. If 

one of the parents is not a professing Christian, that parent is encouraged to be 

present and to accompany the believing parent in presenting the child, but should 

not be expected or encouraged to give assent to this Covenant. 

Christian parents, members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, may reaffirm 

their Covenant of Church Membership by assenting to the following question: 

"Do you publicly renew your profession of faith in Christ and 

acknowledge your acceptance of the Covenant of Church Membership" 

These parents shall then assent to the Covenant of Baptism in relation 

to their child: 

(a) "Do you believe your child to be a gift of God and, although a lost 

sinner by nature and subject to condemnation, is holy in Christ, and as a 

member of his church ought to be baptized" 

(b) "Do you promise to instruct your child in the principles of our holy 

faith as revealed in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and as 

summarized in the Confession of Faith, Testimony, and Catechisms of this 

church; and do you promise to pray with and for your child, to set an 

example of personal godliness before him/her, and to endeavor by all the 

means that God has appointed to bring him/her up in the nurture and 

admonition of the Lord" 

The congregation may also be asked; 

"Do you, the members of this congregation, receive this person/child 

into your fellowship and promise to pray with him/her and to help and 

encourage the parents as they seek to bring him/her up in the Christian 

life" 

4.3 The congregation shall rise and after prayer setting apart the water from a 

common to a sacramental use and seeking the presence and blessing of the triune 

God that the grace signified and sealed by holy baptism may be abundantly 

realized, the minister, calling the person by name, shall pour or sprinkle the water 

on the head of the person, or persons, being baptized and say: 

"I baptize you into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 

Holy Spirit," 

adding, if he so pleases, the Aaronic benediction: 

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon 

you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, 

and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24) 

The minister should then conclude in prayer, or may invite an assisting minister or 

elder to do so.


4.4 The Session should keep an accurate record of all persons baptized, with the 

date, and, in the case of a child, with the names of the parents and the date of 

birth. A certificate of baptism should be provided for each person baptized. 

The Lord's Supper 

5. The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is given to the church as a perpetual 

remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ in his death. It signifies the sealing of the 

benefits of that death to true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth, and 

their commitment to faithful discipleship in Christ. It is also given to be a covenant 

and pledge of their communion with Him, and with each other, as members of His 

body, the church. 

6. The Lord's Supper is to be observed frequently, as determined by the 

Session, in keeping with the reverence enjoined in 1 Corinthians 11. It should be 

administered following the preaching of the Word. The symbols of the Lord's 

Supper are bread and wine. 

7. Only those who have been baptized and are communicant members in good 

standing are to be admitted to the Lord's Table. Persons whose manner of life is 

notably inconsistent with their Christian profession or who are unknown to the 

Session in charge of the Table, are not to be admitted. The Session should attend 

to the faithful administration of the sacrament and exercise diligent and continual 

oversight of those under its care. Those who desire to commune but are not 

under the care of the Session are to be interviewed as to their personal 

commitment to Christ, their church membership and their baptism. 

8. It is the privilege and duty of every member to observe the Lord's Supper 

regularly and with careful preparation. The congregation should be notified at least 

a week in advance of the celebration of the Supper. The Session may appoint one 

or more preparatory services, at times convenient for the congregation. Such 

"communion seasons" are appropriately occasions for guest ministers to assist in 

the preaching of the Word. The Covenant of Church Membership should be read 

and be explained at one of the preparatory services. 

9. Before the administration of the Lord's Supper, the minister should read the 

Scriptural basis for the sacrament from one of the Gospels or from 1 Corinthians 

11. He should follow the general pattern described in the following sections, 

although he may employ different language, using his own liberty and godly 

wisdom as the edification of the congregation shall require. 

9.1 The minister shall give instruction as to the institution and nature of the 

Lord's Supper, drawing attention to the words of institution in 1 Corinthians 

11:23-26. 

"The Lord's Supper is an ordinance instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Until His coming again, it is to be observed in perpetual remembrance of 

the sacrifice of Himself in His death. The physical elements, representing 

the broken body and the shed blood of the Savior, are received by true 

believers as signs and seals of all the benefits of His sacrifice upon the


cross. They signify and seal remission of sins and nourishment and growth 

in Christ, and are a bond and pledge of the communion of believers with 

Him and with each other as members of his mystical body, the church. As 

signs and seals of the covenant of grace, they not only declare that Godis 

faithful and true to fulfil the promises of the covenant, but they also 

summon us to all the duties of the children of God and call us to renewed 

consecration in gratitude for His salvation." 

9.2 The minister should then declare who may come to the Lord's Table and 

who are excluded, according to the Word of God, drawing attention to the words 

of warning and invitation in 1 Corinthians 11:27ff. 

"It is the duty of the church to warn those who do not love the Lord 

Jesus Christ or who are in other ways secretly or openly living profane, 

scandalous, and impenitent lives before God, that they not approach the 

Table of the Lord and so partake unworthily, not discerning the Lord's 

body, and so eat and drink condemnation to themselves. The Lord's 

Supper is for repentant and believing sinners, who, after due selfexamination, 

come confessing Christ as their Savior. The warning is not 

designed to keep the humble and contrite away from the Table of the 

Lord, asif the Supper were for those who are somehow free from sin. On 

the contrary, we who are invited to partake of the symbols of Christ's 

broken body and shed blood, come as guilty and polluted sinners without 

hope apart from the grace of God in Christ. In communing, we confess 

our dependence for pardon and cleansing upon the perfect sacrifice of 

Christ, basing our hope of eternal life upon His perfea obedience and 

righteousness, and humbly resolving to deny ourselves, crucify our old 

natures, and follow Christ as becomes those who bear His name. Let us 

therefore, in accordance with the admonition of the apostle Paul, examine 

our minds and hearts to the end that we may partake to the glory of God 

and to our growth in the grace of Christ." 

10. During the singing of an appropriate Psalm (Psalms 24 and 116 are 

especially suitable), the people should be invited to come to the Supper, perhaps 

to tables or to a suitable part of the auditorium, as custom and convenience 

indicates. 

10.1 When the communicants are seated, the minister should pray, thanking 

and praising God for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the redemption which 

He has purchased and applied to His people, and sanctifying and blessing the 

elements of bread and the cup set before him, having first, in a few words, shown 

that those elements, otherwise common, are now set apart and sanctified to this 

holy use, by the word of institution and prayer: 

(a) Humbly and heartily acknowledging how great our sins and miseries 

are, and how great our unworthiness of the least of God's mercies,


especially redemption in Christ, the means of grace, and this sacrament 

now being observed. 

(b) Exultantly and enthusiastically professing that thereis no other name 

under heaven by which we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ, by 

whom alone we have received liberty and life, have access to the throne of 

grace, are admitted to eat and drink at His own Table, and are sealed up 

by His Spirit to an assurance of happiness and eternal life. 

(c) Earnestly entreating God, the Father of mercies, to presence 

Himself with us in our celebration of the Supper, working effeaually in us 

by the Holy Spirit, and so sanctifying the elements both of bread and 

wine, and blessing His own ordinance, that we would receive by faith the 

body and blood of Jesus Christ, crucified for us. 

(d) Further praying to Him that has loved us and given Himself for us, 

that we might so feed upon Him, that He may be one with us, and we one 

with Him; that He may live in us, and we in Him. 

10.2 After prayer and thanksgiving, the minister shall take the bread and, 

having broken it, giveit to the people saying, 

"The Lord Jesus Christ, on the same night in which he was betrayed, 

took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, 

eat; thisis My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of 

Me.'" 

The bread may then be distributed, first to the communicants, and then to the 

minister(s) and elder(s). 

10.3 Having given the bread, the minister shall take the cup and giveit to the 

people saying, 

"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This 

cupis the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in 

remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this 

cup, you proclaim the Lord's deathtill He comes." 

The cup may then be distributed, firstto the communicants, and then to the 

minister(s) and elder(s). 

11. Afterall have communed, a brief address may be given at the Table, by the 

ministering elder, emphasizing the grace of God in Jesus Christ held forth in the 

sacrament, and "exhorting them to continue in the faith" (Acts 14:22). The 

service may be concluded with a Prayer of Thanksgiving, the receiving of offerings 

for the Mercy Fund (or some other benevolent purpose), a suitable Psalm (such as 

Psalms 72 and 103), and the Benediction. 

CHAPTER 4 

Special Ordinances 

1. There is no day commanded in Scripture to be kept holy under the gospel 

but the Lord's Day, whichis the Christian Sabbath. Nevertheless,it is appropriate


to separate a day or days for public fasting and thanksgiving, as extraordinary 

dispensations of God's providence give occasion. 

Fasting 

2. Special days of fasting, humiliation, and prayer are particularly appropriate 

when God's judgments are evident in the land or when corporate sin in church or 

nation provoke Him and invite his judgments. It is appropriate that such a day be 

observed in connection with services preparatory to the Lord's Supper or on days 

designated by Sessions, Presbyteries, and Synods for this purpose. 

3. A fast day is properly marked by a service of public worship. Psalms of 

penitence should be sung, and prayers of confession of sin and petitions for pardon 

should be offered. 

4. Fasting involves total abstinence, not only from all food (except where 

injurious to a person's health), but also from all worldly labor, conversations, and 

thoughts for the duration of the fast, so as to center attention upon the deeper and 

more serious things involved in the occasion. 

5. Besides general fasts called for by the civil authority, there may be times 

when congregations keep days of fasting, as appointed by the Session on 

particularly appropriate occasions, and also when families and individuals, for their 

own reasons, give themselves to prayer and fasting for a season. 

Thanksgiving 

6. Christians should be thankful at all times, but there are occasions when a 

special season of corporate thanksgiving should be observed. This may be in 

response to particular blessings of God in the life of the congregation, the call of 

the civil authority for a day of national thanksgiving, or in thanksgiving for the 

harvest each year. 

7. On such occasions, a suitable service of public worship should be conducted 

at which the people recount God's blessings, sing His praises, thank Him for His 

mercies to our nation and ourselves, call upon Him in prayer for both Church and 

Nation, and are exhorted from the Word of God upon the theme of gratitude to 

God. Opportunity may be given for the people to express that gratitude by making 

a contribution to some benevolent cause. 

Covenanting 

8. Public covenanting is an appropriate response by churches and nations to the 

Covenant of Grace (Testimony Chapter 22, paragraphs 8 and 9). To covenant 

with God is a solemn act of worship in which individuals, churches, or nations 

declare their acceptance of Him as their God, and pledge allegiance and obedience 

to Him. Examples of such covenants are the Scottish National Covenant of 1638, 

the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church 

of North America's Covenant of 1871. The "Covenant of Church Membership" 

is to be accepted by individuals who profess faith in Christ and unite with the 

Church.


CHAPTER 5 

OTHER CORPORATE ACTIVITIES 

1. The congregation may often be involved in colleaive activities which are not 

services of worship, but which may employ one or more of the elements of 

worship. In such settings, whether weddings, funerals, musical concerts or social 

gatherings, there is freedom to employ all appropriate froms of musical expression, 

secular or religious, and it is not improper for the Psalms to be sung with 

instrumental accompaniment, provided they are used reverently. 

The Solemnization of Marriage 

2. Marriage is a creation ordinance of God, adapted to the nature of human 

beings and their societies. It is designed for the welfare and happiness of men and 

women, the procreation of legitimate issue, and, in the case of the church, a holy 

seed in the line of the generations of God's covenant people. Marriage is to be 

between one man and one woman, who covenant to live together and to perform 

faithfully the duties of husband and wife. 

3. Marriage is neither a sacrament nor something peculiar to Christians or the 

church, but is common to mankind and important to every society and nation. 

Nevertheless, because believers are to marry in the Lord, and have special need of 

instruction from the Word of God when they enter into the marriage relationship, 

we believe it is important that marriage be solemnized by a minister of the gospel, 

so that he may counsel them and pray for the blessing of God upon them in their 

life together. The state recognizes the role of ministers in solemnizing marriages. 

They should therefore be careful to comply with the appropriate civil regulations 

of the state or province within which the marriage is to. Ministers are to make 

certain beforehand that the proper marriage license has been secured, and, 

afterward, to take care to complete the marriage license, return any required 

certificate to the issuing office, and keep a record of the marriage with the church. 

4. The parties to the marriage are to be of years of discretion, fitto make their 

own choice and, upon good grounds, to give their mutual consent. The church 

forbids the marriage of persons who are within degrees of consanguinity or affinity 

prohibited by the Word of God, and of a person who has been divorced on 

unscriptural grounds or has been the guilty party in a Scriptural divorce 

(Testimony, 24:4,5). Christians should marry only in the Lord and their marriage 

should be solemnized by an ordained minister of the gospel. 

5. The marriage ceremony may appropriately be celebrated in the place 

appointed for public worship, before a competent number of credible witnesses, at 

some convenient hour of the day, at any time of the year, except on the Lord's 

Day.


6. A marriage should be a joyous, festive occasion. The bride and groom m 

desire to frame their own vows and make suggestions regarding the content of the 

ceremony. Nevertheless, the final decision about the content and conduct of the 

ceremony shall be at the discretion of the officiating minister(s). We suggest the 

following general pattern: 

6.1 Introduaion. When the parties to the marriage are before the minister, he 

may say, 

"We are gathered in the presence of God and of this company, to join 

this man and this woman in the holy estate of marriage. 

Marriage was instituted by God from the beginning. God said, "It is 

not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help suitable for 

him" (Gen. 2:18). God then created woman of man's own substance and 

brought her to him. 

The Lord Jesus Christ honored marriage by his presence at the wedding 

in Cana of Galilee, and confirmedit as a divine ordinance and a union not 

to be severed, when he declared, "What therefore God has joined 

together, let no man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6). 

Furthermore, the apostle Paul set forth the sacred nature of the 

marriage relationship when, in Ephesians 5:22-33, he compared it by 

analogy to the spiritual union between Christ and his church. 

The purpose of marriage, then,is the enrichment of the lives of those 

entering into this relationship, the nurture of a new generation, and the 

extension of Christ's church, to the glory of our covenant God." 

6.2 Prayer. The minister should then pray for a blessing upon the union about 

to be effeaed. 

6.3 The reading of Scripture. Appropriate passages of Scripture may be read, 

such as Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:3-6; Proverbs 31; Isaiah 32:2; 1 John 

4:12-21; Ephesians 5; and 1 Corinthians 13. 

6.4 Charge to the couple. The minister may then give a brief address, out of 

the Scripture, showing the institution, use, and goals of marriage. He should 

exhort them to study the word of God that they may learn to live by faith and be 

content in the midst of all the cares and challenges of marriage. He should also 

urge them to pray with and for one another, to watch over and encourage one 

another to love and good works, and to live together as the heirs of the grace of 

life. 

6.5 Giving away of the bride. The minister may then ask "Who gives this 

woman to be married to this man" and her parent(s) will answer, "l/we do." 

6.6 Exchange of vows. 

(a) The minister shall next ask the parties to join their right hands and give assent 

to the marriage vows. 

To the man, he shall say:


"Do you [man's name] take [woman's name] to be your lawfully 

wedded wife, and do you promise before God, and in the presence of 

these witnesses, that you will be to her a faithful and loving husband, in 

sickness and in health, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, as long 

as you both shall live" [The man shall answer: "I do."] 

To the woman, he shall say: 

"Do you [woman's name] take [man's name] to be your lawfully 

wedded husband, and do you promise before God, and in the presence of 

these witnesses, that you will be to him a faithful and loving wife, in 

sickness and in health, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, as long 

as you both shall live" [The woman shall answer: "I do."] 

(b) The bride and groom may then face one another and repeat their 

vows to one another. 

The man will say: 

"I [man's name] take you [woman's name] to be my lawfully wedded 

wife, and I promise before God, and in the presence of these witnesses, 

that I will be to you a faithful and loving husband, in sickness and in 

health, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, as long as we both shall 

live." 

The woman will say: 

"I [woman's name] take you [man's name] to be my lawfully wedded 

husband, and I promise before God, and in the presence of these 

witnesses, that I will be to you a faithful and loving wife, in sickness and in 

health, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, as long as we both shall 

live." 

6.7 Exchange of rings. 

(a) If there is an exchange of rings, the minister shall say to the bride 

and groom: "What pledge do you give of this, your marriage covenant" 

(b) The groom, or the bride, or both, may answer: "This/these 

ring/rings", and then proceed to place their respective rings on the finger 

of the other. 

(c) The minister shall then say: 

"In token of your marriage vows, you do give and receive these rings. 

May they be to you both a symbol of the value, the constancy and the 

purity of your wedded love, and a seal of the solemn vows which you have 

made to one another before God." 

6.8 Prayer and pronouncement as man and wife. A prayer shall be offered for 

the blessing of God upon the bride and groom and the minister shall, before the 

congregation, pronounce them to be husband and wife, according to God's 

ordinance:


"By virtue of the authority vesting in me as a minister of the Gospel, 

and in accordance with the laws of God and this commonwealth, I now 

pronounce you husband and wife. 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon 

you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, 

and give you peace." 

6.9 Biblical standards of decorum and deportment should be observed 

preceeding and following the marriage ceremony. 

The Burial of the Dead 

7. Christian burial should be simple and without any unnecessary ceremony or 

display. The funeral may be held in the home, in a funeral establishment or in the 

church building, and be private or more or less public, as the family may desire. 

The officiating minister should seek to make the funeral an occasion of praise to 

God, of comfort to the bereaved, and of challenge to the unbelieving. It is the 

responsibility of the minister to determine the form and content of the service, 

according to the Word of God and the order of the church. The funeral should 

not be held on the Lord's Day, except in cases of extreme necessity. 

8. Christian burial must be kept distinctly separate from all non-Christian rites. 

Accordingly, there should be no compromise with secret orders, such as the 

Freemasons, or other non-Christian organizations. 

9. The funeral of a Christian is both the occasion of mourning the loss of a 

loved one and the affirmation of the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ for 

all who believe in Him. The Scriptures are to have a prominent place. The singing 

of suitable Psalms is most appropriate. Prayers should be weighty and winsome, 

commending the bereaved to the consolation of the Gospel and the God of all 

comfort. The address should be timely and exalt Christ and His salvation as the 

basis of comfort to the bereaved and counsel to the living, and be without undue 

praise of the dead. 

10. The minister will consult the family of the deceased regarding appropriate 

Scripture readings, Psalms and the involvement of other ministers. The final 

decision shall be at the discretion of the officiating minister(s). We suggest the 

following general pattern. 

10.1 Introduction. The minister shall say: 

"We are gathered together in the presence of God to remember His 

sovereignty in death as in life and to seek His Word for our hearts. Jesus 

said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though 

he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never 

die." (Jn 11:25-26). 

The minister shall then lead the people in prayer. A Psalm (or Psalms) may be 

sung (Psalm 121 is very appropriate.). 

10.2 The Reading of Scripture. Appropriate Scripture passages should be 

read. The following may be found most suitable:


(a) Words of comfort and contemplation: Psalms 23; 39:4-13; 90; 

103:13-18; and 130. 

(b) Words of salvation: John 3:16-17; 10:9-11, 27-30; 14:1-11; 

Romans 5:1-11; and 8:1-11. 

(c) Words of the godly life: Proverbs 4:18; Malachi 3:16-18; Hebrews 

10:23-25; Matthew 25:34-40. 

(d) Words of resurrection and eternal life: Psalm 73:23-26; 1 

Corinthians 15:20-28; 35-58; Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27; and 22:1-7. 

10.3 The Sermon. The minister should give a brief address from an 

appropriate text of Scripture. 

10.4 The funeral may be concluded with the singing of a Psalm, and with 

prayer by the minister. 

11. At the grave, the minister may read a suitable Scripture, such as 1 

Corinthians 15:53-58, and use the following or similar words: 

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of 

the Lord. 

Forasmuch asit has pleased God, in His wise providence, to take out of 

this world the soul of [name of the deceased], we therefore commit 

his/her body to the ground, looking for the resurrection of the dead, and 

thelife of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose 

coming in glory the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the 

mortal bodies of those who sleep in Him shall be changed, and made like 

unto His own glorious body, according to the mighty work by which Heis 

able to subdueall things to Himself. 

I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write, "Blessed are the dead 

who die in the Lord from now on."' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may 

rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'" 

The minister should then conclude with a brief prayer and the benediction. 

12. Attention to the bereaved should not end with the funeral, for often the 

most difficult times come afterward. Visits from the pastor, the elders or Christian 

friends are most welcome. The bereaved should be remembered in our prayer at 

worship services and other meetings of the congregation.

DIRECTORY 

OF THE 

R E F O R M E D PRESBYTERIAN 

C H U R C H 

OF N O R T H 

AMERICA


DIRECTORY OF THE 

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

OF NORTH AMERICA 

INSTITUTIONS 


Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone: 412-846-5100 

President: John H. White, D.Min. 

Reformed Presbyterian Home 

2344 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15214. 

Phone: 412-321-4139 

Administrator: William J. Weir 

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary 

7418 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208. 

Phone: 412-731-8690 

President: Rev. Jerry F. O'Neill 

OFFICES 

Synod's Board of Trustees 

Secretary-Treasurer: Louis D. Hutmire 


Phone: 412-731-1177 

Fax: 412-731-8861 

Board of Education and Publication 

Coordinator of Youth Ministries: James C. Pennington 

Managing Editors of Crown and Covenant Publications: Drew and Lynne Gordon 


Phone:412-241-0436 

Fax: 412-731-8861 

National Reform Association 

P.O. Box 97086, Pittsburgh, PA 15229-0086 

President: Rev. Andrew Sandlin, 1385 Roaring Camp Road, Murphys, CA. 

95247 

Exective Director: Dr. Jack Perry, P.O. Box 239, McElhattan, PA 17748-0239. 

Phone:412-331-4081


Reformation Translation Fellowship 

302 E. First Street, Bloomington, IN 47401. 

Phone:812-339-1922 

OFFICERS OF SYNOD 

Moderator: Pastor Robert McCracken, 4406 Franklin Terrace, Beltsville, MD 

20705. Phone: 301-937-5965. 

Clerk: Pastor J. Bruce Martin, 310 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660. 

Phone: 201-440-5993 (office) or 201-641-6589 (home). Email: 

< JBruMar@aol.com > 

Assistant Clerk: Raymond E. Morton, 411 N. Vine St., Sparta, IL 62286. 

Phone:618-443-3419. Email: < remorton@prairienet.org> 

Treasurer: Louis D. Hutmire, 7408 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Phone: 

412-731-1177 or 241-8088 (home). 

BOARDS OF SYNOD 

Board of Corporators of Geneva College 

Members Chosen by Synod 

Term Expires 

Doug Comin 1998 

Robert Pinkerton 2000 

William Joseph 2001 

Members Chosen by the Corporators Term Expires 

Robert Baumgartner, Douglas Carson, William Weir 1998 

Jonathan Adams, Samuel Spear, Richard Woods 1999 

Cheryl Hemphill, Herbert McCracken, Dennis Wing 2000 

Phil Duguid, Reed Gilmore, Robert McKissick, M.D., 2001 

Members Chosen by Presbyteries Term Expires 

George Hueber, St. Lawrence; Robert H. McFarland, Midwest; 

Bonnie Weir, Atlantic 1998 

Donald Mullinnix, Great Lakes-Gulf 2000 

Timothy McCracken, Pacific Coast; Albert Miller, Alleghenies 2001 

Chairman: William Weir, 114 Virginia Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237-3777. Phone: 

412-635-8175. 

Board of Education and Publication 

Members 

Term Expires 

Christian Adjemian, Norman Carson, 1998 

Ingrid Birdsall, Karen Moberg 1999 

Don Reed, Calvin Troup 2000


Chairman: Norman M. Carson, Ph.D. [Beverly], 616 Fifth Avenue, Patterson 

Heights, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412-846-3469 

Board of Foreign Missions 

Members 

Term Expires 

Aubrey Ayer, David Long 1998 

Fikre Menbere, Jonathan Watt 1999 

Bruce Backensto, Marjorie Cox, 2000 

Martha Hutcheson, Christopher Wright 2001 

Executive Secretary: Robert Henning, 3711 Premier Drive, Columbus, IN 

47203. Phone: 812-378-4190. 

Prayer phone: 812-378-4192. 

Board of Home Missions 

Members 

Term Expires 

Richard Weir, Atlantic; Tim McCracken, Pacific Coast 1998 

Dean Smith; Alleghenies, John W. McGrath, Jr., St. Lawrence; 

Marcia Elliott 1999 

Keith Magill;, Great Lakes-Gulf; Bruce Parnell, Midwest; 2000 

President: Keith R. Magill [Becky], 6878 Hillcrest Court, Indianapolis, IN 46227. 

Phone: 317-783-9547. 

Board of Pension Trustees of Synod 

Members 

Term Expires 

Marsha Siebring, Don McBurney 1998 

Don Lamont, Dean O'Neill, Shane Shoop 1999 

A. Wayne Duffield, Brian Roulin 1997 

Secretary: A. Wayne Duffield, P.O. Box 373, New Alexandria, PA 15670. 

Phone: 412-668-7506. 

Board of Trustees of Geneva College 

Trustees Emeriti: Wendell F. McBurney, Ph.D., Kenneth G. Smith, D.D. 

Members of the R.P. Church 

Term Expires 

Joyce Lynn, J. Paul McCracken, Jerry O'Neill, Kenneth A. Smith, 1998 

Gwen Elliott, Thomas Fisher, Barry Rosales, Bonnie Weir, Dennis Wing, Joseph 

Worsham 1999 

Joseph Lamont, Robert McFarland, Kathy Schmidt, Jewel Thompson-Chin2000 

Robert Baumgartner, Kenneth Orr, John P. Edgar, Bruce C. Stewart, D.D.2001 

Members Representing the Alumni Association 

Virginia Badger, Kenneth W. Creasman, 1999 

Clarence Farmer 2000 

Walter Helsing, 2001


Members Nominated by the Board of Trustees 

Andrew Marcinko, Jean McKelvey 1998 

Yvonne Forston Allison, William Thomas 1999 

Raymond Damadian, George Henning 2000 

James Roy 2001 

Members Nominated by CUTS 

Glenn McDowell 2001 

President: Joseph Lamont, Jr., 4233 N.E. 75th Street, Seattle, WA 98115. 

Phone: 206-524-2052 

Board of Trustees of Synod 

Members 

Term Expires 

Sam Chestnut, Steve McMahan, Dennis Olson 1998 

John P. Edgar, Stuart Schmidt, Jay Worsham 1999 

Louis D. Hutmire, Joseph Lamont, Jr., Bruce Martin 2000 

Secretary-Treasurer: Louis D. Hutmire,7408 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208. 

President: William J. Edgar, Ph.D. [Gretchen], 332 Riverview Avenue, Drexel Hill, 

Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary 

Members 

Term Expires 

Donald Piper, William Edgar, Ph. D. 1998 

Alan Noell, Ph.D., Richard Weir, Ph.D. 1999 

Kenneth Epps, Paul Kilpatrick 2000 

Dennis Prutow, Robert Tweed, Ph.D., 2001 

Walter W. Swartz, Richard Johnston 2002 

Richard Buck, John Mitchell 2003 

PA 19026. Phone: 610-623-0117. 

PERMANENT COMMITTEES OF SYNOD 

Committee on Arrangements 

Members 

Term Expires 

David Carson, Jack Lathom 1998 

Jim Bishop, David Neel 1999 

Chairman: 

Business of Synod Committee 

Harry Metzger, Kenneth G. Smith, D.D. 1998 

James D. Carson, D.D., Ray Morton 1999 

Robert Copeland, Drew Gordon 2000 

J. Bruce Martin Ex officio 

Chairman: Harry Metzger, 215 E. Lakeside, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Phone: 

708-367-1034.


Church History Committee 

Members 

Term Expires 

Tom Reid '998 

David Carson 2000 

David Weir 2002 

Committee on Finance 

Members 

Term Expires 

David Mohr, William Roberts 1998 

Keith Magill, Jay Worsham 1999 

Jack Morton, Everett Wood 2000 

Chairman: Jay Worsham, 266 Mileham Dr., Orlando, FL, 32835. Phone: 407- 

293-3508. 

