Wednesday, August 26, 2009

26 August 2009


Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Cornerstone Investment Ministries Bankruptcy Investigated by World Magazine Reporter Ken Walker
[2] North Carolina Governor Recognizes John Calvin’s 500th Birthday and Calvin’s Influence on U.S. Freedom, Liberty, and Founding Principles
[3] Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Adopts Unbiblical Positions on Human Sexuality and Lifts Ban on Homosexual Clergy
[4] Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minister John Piper Witnesses and Comments Upon Tornado Concurrent with Scheduled ELCA Sexuality Vote
[5] The Irish Emigrant Reviews the History of Ulster Scots in the Appalachians
[6] Belhaven College Introduces Classical Education Major
[7] 7 November 2009 Conference on Christian Education with Theme “Christian Education In a Post-Modern Age” Scheduled in DeMotte, Indiana
[8] “Traditionalist Catholics” in Mexico Expel Fifty-Seven Evangelical Christians from Homes and Farms
[9] Iran’s Muslim Cleric Supreme Leader Urges Muslims to Prepare for the Arrival of the Islamic Messiah or “Twelfth Imam”
[10] Muslim Honor Killings Come to America
[11] South Korean Newspaper Correspondent Claims United States Appeases Islam Under President Barrack Hussein Obama
[12] Happy 250th Birthday William Wilberforce

[13] Battery Box Part from Through Gates of Splendor Martyrs’ Plane to be Taken on Space Shuttle Mission


[1] Cornerstone Investment Ministries Bankruptcy Investigated by World Magazine Reporter Ken Walker

On the eve of the final stages of Cornerstone Investment Ministries (CMI)’s February 2008 Chapter Eleven bankruptcy filing, a 15 August 2009 World Magazine article titled, “Victim of a Bad Economy or a House of Cards?,” by reporter Ken Walker, reviews the circumstances surrounding the founding of CMI, what led to CMI’s financial demise, and the effect CMI’s bankruptcy is having on its clients.

Walker describes CMI’s founding in late 1985 by ordained Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) ministers the late Cecil Brooks (d. June 2009) and John Ottinger Jr., as the Investors Fund for Building and Development (IFBD) (later named the Presbyterian Investment Fund (PIF)) that began loaning money for church construction in early 1986 under a board of directors elected by the 1986 PCA General Assembly. IFBD kept its headquarters at the PCA denominational offices in Atlanta, Georgia, until 1994, when following a never-released audit of IFBD, the PCA disassociated itself from IFBD and received US$1.3 million from previous PCA investments in IFBD.

[Editor’s note: as late as the publication date for the Winter 1999/2000 issue of Multiply, the PCA Mission to North America’s magazine, a PIF ad was published that had no differentiation from the other Multiply articles, with a background graphic of a modern church building overlaid with “God’s Money for God’s Kingdom,” offering certificates of deposit in the PIF Mortgage Loan Fund and Church Development Fund with interest rates up to eight percent for three years and nine percent for five years respectively for the two funds.]

In 1996, Brooks and Ottinger founded CMI with a US$3.7 million initial public offer (IPO), and later merged CMI with PIF. CMI began to offer bonds to investors, then paying nine percent per annum interest, that attracted individuals and churches wanting a high rate of return on their investments and liking the fact that CMI made loans to churches and related organizations.

Walker references the March 2009 report of bankruptcy examiner Pat Huddleston that cites several questionable practices by Brooks and Ottinger that contributed to CMI’s downfall. In 1999, Brooks and Ottinger unilaterally began making loans to other type of businesses, including senior housing facilities, multi-family homes, and single-family homes, and according to Walker, culminating pre-bankruptcy in CMI having sixty-three percent of its investments in second mortgages. The pair created what Huddleston called a “tangled web of non-profit and for-profit corporations and limited liability companies,” including “phony non-profits to hold some of Cornerstone's properties while appointing figurehead officers to oversee them.” A representative of one of CMI’s creditors described the corporate web as a “shell game” where “you move money around and siphon a little off.”

Huddleston reported that Brooks, Ottinger, and two other CMI directors in 2006 purchased seventy-five percent interest in a similar company for US$1,000 each, then later received distributions of approx. US$171,000 each—even though the subsidiary never made any money. Huddleston additionally reported that CMI officers failed to report some of their earnings to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, include profits of US$6.2 million each apiece for Brooks and Ottinger from the 2007 sale of a senior housing facility. Huddleston also cited CMI for spending funds on first-class and private jet travel, memberships in a championship golf course, and US$250,000 sponsorships of a Dallas,
Texas marathon, the aggregate of which resulted in financial problems for CMI subsidiaries, including a low-income housing project that was delayed by insufficient funds.

Walker described the devastating effect of the CMI bankruptcy on creditors including churches who have lost funds for emergency medical care, missions, orphanages, scholarships, and other ministry programs; and, individuals that have lost a significant part of their retirement savings, a disabled woman who invested US$523,000 from an insurance settlement, and other families whose college savings for their children have been severely depleted.

Bankruptcy court documents describe more than 3,500 CMI investors holding US$142 million in CMI bonds that can expect to receive back only between nine percent and thirty-six percent of their claims. Huddleston reported that: "In light of the evidence described above, the examiner believes that bondholders have valid causes of action against broker-dealers, Cornerstone directors and others," for their mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and failure to disclose material information. An Atlanta, Georgia, attorney specializing in securities arbitration and class action has recommended that CMI creditors not pursue additional legal action, due to the dearth of assets of the out-of-business or bankrupt brokers that sold CMI bonds.

Walker concluded the article by wondering if CMI’s previous ties to the PCA will in the long term hurt the denomination. Reformed Presbyterian minister, former PCA ruling elder, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Liberty University, and professor of history specializing in U.S. church history, Dr. Roger Schultz, pinpointed an important aspect of the problem as being the church mixing commerce too closely with religion. Shultz said that the church should stick to missions and church planting, and should not complicate these missions by playing the role of a banker.

Additional analyses of the CMI bankruptcy are available in the Atlanta Constitution article, “Church Investors Suspect Bad Faith; Presbyterian Firm Branched into Secular Risk, and Lost Millions,” and on the Georgia Bankruptcy Law Blog article, “Cornerstone Ministries Investments, Inc., Lender To Churches And Faith-Based Organizations, Files Chapter 11 Petition” and updates.

+ World Magazine, 85 Tunnel Road, Suite 12, Asheville, North Carolina 28805, 828-232-5415, Fax: 828-253-1556, mailbag@worldmag.com

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


[2] North Carolina Governor Recognizes John Calvin’s 500th Birthday and Calvin’s Influence on U.S. Freedom, Liberty, and Founding Principles

In its spring 2009 stated meeting, First Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) adopted a memorial which called upon First Presbytery and the ARP Synod to seek recognition by the governor of North Carolina of the 500th anniversary of the birth of theologian John Calvin, and for Calvin’s influence on the Protestant Reformation and on the founding of the United States. The memorial was submitted after the June 2009 ARP Synod meeting to the office of North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue, and the following 10 August 2009 letter (body reproduced below) was issued by the governor:

On behalf of the State of North Carolina, it is a pleasure to join the First Presbytery in recognizing the 500th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. His teachings are the foundation of the Presbyterian and other reformed churches and have guided generations of Christians across the globe.

During a time when heretical views were condemnable by death, John Calvin worked to reform the Catholic Church. His scholarship helped lead a movement of religious change across Europe and inspired his masterpiece,
Institutes of the Christian Religion.

John Calvin’s influence can be felt in how we live and govern. His notions of freedom of men and liberty are principles that helped form our nation, and it is my privilege to honor John Calvin and his teachings as part of our heritage.

+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Center, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601, 864-232-8297, Fax: 864-271-3729


[3] Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Adopts Unbiblical Positions on Human Sexuality and Lifts Ban on Homosexual Clergy

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2009 Churchwide Assembly, meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 17-23 August 2009, on 20 August adopted new policies allowing the church to approve and bless non-marital sex, both homosexual and heterosexual.

