24 June 2009

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Extensive Internet Coverage Planned for RPCNA 178th Synod Meeting 22-26 June 2009
[2] PCUSA in 2008 Suffers Largest Membership Decline Since PCUS-UPC Merger in 1983
[3] Layman Online Reports PCA Suffered Membership Loss in 2008 for the First Time in PCA History
[4] PCA General Assembly Rejects Formation of Study Committee on Women’s Roles in the Denomination
[5] Anglican Church in North America Launches 22 June 2009 in Bedford, Texas
[6] Pro-Life Prayer Service in Wichita, Kansas Moved after National Organization for Women Plans Disruption
[7] African Holocaust Documentary Maafa 21 Connects Slavery, Racism, American and Nazi Eugenics, and Legalized Abortion
[8] John Lofton Condemns FOX News’ Bill O’Reilly for Mischaracterizing Abortion and Abortion Laws
[9] Roman Catholic Boston, Massachusetts-Affiliated Hospital and Healthcare Network Set to Offer Abortion and Family Planning Services
[10] Church of Scotland Approves August 2009 St. Stephen’s Church, New Town, Edinburgh, Stage Event Featuring 150 Dancing Nude Women
[11] Petition Against “Pedophile Protection Act” Spearheaded by the Pray in Jesus Name Project
[12] Presbyterian Seminary Professor Publishes Parts II and III of Article "Why a “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Identity” “Hate Crimes” Law Is Bad for You"
[13] Dearborn, Michigan Forbids Distribution of Christian Materials by Arab Christians at Muslim Festival
[14] Kindee, New South Wales, Australia, Free Presbyterian Church to Celebrate 70^th Anniversary 27 June 2009
[15] Presbyterian Lay Committee Sponsoring Layman Regional Conference 11 July 2009 in Butler, Pennsylvania
[16] Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary Professor Dr. Richard C. Gamble’s Volume I of Biblical Theology The Whole Counsel of God Available from P&R Publishing
[17] Calvin Conference Schedules District Conference of Presbyters and Church Workers for 8 August 2009 in Lorain, Ohio


[1] Extensive Internet Coverage Planned for RPCNA 178th Synod Meeting 22-26 June 2009

The 178^th Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) got underway at 7:00 p.m. on 22 June 2009 at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and is scheduled to conclude on 26 June.

Extensive Internet coverage of the synod meeting is being provided on the RPCNA website, and simultaneously on the RPCNA page on Facebook.

+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), 7408 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208, 412-731-1177, Fax: 412-731-8861


[2] PCUSA in 2008 Suffers Largest Membership Decline Since PCUS-UPC Merger in 1983

The 2008 annual statistical reports of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) showed that in 2008, the PCUSA suffered the largest numerical and percentage net membership decline since the 1983 merger of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) and the United Presbyterian Church (UPC). The PCUSA’s total membership declined by 69,381 to 2,140,165, representing a decline of 3.14 percent from the 2007 membership total.

PCUSA Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons issued a statement about the membership decline that concluded: “Presbyterians can be evangelists! But we often stumble over the words. Can we not challenge one another to be able to answer these basic questions — Why do I believe in God? Why do I go to church? Why do I go to that particular church?”

The PCUSA 2008 annual statistical reports additionally reflected a decline in total giving to the church at all levels of US$24,234,268 from the 2007 total of US$2,162,131,650, representing a decline in 2008 of 1.12 percent in total giving.

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[3] Layman Online Reports PCA Suffered Membership Loss in 2008 for the First Time in PCA History

The Layman Online reported in a 20 June 2009 article that the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) for the first time in the denomination’s history suffered a membership loss, from 345,582 members in 2007 to 340,852 members in 2008, representing a decline of 1.37 percent, or a loss of 4730 members.

PCA General Assembly Moderator Brad Bradley said that various factors caused the membership decline, including a purging of membership rolls at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, one of the largest PCA congregations that at its height had 10,000 members, but currently has only 2000 members.

Other PCA GA church statistical report data showed that adult baptisms fell 6.4 percent from 2007 to 2008, that Sunday school attendance fell 1.1 percent from 2007 to 2008; and that infant baptisms dropped 0.6 percent from 2007 to 2008.

Bradley in 1998 founded the PCA’s Southwest Church Planting Network to focus on the fast-growing Sunbelt region of the southwest United States. Bradley said that church members need to focus on growing the denomination numerically and urged every existing PCA church to plant a new one by 2020.

Outgoing GA Moderator Paul Kooistra warned in his 16 June 2009 evening sermon Tuesday that the PCA currently is at risk of being weakened by prideful infighting. Kooistra urged members to be more accepting of one another’s views, especially in what Kooistra described as non-essential issues, such as how to interpret the six-day creation described in Genesis 1.