Graduate Study Fund 

Committee Members 

Term Expires 

Jerry O'Neill, President of the Seminary 

John H. White, D. Min., President of Geneva College 

Norman M. Carson, President of the Board of Education and Publication 

Chairman: Jonathan Watt, Ph. D., 510 32nd Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone:412-846-5486. 2000 

Interchurch Committee 

Members 

Term Expires 

Gordon Keddie, Bruce C. Stewrt, D.D. 1998 

Andrew Schep, John H. White, D. Min. 1999 

Aubrey Ayer, Johannes Verlinde 2000 

Secretary: Robert A Henning, 3711 Premier Dr., Columbus, IN 47203. Phone: 

812-378-4190. 

Nominating Committee 

Members 

Term Expires 

Kit Swartz, Ed Hindman 1998 

Chairman: Bruce Hemphill, 935 Limecrest Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Phone: 

412-244-0605. 

Parliamentarians 

Members 

Term Expires 

Bruce C. Stewart 1998 

Robert Schmidtberger 2000 

Christian Adjemian 2002 

Representatives to the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint 

Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel 

Members 

Term Expires 

Jonathan Leach 1998


Dennis Prutow 1999 

Robert Copeland, Ph.D. 2000 

Committee on Understanding the Times 

Members 

Term Expires 

Aubrey Ayer 1998 

David Carson 1999 

Mark England 2000 

Committee on Youth Ministries 

Chairman: Andrew McCracken 2000 

CHURCHES WITH WHOM WE HAVE FRATERNAL RELATIONS 

Reformed Presbytery of Australia 

Alastair McEwen 

8 Wimmera Street 

Belmont 

Victoria, Australia 3216 

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland 

Rev. Andrew Stewart, Clerk 

27 Portstewart Road 

Port rush 

Co. Antrim, BT56 8EH Northern Ireland 

Phone:011-44-1265-823794 

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland 

Rev. James Clark, Clerk 

4 Burnbrae Avenue 

Glasgow, G61 8ES 

Scotland 

Phone: 011-44-141-942-5056 

Trinity Christian Community Fellowship 

Adam Mastris 

P.O. Box 420 

Larnaca, Cyprus 

Phone: 011-357-4-658068; Fax: 011-357-4-628124 

American Presbyterian Church 

Rev. John M. Morrow 

2152 Deer Park Road 

Finksburg, MD 21048 

Phone: 410-526-6323


Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 

Rev. Donald Beard, Principal Clerk 

3132 Grace Hill Road 

Columbia, SC 29204 

Phone: 803-232-8297 

Christian Reformed Church 

David H. Englehard, General Secretary 

2850 Kalamazoo Ave., S.E. 

Grand Rapids, Ml 49560 

Phone: 616-246-0744 

Free Church in Scotland, Synod of North America 

Ewen Macdougall 

Valley Field P.O. 

Prince Edward Island 

Korean American Presbyterian Church 

Myung Doh Kim, Stated Clerk 

1901 w. 66th St. 

Gardena, CA 90247 

Phone: 310-327-4063 

Orthodox Presbyterian Church 

Rev. Donald J. Duff, Stated Clerk 

607 N Easton Road, Bldg. E, Box P 

Willow Grove, PA 19090-0920 

Presbyterian Church in America 

Rev. Paul Gilchrist, Stated Clerk 

1852 Century PL, Suite 202 

Atlanta, GA 30345 

Reformed Church in the U.S. 

Rev. Frank Walker, Stated Clerk 

5601 Spring Blossom Street 

Bakersfield, CA 93313-6025 

Phone: 805-827-9885 

FORM OF BEQUEST 

"I do bequeath and bequest to the Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Church of North America the following:__ 

If one wishes, he may specify were he desires the bequest to go. 

advisable to get legal advice. 

In making out a will, It Is


ROSTER OF PRESBYTERY OF THE ALLEGHENIES 

Moderator 

Clerk 

Moderator, Ad Interim Commission 

Young People's Secretary 

Chm., Church Extension sc Evangelism 

Peter Smith 

Robert Schmidtberger 

Dan Kepple 

Sam Spear 

Dean Smith 

Allegheny-2453 Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214. Phone: 412-322- 

6166. 

Pastor: James C. Pennington [Ruth], 2916 Gilmore Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 

15235. Phone:412-243-9035. Installed 1993. 

Clerk: William J. Weir [Rose], 114 Virginia Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237-3777. 

Phone: 412-635-8175. 

Elders: Melville Martin, Charles McBurney, W. Kenneth Sanderson. 

Treasurer: J. Alan Wissner, 125 Watkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. 

Phone: 412-766-2359 

S.S. Supt.: Charles McBurney, 2344 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15214. 

Phone: 412-321-1173 

Anchor Fellowship-P.O Box 1347, Waldorf, MD 20604. Phone: 301-932- 

9209. 

Pastor: Peter Smith [Vicki], 11324-E Snow Owl Place, Waldorf, MD 20603. 

Phone: 301-870-6827. 

Clerk: Harry Nagel [Jeanette], 5555 Caithness Ct., Farifax, VA 22032. Phone: 

703-425-5257. 

Elders: Kevin Cox [Susan], Daniel Stine. 

Treasurer: Kevin Cox, 6123 Sea Lion Pic, Waldorf, MD 20603. 

Phone: 301-705-7048 

S.S. Supt. 

College Hill-3217 College Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412-843- 

4840. 

Pastor: Jonathan M. Watt, Ph. D. [June], 510 32nd Street, Beaver Falls, PA 


Clerk: Don Wilson, R.D. #2, Box 2078, Wampum, PA 16157. Phone: 412- 

535-7288 

Elders: Douglas Carson, Robert Copeland, Ph.D., Cliff Glovier, Donnie Hicks, 

Paul Kilpatrick, Ph.D., Rick Mason, Richard Morris, John Stahl, Ph.D., David 

Willson. 

Elders Emeriti: J. Lawrence Coon, D.D.S., Norman M. Carson, Ph.D., Stewart 

M. Lee, Ph.D., Roy M. McDonald, Stanley R. Reyle, Ph.D., Raymond Rhodes, 

William H. Russell, Ph.D. 

Treasurer: Jonathan Wallace, 3520 Sixth Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone:412-847-0175.


C.E. Chairman: John Stahl, 3217 College Avenue, Beaver Falls, 15010 PA 

Phone: 412-843-4840 

Covenant Fellowship-1300 Swissvale and Hill Avenues, Pittsburgh, PA 15221- 

1866. Phone: 412-371-6118. 

Pastor: Bruce Hemphill [Margie], 935 Limecrest Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15221- 

2507. Phone: 412-244-0605. EMail: BruceHempl@aol.com. Installed 

1995. 

Clerk: James Partridge, 809 Sherwood Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Phone: 

412-731-0623. EMail: jeptapcent@aol.com. 

Elders: Drew Gordon [LynneJ, Louis D. Hutmire, Sr. [Nancy], Duncan Lowe 

[Carol], Ian Welsh [Christine]. 

Treasurer: Judy Linhart, 2139 Sampson Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15235-1512. 

Phone:412-241-3672. 

Eastvale-504 Second Avenue, Eastvale, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412- 

847-2080 

Pastor: Vince Scavo [Elizabeth], 502 Second Avenue, Eastvale, Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-847-7341. Email < Vincescavo@juno.com > Installed 

1994. 

Clerk: Roy M. Adams, Ph.D., 316 Elmwood Blvd., S.R. 168, Darlington, PA 

16115. Phone: 412-827-2044. 

Elders: David M. Carson, Ph.D., Paul R. Coast (inactive), Kermit Edgar, John 

Kerr (inactive), Gerald Richeal, John Schaeffer 

Treasurer: Marjorie Lathom, 955 Eastwood Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone:412-846-0135 

S.S. Supt.: David M. Carson, Ph.D. [Margaret], 3606 College Avenue, Beaver 

Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412-843-2061. 

First Beaver Falls-209 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412- 

843-0524 

Pastor: Keith R. Black (Debbie), 207 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone: 412-843-0524. Email: < RPREVKB@bellatlantic.net> Installed 1996. 

Clerk: Dean R. Smith, 3606 Sixth Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 

Phone: 412-846-9694 

Elders: Willard McMillan, Dean R. Smith, James Wittke (Provisionals) 

Treasurer: Robert N. Fenchel, 511 Eighth Avenue, Patterson Heights, Beaver 

Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412-846-2741 

S.S. Supt.: Sandra Johns, 1920 Wade Street Ext., Aliquippa, PA 15001. 

Phone:412-378-4018 

Geneva-3015 Fourth Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412-846-6877 

After April '98, area code will be 724 for Beaver Falls sr Koppel. 

Pastor: Bruce Backensto [Kim], 313 Harpers Ferry Road, Beaver falls, PA 

15010. Phone:412-843-4696.


Clerk: Glen M. George [Marilois], 759 Oakridge Dr., Youngstown, OH 44512 

Elders: Robert M. Hemphill [Helen], Willard G. McMillan D.D., [Shirley], J. 

Renwick Wright, D.D. [Maureen], J. Merrill Robb, LH.D.(Emeritus) 

Treasurer: Glen M. George, 759 Oakridge Dr., Ypungstown, OH 44512. 

Director of C.E.: Kay Casuccio, P.O. Box 211, Koppel, PA 16136 

Phone: 412-847-0643 

Grace Presbyterian Church-370 Airport Road, State College, PA 16801. 

Phone: 814-237-2637. 

Pastor: Gordon J. Keddie, [Jane], 2440 Lexington Circle, State College, PA 

16801. Phone: 814-234-2653. Installed 1987 

Clerk: Jonathan D. Adams, c/o church. 

Elders: 

Treasurer: Cyrus Beisel, P.O. Box 5892, Belleville, PA 17004. Phone: 717- 

935-5335. 

Manchester-204 Manchester Hill, New Kensington, PA 15068. Phone: 412- 

339-1551. 

Pastor: Dan Kepple (Debbie), R.D. #2 Box 205, New Alexandria, PA 15670 

Phone: 412-668-0024 

Clerk: Albert Miller, 417 Charles Avenue, New Kensington, PA 15068. Phone 

412-339-2593 

Elders: Michael Mastorovich 

Treasurer: Walter Rutkowski, 1412 Dallas Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065. 

Phone: 412-224-4064 

New Alexandria-214 Church Street, New Alexandria, PA 15670. 

Pastor: A. Wayne Duffield, [Nancy], P.O. Box 373, 212 Church Street, New 

Alexandria, PA 15670. Phone: 412-668-7506. Installed 1985 

Clerk: John J. Vincze, R.D.#3, Box 65, New Alexandria, PA 15670. Phone: 

412-668-7580 

Elders: John J. Vincze. 

Treasurer: James S. Pierce, R.D.#3, Box 53, New Alexandria, PA 15670. 

Phone:412-668-2457. 

S.S. Supt.: Terry Jack, Phone: . 

North Hills-606 Thompson Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Phone: 412- 

486-1167. 

Pastor: Vacant 

Clerk: Wayne R. Spear, Ph.D. 3940 Bakerstown Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044. 

412-443-3591. 

Elders: Fredric Martin, M.D., Bruce C. Stewart D.D., John Russell 

Treasurer: Donald Wenkhous, 5799 McMorran Rd., Gibsonia, PA 15044. 

Phone: 412-


Chm. of C.E.: Marci Martin 5711/2 Eastend Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. 

Phone:412-242-3677 

Rimersburg-Box 419, North Main Street, Rimersburg, PA 16248. Phone: 814- 

473-3510. 

Pastor: Vacant Interim Moderator: Charles Sterrett 

Clerk: Richard B. Horner, P.O. Box 73, Rimersburg, PA 16248. Phone: 814- 

473-3476 

Elders: Thomas Armagost, Merle Rankin, Richard Horner 

Treasurer: Mrs. Carie Engro, R.DJ1, Rimersburg, PA 16248. Phone: 814- 

473-6499 

Rose Point--R.D.#4, Box 490, New Castle, PA 16101 

Pastor: Robert Schmidtberger [Louise], RD #4, Box 490, New Castle, PA 

16101. Phone 412-924-9519; 412-924-2527. 

Clerk: Clarence Wilson, R.D.#2, Box 175, Portersville, PA 16051. Phone: 412- 

924-2237 

Elders: Roy Bessell, Floyd Stevenson, Clarence Wilson, John Mitchell. 

Treasurer: John M. Mitchell, R.D. 2, Box 231, Volant, PA 16156. Phone: 

412-530-2305 

Trinity- 

Pastor: Robert B. McCracken, [Lynn] 4406 Franklin Terrace, Beltsville, MD 

20705. Phone: 301-937-5965. 

Clerk: Brad Stewart, 14620 Claude Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20905. Phone: 

301-879-0592. 

Elders: Brad Stewart, Peter Smith. 

Treasurer: Natalie Gazo, 10909 Fleetwood Drive, Beltsville, MD 20705. 

Phone: 301-937-4255. 

Tusca Area-Corner of Darlington and Chapel Roads, Brighton Twp., Box 526, 

Beaver, PA 15009. Phone: 412-495-6811 

Pastor: Kenneth Hoffman, [Janice], 385 6th Street, Beaver, PA 15009. Phone: 

412-774-5798. Installed 1982 

Clerk: Fred Nahas, 416 Jefferson St., Vanport, PA 15009. Phone: 

Elders: A. Dale Carothers, James R. Dobbs 

Treasurer: Glen Detwiler, 870 Canal Street, Beaver, PA 15009. Phone: 412- 

774-3280 

Chairman of C.E.: Mrs. John Weinacht, 4265 Tuscarawas Rd., Beaver, PA 

15009. Phone:412-495-7057 

Ministers Serving at Geneva College 

Timothy Russell [Kathe], 3005 Fourth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 

412-843-3469


Dean R. Smith [Nancy], 3606 Sixth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 4 

846-9694 

John H. White [Norma], D.Min., 3320 Fourth Ave. Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Ministers Serving The R. P. Seminary 

G. Duncan Lowe [Carol], 2513 Holly Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Phone: 412- 

731-5768. 

Jerry F. O'Neill [Ann], 46 Ridgecrest Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Phone: 

412-824-1456. 

Wayne R. Spear, Ph.D. [Mary], 3940 Bakerstown Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044. 

Phone: 412-443-3591 

Ministers Serving On The Mission Field 

Chaplain Kelly J. Moore [Judy], PSC 4 Box 678, APO AA 34004, Phone: 

011-507-287-3989. 

William J. Sterrett [Pitsa], Phone: 011-3574-658-173. 

Ministers Retired 

Joseph M. Caskey [Bernice], 2818 Fifth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010-3612. 

Phone: 412-847-2543. 

David M. Carson, Ph.D. [Margaret], 3606 College Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-843-2061. 

Norman M. Carson, Ph.D. [Beverly], 1310 Fox Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone:412-846-3469 

E. Clark Copeland [Ethyl], Th.D., D.D., 10840 Highpoint, Pittsburgh, PA 

15235. Phone: 412-731-1734 

John O. Edgar, D.D. [Ida], 3221 Fifth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 

412- 

Kermit S. Edgar, D.D. [Martha], 3004 Fifth Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone: 412-846-0134 

Robert R. Fullerton [Barbara], P.O. Box 1160, Welaka, FL 32193. 

Melville W. Martin [Marian], 107 Ridgewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15229. 

Phone:412-931-2603. 

John M. McMillan [Marion], 121 New Galilee Road, Darlington, PA 16115. 

Phone: 412-827-8134. 

Robert McMillan [Nadzieja], 2344 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15214. 

Willard G. McMillan, D.D. [Shirley], 1329 Book Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-846-1041. 

Charles S. Sterrett, 161 Birnesser Drive, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone:412- 

846-2097. 

Bruce C. Stewart, D.D. [Roselyn], 7959 Remington Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 

15237. Phone: 412-366-5028. 

J. Paul Wilson [Peg], c/o R.P. Home, 2344 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 

15214. Phone: 412-321 ~4139.


J. Renwick Wright, D.D. [Maureen], 416 30th St., Beaver Falls, PA 1501 

Phone: 412-847-1396. 

Ministers without pastorates 

Frank C. Schutz [Leslie], 538 East Jeffrey, Columbus, OH 43214. 

Phone: 614-447-1024. 

Ruling Elder On Presbytery Roll 

Adam Mastris, Box 420, Larnaca, Cyprus. Phones: Work: 011-357-4-656- 

683; Fax:011-357-4-628-124; EMail: 

Moderator Thomas Fisher 

Clerk 

Treasurer 

Ad Interim Commission 

ROSTER OF ATLANTIC PRESBYTERY 

Charles W. Leach 

Glen Chin 

Broomall Session 

Broomall-25 Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA 19008. Phone: 610-353-1371. 

Pastor: William J. Edgar, Ph.D. [Gretchen], 332 Riverview Avenue, Drexel Hill, 

PA 19026. Phone: 610-623-0117. Installed 1981. 

Clerk: Marshall W. Smith [Jean], P.O. Box 251, Edgemont, PA 19028. Phone: 

610-647-4342. 

Elders: R. David Ashleigh [Sarah], George W. Jackson. 

Treasurer: Joseph Comanda [Jan], 629 Tennis Ave., Ardsley, PA 19038. 

Phone: 215-884-7685. 

S.S. Supt.: Mrs. Joseph (Jan) Comanda, 629 Tennis Ave., Ardsley, PA 19038. 

Cambridge-53 Antrim St., Cambridge, MA 02139 (all mail to 106 Antrim 

Street). Phone:617-864-3185. 

Pastor: Vacant 

Clerk: Christopher Wright, Ph. D. [Carol], 32 Glen Ave., Arlington, MA 

02174. Phone: 617-641-9820. 

Elders: Thomas Fisher. 

Treasurer: Mrs. Janet Millican, 410 Woburn St., Lexington, MA 02173. Phone: 

617-862-0597. 

C.E. Chairman: Christopher Wright, Ph. D. [Carol], 32 Glen Ave., Arlington, 

MA 02174. Phone: 617-641-9820. 

Coldenham-Newburgh-467 Coldenham Road, Walden, NY 12586. Phone: 

914-564-3924. 

Pastor: Charles W. Leach [Susan], 25 Browns Rd., Walden, NY 12586. Phone- 

914-778-3704. Installed 1995.


Clerk: Phillip Shafer [Lesesne], 394 Lake Osiris Road, Walden, NY 12586. 

Phone: 914-778-5088. 

Elders: Donald Crawford [Jane], Charles Shafer, Michael Tabon [Beth]. 

Treasurer: Vernice Arnott [Elliott], 606 Route 17K, Montgomery, NY 12549. 

Phone:914-564-2822. 

S.S. Supt.: Rebecca Johnson [Ernie], 469 Coldenham Road, Walden, NY 

12586. Phone: 914-567-9087. 

Elkins Park-Cypress and Cadwalader Avenues, Elkins Park, PA 19027. Phone: 

215-887-9188. 

Pastor: Tony Cowley [Natalie], 8344 Cadwalader Ave., Elkins Park, PA 19027. 

Phone: 215-635-0680. Installed 1990. 

Clerk: (Provisional) Glen Chin, 46 Katz Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07552. Phone: 

201-389-1889. 

Elders: 

Treasurer: Robert McClay [Clara], 72 Plumtree Rd., Levittown, PA 19056. 

Phone: 215-943-2605. 

S.S. Supt.: none 

Grace Mission Church--(AII mail to 12 Bradner Avenue, Middletown, NY 

10940) 

Church Planter: Leverne Rosenberger [Trudy], 12 Bradner Avenue, 

Middletown, NY 10940. Phone: 914-341-0778. 

Treasurer: Mrs. Dan (Ruth) Bosch, 166 Waters Edge, Montgomery, NY 

12549. 

Hazleton Area -9th and Roosevelt Streets, Hazleton, PA 18201. 

Clerk: Tony Olivieri [Kathy], R.R. #1, Box 112, Zion Grove, PA 17985. 

Phone: 717-384-3884. 

Elders: Mark England (Provisional Moderator), Jonathan B. Leach [Katie], 

Anthony Olivieri [Kathy]. 

Treasurer: William Yaracz. 

Lancaster Mission Church-Lancaster YMCA, Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 

17602. Phone 717-295-7006. 

Church Planting Pastor: D. Mark England, 722 N. Pine St., Lancaster, PA 

17603. Phone:717-392-0692. 

Temporary Governing Body: Tony Cowley, Chariman; David Ashleigh, 

Marshall Smith. 

Treasurer: Jay Snyder 

Ridgefield Park-310 Main St., Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660. Phone: 201-440- 

5993. 

Pastor: J. Bruce Martin [JoAnne], 20 Union Place, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660- 

1233. Phone:201-641-6589. E-mail: JBruMar@aol.com. Installed 1997.


Clerk: Richard B. Weir, Ph.D. [Jean], 262 Pondfield Road West, Bronxvill 

10708. Phone: 914-793-7741. 

Elders: Glen A. Chin [Jewel], David A. Weir [Bonnie], Ph. D. Elder Emeritus: 

W. K. Metcalfe, L.L.D. [Ruth]. 

Treasurer: Miss Mary Jane Park, 2 Godfrey Rd., Upper Montclair, NJ 07043. 

Phone: 201-744-3179. 

S.S. Supt.: Richard B. Weir, Ph.D., 262 Pondfield Road West, Bronxville, NY 

10708. Phone:914-793-7741. 

White Lake--Rt.17B and Mattison Rd. (P.O. Box 208), White Lake, NY 12786. 

Phone:914-583-5222. 

Pastor: David C. Coon [Cathy], P.O. Box 208, White Lake, NY 12786. Phone: 

914-583-7082. E-mail: dcoon@zelacom.com. Installed 1980. 

Clerk: John Nelson [Marie], 1639 Briggs Hwy. Ext., Ellenville, NY 12428. 

Phone:914-647-7170. 

Elders: Mike Klussman 

Treasurer: Judy Klussman, 1578 New Rd. Mountaindale, NY 12763. 

S.S. Supt.: Pat Cocot, 401 Hamilton Road, Monticello, NY 12701. Phone: 

914-794-1391. 

Ministers Without Pastorates 

Philip L. Coon, 1365 Biglerville Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325. Phone: 717-337- 

2397. 

Tom Houston [Jeanne], 14 Picnic Woods Road, Lititz, PA 17543. Phone: 717- 

627-4479. 

James Paul Kern [Nan], 612 Columbus Ave., #8, Boston, MA 02118. Phone: 

617-262-0518. 

Jonathan B. Leach [Katie], 953 Norman St., Weatherly, PA, 18255. Phone: 

717-427-8988 (h), 717-443-4283 (w). 

ROSTER OF GREAT LAKES-GULF PRESBYTERY 

Moderator Ralph Joseph 

Clerk 


Treasurer 

Assistant Treasurer 

Moderator, Ad Interim Commission 

Conference Director 

Youth Directors 

Raymond Morton 


Laurence Curry 

William Roberts 

David Long 

jay Worsham 

Rich Johnston and John Hanson


Belle Center~(Rt.273 and Center), Box 365, Belle Center, OH 43310. 

Pastor: Philip Pockras [Judy], 403 N. Elizabeth Street, Box 365, Belle Center, 

OH 43310. Phone: 937-464-6851 (Voice, data sc fax). Installed 1985. E- 

mail: cowie@bright.net 

Clerk: Larry Bump [Gloria], 120 N. Springhill Street, Bellefontaine, OH 

43311. Phone: 937-593-3559 (voice, data SC fax). E-mail: 

lbump@bright.net 

Elders: Wilbur Keys [Margaret], J.M. Rutherford [Geneva] 

Treasurer: Paul McDonald [Jocele], 6404 T.R.55, Bellefontaine, OH 43311. 

Phone:937-593-1190 

S.S. Supt.: Janet Conrad, 1664 CR. 15, Rt. 1, Waynesfield, OH 45896. 

Phone:419-568-8613. 

Bloomington-302 East First Street, Bloomington, IN 47401. Phone: 812-339- 

1922 SC 812-339-2034. 

Pastor: William Roberts [Rachel], 570 S. Kirby Rd., Bloomington, IN 47403. 

Phone: 812-825-6543. E-mail: WLRoberts@juno.com Installed 1983 

Pastor : Andrew McCracken [Susan] 3920 S. Kennedy Drive, Bloomington, IN 

47401. Phone: 812-333-8763. E-mail: amccrack@indiana.edu Installed 

1992 

Clerk: Wendell McBurney [Jean], 11750 Greenfield Road, ZionsviUe, IN 

46077. Phone: 317-873-5000 

Elders: Kenneth De Jong [Carolyn], 4400 Stephens Drive, Bloomington, IN 

47408 Phone: 812-334-0069; Rich Holdeman [Amy], 1043 S. Mitchell, 

Bloomington, IN 47401. Phone: 812-334-7899 

Treasurer: Carolyn DeJong [Ken], 4400 Stephens Drive, Bloomington, IN 

47408. Phone:812-334-0069 

C.E. Chairman: Carl Wells, c/o the church, 302 East First Street, Bloomington, 

IN 47401, Phone:812-358-5604. 

Home Page: http://www.indiana.edu/*camn/orgs/rpc.html 

Columbus-2310 Chestnut Street, Columbus, IN 47201. Phone: 812-378-3003 

Pastor: Andrew Schep [Joanna], 1502 Lawton, Columbus, IN 47201. Phone: 

812-379-9890. E-mail: aschep@hsonline.com Installed 1995 

Clerk: Edmund Schisler [Lynn], 13417 West State Road 46, Columbus, IN 

47201. Phone: 812-342-1989 

Elders: Robert Henning, Butch Shoop [Paula] 

Treasurer: Shane Shoop [Lisa], 3723 Ironwood Court, Columbus, IN 47203. 

Phone:812-372-0598 

S.S. Supt.: Robert A. Henning, 3711 Premier Drive, Columbus, IN 47203- 

9657. Phone 812-378-4190. 

Elkhart/Goshen Mission Church-


Local Contact: Fik Menbere [Ritva], 57100 Bluff Crest Drive, Elkhart, I 

46516 

Moderator of the Temporary Governing Body: David W. Long [Jenny], 401 

Brookfield Dr., Lafayette, IN 47905. Phone: 765-448-9075. E- 

mail:dlongrpc@aol.com 

Clerk of the T.G.B.: Harry Metzger [Catherine], 213 E. Lakeside, Vernon 

Hills, IL 60061. Phone: 847-367-1034. E-mail: RevHMetz@aol.com 

Installed 1990. 

Elders: Fik Menbere, Barry York 

Evansville-2615 W. Franklin St., Evansville, IN 47712. Phone: 812-424- 

7386. 

Pastor: Edwin Blackwood [Nancy], 2901 Igleheart, Evansville, IN 47712. 

Phone:812-422-7325. E-mail: EdBlackwood@juno.com 

Elder and Clerk of Session: Mike Munday, 2014 Summer Hill Lane, 

Henderson, KY 42420 Phone: 502-826-9781 E-mail: mlmunday@hccuky.campus.mci.net 

Income Treasurer: Mike Munday 

Expense Treasurer: Phil Jones, 1715 Dove Lane, Evansville IN 47715. Phone: 

812-473-5545. E-mail: PhillipEJ@aol.com 

Iron County Reformed Presbyterian Church (Mission Church)-- 

Organizing Pastor and Moderator of the Temporary Governing Body: 

Roger Adams, [Joann], 387 Baumgartner Road, Iron River, Ml 49935 Phone: 

906-265-5309 Fax: 906-265-9343 E-mail: rogadams@up.net 

Clerk of the T.G.B.: Jon Hughes, 4495 Harold, Troy, Ml 48098 Phone: 

248-680-1959 

Elders: James Curtis [Colleen], Ralph Shell [Jessie]. 

Hetherton-Meridian Line Road, Johannesburg, Ml 49751. 

Pastor: Robert L. LaMay [Kay], 11825 Meridian Line Road, Johannesburg, Ml 

49751. E-mail: RobLaM1@aol.com Installed 1997. 

Clerk: Ed Roby [Shirley], P.O. Box 586, 1390 Roby Road, Johannesburg, Ml 

49751. Phone: 517-786-2383. 

Treasurer: Cordelia Harrington, Box 294, Rose City, Ml 48654. 

S.S. Supt.: Mrs. Sonya Hoy [John], Box 555, Johannesburg, Ml 49751. 

Phone: 517-732-9604. 

Lafayette-1723 S. 9th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905. Phone: 765-474-3307. 

Fax: 765-477-1949. 