On 21 August, the assembly voted to lift a ban prohibiting sexually active homosexuals from serving as ministers. Under the new policy, an ELCA congregation can hire homosexuals as clergy as long as the prospective minister is in a committed relationship. Until now, homosexual clergy had to remain celibate in order to serve.

In other assembly news, the ELCA on 20 August adopted full communion with the United Methodist Church.

The 4.6 million member ELCA, has lost nearly 1 million members during the past four decades.

+ 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

+ St. Cloud Times, 3000 7th Street North, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303, 320-255-8700, Fax: 320-255-8775, jbodette@stcloudtimes.com

+ Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 West Higgins Road, Chicago, Illinois 60631, 773-380-2700, Fax: 773-380-1465, info@elca.org

+ United Methodist Church, 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, Maryland 21046, 410-309-3400


[4] Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minister John Piper Witnesses and Comments Upon Tornado Concurrent with Scheduled ELCA Sexuality Vote

John Piper, in his desiringGod blog, reports that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2009 Churchwide Assembly was meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Minneapolis Convention Center and using Central Lutheran Church right across the street from the convention center as the assembly’s official church. Scheduled for 20 August at 2:00 p.m. was the assembly’s Fifth Session and a vote on whether or not to adopt new policies allowing the church to approve and bless non-marital sex, both homosexual and heterosexual.

Piper relates that a tornado, on a day when meteorologists had predicted no severe weather, touched down a little before 2:00 P.M. just south of the Minneapolis downtown area, followed I-35W toward the city center, crossed I-94, then at 2:00 PM struck the Minneapolis Convention Center, severely damaging the roof and shredding the tents set up outside for the assembly; then crossed the street to Central Lutheran Church where the tornado ripped a piece of the church steeple off the roof, cleaved a remaining part of the steeple into two pieces, then the tornado lifted back into the sky.

Piper then reviewed four relevant biblical passages and concluded: “The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality. Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform left and right wing sinners.”

+ Desiring God, Post Office Box 2901, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, 612-435-2401, Fax: 612-338-4372, mail@desiringgod.org


[5] The Irish Emigrant Reviews the History of Ulster Scots in the Appalachians

Matthew Crow has written an article in The Irish Emigrant titled “Ulster Scots in the Appalachians,” which reviews the history of Ulster Scots’ emigration to America and their settlement in the southern Appalachians. Crow describes the emigration of mostly Protestant Scots from Ulster starting around 1705, which culminated in the emigration between 1717 and 1775 of about 200,000 Ulster Scots to America.

While alluding to remaining areas of poverty in Southern Appalachia, Crow relates how British historian Arnold Toynbee’s 1947 book, A Study in History, “did more to denigrate the image of the Appalachian people and associate them with the Scots Irish than any other person,” by creating the myth of a “land of backwoods, uneducated and violent hicks.”

Crow discusses the possible origin of the word “redneck” being derived from the Scots Covenanters who signed in blood in 1639 and 1641 documents advocating Presbyterianism and refuting the Church of England, and who wore red scarves around their necks. Crow similarly tells of the possible origin of the work “hillbilly” being derived from the Protestant Ulster Scots that supported King William of Orange, known as “Billy boys.”

Crow concludes by reviewing the many persons of Ulster Scots descent that contributed to the building of the United States, and tells of a Hessian soldier who wrote in his Revolutionary War-era diary, "Call this war by whatever name you may, only call it not an American rebellion; it is nothing more or less than a Scotch Irish Presbyterian rebellion."

+ The Irish Emigrant, Post Office Box 51549,
Boston, Massachusetts 02205, 617-268-8322, Fax: 617-268-8762, layout@irishemigrant.com

+ Church of England, Church House, Great Smith Street, Westminster, SW1P 3AZ, England, 44-0-20-7898-1000


[6] Belhaven College Introduces Classical Education Major

Belhaven College of Jackson, Mississippi, has introduced a Classical Education major, a degree program for students who seek to serve in classical Christian schools as teachers or administrators, desire a strong foundation in the liberal arts, and seek to learn in an environment that promotes a biblical worldview.

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


[7] 7 November 2009 Conference on Christian Education with Theme “Christian Education In a Post-Modern Age” Scheduled in DeMotte, Indiana

Immanuel United Reformed Church’s 2009 Conference on Christian Education with the theme “Christian Education In a Post-Modern Age” is scheduled for 7 November 2009 at Covenant Christian High School in DeMotte,
Indiana.

Calvin Seminary Professor of Systematic Theology Dr. John Bolt will speak at 8:30 a.m. on "The Reformed Foundation and the Challenges," and Mid-America Reformed Seminary Professor of Ethics and New Testament Dr. Nelson D. Kloosterman will speak at 10:00 a.m. on "Building on the Foundation for the Future."

Free conference registration is available on the Immanuel United Reformed Church website.

+ Immanuel United Reformed Church, 831 Azalea Street, DeMotte,
Indiana 46310, 219-987-6247, vdmlaw@yahoo.com

+ United Reformed Churches in North America, C/O Mr. Bill Konynenbelt, 5824 Bowwater Circle Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2E2, Canada, 403-286-0521, Fax: 403-286-0759, urcna@shaw.ca

+ Calvin College 3201 Burton Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546, 616-526-6000

+ Mid-America Reformed Seminary, 229 Seminary Drive,
Dyer, Indiana 46311, 219-864-2400, Fax: 219-864-2410, cvenema@midamerica.edu


[8] “Traditionalist Catholics” in Mexico Expel Fifty-Seven Evangelical Christians from Homes and Farms

“Traditionalist Catholicism” (TC) in Mexico is a hybrid religion that combines Roman Catholicism with native rituals. In July 2009, TC leaders expelled thirty-two Christians from their homes and farms in a village in Los Parajes in Hidalgo state and another twenty-five from Yavelotzi in Oaxaca state because the Christians refused to participate in drunken festivals that include worship of Roman Catholic idols.

The Los Parajes Christians were violently torn from their homes on 13 July 2009 when the town’s TC leaders struck them with machetes and ropes. They were forced to leave behind 121 acres of land planted with crops, as well as their homes and animals. The TC’s in Los Parajes on 28 July offered to allow the Christians to return if they denied their faith and paid the equivalent of nearly US$13,900 in “fines” for having refused to contribute to the traditionalist Catholic festivals. The Christians declined the offer.

After refusing to participate in TC festivals in Yavelotzi, twenty-five Christians on 17 July were threatened with beatings and death if they did not immediately leave town, thus losing their homes, crops, and communal rights. The Christians and were warned not to return unless they renounced their faith in Jesus Christ.

+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

+ The Vatican


[9] Iran’s Muslim Cleric Supreme Leader Urges Muslims to Prepare for the Arrival of the Islamic Messiah or “Twelfth Imam”

Iran’s supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the week of 17 August 2009 called upon Muslims in countries neighboring Iran to intensify preparations for the arrival of the Islamic Messiah known as the Mahdi or the “Twelfth Imam,” by urging the Muslims to mobilize forces to defeat the United States and Israel. Khamenei has declared himself to be the direct representative of the Mahdi, and that obedience to him is equivalent to obeying the Mahdi – the prophesied Savior of Islam.

Al Arabiya explains: “The Mahdi is believed by Muslims to be arriving before Judgment Day to rid the world of injustice. Although present in both major Islamic schools of thought, the Mahdi is more prominent in the Shiite [Predominant in Iran] doctrine than the Sunni [Predominant in Saudi Arabia] one.”

Joe Rosenberg’s Weblog, referencing a Jerusalem Post article, says: “Now comes the news that Saudi Arabia is moving forward with plans to build a series of nuclear power plants. This is clearly a move to respond to the Iran nuclear threat, and suggests the Sunni Muslim royal family are actively preparing for a nuclear arms race with their Shia Muslim enemies in Iran.”

