EIGHTY-FIRST STATED MEETING
GULF COAST PRESBYTERY – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1999
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NICEVILLE, FLORIDA

99-45 Call to Order and Opening Prayer

The eighty-first stated meeting of Gulf Coast Presbytery was called to order at 9:03 am (CST) on Tuesday, October 12, 1999, at the First Presbyterian Church of Niceville, Florida, by the Moderator, TE Michael Swain.

99-46 Worship Service

Presbytery was led in worship by the Moderator. After singing Come, Let Us Praise the Lord, TE M. Swain led presbytery in a time of confession and the singing of Great Is Thy Faithfulness, followed by a sermon on Psalm 148 delivered by Mr. George Shamblin, candidate for ordination.

99-47 Roll Call and Determination of Quorum

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

Others: TEs S. Bradford (CPI); G. Omerly (HR); M. Schneider (Trinity IPC); M. Kirk (Chaplain, USAF); A. Maves (HR); C. Sledge (HR); D. Miller, (PEF); F. Dole (Hospice Chaplain); E. Stanton, Waterfront Mission.

Excused: TE J. Bancroft, W. Cathey, J. Craft, J. Findlay, R. Gardner, J. Grider,  C. Gwin, J. Riggs, J. Watson and Ruling Elder Commissioners from Cornerstone, Tallahassee.

 Absent:  RE Commissioners from Chattahoochee, Christ, Lynn Haven; Christ, Mobile; Fairfield; First Presbyterian, Panama City; Grace Fellowship; Loxley; Westminster, Tallahassee; Wildwood, Tallahassee.

Visitors: TE H. Kyasooka, RPCU (Uganda); TE J. Mathieu (EPC); TE Young E. Song (PCUSA) TE L. Bein (EPC), E. J. Foster, G. Shamblin and J. C. Ryor.

99-48 Communications

1. Letters from TE J. Findlay and the Pinewoods Presbyterian Church, requesting dissolution of pastoral relationship, referred to Ministers and Candidates Committee.

2. Letters from TE E. Yune and the Panama City Korean Church, requesting dissolution of pastoral relationship, referred to Ministers and Candidates Committee.

3. Letter from the Agape Presbyterian Mission Church (formerly Panama City Korean American Church, notifying presbytery of her desire to be dismissed from the oversight of Gulf Coast Presbytery, referred to Ministers and Candidates Committee.

4. Oral Communication from TE S. Yang requesting dismissal from the Gulf Coast Presbytery.

5. Letter from the Session, Pinewoods Presbyterian Church, informing presbytery that a Call had been issued to Mr. George Shamblin, referred to the Examinations Committee.

6. Letter from the Session, Wildwood Presbyterian Church, informing presbytery that a Call had been issued to Mr. John Charles Ryor, referred to the Examinations Committee.

7.Letter from the Session, Christ Presbyterian Church, Lynn Haven, commending Mr. J. O’Lear to presbytery, referred to the Examinations Committee.

8. Letter from the Review of Presbytery Records Committee informing presbytery that her 1998 minutes had been approved without exception.

9. Requests for excused absences from Teaching Elders J. Bancroft, W. Cathey, J. Findlay, J. Grider, J. Riggs and J. Watson and Ruling Elder Commissioners from Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee; granted.

99-49 Adoption of Docket

The docket was approved as amended. (Appendix A)

99-45    Personal Privilege

TE M. Griffith requested and was granted a request of personal privilege to lead the presbytery in prayer on behalf of the State of Alabama vote on the Amendment.

99-51  Introduction of Visitors

Visitors were introduced to Presbytery: (see 99-47)

99-52 Appointment of Standing Committees

The Moderator appointed the following commissioners to serve on the Standing Committees of Presbytery:

99-53 Examinations—TE J. Cavanah, II, Chairman

TE J. Cavanah presented the Examinations Committee report. Mr. Cavanah introduced the following to presbytery for examination:

1.Mr. Edward J. (JR) Foster, Jr.—called to serve as campus minister for RUF at  Florida State University.

2.Mr. John C. Ryor—called to serve as assistant pastor at Wildwood Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Cavanah examined Messrs. Foster and  Ryor in the area of experiential religion and call to the ministry. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the exam was arrested.

Presbytery approved the previous sermons preached for licensure by Messrs.  Foster and Ryor  as meeting the requirements for ordination.

It was moved and seconded that the examinations for licensure in English Bible, theology and Church Polity of Messrs. Foster and Ryor be approved as meeting the requirements for ordination. The floor was opened for questions. This portion of the examination was arrested.