+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org

+ Presbyterian Lay Committee, Post Office Box 2210, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645, 828-758-8716, Fax: 828-758-0920, laymanletters@layman.org


[4] PCA General Assembly Rejects Formation of Study Committee on Women’s Roles in the Denomination

The Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly on 18 June 2009 by a vote of 427 to 446 rejected adopting overtures that would form a study committee to examine women’s roles in the denomination.

+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org


[5] Anglican Church in North America Launches 22 June 2009 in Bedford, Texas

Anglicans from across North America, many of them recently departed from the Episcopal Church, convened in Bedford, Texas on 22 June 2009 to formally launch the new Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). ACNA unites twenty-eight Anglican dioceses under a single Archbishop and positions itself as an alternative to the U.S. Episcopal Church (TEC) within the Worldwide Anglican Communion. The ACNA is working to be recognized as part of the 80-million member Worldwide Anglican Communion, and observers from many overseas Anglican churches have sent observers to the conference.

Ecumenical speakers including Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California and Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church in America will offer keynote addresses during the conference.

The Worldwide Anglican Communion is divided over issues including homosexuality and scriptural authority, with TEC church leaders being more theologically and politically liberal than their overseas counterparts.

Institute on Religion and Democracy Director of Anglican Action Jeff Walton commented: “This new Anglican movement in North America is easily the largest North American denomination to come into existence since the 1970s. The ACNA is remarkable not because it is splitting off from an existing church, but because it is uniting multiple churches. After over 30 years of splintering, traditionalist Anglicans are setting aside many of their differences in order to pursue common mission. This is clearly not a schismatic quest for purity by a small group of discontents. Rather, it is a theologically diverse group that sees how much is held in common.”

+ Institute on Religion and Democracy, 1023 15th Street Northwest, Suite 601, Washington DC 20005-2601, 202-682-4131, Fax: 202-682-4136, info@theird.org

+ Anglican Church in North America, 1001 Merchant Street, Ambridge, Pennsylvania 15003, 724-266-9400, admin@theacna.org

+ Worldwide Anglican Communion, St Andrew's House, 16 Tavistock Crescent, London W11 1AP, England, 44-0-20-7313-3900, Fax: 44-0-20-7313-3999, aco@anglicancommunion.org

+ Episcopal Church Center 815 Second Avenue New York, New York 10017, 800-334-7626, cdawkins@episcopalchurch.org


[6] Pro-Life Prayer Service in Wichita, Kansas Moved after National Organization for Women Plans Disruption

After the National Organization for Women (NOW) announced plans to hold a counter demonstration during the 20 June 2009 prayer and memorial service in Wichita, Kansas for the family of slain abortionist George Tiller and the unborn children slain in his abortuary, the pro-life organizers of the memorial service moved the location of the event in order that the memorial service not be disrupted.

Representing the memorial service sponsors, Reformed Presbyterian pastor the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, commented: "It is shameful that the National Organization for Women would disrupt a prayer vigil and memorial service for women and children with a counter demonstration. It seems they are taking a page out of the playbook of hatemonger Fred Phelps with their disturbing actions. Our goal was simply to conduct a prayer vigil and memorial to remember and honor the 70 thousand innocent lives that were lost at Dr. Tiller's clinic and work for social justice and pray for an end to violence in Wichita. Sadly, NOW decided to show utter contempt for a religious and solemn service and decided to disrupt it. We are thankful that the pro-life community showed respect for Dr. Tiller and his family and chose not to disrupt or demonstrate at his memorial service."

After 20 June 2009 prayer services were held at several Wichita locations of former abortion clinics, an evening prayer service was conducted at the former location of Dr. Tiller’s abortion clinic with no protesters present.

+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Christian Defense Coalition, 540-538-4741


[7] African Holocaust Documentary Maafa 21 Connects Slavery, Racism, American and Nazi Eugenics, and Legalized Abortion

RenewAmerica.com columnist Matt C. Abbott reports that Life Dynamics Incorporated (LDI) is a Texas-based prolife organization known for their work in exposing the marketing of aborted baby parts and abortion industry’s concealment of child rape. LDI has now produced a documentary film that shows the connection between slavery, racism, the American eugenics movement—of which Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger was an influential figure—Nazi Germany, and legalized abortion.