Pastor: David W. Long [Jenny], 401 Brookfield Dr., Lafayette, IN 47905. 

Phone:765-448-9075. E-mail: dlongrpc@aol.com Installed 1984. 

Clerk: William L. Long [Lois], 1228 Meadowbrook Drive, Lafayette, IN 47905 

Phone: 765-447-8112. 

Elders: Dan Webb [Joanne], David Carr [Karen] Phone: 765-497-1042


Financial Secretary: Janet Wagner [Buck], 5216 E. 600 South, Lafayette, I 

47905. Phone: 765-296-2521. 

S.S. Supt.: Dan Webb [Joanne], 1445 Warren Place, Lafayette, IN 47905. 

Phone:765-474-7143. 

Multiracial-615 North "W" Street, Pensacola, FL 32505. Phone: 904-469- 

9018. Fax:904-432-5361. 

Pastor: Godfrey Franklin, Ph.D. [Kay], 5625 St. Adamnan St., Pennsacola, FL 

32503-7916. Phone: 904-478-6552. E-mail: gfrankli@nautilus.uwf.edu 


Clerk: Kenneth Epps [Lornetta], 4560 Bohemia Drive, Pennsacola, FL 32504- 

8560. Phone: 904-478-2805; Fax: 904-477-2165. Day Phone: 904-432- 

7229. Fax: 904-432-5361. E-mail: kenlo@msn.com 

Elders: Thomas Reid [Genevieve], Don Mullinnix [Mary], 1614 Guildhall Court, 

Indianapolis, IN 46260. Phone 317-872-0586. 

Treasurer: Lucretia D. Lee, 3900 Baywoods Drive, Pensacola, FL 32504 Tel 

904-479-8010 

Oakdale-Oakdale, IL 62268. Phone: 618-329-5283. 

Pastor: Vacant - Raymond E. Morton [Heather], Interim Moderator, 411 N. 

Vine, Sparta, IL 62286. Phone: 618-443-3419. 

Clerk: Todd Patton, P.O. Box 9254, Springfield, IL 62704. Phone: 217-793- 

0316. 

Elders: Preston Carson [Frances]; Dale Musselman [Maxine] 

Treasurer: Eileen Auld, 1500 Swanwick Rd., Oakdale, IL 62268. Phone: 618- 

329-5528. 

S.S. Supt.: Todd Patton, Apt 8, 3516 South Park Ave., Springfield, IL 62704. 

Phone:217-793-0316. 

Orlando-324 E. Livingston Street, Orlando, FL 32801. Phone: 407-843-4361. 

Pastor for Outreach: D. Raymond McCracken [Mary], 4390C Lake Underhill 

Rd., Orlando, FL 32803. Phone: 407-896-0784. E-mail: 

DRayMcC@juno.com Installed 1993. 

Clerk: Joe Thompson, 24 Magnolia Street, Ocoee, FL 34761. Phone: 407- 

877-3530. 

Elders: Ed Forest, Tom Forest, Jay Worsham, Joe Worsham. 

Treasurer: Tom Forest, 1551 Sackett Circle, Orlando, FL 32818. Phone: 407- 

290-1038. 

S.S. Supt.: Phyllis Tacey, 2305 Resthaven Drive, Orlando, FL 32806. Phone: 

407-898-5130; and Robert Terry, 2047 Howell Branch Road, Maitland, Fl 

32751. Phone: 407-648-0877. 

Second lndianapolis-4800 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46228 Phone: 

317-255-7557.


Pastor: Roy Blackwood, Jr., Ph.D. [Margie], 1175 Princeton Place, Zionsvi 

IN 46077. Phone:317-873-4775. Installed 1966. Fax: 317-873-0328. E- 

mail: 76172.3336@compuserve.com 

Associate Pastor: Richard Johnston [Beckie], 4800 N. Michigan Road, 

Indianapolis, IN 46228. Phone: 317-255-7557. E-mail: lndy2ndRP@aol.com 

Installed 1993. Fax: 317-255-7097 

Clerk: Russ Pulliam [Ruth], Indianapolis News, 307 N. Pennsylvania, 

Indianapolis, IN 46206-0145. Phone: 317-633-9121. 

Elders: Jack Baumgardner [Karen], Donald Cassell, Jr. [Choi-Ha], Dean Filson 

[Pam], Don Fulk [Ellen], Bob Heimburger [Betty], Karl Stoicheff [Joan], Ken 

Thompson [Ann] 

Treasurer: Ram Rao, 8721 Ginnylock Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46256. Phone: 

317-841-3024. 

S.S. Supt.: Linda Swigart, 108 E. Pleasant Run Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 

46225. Phone:317-788-1016. 

Selma-625 Jeff Davis Avenue, Selma, AL 36701-5576. Phone: 334-875-7692. 

Pastor: Ralph E. Joseph [Sandy] 625 Jeff Davis Avenue, Selma, AL 36701- 

5576. Phone: 334-872-2715. E-mail: ralphjoe@the-link.net Installed 1992 

Clerk: George Evans [Jeannie], 328 Kingsley Drive, Selma, AL 36701. Phone: 

334-875-1583. 

Elders: Samuel Austin, Joseph Evans (Inactive) 

Treasurer: Ruth J. Brooks, 810 Minter Avenue, Selma, AL 36701. Phone: 

334-875-1583. 

S.S. Supt.: Wanda McCall [Charles], 208 Ruth St., Selma, AL 36701. Phone: 

334-875-1016. 

Youth Sponsors: Greg sc Aretha Woodson, 995 Randolph Circle, Selma, AL 

36701. Phone:334-875-6478. 

Southfield-26550 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Ml 48076. Phone: 248-356- 

3932. 

Pastor: Raymond P. Joseph [Alice], 26580 Evergreen Road. Southfield, Ml 

48076. Phone: 248-356-3932. Fax: 248-356-5170. E-mail: 

sfldcov@mich.com. Installed 1987. 

Associate Pastor for Lansing: Brian Schwertley [Andrea], 670 Barry Road, 

Haslett, Ml 48840. Phone: 517-655-8079. E-mail: schwertley.brian@acd.net 

Clerk: Bruce Adams, D.O. [Charlotte], 29011 Merrick, Warren, Ml 48092. 

Phone: 810-751-3270. 

Elders: James Curtis [Colleen] (e-mail: jcurtis2@flash.net), Jon Hughes [Wendy] 

(e-mail: bztx74@troy01.pad.navp,gmeds.com), Ralph Shell [Jessie], J. 

Raymond Stevenson [Ruth]. 

Treasurer: Wendy Hughes [Jon], 4495 Harold, Troy, Ml 48098. Phone: 248- 

680-1959. 

S.S. Supt.: Arnold Jagt, E-mail: ajagt@ic.net


Home Page: http://www.reformed.com 

Southside Indianapolis-Office: 6878 Hillcrest Court, Indianapolis, IN 46227- 

7731. Phone: 317-783-9547. Fax: 317-783-7400. E-mail: 

70044,3053@compuse rve.com. 

Church: 6969 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46217. Phone: 317-787- 

1211. 

Pastor: Keith R. Magill [Becky], 6878 Hillcrest Court, Indianapolis, IN 46227. 


Clerk: James Bishop [Peg], 6611 Marble Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46237. Phone: 

317-783-0128. 

Elders: Don Prichard [Stephanie], William Sheldrake [Priscilla], George Shopp 

[Bonnie], Jerry Porter [Sharon]. 

Treasurer: Mark Hart [Susanne], 6440 Crimson Circle East Drive, Indianapolis, 

IN 46227. Phone: 317-787-7531. 

S.S. Supt.: Mrs. Stephanie Prichard [Don], 3224 Corey Drive, Indianapolis, IN 

46227. Phone: 317-888-4977. 

Sparta-605 North Market Street, Sparta, IL 62286. Phone: 618-443-4435. 

Pastor: Raymond E. Morton [Heather], 411 N. Vine St., Sparta, IL 62286. 

Phone: 618-443-3419. E-mail: remorton@prairienet.org Installed 1989. 

Director of Outreach: James McMahon [Laura], 516 N. Maple, Sparta, IL 

62282. Phone: 618-443-4691 

Clerk: Robert Morrow [Shirley], 414 N. Vine St., Sparta, IL 62286. Phone: 

618-443-3133. 

Elders: James McMahon [Laura], Samuel Morrow. 

Treasurer: Laura McMahon [James], 516 N. Maple, Sparta, IL 62282. Phone: 

618-443-4691. 

Sycamore Reformed Presbyteryian Church-meeting at YWCA, 406 E. 

Sycamore St., Kokomo, IN 46901. 

Pastor: Barry York [Miriam], 1104 W. Walnut, Kokomo, IN 46901. Phone: 

765-457-6682. E-mail: barryjyork@juno.com 

Clerk: Greg Fisher [Pam], 917 S. Armstrong St., Kokomo, IN 46901. Phone: 

765-868-9774. E-mail: metanoya@aol.com 

Elders: Tom Dinkledine [Susan], Paul Faris. 

Treasurers: Tom and Susan Dinkledine, 11330 W. 100 S., Russiaville, IN 

46979. Phone: 765-566-3602. 

Triangle Mission Church- 

Local Contact: Charles Leverett, 4214 Page Road, Morrisville, NC 27560 

Phone:919-544-2561 

Moderator of the Temporary Governing Body: Godfrey Franklin, Ph.D. 

[Kay], 5625 St. Adamnan St., Pensacola, FL 32503-7916. Phone: 904-478- 

6552. E-mail: gfrankli@nautilus.uwf.edu


Clerk of the T.G.B.: Tom Reid [Genevieve], 110 Ivy Street, Pittsburgh, P 

15218. Phone:412-731-3818. E-mail: rpseminary@aol.com 

Elders: Kenneth Epps, Ralph Joseph, Donald Mullinnix 

Westminster-16670 Easton Ave. Prairie View, IL 60069. (Send mail to pastor's 

address.) 

Pastor: Harry Metzger [Catherine], 215 E. Lakeside, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. 

Phone:847-367-1034. E-mail: RevHMetz@aol.com Installed 1990. 

Clerk: Robert Koch [Pam], 103 Hamilton Place, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. 

Phone: 847-367-9188. E-mail: RKoch9188@aol.com 

Elders: Fikre Menbere [Ritva], Bruce Lundeen [Pat], Rick Sutton [Ellen], Drew 

Mjoen [Christine]. 

Treasurer: Phil Ross, 7041 Willow Spring, Long Grove, IL 60060. Phone: 

847-566-0906 

S.S. Supt.: Catherine Meuger [Harry], 215 E. Lakeside, Vernon Hills, IL 

60061. Phone: 847-367-1034. 

Retired Minister 

Paul E. Faris, R.R. 1, Box 248, Bringhurst, IN 46913. Phone: 219-967-4855. 


Robert A. Henning, 3711 Premier Drive, Columbus, IN 47203-9657. Phone 

812-378-4190 E-mail: 74114.1513@compuserve.com 

Garland Kincaid [Uree], Box 66, Lizton, IN 46149-0066. Phone: 317-892- 

3829. 

M. L. McFarland, D. Min. [Shirley], 1832 N. Ogemaw Trail, West Branch, Ml 

48661. Phone 517-873-3930. 

James McMahon [Laura], 516 N. Maple, Sparta, IL 62286. Phone: 618-443- 

4691. 

Robert W. Morrow [Shirley], 414 N. Vine, Sparta, IL 62286. Phone: 618-443- 

3133. 

Edward Pitts [Nora], 9601 Seals Court, Dallas GA 30132. Phone: 404-445- 

9687. 

Tom Reid [Genevieve], 110 Ivy Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218. Phone: 412- 

731-3818. E-mail: rpseminary@aol.com 

James M. Wright [Judy], 9813 White Road, Ocoee, FL 34761. Phone: 407- 

291-2300 

Inactive Minister 

R. Paul Mathews [Janet], 587 E Circle Dr., Rose City, Ml 48654. Phone- 517- 

685-3187.


ROSTER OF JAPAN PRESBYTERY 

Moderator Shigeru Takiura 

Clerk 

Treasurer 

Auditor 


Sumito Sakai 

Shozo Hagiwara 

Hirokazu Enmoto 

Yoichiro Fukuya 

Higashisuma-4-2-26 Oote-cho, Suma-Ku, Kobe 654, Japan. 

Pastor: Sumito Sakai [Reiko], 4-2-26 Oote-cho, Suma-Ku, Kobe 654, Japan. 

Phone: 078-731-5702, From USA: 011-81-78-731-5702. Installed 1995. 

Clerk: Shozo Hagiwara [Setsuko], 7-18-21 Seiwadai, Kita-ku, Kobe 651-11, 

Japan. Phone: 078-593-2065, From USA: 011-81-78-593-2065. 

Elders: Akira Funahashi, Kazuo Ishii, Yoshio Nitta, Setsuo Sakai. 

Treasurer: Fumiko Nitta [Yoshio], 4-71-33, Katayama-cho, Nagata-ku, Kobe 

653, Japan. Phone: 078-691-9039, From USA: 011-81-78-691-9039. 

S.S. Superintendent: Yoshio Nitta [Fumiko], 4-71-33, Katayama-cho, Nagataku, 

Kobe 653, Japan. Phone: 078-691-9039, From USA: 011-81-78-691- 

9039. 

Youth Leader: Rintaro Funahashi. 

Hontamon Mission Station—(Send all mail to Higashisuma address above) 6-25- 

7 Hontamon, Tarumi-ku, Kobe 655, Japan. Phone: 

Pastor: Sumito Sakai [Reiko]. 4-2-26 Oote-cho, Suma-Ku, Kobe 654, Japan. 

Phone: 078-731-5702, From USA: 011-81-78-731-5702. 

Provisional Session: Under Higashisuma Session. 

Elders: (Provisional): Setsuo Sakai [Tomoko] 

Treasurer: Tomoko Sakai, 6-25-7 Hontamon, Tarumi-ku, Kobe 655, Japan. 

Phone: 078-781-2888; From USA: 011-81-78-781-2888. 

Kasumigaoka-6-8-10, Kasumigaoka, Tarumi-Ku, Kobe 655, Japan. 

Pastor: Vacant. 

Moderator: Shigeru Takiura (See Okamoto Keiyaku) 

Clerk: Kozo Kato [Yoshiko], 1-4-15, Midorigaoka Higashi, Miki 673-05 Japan. 

Phone: 07948-5-0592, From USA: 011-81-79-485-0592. 

Elders: 

Treasurer: Fujiko Yamaguchi [Hikoshi], 1-1-8 Utashikiyama, Tarumi-ku, Kobe 

655 Japan. Phone: 078-708-6577, From USA: 011-81-78-708-6577. 

Seigo Kitani [Yoshimi], 1-1-94 Suganodai, Tarumi-ku, Kobe 654-01 Japan. 

Phone: 078-792-6528, From USA: 011-81-78-792-6528. 

S.S. Supt.: Kozo Kato [Yoshiko], 1-4-15, Midorigaoka Higashi, Miki 673-05 

Japan. Phone: 07948-5-0592, From USA: 011-81-79-485-0592.


Keiyaku, Okamoto-6-17-31, Motoyama Kita-Machi, Higashinada-Ku, Kobe 

658, Japan. 

Pastor: Shigeru Takiura [MasakoJ. 6-17-31, Motoyama Kita-Machi, 

Higashinada-Ku, Kobe 658, Japan. Phone: 078-452-5310, From USA: 011- 

81-78-452-5310. Email: < KGD05166@niftyserve.or.jp> Installed 1977. 

Clerk: Hirokazu Enomoto [Chie], Okamoto Century Mansion 316, 4-9-30 

Okamoto, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658, Japan. Phone: 078-431-2613, From 

USA: 011-81-78-431-2613. 

Treasurer: Hajime Nakamura [Hiroko], 15-10-31 Kusunoki-cho, Ashiya 659, 


Youth Leader: Dempei Takiura 

Kita-Suzurandai (Mission Station)-1-4-10, Izumi-dai, Kita-Ku, Kobe 651-11, 

Japan. 


Provisional Session Moderator: Sumito Sakai 

Clerk: Shozo Hagiwara [Setsuko], 7-18-21, Seiwadai, Kita-ku, Kobe 651-11, 


Elder (Provisional): Shigeru Takiura. 

Mukonoso-3-26-5, Mukonoso, Amagasaki 661, Japan. 

Pastor: Gene Spear [Ruth], 3-26-5, Honmachi, Mukonoso Amagasaki 661, 

Japan. Phone: 06-432-5343, From USA: 011-81-6-432-5343. Installed 

1991. 

Clerk: Norihide Komuro [Shigeko], 3-71-2 Inano-cho, Itami 664, Japan. 

Phone: 0727-72-4718, From USA: 011-81-727-72-4718. 

Elders: Yochiro Fukuya 

Treasurer: Reiko Fukuya, 4-12-4, Mukonoso, Amagasaki 661, Japan. Phone: 

06-433-0192, From USA: 011-81-6-433-0192. 

Minister without pastorate: 

Nobuo Miwa [Fumiko], 1-502 Ohgu Apt., Tongbu-Ichon-dong, Yongsan-Ku, 

Seoul, Korea. 

Kobe Theological Hall - at Okamoto Keiyaku RPC building under the care o 

Okamoto Keiyaku Session. 

Chariman of the Faculty: Shigeru Takiura 

Other Faculty members: Sumito Sakai, Gene Spear.


ROSTER OF MIDWEST PRESBYTERY 

Moderator Dennis J. Prutow 

Clerk 

R. Bruce Parnell 


Greg Adams 

Treasurer 

Dennis Wing, 

6104 Hallet, Shawnee, KS 66216. Phone: 913-268-9612. 

Ad Interim Commission Moderator 

Robert McFarland 

lowa Conference Secretary 

Rob Jarrard 

Eastern Conference Secretary 

Bob Lyons 

Western Conference Secretary 

Ronald L. Graham 

Youth Leaders 

Greg sc Janis Adams 

Christ Covenant Church-2312 Harvard, Lawrence, Kansas. Phone: 913-842- 

5797. 


Clerk: Philip Beard [Eileen], 735 Illinois, Lawrence, KS 66044. Phone: 913- 

842-9262. 

Elders: Carl Mathews [Sharon], Jerrold S. Milroy [Saundy] 

Treasurer: Saundy Milroy [Jerrold], 14103 West 62nd Terrace, Shawnee, KS 

66216. Phone: 913-631 -9380. 

S.S.Supt/C.E.Chr: Carl Mathews [Sharon], 818 Missouri, Lawrence, KS 

66044. Phone: 913-843-7537. 

Youth directors: James and Tamara Jarrow, 925 Vermont, Lawrence, KS 

66044. Phone:913-749-3478. 

Clarinda-R.3, Box 52A, Clarinda, IA 51632. Phone: 712-542-3257. 


Clerk: Steve Falk [Ruth], R.R. 4, Box 116, Clarinda, IA 51632. Phone: 712- 

542-2486. 

Elders: Steve Falk. 

Treasurer: Mrs. Rudy (Helen) Falk, R.R. 4, Box I18A, Clarinda, IA 51632. 

Phone: 712-542-2486. 

S.S. Supt./C.E. Chr.: Steve sc Ruth Falk, R.R. 4, Clarinda, IA 51632. Phone: 

712-542-2697. 

Denison-P.O. Box 76, Denison, KS 66419-0076. Phone: 785-935-2348. 

Pastor: J. Edward Hindman [Cindy], P.O. Box 76, Denison, KS 66419-0076. 


Clerk: Lloyd J. Copeland, 17344 W Road, Mayetta, KS 66509-8657. Phone: 

785-935-2428. 

Elders: Dale Blackwood, James D. Braum, Harold McCrory, Harlan Phillips, 

Merlin Wing.


Treasurer: Allen Caskey [Mary Ann], 18675 K-16 Hwy, Holton, KS 66436- 

8451. Phone: 785-935-2222. 

S.S. Supt.: Mary Ann Caskey [Allen], 18675 K-16 Hwy, Holton, KS 66436- 

8451. Phone: 785-935-2222. 

Greeley-1501 Tenth Ave., Greeley, CO 80631. Phone: 970-352-1912. 


Clerk: Philip Kennedy, P.O. Box 16, Pierce, CO 80650. Phone: 303-834- 

2223. 

Elders: Bruce Cummings. 

Elder Emeritus: Edwin R. Keys. 

Treasurer: Marcia Siebring, 3810 W. 12th St., Greeley, CO 80634. Phone: 

970-353-0426. 

S.S. Supt.: None. 

Hebron-1328 Goodin Dr., R. 3, Clay Center, KS 67432-2248. Phone: 785- 

632-5861. 


Clerk: Harold Milligan [Margaret], 1214 Hackberry Rd., Clay Center, KS 

67432. Phone: 785-632-2009. 

Elders: Steven McMahan [Sheryl] 

Elders Emeriti: Russell James [Betty] 

Treasurer: Mrs. Russell (Betty) James, 2224 N. Highway 15, Clay Center, KS 

67432. Phone: 785-632-5016. 

C.E.Chairman: Steven McMahan [Sheryl], 1807 Pogue Rd., Clay Center, KS 

67432. Phone: 785-632-3043. 

Midland Mission Church- 

Meeting place: Parker Elementary School, St. Andrews H Norwood, Midland, 

TX. 

Office: 3100 North A Street, Rohill Building, Suite 110, Midland, TX 79705. 

Pastor-Sidney W. VanCamp [Judy], 2433 Whitmore Blvd., #83, Midland, TX 

79705. Phone: 915-570-1008 

Minneola-(Locust and Maple) Box 197, Minneola, KS 67865-0197. Phone: 

316-885-4346. 

Pastor: Ron Graham [Gay], (208 E. Ash) Box 197, Minneola, KS 67865- 

0197. Phone: 316-885-4538. Installed 1985. 

Clerk: Wayne D. Curry [Anita], Rt. 1 Box 9, Minneola, KS 67865-0002. 

Phone: 316-885-4553. 

Elders: Reed Hindman [Carol], Archie McKissick [Ruth] 

Treasurer: Robert McKissick M.D. [Sharon], Box 380, Minneola, KS 67865- 

0360. Phone:316-885-4820. 

Quinter-721 Gove St., Box 280, Quinter, KS 67752. Phone: 785-754-3406.


Stated Supply: Steven Work [Jeannie], 711 Gove St., Quinter, KS 67752. 

Phone: 785-754-3406. 

Moderator: Joe Copeland (Edie), 703 Fort St., Hays, KS 67601. Phone: 

785-625-5863. 

Clerk: Waldo McBurney [Vernice], (518 Park St.) P.O. Box 277, Quinter, KS 

67752. Phone: 785-754-3534. 

Elders: Max E. Mann [Fran] 

Treasurer: Sam Chestnut [Norma], Box 122, Morland, KS 67650. Phone: 

785-627-3175. 

S.S. Supt.: Fran Mann, [Max], Box 24A, Quinter, KS 67752. Phone: 785- 

754-3925. 

Sharon-R.R.2, Morning Sun, IA 52640. Phone: 319-394-3382. 

Pastor: Ronald V. Good [Virginia], 26029 160th Ave. Morning Sun, IA 

52640. Phone: 319-868-7719. 

Clerk: John W. Smith [Roselea], 11573 Northview Dr., Burlington, IA 52601- 

8611. Phone: 319-754-8720. 

Elders: Paul McElhinney [Evelyn], James Pilling [Sharon] 

Treasurer: Kim Robb [Chris], R.R. #2, Morning Sun, IA 52640. Phone: 319- 

868-7852. 

S.S. Supt.: Keith McElhinney [Debbie], Morning Sun, IA 52640. Phone: 319- 

868-7611. 

Shawnee-(6835 Pflumm Rd.) P.O. Box 3427, Shawnee, KS 66203. Phone: 

913-631-1991. 

Pastor: Terence E. Dowds, [Barbara], 11315 W. 73rd St., Shawnee, KS 


Clerk: Curtis Porter [Sandy], 6929 Stearns, Shawnee, KS 66203. Phone: 913- 

631-2913. 

Elders: Wilbur Copeland [Arvilla], Harold Faris [Margaret], Dennis Wing 

[Debbie]. 

Elder Emeritus: R. Paul Wright, M.D. [Gretta] 

Treasurer: Richard M. Hemphill [Nancy], 4902 Belinder Ave., Shawnee 

Mission, KS 66205. Phone: 913-236-9574. 

S.S. Supt.: Ron Patterson [Mary Lou], 4518 Perry Lane, Merrian, KS 66203. 

Phone:913-722-5474. 

Youth Leaders: Dennis and Debbie Wing, 6104 Hallet, Shawnee, KS 66216. 

Phone:913-268-9612. 

Springs Reformed Church (RPCNA)-229 S. Weber, Colorado Springs, CO 

80903. Phone: 719-577-9225. 

Pastor: J. Paul McCracken [Frances], 617 Salano Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 

80906. Phone: 719-471-2417. Installed 1986.


Clerk: Robert J. Mann [Ruth], 430 Kinnikinnik Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 

80906. Phone: 719-635-8628. 

Treasurer: Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Mann, 430 Kinnikinnik Dr., Colorado Springs, 

CO 80906. Phone: 719-635-8628. 

C.E. Chairman: Kevin Bywater, 928 Osage Ave., #10, Manitou Springs, CO 

80829. Phone: 719-685-9747. 

Sterling-412 N. 8th St., Sterling, KS 67579. Pastor's Study: 316-278-2919; 

Church Phone: 316-278-2919. 

Pastor: Dennis ]. Prutow [Erma], 510 N. Broadway, Sterling, KS 67579. 


Clerk: John Wilkey [Phyllis], 1960 State Road 14, Sterling, KS 67579-8824. 

Phone: 316-278-3182. 

Elders: Don Reed [Linda], John Wilkey [Phyllis] 

Treasurer: James R. McCrory [Clelia], 316 N. 10th, Sterling, KS 67579. 

Phone: 316-278-2897. 

C.E. Chairman: Dennis J. Prutow [Erma], 510 N. Broadway, Sterling, KS 

67579. Phone: 316-278-2905. 

Stillwater-Office Phone:405-377-1689. P.O. Box 531, Stillwater, OK, 

74076-0531. Meeting place: 723 W. University (Nazarene Student Center), 

Stillwater, OK. 

Pastor: R. Bruce Parnell [Vicky], 1011 S. Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074. 

Phone:405-372-4910. E-mail:


Washington-500 S. Ave. "D", Washington, IA 52353. Phone: 319-653-3101. 

Pastor: Douglas W. Comin, [Amy], 413 W. 8th St., Washington, IA 52353. 

Phone: 319-653-2530. E-mail: rprev@franklin.se-iowa.net. Installed 1992. 

Clerk: Dr. Michael Todd [Lana], 314 Springer, Columbus Junction, IA 52738. 

Phone: 319-728-7718. 

Elders: Ralph Howell [Henrietta], George F. Masson, Jr. [Kathryn], Donald 

Wilson [Julia]. 

Treasurer: Gary Todd [Karen], 1242 Ridge Road, Columbus Junction, IA 

52738. Phone: 319-728-2702. 

S.S. Supt.: Nancy Skubal [Greg], 2280 Willow Ave., Ainsworth, IA 52201. 

Phone:319-657-2315. 

Westminster-4455 W. 112th Ave., Westminster, CO 80030. Phone: 303-469- 

0761. 

Pastor: Robert L. Hemphill [Cheryl], 3781 W. 90th Way, Westminster, CO 


Clerk: Greg Adams [Janis], 3550 Ames St., Denver, CO 80212. Phone: 303- 

420-5076. 

Elders: Richard Mueller [Susan], Bill Van Sciver, [Vicki], Martin Wilsey 

[Barbara] 

Treasurer: Robert Buck, 3754 Canterbury, Broomfield, CO 80020. Phone: 

303-469-9982. 

C.E. Chairman: Lew Flowers [Colleen], 5765 W. 118th Ave., Westminster, 

CO 80020. Phone: 303-469-5197. 

Wichita Mission Church- 

Organizing Pastor: Charles Carroll, [Rosaline], 1910 West 29th North, 

Wichita, KS 67204. Phone: 316-838-8126. Installed 1997. 

Moderator of Wichita Commission: Dennis ]. Prutow [Erma], 510 N. 

Broadway, Sterling, KS 67579. Phone: 316-278-2905. 