Mr. Cavanah examined Messrs. Foster and Ryor in the area of Sacraments. After questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

Mr. Frick examined Messrs. Foster and Ryor in the area of Church History. After questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

The theological and exegetical papers submitted by Messrs. Foster and Ryor submitted were approved by presbytery as meeting the requirements for ordination.

Mr. Foster’s seminary transcripts were accepted in lieu of an examination in the original languages.

Mr. Ryor’s studies in Greek were accepted in lieu of an examination in the original languages.

Presbytery approved the examinations of Messrs. Foster and Ryor as a whole and approved them for ordination to the gospel ministry.

TE R. Evans, representing the Session of the Wildwood Presbyterian Church,  prosecuted the call to Mr. Ryor. The call was approved by presbytery. (Appendix B)

Presbytery appointed the following to a commission for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Ryor on Sunday, November 14, 1999 at the Wildwood Presbyterian Church: Teaching Elders J. Cavanah, D. Box and R. Evans, and Ruling Elders R. Hardin, A. Robert, R. Stuyverson, S. Sykes and R. Ward. Presbytery also invited TE M. Gordon, Central Florida Presbytery to participate in the Ordination.

Presbytery approved the call to Mr. Foster’s from the Florida Joint Commission on Campus Ministries (see Minutes of the 80th Stated Meeting, Appendix F, page 19)

Presbytery appointed the following to a Commission for the purpose of Ordaining Mr. Foster on Sunday, November 7, 1999 at the Wildwood Presbyterian Church: Teaching Elders J. Cavanah, J. Craft and R. Evans and Ruling Elders M. Comer, R. Hardin, J. Hollingsworth, T. Walker. RE J. Elkin was also invited to participate in the Ordination. RE Fellers led in prayer for Mr. Foster.

TE Cavanah introduced Mr.George Shamblin as a candidate for licensure and ordination. Mr. Shamblin is a candidate under care in Mississippi Valley Presbytery. He has been called as assistant Pastor, Pinewoods Presbyterian Church.

TE Cavanah examined Mr. Shamblin in the area of experiential religion and call to the ministry. There were no questions from the floor and this portion of the examination was arrested.

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

TE Schneider examined Mr. Shamblin in the area of English Bible. After questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

TE Cavanah examined Mr. Shamblin in the area of Church Polity. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the examination was arrested.

Presbytery approved the sermon preached by Mr. Shamblin as having met the requirements for ordination.

TE Cavanah examined Mr. Shamblin in the area of Sacraments. After questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was arrested.

Mr. Shamblin’s exegetical and theological papers were received and approved by presbytery.

Special Order—11:40 am (CST)—Sharing and Prayer groups

Special Order—12:00 am–12:45 pm (CST)— Lunch

99-54 12:55 Pm—presbytery reconvened

The Moderator called presbytery to order and led in prayer.

99-55  Examinations Committee (Continued)

Mr. Frick examined Mr. Shamblin in the area of Church History. There were no questions from the floor and this portion of the examination was arrested.

Presbytery voted to go into Executive Session to discuss Mr. Shamblin’s examination. (The Moderator directed the visitors to be excused.) After a period of discussion, Presbytery voted to rise from Executive Session.

Presbytery approved Mr. Shamblin’s examination as a whole and approved him for ordination.

TE D. Hutchinson prosecuted the call on behalf of the Session of the Pinewoods Presbyterian Church. The call was approved by presbytery. Mr. Shamblin accepted the Call and it was placed in his hand. (Appendix C)

Presbytery appointed the following Ordination Commission: TEs D. Hutchinson, C. Sledge, B. Sinclair, REs from the Session of Pinewoods PCA. TE J. Findlay (North Florida Presbytery was invited to participate in the Commission. Mr. Hutchinson led presbytery in prayer for Mr. Shamblin.

The report of the Examinations Committee was approved as a whole.

99-56  Approval of minutes

The minutes were approved as corrected.

99-57  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Report—TE R. Hornick, Stated Clerk

TE R. Hornick presented the report to Presbytery.

Presbytery adopted the following recommendations:

1.That the docket be approved.

2.That the nominees for presbytery officers, chairman and committee members be elected.

3.That the nominations to General Assembly Committee and Agencies be approved and forwarded to the Nominating Committee. This motion was tabled until the February meeting of presbytery.

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

99-58  Christian Education—TE R. Fennig, Chairman

TE R. Fennig presented the Christian Education Committee report.

