SEVENTY-NINTH STATED MEETING
GULF COAST PRESBYTERY – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1999
MCILWAIN MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

 99-1    CALL TO ORDER & OPENING PRAYER

The seventy-ninth stated meeting of Gulf Coast Presbytery was called to order by the moderator, TE Michael Swain at 9:05 AM CDT on Tuesday, February 9, 1999, at the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, Florida. TE M. Swain led in the opening prayer.

99-2        WORSHIP SERVICE & CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

TE Joseph Grider led Presbytery in the singing of “O Worship the King” and “How Firm a Foundation” as the service began. Mr. David Hutchinson brought a message from Mark 10. Following the message, Presbytery was led again by TE Grider in the singing of “O Jesus, We Adore Thee.” TEs Grider and DeBardeleben administered the Lord’s Supper to Presbytery. Following the Lord’s Supper, the service concluded with the singing of “Amazing Grace.”

99-3    ROLL CALL & DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM

A quorum was declared to be present with the following commissioners in attendance:

OTHERS: Steven Bradford (CPI), Frank Dole (Hospice), Robert Gardner (Chaplain), Steven Jennings (WC), Arnie Maves (PEF), Doug Miller (PEF), Michael Schneider (Trinity PC, Independent), Bruce Sinclair (Organizing Pastor), Charles Sledge (HR), Eldon Stanton (Chaplain, Waterfront Mission), Sam Suk Yang (Organizing Pastor).

EXCUSED: TEs  J. Bancroft, D. Box, W. Cathey, J. Craft, S. DeVries, D. Dunkerley, C. Gwin, H. Morris, G. Ormerly, J. Riggs, J. Watson  and RE Commissioner from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Fort Walton Beach.

ABSENT: TEs J. Hopwood,  RE Commissioners from Chattahoochee, Christ (Lynn Haven), Christ (Mobile), Concord, Cornerstone, (Destin), Cornerstone, (Tallahassee), First, (Panama City), New Philadelphia (Quincy), Panama City Korean, Safe Harbor, Westminster (Tallahassee) and Wildwood.

VISITORS: Larry Bean (EPC), Brett Carl, Bob Fiol (GA Stated Clerk’s Office), Paula Hutchinson, TE Robert Hopper (Northern California Presbytery), Chris Miller (IAR) Judy Sledge, and Benny Youngblood

99-4            APPROVAL OF PRINTED MINUTES

The minutes of the Seventy-eighth stated meeting were approved as corrected.

99-5            COMMUNICATIONS

1.      Letter from the TE D. Shuffield and the Pinewoods Presbyterian Church, requesting the dissolution of the pastoral relationship, referred to Ministers and Candidates;

2.      Letter from TE J. Davis and the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church, requesting the dissolution of pastoral relationship, referred to  Ministers and Candidates;

3.      Call from the Pinewoods Presbyterian Church to Mr. David Hutchinson, referred to the Examinations Committee;

4.      Minutes from the Commission to install TE Ezra Yune, found in order and printed in the minutes (Appendix A);

5.      Letter from the Northeast Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, requesting that presbytery return the church to a mission church, referred to the Mission to North America Committee;

6.      Letter from TE A. Maves requesting that he be granted honorable retirement. Referred to Ministers and Candidates committee.

7.      Call from Christ PCA Mobile to change status of TE Phillips to Assoc. Minister, referred to Ministers and Candidates

8.      Call from Wildwood Presbyterian Church to change the terms of call of TE D. Box from assistant pastor to associate pastor, referred to Ministers and Candidates;

9.      Letter from Wildwood Presbyterian Church and Mr. Chuck Ryor requesting that he be enrolled as an intern, referred to the Examinations Committee;

10. Letter from TE J. Davis notifying presbytery of his decision to file for Social Security exemption, received as information.

11. Request for excused absences from TEs J. Bancroft, D. Box, W. Cathey, J. Craft, H. Morris, G. Ormerly, J. Riggs, J. Watson, REs from Westminster Ft. Walton, TE Dunkerly, TE Scott DeVries; granted.

