Seventy-sixth Stated Meeting
Gulf Coast Presbytery
Tuesday, February 10, 1998
First Presbyterian Church
Niceville, Florida

APPROVED

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98-1 CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYERThe seventy-sixth stated meeting of Gulf Coast Presbytery was called to order at 9:00 AM (CST) on Tuesday, February 10, 1998, by the Moderator, RE C. Fellers. Mr. Fellers led in the opening prayer.

98-2 WORSHIP SERVICE AND THE LORD'S SUPPERPresbytery sang the hymn, He Leadeth Me, followed with prayer led by TE C. DeBardeleben. Mr. J. Davis preached using as his text, 1 Timothy 1:8-17. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise was sung following the sermon.

TE Michael Swain led Presbytery in reciting the Apostles' Creed and the singing of the Doxology, followed by the celebration of the Lord's Supper. The service was concluded by singing His Name Is Wonderful. TE M. Swain then pronounced the benediction.

98-3 ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUMA quorum was declared to be present with the following commissioners in attendance:CHURCHES TEACHING ELDERS RULING ELDERS

    CHURCHES

    TEACHING ELDERS

    RULING ELDERS

    Chattahoochee

    John Hopwood

    		  

    Christ, Lynn Haven

    Brian Johnston

    		  

    Christ, Mobile

    Steve Wallace
    Chuck Phillips

    Ray Thompson

    Concord

    Archie Moore

    		  

    Cornerstone

    		  

    John Chaney

    Covenant

    Bob Hayes
    Wesley Holland

    Richard Post
    Roger Leete

    Eastern Shore

    Mack Griffith

    Chip Fellows

    Fairfield

    Paul Frick

    Bob Cooper
    Jim Thrasher

    Faith

    David Gillerain

    		  

    First, Atmore

    		  

    Dennis Bilbo
    Charles Dettling

    First, Niceville

    Michael Swain
    Dennis Shackelford

    Vincent Kane
    James Gerber

    First, Panama City

    Bud Cathey
    David Anderegg

    		  

    Grace, Gulf Shores

    Rick Fennig

    Ken Ferguson

    Grace, Madison

    		  

    Kirby Reichmann
    A.L. Hughes
    Tracy Reeves

    Loxley

    Dave Gillerain

    Raymond Fell

    McIlwain

    Chuck DeBardeleben
    Joe Grider

    John Woodward
    Richard Wilcox
    George Fell

    New Philadelphia

    		  

    J. E. Gilbert

    Northeast

    Don Dunkerly

    		  

    Panama City Korean

    Sam Suk Yang

    Choe Sun Ho

    Pinewoods

    John Findlay
    Danny Shuffield

    Max Crabbe, Jr.

    Safe Harbor

    Tom Hughes

    Tom Gould

    Warrington

    Bob Hornick

    Jim Hansen

    Westminster, Fort Walton

    Bill Tyson

    Ralph Ruyle
    Earl Smith

    Westminster, Tallahassee

    Jim Craft

    		  

    Westminster, Milton

    		    

    Wildwood

    Darwin Box

    Ross Hardin

Others: TE M. Schneider (Trinity IP, Niceville, FL); TE G. Omerly (HR), TE J. Riggs (Chaplain, USN); TE B. Sinclair (New Song Mission), TE Steven Bradford (WC); TE H. A. Maves (PEF); TE H. Morris (RUF, FSU); TE D. Miller (PEF);

Excused: TEs J. Bancroft, J. Cavanah, R. Gardner; C. Gwin, C. Pearson, C. Sledge, E. Stanton, J. Watson and REs commissioners from Christ Presbyterian Church, Panama City, Loxley Presbyterian Church, Loxley and Westminster Presbyterian Church, Milton.

Absent:: Ruling Elder Commissioners from Chattahoochee, Concord, First Presbyterian, Panama City, Northeast, Westminster, Tallahassee.

Visitors: B. Carl, R. Lee, T. Gould, M. and Mrs. J. Davis, R. Hardin, R. Jones Mrs. G. Omerly, Mrs. Marie Kane, J. Roth, Mrs. C. Nash, Mrs. Legare Kane; Mrs. Lois Johnson, R. Wilson.

98-4 APPROVAL OF PRINTED MINUTESMinutes from the 75th stated meeting, October 14, 1997, were approved as printed.

98-5        COMMUNICATIONS

1. Letter from TE Paul Gilchrist, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, requesting that the churches of presbytery submit Statistical Reports by the deadline, received as information.

2. Letter from TE Paul Gilchrist, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, requesting historical information from particular churches regarding the formation and history of the PCA, received as information.

3. Reports from Chaplains D. Gilleran and J. Riggs, referred to Ministers and Candidates.

4. Letter from Brett Carl, requesting that he be received as a candidate and enrolled as an intern, referred to the Examination's Committee.