TE Fennig introduced Mrs. Lois Johnson to give a report on PresWIC activities.

Presbytery approved the PresWIC budget and the slate of officers for 2000.

The report was received as information.

99-59  Ministers & Candidates—TE C. DeBardeleben, Chairman

TE C. DeBardeleben opened with prayer as he presented the report of the Ministers & Candidates Committee.

Presbytery approved recommendations 1 - 6 and the following recommendations presented on the floor.

1. That TEs D. Anderegg, R. Hayes and REs R. Post and R. Haley be appointed as an Interim Session for the Panama City Korean Church.

2. That upon their written request, the Agape Korean Mission be dismissed from presbytery to independency and that per his request TE Sam Suk Yang be removed from the rolls of presbytery.

3.That the Covenant Presbyterian Church be commended in their efforts in ministering to the Agape Presbyterian Church.

4.That Stan Layton be enrolled as an intern at the Christ Presbyterian Church, Mobile

 The Moderator read BCO 19-10 to Mr. Layton and offered prayer for him.

At First Presbyterian Church of Niceville, FL, the 12th day of October 1999, the Gulf Coast Presbytery, having received testimonials commending Stan Layton as a candidate for the ministry, has placed him under internship at his request in order to test his gifts for the holy ministry.

5. That TE Don Dunkerley’s request for honorable retirement be approved effective March, 1999.

6.That TE Dan Wren be divested without censure (Mr. Wren was notified of this pending action by registered mail. He and his family have moved to Central Florida and are no longer attending a PCA church.)

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

99-60 Mission to North America—RE C. Fellers, Chairman

RE Fellers presented the report of the Mission to North America Committee.

Oral reports were heard as follows:

1.                  TE R. Finnig on the Grace Fellowship Mission, Mobile.

2.                  Mr. E. J. Foster on  Reformed University Fellowship at FSU.

3.                  TE R. Hayes on the Korean Churches.

4.                  RE C. Fellers on Northeast Presbyterian Mission.

5.                  RE C. Fellers on a Chinese Church in Pensacola.

Recommendations A – D. were adopted (Appendix F).

The report was approved as a whole. Mr. Fellers closed in prayer.

99-61  Mission to the World—TE J. Moore, Chairman

TE Moore presented the MTW report.

TE Omerly presented a report on MTW’s work in Belize.

TE Tyson led presbytery in prayer for missions

The report was approved as a whole as information.

99-62 Administration—TE V. Kane, Chairman

TE Kane presented the committee report.

Recommendations 1-4 were approved. (Appendix G)

The 2000 GCP Budget was approved as presented (Appendix H).

TE Kane proposed a resolution on behalf of committee:

Whereas, the 26th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, meeting in Louisville, KY, in June 1999, did approve the minutes of the Gulf Coast Presbytery without exception, and

Whereas, this approval resulted from the patient and diligent work of Robert Hornick, Stated Clerk of Gulf Coast Presbytery in preparing said minutes,

Be it resolved, that the 81st Meeting of the Gulf Coast Presbytery commend Stated Clerk Hornick for a job well done, and that this resolution be included in the minutes of that meeting.

The report was approved as a whole.

.

99-63  New Business

Presbytery directed the stated Clerk to secure a meeting place for the 82^nd Stated Meeting, February 8, 2000.

99-64  Reports of Standing Committees

Presbytery adopted the following Resolution of Thanks:

Whereas the women of First Presbyterian Church in Niceville fulfilled Jesus’ command to invite for dinner those who cannot repay;

Whereas you served us a meal which can only be described as “good measure, pressed down, heaped up and running over;”

Be it resolved, therefore, that Gulf Coast Presbytery thank the elders, congregation and elect ladies for their generous hospitality in hosting Gulf Coast Presbytery on October 12, 1999.

TE Wallace presented the report of the Bills and Overtures Committee concerning amendments to the Book of Church Order:

1. BCO 13-12:             FOR 46;            AGAINST 0;               ABSTAIN 0

2. BCO 15-1 &15-3: FOR 46;            AGAINST 1;               ABSTAIN 0

3. BCO 38-1:             FOR 5 ;            AGAINST 37;            ABSTAIN 2

4. BCO 43-5:                 FOR 45;            AGAINST 0;               ABSTAIN 1

99-65 ADJOURNMENT & Closing Prayer—3:20 pm (CST)

Presbytery adjourned at 3:25 pm. TE G. Roberts led in the closing prayer.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    R. Hornick, Stated Clerk

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