99-6            ADOPTION OF DOCKET

The docket was adopted as presented. (Appendix B)

99-7            INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Visitors were introduced to presbytery (see 99-3). Mr. Chris Miller and TE R. Fiol were given the privilege of the floor to make brief presentations.

 Mr. Chris Miller, representative from Insurance, Annuities and Relief, presented information concerning insurance and annuities through the PCA.

TE Robert Fiol, Assistant to the Stated Clerk, greeted and thanked presbytery for supporting the Administration Committee and explained the various functions of the Administration Committee and the Stated Clerk’s office.

99-8            APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEES

The moderator appointed the following commissioners to serve on the Standing Committees of presbytery:

                        Bills and Overtures:            TE Bill Tyson

                                    TE Frank Dole

                                                            RE George Fell

                                                            RE Charles Dettling

            Resolution and Thanks:            TE Dewey Roberts

                                                            TE Dennis Shackelford

                                                            RE Bob Wilson

                                                            RE Lloyd Ritchie

99-9            Executive Committee Report — TE R. Hornick Stated Clerk

TE R. Hornick presented the report to presbytery. Presbytery adopted the following recommendations:

A. That presbytery rescind its action taken at the 88^th Stated Meeting granting commission status to MNA for the purpose of dissolving churches. (see 98-52-F)

B. That the Executive Committee be constituted as a commission for the purpose of electing commissioners to the Committee of Commissioners for the General Assembly (Quorum 2 RE/2 TE).

C. That TE J. Findlay be added to presbytery’s nominees for Mission to North America.

The report was approved as a whole (Appendix C).

99-10    EXAMINATIONS — TE J. Cavanah, Chairman

TE J. Cavanah presented the report to presbytery

Mr. Cavanah introduced Mr. Patrick Anderson for reception as a candidate. Mr. Anderson is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Panama City and has been endorsed by his Session. Mr. Anderson shared his testimony of experiential religion and his call to ministry. After questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was sustained.

The Moderator proposed the questions from BCO 18-3, which were answered by the candidate in the affirmative. TE R. Hayes charged the candidate. RE Robert Haley led Presbytery in prayer for Mr. Anderson and his name was placed on the roll of candidates.

Mr. Cavanah presented TE Robert Hopper to the presbytery. Mr. Hopper is a member-in-good-standing of Northern California Presbytery and has been called as an assistant pastor by the Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Mr.  Cavanah examined Mr. Hopper in the area of experiential religion and  call to the ministry. After questions from the floor, this area of the examination was sustained.

Mr. Schneider examined Mr. Hopper in the area of views of theology. After questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

Mr. Cavanah examined Mr. Hopper in views of the sacraments. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the exam was arrested.

Mr. Cavanah continued the examination in views of church government. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the examination was arrested.

SPECIAL ORDER — 11:50 — SHARING AND PRAYER REQUESTS

            Presbytery divided into small groups for the sharing of prayer requests and prayer.           

SPECIAL ORDER — 12:09 — LUNCH

99-11    PRESBYTERY RECONVENES

The Moderator  re-convened Presbytery with the responsive reading of Psalm 148 and the acapella singing of “Praise Ye, Praise Ye the Lord.” Mr. Chuck Ryor, licentiate candidate, brought a message from Psalm 117.

99-12    EXAMINATIONS COMMITTEE, con’t.

Mr. Cavanah continued the examination of Mr. Hopper concerning his views of creation. After questions from the floor, Presbytery sustained his examination as a whole, noting his exception to the WCF in the area of the length of the six days of creation. 

Mr. Cavanah gave the committee’s recommendation that Presbytery receive TE Hopper, pending his dismissal from Northern California Presbytery.