Clerk of Wichita Commission: Harold Milligan [Margaret], 1214 Hackberry 

Rd., Clay Center, KS 67432. Phone: 785-632-2009. 

Treasurer: Sue Wilkey [Sam], Wichita, KS 67213. Phone: 316-264-4816. 

Winchester-R.l, Box A-1, Winchester, KS 66097. Phone: 913-774-4021. 

Pastor: Paul W. Finley, RR #1, Box A-1, Winchester, KS 66097. Phone: 913- 

774-4585. Installed 1993. 

Clerk: Jay O'Neill [Cindy], Rt. 1, Box 34B, Winchester, KS 66097. Phone: 

913-774-8791. 

Elders: David Huston [Joy], Bob Lyon [Rita], Scott McBurney [Donna], Jay 

O'Neill [Cindy]. 

Treasurer: Eileen Filbert [Ed], Valley Falls, KS . Phone: 913- - . 

C.E. Chm.: Paul W. Finley, RR #1, Box A-1, Winchester, KS 66097.


Ordained Men on the Mission Field 

Chaplain Stan Copeland [Marilyn], 608 McClellan Ave., Fort Leavenworth, KS 

66027-1309. Phone: 913-537-9347. 

Ordained Men Without Pastorates 

Samuel E. Boyle, D.D. [Orlena], The Meadows Apartments #102, 11938 W. 

77th St., Lenexa, KS 66216. Phone: 913-631-1614. 

R. Wylie Caskey, D.D. [Grace], R. 1, Box 8A, Winchester, KS 66097. Phone: 

913-774-8481. 

D. Howard Elliott, D.D. [Winifred], 405 Delaware, Winchester, KS 66097. 

Phone:913-774-8643. 

E. Raymond Hemphill, D.D. [Jennie], 1070 Iris, Broomfield, CO 80020. Phone: 

303-469-6384. 

T. Richard Hutcheson, 4712 S.W. 6th St., Topeka, KS 66606-2284. Phone: 

785-272-6107. 

Robert L. LaMay [Kay], 3444 Blazing Pine Path, Decatur, GA 30034. Phone: 

404-243-4409. E-mail: 

Jerrold S. Milroy [Saundy], 14103 West 62nd Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66216. 

Phone:913-631-9380. 

Robert More, Jr., Ph.D. [RuthJ, P.O. Box 117, Waddington, NY 13694. Phone: 

315-388-4630. 

Ronald H. Stegall [Kathy], 721 Mississippi, Lawrence, KS 66044. Phone: 913- 

865-0895. 

Robert B. Tweed [Elaine], 209 4th St., Winchester, KS, 66097. Phone: 913- 

774-4478. 

S. Bruce Willson, D.D., 129 Fairfield Drive, Barto, PA 19504. Phone: 610-754- 

8788. 

Martin J. Wilsey [Barbara], 170 Garnet St., Broomfield, CO 80020. Phone: 

303-465-3907. 

ROSTER OF PACIFIC COAST PRESBYTERY 

Moderator Timothy McCracken 

Clerk 


Treasurer 

Assistant Treasurer 


Moderator of Ad Interim Commission 

Paul M. Martin 

Harold Reyburn 

Dennis Olson 

Paul Perkins 

Timothy McCracken, Donald Lamont 

Donald Piper


Fresno-380 N. Maple Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702. Phone: 209-251-4176. 

Pastor: Timothy McCracken [Lori], 4614 E. Grant Avenue, Fresno, CA 


Clerk: Danny Gathright [Kathy], 1073 N. Filbert, Clovis, CA 93611. Phone: 

209-298-5902. 

Elders: William Copeland [Willa], Donald Gouge [Jeanne], Lewis Keys [Lorena] 

Treasurer: Lois Copeland, 3905 Adler, Clovis, CA 93612. Phone: 209-292- 

7408. 

Los Angeles-3557 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Phone: 213-255- 

8757. Voice Mail: 818-603-1984. 

Pastor: Kenneth Orr [Michelle], 3322 Castera Ave., Glendale, CA 91208. 


Clerk: Francis S. Buck, M.D. [Dorothy], 240 Cherry Drive, Pasadena, CA 

91105. Phone: 626-795-2623. 

Elders: Richard Buck [Leah], Hector Pino [Dottiann], J.D. Birdsall [Evelyn], 

(Elder Emeritus). 

Treasurer: Mrs. Rebecca Phillips, 230 Cherry Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105. 

Phone: 626-793-8610. 

Orange County: Christ Our King Fellowship-P.O. Box 17263, Anaheim 

Hills, CA 92817. 

Organizing Pastor: John McFarland [Lisa], 1685 Sheridan Circle, Corona, CA 


Treasurer: Irene Huizing [Howard], 145 N. Harwood, Orange, CA 92866. 

Phone: 714-771-3208. 

Temporary Governing Body: Kenneth Orr [Michelle], Howard Huizing 

[Irene], Timothy McCracken [Lori] 

Phoenix-1117 E. Devonshire, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Phone: 602-277-3497. 

Pastor: Paul M. Martin, 4431 N. Longview, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Phone: 602- 

266-1454. Installed 1972. 

Clerk: Harold Reyburn [Dawn], 4035 E. Osborn Road Phoenix, AZ 85018. 

Phone: 602-954-9524. 

Elders: Philip W. Martin [Jean] 

Treasurer: Wade Borg [Karen], c/o 1117 E. Devonshire, Phoenix, AZ 85014. 

San Diego-3495 College Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115. Phone: 619-582- 

0940. 

Pastor: Joseph Griffo 

Clerk: Bennett Broadway [Judy], 675 Ecken Road, El Cajon, CA 92020. 

Phone:619-442-9014. 

Elders: 

Treasurer: Jaime Green [Mark], 8701 Vanguard PL, Lakeside, CA 92040. 

Phone:619-443-1049.


Seattle-6554 20th Avenue, N.E., Seattle, WA 98115. Phone: 206-522-318 

Pastor: Donald Piper [Boni], 1915 N.E. 68th Street, Seattle, WA 98115. 


Clerk: Joseph Lamont, Jr. [Beth], 4233 N.E. 75th Street, Seattle, WA 98115. 

Phone: 206-524-2052. 

Elders: Dennis Olson [Karen], Paul Perkins [PatJ 

Elders Emeritus: John B. Lamont [Mary] 

Treasurer: Aaron Piper, 1915 N.E. 68th Street, Seattle, WA 98115. Phone: 

206-525-2884. 


James D. Carson [Dorothy], 1759 Larkhaven Glen, Escondido, CA 92026. 

Phone: 760-747-2410 (home); 760-480-8474 (work). Email: 

< jdcarson@juno.com > 

Charles Chao, D.D. [Pearl], 1358 Calle Rosamaria, San Dimas, CA 91773 

Phone: 818-331-7470. 

Philip W. Martin [Jean], 4332 N. Longview, Apt. 2, Phoenix, AZ 85014. 

Phone: 602-264-0253. 

Glenn E. McFarland [Jean], 326 Craig Drive, Orange, CA 92669. Phone: 714- 

771-7565. 

ROSTER OF ST. LAWRENCE PRESBYTERY 

Moderator Scott Wilkinson 

Clerk 

Brian Coombs 

Treasu rer 

Everett Wood 

RR3 Box 2042, Lafayette, NY 13084 

Ad Interim Commission - Walter W. Swartz 

Church Extension Commission 

Edward A. Robson 

Student Oversight Committee 

Edward A. Robson, Richard L. Ganz 

Commission to Oversee Camps: 

St. Lawrence Family Camp 

Tom Burns, Gene Huggins 

White Lake Camp 

Greg Moberg, George Hueber 

Ottawa Theological Hall-466 Woodland Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 

Mailing address: P.O. Box 23139, Ottawa Ontario, Canada K2A 4E2. 

Phone: 613-596-5566. 

Almonte-273 Almonte Street, Almonte, Ontario, Canada KOA 1A0. Phone: 

613-256-2816 


Clerk: Thomas Burns, R.R. #1, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 3P1, Canada. 

Phone:613-257-1924


Elders: John R. Morton 

Treasurer: John R. Morton, Box 562, Almonte, Ontario, KOA 1A0, Canada. 

Phone: 613-256-1904. Email: JMorton@nrn1.NREan.gc.ca 

S.S. Supt.: Robert More, 62 Front St., Carleton Place, Ontario, , Canada. 

Phone: 

Endwell- 

Pastor: Arthur Fawthrop [Ellen], 419 W. Franklin St., Endicott, NY 13760. 


Clerk: Karl Meeker (Provisional), 23 Liberty St., Walton, NY 13856. Phone: 

607-865-4654. 

Elders: Harold Harrington, Donald McBurney, Wendell Spear (Provisional) 

Treasurer: ]ohn Cantrell, 651 Grove St., Elmira, NY 14901. Phone: 607-734- 

8044. 

Fulton-525 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069. Phone: 315-598-7659. 

Pastor: Nicholas Iamaio [Kathleen], 162 County Route 24, Oswego, NY 


Clerk: Roy vanNorstrand, c/o R.R. 5, Box 129, Fulton, NY 13069. Phone: 

315-593-1464. 

Treasurer: Mrs. Aaron Howard. Phone: 315-598-9621. 

Lisbon-Cemetery and Tuck Roads, P.O. Box, Lisbon, NY 13658. 

Pastor: Wade Mann [Barbara], P.O. Box 88, 6904 County Route 10, Lisbon, 

NY 13658. Phone: 315-393-9041. E-mail: WMAN@MUSIC.STLAWU.EDU. 


Clerk: Dale Smith, Lisbon, NY 13658. Phone: 315-393-2988. 

Elders: Webster Fields, Donald Smith 

Treasurer: Mrs. Webster [Edna] Fields, Box 191, Ogdensburg, NY 13669. 

Phone: 315-393-2749. 

S.S. Supt.: Lowell Smith, Dezell Road, Lisbon, NY 13658. Phone: 315-393- 

5789. 

Lochiel- 

Pastor: Vacant-Moderator: Wade Mann (See Lisbon) 

Clerk: Brian Brodie, R.R.#3, Dalkeith, Ontario, KOB IE0, Canada. Phone: 613- 

874-2989 

Elders: (Provisional) Dale Smith 

Treasurer: Mrs. William Brodie, R.R.#3, Dalkeith, Ontario, KOB IE0, Canada. 

Phone:613-874-2651 

New Hartford Mission Church- Phone: 315-734-0568. Fax: 734-0581. 

Email: AGoerner@aol.com 

Church Planter: Aaron M. Goerner (See Oswego).


Oswego-71 W. Bridge Street, Oswego, NY 13126-2009. Phone: 315-343- 

7112. Fax: 315-343-9609. 

Pastor: Walter Wm. Swaru [Karen] 119 EastThird Street, Oswego, NY 13126. 


Associate Pastor: Aaron M. Goerner [Heidi], 1708 Oneida Street, Utica NY 

13501-5719. Phone: 315-733-0530. Installed 1997. 

Clerk: John W. McGrath, 216 Duer Street, Oswego, NY 13126. Phone: 315- 

342-1682. 

Elders: Peter E. Howe, Kevin Plummer. 

Treasurer: Andrew Curran, Jr., R.D. 1, Box 16 Morningside Drive, Hannibal, 

NY 13074. Phone: 315-564-6656. 

Youth Director: Peter E. Howe. 

Ottawa-466 Woodland Ave. (Mailing address: Box 23139), Ottawa, Ontario, 

Canada K2A 4E2. Phone: 613-596-5566. 

Pastor: Richard L. Ganz, Ph.D. [Nancy], P.O. Box 23139, Ottawa, Ontario, 

K2A 4E2, Canada. Phone: 613-257-1650; Fax: 613-257-4900. Installed 

1981. 

Associate Pastor: Andrew M. Stringer [Beth], 24 Ridge Road, Box 1191, 

Bancroft, Ontario KOL ICO, Canada. Phone:613-332-2593. Installed 1997. 

Clerk: Aubrey E. Ayer, 2202 - 1025 Richmond Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K2B 

8G8, Canada. Phone: 613-721-0308. 

Elders: lain Campbell, Alaisdar Graham 

Treasurer: David Ayer, 113 Thistledown Court, Nepean, Ontario, K2J 1J5, 

Canada. Phone: 613-825-6281. 

Rochester Fellowship- 

Pastor: Vacant. Interim Moderator: George Hueber, 6070 Single Tree Lane, 

Jamesville, NY 13078. Phone: 315-498-6024. 

Clerk: Peter Robson, 36 Edendery Circle, Fairport, NY 14450. Phone: 716- 

388-9336. 

Elders: Gene Huggins (Provisional), Greg Moberg, William H. Pihl, 

Treasurer: Greg O. Moberg,, 84 Inglewood Drive, Rochester, NY 14619. 

Phone: 716-328-1069. Email: gmoberg@servtech.com 

Smiths Falls-79 McGill Street North, Smiths Falls, Ontario, K7A 2K1, Canada. 

Phone:613-284-8385. 

Pastor: Christian Adjemian, Ph.D. [Laura], R.R. 5. Perth, Ontario K7H 3C7, 

Canada. Study Phone: 613-264-0262; Home Phone: 613-264-8839. Email: 

adjemian@superaje.com. Installed 1988. 

Clerk: John F. Coombs, M.D., 3 Walters Lane, Fallbrook, Ontario KOG 1A0, 

Canada. Phone: 613-267-6949. 

Treasurer: David Sinclair, P.O. Box 2092, R.P.O. #1, Perth, Ontario K7H 

3M9, Canada. Phone: 613-267-4923.


Syracuse-2517 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13205-1525. Phone: 315-476- 

5618. 

Pastor: Kenneth G. Smith [Floy], 312 Goodrich Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210. 

Phone:315-476-3417. Email: revkgs@juno.com Installed 1993. 

Associate Pastor: Brian E. Coombs [Dorian], 850 Vine Street, Apt. 2F, 

Liverpool, NY 13088. Phone:315-451-4032. Installed 1996. 

Clerk: Robert Rice, 6249 Country Lane, Homer, NY 13077. Phone: 607-749- 

7692. 

Elders: Jeff Bulow, Gene Huggins, Bruce Manwaring, Robert Pinkerton, Bruce 

Trexler. 

Treasurer: Tammy Terpening, 4417 Bellflower Circle, Syracuse, NY 13215. 

Phone: 315-492-9354. 

Walton-East and Bruce Streets, Walton, NY 13856. Phone: 607-865-6481. 

Pastor: Scott Wilkinson, 115 Townsend Street, Walton, NY 13856. Phone: 

607-865-5640. Installed 1995. 

Clerk: Jack McCready, R.D.#2, Walton, NY 13856. Phone: 607-865-5966. 

Elders: Bruce Henderson, Karl Meeker, Hartley Russell, Wendell Spear 

Elders Emeriti: Ralph Henderson 

Treasurer: Renwick Russell, R.D. #2, Box A193, Walton, NY 13856. Phone: 

607-865-4018. 

Montreal Mission- 

Contact Person: Philip Choiniere-Shields, 551 Buchanan, St. Laurent, Quebec 

H4L 2T5. Phone: 514-748-8641. 

Minister Serving with the R.P. Seminary 

Edward A. Robson, Ph. D. [Gretchen], 5370 Richland Rd., Gibsonia, PA 

15044. Phone: 412-444-6705. 


Harold B. Harrington [Ena], R.D. 1. Box 29, New Albany, PA 18833. Phone: 

717-363-2637. 

Kenneth A. McBurney [Virginia], 149 Patricia Drive, Beaver Falls, PA, 15010. 

Phone:412-827-8548. 

William H. Pihl [Beverly], 152 Post Avenue, Rochester, NY 14619. Phone: 

716-436-0738. 

Robert Rice [Vivian], 6249 Country Lane, Homer, NY 13077. Phone: 607- 

749-7692.


ROSTER OF FOREIGN MISSIONARIES 

Charles Chao, D.D.[Pearl], (On loan to the Reformation Transla 

1358 Calle Rosamaria St., San Dimas, CA 91773. Phone: 818-331-7470. 

Gene Spear [Ruth], 3-26-5, Honmachi, Mukonoso Amagasaki 661, Japan. Phone: 

81-6-432-5343, from USA: 011-81-6-432-5343. 

William Sterrett [Pitsa], . 

SALARY SCHEDULE-FOREIGN MISSIONARIES-1996 

Basic: Ordained $23,179 

Non-Ordained $ 18,543 

Increment: 

Ordained: $600 per year up to fiveyears. 

Non-ordained $480 per year up to fiveyears. 

An adjustment is made each month according to the cost-of-living index. 

Salaries are paid monthly. 

Fringe Benefits: Hospitalization Insurance, Denominational Pension, in lieu of S.S. 

Schooling provided for children through high school.


WOMEN'S SYNODICAL OFFICERS 

President: Marilyn Russell, Russell Road, Walton, NY 13856. Phone: 607- 

5356. 

Vice President: Cindy Hindman, P.O. Box 76, Denison, KS 66419-0076. 

Phone: 913-935-2394. 

Recording Secretary: Kay Cassuccio, 3226 6th Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone: 412-846-3409. 

Corresponding Secretary: Bessie Van Kirk, 526 Crawford, Clay Center, KS 

67432. Phone: 913-632-3794. 

Treasurer: Marcia Siebring, 3810 W. 12th St. Dr., Greeley, CO 80630. 

Phone: 303-353-0426. 

Assistant Treasurer: Esther Kennedy, P.O. Box 16, Pierce, CO 80650. Phone: 

303-834-2223. 

COORDINATORS 

Missions: Alice Sterrett, 2828 4th Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 

412-843-1186. 

Literature: Judy Wright, 9813 White Road, Ocoee, FL 34761. Phone: 407- 

291-2300. 

Christian Living: Jocele McDonald, 6404 T.R. 55, Bellefontaine, OH 43311. 

Phone: 513-593-1190. 

Sanctity of life: Gayle Copeland, P.O. Box 181, Winchester, KS 66097. 

Phone: 913-774-2232. 

Historian/Librarian: June Miller, R.D. 1, Box 272, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone: 412-846-1468. 

Editor: . 

Home Mission Board Representative: Marcia Elliott, 1215 10th Ave., 

Greeley, CO 80631. Phone: 303-353-1583. 

Foreign Mission Board Representative: Sandra Johns, 1920 Wade St., Ext., 

Aliquippa, PA 15001. Phone: 412-378-4018. 

Political Responsibility: Jane Warden, RD#1 Georgetown Road, Beaver Falls, 

PA 15010. Phone: 412-846-2903.


WOMEN'S PRESBYTERIAL OF THE ALLEGHENIES 

President: Katharine Plowmaker, 1005 Hollywood Dr., Beaver FAIIs, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-843-3093. 

1st. Vice President: Dorothy Sterrett, 161 Birnesser Dr., Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-846-2097. 

2nd Vice President: Janine Gould, 107 Henderson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15235 

Phone: 412-243-4471 

Recording Secretary: Clara Blair, RD #6 Box 346, New Castle, PA 16101, 

Phone: 412-924-9434 

Corresponding Secretary: Martha Russell, 3321 Fifth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-846-0979. 

Treasurer: Bernice Caskey, 3004 Sixth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 

412-847-2543. 

Assistant Treasurer: Bonnie Hemphill, 2801 Fourth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-843-4787 

Political Responsibility Coord.: Jane Warden, RD1 Georgetown Rd., Beaver 

Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 412-846-2903. 

COORDINATORS 

Mission: Louise Schmidtburger, RD #4 Box 490, New Castle, PA 16101. 

Phone: 412-924-2527 

Christian Living: Shannon Hostetter, 109 Beatty St., Pittsburgh, PA 15221. 

Phone: 412-244-0337. 

Sanctity of Life: Elizabeth Scavo, 502 Second Ave, Eastvale, Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-847-7341. 

Literature: Jean Hemphill, 412 30th St., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Phone: 

412-843-6562. 

Historian: Carol Martin, 107 Ridgewood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 14229. Phone: 

412-931-2603 

LOCAL FELLOWSHIPS 

Allegheny: Rosanna Mcllwee, 2344 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15214. 

Phone: 412-321-1602. 

College Hill Highlanders: Beverly Carson, 1310 Fox Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-846-3469. 

Eastvale/Ethyl Copeland: Martha Edgar, 3004 Fifth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-846-0134. 

First Beaver Falls: Alberta Cory, 271 Braun Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. 

Phone: 412-843-3293. 

Geneva/Lillian McCracken: Maureen Wright, 416-30th St., Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-847-1396. 

New Alexandria: Nancy Vincze, RD 3, Box 65, New Alexandria, PA 15670 

Phone: 412-668-7580.


North Hills-Emma Elliott: Mary M. Spear, 3940 Bakerstown Rd., Gibsonia 

PA 15044. Phone: 412-443-3591 

Rose Point-Mary Jane: June Miller, 101 Old Blackhawk Rd., Beaver Falls, PA 

15010. Phone: 412-846-1468 

Tusca Area Ladies: Betty Weinacht, 4265 Tuscarawas Rd., Beaver, PA 15009. 

Phone: 412-495-7057 

Covenant Fellowship: Beth Henriquez, 401 Highland Ave., Turtle Creek, PA 

15145. Phone: 412-824-3697 

OTHER CONTACT PERSONS: 

Manchester: Church, 204 Manachester Hill, New Kinsington, PA 15068 

Rimersburg: Donna Monger, RD 2, Box 63B, Rimersburg, PA 16248. Phone: 

814-473-3670. 

State College: Jane Keddie, 2440 Lexington Circle, State College, PA 16801. 

Phone: 814-234-2653. 

Anchor Fellowship: Jeanette Nagel, 5555 Caithness Court, Fairfax, VA 

22032-3835. 

Trinity: Mary Lynn McCracken, 4406 Franklin Terrace, Beltsville, MD 20705, 

Phone: 301-937-5965


GREAT LAKES GULF PRESBYTERIAL 

President: Phyllis Tacey, 2620 Conway Gardens Rd., Orlando, FL 32806. 

Phone: 407-898-5130. 

1 st Vice President: Phoebe WMF, 

2nd Vice President: Ellen Moore, 232 Penridge Lane, West Lafayette, IN 

47907. Phone: 317-449-4368. 

Recording Secretary: Lena Dixson, 130 S. Kirby Rd., Bloomington, IN 

47303. Phone: 812-825-2837. 

Corresponding Secretary: Clara Worsham, 9763 White Rd., Ocoee, FL. 

34761. Phone: 407-293-1557. 

Treasurer: Judy Pockras, P.O. Box 365, Belle Center, OH 43310. Phone: 

513-464-6851. 

COORDINATORS 

Missions: Eileen Auld, 1500 Swanwick Rd., Oakdale, IL 62268. Phone: 618- 

329-5528. 

Literature: Martha Mclntyre, R.R. 2, Box 271, Coulterville, IL 62237. Phone: 

313-751-3270. 

Historian/Librarian: Judy Pockras, PO Box 365, Belle Center, OH 43310- 

9655. Phone: 513-464-6851. 

Sanctity of Life: Gladys Dill, 370 Lakeview St., Orlando, FL 32804. Phone: 

407-648-1940. 

Christian Living: Alice Bowes, 7817 Dunham Rd., Downers Grove, IL 60516. 

Literature: Martha Mclntyre, R.R.2, Box 271, Coulterville, IL 62237. Phone: 

313-751-3270. 

Political Responsibility: Judy Wright, 9813 White RD., Ocoee, FL 34761. 

Phone: 407-291-2300. 


Belle Center: Judy Pockras, P.O. Box 365, Belle Center, OH 43310. Phone: 

513-464-6851. 

Oakdale: Margaret Patton, 247 W. Belleville, Nashville, IL 62263. Phone: 

618-327-8140. 

Orlando: Mary McCracken, Plantation Gardens Condominiums, 4390 C Lake 

Underhill Rd., Orlando, FL 32803. Phone: 407-896-0784. 

Phoebe: Ellen Moore, 1018 Carleton Court, Bloomington, IN 47401. Phone: 

812-339-2039. 

Selma: Louvenia Brown, 2007 Third Avenue, Selma, AL 36701. Phone: 205- 

872-0643. 

Sparta: Mildred Halliday, 3 Cherry Lane, Sparta, IL 62286-1003. Phone: 

618-443-4413. 

West Lafayette: Kim Held, 610 S. 9th St., Lafayette, IN 47901. Phone: 

317-423-4353.


MIDWEST PRESBYTERIAL - EASTERN DIVISION 

President: Alice Pilling, 13178-250th St., Mediapolis, IA 52640. Phone: 

319-394-3577. 

Vice President: Patti Howe 

Cor. Secretary: Ola Lambert, Box 238, 219 NE 1st St., Morning Sun, IA 

52640. Phone: 319-868-4101. 

Rec. Secretary: Betty Harsh, Route 2, Box 162, Morning Sun, IA 52640. 

Phone: 319-868-7935. 

Treasurer: Lila Megchelsen, 3216 Old White Way, Ainsworth, IA 52201. 

COORDINATORS 

Missions: Eleanor Cummings, 25825-160th Ave., Morning Sun, IA 52640. 

Phone: 319-868-7715 

Sanctity of Life: Arlene McDonald, 25957 Garland St., Morning Sun, IA 

52640. Phone: 319-868-4235 

Christian Living: Lillian Gregory, PO Box 13110 N Kearney, Morning Sun, IA 

52640. Phone: 319-868-7762. 

Literature: Eleanor Baird 

Political Responsibility: Amy Comin 

Historian: Martha Moore, 108 Orchard Lane, Columbus Junction, IA 52738. 

Phone: 319-728-3202. 


Sharon: Ola Lambert, Box 238, 219 NE 1st St., Morning Sun, IA 52640. 

Phone: 319-868-4101 

Washington: Lila Megchsen, 699 Perdock Crt., Washington, IA 52353. 

Phone: 319-653-3771


MIDWEST PRESBYTERIAL - WESTERN DIVISION 

President: Martha Hutcheson, 5435 Outlook , Mission , KS 66202,. Phone: 

913-236-8792. 

1st Vice President: Elizabeth Finley, Rt. 1 Box A-1, Winchester, KS 66097. 

Phone: 913-774-4585. 

2nd Vice President: Barbara Dowds, 11315 West 73rd, Shawnee, KS 66203. 

Phone: 913-962-1822. 

Recording Secretary: JoAnne Martin, 813 Crawford, Clay Center, KS 67432. 

Phone:913-632-2458 

Corresponding Secretary: Sheryl McMahan, 1807 Pogue Rd., Clay Center, KS 

67432. Phone: 913-632-3043 

Treasurer: Georgia McFarland, 5460 S.W. 53rd St., Topeka, KS 66610. 

Phone: 913-862-1835. 

Assistant Treasurer: Debbie Wing, 6104 Hallet, Shawnee, KS 66216. Phone: 

913-268-9612. 

COORDINATORS 

Missions: Marjorie Cox, 825 Buchanan, Topeka, KS 66606. Phone: 913- 

235-6125. 

Sanctity of life: Joye Huston, Rt.1 Box 125B, Winchester, KS 66097. Phone: 

913-774-7323. 

Political Resposibility: Mary Ann Caskey, PO Box 126, Dennison, KS 66419. 

Phone: 913-935-2222 

Literature: Kathryn Piper, 2245 Belle Ave., Topeka, KS 66614. Phone: 913- 

272-2408. 

Christian Living: Winifred Elliott, RR1 Box 2A, Winchester, KS 66097. 

Phone: 913-774-8643. 

Historian/Librarian: Eleanor Phillips, 16091-190th Rd., Mayetta, KS 66509- 

8605.Phone: 913-935-2263. 


Clarinda: Helen Falk, Rt. 4, Box ,118A, Clarinda, IA 51632. Phone: 712-542- 

2697. 

Denison: Mary Bell Keys, 14567-222nd Rd., Holton, KS 66436. Phone: 

913-364-2396. 

Greeley: Phyllis Evans, 3006 W. 12th St. Rd., Greeley, CO 80631. Phone: 

303-352-1728. 

Hebron: Margaret Milligan, 1214 Hackberry Rd., Clay Center, KS 67432. 

Phone: 913-632-2009. 

Lawrence-inactive 

Minneola: Carol Hindman, Rt 1 Box 9, Minneola, KS 67865. Phone- 316- 

885-4755.


