Presbyterians Week Headlines
[1] Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate Issues Anathema to United Church of Christ for Support of Homosexual Unions
[2] Three Pennsylvania PCUSA Congregations Consider Leaving Denomination over Approval of Ordination of Homosexuals
[3] Belfast, Northern Ireland, Free Presbyterian Church Planning Unregistered Protest of LGBT Pride Parade
[4] Coral Ridge Ministries Becomes Truth in Action Ministries in July 2011
[5] Kansas City, Missouri, Library Special Collections Receives Artifacts from
Italian Mission of Central Presbyterian Church
[6] New Books and Other Publications
[7] Family-Run Christian book Business in Scotland Seeks New North American Customers
---
[1] Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate Issues Anathema to United Church of Christ for Support of Homosexual Unions
The Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church on 7 July 2011 issued a Promulgation of an Anathema to the United Church of Christ (UCC) for the UCC’s longtime support for the ordination of homosexuals, as follows:
“At its session on 1 May 2011, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy issued a document N. 2011/XX under the title “Blessing of hetero- and homosexual couples in non-traditional communion of life”. Behind this document is not the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) but the spirit of antichrist. It denies the authority of God and His laws. The authors have thus joined three religious organizations which are no longer Christian Churches but have become the harlot of antichrist and the spiritual Babylon. Your apostatical Church ranks among them.
“Marriage is a sacrament, but cohabitation of two men or two women is an abomination.
“The basic axiom of the time of antichrist is that evil must be accepted as good and promoted in positive terms.
“Homosexuality is evil and an abomination. Perversion and crime has become a fundamental principle not only in the world but even in the Church. Because You have changed the basic moral norms and broken God’s Commandments, You have separated Yourselves from Christ and from His Mystical Body, i.e. from His Church. Your name “Church of Christ” is now a mere mockery. You have been a Church of antichrist already for several years. You no longer have the saving faith since You rejected the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of repentance.
“In 1977, for the first time, You ordained a public lesbian as a pastor. This was followed by next ordinations of homosexuals and lesbians.
“In 1980, You officially approved ordination of active homosexuals.
“In 1991, You broke God’s laws and You give Your so-called blessing to antimarriages. This is public blasphemy against God and a public scandal among both Christians and non-Christians all over the world.
“God punishes homosexuality: “He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by reducing them to ashes as a warning to future sinners.” (2 Peter 2:6)
“Dear members of the United Church of Christ, we hereby call upon You to separate from the anti-shepherds who betrayed Christ. If You want to be saved from eternal condemnation in hell, be separated and come out of this Babylon. “Unless you repent, you will all perish!” (Luke 13:3)
“PROMULGATION OF ANATHEMA ON REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST:
“The Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate, by authority of the apostolic and prophetic office, in the name of the Triune God, promulgates before all Christians of the United States of America: The United Church of Christ is no Church of Christ but a harlot of antichrist. It is under God’s anathema – i.e. under a curse (Galatians 1:8-9).
“On behalf of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
“+ Elijah – Patriarch + Methodius - OSBMr + Timothy OSBMr
“Secretaries of the BCP
“Lvov (Ukraine), 7 July 2011”
+ Ukrainian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, 3 Sosnova St., Lvov -Bryukhovychi, 79491, Ukraine, 38-032-234-63-41, Fax: 38-032-234-63-41, byzcathpatriarchate@gmail.com
+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org
[2] Three Pennsylvania PCUSA Congregations Consider Leaving Denomination over Approval of Ordination of Homosexuals
A 20 July 2011 article by Melissa Nann Burke in the York Daily Record titled “Congregations Consider Leaving Presbytery” reports that three Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) churches in the Presbytery of Donegal, Guinston Presbyterian Church in Chanceford Township, Pennsylvania, Round Hill Presbyterian Church in East Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, and Kennett Square Presbyterian Church in Chester County, Pennsylvania, are in a series of conversations with presbytery officials about whether or not the congregations will leave the PCUSA over the lifting of the denomination’s explicit ban on homosexual ordination earlier this year.