+ Joe Rosenberg’s Weblog

+ Al Arabiya, MBC Building #3, Dubai Media City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 971-4-391-9999, Fax: 971-4-369-7397, englishnews@alarabiya.net

+ International Conference of Mahdism Doctrine, No 5 - 23rd Alley Safaieye Street, Qom, Iran, 0098-251-78-34329, Fax: 0098-251-783713, secretary@intizar.org

+ Jerusalem Post, Post Office Box 81, Jerusalem, 91000 Israel, 972-2-531-5666, Fax: 972-2-538-9527, uheilman@jpost.com


[10] Muslim Honor Killings Come to America

The Muslim practice of “honor killings” has long been a danger to women in Muslim countries, but the practice is now being seen in the United States. The latest incident involves Fathima Rifqa Bary, a seventeen year old girl from Ohio that fled to Florida because she says that her Muslim father threatened to kill her when she became a Christian. Bary is currently in the custody of an Orlando, Florida, couple that are Christian ministers, while her father is attempting to have the court system force Bary to return to Ohio, where Bary claims she will be killed within a week of returning there.

Bary’s fears are very real in light of other recent American “honor killings.” In July 2008, twenty-five year old Chaudry Rashid of Jonesboro, Georgia was strangled to death with a bungee cord by her Muslim father after Rachid announced that she was seeking a divorce from her spouse from an arranged marriage. In January 2008, seventeen year old and eighteen year old Sarah and Aimna Said were found shot to death in a taxicab in Irving,
Texas. Police are still seeking the girls’ Muslim father who is suspected in the shootings. Sarah and Aimna along with their mother fled Dallas, Texas in December 2007 after Sarah received a death threat from her father via text message, and the girls were murdered soon after they returned to Dallas.

+ Assyrian International News Agency


[11] South Korean Newspaper Correspondent Claims United States Appeases Islam Under President Barrack Hussein Obama

The Seoul Times Tokyo, Japan, correspondent Jay Lee Walker wrote a 26 August 2009 letter saying that U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama is trying to manipulate the United States closer to the Muslim world by spouting Islamic propaganda.

Walker quotes Obama saying that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, “remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.,” and then Walker rhetorically asks, “…what “justice” and “tolerance” is Obama talking about?”

Walker points out that, “Mohammed himself did not believe in the dignity of all human beings…Jews and Pagans were killed and enslaved, [and]…all faiths would be banned from the lands of Mecca and Medina. The multi-religious nature of Arabia would be shattered and destroyed by both Mohammed and the early Muslim leaders who would then eradicate Christianity from Arabia.”

Walker compares the inherent superiority of Muslims in Islamic Sharia law with the equality of all citizens before the law inherent in modern Western law, then reminds the reader about Muslim “tolerance” of non-Muslims “…in recent incidents of burning Christians alive in Pakistan, beheading Christian converts from Islam in Somalia, killing innocent Shia Muslims in Iraq, killing Buddhists in Southern Thailand, beheading Christian pastors in Nigeria, persecuting Coptic Christians in Egypt, and so forth.”

Walker continues to review many other facets of Muslim treatment of non-Muslims, women, and others, and asks: “…[W]hy is Obama making false statements and why is he ignoring reality?....[W]hy does Obama close his eyes when it pleases him and why does he make false statements which can be ridiculed or openly contradicted at the drop of a hat?....[W]here is the justice and equality in Islamic Sharia law and the Koran for non-Muslims?”

+ The Seoul Times, Yangjae-dong 364-7, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea 137-130, 82-2-555-6188, Fax: 82-2-6918-6188, seoultimes@gmail.com


[12] Happy 250th Birthday William Wilberforce


The 250th anniversary of the birth of William Wilberforce was 24 August 2009. Living out his Christian faith, Wilberforce worked tirelessly and arduously for eighteen years to successfully bring a peaceful end to the British slave trade.

Chuck Colson writes: “To speak of Wilberforce is to speak of biblical worldview in action….Wilberforce’s worldview led him to engage in more than just the issue of slavery. He fought for prison reform. He founded or participated in sixty charities. He convinced King George III to issue a proclamation encouraging virtue, and reinstated The Proclamation Society to help see such virtue encouraged. He cared for God’s creation, founding the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And he championed missionary efforts, like founding the British and Foreign Bible Society.”

(Photo is Rwandan bishop, John Ruchyahana, being honored as Chuck Colson presents the 2009 William Wilberforce Award to Bishop Ruchyahana for helping perpetrators and victims of genocide forgive one another.)

+ Breakpoint, 44180 Riverside Parkway, Lansdowne, Virginia 20176, 877-478-0100


[13] Battery Box Part from Through Gates of Splendor Martyrs’ Plane to be Taken on Space Shuttle Mission

Astronaut Patrick Forrester is taking aboard his August 2009 flight on the space shuttle “Discovery,” a part from the battery box of Nate Saint’s Piper PA-14, which was the plane used by the five missionaries martyred in Ecuador in January 1956 when they flew into the jungle to meet with a tribe of Waodani Indians who speared the five missionaries to death.

Elisabeth Eliot, widow of slain missionary Jim Elliott, in 1957 wrote Through Gates of Splendor, which tells the story of the five missionary men killed that day and their families. Missionaries Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian were killed along with Nate Saint and Jim Eliot.

Upon return of the shuttle flight, the battery box part and a certificate authenticating its shuttle flight will be returned to its home with the rest of the Piper PA-14 at the Mission Aviation Fellowship headquarters in Nampa, Idaho.

+ Mission Aviation Fellowship, 112 North Pilatus Lane, Nampa, Idaho 83687, 208-498-0800, 208-498-0801, maf-us@maf.org



Wednesday, August 19, 2009

19 August 2009


Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Death of Calvin Synod and Lorain, Ohio, Hungarian Reformed Church Leader Julius Albert Pongracz
[2] 73rd General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church Held in Bristol, Virginia
[3] Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out Ministry Transitions to Exodus International in November 2009
[4] Westminster Larger Catechism Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard Published by Full Bible Publications on Lulu.com
[5] CRCNA’s Faith Alive Christian Resources Releases Behind Closed Doors, Addressing Internet Pornography Addiction
[6] Trinity Foundation Publishes Can the Presbyterian Church in America Be Saved?
[7] American Vision Offers the Chalcedon Foundation’s The Ten Commandments for Today DVD Interviews with R.J. Rushdoony
[8] Somali Islamists Behead Four Christians Providing Aid to Orphans
[9] Yale University Press Coddles Islamists by Censoring Material from Upcoming Publication The Cartoons that Shook the World
[10] WCC General Secretary Candidate Says WCC Needs to Give More Attention to Relations with Islam
[11] Baptist World Alliance Issues Resolution on Baptist-Muslim Relations
[12] Fellowship of Confessing Churches Member Responds to Anonymous Characterization as “Rebels”
[13] On the Eve of the 450th Anniversary of the Scottish Reformation, Scottish History Professor and Roman Catholic Tom Devine Chides Scots Secularists for Disparaging Calvinism
[14] Presbyterian Lay Committee Files Amicus Curiae Brief with U.S. Supreme Court in Support of California Episcopal Congregation that Lost Church Property to The Episcopal Church
[15] HSLDA Survey and Report Shows Average Home Schooled Student Scores Thirty-Seven Points Higher than Average Public School Student on Standardized Tests
[16] Westminster Seminary California to Provide Faculty Introductions via Office Hours Podcast and MP3 Downloads


[1] Death of Calvin Synod and Lorain, Ohio, Hungarian Reformed Church Leader Julius Albert Pongracz

Calvin Synod and Lorain, Ohio, Hungarian Reformed Church leader and the eighth child of Hungarian immigrants, Julius Albert Pongracz, 77, died 13 August 2009 after a year-long battle with renal cancer.