Quinter Sylvia: Fran Mann, Rt. 3, Box 24A, Quinter, KS 67752. Phone: 

913-754-3925. 

Shawnee Covenanter Daughters: Marth Hutcheson, 5435 Outlook Dr., 

Mission, KS 66202-1419. Phone: 913-236-8792. 

Shawnee Missionary Guild: Betty Weimer, 2421 W 49th, Shawnee Mission, KS 

66205. Phone: 913-236-5214. 

Sterling: Margaret Reed, Rt2 Box 24, Sterling, KS 67579. Phone: 316-278- 

2699. 

Stillwater-lnformal: Elizabeth Noell, 2137 W. Admiral, Stillwater, OK 74074. 

Phone: 405-377-0634. 

Topeka: Roberta McFarland, 2709 Boswell, Topeka, KS 66611. Phone: 913- 

233-3985. 

Westminster-inactive: 

Winchester: Hazel Sass, Box 32, Winchester, KS 66097. Phone: 913-774- 

2801. 

Colorado Springs-inactive


PACIFIC COAST PRESBYTERIAL 

President: Lori McCracken, 4614 E. Grant, Fresno, CA 93102. Phone: 209- 

456-9552. 

Vice President: Lisa McFarland, 1685 Sheridan Circle, Carona, CA 91720. 

Phone: 714-279-9727. 

Recording Secretary: Kathy Gathright, 1073 N Filbert Ave., Clovis, CA 

93611-8129. 

Corresponding Secretary: Lorena Keys, 1042 Ezie Ave., Clovis, CA 93611- 

2020. Phone: 209-323-0273. 

Treasurer: Willa Copeland, 2382 N Bethel Ave., Sanger, CA 93657. Phone: 

209-266-9018. 

COORDINATORS 

Missions-Thankoffering: Cheryl Archer, 13745 E. Rialto, Sanger, CA 93657. 

Phone: 209-875-8141. 

Sanctity of life: Dorothy Carson, 1759 Larkhaven Glenn, Escondido, CA 

92026. Phone: 619-747-2410 

Literature: Ingrid Birdsall, 537 S. Euclid Ave. #2, Pasadena, CA 91101. 

Phone: 818-793-9322. 


Fresno: Cheryl Archer, 13745 E. Rialto, Sanger, CA 93657. Phone: 209- 

875-8141. 

Los Angeles: Fern Kerr, 505 So. Griffith Park Dr., Burbank, Ca 91506. 

Phone: 818-843-3097. 

Seattle: Boni Piper, 1915 NE 68th St., Seattle, WA 98115. Phone: 206- 

525-2884.


ST. LAWRENCE - ATLANTIC PRESBYTERIAL 

President: Jean Smith, Box 251, Edgemont, PA 19028. Phone: 215-647- 

4342. 

Vice President: Beth Tabon, 16 Courtney Ave., Newburgh, NY 12550. 

Phone: 914-562-9052. 

Recording Secretary: Becky Johnson, 95 Maple St., Walden, NY 12586. 

Phone: 914-778-2965. 

Corresponding Secretary: Margaret Whitehead, 39-15 Berdan Ave., Fairlawn, 

NJ 07410. Phone: 201-791-0858 

Treasurer: Shirley Smith, R.R.2, Lisbon, NY 13658. Phone: 315-393-2988. 

Assistant Treasurer: Marilyn Russell, R.D. 2, Box 191, Walton, NY 13856. 

Phone: 607-865-5356. 

COORDINATORS 

Missions: Kathy Gladfelter, Box 261, Edgemont, PA 19028. Phone: 610- 

647-4308. 

Literature: Kim LaTourette, POBox 105, Trout Creek, NY 13847. Phone: 

607-865-7260. 

Sanctity of Life: Jane Crawford, 1032 Hoagburgh Rd., Wallkill, NY 12589. 

Phone: 914-895-3891. 

Political Responsibility: Linda Lydon, 27 Lawrence Rd. , Broomall, PA 

19008. Phone: 610-356-9442. 

Christian Living: Barbara Mann, Box 88, Lisbon, NY 13658. Phone: 315- 

393-9041. 

Historian: Jane Crawford, 1032 Hoagburgh Rd., Wallkill, NY 12589. Phone: 

914-895-3891. 


Almonte: Joyce Lowry, 316 Bridge St. , Almonte, Ont, Canada KOA 1AO. 

Phone: 613-256-2005 

Broomall: Jean Smith, Box 251, Edgemont, PA 19028. Phone: 215-647- 

4342. 

Coldenhan-Newburgh: Rebecca Johnson, 95 Maple St., Walden NY 12586. 

Phone: 914-778-2965 

Elkins Park: Laila O'Connor, 1764 Femdale Ave., Abingon, PA 19001. 

Phone: 215-657-7950. 

Lisbon: Ruth More, 107 Lincoln Ave., Waddington, MY 13694. Phone: 315- 

388-4630. 

Ridgefield Park: Mary Jane Park, 2 Bodfrey Rd., Upper Montclair, NJ 07043. 

Phone: 201-744-3179. 

Walton: Janet Boye, RD#1 Oxbow Hollow, Walton, NY 13856. Phone: 607- 

865-4901.


White Lake: Dorothea Millen, 1311 Horseshoe Lk.Rd., Swan Lake, NY 12783 

Phone: 914-583-4469. 

Oswego: Terrill Curran, Box 16, Morningside Dr., Hannibal, NY. Phone: 315- 

564-6656. 

Endwell: Gail Macaulay, 40 Seminary Ave., Binghanton, NY 14619. Phone: 

607-722-7317. 

Other Contact Persons: 

Cambridge: Janet Millican, 410 Woburn St., Lexington, MA 02173. Phone: 

617-862-0597. 

Fulton: Kathy Iamaio, RD#5 Box 231, Oswego, NY 13126. Phone: 315- 

343-1976. 

Hazelton: Katy Leach, 953 Norman St., Weatherby, PA 18255. Phone: 717- 

427-8988. 

Lancaster: Jean Snyder, 6 Echo Valley Dr., Ephrata, PA 17522. Phone: 717- 

859-1630. 

Lochiel: Gwen Brodie, R.R.3, Dalkeith, Ont. Canada K0B1E0. 

Middletown: Gertrude Rosenberger, 12 Bradner Ave., Middletown, NY 

10940. Phone: 914-856-0711. 

Rochester: Mrs. Wm. Pihl, 152 Post Ave., Rochester, NY 14619. Phone: 

716-436-0738. 

Smiths Falls: Laura Adjemian, R.R.5, Perth. Ontario, CANADA K7H 3CF. 

Phone: 613-264-0262. 

Syracuse: Vi Ramsey, 4782 Royal Meadow Dr., Liverpool, NY 13088. Phone: 

315-451-4645.


WOMEN'S SYNODICAL MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP OF THE RPCNA. 

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS - COMBINED FUNDS 

January 1 to December 31, 1995 

BALANCE DISBURSE- BALANCE 

1/1/1995 RECEIPTS INTEREST MENTS 12/31/1995 

Contingent Fund 

Life & Memorial Fund 

Thank Offering Fund 

Special Projects Fund 

Designated Funds 

$ 5.05 

2,030.83 

- 

959 50 

=_ 

$2,995.38 

$ 365.00 

27500 

25,244.25 

3,352.55 

11.460.25 

$40,697.05 

$ 076 

305.47 

- 

14432 

- 

$450.55 

$ 154.02 

- 

25,244.25 

3,500.00 

11.460.25 

$40,358.52 

$ 216.79 

2,611.30 

- 

956.37 

- 

$3,784.46 

RECEIPTS 

Alleghenies Presbyterial 

Great Lakes Gulf Presbyterial 

Iowa Presbyterial 

Midwest Presbyterial 

Pacific Coast Presbyterial 

St. Lawrence-Atlantic Presbyterial 

DISBURSEMENTS 


W.S.M.F. Officers' and Committees' Expense 45 02 

Insurance - Bond 100 00 

Office supplies 

9.00 



Hontamon, Japan 

1,000.00 

Cyprus library 

750.00 

Japan travel 

750 00 

Trinity 

1.000.00 

$10,494.45 

8,760.25 

1,703.00 

9,615.37 

2,545.50 

7,578.48 

$40,697.05 

154.02 

25,244.25 

3,500.00 


Home Missions 

Foreign Missions 


Ref. Pres. Theological Seminary 




1,826.50 

2,689.50 

1,134.00 

1,745.00 

1,031.25 

1,342.50 

1.691.50 

11.460.25 

$40,358.52


WOMEN'S SYNODICAL MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP OF THE RPCNA. 

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS - COMBINED FUNDS 

January 1 to December 31,1996 

BALANCE DISBURSE- BALANCE 

1/1/1996 RECEIPTS INTEREST MENTS 12/31/1996 


Life & Memorial Fund 




$ 216.79 

2,611.30 

- 

956.37 

^_ 

$3,784.46 

$ 1,545.25 

175.00 

19,701.44 

3,391.00 

13.365 75 

$38,178.44 

$ 28.16 

339.25 

- 

124.25 

- 

$491 66 

$ 817.30 

- 

19,701.44 

3,500.00 

13.365.75 

$37,384.49 

$ 972 90 

3,125.55 

— 

971 62 

- 

$5,070.07 

RECEIPTS 

Convention offering 

Alleghenies Presbyterial 

Great Lakes Gulf Presbyterial 

Iowa Presbyterial 

Midwest Presbyterial 

Pacific Coast Presbyterial 

St. Lawrence-Atlantic Presbyterial 


W.S.M.F. Officers' and Committees' Expense 

Insurance - Bond 

Convention expense 



Japan Bookstore 

Training for church planters 


Home Missions 

Foreign Missions 


Ref. Pres Theological Seminary 



Japan Bookstore 


DISBURSEMENTS 

327.30 

100.00 

390.00 

2,500.00 

1.000.00 

1,859.50 

2,390.50 

1,475.00 

2,602.00 

711.00 

1,842.00 

1,168.75 

1.316.50 

$ 1,056.25 

9,841.25 

5,51236 

2,892.00 

10,012.25 

3,044.75 

5.819.58 

$38,178.44 

817.30 

19,701.44 

3,500.00 

13.365.75 

$37,384.49


RPCNA Worship and Membership Statistics 

1980-1996 

6000 

5500 

5000 

4500 

-Worship 

-Total Membership 

4000 

3500 

1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 

RPCNA Communicant Membership 1980-1996 

Prepared by Dean Smith


RPCNA TOTALS 1980-1996 

YEAR 

ATTENDANCE FIGURES 

Worship 

S.S./Small Groups 

1980 

3591 

2813 

1981 

3557 

2597 

1982 

3941 

2748 

1983 

3904 

2790 

1984 

3799 

2704 

1985 

3802 

2796 

MEMBERSHIP FIGURES 

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 

Communicant 

Baptized 

Total Membership 

3753 

1123 

4876 

3799 

1144 

4943 

3841 

1207 

5048 

3830 

1227 

5057 

3774 

1296 

5070 

3685 

1270 

4955 

INCREASES 

BAPTIZED 

Baptized Children 

104 

124 

150 

135 

98 

106 

COMMUNICANT: 

BIOLOGICAL GROWTH 

CONVERSION GROWTH 

TRANSFER GROWTH 

OTHER 

TOTAL COMMUN. INCR. 

% Increase from Prof Faith 

From Bapt. Children 

Prof, of Faith 

From Other RP 

From NAPARC 

From Other Churche 

Other 

102 

144 

66 

16 

328 

31% 

135 

142 

73 

30 

380 

36% 

56 

99 

127 

60 

35 

377 

26% 

76 

114 

81 

54 

25 

350 

33% 

37 

79 

89 

121 

16 

342 

23% 

42 

88 

85 

48 

63 

326 

27% 

TOTAL INCREASE 

Bapt. & Commun. 

432 

504 

527 

485 

440 

432 

DECREASES 

BAPTIZED 

From Bapt Roll 

56 

76 

37 

42 

COMMUNICANT 

BIOLOGICAL 

TRANSFER 

OTHER 

TOTAL COMMUN. DECR. 

Death 

To Other RP 

To NAPARC 

To Other Churches 

Other 

61 

126 

106 

180 

473 

50 

148 

96 

143 

437 

44 

114 

71 

137 

366 

60 

100 

110 

130 

400 

46 

85 

102 

160 

393 

37 

105 

157 

206 

505 

TOTAL DECREASE 

473 

437 

422 

476 

430 

547 

NET GAIN OR LOSS 

^11 

67 

105 

9 

10 

-115 



RPCNA TOTALS 1980-1996 

1986 

3908 

2913 

3621 

1286 

4907 

116 

37 

94 

91 

54 

30 

306 

31% 

422 

37 

59 

100 

120 

154 

433 

470 

-48 

1987 

3995 

2836 

3609 

1303 

4912 

109 

67 

123 

107 

55 

83 

435 

28% 

544 

67 

40 

133 

117 

182 

472 

539 

5 

1988 

3901 

2836 

3684 

1368 

5052 

174 

50 

86 

148 

63 

38 

385 

22% 

559 

50 

46 

145 

150 

108 

449 

499 

60 

1989 

3972 

2933 

3664 

1408 

5072 

152 

59 

85 

77 

92 

17 

330 

26% 

482 

59 

52 

93 

97 

81 

323 

382 

100 

1990 

4132 

3036 

3719 

1415 

5134 

154 

61 

96 

89 

83 

13 

342 

28% 

496 

61 

35 

79 

124 

145 

383 

444 

52 

1991 

4185 

3114 

3767 

1419 

5186 

151 

98 

94 

95 

90 

13 

390 

24% 

541 

98 

49 

79 

138 

125 

391 

489 

52 

1992 

4267 

3061 

3783 

1470 

5253 

113 

39 

107 

198 

56 

24 

424 

25% 

537 

39 

33 

191 

116 

98 

438 

477 

60 

1993 

4318 

3001 

3882 

1562 

5444 

157 

51 

120 

128 

110 

37 

446 

27% 

603 

51 

51 

103 

85 

122 

361 

412 

191 

1994 

4402 

3179 

3888 

1602 

5490 

135 

44 

115 

125 

101 

24 

409 

28% 

544 

55 

37 

118 

132 

167 

454 

509 

35 

1995 

4507 

3186 

3975 

1624 

5599 

113 

56 

100 

111 

115 

32 

414 

24% 

.527 

56 

48 

110 

111 

93 

362 

418 

109 

1996 

4757 

3221 

4075 

1658 

5733 

149 

62 

76 

133 

115 

31 

417 

18% 

566 

62 

38 

121 

119 

92 

370 

432 

134 

TOTALS 

2091 

835 

1713 

1970 

0 

1356 

527 

6401 

27% 

8641 

846 

786 

1950 

1951 

2323 

7010 

7856 

785 



ALLEGHENIES PRESBYTERY 

1980-1996 

YEAR 


Worship 

S.S./Sm G 

1980 

1017 

748 

1981 

1024 

681 

1982 

1101 

728 

1983 

1102 

729 

1984 

1090 

756 

1985 

995 

670 



Communicant 

Baptized 


1036 

328 

1364 

1031 

323 

1354 

1045 

330 

1375 

1046 

337 

1383 

1030 

353 

1383 

998 

349 

1347 

INCREASES 

BAPTIZED 


23 

30 

34 

29 

33 

13 

COMMUNICANT: 




OTHER 



From Bapt. Childr. 


From Other RP 

From NAPARC 

From Other Chur 

Odier 

22 

14 

23 

6 

65 

34% 

19 

59 

28 

1 

107 

18% 

7 

15 

32 

26 

7 

87 

17% 

13 

24 

18 

29 

9 

93 

26% 

4 

12 

29 

42 

1 

88 

14% 

12 

16 

22 

22 

46 

118 

14% 



88 

137 

121 

122 

121 

131 

DECREASES 

BAPTIZED 

From Bapt. Roll 

7 

13 

4 

12 

COMMUNICANT 

BIOLOGICAL 

TRANSFER 

OTHER 


Death 

To Odier RP 

To NAPARC 

To Other Chur. 

Odier 

14 

28 

35 

23 

100 

12 

61 

28 

46 

147 

12 

26 

20 

35 

93 

14 

30 

29 

28 

101 

15 

30 

49 

23 

117 

5 

42 

44 

64 

155 


100 

147 

100 

114 

121 

167 


-12 

-10 

21 

8 

0 

-36 




1980-1996 

1986 

1044 

698 

963 

329 

1292 

26 

11 

11 

20 

8 

13 

63 

17% 

89 

11 

11 

34 

37 

51 

133 

144 

-55 

1987 

1051 

675 

933 

316 

1249 

23 

12 

23 

37 

21 

16 

109 

21% 

132 

12 

15 

23 

53 

72 

163 

175 

-43 

1988 

1031 

664 

949 

338 

1287 

44 

14 

23 

14 

23 

7 

81 

28% 

125 

14 

14 

9 

35 

15 

73 

87 

38 

1989 

1063 

712 

984 

343 

1327 

44 

20 

25 

32 

41 

7 

125 

20% 

169 

20 

24 

37 

20 

28 

109 

129 

40 

1990 

1098 

721 

997 

361 

1358 

38 

8 

26 

12 

15 

10 

71 

37% 

109 

8 

9 

25 

26 

10 

70 

78 

31 

1991 

1060 

707 

1006 

343 

1349 

16 

19 

16 

21 

24 

5 

85 

19% 

101 

19 

14 

16 

45 

16 

91 

110 

-9 

1992 

1033 

628 

996 

349 

1345 

24 

16 

18 

29 

20 

4 

87 

21% 

111 

16 

10 

30 

31 

28 

99 

115 

-4 

1993 

1020 

624 

989 

355 

1344 

20 

16 

8 

20 

28 

72 

11% 

92 

16 

19 

20 

16 

22 

77 

93 

-1 

1994 

1060 

618 

945 

340 

1285 

20 

10 

10 

33 

14 

3 

70 

14% 

90 

21 

12 

15 

40 

72 

139 

160 

-70 

1995 

1030 

586 

938 

330 

1268 

24 

12 

10 

35 

10 

10 

77 

13% 

101 

12 

10 

19 

40 

37 

106 

118 

-17 

1996 

1064 

546 

943 

329 

1272 

25 

10 

14 

34 

29 

2 

89 

16% 

114 

10 

13 

31 

26 

9 

79 

89 

158 

TOTALS 

417 

184 

292 

461 

0 

403 

147 

1487 

20% 

1839 

185 

223 

476 

0 

574 

579 

1852 

2037 

-198 


292 



1980-1996 

1400 

1300 

1200 

1100 

J 

1000 

V - 

M 

/ N ^ 

-Worship 


900 

1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 

1200 

Communicant 

1100 - 

1000 

OT-c\ic}-"*m(or^eoo>o-»-fNcO'^-u}a) 

0>050)0>0)0)030)0>010)0>0)0>0)0>a> 



600 

ATLANTIC PRESBYTERY 

1980-1996 

500 

A. 

400 irM •*-. 

300 

" ^ 

V-*-*-*-< ,-r^S/S ^ 

/ 

-Worship 


200 

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 

400 

Communicant 

300 - 

200 

100 



Atlantic Presbytery 

1980-1996 

YEAR 


Worship 

S.S./Sm G 

1980 

278 

175 

1981 

258 

184 

1982 

264 

177 

1983 

256 

174 

1984 

262 

150 

1985 

259 

160 



Communicant 

Baptized 


307 

72 

379 

318 

70 

388 

331 

91 

422 

322 

82 

404 

308 

83 

391 

301 

87 

388 

INCREASES 

BAPTIZED 


9 

18 

23 

9 

10 

6 

COMMUNICANT: 




OTHER 

TOTAL COMMUN. INCR 




From Odier RP 

From NAPARC 

From Other Chur. 

Other 

11 

20 

2 

4 

37 

30% 

21 

16 

2 

1 

40 

53% 

7 

33 

6 

1 

47 

70% 

3 

8 

1 

5 

17 

47% 

3 

10 

7 

1 

1 

22 

45% 

2 

14 

4 

5 

4 

29 

48% 



46 

58 

70 

26 

32 

35 

DECREASES 

BAPTIZED 

From Bapt Roll 

7 

3 

3 

2 

COMMUNICANT 

BIOLOGICAL 

TRANSFER 

OTHER 


Deadi 

To OUier RP 

To NAPARC 


Other 

6 

18 

5 

26 

55 

6 

14 

16 

10 

46 

5 

7 

7 

10 

29 

6 

3 

25 

7 

41 

5 

13 

9 

15 

42 

3 

5 

6 

22 

36 


55 

46 

36 

44 

45 

38 


-9 

12 

34 

-18 

-13 

-3 




1980-1996 

1986 

265 

160 

290 

92 

382 

12 

1 

11 

13 

2 

3 

30 

37% 

42 

1 

7 

6 

11 

23 

47 

48 

-6 

1987 

278 

170 

282 

103 

385 

10 

3 

3 

8 

10 

6 

30 

10% 

40 

3 

4 

15 

3 

12 

34 

37 

3 

1988 

262 

165 

264 

96 

360 

11 

5 

7 

12 

1 

25 

28% 

36 

5 

4 

15 

5 

32 

56 

61 

-25 

1989 

280 

167 

256 

100 

356 

11 

6 

11 

2 

1 

20 

30% 

31 

4 

15 

12 

4 

35 

35 

-4 

1990 

262 

144 

263 

101 

364 

7 

5 

6 

11 

6 

28 

21% 

35 

5 

2 

4 

16 

22 

27 

8 

1991 

273 

179 

247 

102 

349 

10 

6 

7 

10 

6 

1 

30 

23% 

40 

6 

6 

12 

5 

26 

49 

55 

-15 

1992 

280 

176 

248 

110 

358 

6 

29 

10 

7 

46 

63% 

52 

17 

8 

18 

43 

43 

9 

1993 

292 

190 

264 

127 

391 

19 

1 

11 

10 

11 

33 

33% 

52 

1 

1 

1 

11 

5 

18 

19 

33 

1994 

359 

221 

270 

144 

414 

15 

4 

8 

15 

13 

40 

20% 

55 

4 

1 

15 

5 

7 

28 

32 

23 

1995 

332 

226 

278 

151 

429 

17 

1 

13 

11 

15 

1 

41 

32% 

58 

1 

4 

25 

2 

11 

42 

43 

15 

1996 

355 

225 

307 

152 

459 

16 

5 

14 

7 

14 

1 

41 

34% 

57 

5 

6 

3 

10 

3 

22 

27 

30 

TOTALS 

209 

46 

212 

172 

0 

95 

31 

556 

38% 

765 

46 

70 

188 

0 

140 

247 

645 

691 

74 



GREAT LAKES-GULF PRESBYTERY 

1980-1996 

YEAR 


Worship 

S.S./SmG 

1980 

671 

550 

1981 

589 

457 

1982 

732 

570 

1983 

669 

516 

1984 

774 

495 

1985 

784 

621 



Communicant 

Baptized 


689 

205 

894 

669 

212 

881 

685 

216 

901 

692 

237 

929 

691 

253 

944 

687 

223 

910 

INCREASES 

BAPTIZED 


17 

21 

33 

40 

15 

26 

COMMUNICANT: 




OTHER 





From Other RP 

From NAPARC 


Other 

29 

15 

2 

4 

50 

58% 

8 

9 

7 

19 

43 

19% 

28 

13 

47 

21 

15 

124 

10% 

26 

39 

9 

1 

3 

78 

50% 

21 

17 

27 

8 

7 

80 

21% 

13 

28 

19 

4 

5 

69 

41% 


Bapt. & Conunun. 

67 

64 

157 

118 

95 

95 

DECREASES 

BAPTIZED 


28 

26 

21 

13 

COMMUNICANT 

BIOLOGICAL 

TRANSFER 

OTHER 


Death 

To Other RP 

To NAPARC 

To Other Chur 

Other 

12 

19 

30 

63 

124 

3 

17 

17 

40 

77 

10 

47 

21 

31 

109 

15 

4 

15 

30 

64 

6 

24 

20 

9 

59 

10 

15 

49 

42 

116 


124 

77 

137 

90 

80 

129 


-57 

-13 

20 

28 

15 

-34 



GREAT LAKES-GULF PRESBYTERY 

1980-1996 

1986 

821 

647 

678 

241 

919 

25 

3 

15 

16 

22 

10 

66 

23% 

91 

3 

12 

19 

18 

30 

79 

82 

9 

1987 

860 

695 

728 

244 

972 

21 

25 

32 

29 

15 

23 

124 

26% 

145 

25 

9 

39 

8 

11 

67 

92 

53 

1988 

837 

667 

741 

281 

1022 

38 

3 

24 

10 

20 

10 

67 

36% 

105 

3 

10 

8 

24 

10 

52 

55 

50 

1989 

862 

736 

766 

309 

1075 

32 

1 

15 

11 

26 

7 

60 

25% 

92 

1 

6 

6 

16 

10 

38 

39 

53 

1990 

925 

792 

780 

302 

1082 

27 

26 

11 

32 

24 

2 

95 

12% 

122 

26 

10 

16 

43 

20 

89 

115 

7 

1991 

930 

753 

782 

349 

1131 

48 

20 

22 

6 

29 

6 

83 

27% 

131 

20 

8 

17 

22 

15 

62 

82 

49 

1992 

1031 

817 

794 

367 

1161 

22 

6 

23 

98 

13 

7 

147 

16% 

169 

6 

9 

79 

31 

14 

133 

139 

30 

1993 

1108 

808 

856 

428 

1284 

61 

16 

50 

36 

44 

20 

166 

30% 

227 

16 

10 

37 

21 

18 

86 

102 

125 

1994 

1132 

922 

881 

454 

1335 

38 

15 

34 

29 

23 

14 

115 

30% 

153 

15 

4 

26 

42 

17 

89 

104 

49 

1995 

1176 

947 

933 

487 

1420 

31 

15 

29 

22 

42 

10 

118 

25% 

149 

15 

14 

11 

12 

12 

49 

64 

85 

1996 

1262 

987 

953 

523 

1476 

39 

13 

24 

33 

45 

5 

120 

20% 

159 

13 

5 

35 

36 

14 

90 

103 

56 

TOTALS 

464 

203 

360 

393 

259 

152 

1367 

26% 

1831 

203 

134 

373 

377 

360 

1244 

1447 

384 



GREAT LAKES GULF PRESBYTERY 

1980-1996 

1500 

1400 

1300 

1200 

1100 

1000 

900 

800 

700 

600 

500 

1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 

-Worship 


Communicant 

1000 

900 - 

800 • 



MIDWEST PRESBYTERY (Includes lowa) 

1980-1996 

1600 

1500 

1400 

1300 

—1—1—1— 

1200 

1100 .p—«- 

•~/ 

1000 

' 

900 

800 

700 

600 

1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 

-Worship 


Communicant 

1300 

1200 

1100 

1000 

900 

800 

700 



MIDWEST PRESBYTERY (Including lowa Presbytery) 

1980-1996 

YEAR 


Worship 

S.S /Sm G 

1980 

1028 

888 

1981 

1029 

811 

1982 

1121 

762 

1983 

1115 

811 

1984 

1084 

864 

1985 

1006 

788 



Communicant 

Baptized 


1173 

334 

1507 

1195 

337 

1532 

1186 

357 

1543 

1170 

351 

1521 

1129 

369 

1498 

1079 

366 

1445 

INCREASES 

BAPTIZED 


29 

30 

28 

26 

17 

23 

COMMUNICANT: 




OTHER 





From Other RP 

From NAPARC 


Other 

14 

57 

26 

97 

14% 

43 

50 

18 

9 

120 

36% 

4 

21 

25 

3 

6 

59 

36% 

21 

10 

45 

3 

12 

91 

11% 

2 

6 

8 

63 

4 

83 

7% 

6 

3 

12 

13 

8 

42 

7% 



126 

150 

87 

117 

100 

65 

DECREASES 

BAPTIZED 


4 

21 

2 

6 

COMMUNICANT 

BIOLOGICAL 

TRANSFER 

OTHER 


Death 

To Other RP 

To NAPARC 


Other 

17 

31 

16 

34 

98 

19 

47 

23 

36 

125 

12 

15 

19 

26 

72 

17 

46 

18 

35 

116 

12 

14 

17 

78 

121 

14 

16 

35 

48 

113 


98 

125 

76 

137 

123 

119 


28 

25 

11 

-20 

-23 

-54 



MIDWEST PRESBYTERY (Including lowa Presbytery) 

1980-1996 

1986 

1011 

811 

1051 

373 

1424 

22 

13 

20 

20 

11 

3 

67 

30% 

89 

13 

22 

23 

38 

21 

104 

117 

-28 

1987 

996 

764 

1032 

362 

1394 

25 

14 

25 

31 

3 

24 

97 

26% 

122 

14 

9 

33 

32 

64 

138 

152 

-30 

1988 

975 

741 

1002 

354 

1356 

22 

11 

9 

27 

9 

10 

66 

14% 

88 

11 

14 

28 

56 

17 

115 

126 

-38 

1989 

973 

745 

993 

345 

1338 

33 

24 

12 

13 

12 

1 

62 

19% 

95 

24 

11 

22 

28 

28 

89 

113 

-18 

1990 

1021 

777 

1008 

346 

1354 

38 

10 

29 

25 

18 

82 

35% 

120 

10 

9 

21 

25 

39 

94 

104 

16 

1991 

969 

739 

1002 

345 

1347 

35 

13 

16 

23 

13 

1 

66 

24% 

101 

13 

16 

8 

35 

36 

95 

108 

-7 

1992 

949 

687 

986 

330 

1316 

10 

13 

8 

44 

10 

1 

76 

11% 

86 

13 

12 

49 

34 

9 

104 

117 

-31 

1993 

942 

681 

986 

331 

1317 

27 

9 

18 

43 

10 

8 

88 

20% 

115 

9 

14 

20 

24 

47 

105 

114 

1 

1994 

959 

719 

983 

335 

1318 

21 

10 

17 

16 

27 

70 

24% 

91 

10 

17 

17 

21 

25 

80 

90 

1 

1995 

972 

730 

985 

324 

1309 

14 

15 

17 

26 

25 

4 

87 

20% 

101 

15 

15 

27 

33 

16 

91 

106 

-5 

1996 

966 

683 

1008 

319 

1327 

37 

17 

13 

41 

15 

22 

108 

12% 

145 

17 

8 

38 

24 

40 

110 

127 

18 

TOTALS 

386 

150 

251 

439 

239 

87 

1166 

22% 

1552 

150 

215 

390 

421 

543 

1569 

1719 

-167 



PACIFIC COAST PRESBYTERY 

1980-1996 

YEAR 


Worship 

S.S./Sm G 

1980 

320 

253 

1981 

323 

221 

1982 

361 

266 

1983 

375 

275 

1984 

325 

252 

1985 

317 

229 



Communicant 

Baptized 

Tolal Membership 

312 

114 

426 

323 

123 

446 

312 

127 

439 

300 

126 

426 

290 

125 

415 

281 

127 

408 

INCREASES 

BAPTIZED 


23 

17 

15 

17 

9 

11 

COMMUNICANT: 




OTHER 



From Bapt Childr 


From Other RP 

From NAPARC 


OUier 

13 

15 

13 

41 

32% 

25 

4 

7 

36 

69% 

5 

6 

7 

6 

7 

31 

19% 

1 

19 

4 

5 

29 

66% 

1 

17 

6 

24 

71% 

2 

7 

4 

2 

15 

47% 


Bapt & Commun. 