Under a new departure policy drafted by the Presbytery of Donegal, congregations that are dismissed to another Reformed denomination pay the presbytery a lump sum based on the money the church would have contributed to the presbytery over three years according to the size of its membership.
Four other Presbytery of Donegal congregations have left the PCUSA since 2007.
+ York Daily Record, 1891 Loucks Road, York, Pennsylvania 17408, 717-771-2000, jem@ydr.com
+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005
+ Presbytery of Donegal, 1861 Charter Lane, Suite 125, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17605, 717-392-4035, Fax: 717-392-8922, erinch@donegalpby.com
[3] Belfast, Northern Ireland, Free Presbyterian Church Planning Unregistered Protest of LGBT Pride Parade
A 26 July 2011 article in the News Letter titled “Church on a Collision Course over Gay Parade” reports that the Sandown Free Presbyterian Church (SFPC) of eastern Belfast, Northern Ireland, plans to protest the 30 July 2011 Belfast Pride parade again this year, but this year without registering with the Parades Commission. The Parades Commission contends that an unregistered protest by SFPC would be illegal, while SFPC contends that the Parades Commission in 2010 ignored SFPC’s position and the commission officially stated that the parade was a great asset to the city of Belfast.
SFPC pastor the Rev. David McIlveen stated: “…it’s no longer profitable to go to the Parades Commission and that it’s a very uninviting place for Bible believers. I’ve communicated that to the commission.” McIlveen added that the SFPC message is not homophobic, but rather is “based on proclamation, a deeply held biblical belief”.
The Belfast Pride parade, in its 21st year, represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transvestite (LGBT) communities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
+ News Letter, Ground floor, Metro Building, 6-9 Donegall Square South, Belfast, BT1 5JA, Northern Ireland, 028-9089-7700, newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk
+ Free Presbyterian Church in Ireland, info@freepres.org
+ Parades Commission, Windsor House, 9-15 Bedford Street, Belfast, County Antrim BT2 7EL, Northern Ireland, 028-9089-5900, Fax: 028-9032-2988, Info@paradescommission.org
+ Belfast LGBT Centre, 1st Floor, 9 – 13 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2DX, Northern Ireland, 028-9089-0207, Fax: 028-9027-8654, chris@lovepr.co.uk
[4] Coral Ridge Ministries Becomes Truth in Action Ministries in July 2011
Coral Ridge Ministries became Truth in Action Ministries in July 2011, a transition implemented to aid the outreach as it seeks to advance biblical truth and equip believers to make a difference in their local communities.
The name, determined after more than a year of prayer, planning, consulting with outside organizations, and talking with ministry friends and supporters, was approved in 2010 by the Coral Ridge Ministries Board.
The new ministry name is "a means to reach more people and have a bigger impact on the culture by not just educating people on social issues and biblical worldview, but motivating and activating them to make a difference for the Kingdom," said Hector Padron, Executive Vice President of Truth in Action Ministries.
"We will continue to fulfill Dr. Kennedy's vision of presenting biblical truth in love and without compromise through the media," said Padron.
As part of the transition, "The Coral Ridge Hour" is now "Truth that Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy". In addition, the radio program is being changed from "Truths that Transform" to "Truth That Transforms" to align with the television program. The name of "Cross Examine", a weekly television program launched in 2010 and co-hosted by Dr. Del Tackett, will not change.
The newly renamed TV program, "Truth That Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy", will continue to present pulpit messages from Dr. Kennedy and insightful features on current moral and social concerns. Viewers will be treated to a fresh, more visually engaging opening to the program, which will continue to be hosted by Dr. Jerry Newcombe.
"Having had the privilege of co-authoring fourteen books with Dr. Kennedy, I am thrilled to be part of bringing his biblical and remarkably relevant messages to viewers nationwide each week," said Dr. Newcombe. "America is desperately in need of moral guidance from God's Word--and God's awesome solution to the dilemma of our sin in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Executive Vice President Hector Padron added that "Truth in Action Ministries will bring the truth of God's Word to today's generation in relevant and practical ways. It is our prayer and belief that God will do a great work through Truth in Action as we seek to transform our culture for Christ."