LDI describes Maafa 21: “They were stolen from their homes, locked in chains and taken across an ocean….But when slavery ended, their welcome was over. America's wealthy elite had decided it was time for them to disappear….What you are about to see is that the plan these people set in motion 150 years ago is still being carried out today…”

Abbott concludes: “In addition to showing the follies of the once pro-life Jesse Jackson and the pro-abortion NAACP, the documentary points out that leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties—the wealthy elites—have formed a "family planning cartel" that does not tolerate dissent when it comes to the issue of population control. And the words and/or actions of past U.S. presidents Lyndon Johnson, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton illustrate that they were at least sympathetic to, if not outright supportive of, the eugenics movement and population control….The bottom line: It's utterly disgraceful that the monstrosity known as Planned Parenthood receives money—and a lot of it—from the U.S. government and various corporations.”

+ RenewAmerica.com, 811 Virginia Avenue Southeast, Washington DC 20003

+ Life Dynamics Incorporated, 204 Cardinal Drive, Denton, Texas 76209, 940-380-8800, 940-380-8700


[8] John Lofton Condemns FOX News’ Bill O’Reilly for Mischaracterizing Abortion and Abortion Laws

John Lofton, Communications Director for the Institute On The Constitution, has issued a statement condemning Fox News reporter Bill O’Reilly’s characterizations of abortion, and for O’Reilly’s understanding of secular laws when said laws are contradictory to the Law of God.

Lofton takes issue with O’Reilly’s oft-repeated statement that the 60 thousand abortions performed by slain abortionist George Tiller were “legal,” and for O’Reilly characterizing unborn children as “potential life.” Both of these statements are…egregiously and dangerously wrong, particularly from [O’Reilly] who purports to be a Christian. Tiller's killing by abortion of innocent human beings, in their earliest stage of development, was mass murder. Murder can never be "legal" because God's Law prohibits it. Thus, none of Tiller's abortions were "legal." To those who say Tiller's mass murders were "legal" because abortion has been made "legal" by various "laws" and/or court rulings, this assertion is also false. Man-made "laws" that contradict God's Law are not law. This is the teaching of the Bible, St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, William Blackstone and Dr. Martin Luther King.”

Lofton quotes O’Reilly as saying, "The Constitution does give an American a right to an abortion," and Lofton responds: “I have no idea what makes him think this since such a "right" is not in the U.S. Constitution. I fear for our fetuses if the guardians of our fetuses are no more knowledgeable on the abortion topic than is Bill O'Reilly.”

+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ Institute on the Constitution, 8028 Ritchie Highway Suite 211, Pasadena, Maryland 21122, 866-730-9796, Fax: 410-760-5642

+ Fox News, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, 888-369 4762, Fax: 212 462 6127, yourquestions@foxnews.com


[9] Roman Catholic Boston, Massachusetts-Affiliated Hospital and Healthcare Network Set to Offer Abortion and Family Planning Services

The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts on 17 June 2009 revealed that the majority of hospital and healthcare network Caritas Christi's Board of Governors are major contributors to pro-abortion politicians, and that Caritas Christi is scheduled starting 1 July 2009 to begin including abortion and family planning services in its healthcare coverage benefits package.

Caritas Christi is an affiliate of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and is answerable to Cardinal Sean O'Malley.

+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ American Life League, Post Office Box 1350, Stafford, Virginia 22555, 540-659-4171, Fax: 540-659-2586, info@all.org

+ The Vatican


[10] Church of Scotland Approves August 2009 St. Stephen’s Church, New Town, Edinburgh, Stage Event Featuring 150 Dancing Nude Women

The Arches, producers of a dance performance for the 7-31 August 2009 Fringe festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, are looking for 150 women to join a “high-energy, naked dance ensemble” that will perform at the St. Stephen’s Church in Edinburgh’s New Town district.

Arches consulted the Church of Scotland (COS) about the nature of the performance, “and [the COS is] quite happy with it as long as there is no blasphemy….They think the body is a beautiful creation, and we’re celebrating it so they were fine with it.”

+ BBC, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS, England, Fax: 020-8008-2398

+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 4YN, 0131-225-5722


[11] Petition Against “Pedophile Protection Act” Spearheaded by the Pray in Jesus Name Project

Pray In Jesus Name Ministries is spearheading a petition campaign to stop the "Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act," better known as the "Pedophile Protection Act," from being enacted by the U.S. Senate. Overwhelming opposition to the bill voiced in constituent communications with individual senators has driven Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to attempt to get the act passed by sneaking an amendment into an unrelated “must pass” bill.

The "Pedophile Protection Act" makes "sexual orientation," "gender," and "gender identity," into federally-protected classes under the law, and codifies federal protection of up to 547 types of sexually deviant behaviors, including incest, necrophilia, pedophilia, zoophilia a.k.a. bestiality, voyeurism, and many other perversions.

A key danger of the bill to Christians is the legislation lays the legal foundation to investigate, prosecute and persecute pastors, youth pastors, Bible teachers, and anyone else whose speech and thought is based upon and reflects the truths found in the Bible.