After graduating from high school in 1950, Pongracz served in the U. S. Army in Alaska. After military service, Pongracz worked for U.S. Steel’s Lorain National Tube, retiring as an expeditor after thirty-nine years of service. Pongracz was an active member of the Steelworkers Union Local 1104.

Pongracz served the Lorain (Ohio) Hungarian Reformed Church in many leadership roles including General Chairman Emeritus of the church Consistory, President of the Men's Brotherhood, member of the Sick Benefit Society, and Youth Fellowship Advisor. Pongracz too took an active leadership role in the Calvin Synod, serving on many committees and representing the bilingual churches at the National Conferences.

Pongracz is survived by his wife of almost fifty-four years, Donna, two daughters, four grandchildren, a brother, three sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held 18 August 2009, and Pongracz was interred at the Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst, Ohio.

+ ObitsOhio.com, info@obitsohio.com

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


[2] 73rd General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church Held in Bristol, Virginia

The 73rd General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC) met in Bristol, Virginia the week of 3 August 2009, hosted by the Ryder Memorial Presbyterian Church in Bluff City, Tennessee. Meetings were held in the restored Train Station in Bristol.

The BPC Synod was comprised of twenty-four ministers and ten delegate elders. One of the ministers in attendance was the Rev. John Janbaz, who attended the very first BPC Synod in 1938. Fraternal delegates included the Rev. Tony Curto of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) and the Rev. Roger Schultz of the Reformed Presbyterian Church Hanover Presbytery (RPCHP).

On the first evening of synod, Dr. Joel Beeke addressed the delegates on Calvin and Piety. The 73rd BPC Synod theme of The Sweetness of Prayer was developed in a series of messages which traced Calvin’s Biblical thoughts on prayer as recorded in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book Three, Section Twenty.

Among the resolutions passed were a commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, as well as statements opposed to Islam, homosexuality, and feminism.

The General Synod of the BPC continues fraternal relations with the Independent Presbyterian Church in Kenya and the RPCHP, and maintains corresponding relations with the OPC.

The Rev. Steven Johnson delivered the concluding message of the 73rd BPC Synod on The Risen Christ Our Intercessor.

The 74th General Synod of the BPC is scheduled for 5-10 August 2010 at Grace Bible Presbyterian Church in Sharonville , Ohio.

+ The Sweetness of Prayer, Report on the 73rd General Synod of the
Bible Presbyterian Church


+ Bible Presbyterian Church

+ Hanover Presbytery, Reformed Presbyterian Church, hanoverpresbyter@yahoo.com

+ Independent Presbyterian Church of Kenya, Post Office Box 37, Mwingi, Kenya, 254-1-42-22-035

+ The Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 North Easton Road, Building E, Box P, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090, 215-830-0900, Fax: 215-830-0350


[3] Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out Ministry Transitions to Exodus International in November 2009

Love Won Out (LWO), the
Focus on the Family (FOF) ministry begun in 1998 to minister to homosexuals and their families is transitioning to being managed by Exodus International (EI) beginning in November 2009. LWO exists in order to help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome. EI is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization promoting the message of Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.

FOF is handing off production of LWO events to EI for financial reasons, and for strategic reasons separate of the financial issues.
Melissa Fryrear, LWO speaker and host, said no one is better equipped to handle the events than EI, saying: "[EI has] been with [LWO] since the beginning. They have stood alongside us in sharing the hope that, with Christ, transformation is possible for those unhappy with same-sex attractions. And we will stand alongside them as they continue to share that message as the organizer of Love Won Out."

Additionally, EI has made church education one of their top priorities, and has recently formed new partnerships with the ex-homosexual ministries of the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Transforming Congregations and OneByOne, respectively; and has provided support to individual church ministries of Presbyterian Church in America and
Reformed Church in America congregations.

+
Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995, 800-232-6459

+ Exodus International, Post Office Box 540119, Orlando, Florida 32854, 407-599-6872

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

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

+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org

+ United Methodist Church General Conference, Post Office Box 188, Beaver Dam, Kentucky 42320


[4] Westminster Larger Catechism Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard Published by Full Bible Publications on Lulu.com

Dr. Chuck Baynard has written a complete treatment of the Westminster Larger Catechism in the Westminster Larger Catechism Commentary I and the The Westminster Larger Catechism Commentary II, available from Full Bible Publications on the Lulu.com website. Volume I covers the first ninety questions or the 1st Table of the Law, with Volume II covering the last 106 questions dealing with the 2nd Table of the Law. Both volumes contain full Scripture references as footnotes.

Volume I is US$12.95 plus shipping in print, and US$2.50 as a PDF download. Volume II is US$14.95 plus shipping in print, and US$2.50 as a PDF download.

Full Bible Publications is the book publishing arm of the Christian Observer Foundation. Dr. Chuck Baynard is an Associate Editor for the Christian Observer.

+ Christian Observer, 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110, 703-335-2844, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[5] CRCNA’s Faith Alive Christian Resources Releases Behind Closed Doors, Addressing Internet Pornography Addiction

The Christian Reformed Church in North America’s publishing agency Faith Alive has released Behind Closed Doors: Christians, Pornography, and the Temptations of Cyberspace, which chronicles the problem of addiction to Internet pornography among Christians, including pastors, describes problems that this type of addiction can create, and provides solutions for how people can break the cycle of addiction.

Authors Robert. J. Baird and Ronald Vanderbeck of Hope and Healing Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan, write about real situations (with names and places changed) they have encountered in their counseling sessions. Baird illustrates the extent of the problem, saying: "Thirty-five percent plus of the Protestant pastors I was able to include in a study for my Ph.D. thesis have used Internet pornography. They are not immune and are particularly at risk, since they often work on their computers and are unaccountable for their time.” The authors additionally relate that twenty percent of all Internet users deliberately look for sexual material, that forty-two percent of children and teens report seeing online pornography, and that two-thirds of these young people say they came across it unintentionally.

Behind Closed Doors is available through the Faith Alive Resources website.

+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org


[6] Trinity Foundation Publishes Can the Presbyterian Church in America Be Saved?

The Trinity Foundation has just published a new book – Can the Presbyterian Church in America Be Saved? - by Sean Gerety (119 pages, trade paperback, US$9.95). Mr. Gerety traces the problems that the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is having with the Federal Vision back to the Vantilianism of many of its critics, who uphold paradox and drive a wedge between God’s knowledge and the knowledge possible to man. Despite strong language in the PCA Committee’s report on the Federal Vision, Auburn Avenue, and New Perspectives on Paul theologies, nonetheless the committee called those teaching the Federal Vision not false teachers, but “brothers.” The Apostle Paul did not call the Judiazers, who were teaching another gospel, brothers; rather he said if anyone teaches another gospel, which is no gospel at all, let him be accursed (anathema).

Another new book, Clark and His Critics, will be available beginning 1 September 2009.

+ The Trinity Foundation,
Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692
423-743-0199, Fax: 423-743-2005,
tjtrinityfound@aol.com

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


[7] American Vision Offers the Chalcedon Foundation’s The Ten Commandments for Today DVD Interviews with R.J. Rushdoony

American Vision is offering the Chalcedon Foundation’s five hour, two DVD set titled, The Ten Commandments for Today, which is a twelve-part series of interviews with the late R.J. Rushdoony. Each of the Ten Commandments is covered in detail as Dr. Rushdoony challenges modern humanistic remedies that have obviously failed, concluding that only through God's revealed will as laid down in the Bible can the standard for righteous living be found.

+ American Vision, Post Office Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127, 770-222-7266, Fax: 770-222-7269, mail@AmericanVision.org

+ Chalcedon Foundation, Post Office Box 158, Vallecito, California 95251, 209-736-4365, Fax: 209-736-0536, chalcedon@att.net


[8] Somali Islamists Behead Four Christians Providing Aid to Orphans

Somali Al-Shabab Islamists on 27 July 2009 abducted four Christians working for an organization providing aid to orphans, and later beheaded them after they refused to renounce Jesus Christ and convert to Islam.

