Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1961 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 61
being developed for erection of a church building, to which the
Board has made a contribution.
Licentiate and Mrs. D. Raymond McCracken expect to begin
work at W. Monroe St. Mission in Phoenix, Arizona, the first of
July, where the Pacific Coast Presbytery has appointed Mr.
McCracken Stated Supply for one year. The Board is fully aware
of the need of the Gospel in this place, and is appreciative of the
zealous work of Dr. and Mrs. J. G. McElhinney. However, the
Board is not persuaded that the field offers any prospect of developing
into a self-sustaining congregation in the forseeable future.
In view of this, and in view of the shortage of pastors in congregations
in widely separated fields, and the financial needs of the
Church, the Board has recommended to Pacific Coast Presbytery
and to Phoenix Congregation that a program be worked out whereby
a Mission Sabbath School can be maintained at West Monroe
St., under supervision of the Session of Phoenix Congregation.
The Board is concerned over the number of substantial congregations
without pastors.lt is also concerned about the financial
pressure on pastors which hinders them from doing their best or
from giving their full time to the congregations they serve. A Committee
composed mostly of lay members of the Board recommended
a substantial increase in the minimum salary of pastors, which included
recognition of years of experience and of family responsibilities.
This year the Board is recommending to Synod an increase
of $400 in the minimum salary and of ^$150 in housing allowance
, bringing them to $3,400 and $750 respectively per year.
The Committee is continued to work out an equitable recognition
of the other factors mentioned, on a long range program.
As promised last year, the Board has made a re-appraisal of
the whole program of supplemental aid to congregations. The
Board recognizes a two-fold responsibility. First there is the responsibility
to the Church to use the money entrusted to this
Board in such a way as to bring the greatest returns to the Master
- whether growth in membership or growth in witness. This is fruit
bearing. Second, there is responsibility to aid-receiving congregations
(1) to assist those newly formed to achieve a self-sustaining
strength, (2) to assist those beset by temporary hard-ships back
to a self-sustaining position, and (3) to provide pastoral care and
preaching and observance of the sacraments for the faithful of the
Church, within limitations, where there is little or no prospect of
growth or future promise.
As a result of the study, the Board is proposing a double
policy for Synod's approval- one policy for fields showing promise
of becoming self-supporting, and another for areas on the decline,
to care for the faithful Covenanters there. Also, the Board is submitting
for Synod's approval a revised "Application for Aid" form,
which lays more responsibility upon Presbyteries for solving the