+ Truth in Action Ministries, Post Office Box 1920, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33302, 954-334-5330, Contact Page
[5] Kansas City, Missouri, Library Special Collections Receives Artifacts from
Italian Mission of Central Presbyterian Church
The Kansas City Library of Kansas City, Missouri, Special Collections recently received a donation of artifacts from the Italian Mission of Central Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)) that was established in 1908 to spread the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church to the Italians of Kansas City and to provide a community center for Italian families in need.
The donated materials include photographs, glass slides, sermons, personal papers, church registers, and correspondence.
Appointments to view the Italian Mission collection can be made by calling the Kansas City Library’s Missouri Valley Room at 816-701-3427.
+ Kansas City Library, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 816-701-3400, 816-701-3401, ask@kclibrary.org
+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005
[6] New Books and Other Publications
-- The Mighty Weakness of John Knox by Douglas Bond – US$12.80
+ Ligonier Ministries, 400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 407-333-4244, Fax: 407-333-4233
-----
-- Trust God, Keep the Faith: The Story of Guido de Bres by Bartha Hill – de Bres – US$9.95
-- The True Faith: A Commentary on Lord's Days 1 - 22 of the Heidelberg Catechism by S.G. De Graaf – US$19.95
+ Inheritance Publications, Box 154, Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0, Canada, 780-674-3949, Fax: 775-890-9118
-----
-- Creation on DVD from the 1-5 August 2011 Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (GPTS) Summer Institute - lectures by Dr. Jonathon Sarfati of Creation Ministries International and Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., president and professor at GPTS – US$49.99 prior to 5 August 2011, US$69.99 thereafter
+ Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 200 East Main Street, Post Office Box 690, Taylors, South Carolina, 29687, 864-322-2717, Fax: 864-322-2719, info@gpts.edu
-----
-- Christ and Civilization by John Robbins – US$5.00 CD audio book or MP3 download
+ The Trinity Foundation, Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692, 423-743-0199, Fax: 423-743-2005, tjtrinityfound@aol.com
[7] Family-Run Christian book Business in Scotland Seeks New North American Customers
Peter and Rachel Reynolds run their second-hand Christian book business from their home in the Scottish Highlands overlooking the sea water of the Dornoch Firth. Peter started the business nearly eleven years ago and it has always had strong U.S. sales, with very competitive shipping due to an international business contract with the British Post Office. But this year has seen somewhat of a downturn in U.S. sales. Peter says: “We don't know the exact reason why 2011 should be a bit different to the previous ten years, whether it is the economic situation in U.S. or the rise of electronic books or a combination of both. But we are certain that there are many more Christians in North America who would value our books but don't realise how easy it is to purchase from Scotland.”
In 2009 Peter and Rachel relocated from Dingwall, near Inverness, to Tain, 25 miles further north, because they needed more space for a growing family. Peter says: “I lived in this area for a few years as a child so in some ways it's like coming back home. We're only a few miles from the birthplace of the renowned John Murray, one of the first professors at Westminster Theological Seminary. And less than a hundred miles drive north is John O'Groats, where the road ends and apart from some small islands it's sea, sea, sea, all the way to the North Pole. By Canadian or Russian standards we should be very cold indeed in winter at this latitude, but because of all the warm water we get from the Americas via the Gulf Stream we rarely get lower than a few degrees below freezing.” But that's still a bit chilly for Rachel who hails from Santa Fe, Texas.
Besides their website, they offer a free weekly email of books newly catalogued. “A couple of our clients are currently supplying us with quite rare Scottish Reformed books. This kind of thing usually gets snapped up pretty quickly, so our customers around the world appreciate getting to know about it early through our weekly list. We also have some more ordinary evangelical and Reformed Christian books, but few of them are from mass-market authors Americans would find in their local Christian store.” As well as shipping individual books, they can accumulate book orders for more frequent customers over a period of a couple of months at a time in order to send a sizeable parcel at the best M-Bag rates, but even then this is always by air mail as nowadays the price using their postal contract is very little higher than that for surface mail, which is slow and occasionally unreliable.