5. Letter from the Session, Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church, commending Brett Carl to Presbytery, received as information

6.Minutes from the Mission to North America Committee acting as a commission to examine the ruling elders of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Destin, FL, found in order and printed in minutes. (Appendix A)

7. Minutes from the Commission to install TE A. Phillips as assistant pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Mobile, AL, found in order and printed in the minutes. (Appendix B)

8. Minutes from the Commission to ordain and install David Anderegg as assistant pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Panama City, FL, found in order and printed in the minutes. (Appendix C)

9. Letter from Al Herrington, Executive Director of Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, congratulating Gulf Coast Presbytery on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of its founding, received as information.

10. Letter from the stated clerk, Central Florida, notifying Gulf Coast Presbytery of the reception of TE R. Wilding.

11. Minutes from meetings (10/26/97 & 2/5/98) the Ministers and Candidates Committee acting as a commission, approved as printed (Appendix D).

12. Requests for excused absence from REs Christ Church, Panama City, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Milton and TE C. Gwin, Jim Cavanah, J. Watson. J. Craft (for 75th stated meeting) All requests were granted.

98-6 ADOPTION OF DOCKETThe docket was approved as presented. (Appendix E).

98-7 INTRODUCTION OF VISITORSVisitors were introduced to Presbytery: (see 98-03)

98-8 APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEESThe Moderator appointed the following commissioners to serve on the Standing Committees of Presbytery:

Bills & Overtures:

 TE W. Tyson
TE B. Sinclair
RE V. Kane
RE R. Post

Resolution and Thanks:

 TE A. H. Phillips
TE T. Hughes
RE K. Richmond
RE J. Thrasher

98-9 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT-TE R. HORNICK, STATED CLERK

TE R. Hornick presented the report to Presbytery. Recommendations B and C were adopted. The report as a whole was approved (Appendix F).

98-10 EXAMINATIONS-TE M. SCHNEIDER, CHAIRMANTE M. Schneider presented the Examinations Committee report.

Mr. Schneider present Mr. Brett Carl to presbytery for reception as a candidate, and enrollment as an intern of presbytery. Mr. Schneider noted that Mr. Carl's application and the recommendation of the Session, Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church were received in a timely manner. Mr. Carl has been called to serve as he youth director at the Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church, Fairhope, AL.

Mr. Schneider examined Mr. Carl in the areas of experiential religion and call to the Gospel ministry. There were no questions from the floor. The examination was sustained and he was enrolled as a candidate and as an intern of Gulf Coast Presbytery.

The Moderator proposed the questions of BCO 18-3, which were answered in the affirmative. TE M. Griffith gave the charge from 2 Corinthians 12:9b& 10 and led in prayer for the candidate. Mr. Carl's name was recorded in the rolls of Gulf Coast Presbytery as a candidate for the Gospel ministry.

At First Presbyterian Church of Niceville, Florida, the tenth day of February, 1998, the Gulf Coast Presbytery, having received testimonials commending Mr. Brett Carl and having received him as a candidate for the ministry, has placed him under internship at his request in order to test his gifts for the holy ministry.

Mr. Schneider presented Mr. James Davis as a candidate for ordination. Mr. Davis is a graduate of Bryan College and Dallas Theological Seminary. He has been called by the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church to serve as Assistant Pastor of Student Ministries. Presbytery voted to proceed with the examination.

Mr. Schneider reported that Mr. Davis' exegetical and theological papers were reviewed by the committee and found to be satisfactory. Presbytery voted to accept these papers and Mr. Davis’ study in Greek and Hebrew as fulfilling the requirement for ordination.

Presbytery voted to accept Mr. Davis’ previous testimony in experimental religion and call to the ministry as meeting the requirement for ordination.

Presbytery approved Mr. Davis’ sermon, preached during the worship service, and the sermon manuscript submitted for examination, as fulfilling the requirements for ordination.

Mr. Schneider examined Mr. Davis in the area of theology. After questions from the floor, this portion of the examination was sustained.

Mr. Post examined Mr. Davis in the area of English Bible. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the examination was sustained.

Mr. Woodward examined Mr. Davis in the area of church government. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the examination was sustained.

Mr. Woodward examined Mr. Davis in the area of the sacraments. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the examination was sustained.

The order of the day was called by the moderator. Presbytery recessed until 1:00 PM.

SPECIAL ORDER – SMALL GROUP SHARING AND PRAYER GROUPS

12:00 NOON CDT - SPECIAL ORDER LUNCH

98-11 PRESBYTERY RECONVENES – The moderator called presbytery to order and led in the singing of the hymn, Praise the Lord! O Heavens, Adore Him. TE Joe Grider led in prayer.

98-12 EXAMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT (COND'T)

TE Frick examined the candidate in the area of church history and history of the PCA. There were no questions from the floor. This portion of the examination was sustained by Presbytery.

It was moved and seconded to sustain examination as a whole. After questions from the floor, Presbytery voted to sustain the examination as a whole and to approve Mr. Davis for ordination, and to enroll him, upon ordination and the signing of the book of ministerial obligation, as a member of Gulf Coast Presbytery

The call from the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church was prosecuted by RE George Fell. Presbytery approved the terms of the call and it was placed in Mr. Davis' hands. Mr. Davis accepted the call. (see Appendix G).