The Al-Shabab Islamists killed at least six Christians in 2008, and in July 2009, beheaded seven Christians in the southwestern Somali town of Baidoa after accusing them of converting to Christianity and of spying for the Somali transitional federal government.

+ International Christian Concern, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest #941, Washington DC 20006, 800-422-5441, Fax: 301-989-1709, superadmin@persecution.org


[9] Yale University Press Coddles Islamists by Censoring Material from Upcoming Publication The Cartoons that Shook the World

Yale University Press (YUP) is preparing to publish Jytte Klausen's book The Cartoons that Shook the World, about the controversy sparked in February 2006 by twelve cartoons depicting Mohammed that were published in the Danish newspaper Jylland-Posten in September 2005. YUP has chosen to censor the subject twelve cartoons and other illustrations of Mohammed from the upcoming book.

In response, the American Association of University Professors issued a strong statement condemning YUP. The first line sums up their opinion of what Yale's actions say about its commitment to academic freedom: "We do not negotiate with terrorists. We just accede to their anticipated demands."

Winfield Myers of Campus Watch responded to a subsequent statement released by Yale University, saying: “[The Yale] statement smells of cowardice and compromise. We wanted to do the right thing, it claims, and publish the illustrations which, after all, are the subject of the book. But after we spoke to these experts [on Islam] (and you can't just ignore the advice of experts), we figured we'd skip out on our obligations to our author and readers and hide behind their advice, which we appreciate an awful lot.”

+ Campus Watch, 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1050,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19102, campus-watch@meforum.org


[10] WCC General Secretary Candidate Says WCC Needs to Give More Attention to Relations with Islam

A candidate for the post of general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, a 48-year-old Norwegian Lutheran, says that the WCC needs to give more attention to relations with Islam and to supporting Christians in mainly Muslim regions. Tveit has been the general secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations since 2002.

+ Ecumenical News International, Post Office Box 2100, CH – 1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6111, Fax: 41-22-788-7244, eni@eni.ch

+ World Council of Churches, 150 route de Ferney, CH-1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6111, Fax: 41-22-791-0361


[11] Baptist World Alliance Issues Resolution on Baptist-Muslim Relations

The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), meeting in Ede, the Netherlands, 27 July-1 August 2009 issued “Resolution 2 – Baptist-Muslim Relations” stating that BWA:

Welcomes the opportunities opened up by the friendly and constructive spirit in which A Common Word, signed by 138 Muslim scholars and leaders, has been written;

Appreciates the advances in friendship and understanding made through conversations between Baptists and Muslims at Andover Newton Theological School in January 2009 and in Amman, Jordan, in March 2009;

Agrees with A Common Word that the double command to love God and our neighbor is at the heart of the message of Jesus Christ, and that this can form a common ground for conversation and for working together for a co-existence characterized by peace, justice, mutual understanding and respect;

Recognizes that Baptist Christians living in situations of religious conflict wish to create friendly and peaceful relations with their neighbors of other faiths;

Believes that we can humbly but confidently make our witness to the uniqueness of Christ as the way of salvation and to the self-giving of the Triune God in ways that are not demeaning of other people’s beliefs;

Asks Baptist theologians to study the response made by the BWA to A Common Word, together with the original document, and to use both in their teaching;

[and,] Encourages Baptist conventions and unions to engage in conversations and joint activities for human welfare with Muslims in ways that are appropriate for their own regions and cultures.

+ Baptist World Alliance, 405 North Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia, 22046, 703-790-8980, 703-893-5160, bwa@bwanet.org


[12] Fellowship of Confessing Churches Member Responds to Anonymous Characterization as “Rebels”

In a 12 August 2009 letter to The Scotsman, the Rev. Dr. William J. U. Philip, pastor of St. George's Tron Church in Glasgow, Scotland, responded to an anonymous characterization by an unnamed Church of Scotland official in a 7 August 2009 article that called the Fellowship of Confessing Churches (FCC) a group of “rebels.”

Philip responds by saying the FCC is “…“not a breakaway group” as had been said in the article, but is in fact a "a fellowship of congregations of the Church of Scotland" that still gladly confess the historic, orthodox Christian faith.”

Philip continues: “The Confessing Churches Covenant says nothing about a "campaign of non-co-operation". Nor does it contain only the (three) paragraphs singled out in your article. The covenant is a basic, ten-point confession of belief no orthodox Christian should have any issue with. The confession is thus clearly, and deliberately, "in reaffirmation of our historic identity as the Church of Scotland", not a departure from it.”

Philip concludes: “We are not rebels. We are orthodox, Christian churches, and we want the world to know it. We warmly urge all congregations that believe likewise to stand with us, for the sake of the gospel of Christ in Scotland.”

+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 8AS, 0131-620-8620

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

+ Fellowship of Confessing Churches


[13] On the Eve of the 450th Anniversary of the Scottish Reformation, Scottish History Professor and Roman Catholic Tom Devine Chides Scots Secularists for Disparaging Calvinism

Tom Devine, Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography at the University of Edinburgh, and a Roman Catholic, wrote a 10 August 2009 column for TimesOnLine titled “Thank Calvin for Great Scots Minds.”

Devine writes: “In the secular Scotland of this new millennium, the Reformation usually has a bad press. The Calvinist tradition that has moulded the nation is seen through a negative lens. Its malignant influence is said to have spawned intolerance, oppressive social disciplines, an aggressive and rapacious capitalism, sexual guilt and dysfunction, and warped attitudes to music, painting and the creative arts, which have only been changing in recent generations.”

While admitting a measure of truth to some of the stereotypes, Devine argues that they: “…entirely ignore the profoundly positive influence which reformed Protestantism also had on Scottish history….Calvinism was a key factor inspiring that great flowering of intellectual culture in the 18th century, the Scottish Enlightenment.”

Devine describes the Scots reformers’ “commitment to developing a basic level of literacy among the population in order that they might read the Bible and comprehend the lengthy sermons which were the new Church’s chosen method of communication with the laity….” and that post-reformation learning “…was pursued systematically and relentlessly as a crucial part of a nationwide religious crusade….” in contrast to the old church.

Devine describes Calvinism as “…a cerebral belief system that appealed more to the mind than the heart or the senses. Complex theological issues were constantly debated in lengthy sermons, learned tracts and public debate….” and argues that the “Scottish Enlightenment’s central focus on trying to understand the bases of human conduct, the ideas which evolved in time into the modern subjects of economics, sociology and anthropology, has its roots in Scottish Calvinism’s obsession with human morality and man’s relation to God.”

Devine concludes that, “…far from being aggressive secularists, challenging the outdated orthodoxies of Christian tradition, some of the greatest figures of the Enlightenment, such as William Robertson, Adam Ferguson and Thomas Reid, were themselves ministers of the gospel or sons of the manse, such as Francis Hutcheson….” and that the “…Scottish Enlightenment, unlike its French counterpart, was therefore a decidedly Christian Enlightenment.”

+ The London Times, Times House, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TT, England, 44-0-20-7782-5971, pressoffice@thetimes.co.uk


[14] Presbyterian Lay Committee Files Amicus Curiae Brief with U.S. Supreme Court in Support of California Episcopal Congregation that Lost Church Property to The Episcopal Church

Editor Emeritus of The Layman, Parker Williamson, reports that the Presbyterian Lay Committee on 27 July 2009 filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of St. James Parish in
Newport Beach, California following a California Supreme Court (CSC) ruling that awarded the congregation’s property to its former denomination, The Episcopal Church.

The PLC brief argues that the CSC’s decision violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment and Free Exercise clauses by exempting a hierarchical church government from fundamental property laws that all other persons and organizations are required to honor.

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

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

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

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


[15] HSLDA Survey and Report Shows Average Home Schooled Student Scores Thirty-Seven Points Higher than Average Public School Student on Standardized Tests

The Home School Legal Defense Association on 10 August 2009 released a new study titled: Progress Report 2009: Homeschool Academic Achievement and Demographics conducted by Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute, which shows that homeschoolers, on average, scored 37 percentile points above public school students on standardized achievement tests.