Rachel and Peter have four young children, Abigail, Benjamin, Clement and Deborah. They sit under the ministry of Canadian former ARP pastor John van Eyk, whose congregation also includes some of the folk from nearby Reformed publishing house Christian Focus Publications.
+ Peter & Rachel Reynolds - Used and Rare Christian Books, 23 Jubilee Drive, Tain IV19 1LT, Scotland, 011-44-1862-893236, peter@peterreynoldsbooks.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
27 July 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
20 July 2011
Presbyterians Week Headlines
[1] The Fourth Amendment in Wonderland
[2] First Presbyterian Church of Mansfield, Ohio Votes to Leave PCUSA
[3] Presbyterian Lay Committee President and Executive Editor Lays Aside PCUSA Ordination as a Matter of Christian Principle
[4] Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, Presbyter Questions Exclusion of Polygamists from Holy Communion
[5] Presbyterian Church of Ghana Moderator in U.S. Radio Interview Offers Prophetic Warnings to Homosexuals
---
[1] The Fourth Amendment in Wonderland
As the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution metaphorically circles the drain in U.S. airports, and increasingly in train stations, bus stations, and on U.S. highways, the Mad Hatters and Queens of Hearts of the U.S. Transportation Security Agency (TSA) continue to perfect the arts of martinetism and passenger humiliation.
A 15 July 2011 article by Kashmir Hill in Forbes titled “Federal Court Rules That TSA ‘Naked Scans’ Are Constitutional” reports that the U.S. Circuit Court for Washington DC on 15 July 2011 ruled that the whole-body-imaging-scanners, a.k.a “Naked Scanners”, used by TSA agents in U.S. airports do not violate the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
A 13 July 2011 article in The Daily Mail titled “Mother ‘With Attitude’ Arrested after Refusing TSA Pat-Down of Daughter” reports that Andrea Fornella Abbott was arrested at the Nashville International Airport on 9 July 2011 after telling TSA agents she did not want her daughter to be ‘touched inappropriately’ or have her ‘crotch grabbed,’” nor that she wanted to have X-rayed naked pictures of her and her daughter taken by the whole-body-imaging-scanner.
A TSA agent told Ms. Abbott that the whole-body-imaging-scanner does not use X-rays and that: “ It is 10,000 times safer than your cell phone and uses the same type of radio waves as a sonogram.” [While some whole-body-imaging-scanners use backscatter X-rays to generate an image, most of the scanners currently in use at airports use MMW (millimeter [radio] wave) technology. A sonogram uses sound waves to generate an image.]
A 13 July 2011 article by Isabel Mascarenas of WTSP.com titled “New Port Richey Couple Says TSA Search Went Too Far” reports that when the wheelchair-bound Mr. Jason and Mrs. Jennifer Steitler went through TSA security at the Greater Rochester [New York] International Airport to board a flight back home to New Port Richey, Florida, Mr. Steitler said that the TSA agent “had me do a pushup in my chair, then got down into my inner thigh around my back side. It's the most thorough search [I've] had done in my life.” Steitler said of Mr. Steitler’s security search “She’s been using the phrase ‘search raped’ because it was that thorough. She says it was nearly to her crotch.”
Emails from the TSA sent to the Steitlers in response to their complaints about their molestation said, “We apologize for any insensitivity or inappropriate treatment you experienced during the screening process” and “We believe these security measures are necessary and appropriate for ensuring the security and confidence of all air travelers.”
And…an 18 July 2011 Fox News article titled “Woman Gropes TSA Agent's Breast at Security Checkpoint” reports that on 14 July 2011 at a security checkpoint at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, 61-year-old Yukari Miyamae grabbed the left breast of a female TSA agent, then squeezed and twisted the agent's breast with both hands.
Ms. Miyamae, who gave no explanation for her behavior, was arrested on a charge of sexual abuse and was jailed overnight before being released the following morning.