TE Cavanah then read the call from Covenant Presbyterian Church, Panama City, FL, to Presbytery. The call was approved as read. TE Hopper accepted the call and signed the Book of Ministerial Obligation. (Appendix D)

The following commission was appointed:

TEs Bob Hayes, convenor; Brian Johnston, David Anderegg; REs Nevin Zimmerman, Charlie Bryant and Joe Ashbrook, with Fred Keller as an alternate.

Mr. Cavanah presented Mr. Chuck Ryor for licensure and Mr. David Hutchinson for ordination.  Mr. Hutchinson is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson. Mr. Ryor is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando).

TE Cavanah examined Mr. Ryor and Mr. Hutchinson in the area of experiential religion and call to the ministry. This portion of the exam was arrested.

TE Cavanah noted that both men had preached before Presbytery in fulfillment of BCO 21-4. This portion of the exam was arrested.

TE Schneider examined both men in their knowledge of Systematic Theology. Following questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

TE Schneider examined both men in their knowledge of English Bible. Following questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

TE Cavanah examined both men in their knowledge of Church Polity. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the examination was arrested.

The Moderator read the questions from BCO 19-3 to Mr. Ryor. TE R. Evans  led Presbytery in prayer for Mr. Ryor. The Moderator addressed Mr. Ryor according to the form in BCO 19-4 and 19-10.

At McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church, the ninth day of February, 1999, the Gulf Coast Presbytery, having received testimonials commending Mr. Charles Ryor proceeded to submit him to the proscribed examination for licensure, which was met to the approval of Presbytery. Having satisfactorily answered the questions for licensure, Mr. Ryor was enrolled as an intern and licensed by the Presbytery to preach the Gospel within the bounds of Presbytery.

Presbytery accepted Mr. Hutchinson’s seminary transcript in lieu of an oral examination on Greek and Hebrew.

Presbytery approved Mr. Hutchinson’s theological  and exegetical papers as fulfilling the requirements for ordanitation.

TE Cavanah examined Mr. Hutchinson in the area of sacraments. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the exam was arrested.

TE Frick examined Mr. Hutchinson in the area of church history. Following questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

The examination was sustained as a whole and Mr. Hutchinson was approved for ordination.

TE Cavanah read the call from Pinewoods Presbyterian Church. The call was approved and placed in Mr. Hutchinson’s hand.  Mr. Hutchinson indicated his willingness to accept the call. (Appendix E).

The following ordination and installation commission was appointed March 21, 1999:

TEs J. Findlay, C. Sledge, R. Hornick, B. Sinclair; REs from the Session of Pinewoods Presbyterian Church: Max Crabbe, Mick Breault, Lloyd Ritchie; Guests Gordon Lewis, Tim Muse.

The report as a whole was received.

99-13    CHRISTIAN EDUCATION — TE R. Fennig, Chairman

After leading in prayer, TE R. Fennig presented the report to presbytery.

Mr.  Fennig reported on GCP Presbyterial activities for 1998. He also previewed GCP and GA WIC activities for 1999.

The report as a whole was approved.

99-14    MINISTERS & CANDIDATES — TE C. DeBardeleben, Chairman

TE C. DeBardeleben presented the report to presbytery.

The following recommendations were adopted:

1.      that the internship of Brett Carl and David Hutchinson be certified as meeting the requirements of Gulf Coast Presbytery

2.      That Mr. Chuck Ryor be enrolled as an intern of Gulf Coast Presbytery.

3.      That the pastoral relationship of TE D. Shuffield and the Pinewoods Presbyterian Church be dissolved and that he be dismissed, pending reception,  to Texas Presbytery

4.      That the pastoral relationship between TE J. Davis and the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church be dissolved and that he, pending reception, be dismissed to Tennessee Valley Presbytery.

5.      That presbytery approve TE Darwin Box’s call from assistant to associate pastor of the Wildwood Presbyterian Church. (Appendix F).

6.      That presbytery approve TE A. H.  Phillip’s call from assistant to associate pastor of Christ Presbyterian, Mobile.  (Appendix G).