Presbytery appointed the following commission to ordain and install Mr. Davis as Assistant Pastor at the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 15th at 6:30 PM: TEs C. DeBardeleben, J. Grider, P. Frick and the Session of the McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church (Quorum 2 RE/2 TE). TE R. Dutton (North Texas Presbytery) was invited to participate in the commission.

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

98-13 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – TE R. FENNIG, CHAIRMAN

TE R. Fennig present the report to presbytery. Mr. Fennig introduced the president of the Gulf Coast Presbyterial, Mrs. Lois Johnson, who presented the annual report to presbytery.

Mr. Fennig announced that the Men’s Retreat will be held Oct 23-24 at First Presbyterian Church of Panama City in conjunction with an EQUIP Conference being held at the church. Dr. Allen Curry from Reformed Theological Seminary will speak on Friday evening.

The report was approved as a whole.

98-14 MINISTERS & CANDIDATES-TE J. FINDLAY, CHAIRMAN

TE J. Findlay presented the Ministers & Candidates Committee report. Mr. Findlay opened the report in prayer.

The following recommendations were approved:

  1. That presbytery certify Mr. James Davis as having successfully completed the requirements for internship.

  2. That Presbytery determine what action is to be taken regarding TE Steven Bradford.

    Mr. Bradford reported that he frequently has opportunities to exercise his ministerial gifts through occasional pulpit supply, teaching at the Tallahassee Bible Institute, and periodic trips to Uganda where he taught in a Bible College.

    3. After considerable discussion, presbytery adopted the following motion:

    That TE Bradford be allowed to remain on the rolls of Presbytery without call until the May meeting of Presbytery, at which time he shall be required to appear before presbytery as it considers divesting him without censure in accordance with BCO 34-10.

  3. Recommendations of the committee as a commission to look into the situation at the Panama City Korean Presbyterian Church:

a. That Pastor Yang of the Panama City Korean Church seek another call which would include a mentoring relationship to assist him in understanding the proper working relationship between a pastor and session, as well as other Book of Church Order guidance for the proper working of a PCA church.

b. That Presbytery provide at least two elders if so requested by Ruling Elder Choe and the congregation to assist in rebuilding the Panama City Korean Church and provide assistance to find a pastor who is in harmony with their philosophy of ministry.

c. That the Panama City Korean Church provide at least two months severance pay unless the pastor finds a call sooner, and pay back pay and back medical insurance as soon as they are able (Presbytery may need to offer help).

Presbytery, after TE Yang and RE Choe stated their agreement to 3a, b & c, approved recommendation 3.

The report as a whole was approved. (See Appendix D, pages 14-16) Mr. Findlay closed the report in prayer.

98-15 MISSION TO NORTH AMERICA-TE M. GRIFFITH, CHAIRMAN

TE Griffith presented the Mission to North America Committee report, opening the report with prayer.

Activities of the committee:

The MNA Committee acted as a Commission on December 18, 1997 to examine the elders of the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church of Destin, FL. Since that meeting the congregation voted unanimously to join the PCA.

The following recommendations of the committee were adopted:

  1. That presbytery receive the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church of Destin, FL into Gulf Coast Presbytery.
  2. That presbytery pray for the work of GCP MNA in their work of planting Churches.

TE Mickey Schneider led Presbytery in prayer for GCP MNA. The report was approved as a whole. (Appendix H)

98-16 MISSION TO THE WORLD-TE A. MOORE, CHAIRMAN

TE Moore presented the Mission to the World Committee report. Mr. Moore introduced the members of the MTW Committee to the presbytery. Presbytery was then led in prayer by TE Wesley Holland.

Information concerniing mission opportunities, ranging from short term to career, were made available for GCP churches and members.

TE George Omerly (hon. ret.) reported on his labors with GCP MTW in South Africa and India.

TE Doug Miller closed the report with prayer. The report was approved as a whole.

98-17 ADMINISTRATION-TE J. GRIDER, CHAIRMAN

TE Grider presented the Administration Committee report. Presbytery adopted recommendations 1, 2 and 3.

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

98-18      OLD BUSINESS

The proposed amendment to Standing Rules (605) was presented for its second reading and adoption. Presbytery voted unanimously to adopt the amendment to the Standing Rules. (Appendix J)

98-19     NEW BUSINESS

Presbytery voted on the BCO amendments sent by the 25th General Assembly for its advice and consent:

Item 1 – Amendment BCO 13-6 FOR 49 AGAINST 0 ABSENTATIONS 0

Item 2 – Amendment BCO 38-3 FOR 49 AGAINST 0 ABSENTATIONS 0

98-20     REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Presbytery adopted the following resolution:

We, the members of Gulf Coast Presbytery, express our gratitude and appreciation to the Pastors, Officers and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Niceville, Florida, for hosting the 76th Stated Meeting of Gulf Coast Presbytery, for extending warm hospitality to us during the meeting and for the provision of a delicious lunch and refreshments.

98-21    ADJOURNMENT & CLOSING PRAYER

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM. TE R. Hayes led in the closing prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

R. Hornick, Stated Clerk

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