+ Forbes.com, 90 5th Avenue, New York, New York 10011, 212-366-8900, readers@forbes.com
+ The Daily Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, England, 020-7938-6000, news@dailymail.co.uk
+ WTSP.com, 11450 Gandy Blvd North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702, 727-577-1010, Fax 727-576-6924, Contact Form
+ Fox News, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, 888-369-4762, Fax: 212-462-6127, yourquestions@foxnews.com
+ U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington DC 20528, 202-282-8000, Contact Form
[2] First Presbyterian Church of Mansfield, Ohio Votes to Leave PCUSA
A 13 July 2011 article by Jami Kinton in the Mansfield News Journal titled “First Presbyterian Members in Mansfield Vote to Leave National Group” reports that in a congregational meeting held on 10 July 2011moderated by a member of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)’s Muskingum Valley Presbytery, eighty-seven percent of the 400 church members voted to leave the PCUSA and become an independent church.
A church elder explained that the church made the decision to leave the PCUSA because a majority of PCUSA pastors do not believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and that the new form of government that went into effect 11 July 2011 imposes a top-down authority upon the churches, giving each ascending church body (presbytery, synod, General Assembly) direct control of the bodies directly beneath.
+ Mansfield News Journal, 70 West Fourth Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903, 419-522-3311, Contact Form
+ Muskingum Valley Presbytery, 109 Stonecreek Road Northwest, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, 330-339-5515, Fax: 330-339-6225, shauna@MVPJourneyingwithJesus.org
+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005
[3] Presbyterian Lay Committee President and Executive Editor Lays Aside PCUSA Ordination as a Matter of Christian Principle
Carmen Fowler LaBerge, president of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and executive editor of its publications, announced 11 July 2011 that she had “humbly set aside [her] ordination as a matter of conscience before the Lord,” due to the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)’s “adoption of the new Form of Government and the elimination of all explicit standards of sexual behavior for church leaders.”
+ 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
[4] Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, Presbyter Questions Exclusion of Polygamists from Holy Communion
A 19 July 2011 Ghana News Agency article titled “Presbyter Questions the Exclusion of Polygamists from Holy Communion” reported that at the recently concluded meeting of the National Delegates Conference of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) in Ho, Ghana, Presbyter Simon N.K. Tette, President of the Presbyters Union of the EPCG, asked the leadership of the Church to reconsider the prohibition of polygamist members from taking Holy Communion.
Presbyter Tette stated: “Jesus Christ Himself who is the Head of the Church and instituted the Lord’s Supper decreed that a person should judge himself/herself before partaking in the Lord’s Supper but did not say any other person or Church must be the judge” and questioned the “integrity and morality of the Church” in admitting polygamists as members and demanding dues and other obligations from them while denying them access to salvation by banning them from partaking in the Lord’s Supper.
Tette referenced a declaration he attributed to Roman Pope Benedict XIV [XVI?] that reads: “Whenever a Church enacts legislation binding the lives of its people and this legislation is either not within the Word Of God or is Additional To It, then the Church is usurping the position of Christ as King of His Kingdom and Head of His Family-and that is a serious matter….The Church is there for gathering and perfecting of the souls in this life, to the end of the world.”
+ Ghana News Agency, Post Office Box 2118, Accra, Ghana, 233-0302-662381, Fax: 233-0302-669841, ghnews@ghana.com
+ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, Post Office Box HP 18, Ho - Volta Region, Ghana, +233-91-26755, Fax: +233-91-28275, Epchurch@Ghana.Com
+ The Vatican, Città del Vaticano, Rome, Italy, 39-6-69-88-35-11, Fax: 39-6-69-88-54-47, Contact Page
[5] Presbyterian Church of Ghana Moderator in U.S. Radio Interview Offers Prophetic Warnings to Homosexuals
A 13 July 2011 GhanaWeb article titled “Presbyterian Moderator Offers Prophetic Warnings To Homosexuals” reports that the Rt. Rev. Professor Emmanuel Martey, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), was interviewed by “Alpha and Omega Gospel” host Isaac Kofi Amissah 11 July 2011 on New York, New York’s Volta Power FM radio, where the Moderator spoke strongly “against the barbaric, taboo and sinful practice of homosexuality.”