+ Pray In Jesus Name Ministries, Post Office Box 77077, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80970, 719-360-5132, chaplaingate@yahoo.com


[12] Presbyterian Seminary Professor Publishes Parts II and III of Article "Why a “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Identity” “Hate Crimes” Law Is Bad for You"

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Associate Professor of New Testament Robert A. J. Gagnon, Ph.D., has published Parts II and III of an article titled, “Why a “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Identity” “Hate Crimes” Law Is Bad for You,” on Dr. Gagnon’s website, Part II on the question of abridging your freedom of speech, and Part III addressing the inroads against personal freedom already made in the United States by homosexual and transsexual political activism.

Part I, which addresses the promotion of hatred toward people opposed to homosexual practice and transgenderism, is also available.

+ Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206, 412-362-5610, Fax: 412-363-3260

+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005


[13] Dearborn, Michigan Forbids Distribution of Christian Materials by Arab Christians at Muslim Festival

Dearborn, Michigan is home to the largest concentration of Muslims in the United States, and for the past several years has held the annual Arab International street fair, which is open for free to the public and businesses along the streets remain open during the festival.

Members of the Arabic Christian Perspective (ACP), and Pastor George Saieg have attended the festival each year, where they hand out Christian literature along the public sidewalks to those attending the street fair, and the literature distribution has never caused a problem.

The Dearborn, Michigan Police Department has now restricted ACP to stand on a single street corner, preventing ACP members from freely mingling with festival gatherers, and thus will not be able to distribute their literature to the intended audience, a clear violation of ACP’s rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Thomas More Law Center is representing ACP and filed for a temporary restraining order against the City of Dearborn, which was denied by U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds on 18 June 2009.

+ Detroit Free Press, 615 West Lafayette, Detroit, Michigan 48226,
313-222-6400, Fax: 313-222-5981

+ Jihad Watch and Dhimmi Watch

+ Thomas More Law Center, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, 734-827-2001, Fax: 734-930-7160, info@thomasmore.org


[14] Kindee, New South Wales, Australia, Free Presbyterian Church to Celebrate 70^th Anniversary 27 June 2009

The Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia in Kindee, New South Wales, will celebrate the 70^th anniversary of its 23 June 1939 opening with a worship service and a picnic lunch on 27 June 2009.

A paper on various aspects of the church and the surrounding area will be presented. A welcome is extended to any who would be interested in attending. A plate of food would be appreciated to help with catering.

+ Hastings Gazette, 47 Hastings Street, Wauchope, New South Wales 2446, Australia, 02 6585 2355, hastingsgazette@ruralpress.com


[15] Presbyterian Lay Committee Sponsoring Layman Regional Conference 11 July 2009 in Butler, Pennsylvania

The Presbyterian Lay Committee is sponsoring a Layman Regional Conference 11 July 2009 at Summit Presbyterian Church’s Community Outreach Campus in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Conference speakers will be Presbyterian Lay Committee President Carmen Fowler and Parker Williamson, editor emeritus of The Layman.

For further information, please contact Deb Corley of the Presbyterian Lay Committee at 1-800-368-0110 or e-mail dcorley@layman.org.

+ Presbyterian Lay Committee, Post Office Box 2210, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645, 828-758-8716, Fax: 828-758-0920, laymanletters@layman.org

+ A Classical Presbyterian Blog

+ Presbyterian Lay Committee, Post Office Box 2210, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645, 828-758-8716, Fax: 828-758-0920, laymanletters@layman.org


[16] Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary Professor Dr. Richard C. Gamble’s Volume I of Biblical Theology The Whole Counsel of God Available from P&R Publishing

P & R Publishing has released Volume I of a three-volume Biblical theology, The Whole Counsel of God, a biblical theology written by Dr. Richard C. Gamble, professor of systematic theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com

+ P&R Publishing Company, 1102 Marble Hill Road, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865, 908-454-0505, generalinfo@prpbooks.com


[17] Calvin Conference Schedules District Conference of Presbyters and Church Workers for 8 August 2009 in Lorain, Ohio

The Calvin Synod is sponsoring the District Conference of Presbyters and Church Workers 8 August 2009 at the Hungarian Reformed Church of Lorain, Ohio.

The featured speaker is the Rev. Imre Bertalan, and his message will focus on church membership, retention, visitation, church growth, and the role of consistory, congregation, and church youth members.

For further information, please call Mr. John Evanko at 440-364-3410 or email at gratt67@oh.rr.com.

+ Calvin Synod, C/O Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, Bishop, 7319 Tapper Avenue, Hammond, Indiana 46324, 219-931-4321, kkludwig@aol.com