7.      That TE H. A. Maves’ request to be honorably retired be approved, effective, March 3. 1999 and the following resolution be spread upon the minutes of presbytery:

Whereas: Rev. Arnie Maves has served Christ and his church throughout the world for the past thirty-two years with Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship as a missionary, evangelist, pastor and teacher,

And whereas, Arnie has reached the age of retirement from his labors in full-time capacity,

Now be it therefore resolved that the Gulf Coast Presbytery gives thanks to God for Arnie and Barbara Maves, and commends them for their sacrificial efforts for Christ and His Church, and asks God’s blessing upon them as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

The report was accepted as a whole.

99-15    MISSION TO NORTH AMERICA — RE C. Fellers, Chairman

RE C. Fellers presented the report to presbytery.

Oral reports were received from New Song Church (Bruce Sinclair), Grace Fellowship Church (Mack Griffith), the Korean-American Church (Bob Hayes), the Florida Joint Reformed University Ministries Committee (Bob Hayes), the Northeast Presbyterian Church (John Findlay) and Church Planting Giving (John Findlay).

Presbytery approved the following recommendations:

1.      That the request of the Northeast Presbyterian Church to be dissolved as a particular church be approved, and that she become a mission church of Gulf Coast Presbytery.

2.      That the MNA Committee be constituted as a commission to oversee the Northeast Presbyterian Mission. (Quorum 2 RE/2 TE)

3.      That a $50,000 loan from GCP Building Fund be made to the New Song Mission Church, Pace, FL.

The report as a whole was approved.

99-16    MISSION TO THE WORLD — TE A. Moore, Chairman

TE J. Moore presented the report to presbytery.

Mr. Moore introduced Mr. Nikides and Mr. Johnson and requested that they be given the privilege of the floor to present their missions work.

TE Bill Tyson led Presbytery in prayer for Mr. Nikides and Derek Johnson.

TE Moore gave a brief preview of the 1999 MTW Vacation Bible School Project.

Presbytery approved the report as a whole. (Appendix H)

99-17    ADMINISTRATION — RE V. Kane, Chairman

RE V. Kane presented the report to presbytery.

Presbytery accepted the report as a whole. (Appendix I)

99-18    OLD BUSINESS

Presbytery voted on the BCO amendments as follows:

Item One: BCO 13-5             For: 35             Against: 0             Abstaining: 2

Item Two: BCO 13-12             For: 36             Against: 0             Abstaining: 1

Item Three: BCO 20-2             For: 36            Against: 0             Abstaining: 1

Item Four: BCO 24-1             For: 32             Against: 1             Abstaining: 4

Item Five: BCO 32-6             For: 35             Against: 0             Abstaining: 2

The amendment to Standing Rules 201 “. . . shall be held on the second Tuesday in February, May and October.” was approved by two-thirds vote.

99-19     NEW BUSINESS

Presbytery accepted the invitation of Reformed University Ministries to hold its 80^th Stated Meeting at the Laguna Beach Christian Retreat Center, Panama City Beach, FL.

Presbytery adopted the following motion:

That the Executive Committee be directed to prepare a series of position papers on the following topics: the nature of subscription, the length of the days of creation, Sabbath-keeping, private prayer language and paedo-communion

99-20    REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEES

TE G. D. Roberts presented the following report of the Standing Committee on Resolutions and Thanks:

The 79^th Stated Meeting of Gulf Coast Presbytery expresses its deep gratitude and appreciation to the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church and, particularly, the elect ladies for this sumptuous feast, which they have provided for us today, February 9, 1999. You have provided us “good measure, pressed down, heaped up and running over” in culinary form and in our eating and drinking we have concluded, “it is the gift of God.” We are thankful for your hospitality in spreading this feast for our refreshment and exclaim in conclusion, “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”

The report was adopted as presented.

99-21    ADJOURNMENT & CLOSING PRAYER

Presbytery adjourned at 4:47 PM.  The moderator led in the closing prayer.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        R. Hornick, Stated Clerk

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