When asked about calls from human rights activists to the government of Ghana to grant homosexual rights, Prof. Martey responded: “Not all rights are helpful to society. We are Christians and thus we must stand up against practices which are not in principle with the concepts of God' s teachings or which contradicts the Bible.” Martey spoke about Sodom and Gomorrah and quoted from Genesis chapters 18 and 19, Matthew 11:20-24, and 1 Timothy 1:10, before saying that he will continue “to educate homosexuals to help them transform their lives and repent. When good people keep quiet, evil people take over society.”
Martey warns homosexuals that if they do not repent, they will live to regret their decision because they themselves are aware that homosexuality is improper, satanic, evil, destructive, and depressing. Martey commented: “They are warned to repent because God strongly dislikes such acts and God will not hesitate to punish them if they do not repent.”
+ GhanaWeb, Poederooienstraat 66, 1106 CK Amsterdam, Netherlands, 31-207700126, Fax: 1-815-6429100, akoto@ghanaweb.com
+ Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Post Office Box GP 1800, Accra, Ghana, 233-21-662511, Fax: 233-21-665594, pcghg@yahoo.com
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
13 July 2011
Presbyterians Week Headlines
[1] Presbyterian Hospital in Australia Bans Abortion
[2] Biblical Witness Fellowship Summarizes Apostasies Apparent at United Church of Christ Synod 28 Held 1-5 July 2011 in Tampa, Florida
[3] UCC Synod 28 Speaker Says God’s Promises Are Revealed in the Torah, the Bible, and in the Qur’an
[4] New Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland Congregation Begins Meeting in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, on 10 July 2011
---
[1] Presbyterian Hospital in Australia Bans Abortion
A 6 July 2011 article in The Chronicle titled “St. Andrew's Bans Abortion” reports that at the 29 June 2011 meeting of the newly constituted board of St. Andrews Toowoomba Hospital (SATH) in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, a new policy was voted upon affirmatively that virtually bans abortions at the hospital. The only possible exception is “…where two specialist gynaecologists, in consultation with the medical director, deem that termination of a pregnancy is necessary to prevent life-threatening injury to the mother, and that the threat of injury is so imminent as to require intervention prior to the age of foetal viability….”
SATH is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland (PCQ). Two weeks ago, the PCQ dismissed the SATH board chairman and eight other governors for fear that the board was attempting to overturn PCQ influence on running SATH.
Subsequent to the 29 June 2011 SATH board meeting, a public letter from four Toowoomba obstetricians was published stating that women seeking abortions at SATH “…will be subjected to a significant increase in pain and stress by forcing them to seek treatment outside the Toowoomba private hospital system….We deeply regret the withdrawal of this essential service, however, we regard this as a minor issue when compared with the outrageous power abuse exercised by the [PCQ] when they dismissed the board of governors and replaced them with a carefully chosen group which they trust will obey their demands to sign a letter of compliance with church dogma.”
[Correction: Article “[5] Presbyterian Church of Australia Restricts Abortions at St. Andrews Hospital in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, to Only Mothers Facing Imminent Death” in the 29 June 2011 Presbyterians Week should have referenced the Presbyterian Church of Queensland instead of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.]
+ The Chronicle, 618 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia, 61-7-4690-9300, news@thechronicle.com.au
+ Presbyterian Church of Queensland, 35 Amelia Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4006, 07-3251-4100, Fax: 07-3852-1564, Contact Page
+ St. Andrews Toowoomba Hospital, c/o the Rev. Andrew M. Clarke, Chairman, Board of Governors, 280 North Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia 4350, 0412-993-902, minister@rest.org.au
[2] Biblical Witness Fellowship Summarizes Apostasies Apparent at United Church of Christ Synod 28 Held 1-5 July 2011 in Tampa, Florida
In conjunction with “Synod 28” of the United Church of Christ (UCC) held 1-5 July 2011in Tampa, Florida, the Biblical Witness Fellowship (BWF) published a summary of apostasies prevalent in the UCC that were on display during the synod meeting.
Synod 28’s “SAND” theme was explained by the UCC as “find[ing] itself in oasis and desert. Blessed with diversity of thought, vibrant life, and shifting sands, we [of the UCC] journey through challenging times seeking possibility, engaged in thoughtful and difficult conversations.”