Additionally, the report showed that homeschooled boys (87th percentile) and girls (88th percentile) scored equally well; the income level of parents did not appreciably affect the results (household income under US$35,000: 85th percentile—household income over US$70,000: 89th percentile); and while parent education level did have some impact, even children whose parents did not have college degrees scored in the 83rd percentile, which is well above the national average for public school students. Homeschooled children whose parents both had college degrees scored in the 90th percentile.

The report shows that the average public school spends nearly US$10,000 per child per year whereas the Progress Report shows that the average homeschool parent spends about US$500 per child per year.

There are an estimated 2 million homeschooled children in the U.S. today, which is about four percent of the school-aged population, and homeschooling is growing at around seven percent per year.

+ Home School Legal Defense Association,
Post Office Box 3000, Purcellville, Virginia 20134, 540-338-5600


[16] Westminster Seminary California to Provide Faculty Introductions via Office Hours Podcast and MP3 Downloads

Westminster Seminary California (WSC) is beginning a series of podcast and MP3 downloads called Office Hours, designed to introduce the listener to the faculty of WSC through personal, thirty-minute interviews, discussing biblical and exegetical questions, historical and theological questions, pastoral matters, and Christian living.

The first two installments of Office Hours will be available on 31 August 2009 on the WSC website or on iTunes. Episode One features an interview with W. Robert Godfrey, President of WSC and Professor of Church History, and Episode Two features an interview with Julius J. Kim, Associate Professor of Practical Theology.

As an incentive to prospective listeners, WSC is offering several free books, conference admission tickets, and MP3 downloads for Office Hours listeners.

+ Westminster Seminary California, 1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, California 92027, 760-480-8474, Fax: 760-480-0252, info@wscal.edu


Wednesday, August 12, 2009

12 August 2009

Presbyterians Week Headlines

[1] Jack Williamson, 90, First PCA Moderator, Dies 8 August 2009
[2] U.S. Army National Guard Recruiting FEMA Camp “Internment/Resettlement Specialists” for
American Gulag
[3] White House Blog Asks that Opponents of “Health Care Reform” be Reported to the White House via Email
[4] Star Chamber Court Revived for Florida Public School Administrators
[5] Canadian Marriage Commissioner’s Fine Upheld for Refusing to Marry Homosexual Couple
[6] Thirty-Five Church of Scotland Churches Sign Agreement to Not Cooperate with GA Gag Order and Postponement of Addressing Homosexual Ordination Issue
[7] Church of Scotland Calls for Release of Lockerbie, Scotland Pan Am Flight 103 Bomber
[8] Missionaries in India on Trial for Preaching the Gospel
[9] Nigeria Death Toll Climbs in Attack by Islamic Sect
[10] Muslim Leaders in Northern Nigeria Push Regulation of Religious Preaching

[11] Presbyterian Church in Taiwan to Issue Open Letter to U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama
[12] PCUSA Beaver-Butler Presbytery Approves “An Open Declaration to the PCUSA”
[13] 2009 Marks 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s Exploration of the Hudson River
[14] Hungarian Reformed Church Designed by Karoly Kos in Obuda, Budapest, Hungary, Featured on Szecesszió Website
[15] New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, Celebrates 175th Anniversary
[16] Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church of New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Celebrate 175th Anniversary 19-20 September 2009
[17] Imperial Orange Council Calls for No Change to the Act of Settlement in the United Kingdom
[18] Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Dissenters Banned from Church and Threatened Indirectly with Criminal Trespassing Charges
[19] Americans United for Separation of Church and State Warn Membership of Upcoming 27 September 2009 Pulpit Freedom Sunday


[1] Jack Williamson, 90, First PCA Moderator, Dies 8 August 2009

Jack Williamson, 90, long-time member and ruling elder of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, Alabama (FPCGA), a founder of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and moderator of the first PCA General Assembly, died 8 August 2009 of complications from a stroke.

Williamson was a B-24 Liberator pilot in World War II and a prisoner of war in
Russia. After the war, he studied law and became an attorney in Alabama. Williamson argued cases in local, state, and federal courts—including five church property cases before the United States Supreme Court. He won all five in favor of the churches.

Williamson served Mission to the World (MTW) on the committee for Christ’s College in Taiwan, and on the Committee on MTW. Williamson was on the board of World Magazine, taught at Reformed Theological Seminary, and taught Sunday school for sixty years.

Williamson’s pastor, the Rev. Jeffrey Hamm of FPCGA, began Williamson’s graveside service Monday with the words from the lament of David in 2 Samuel 1:19. For Hamm, the words David cried out upon hearing of the death of King Saul and Jonathan, represented the magnitude of loss felt from Williamson’s passing. “Jack was an exceptional man. God hasn’t made another like him.” Williamson still came regularly to hour-long Sunday morning prayer meetings with the pastor and elders, including the Sunday prior to his death.

“Mr. Jack” Williamson is survived by his wife, Tere, two sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren.

+ byFaith Magazine, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1005, info@byfaithonline.com

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


[2] U.S. Army National Guard Recruiting FEMA Camp “Internment/Resettlement Specialists” for American Gulag

Article number two in the 11 February 2009 Presbyterians Week,
reported on pending U.S. Congress bill HR 645, the National Emergency Centers Establishment Act, that among other purposes authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Authority to build six or more National Emergency Centers (NECs) throughout the United States on closed or open military facilities.

In a 5 August 2009 blog article, RogueGovernment.com writer Lee Rogers described the recently begun campaign by the U.S. Army National Guard to recruit Internment/Resettlement Specialists to staff the NECs, and summarized the job descriptions “as being to man facilities that could be used to house political dissidents, so-called terrorists, and other individuals that the government doesn’t like.”

Two documents released in April and May of 2009 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), one describing conservatives as “domestic rightwing terrorists,” and the other a “Domestic Extremism Lexicon” that described Internet news purveyors, Christians, constitutionalists, and abortion opponents as being in the same domestic extremist category as neo-Nazis and terrorist bombers. These documents were examined respectively in article number one in the 15 April 2009 Presbyterians Week and article number two in the 5 May 2009 Presbyterians Week.

Lee Rodgers’ blog article references these two DHS documents, and expresses concern that the purpose of the NECs is for the U.S. government to house large numbers of political dissidents.

+ RogueGovernment.com

+ Christian Observer, 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110, 703-335-2844, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[3] White House Blog Asks that Opponents of “Health Care Reform” be Reported to the White House via Email

A 5 August 2009 entry on U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama’s White House blog directs readers to report anything "on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy" to email address flag@whitehouse.gov.

Texas Senator John Cornyn accuses the White House of compiling an "enemies list," and has asked U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama to end the White House effort to collect "fishy" information about health care overhaul that American citizens publish on the Internet.

At a 6 August 2009 political rally in McLean, Virginia for gubernatorial candidate Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds, U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama said of opponents to the proposed health care overhaul, "But I don't want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking. I want them to get out of the way so we can clean up the mess. I don't mind cleaning up after them, but don't do a lot of talking."

+ Dallas Morning News, 508 Young Street, Dallas,
Texas 75202, 214-977-8222

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


[4] Star Chamber Court Revived for Florida Public School Administrators

Pace High School of Santa Rosa County, Florida, principal Frank Lay and athletic director Robert Freeman have been charged by federal prosecuting attorneys Randy Hensel and Dixie Morrow with unspecified charges that have been sealed by federal district judge Casey Rodgers, who initially instigated the charges against Lay and Freeman.

The unspecified “crimes” committed by Lay and Freeman have to do with Lay asking Freeman to offer a blessing before a 28 January 2009 luncheon at Pace High School for people who helped with the school's new field house, and now Lay and Freeman are facing possible prison sentences for charges related to the “crimes” they are alleged to have committed by offering the luncheon prayer, charges which remain sealed for unspecified reasons.