64 

53 

46 

46 

33 

26 

DECREASES 

BAPTIZED 


5 

1 

1 

2 

COMMUNICANT 

BIOLOGICAL 

TRANSFER 

OTHER 

TOTAL COMMUN. DECR 

Death 

To Other RP 

To NAPARC 


Other 

8 

10 

19 

3 

40 

5 

6 

12 

10 

33 

3 

7 

4 

34 

48 

3 

11 

18 

26 

58 

4 

2 

5 

32 

43 

3 

2 

14 

12 

31 


40 

33 

53 

59 

44 

33 


24 

20 

-7 

-13 

-11 

-7 




1980-1996 

1986 

323 

256 

291 

128 

419 

7 

13 

5 

18 

72% 

25 

2 

2 

3 

7 

14 

14 

H 

1987 

320 

221 

272 

139 

411 

9 

I 

13 

1 

2 

2 

19 

68% 

28 

1 

2 

15 

4 

14 

35 

36 

-8 

1988 

276 

209 

272 

133 

405 

17 

8 

4 

40 

9 

4 

65 

6% 

82 

8 

2 

37 

17 

24 

80 

88 

-6 

1989 

290 

206 

274 

129 

403 

11 

7 

12 

1 

20 

60% 

31 

7 

2 

5 

8 

11 

26 

33 

-2 

1990 

265 

191 

260 

99 

359 

5 

1 

7 

1 

4 

1 

14 

50% 

19 

1 

4 

9 

26 

23 

62 

63 

-44 

1991 

300 

239 

262 

94 

356 

14 

2 

12 

10 

3 

27 

44% 

41 

2 

2 

12 

21 

7 

42 

44 

-3 

1992 

301 

229 

266 

95 

361 

7 

12 

2 

1 

2 

17 

71% 

24 

1 

8 

10 

19 

19 

5 

1993 

302 

202 

271 

82 

353 

9 

4 

7 

2 

13 

54% 

22 

4 

2 

12 

12 

26 

30 

-8 

1994 

210 

186 

267 

88 

355 

12 

1 

20 

2 

3 

26 

77% 

38 

1 

1 

9 

7 

18 

35 

36 

2 

1995 

275 

186 

264 

79 

343 

8 

3 

11 

0 

7 

0 

21 

52% 

29 

3 

4 

12 

13 

9 

38 

41 

-12 

1996 

315 

187 

276 

88 

364 

13 

6 

7 

11 

6 

30 

23% 

43 

6 

4 

0 

9 

3 

16 

22 

21 

TOTALS 

183 

0 

0 

33 

187 

101 

0 

58 

16 

395 

47% 

0 

578 

0 

0 

33 

0 

0 

44 

127 

0 

178 

243 

592 

625 

-47 




1980-1996 

500 

400 

300 

-Worship 


200 

100 

1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 

500 

Communicant 

400 

300 - 

200 - 

100 4 1 1—-H 1 h- -4- 1 1 1 r- 1 | | 

OT-CMCO^tf)OT-CNtO^-lO(D 

0OCO0O0O0OCOCO0O0OCOO)O)O)O)cT>O)CQ 

O>O>0)O


ST. LAWRENCE PRESBYTERY 

1980-1996 

1000 

900 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

>^, 

y / 

*~ 

-Worship 


200 

1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 

Communicant 




1980-1996 

YEAR 


Worship 

S.SVSm G 

1980 

278 

175 

1981 

258 

184 

1982 

264 

177 

1983 

256 

174 

1984 

262 

150 

1985 

259 

160 



Communicant 

Baptized 


307 

72 

379 

318 

70 

388 

331 

91 

422 

322 

82 

404 

308 

83 

391 

301 

87 

388 

INCREASES 

BAPTIZED 


9 

18 

23 

9 

10 

6 

COMMUNICANT: 




OTHER 



From Bapt Childr. 


From OUier RP 

From NAPARC 


Other 

11 

20 

2 

4 

37 

30% 

21 

13 

2 

1 

37 

57% 

7 

33 

6 

1 

47 

70% 

3 

8 

1 

5 

17 

47% 

3 

10 

7 

1 

1 

22 

45% 

2 

14 

4 

5 

4 

29 

48% 


Bapt. & Conunun. 

46 

55 

70 

26 

32 

35 

DECREASES 

BAPTIZED 


7 

3 

3 

2 

COMMUNICANT 

BIOLOGICAL 

TRANSFER 

OTHER 

TOTAL COMMUN. DECR 

Death 

To OUier RP 

To NAPARC 


OUier 

6 

18 

5 

26 

55 

6 

14 

16 

10 

46 

5 

7 

7 

10 

29 

6 

3 

25 

7 

41 

5 

13 

9 

15 

42 

3 

5 

6 

22 

36 


55 

46 

36 

44 

45 

38 


-9 

9 

34 

-18 

-13 

-3 




1980-1996 

1986 

444 

341 

348 

123 

471 

24 

9 

24 

17 

11 

1 

62 

39% 

86 

9 

5 

16 

13 

30 

64 

73 

13 

1987 

490 

311 

362 

139 

501 

21 

12 

27 

1 

4 

12 

56 

48% 

77 

12 

1 

8 

17 

9 

35 

47 

30 

1988 

520 

390 

376 

166 

542 

42 

9 

19 

45 

2 

6 

81 

23% 

123 

9 

2 

48 

13 

10 

73 

82 

41 

1989 

504 

367 

391 

182 

573 

21 

7 

15 

10 

10 

1 

43 

35% 

64 

7 

5 

8 

13 

26 

33 

31 

1990 

561 

411 

411 

206 

617 

39 

11 

17 

8 

16 

52 

33% 

91 

11 

1 

4 

4 

27 

36 

47 

44 

1991 

655 

497 

468 

186 

654 

29 

38 

21 

25 

15 

99 

21% 

128 

38 

3 

14 

10 

25 

52 

90 

38 

1992 

671 

524 

493 

219 

712 

44 

4 

17 

15 

12 

3 

51 

33% 

95 

4 

1 

16 

4 

12 

33 

37 

58 

1993 

654 

496 

514 

239 

753 

21 

5 

26 

19 

15 

9 

74 

35% 

95 

5 

5 

25 

1 

18 

49 

54 

41 

1994 

682 

513 

542 

241 

783 

29 

4 

26 

30 

21 

7 

88 

30% 

117 

4 

2 

36 

17 

28 

83 

87 

30 

1995 

722 

511 

577 

253 

830 

19 

10 

24 

17 

16 

7 

74 

32% 

93 

10 

1 

16 

11 

8 

36 

46 

47 

1996 

795 

584 

588 

247 

835 

19 

11 

4 

7 

6 

1 

29 

14% 

48 

11 

2 

14 

14 

2 

32 

43 

5 

TOTALS 

345 

0 

0 

114 

289 

221 

0 

122 

49 

795 

36% 

1140 

114 

56 

235 

160 

249 

700 

814 

326 



ALLEGHENIES: 

Allegheny 

College Hill 

Cov. Fellowship 

Eastvale 

1 st Beaver Falls 

Geneva 

Grace(State College 

Manchester 

New Alexandria 

North Hills 

Rimersburg 

Rose Point 

Trlnlty(D.C) 

Tusca Area 

MISSION CHURCH 


Presbytery's Roll 

Totals, Alleghenies 

Total Total BptCh Increase 

Member Member Comm. BapL Prof. By Prof. Fr. RP From 

12/31/94 12/31/95 Memb. Memb. Faith BapL Faith Church Oui.Den. Other Total 

45 47 45 

269 277 200 77 6 18 

175 185 132 53 

14 

64 68 57 11 

66 64 54 10 

0 

95 102 83 19 1 1 5 2 4 12 

81 72 35 37 5 1 5 2 13 

83 48 43 5 

0 

44 43 35 8 

1 

1 

79 88 62 26 2 2 7 5 14 

53 54 50 4 1 

1 

123 112 80 32 2 

0 

29 26 13 13 1 1 

1 

55 56 34 22 1 

1 

24 

0 

1,285 

26 

0 

1,268 

15 

938 

11 

330 

3 

12 24 

1 

10 35 

1 

10 

5 

0 

10 89 

ATLANTIC: 

Broomall 

Cambridge 

Coldenham-Newbur 

Elkins Park 

Hazelton 


White Lake 

MISSION CHURCHES 

Grace (Middletown 

Lancaster 


Totals, Atlantic 

96 

51 

71 

49 

0 

47 

71 

20 

6 

3 

414 

87 

51 

75 

49 

24 

37 

70 

17 

18 

1 

429 

53 

31 

48 

30 

16 

30 

47 

11 

11 

1 

278 

34 

20 

27 

19 

8 

7 

23 

6 

7 

151 

1 

1 1 

1 17 

2 1 

1 

5 2 

2 

5 6 7 

1 

2 

3 

13 

2 

11 

3 

1 

7 

4 6 

5 1 24 

1 

0 

6 

15 

3 

12 

0 

1 57


Deaths 

ToRP 

Chur. 

Decrease 

ToOth. 

Denom. 

Final 

Removal Other Total Elders Deacons 

Average 

Worship 

Attend. 

Sab.Sch. CYPU Parcon. 

3 

2 

2 

1 

2 

2 

15 

2 

10 

4 

1 

4 

7 

5 

2 

4 

28 

4 

2 

2 

1 

3 

10 

4 

0 

2 

5 

22 

35 

2 

5 

0 

11 

4 

0 

4 

20 

7 

6 

7 

5 

3 

3 

3 

4 

4 

4 

1 

4 

0 

15 

8 

5 

5 

4 

3 

4 

0 

5 

2 

6 

2 

70 

275 

121 

42 

36 

70 

65 

40 

23 

76 

38 

76 

28 

40 

24 

130 

95 

23 

20 

37 

35 

30 

17 

50 

26 

45 

25 

29 

2 

12 

30 

5 

7 

30 

4 

7 

5 

N 

Y 

N 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

3 3 1 30 N 

0 

10 19 40 32 5 106 75 60 1,030 586 102 8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

12 

3 

8 

1 

1 1 

2 

1 

2 

25 2 4 

1 

6 

7 

12 

1 

3 

6 

0 

11 

1 

0 

6 

0 

2 

42 

5 

3 

4 

3 

2 

4 

3 

1 

5 

1 

3 

4 

5 

25 18 

80 

35 

41 

32 

23 

30 

51 

20 

20 

332 

57 

16 

36 

30 

12 

40 

15 

20 

5 

12 

226 17 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

N 

N 

N 

4


GREAT LAKES/GULF: 

Belle Center 

Bloomington 

Columbus 

Hetherton 

Multlraclal(Pensacol 

Oakdale 

Orlando 

Second Indpls. 

Selma 

Southfield 

Southside Indpls. 

Sparta 

West Lafayette 

Westminster 


Evansville 

Sycamore Fellowshl 


Totals, Gr.Lk.Gulf 

Total 

Member 

12/31/94 

35 

73 

117 

22 

42 

36 

127 

214 

80 

113 

181 

36 

100 

73 

28 

58 

0 

1,335 

Total 

Member 

12/31/95 

34 

78 

120 

21 

46 

34 

128 

236 

74 

150 

183 

35 

109 

72 

0 

31 

69 

0 

1,420 

Comm. 

Memb. 

29 

60 

75 

21 

39 

30 

111 

142 

65 

86 

93 

29 

61 

41 

16 

35 

933 

BapL 

Memb. 

5 

18 

45 

0 

7 

4 

17 

94 

9 

64 

90 

6 

48 

31 

15 

34 

487 

BptCh 

Prof. 

Faith 

1 

7 

2 

3 

1 

1 

15 

By 

BapL 

2 

3 

1 

2 

10 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

31 


Faith 

3 

1 

11 

2 

4 

1 

2 

5 

29 

Increase 

Fr. RP From 

Church Oth.Den. Other Total 

6 

5 

5 

6 

22 

2 

6 

4 

20 

1 

2 

4 

3 

42 

1 

9 

10 

0 

14 

9 

0 

4 

0 

2 

22 

2 

39 

5 

0 

11 

1 

8 

17 

0 

134


Decrease 

ToRP ToOth. Final 

Deaths Chur. Denom. Removal Other Total Elder; Deacons 

Average 

Worship 

Attend. 

Sab.Sch. CYPU 

Panon. 

1 

2 2 

5 1 

1 

1 

4 

2 

1 

1 1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

1 

5 

3 

1 4 2 

9 4 7 

6 5 3 

1 

0 

2 

1 

0 

8 

2 

3 

1 

2 

2 

2 

4 

3 

7 

10 

4 

8 

7 

5 

6 

5 

3 

2 

7 

9 

4 

4 

3 

28 

73 

86 

13 

29 

16 

83 

220 

39 

81 

190 

29 

110 

83 

26 

52 

41 

7 

22 

16 

55 

200 

23 

S4 

180 

14 

100 

65 

6 

4 

2 

25 

8 

13 

7 

Y 

Y 

N 

Y 

N 

Y 

N 

N 

Y 

Y 

N 

Y 

N 

N 

1 4 

5 0 34 32 N 

5 1 6 6 62 60 N 

0 

14 11 12 4 8 49 80 44 1,176 947 65 7


MIDWEST: 

Aurora 

Christ Covenant 

Clarinda 

Denison 

Greeley 

Hebron 

Minneola 

Quinter 

Sharon 

Shawnee 

Springs 

Sterling 

Stillwater 

Topeka 

Washington 

Westminster 

Winchester 


Mldlandjx. 


Totals, MldWest 

PACIFIC COAST: 

Fresno 

Los Angeles 

Phoenix 

San Diego 

Seattle 

Total 

Member 

12/31/94 

50 

69 

46 

106 

42 

69 

38 

75 

94 

126 

61 

94 

20 

132 

112 

70 

93 

21 

1,318 

67 

103 

63 

36 

85 

Total 

Member Comm. 

12/31/95 Memb. 

38 

65 

43 

107 

34 

73 

40 

82 

97 

127 

58 

93 

29 

124 

105 

72 

101 

0 

0 

21 

1,309 

69 

88 

66 

33 

86 

20 

46 

35 

81 

27 

63 

27 

62 

75 

91 

39 

77 

14 

107 

70 

47 

83 

21 

985 

53 

71 

55 

23 

61 

BapL 

Memb. 

18 

19 

8 

26 

7 

10 

13 

20 

22 

36 

19 

16 

15 

17 

35 

25 

18 

324 

16 

17 

11 

10 

25 

BptCh 


Faith 

3 

6 

6 

15 

3 

By 

BapL 

1 

2 

1 

2 

3 

3 

2 

14 


Faith 

2 

3 

1 

1 

6 

13 

Increase 

Fr. RP 1 From 


1 

5 

3 

4 

4 

5 

1 5 

1 

2 

26 

5 

2 

2 

2 

2 

4 

3 

25 

2 1 

2 6 3 

4 4 

4 

Presbytery's Roll 1 1 1 

Totals, Pac.Coast 355 343 < 264 79 3 8 11 0 7 0 26 

4 

4 

0 

5 

0 

3 

1 

5 

3 

8 

5 

6 

10 

2 

10 

3 

4 

6 

11 

0 

82 

3 

0 

11 

8 

4


Deaths 

ToRP 

Chur. 

Decrease 

ToOth. 

Denom. 

Final 

Removal Other Total Elders Deacons 

Average 

Worship 

Attend. 

Sab.Sch. < CYPU Parson. 

3 

1 

2 

1 

2 

4 

1 

1 

7 

8 

1 

3 

1 

5 

2 

5 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

7 

1 

4 

4 

4 

1 

5 

6 

1 

3 

12 

9 

3 

2 

9 

1 

1 

1 

2 

5 

13 

3 

1 

11 

11 

4 

3 

1 

4 

1 

8 

3 

4 

3 

3 

3 

7 

1 

9 

1 

9 

4 

3 

4 

2 

2 

3 

5 

3 

3 

2 

4 

5 

5 

3 

4 

6 

0 

5 

5 

22 

55 

20 

80 

25 

45 

30 

32 

70 

95 

54 

85 

30 

93 

53 

78 

105 

18 

50 

15 

58 

15 

36 

25 

20 

48 

70 

54 

45 

28 

57 

35 

76 

80 

6 

15 

8 

5 

7 

3 

15 

15 

6 

6 

11 

N 

N 

N 

Y 

Y 

N 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

N 

Y 

N 

N 

N 

N 

Y 

0 

15 27 33 13 3 91 68 57 972 730 97 8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

10 

1 

5 

6 

9 

1 

15 

8 

11 

3 

4 

5 

2 

1 

3 

4 

9 

1 

50 

60 

60 

40 

65 

45 

40 

25 

30 

46 

2 

4 

9 

0 

4 12 13 9 0 38 15 18 275 186 19 2 

10 

Y 

N 

N 

N 

Y


ST. LAWRENCE: 

Almonte 

Endwell 

Lisbon 

Lochiel 

Oswego 

Ottawa 

Rochester 

Smith Falls 

Syracuse 

Walton 


Fulton 


Totals, St. Lawrenc 

]APAN 

Hlghashlsuma 

Kasumigaoka 

Keiyaku 

Mukonoso 

MISSION STATION 

Hontumon 

Kita Suzurandai 

Total 

Member 

12/31/94 

64 

26 

51 

15 

66 

156 

18 

93 

197 

72 

23 

2 

783 

74 

32 

62 

21 

Total 

Member Comm. 

12/31/95 Memb. 

64 

31 

49 

18 

72 

179 

22 

90 

209 

71 

23 

2 

830 

74 

32 

62 

21 

0 

2 

19 

52 

22 

31 

11 

57 

103 

17 

67 

140 

60 

15 

2 

577 

50 

22 

42 

19 

BapL 

Memb. 

12 

9 

18 

7 

15 

76 

5 

23 

69 

11 

8 

253 

BptCh 


Faith 

8 

2 

10 

By 

BapL 

1 

1 

1 

10 

1 

5 

19 


Faith 

1 

3 

13 

1 

6 

24 

Increase 

Fr. RP From 


2 

1 1 

19 13 6 

0 

Presbytery Roll 1 1 1 

Totals, Japan 211 211 148 63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

24 

10 

20 

2 

1 

6 

9 

1 

17 

1 

1 

5 

9 

16 

5 

2 

7 

1 

7 

3 

10 

9 

25 

5 

2 

20 

0 

0 

1 

83 

0 

0 

PRESBYTERY TOTALS 

Alleghenies 

1,285 

Atlantic 

414 

Great Lakes/Gulf 1,335 

Midwest 

1,318 



Total Home Field 5,490 

Japan Presbytery 211 

GRAND TOTAL 5,701 

1,268 

429 

1,420 

1,309 

343 

830 

5,599 

211 

5,810 

938 

278 

933 

985 

264 

577 

3,975 

148 

4,123 

330 

151 

487 

324 

79 

253 

1,624 

63 

1,687 

12 

1 

15 

15 

3 

10 

56 

0 

56 

24 

17 

31 

14 

8 

19 

113 

0 

113 

10 

13 

29 

13 

11 

24 

100 

0 

100 

35 

11 

22 

26 

0 

17 

111 

0 

111 

10 

15 

42 

25 

7 

16 

115 

0 

115 

10 

1 

10 

4 

0 

7 

32 

0 

32 

89 

57 

134 

82 

26 

83 

471 

0 

471


Deaths 

ToRP 

Chur. 

Decrease 

ToOth. 

Denom. 

Final 

Removal Other Total Elders 1 Deacons 

Average 

Worship 

Attend. 

Sab.Sch. CYPU Parson. 

1 

2 

1 

5 

7 

1 

2 

7 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

1 

2 

5 

7 

3 

2 

1 

5 

8 

1 

3 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

7 

6 

4 

2 

2 

7 

2 

3 

5 

7 

35 

24 

45 

18 

77 

175 

23 

70 

170 

60 

22 

21 

32 

18 

66 

150 

15 

63 

66 

46 

4 

10 

8 

13 

16 

7 

Y 

N 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

N 

N 

Y 

Y 

0 1 2 25 12 N 

1 1 

1 16 11 7 1 36 30 34 722 511 58 5 

0 

0 

6 

4 

1 

1 

6 

2 

1 

48 

26 

18 

21 

15 

7 

26 

10 

6 

5 

10 

8 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

0 

0 

13 

19 8 

2 

5 Y 

0 

0 0 0 0 0 0 12 9 145 66 36 5 

10 

4 

14 

15 

4 

1 

48 

0 

48 

19 

25 

11 

27 

12 

16 

110 

0 

110 

40 

2 

12 

33 

13 

11 

111 

0 

111 

32 

4 

4 

13 

9 

7 

69 

0 

69 

5 

7 

8 

3 

0 

1 

24 

0 

24 

106 

42 

49 

91 

38 

36 

362 

0 

362 

75 

25 

80 

68 

15 

30 

293 

12 

305 

60 

18 

44 

57 

18 

34 

231 

9 

240 

1,030 

332 

1,176 

972 

275 

722 

4,507 

145 

4,652 

586 

226 

947 

730 

186 

511 

3,186 

66 

3,252 

102 

17 

65 

97 

19 

58 

358 

36 

394 

8 

4 

7 

8 

2 

5 

34 

5 

39


ALLEGHENIES: 

Allegheny 

College Hill 


Eastvale 

1st Beaver Falls 

Geneva 


Manchester 


North Hills 

Rimersburg 

Rose Point 

Trlnlty(D.C) 

Tusca Area 


Balance 

1/1/95 

4,602 

7,276 

107 

19,924 

1,302 

8,762 

2,411 

3,658 

12,025 

3,849 

899 

10,227 

14,177 

2,355 

Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

22,000 

6,000 

Conut- 

Butlons 

56,654 

161,454 

132,603 

41,944 

59,278 

70,987 

65,986 

49,985 

18,383 

71,386 

37,733 

75,418 

38,886 

33,784 

Other 

217 

262 

51,550 

909 

1,942 

3,807 

374 

2,239 

14,167 

55,367 

527 

721 

Total 

Receipts 

56,871 

161,716 

184,153 

42,853 

61,220 

74,794 

66,360 

52,224 

32,550 

126,753 

37,733 

75,945 

61,607 

39,784 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

31,900 

42,445 

33,976 

30,174 

31,600 

32,868 

46,337 

7,841 

25,576 

39,132 

30,227 

33,462 

37,881 

30,740 

Anchor Fellowship 4,385 18,000 41,793 1,082 60,875 42,084 


Totals, Alleghenies 95,959 46,000 956,274 133,164 1,135,438 496,243 

ATLANTIC: 

Broomall 

Cambridge 


Elkins Park 

Hazelton 


White Lake 



52,378 

1,421 

16,128 

8,165 

0 

2,372 

2,386 

10,812 

0 

600 

20,41 7 

6,000 

116,344 

50,679 

34,284 

36,492 

18,431 

50,085 

46,511 

15,224 

11,580 

14,675 

4,500 

23,082 

8,452 

75,810 

467 

16,050 

131,019 

55,179 

57,366 

44,944 

19,031 

125,895 

46,511 

36,108 

33,630 

28,100 

35,340 

8,700 

29,742 

38,427 

27,300 

22,000 

19,580 

Lancaster 


Totals, Atlantic 93,662 27,017 379,630 143,036 549,683 209,189


Other 

RPMetM RP Works Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/95 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'96 

2,400 

16,020 

14,000 

4,285 

4,000 

5,000 

100 

2,684 

250 

5,000 

7,800 

6,127 

15,180 

6,469 

5,595 

3,404 

8,604 

820 

3,588 

1,548 

7,735 

1,366 

10,927 

312 

20,511 

90,519 

127,636 

15,975 

20,186 

27,253 

21,430 

25,495 

9,020 

72,080 

5,833 

28,952 

10,629 

9,330 

60,938 

164,164 

182,081 

56,029 

59,190 

73,725 

68,687 

39,608 

36,394 

123,947 

37,426 

81,141 

48,822 

40,070 

535 

4,828 

2,179 

6,748 

3,332 

9,831 

84 

16,274 

8,181 

6,655 

1,206 

5,031 

26,962 

2,069 

42,402 

34,619 

6,505 

47,667 

55,145 

125,390 

2,537 

26,666 

50,538 

706,308 

2,200 

832 

10,360 

32,800 

44,475 

47,076 

31,131 

33,000 

31,667 

46,637 

30,000 

25,576 

41,438 

30,632 

33,462 

41,453 

31,740 

5,920 12,176 60,180 5,080 2,463 42,084 

0 

61,539 77,595 497,025 1,132,402 98,995 1,113,632 543,171 

12,000 

600 

116 

322 

2,000 

843 

37,627 

1,979 

2,687 

1,870 

276 

6,797 

2,256 

54,231 

16,626 

54,283 

17,031 

6,088 

77,447 

15,821 

131,958 

54,545 

65,786 

48,965 

6,364 

124,671 

46,220 

51,439 

2,055 

7,708 

4,144 

12,667 

3,596 

2,677 

16,222 

12,108 

0 

13,953 

332,852 

5,600 

29,400 

35,340 

35,800 

31,642 

38,427 

28,300 

400 494 11,385 34,279 12,641 8,144 23,000 

10,736 30,316 3,314 

0 

0 

16,281 53,986 263,648 543,104 100,241 388,879 221,909


Balance 

1/1/95 


Belle Center 

11,507 

Bloomington 

1,174 

Columbus 

20,357 

Hetherton 

7,676 

Multlraclal(Pensacol 4,866 

Oakdale 

11,764 

Orlando 

15,335 

Second Indpls. 28,267 

Selma 

4,692 

Southfield 

62,676 

Southside Indpls. 5,000 

Sparta 

33,556 

West Lafayette 3,707 

Westminster 

9,910 


Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

750 

14,791 

6,000 

3,500 

Contrl- 

Butlons 

34,779 

95,598 

113,863 

16,163 

60,989 

23,641 

118,886 

230,379 

34,416 

111,554 

209,588 

26,355 

81,159 

111,619 

Other 

2,761 

7,551 

300 

38,510 

7,888 

6,600 

146,563 

28,246 

4,914 

5,456 

4,037 

945 

3,734 

Total 

Receipts 

37,540 

103,899 

114,163 

16,163 

114,290 

31,529 

125,486 

376,942 

62,662 

122,468 

215,044 

30,392 

82,104 

118,853 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

27,818 

69,264 

51,574 

8,077 

28,050 

7,350 

44,789 

116,198 

25,772 

60,030 

57,732 

29,362 

44,243 

52,572 

Evansville 

1,786 18,000 51,242 357 69,599 40,572 

Sycamore Fellowshl 3,254 12,000 45,988 1,174 59,162 34,332 


Totals, Gr.Lk.Gulf 225,527 55,041 1,366,219 259,036 1,680,296 697,735


Other 

RPMeiM RP Worte Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/95 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'96 