BWF commented that “…as the UCC continues to sink slowly[,] we could only be mindful of the words of our Lord Jesus, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand. The rain came down and the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:26,27.”
BWF leader David Runnion-Bareford said, “This is indeed a powerful confession by the Synod of the UCC that, having rebelled against the word of God, is on sinking sand - with our members, churches, historic witness, and identity in Christ washing away before our eyes.”
On Synod 28’s passing an amendment to eliminate God the Father from Article 5, lines 9-10 of its constitution, Runnion-Bareford stated: “Rejecting God as Father in an age of fatherlessness is unthinkable. God acted toward us in amazing grace when He offered to be our Father through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ who offers us life in his name. This is not something we as humans made up in some other time. Rejecting our Father is act of arrogant rebellion in the name of cultural conformity that only further alienates members, churches, but more importantly God himself. We call the delegates to reject the change for God's sake.”
On Synod 28’s passing a resolution titled “Supporting International Human Rights Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” which seeks to promote the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual (LGBT) agenda in foreign cultures where such behavior is “legally, politically, socially, or even religiously” condemned, BWF stated that the “resolution will further jeopardize Christian witness particularly in Africa and Asia where Islamics use information as propaganda to compromise and persecute Christians on the grounds that they are advocates for sexual perversion. This resolution was submitted by the “Wider Church Ministries” of the UCC.”
On Synod 28’s passing a resolution titled “To Counter Actions of Hostility Against Islam and the Muslim Community” where during the resolution’s introduction, theologian Hans Kung was quoted as saying: “There will never be peace among the nations of the world until there is peace among the religions of the world,” BWF said “The conflict between Kung’s syncretism and the reality that “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow” is obvious. This resolution does not specifically say that Christianity is one way among many but it offers that impression and could be interpreted that way.”
On Synod 28’s passing a resolution titled: “The Right of LGBT Persons to Adopt and Raise Children,” BWF said that the resolution’s point was obvious.
And upon, by a four-to-one margin, Synod 28’s passing a resolution titled “A Resolution for Mindful and Faithful Eating,”
+ Biblical Witness Fellowship, c/o Clifford & Associates, 4150 Belden Village Street Northwest, Suite 601, Canton, Ohio 44718, areformer@aol.com
+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org
[3] UCC Synod 28 Speaker Says God’s Promises Are Revealed in the Torah, the Bible, and in the Qur’an
A 2 July 2011 article by Eric Anderson in Worldwide Faith News titled “UCC - Sammak: God's promises revealed in Torah, Bible, Qur’an” reports that Mohammed Sammak, Secretary General of Lebanon's Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, spoke at the United Church of Christ’s Synod 28 on 2 July 201, where he sought to correct what he characterized as misunderstandings about Islam among Christians. Sammak said that the Qur’an mentions the Bible twelve times, that the verses call upon the people of the Bible, Christians, to follow what God revealed to them in the Bible i.e., to be better Christians.
Sammak described a covenant dictated by the Prophet Mohammad after a meeting with a delegation of Christian leaders from Yemen that Mohammed intended to endure “until the end of time” and stated: “I protect and defend Christians and their churches,” and that the covenant made Christians full citizens entitled to full protection of their neighbors and rulers of the state, and included a formal tax exemption for churches and support for Christians charged with crimes as they resolved the accusations.
[Editor’s Note: Mr. Sammak seems to be unaware of the following Qur’an passages:
Chapter 5: 17 – 19; States Christians are infidels for believing Christ is the Son of God.
Chapter 5: 33; Cut off hands and feet, crucify, and banish those who stand against Islam.
Chapter 5: 51; Muslims forbidden to take Christians and Jews for friends.
Chapter 5: 72-75; Christians are infidels; for believing in Deity of Christ; Passage denies Holy Trinity,
Chapter 8: 12-15; Decapitate infidels; i.e., those who stand against Mohammad.
Chapter 9: 5, 6; Slay Idolaters
Chapter 33: 26, 27; Passage justifies the beheading of hundreds of Jewish men, enslavement of their wives and children, and the spoiling of their property.
