Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

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132 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE 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 approved and is as follows: 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.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 133 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.
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