8,298 

1,000 

8,000 

1,586 

5,183 

7,500 

7,100 

1,114 

3,300 

13,783 

135 

2,000 

4,700 

2,365 

3,866 

3,400 

826 

345 

7,768 

9,693 

2,594 

4,647 

6,820 

1,720 

6,380 

7,099 

5,689 

29,325 

51,809 

4,913 

79,934 

21,917 

66,178 

231,028 

33,355 

23,863 

136,709 

19,150 

29,614 

48,408 

44,170 

103,455 

114,783 

14,576 

108,810 

34,795 

126,235 

364,019 

62,835 

91,840 

215,044 

50,367 

82,237 

112,779 

4,877 

1,618 

19,737 

9,263 

10,346 

8,498 

14,586 

41,190 

4,519 

93,304 

5,000 

13,581 

3,574 

15,984 

27,358 

32,771 

7,627 

0 

2,221 

21,156 

126,757 

15,636 

10,000 

131,770 

3,570 

8,724 

27,818 

73,800 

41,550 

8,077 

30,050 

7,350 

46,200 

122,498 

26,700 

83,038 

60,354 

26,500 

48,469 

56,140 

2,742 

1,500 

2,382 

4,072 

23,846 

15,996 

69,542 

55,900 

1,843 

6,516 

29,572 

28,616 

42,902 

35,000 

67,941 63,977 821,734 1,651,387 254,436 445,778 736,446


MIDWEST: 

Aurora 


Clarinda 

Denison 

Greeley 

Hebron 

Minneola 

Quinter 

Sharon 

Shawnee 

Springs 

Sterling 

Stillwater 

Topeka 

Washington 

Westminster 

Winchester 

Balance 

1/1/95 

43,495 

5,804 

1,926 

845 

-185 

3,264 

2,188 

10,504 

5,155 

12,050 

1,461 

25,798 

13,922 

98,057 

28,476 

2,643 

11,931 

Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

21,000 

Contri- 

Butlons 

18,758 

47,898 

27,865 

42,107 

30,280 

46,946 

31,981 

36,929 

51,900 

124,918 

95,022 

66,382 

37,796 

91,623 

70,820 

69,701 

72,171 

Other 

2,621 

9,916 

8,910 

530 

14,496 

3,477 

18,204 

18,819 

18,832 

29,366 

20,175 

8,759 

1,795 

12,634 

5,150 

7,205 

5,836 

Total 

Receipts 

21,379 

57,814 

36,775 

42,637 

44,776 

50,423 

50,185 

55,748 

70,732 

154,284 

115,197 

75,141 

60,591 

104,257 

75,970 

76,906 

78,007 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

503 

28,800 

27,733 

24,557 

26,768 

26,588 

29,732 

31,676 

13,770 

42,031 

37,957 

35,133 

39,332 

43,429 

37,832 

39,325 

33,371 


Mldlandjx. 


Totals, MldWest 267,334 21,000 963,097 186,725 1,170,822 518,537 


Fresno 

Los Angeles 

Phoenix 

San Diego 

Seattle 

46,591 

5,763 

3,006 

2,598 

44,656 

2,000 

57,047 

81,450 

44,176 

33,566 

59,038 

24,069 

10,545 

6,831 

1,210 

57,047 

105,519 

54,721 

42,397 

60,248 

31,231 

30,120 

16,638 

44,332 


Totals, Pac.Coast 102,614 2,000 275,277 42,655 319,932 122,321


Other 

RPMetM RP Works Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/95 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'96 

305 

3,000 

1,500 

1,400 

6,433 

500 

585 

3,500 

16,000 

6,137 

3,338 

100 

17,000 

2,500 

3,106 

6,000 

1,624 

3,271 

2,073 

4,648 

3,084 

3,120 

1,678 

4,374 

10,062 

12,270 

7,450 

4,400 

796 

6,824 

7,220 

2,700 

6,086 

26,955 

25,839 

6,606 

12,695 

12,627 

12,530 

15,642 

12,836 

39,441 

93,811 

62,175 

32,228 

15,588 

108,991 

46,175 

31,383 

30,336 

29,387 

60,910 

36,412 

43,400 

43,879 

48,671 

47,552 

49,471 

66,773 

164,112 

113,719 

75,099 

55,816 

176,244 

93,727 

76,514 

75,793 

35,487 

2,708 

2,289 

82 

712 

5,016 

4,821 

16,781 

9,114 

2,222 

2,939 

25,840 

18,697 

26,070 

10,719 

3,035 

14,145 

11,038 

31,982 

25,417 

35,711 

5,021 

10,560 

28,597 

14,177 

51,649 

14,610 

333,789 

81,767 

7,652 

0 

29,600 

20,000 

25,103 

26,368 

26,500 

29,732 

31,428 

29,500 

42,872 

43,500 

36,561 

41,500 

43,700 

39,565 

42,579 

35,300 

71,404 81,680 585,858 1,257,479 180,677 651,970 543,808 

1,025 

12,098 

4,599 

1,802 

10,292 

2,740 

4,664 

32,593 

45,258 

19,545 

13,632 

10,640 

66,651 

67,648 

52,405 

30,270 

64,235 

36,987 

43,634 

5,322 

14,725 

40,669 

271,028 

18,000 

30,279 

36,900 

31,310 

19,440 

45,500 

17,722 19,498 121,668 281,209 141,337 289,028 163,429


ST. LAWRENCE: 

Almonte 

Endwell 

Lisbon 

Lochiel 

Oswego 

Ottawa 

Rochester 

Smith Falls 

Syracuse 

Walton 

Balance 

1/1/95 

9,006 

164 

9,118 

4,412 

4 

100,250 

18,781 

8,303 

16,329 

13,198 

Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

6,000 

4,578 

Conul- 

Butlons 

37,342 

32,848 

33,872 

9,044 

81,812 

165,962 

18,693 

59,442 

161,243 

70,457 

Other 

3,601 

8,253 

2,859 

7 

3,344 

146,979 

476 

5,745 

2,554 

2,344 

Total 

Receipts 

40,943 

47,101 

36,731 

9,051 

85,156 

312,941 

19,169 

69,765 

163,797 

72,801 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

20,349 

32,332 

28,715 

56,108 

43,314 

34,854 

39,802 

14,474 


Fulton 6,154 33,500 


20,096 685 54,281 42,008 

Totals, St. Lawrenc 185,719 44,078 690,811 176,847 911,736 311,956 

JAPAN 

Hlghashlsuma 

Kasumigaoka 

Keiyaku 

Mukonoso 


Hontumon 

3,938 

0 

1,458 

646 

38,965 

8,379 

86,314 

45,263 

36,987 

25,185 

18,062 9,675 

13,027 

1,873 

3,883 

86,314 

47,136 

36,987 

29,068 

51 

236 27,788 

13,263 

47,595 

33,818 

24,418 

2,480 

4,527 

Kita Suzurandai 

Presbytery Roll 

Totals, ]apan 53,386 18,062 216,451 6,043 240,556 112,838 


Alleghenies 

Atlantic 


Midwest 

Pacific Coast 

St. Lawrence 

Total Home Field 

Japan Presbytery 

GRAND TOTAL 

95,959 

93,662 

225,527 

267,334 

102,614 

185,719 

970,815 

53,386 

1,024,201 

46,000 

27,017 

55,041 

21,000 

2,000 

44,078 

195,136 

18,062 

213,198 

956,274 

379,630 

1,366,219 

963,097 

275,277 

690,811 

4,631,308 

216,451 

4,847,759 

133,164 

143,036 

259,036 

186,725 

42,655 

176,847 

941,463 

6,043 

947,506 

1,135,438 

549,683 

1,680,296 

1,170,822 

319,932 

911,736 

5,767,907 

240,556 

6,008,463 

496,243 

209,189 

697,735 

518,537 

122,321 

311,956 

2,355,981 

112,838 

2,468,819


Other 

RPMStM RP Works Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/95 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'96 

3,638 

1,505 

400 

404 

318 

3,757 

750 

246 

12,000 

11,500 

6,502 

2,566 

1,744 

970 

3,994 

6,449 

1,176 

3,432 

11,832 

16,642 

14,176 

10,371 

6,865 

9,245 

21,712 

376,644 

14,147 

38,478 

110,422 

28,415 

44,665 

46,774 

37,724 

10,619 

82,132 

430,164 

16,073 

77,010 

174,056 

71,031 

5,284 

491 

8,125 

2,844 

3,028 

-16,973 

21,877 

1,058 

6,070 

14,968 

1,445 

9,320 

9,715 

1,300 

16,188 

109,348 

34,348 

32,737 

28,715 

65,000 

44,379 

34,800 

42,300 

28,948 

11,727 53,735 6,700 44,000 

34,518 55,307 642,202 1,043,983 53,472 181,664 320,879 

16,429 

2,091 

2,836 

360 

6,873 

22,290 

11,227 

9,733 

26,588 

22,901 

6,390 

86,314 

47,136 

36,987 

29,068 

27,788 

13,263 

3,938 

0 

1,458 

646 

0 

38,965 

8,379 

160,930 

60,148 

12,542 

228,000 

42,000 

19,636 

24,182 

0 28,589 99,129 240,556 53,386 461,620 85,818 

61,539 

16,281 

67,941 

71,404 

17,722 

34,518 

269,405 

0 

269,405 

77,595 

53,986 

63,977 

81,680 

19,498 

55,307 

352,043 

28,589 

380,632 

497,025 

263,648 

821,734 

585,858 

121,668 

642,202 

2,932,135 

99,129 

3,031,264 

1,132,402 98,995 

543,104 100,241 

1,651,387 254,436 

1,257,479 180,677 

281,209 141,337 

1,043,983 53,472 

5,909,564 829,158 

240,556 53,386 

6,150,120 882,544 

1,113,632 

388,879 

445,778 

651,970 

289,028 

181,664 

3,070,951 

461,620 

3,532,571 

543,171 

221,909 

736,446 

543,808 

163,429 

320,879 

2,529,642 

85,818 

2,615,460


ALLEGHENIES: 

Allegheny 

College Hill 


Eastvale 

1 st Beaver Falls 

Geneva 


Manchester 


North Hills 

Rimersburg 

Rose Point 

Trlnlty(D.C) 

Tusca Area 




Totals, Alleghenies 

Total Total 

Bap Ch 

Increase 

Member Member Comm. BapL Prof By Prof. Fr.RP From 

12/31/95 12/31/96 Memb. Memb. Faith BapL Faith Church Oth.Den Other Total 

47 

277 

185 

68 

64 

102 

72 

48 

43 

88 

54 

112 

26 

56 

26 

0 

1,268 

46 

274 

185 

68 

61 

108 

77 

50 

45 

89 

46 

105 

35 

55 

28 

0 

1,272 

44 

198 

133 

57 

52 

84 

39 

44 

38 

64 

46 

76 

21 

32 

15 

943 

2 

76 

52 

11 

9 

24 

38 

6 

7 

25 

29 

14 

23 

13 

329 

2 

5 

1 

2 

10 

7 

3 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 

3 

25 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

3 

2 

1 

14 

2 

3 

1 

10 

9 

2 

1 

6 

34 

5 

7 

1 

7 

4 

4 

1 

2 

29 2 

3 

18 

12 

3 

13 

14 

10 

4 

4 

5 

0 

2 

10 

1 

0 

5 

0 

104 

ATLANTIC: 

Broomall 

Cambridge 


Elkins Park 

Hazleton 


White Lake 

MISSION CHURCHES 


Lancaster 



87 

51 

75 

49 

24 

37 

70 

17 

18 

1 

429 

89 

55 

83 

44 

31 

38 

80 

17 

21 

1 

459 

50 

35 

52 

36 

23 

30 

55 

12 

13 

1 

307 

39 

20 

31 

8 

8 

8 

25 

5 

8 

152 

1 

2 

1 

1 

5 

5 

1 

5 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

16 

3 

3 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

14 

1 

4 

2 

3 

4 

1 

6 1 

7 14 1 

5 

4 

11 

6 

7 

4 

10 

1 

4 

0 

52


Decrease 

Deaths ToRP ToOth. 

Chur. Denom. 

1 

2 

4 

2 

1 

1 

2 

3 

18 1 

11 1 

1 2 

4 2 

3 2 

4 

1 

1 3 

3 3 

2 1 6 

1 

Final 

Average Attendance 

Removal Other Total Elders Deacons 1 Worship Sab.Sch. CYPU Parson. 

6 

1 

1 

1 

4 

21 

12 

3 

16 

8 

5 

2 

2 

4 

8 

9 

1 

2 

5 

22 

7 

6 

4 

7 

3 

3 

1 

4 

2 

4 

2 

4 

0 

15 

8 

5 

4 

4 

5 

2 

0 

5 

2 

6 

75 

265 

126 

40 

44 

69 

80 

40 

25 

87 

35 

76 

28 

44 

30 

125 

95 

25 

18 

42 

45 

25 

19 

46 

20 

25 

30 

3 

15 

35 

2 

4 

5 

0 

3 3 1 30 N 

0 

13 31 26 21 9 100 74 61 1,064 545 78 8 

6 

10 

4 

N 

Y 

N 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

1 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

8 

1 

2 

3 

0 

3 

11 

0 

3 

0 

6 

3 

4 

1 

2 

4 

2 

5 76 

1 35 

46 

3 32 

31 

4 30 

5 68 

56 

16 

30 

30 

12 

52 13 

1 

1 

17 9 

1 

1 

20 20 12 N 

N 

0 

6 3 10 1 2 22 22 18 355 225 25 4 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

N



Belle Center 

Bloomington 

Columbus 

Evansville 

Hetherton 

Lafayette 


Oakdale 

Orlando 


Selma 

Southfield 


Sparta 


Westminster 


Elkhart 

Iron County 


Totals, Gr.Lk.Gulf 

Total 

Member 

12/31/95 

34 

78 

120 

31 

21 

109 

46 

34 

128 

236 

74 

150 

183 

35 

69 

72 

0 

1,420 

Total 

Member Comm. 

12/31/96 Memb. 

33 

85 

125 

40 

21 

121 

45 

34 

131 

244 

73 

147 

181 

34 

63 

65 

23 

11 

0 

1,476 

27 

62 

76 

21 

21 

68 

34 

30 

109 

151 

64 

86 

92 

27 

32 

33 

12 

8 

953 

BapL 

Memb. 

6 

23 

49 

19 

0 

53 

11 

4 

22 

93 

9 

61 

89 

7 

31 

32 

11 

3 

523 

Bap Ch 

Prof By 

Faith BapL 

1 

5 

6 

1 3 

6 

5 1 

5 5 

2 

1 

4 

1 4 

1 

1 

13 39 24 

Increase 

Prof. Fr.RP From 

Faith Church Oth.Den Other Total 

1 

2 

1 11 

1 

2 3 

5 

2 

5 

2 

5 

9 

8 

33 

2 

10 

4 

2 

1 

9 

3 

12 

2 

45 

2 

9 

6 

10 

0 

19 

3 

0 

12 

3 9 

0 

16 

7 

1 

6 

12 

2 23 

11 

0 

5 146


Decrease 

ToRP 

Deaths Chur. 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

8 

2 

10 

3 

ToOth. 

Denom. 

1 

6 

1 

3 

8 

1 

16 

Final 

Removal Other Total Elders Deacons 1 

1 

6 

1 

2 

1 

3 

3 

2 

1 

1 

0 

7 

4 

0 

9 

1 

1 

19 

9 

2 

12 

19 

3 2 

4 7 

4 3 

2 0 

2 2 

7 0 

4 0 

3 2 

7 7 

10 9 

4 4 

7 3 

7 2 

4 0 

4 0 

5 0 


Worship Sab.Sch. CYPU Parson. 

28 

74 

84 

42 

15 

120 

30 

16 

84 

240 

35 

65 

190 

35 

64 

89 

26 

54 

44 

32 

8 

110 

21 

16 

57 

210 

18 

34 

180 

12 

62 

62 

5 

4 

13 

4 

6 

30 

0 

35 35 N 

0 1 16 16 N 

0 

5 35 36 10 4 90 78 41 1,262 997 70 7 

8 

Y 

Y 

N 

N 

Y 

N 

N 

Y 

N 

N 

Y 

Y 

N 

Y 

N 

N


MIDWEST: 

Aurora 


Clarinda 

Denison 

Greeley 

Hebron 

Minneola 

Quinter 

Sharon 

Shawnee 

Springs 

Sterling 

Stillwater 

Topeka 

Washington 

Westminster 

Winchester 


Midland, Tx. 


Totals, MldWest 

Total Total 

Bap Ch 

Increase 

Member Member Comm. BapL Prof By Prof. Fr.RP From 

12/31/95 12/31/96 Memb. Memb. Faith BapL Faith Church Oth.Den ' Other Total 

38 

65 

43 

107 

34 

73 

40 

82 

97 

127 

58 

93 

29 

124 

105 

72 

101 

0 

21 

1,309 

0 

58 

40 

101 

32 

68 

41 

83 

97 

131 

59 

106 

40 

117 

92 

103 

113 

0 

40 

31 

81 

29 

60 

28 

63 

74 

95 

40 

89 

18 

102 

68 

67 

86 

29 20 

17 17 

1,327 1,008 

0 

18 

9 

20 

3 

8 

13 

20 

23 

36 

19 

17 

22 

15 

24 

36 

27 

9 

4 

1 

7 

2 

3 

319 17 

1 

2 

1 2 

1 

1 

1 1 

1 

4 1 

4 1 1 1 

8 

6 

8 2 

1 2 

2 3 28 

5 1 5 2 

2 

37 

1 

13 

2 

41 

5 

15 

1 

2 

19 

22 

0 

1 

0 

2 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 

5 

7 

14 

11 

0 

3 

35 

13 

29 

0 

128 


Fresno 

69 70 53 17 1 

1 

Los Angeles 88 93 72 21 

8 

8 

Phoenix 

66 56 48 8 1 

San Diego 

33 50 30 20 10 

Seattle 

86 94 72 22 5 2 7 2 1 3 

17 

1 5 8 

Presbytery's Roll 1 1 1 

Totals, Pac. Coast 343 364 276 88 6 13 7 11 6 0 37


Decrease 

Deaths ToRP 

Chur. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

28 

1 

2 

6 

1 

ToOth. 

Denom. 

7 

5 

5 

1 

4 

2 

Final 


Removal Other Total Elders Deacons 1 Worship Sab.Sch. CYPU Parson. 

7 

1 

3 

8 38 24 11 

10 38 

8 3 

3 2 

8 6 

5 4 

6 4 

0 3 

1 3 

1 7 

1 8 

6 1 

1 9 

0 1 

7 9 

11 16 4 

4 4 5 

1 4 

4 

29 

0 

4 

110 

1 

2 

3 

5 

3 

3 

3 

4 

5 

4 

3 

4 

6 

3 

5 

5 

74 58 

50 

20 

80 

23 

45 

25 

33 

70 

95 

61 

80 

30 

96 

54 

81 

98 

25 

966 

50 

15 

56 

11 

35 

25 

24 

40 

80 

60 

40 

28 

44 

79 

72 

24 

9 

19 

8 

4 

5 

2 

20 

10 

4 

8 

683 89 

N 

N 

Y 

Y 

N 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

N 

Y 

N 

N 

N 

N 

Y 

N 

8 

0 5 5 52 42 Y 

3 

3 5 7 60 40 N 

1 9 3 13 3 1 70 20 10 N 

0 1 65 40 N 

0 4 4 68 45 7 Y 

0 

4 0 9 3 0 16 18 17 315 187 17 2


ST. LAWRENCE: 

Almonte 

Endwell 

Fulton 

Lisbon 

Lochiel 

Oswego 

Ottawa 

Rochester 

Smith Falls 

Syracuse 

Walton 


Totals, St. Lawrenc 

JAPAN 

Hlghashlsuma 

Kasumigaoka 

Keiyaku 

Mukonoso 


Hontumon 

Total Total Bap Ch 

Member Member Comm. BapL Prof 

12/31/95 12/31/96 Memb. Memb. Faith 

64 

31 

23 

49 

18 

72 

179 

22 

90 

209 

71 

2 

830 

74 

32 

62 

21 

60 

31 

24 

50 

19 

80 

175 

21 

92 

210 

72 

1 

835 

74 

32 

62 

21 

48 

23 

14 

30 

12 

73 

104 

16 

70 

136 

61 

1 

588 

50 

22 

42 

19 

12 

8 

10 

20 

7 

7 

71 

5 

22 

74 

11 

247 

24 

10 

20 

2 

1 

8 

2 

11 

By 

BapL 

2 

2 

1 

5 

5 

4 

19 

Increase 

Prof. Fr.RP From 

Faith Church Oth.Den Other Total 

2 2 1 1 

Kita Suzurandai 19 19 13 6 0 

Presbytery Roll 1 1 1 

Totals, Japan 211 211 148 63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

1 

3 

4 

6 

1 

7 

4 

1 

1 

6 

1 

1 

0 

0 

2 

2 

1 

10 

5 

0 

7 

8 

2 

0 

37 

0 

0 


Alleghenies 

1,268 

Atlantic 

429 

Great Lakes/Gulf 1,420 

Midwest 

1,309 



Total Home Field 5,599 

Japan Presbytery 211 

GRAND TOTAL 5,810 

1,272 

459 

1,476 

1,327 

364 

835 

5,733 

211 

5,944 

943 

307 

953 

1,008 

276 

588 

4,075 

148 

4,223 

329 

152 

523 

319 

88 

247 

1,658 

63 

1,721 

10 25 

5 16 

13 39 

17 37 

6 13 

11 19 

62 149 

0 0 

62 149 

14 

14 

24 

13 

7 

4 

76 

0 

76 

34 

7 

33 

41 

11 

7 

133 

0 

133 

29 

14 

45 

15 

6 

6 

115 

0 

115 

2 104 

1 52 

5 146 

22 128 

0 37 

1 37 

31 504 

0 0 

31 504


Decrease 

Deaths ToRP ToOlfl. 

Chur. Denom. 

Final 


Removal Other Total Elders 1 Deacons Worship Sab.Sch. CYPU Parson. 

1 3 

4 2 4 36 21 Y 

0 2 2 25 23 5 N 

1 

1 1 3 35 12 N 

1 

1 3 2 49 30 Y 

0 1 25 25 Y 

2 

2 3 8 92 88 N 

7 2 

9 3 2 180 160 N 

1 1 3 23 15 N 

5 

5 1 2 70 60 17 N 

1 5 1 7 6 5 200 100 Y 

1 

1 5 7 60 50 4 Y 

1 1 

2 14 14 1 1 32 30 35 795 584 26 5 

0 

0 

6 

4 

1 

1 

6 48 

2 26 

1 18 

21 

15 

7 

26 

10 

6 

5 

10 

8 

0 

13 2 

0 

19 8 5 Y 

0 

0 0 0 0 0 0 12 9 145 66 36 5 

Y 

Y 

Y 

Y 

13 

6 

5 

8 

4 

2 

38 

0 

38 

31 

3 

35 

38 

0 

14 

121 

0 

121 

26 

10 

36 

24 

9 

14 

119 

0 

119 

21 

1 

10 

11 

3 

1 

47 

0 

47 

9 

2 

4 

29 

0 

1 

45 

0 

45 

100 

22 

90 

110 

16 

32 

370 

0 

370 

74 

22 

78 

74 

18 

30 

296 

12 

308 

61 

18 

41 

58 

17 

35 

230 

9 

239 

1,064 

355 

1,262 

966 

315 

795 

4,757 

145 

4,902 

545 

225 

997 

683 

187 

584 

3,221 

66 

3,287 

78 

25 

70 

89 

17 

26 

305 

36 

341 

8 

4 

7 

8 

2 

5 

34 

5 

39


ALLEGHENIES: 

Allegheny 

College Hill 


Eastvale 

1st Beaver Falls 

Geneva 

Grace( State College 

Manchester 


North Hills 

Rimersburg 

Rose Point 

Trlnlty(D.C) 

Tusca Area 

Balance 

1/1/96 

535 

4,828 

2,179 

6,748 

3,332 

9,831 

84 

16,274 

8,181 

6,655 

1,206 

5,031 

26,962 

2,069 

Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

16,128 

5,000 

Contri- 

Butlons 

67,332 

154,539 

128,284 

59,310 

60,932 

74,777 

75,100 

52,586 

26,407 

86,068 

31,165 

77,467 

33,580 

34,648 

Other 

10,527 

1,043 

7,800 

108 

21,500 

7,891 

5,000 

405 

11,318 

41,212 

3,025 

0 

11,489 

3,942 

Total 

Receipts 

77,859 

155,582 

136,084 

59,418 

82,432 

82,668 

80,100 

52,991 

37,725 

127,280 

34,190 

77,467 

61,197 

43,590 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

32,800 

43,236 

47,247 

34,283 

39,999 

40,915 

44,900 

31,803 

26,174 

44,298 

21,965 

38,751 

43,260 

29,080 


Anchor Fellowship 5,080 14,600 


46,105 0 60,705 43,283 

Totals, Alleghenies 98,995 35,728 1,008,300 125,260 1,169,288 561,994 

ATLANTIC: 

Broomall 

Cambridge 


Elkins Park 

Hazleton 


White Lake 



Lancaster 



51,439 

2,055 

7,708 

4,144 

12,667 

3,596 

2,677 

12,641 

3,314 

100,241 

15,516 

6,000 

21,516 

112,513 

58,418 

56,339 

36,492 

19,577 

47,516 

47,899 

12,172 

11,580 

402,506 

4,494 

10,000 

21,313 

8,452 

35,106 

42,817 

3,500 

16,050 

141,732 

117,007 

68,418 

77,652 

44,944 

54,683 

90,333 

47,899 

31,188 

33,630 

565,754 

29,400 

35,540 

35,329 

29,742 

26,300 

23,000 

19,580 

198,891


RPMatM 

Other 

RP Works 

Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/96 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'97 