The charges may be related to a consent order entered into by the Santa Rosa County, Florida, School District in response to a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in late 2008 that sought to have prayer banned at Pace High School events. The consent decree essentially banned all Santa Rosa County School District employees from engaging in prayer or religious activities. As reported in article thirteen of the 10 June 2009 Presbyterians Week, during the 30 May 2009 Pace High School graduation ceremony, the nearly 400 graduating seniors stood up in protest against the ACLU and recited in unison the Lord’s Prayer.

+ Chuck Baldwin Live, Post Office Box 37070, Pensacola, Florida 32526,
850-944-5709, Fax: 850-944-0577, chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com

+ Christian Observer, 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110, 703-335-2844, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[5] Canadian Marriage Commissioner’s Fine Upheld for Refusing to Marry Homosexual Couple

Voice of the Martyrs Canada spokesman Adele Konyndyk reported that in a ruling dated 19 July 2009, the Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan upheld a lower-court ruling that marriage commissioner Orville Nichols cannot refuse to marry homosexual couples on the basis of his Christian beliefs, and that Nichols must pay the homosexual couple CAN$2500 in compensation.

Citing his Christian beliefs, Nichols refused to marry the homosexual couple in April 2004. Nichols argues that his religious beliefs should be protected under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Nichols has thirty days to appeal the court decision.

+ Mission Network News, 1159 East Beltline Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-942-1500, Fax: 616-942-7328

+ Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Post Office Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga L5G 4L5, Ontario, Canada, 905-670-9721, Fax: 905-670-7642


[6] Thirty-Five Church of Scotland Churches Sign Agreement to Not Cooperate with GA Gag Order and Postponement of Addressing Homosexual Ordination Issue

The Fellowship of Confessing Churches (FCC) has organized a covenant between thirty-five Church of Scotland (COS) churches to not cooperate with the COS General Assembly’s (GA) postponement for two years of addressing the ordination of homosexual ministers, and to not cooperate with the GA’s gag order against discussion of the issue in the mean time.

The covenant states: "We recognise God's creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family." The covenant additionally states that the signatories, "reject the authority of those who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed."

An unidentified COS member said that the FCC is using the appointment of a homosexual minister at Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen, Scotland, as a ruse to set themselves up as a church within the COS so that the FCC churches can retain possession of their church property when they break away from the COS.

+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 8AS, 0131-620-8620

+ Fellowship of Confessing Churches

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


[7] Church of Scotland Calls for Release of Lockerbie, Scotland Pan Am Flight 103 Bomber

The Church of Scotland is calling upon the government of the United Kingdom to release Libyan terrorist Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988, killing 270 people. The convicted mass-murderer has terminal prostate cancer.

+ The Scotsman, Barclay House, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 8AS, 0131-620-8620

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


[8] Missionaries in India on Trial for Preaching the Gospel

Gospel for Asia-affiliated missionaries Yash Menon and Rajiv Trivedi had a complaint filed against them with authorities in Jharkhand, India, after being accused of forcefully converting people to Christianity. The complaint was filed by two relatives of a Christian that attended regular prayer meetings in a nearby village conducted by the missionaries. The attendee’s relatives broke into and disrupted a 3 August 2009 meeting where they beat upon the two missionaries.

Village leaders had a 6 August 2009 meeting scheduled to determine whether or not the charges against the missionaries should be sustained. If the charges are sustained, the missionaries may be asked to sign an agreement stating that they will not preach the Gospel or conduct worship services in the village.

+ Assist USA, Post Office Box 609, Lake Forest, California 92609, 949-380-1558, danjuma1@aol.com

+ Gospel for Asia, 1800 Golden Trail Court, Carrollton, Texas 75010, 972-300-7777, info@gfa.org


[9] Nigeria Death Toll Climbs in Attack by Islamic Sect

Twelve Christians, including three pastors in northern Nigeria’s Borno state are known to have been killed in riots, and twenty Christian churches have been burned by members of an Islamic sect opposed to Western education. The riots were incited by an Islamic extremist sect known as Boko Haram, which initially attacked police and government bases and left in their wake hundreds of people dead along with large property losses. The many Christians abducted by the sect during the rioting are yet to be found.

The Daily Sun in
Lagos, Nigeria, reports that the three Christian pastors were given an ultimatum to change their faith to Islam as had been done for the other people taken as hostages. After they refused to convert, the three pastors were beheaded on the instruction of the sect leader, Mohammed Yusuf, shortly after bringing them out of his inner chamber into a courtyard. An eyewitness to the murders of the pastors said that armed sect members cut of the pastors’ heads one after the other, and afterwards shouted “Allah Aakbar,” meaning “Allah is the Greatest,” in wild celebration accompanied by gunfire.

Yusuf was later captured and killed by Nigerian Police, and the Nigerian government is investigating whether or not Yusuf was murdered by police after his capture.

+ Compass Direct News Service, Post Office Box 27250, Santa Ana, California 92799, 949-862-0304, Fax: 949-752-6536, info@compassdirect.org

+ The Sun Publishing Limited, 2 Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout,
Apapa, PMB 21776 Ikeja,
Lagos, Nigeria, 01-5875560, Fax: 01-5875561,
editor@sunnewsonline.com


[10] Muslim Leaders in Northern Nigeria Push Regulation of Religious Preaching

Muslim leaders in Northern Nigeria are pushing for laws to regulate religious preaching. The Christian Association of Nigeria is opposing the proposed laws.

+ Ecumenical News International, Post Office Box 2100, CH–1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, 41-22-791-6111, Fax: 41-22-788-7244, eni@eni.ch

+ Christian Association of Nigeria, National Christian Centre, Central Area, Private Mail Box 260 Garki – Abuja, Nigeria, 08035860733, info@canonline.org.ng


[11] Presbyterian Church in Taiwan to Issue Open Letter to U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) is posed to release an open letter to U.S. President Barrack Hussein Obama, expressing concern about Obama’s silence in regard to Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou’s pro-China leanings, and upcoming meetings between U.S. and Chinese top officials.

The letter will emphasize that human rights are God-given, and that Taiwan’s future must be decided by the Taiwanese people as a nation.

The letter additionally calls the Obama administration to acknowledge the reality that Taiwan and China are distinct and separate entities and more than eighty percent of Taiwanese people nowadays oppose unification with China. The PCT hopes that U.S. leaders will re-examine U.S. policies on China and Taiwan and join other countries in opposing Chinese invasion of Taiwan by military force or other means.

+ Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, 334 Youth Road, Tainan City, 70144 Taiwan, 886-6-235-6277, Fax: 886-6-237-8882, enews@pctpress.org


[12] PCUSA Beaver-Butler Presbytery Approves “An Open Declaration to the PCUSA”

Paula R. Kincaid of the Layman Online reports in a 6 August 2009 article that the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)’s Beaver-Butler Presbytery on 28 July 2009 gave final approval to “An Open Declaration to the PCUSA,” which among other matters, expresses BBP’s adherence to Biblical standards above the machinations of the PCUSA General Assembly.

BBP pastor the Rev. Toby Brown stated: “…the PCUSA is now on notice: There are entire presbyteries who will not allow our General Assemblies to dismantle our faith and our polity by fiat.”

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

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


[13] 2009 Marks 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s Exploration of the Hudson River

English explorer Henry Hudson first sailed up what is now the Hudson River 400 years ago in 1609 on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. Dutch settlement of what is now
New York began soon after. The Albany, New York, Times Union recognized the descendents of these first Dutch settlers in a 9 August 2009 article by Kenneth C. Crowe II titled “Dutch Ties Connect Region.”

