Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

94 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEItem 2 was adopted. Item 3 was amended and adopted as amended.Items 4 and 5 were adopted. The report as a whole was approved asis as follows:REPORT OF THE SPECIAL JUDICIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THEMODERATOR TO DEAL WITH PAPER 95-3Paper 95-3 SynopsisThe paper is from the Southfield Session and is addressed to Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery. The Presbytery considered the paper at its meetings atSynod on June 17, and determined to pass it on to Synod withoutendorsement and with the recommendation that Synod return the paper tothe Southfield session.The paper requests that the Presbytery "show just cause whyit hasrefused to follow ordination procedures according to the Book of ChurchGovernment of the RPCNA" and "that failing this, the Great Lakes-GulfPresbytery be directed by the Synod to proceed immediately to theordination and installation of Lie. Brian Schwertley as Associate Pastor of theSouthfield congregation."Factual BackgroundMr. Schwertley received his theological education under the care of theAtlantic Presbytery. He was certified as eligible to receive a call. TheSouthfield congregation called him to the position of Associate Pastor for thespecial task of church planting in Lansing, Michigan. The call was sent to theAd Interim Commission of Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery which deemed it tobe a regular gospel call and transferred it to the Atlantic Presbytery. It waspresented to Mr. Schwertley who accepted the call.At a special meeting of Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery on November 11,1994, the pastor-elect was examined for ordination. His sermon wassustained by a 2/3 majority. His examination in personal godliness wassimilarly sustained. His exam in soundness in the faith and commitment tothe RPCNA Testimony had to be interrupted because of time constraints.(The meeting had been called previously for another purpose.) It wasdecided to complete the final examination at the next regular meeting of thePresbytery. This was done on April 20-22, 1995, and the candidate's finalexam was sustained by a 2/3 majority. According to the Directory forChurch Government, E., 3., c, Mr. Schwertley had completed therequirements for ordination and installation.At that point in the meeting on April 20-22 the Presbytery went intoexecutive session following which they took this action:That Presbytery counsel the Southfield congregation toenter into a twelve-month training period with Brian Schwertleyafter he arrives in Michigan; and that at the end of this timeSouthfield Session would report back to Presbytery on hisprogress with the anticipation of his ordination shortlythereafter; and that Presbytery apply to the Home Mission