2,580 

15,000 

10,800 

5,404 

3,000 

5,601 

600 

2,500 

500 

5,000 

7,000 

4,060 

15,280 

7,445 

6,264 

3,570 

8,029 

1,050 

3,032 

2,198 

8,902 

1,300 

16,588 

648 

36,950 

88,658 

76,857 

14,678 

38,314 

29,267 

22,684 

21,903 

13,160 

70,095 

9,529 

15,146 

17,331 

14,552 

76,390 

162,174 

142,349 

60,629 

84,883 

83,812 

69,234 

59,238 

42,032 

128,295 

32,794 

77,485 

61,239 

43,632 

2,004 

-1,764 

-4,086 

5,537 

881 

8,687 

10,950 

10,027 

3,874 

5,640 

2,602 

5,013 

26,920 

2,027 

40,119 

32,855 

6,505 

47,578 

40,974 

126,302 

8,915 

27,852 

181,904 

29,584 

4,500 

34,100 

44,716 

48,430 

34,918 

31,061 

42,141 

34,500 

34,348 

25,580 

35,744 

38,751 

43,400 

31,740 

476 749 12,960 57,468 8,317 2,463 44,121 

58,461 79,115 482,084 1,181,654 86,629 549,551 523,550 

14,000 

600 

514 

322 

2,100 

1,629 

33,245 

2,493 

2,666 

1,870 

529 

5,740 

4,909 

57,566 

23,243 

28,859 

17,031 

57,934 

50,487 

15,392 

134,211 

61,876 

67,368 

48,965 

58,463 

58,327 

48,230 

34,235 

8,597 

17,992 

123 

8,887 

35,602 

2,346 

11,924 

2,362 

0 

13,953 

248,366 

11,675 

30,400 

37,360 

36,000 

31,642 

28,300 

276 20,412 

10,736 

43,688 

30,316 

141 

6,628 

5,136 23,000 

19,165 51,728 281,660 551,444 114,551 293,416 186,702


Balance 

1/1/96 


Belle Center 

Bloomington 

Columbus 

Evansville 

Hetherton 

Lafayette 


Oakdale 

Orlando 


Selma 

Southfield 


Sparta 


Westminster 


Elkhart 

Iron County 

4,877 

1,618 

19,737 

1,843 

9,263 

3,574 

10,346 

8,498 

14,586 

41,190 

4,519 

93,304 

5,000 

13,581 

6,516 

15,984 0 

Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

250 

14,020 

9,500 

9,010 

8,688 

0 1,000 

505 

Contri- 

Butions 

34,256 

95,500 

97,615 

63,844 

16,869 

91,534 

Other 

66,700 8,200 

26,468 

173,231 

258,763 

31,189 

109,794 

232,291 

23,210 

52,731 

96,394 

6,611 

6,163 

657 

1,165 

548 

23,056 

8,299 

7,200 

176,253 

25,270 

5,874 

7,614 

27,951 

1,638 

4,467 

15,808 

9,462 1,272 

Total 

Receipts 

40,867 

101,913 

98,272 

79,029 

17,417 

114,590 

84,400 

34,767 

180,431 

435,016 

56,459 

124,678 

239,905 

51,161 

63,057 

100,861 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

29,206 

74,026 

41,769 

45,967 

8,269 

48,625 

30,050 

10,500 

43,183 

121,887 

26,821 

86,260 

60,354 

26,673 

34,803 

56,237 

16,808 

11,239 2,700 


Totals, Gr.Lk.Gulf 254,436 42,973 1,495,659 312,238 1,850,870 747,330


RPMetM 

Other 

RP Works 

Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/96 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'97 

3,250 

1,100 

9,000 

2,987 

1,552 

2,470 

4,235 

8,000 

7,700 

1,200 

5,700 

1 3,674 

295 

1,500 

3,753 

2,618 

5,154 

3,652 

3,397 

6,596 

819 

476 

9,105 

7,680 

2,360 

5,566 

6,542 

1,568 

3,769 

5,887 

4,816 

22,006 

43,132 

20,217 

2,775 

55,205 

54,066 

27,387 

70,050 

297,749 

28,811 

47,188 

159,335 

26,345 

12,796 

46,619 

39,890 

102,286 

97,553 

72,568 

12,596 

112,896 

84,935 

42,598 

130,338 

435,016 

59,192 

144,714 

239,905 

54,881 

52,868 

112,496 

5,854 

1,245 

20,456 

8,304 

14,084 

5,268 

9,811 

667 

64,679 

41,190 

1,786 

73,268 

5,000 

9,861 

16,705 

4,349 

27,314 

32,860 

10,356 

29,568 

7,000 

2,500 

21,516 

21,260 

11,103 

10,000 

201,952 

14,000 

29,949 

2,995 

29,200 

76,800 

42,000 

48,300 

8,269 

52,000 

34,800 

10,500 

44,400 

127,000 

27,572 

81,000 

62,235 

27,872 

37,700 

56,237 

2,878 

4,733 

2,878 

7,433 

13,930 

3,806 2,488 31,900 

66,416 65,189 926,108 1,805,043 300,263 424,861 797,785


MIDWEST: 

Aurora 


Clarinda 

Denison 

Greeley 

Hebron 

Minneola 

Quinter 

Sharon 

Shawnee 

Springs 

Sterling 

Stillwater 

Topeka 

Washington 

Westminster 

Winchester 

Balance 

1/1/96 

35,487 

2,708 

2,289 

82 

712 

5,016 

4,821 

16,781 

9,114 

2,222 

2,939 

25,840 

18,697 

26,070 

10,719 

3,035 

14,145 

Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

1 7,600 

Contrl- 

Budons 

0 

55,081 

22,106 

46,350 

29,289 

53,226 

41,525 

42,592 

75,502 

146,080 

90,885 

79,091 

41,435 

93,201 

62,802 

80,242 

78,085 

Other 

0 

571 

3,447 

1,965 

8,453 

3,051 

17,680 

21,488 

0 

0 

18,909 

13,510 

649 

9,026 

3,719 

2,439 

0 

Total 

Receipts 

0 

55,652 

25,553 

48,315 

37,742 

56,277 

59,205 

64,080 

75,502 

146,080 

109,794 

92,601 

59,684 

102,227 

66,521 

82,681 

78,085 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

22,270 

11,192 

25,380 

25,408 

28,940 

30,530 

29,585 

30,330 

39,562 

43,500 

36,499 

41,598 

39,352 

39,663 

42,579 

35,508 


Midland, Tx. 


0 27,000 41,555 7,619 76,174 31,591 

Totals, MldWest 180,677 44,600 1,079,047 112,526 1,236,173 553,487 


Fresno 

Los Angeles 

Phoenix 

San Diego 

Seattle 


36,987 

43,634 

5,322 

14,725 

40,669 

0 

45,698 

79,641 

48,011 

46,810 

65,900 

7,338 

23,572 

1,091 

7,082 

1,653 

53,036 

103,213 

49,102 

53,892 

67,553 

31,660 

33,720 

34,122 

21,458 

46,098 

Totals, Pac.Coast 141^337 0 286,060 40,736 326,796 167,058


RPMetM 

Other 

RP Works 

Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/96 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'97 

2,500 

60 

2,318 

1,000 

6,430 

1,050 

1,050 

4,500 

17,500 

4,677 

2,000 

1,500 

5,230 

3,000 

4,027 

7,500 

3,170 

2,398 

4,472 

3,633 

6,042 

1,266 

2,384 

6,056 

15,265 

6,056 

4,344 

1,386 

7,678 

4,240 

2,729 

7,795 

35,487 

23,178 

10,546 

13,874 

7,543 

13,577 

25,840 

47,059 

23,499 

71,310 

54,987 

44,411 

14,356 

57,251 

18,357 

32,840 

22,326 

35,487 

51,118 

24,196 

46,044 

37,584 

54,989 

58,686 

80,078 

64,385 

143,637 

109,220 

87,254 

58,840 

109,511 

65,260 

82,175 

73,129 

0 

7,242 

3,646 

2,353 

870 

6,304 

5,340 

783 

20,231 

4,665 

3,513 

31,187 

19,541 

18,786 

11,980 

3,541 

19,101 

15,211 

33,672 

24,659 

31,832 

19,965 

8,925 

26,938 

4,662 

2,087 

52,127 

16,141 

11,837 

86,857 

39,587 

0 

26,804 

28,600 

34,000 

31,000 

32,000 

41,683 

44,800 

36,673 

43,200 

43,500 

40,735 

46,897 

37,190 

16,017 47,608 28,566 798 38,242 

64,342 78,914 532,458 1,229,201 187,649 375,298 525,324 

1,179 

25,005 

4,794 

1,948 

8,652 

960 

3,964 

17,626 

76,596 

18,811 

16,085 

9,258 

52,413 

143,973 

53,893 

37,543 

64,114 

37,610 

2,874 

531 

31,074 

44,108 

122,405 

26,261 

32,000 

31,660 

48,600 

32,815 

48,100 

30,978 15,524 138,376 351,936 116,197 180,666 161,175


ST. LAWRENCE: 

Almonte 

Endwell 

Fulton 

Lisbon 

Lochiel 

Oswego 

Ottawa 

Rochester 

Smith Falls 

Syracuse 

Walton 

Balance 

1/1/96 

5,284 

491 

6,700 

8,125 

2,844 

3,028 

-16,973 

21,877 

1,058 

6,070 

14,968 

Sup. Aid 

Presby. 

6,000 

34,550 

8,000 

2,912 

Contri- 

Budons 

46,139 

32,250 

24,200 

38,764 

11,137 

111,773 

174,568 

17,724 

68,736 

185,849 

73,257 

Other 

0 

9,172 

1,000 

3,359 

4 

8,260 

1,189 

578 

86 

1,786 

4,699 

Total 

Receipts 

46,139 

47,422 

59,750 

42,123 

11,141 

128,033 

175,757 

18,302 

71,734 

187,635 

77,956 

Pastor's 

ToLComp. 

4,648 

35,298 

48,361 

30,183 

60,100 

49,359 

35,836 

42,874 

31,263 


Totals,St.Lawrence 53,472 51,462 784,397 30,133 865,992 337,922 

JAPAN 

Hlghashlsuma 

Kasumigaoka 

Keiyaku 

Mukonoso 


Hontumon 

3,938 

0 

1,458 

646 

38,965 

8,379 

86,314 

45,263 

36,987 

25,185 

18,062 9,675 

13,027 

1,873 

3,883 

51 

236 

86,314 

47,136 

36,987 

29,068 

27,788 

13,263 

47,595 

33,818 

24,418 

2,480 

4,527 

Klta Suzurandai 

Presbytery Roll 

Total Japan 53,386 18,062 216,451 6,043 240,556 112,838 

Presbytery Totals 

Alleghenies 

Atlantic 


Midwest 

Pacific Coast 

St. Lawrence 

Total Home Field 


GRAND TOTAL 

98,995 

100,241 

254,436 

180,677 

141,337 

53,472 

829,158 

53,386 

882,544 

35,728 

21,516 

42,973 

44,600 

0 

51,462 

196,279 

18,062 

214,341 

1,008,300 

402,506 

1,495,659 

1,079,047 

286,060 

784,397 

5,055,969 

216,451 

5,272,420 

125,260 

141,732 

312,238 

112,526 

40,736 

30,133 

762,625 

6,043 

768,668 

1,169,288 

565,754 

1,850,870 

1,236,173 

326,796 

865,992 

6,014,873 

240,556 

6,255,429 

561,994 

198,891 

747,330 

553,487 

167,058 

337,922 

2,566,682 

112,838 

2,679,520


RPMSM 

Other 

RP Works 

Other 

Total 

Dlsb. 

Balance 

12/31/96 

Other 

Assets 

Pastor's 

Sal-'97 

3,890 

1,196 

585 

279 

3,639 

416 

12,000 

11,792 

2,713 

1,682 

1,410 

1,644 

983 

33,802 

8,476 

2,780 

2,346 

15,384 

12,570 

16,928 

9,503 

9,615 

5,669 

10,404 

35,441 

106,760 

17,185 

32,396 

94,729 

19,247 

28,179 

47,679 

59,386 

38,081 

11,387 

129,622 

168,234 

19,965 

70,994 

164,987 

74,872 

23,244 

234 

7,064 

12,167 

2,598 

1,439 

-9,450 

20,214 

1,798 

28,718 

18,052 

5,160 

12,592 

3,373 

10,634 

12,157 

28,309 

13,139 

35,298 

48,420 

30,183 

65,000 

50,527 

35,934 

43,000 

36,083 

33,797 83,790 357,877 813,386 106,078 72,225 357,584 

16,429 

2,091 

2,836 

22,290 

11,227 

9,733 

26,588 

86,314 

47,136 

36,987 

29,068 

3,938 

0 

1,458 

646 

160,930 

60,148 

12,542 

228,000 

42,000 

19,636 

24,182 

360 

6,873 

22,901 

6,390 

27,788 

13,263 

38,965 

8,379 

0 28,589 99,129 240,556 53,386 461,620 85,818 

58,461 

19,165 

66,416 

64,342 

30,978 

33,797 

273,159 

0 

273,159 

79,115 

51,728 

65,189 

78,914 

15,524 

83,790 

374,260 

28,589 

402,849 

482,084 

281,660 

926,108 

532,458 

138,376 

357,877 

2,718,563 

99,129 

2,817,692 

1,181,654 

551,444 

1,805,043 

1,229,201 

351,936 

813,386 

5,932,664 

240,556 

6,173,220 

86,629 

114,551 

300,263 

187,649 

116,197 

106,078 

911,367 

53,386 

964,753 

549,551 

293,416 

424,861 

375,298 

180,666 

72,225 

1,896,017 

461,620 

2,357,637 

523,550 

186,702 

797,785 

525,324 

161,175 

357,584 

2,552,120 

85,818 

2,637,938


INDEX 

A 

Adjournment 10,34,63,79,124,140 

Alleghenies 

Committee to review Records of 10 

Deacon Delegate 3, 6 

Disabilities Board Representative 208 

Geneva College Corporators Representative 241 

Home Mission Board Representative 242 

Reportof (1996) 179 

Report of (1997) 12 

Report of Review of Records 144 

Roster 247 

Statistics (1995) 308, 309,316, 317 

Statistics (1996) 324, 325, 332, 333 

Statistics 1908 - 1996 290-292 

Alleghenies, Women's Presbyterial, Roster 276 

Allowance, Moving 44, 172 

Allowance, Severence 44, 172 

American Presbyterian Church 

Communication regarding 11 

Fraternal Delegate 121 

Fraternal relations 17, 121, 122, 146, 183 

Address 246 

Appendix A (1996 Reports) 151-204 

Appendix B (Items received in 1997) 205-238 

Items to appear in 7, 34, 54, 80, 132 

Arrangements, Committee on 150 

Election 142 

Reportof 9 

Roster 243 

Assessments 

Pension 40, 99, 170 

Travel 99 


Address 241 

Election 6 

Report on Records of Presbyteries 143 

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 

Address 246 

Fraternal Delegate 121




Communication from 11 





Report of (1996) 181 


Roster 252 

Statistics (1995) 308, 309, 316, 317 

Statistics (1996) 322, 323, 330, 331 

Statistics 1908 - 1996 293-295 

Auditor's reports 101-120 

Australia, see Reformed Presbytery of Australia 

B 

Bequest, Form of 246 

Bicentennial Celebration 64, 66, 69, 100 

Boards of Synod, 1996 Reports of 

Education and Publication 154 

Foreign Missions 156 


Corporators 159 

Trustees 161 

Home Missions 164 

Pension Trustees of Synod 169 

Trustees of Synod 177 

Trustees of the Theological Seminary 174 

Boards of Synod, 1997 Reports of 

Education and Publication 124 

Foreign Missions 55 


Corporators 48 

Trustees 49 

Home Missions 72 

Pension Trustees of Synod 39 

Trustees of Synod 31 

Trustees of the Theological Seminary 132 

Book of Discipline, Committee to Revise the 

Report 53 

Building Loan Fund 31, 178


Business of Synod, Committee on the 

Assignments 49, 66, 69, 80, 89 

Election 142 

Report on Communications 8, 11 

Reportof 65, 141 

Roster 243 

C 

Christian Reformed Church 122, 123, 146, 210 

Address 246 

Church History Committee 69, 100 

Report 64 

Roster 244 

Clerk 

Address 241 

Assignments 90, 131, 140 

Election 6 


Commission, Special Interim 30 

Committee Reports, Committees of the Day 

Finance 95 

Judicial 88 

Nominations 141 

Records of Presbyteries 143 

Resolution of Thanks 149 

State of the Church 144 

Travel Fund Representative 141 

Committee Reports, Standing 

Arrangments 9 

Business of Synod 65, 141 

On Communications 8, 11 

Church History 64 

Graduate Study Fund 136 

1996 Report 199 

Interchurch 121 

1996 Report 200 

Joint Commission on Chaplains 58 

Committee Reports, Temporary; see Unfinished Business 

Committees Appointed by the Moderator 10, 11 

Communications 

97-1: Petition for Westminster Evangelical Ministries to be placed 

under the jurisdiction of the Synod 8


97-2: Removal of a Paragraph from the Directory for 

Church Government. 8 

97-3: Petition for a Psalter Revision Committee 8 

97-4: Petition to Declare Ordination Queries Part of the Constitution.... 8 

97-5: Petition for Judicial Interpretation 8 

97-6: Petition for Revision of the Covenant of Church Membership 9 

97-7: Petition to Declare the Special Resolution on Ordination 

Query tt8 by the 1995 Synod to be out-of-order 9 

97-8: Declaration concerning "Psalm Choruses" 11 

97-9: Petition to Deal with the American Presbyterian Churches 11 

97-10: Covenant with the Japan Presbytery 11 

Constitution of the Court in prayer 3, 10, 35,63, 79 124 

Constitution of the RPCNA 87 

Declaration of Ordination Queries belonging to 80, 89, 90 

Consultative members seated 10 

Coordinator of Youth Ministries 127, 128 

Corporators of Geneva College, Board of 

See Geneva College 

Covenanter Witness 125, 126, 145, 168 

Crown and Covenant Publications 7, 76, 155, 156 

Address 240 

CUTS 49, 51, 162, 163, 243 

Cyprus, see Trinity Christian Community Fellowship 

D 

Deaths 6, 35, 37, 38, 54, 151, 153 

Delegates to Synod the first time 6 

Devotional Services 2, 10, 35,63, 79, 124 

Overall devotional listing 65 

Directory of the Reformed Presbyterian Church 240 

Directory for Worship, Committee to Revise the 54, 63, 71, 146 

Proposed revision 219 


Discipline, Committee to Revise the Book of. 53, 142 

Dissents recorded 54, 92, 94 

E 

Editors, Managing, Covenanter Witness, Address 240 

Education and Publication, Board of 79, 97, 124, 129, 136 

Assignment 8, 54 

Office Address 240 

1996 Report of 154 

Reportof 124


Roster 241 

Elder delegates without certificate seated 10 

Elections 

Board and Committee vacancies filled 71, 79, 131, 142 

By the Board of Corporators of Geneva College 49 

Seminary Faculty 131 

Synod officers 6 

Evaluation of no Synod in 1996 66 

F 

Finance, Committee on 67,69, 129, 177, 199 

Election 142 

Preliminary report of 38 

Referrals to 30, 34, 38, 55, 64, 72, 131 


Roster 244 

Foreign Missionaries 

Roster 274 

Salary Schedule 274 

Foreign Missions, Board of 11, 21, 83-86, 96, 150, 187, 188, 213 

Election 142 


1997 Report of 55 

Roster 250 

Fraternal Delegates 21, 138, 140, 184, 200 

Introduced 11, 12, 63, 88 

Reports 120, 121 

Free Church Of Scotland, North American Synod, Address 246 

Friday 124-150 

G 


Address 240 

Election of Corporators 141 

1996 Reportof the Board of Corporators 159 

1997 Reportof the Board of Corporators 48 

1996 Report of the Board of Trustees 159 

1997 Reportof the Board of Trustees 49 

Roster of the Board of Corporators 241 

Roster of the Board of Trustees 242 

Graduate Study Committee 

Elections 142




Roster 244 

Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery 







Reportof (1997) 17 


Roster 254 

Statistics (1995) 310,311, 318, 319 

Statistics (1996) 326, 327, 334, 335 

Statistics 1908 - 1996 296-298 

Great Lakes-Gulf, Women's Presbyterial of the, Roster 278 

H 

Health Insurance discussion 72 

Home 

See Reformed Presbyterian Home 

Home Missions, Board of 32, 55, 78, 96, 191 

Election 141 



Roster 242 

Institutions of the Denomination 240 

Interchurch Committee 11, 138, 141 

Elections 142 

Referrals to 123 



Roster 244 

International Conference 66, 67, 79, 126-129, 142 

International Conference on Reformed Churches 122 

Investments 

Geneva College 51 

Pensions 44, 173 

Trustees of Synod 31, 98 

Ireland, see Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland


J 






Roster 262 

Statistics (1995) 314, 315, 322, 323 

Statistics (1996) 330, 331, 338, 339 

Joint Commission on Chaplains 98, 147 

Election 142 


Roster 244 

Judicial Committee 69, 71, 79, 80, 88, 148 

Appointment 10 

Assignments 8, 9 

Minority Report 94 

Report 88 

K 

Keynote Address 2 

Korean American Presbyterian Church 199 

Address 246 

L 

Letters of Remembrance 142 

M 

Managing Editors of Crown and Covenant Publications 240 

Memorial Service 6 

Midwest Presbytery 








Roster 263 

Statistics (1995) 312, 313, 320, 321 

Statistics (1996) 328, 329, 336, 337 

Statistics 1908 - 1996 299-301


Midwest, Women's Presbyterial of the, Eastern Division Roster 279 

Midwest, Women's Presbyterial of the, Western Division Roster 280 

Ministers 

Deaths 6 

General statistics on 36, 152 

Minutes 

Instructions regarding 94, 140 

Printing 1995 7 

Reading for 

approval 10, 11, 35, 78, 79, 80, 95, 124, 136, 150 

Mission and Ministry 

See RPMscM 

Missions 

See Foreign Missions, Home Missions 

Missionaries, Roster of Foreign 274 

Moderator 

Address 241 

Appointments 10, 11 

Assignments 8 

Election 6 

Flowers honoring 30 

Relinquish/Return to Chair 54, 63, 138, 141 

Retiring 2 

Sustaining the decision of the 54 

Monday 10-34 

Moving Allowance 44, 172 

N 

National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).... 58, 59, 121, 123, 161, 200 

National Reform Association 80, 142 

Address 240 

Report 214 

New Song 76, 155 

Nominating Committee 64, 79 


Referrals8, 9, 30, 38, 53, 54, 55, 72, 79, 80, 95, 121, 124, 131, 136 

Report 141 

Roster 244 

North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPaRC) ....121, 122 

O 

Offering For Synod 64 

Officers of Synod 

Addresses 241


Elections 6 

Order of the Day 48, 55, 63, 71, 72, 79 

Ordination queries 8» 89-91, 120 

Orthodox Presbyterian Church 199 

Address 246 

Fraternal Delegate 11/ 120 

Ottawa Theological Hall 27, 30, 146, 195, 196, 197 

Address 270 

Overtures 

Counting tie ballots 8, 80, 89, 124, 131 

Regarding Declaration of Relationship Among RP Churches 139, 140 

Regarding Directory for Worship revision 93, 94 

Regarding Disabilities Statement 68 

Regarding Ordination Queries 90, 95, 120 

P 

Pacific Coast Presbytery 






Reportof (1997) 26 

Roster 269 

Statistics (1995) 312, 313, 320, 321 

Statistics (1996) 328, 329, 336, 337 

Statistics 1908 - 1996 302-304 

Pacific Coast, Women's Presbyterial of the, Roster 282 

Pages 6 

Papers (See Communications) 

Parliamentarians 

Assignments 124 

Report 131 

Roster 244 

Pension Trustees, Board of 

Assessments 40, 99, 170 

Election 141 

1996 Report 169 

1997 Report 39 

Roster 242


Prayer 

Adjournment 10, 34, 63, 79 124, 150 

Constitution of the Court 3, 10, 35,63, 79, 124 

Devotions 2, 10, 35,63, 79, 124, 150 

Memorial 7 

Recess/Reconvene 11, 34, 54, 55, 72, 80, 95, 135 

Requests... 12,15, 18, 19, 20, 27, 51, 55, 56, 57, 59, 145, 146, 148 

Seasons of 33, 34, 54, 63, 71, 78, 79, 80, 95, 124, 135 

Specific Concerns 12, 47, 58, 64, 72, 95, 131, 132 

Presbyterian Church in America 6,59, 121, 122, 133, 193,216 

Address 246 

Fraternal Delegate 88, 120 

Presbyteries 

Reports-- 1996 179- 198 

Reports- 1997 12- 30 

Rosters 247 - 273 

Statistics-- 1996 308 - 324 

Statistics-- 1997 325 - 339 

Statistics-- 1980-1996 287 - 307 

Presbytery Review Committee 

See State of the Church Committee 

President of Geneva College 48, 240 

President of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary 132, 240 

Psalm Choruses 11 

Psalm Music Committee 135 

Psalm Translation Committee Report 69 

Psalter Revision 8, 10, 129 

Publication 

See Education and Publication, Board of 

R 

Recognition, Special 30, 34, 88 

Records of Presbyteries 

Appointment of Committees to Review the 10 

Report 143 

Reformation Translation Fellowship (RTF) 23, 54, 57, 159, 188, 195 

Address 241 


Reformed Church in the U.S 122 

Address 246 

Fraternal Delegate 12, 121 

Reformed Presbyterian Church 

of Ireland 27, 55, 71, 138-140, 158, 180, 198 

Address 245


Fraternal Greeting 120 

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland .. 57, 124, 126, 138- 140, 184 

Address 245 


Address 240 

Administrator's Reports 202, 209 

Disabilities Advisory Board Reports 210 

Woman's Association Reports 201, 207 

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Address 240 

Reformed Presbytery of Australia 70, 71, 138- 140 

Address 245 

Relationships with RP Churches, Committee on 

Report 138 

Resolution of Thanks Committee 


Report 149 

Resolutions, Special See Communications 97-7 St 97-10 

Regarding Ordination Query #8 120 

Regarding Breaking Fraternal Relations with the CRC 123 

Revise the Book of Discipline, Committee to 53 

Revise the Directory for Worship, Committee to 54, 63, 71 

Proposed Revision 219 

Report 72 

Revitalization of Declining Congregations, Report 18, 54 

Report 60 

Roll 3 

RPMkM 32, 96, 99, 100 

S 

Saturday 2-10 

Scotland, see Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland 

Scotland, Free Church of, Address 246 

Seminary, Board of Trustees of the Theological 57, 75, 96, 97 

Address 240 

Apology to Synod 132, 217 

Election of Board Members 142 

Election of Professors 131 

1996 Report .,.[[[ 174 

1997 Report '"" 132 

Roster 341 

Severence Allowance 44; j 72


St. Lawrence Presbytery 


Deacon Delegate 6 







Roster 270 

Statistics (1995) 314, 315, 322, 323 

Statistics (1996) 330, 331, 338, 339 

Statistics 1908 - 1996 305-307 

St. Lawrence-Atlantic, Women's Presbyterial of the, Roster 283 

State of the Church Committee 


Report 144 

Stated Clerk 99 

Address (Treasurer) 241 

1996 Report 151 


Synodical Missionary Fellowship, Women's 

Representation on Mission Boards 242, 275 

Roster 275 

Statements of Receipts and Disbursements 285, 286 

T 

Theological Seminary, Board of Trustees of the 

See Seminary 

Thursday 79-124 

Time and Place of Synod Meetings 

1997 66 

1998 66 

Travel Agent, Report of 141 

Travel Assessment 99 

Travel Fund 12, 67, 99, 141 

Treasurer, Denominational, Address 241 

Trinity Christian Community Fellowship 21, 55, 139, 187 

Address 245 

Trustees of Geneva College, Board of 

Reports 49, 159 

Roster 242


Trustees of Synod, Board of 67, 68 

Address 240 

Election 141 

1996 Report 177 


Roster 243 

Trustees of the Theological Seminary, Board of 

See Seminary 

Tuesday 34-63 

U 

Understanding the Times 

Election 142 

Report 80 

Roster 245 

Unfinished Business Committee Reports 

Declaration of Relationships with RP Churches 138 

Psalm Music 135 

Psalm Translation 69 

Revise the Book of Discipline 53 

Revise the Directory for Worship 92 

Revitalization of Declining Congregations 60 

Special Interim Committee 30 

W 

Wednesday 63-79 

Westminster Evangelistic Ministries 8 

Woman's Association 

Reports 201,207 

Women's Synodical Missionary Fellowship 275 

Worship, Committee to Revise the Directory for. 92 

Y 

Youth Ministries Committee 100, 126, 127, 128, 129

Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

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