Crowe notes that many descendents of the first Dutch settlers still make their homes in the area around Albany,
New York. Crowe too notes that the Dutch Reformed Church, which later became the Reformed Church in America (RCA), was the established church in the Dutch colony of New Netherland, and that many RCA congregations remain in the Albany area.
Crowe says that when the English took New Netherland and its capitol New Amsterdam in 1664, that a significant number of Presbyterians found refuge in and joined with the Dutch Reformed Church.

Crowe concludes by noting that there are two to four times as many people in the Albany,
New York, region who claim Dutch ancestry than in the rest of New York State and in the rest of the United States.

+ Times Union, Box 15000, News Plaza, Albany,
New York 12212, 518-454-5694, ttyler@timesunion.com

+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org


[14] Hungarian Reformed Church Designed by Karoly Kos in Obuda, Budapest, Hungary, Featured on Szecesszió Website

The Transylvania style Szecesszió (Hungarian Secession) design Hungarian Reformed Church in Obuda, Budapest, Hungary, designed by architect Karoly Kos (b. 16 December 1883, d. 25 August 1977), is featured in a 9 August 2009 article on the Szecesszió website.

Writer and photographer Mattia Moretti says: “The reformed church in Obuda (IIIth District) is probably the most famous masterpiece of Karoly Kos in Budapest as well as an outstanding example of the Transilvanya styled Szecesszio design. The National Romantic elements characterize every single detail in this church, combining rural lines, geometrical shaped doors and windows, extensive use of wood element and relief stones on the façade.”

+ Szecesszió Website

+ Reformed Church in Hungary


[15] New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, Celebrates 175th Anniversary

New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2009 with a year-long calendar of events. A 7 August 2009 article in the Blairsville Dispatch by reporter Jeff Himler reviews the history of this small town in Westmorland County, Pennsylvania.

Himler described the history of Church Street in New Alexandria, which at one time had four separate Presbyterian churches. Only two of the church buildings remain, the Reformed Presbyterian Church built in 1870, which is now home to United in Christ Ministries; and the former United Presbyterian Church, which is home to Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America.

The location of the two churches no longer standing are to the west of the remaining two, including the original log Union Meeting House, constructed in 1810, and shared
by three Presbyterian congregations until 1835, when the Reformed Presbyterians, or Covenanters, left to build their own church; and a large brick Presbyterian Church that stood just west of the Reformed Church from 1858 to 1981. In 1976, the Presbyterian and United Presbyterian congregations merged to form the Community United Presbyterian Church located on the outskirts of New Alexandria.

+ Blairsville Dispatch, 116 East Market Street, Blairsville, Pennsylvania 15717, 724-459-6100, Fax: 724-459-7366, jhimler@tribweb.com

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

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


[16] Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church of New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Celebrate 175th Anniversary 19-20 September 2009

Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPRPC) of New Castle, Pennsylvania, will celebrate its 175th anniversary 19-20 September 2009. A dinner will held at the church beginning at noon on 19 September, followed at 1:30 p.m. by a service of celebration with former pastor Bob McFarland delivering the message. Pastor McFarland will deliver an additional message on 20 September at the 11:00 a.m. service. Additionally, Sabbath School will be conducted beginning at 10:00 a.m., and a Sabbath evening service starting at 7:00 p.m. will feature a message by current RPRPC Pastor Charles Brown.

All former members and friends of the congregation are invited to join RPRPC in this weekend of celebration. A special invitation is extended to the people of the Rose Point community and to the sons and daughters of the congregation who have moved away.

+ Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1166 Church Alley, New Castle, Pennsylvania 16101, 724-924-9519, modernreformation@yahoo.com

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


[17] Imperial Orange Council Calls for No Change to the Act of Settlement in the United Kingdom

A recent press release from The Imperial Orange Council (IOC) of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, “Worldwide Orange Warning of Constitutional Crisis” was issued recently in response to proposals by the United Kingdom to amend the 1701 Act of Settlement. Article thirteen in the 28 January 2009 Presbyterians Week cited the 1701 Act of Settlement as saying “…that no Catholic can inherit the crown and any member of the royal family who marries a Catholic is barred from succession to the crown unless his or her spouse agrees to renounce the Catholic faith.”

The IOC press release says: “We believe that if the Act of Settlement was changed to allow a monarch who was from the Roman Catholic tradition, it could provoke a constitutional crisis. They would be effectively serving two masters, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church is also a head of another state and the relationship between Church and State is not clearly defined.”

“In 1990 the Belgian monarch asked to be excused from reigning temporarily because the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church would not allow him to agree with new abortion laws. Temporary abdication is not an option under the British Constitution and a constitutional crisis would have occurred if this had been taken place in the United Kingdom….In Spain in 2001 a precondition of marriage into the Royal Family was that the person had to change their religion to be Roman Catholic before she was allowed to do so….We believe that the reason we have the Act of Settlement was, and is, in order to further good and stable government.”

The Imperial Orange Council represents Orangemen in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, Scotland, England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Ghana and Togo.

+ Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Schomberg House, 368 Cregagh Road, Belfast BT6 9EY, Northern Ireland, 44-0-28-9070-1122, 44-0-28-9040-3700, info@grandorangelodge.co.uk

+ Christian Observer, 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110, 703-335-2844, christianobserver@christianobserver.org


[18] Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Dissenters Banned from Church and Threatened Indirectly with Criminal Trespassing Charges

The session of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on 4 August 2009, sent a letter to six dissenting members of the church, ordering the six to stay off the CRPC premises, and indirectly threatening criminal trespassing charges against any of the six who defies the ban. One of the six is Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy, the daughter of CRPC founder, the late Dr. D. James Kennedy.

The dissenting six, in a mailing to church members, accused CRPC’s new senior pastor, the Rev. W. Tullian Tchividjian, of deserting the heritage of Dr. Kennedy, of downplaying the church's traditional service in favor of contemporary worship methodology, of replacing some of the CRPC staff with his own people, and for planning to sell land at the church's west campus "to make up for budget shortfalls." The six additionally, on 24 July 2009, mailed out 1600 petitions calling for Tchividjian’s ouster as CRPC senior pastor.

Choir members were addressed at their 5 August 2009 evening rehearsal by church officials, and told to consider resigning if they sign the petition calling for Tchividjian’s ouster. The CRPC session met 10 August 2009 to consider forming a judicial commission to deal with the six main dissidents.

+ The State, 1401 Shop Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29201-4843, 800-888-5353

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


[19] Americans United for Separation of Church and State Warn Membership of Upcoming 27 September 2009 Pulpit Freedom Sunday

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUCS) warned their membership in an 11 August 2009 announcement that the Alliance Defense Fund has announced the second annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday for 27 September 2009 where constitutionally-minded pastors are encouraged to exercise their First Amendment rights to speak about political issues and candidates in defiance of the unconstitutional 1954 Johnson Amendment, which limited the free speech rights of ministers to preach in some areas of what the government considered to be “political” matters, lest the church’s tax exemption be yanked by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

AUCS is warning their members to be especially vigilant of churches in Virginia and New Jersey where there are gubernatorial elections scheduled in November. For example, AUCS would consider a violation of the Johnson Amendment had occurred if a Virginia pastor were to mention during his sermon that gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds is a strong and consistent supporter of abortion, and that Deeds in committee voted against a bill to restore to Virginia State Police chaplains the right to pray in Jesus name, said right taken away from them by an earlier executive order of Virginia Governor and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Tim Kaine.

AUCS warns that they “will be watching,” and that AUCS “will report to the IRS any misguided houses of worship that flagrantly violate the law.”

Article number twelve in the 5 August 2009 Presbyterians Week reported that the IRS had dropped an eleven-month investigation into two pre-election 2008 sermons of a Minnesota pastor.

+ Americans United for Separation of Church and State, 518 C Street Northeast, Washington DC 20002, 202-466-3234, Fax: 202-466-2587, americansunited@au.org

+ Alliance Defense Fund, 15100 North 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, 800-835-5233, Fax: 480-444-0025

+ Christian Observer, 9400 Fairview Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110, 703-335-2844, christianobserver@christianobserver.org