Chapter 33: 61-62; God wants the murder of those who stand against Islam.
Chapter 47: 1-4; Kill those who do not believe in Mohammad
(ref: 15 September 2010 Presbyterians Week article “[7] Inconvenient Truths and Useful Idiocy”) ]
+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115
+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org
[4] New Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland Congregation Begins Meeting in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, on 10 July 2011
An 8 July 2011 article in the Stornoway Gazette titled “New Congregation To Meet in Stornoway” reports that a new congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland began 10 July 2011 conducting 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. services in the Coulnegrein meeting hall on Perceval Road in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.
The article states: “It is thought that many who will join the congregation have left the Free Church of Scotland due to the decisions made about the use of hymns and instruments in worship.”
+ Stornoway Gazette, 10 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS12XE, Scotland, 01851-702-687, newsdesk@stornowaygazette.co.uk
+ Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, c/o the Rev. Andrew Quigley, RPCS Clerk, Linden House, Westermavisbank Avenue, Airdrie, ML6 0HD Scotland, 01236-753971, SAndrewQ@aol.com
+ Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2LS, 0131-226-5286, Fax: 0131-220-0597, catherine@freechurchofscotland.org.uk
Thursday, July 7, 2011
6 July 2011
[Editor’s Note: This issue of Presbyterians Week is late because the editor, whose secular employment is that of an information technology administrator, spent the better part of the past few days and nights dealing with the consequences of the adage: “To err is human; to really foul things up you need a computer.”]
Presbyterians Week Headlines
[1] Christian Observer Highlights for July 2011
[4] Robert H. Schuller Voted Off Crystal Cathedral Board of Directors
---
[1] Christian Observer Highlights for July 2011
New articles for July 2011 in the Christian Observer include:
-- Freedom Depends On Moral Foundations – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – transcript of a 3 July 2011 radio broadcast where secular forces currently undermining morality and biblical tenets for encouraging morality are contrasted, and how the undermining of moral foundations endangers the freedom of the individual and the nation; and,
-- Calvinism or Pluralism In Education? by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – the effects of Calvinistic influences vs. pluralistic influences on public education;
Plus, regular features including weekly Sabbath School Lessons and Westminster Shorter Catechism lessons by Christian Observer Assistant Editor Dr. Robert LaMay, and Daily Devotionals by T.M. Moore, dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe.
.
+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 20110, christianobserver@christianobserver.org
[2] World Vision Beijing Office Pressures Shouwang Church Member Employee to Quit Job so that World Vision China Programs Will Not Be Affected
After the government of the Peoples Republic of China in April 2011 evicted the Shouwang Church from its leased meeting space, the church members began holding worship services outdoors in defiance of the Chinese government’s intention to shut down the church. One of the Shouwang Church members is Sister Xia Xiaoqiu, who additionally is an employee of the Beijing, China, office of World Vision.
The Beijing World Vision office is now pressuring Sister Xia Xiaoqiu to resign her position after telling Xiaoqiu that “…the problems of your personal faith affect our work and our organization’s development in China.”
A petition of support for the Shouwang Church is available at:
http://www.helpsw.org/p/helpshouwang.html
+ Betty Chu, Coordinator, Sign Petition for Shouwang, 202-695-4455, HelpShouwang@gmail.com
+ World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Dept. W, Federal Way, Washington 9806, 888-511-6592, info@worldvision.org
[3] Summer of Mercy 2.0 to Provide Prayerful and Public Witness at the Germantown, Maryland, Clinic of Late-term Abortionist Leroy Carhart
The Maryland Coalition for Life, Operation Rescue, the Christian Defense Coalition, and the local churches of Maryland, putting into practice Amos 5:15a “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate:”, are coordinating the ‘Summer of Mercy 2.0’, which will include between 30 July and 7 August 2011, nine days of prayer, rallies, teaching, worship, and public witness in Germantown, Maryland, at the office of late-term abortionist Leroy Carhart.
The ‘Summer of Mercy 2.0’ is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the ‘Summer of Mercy’ in Wichita, Kansas, where over 50,000 pro-life activists gathered in 1991 to cry out to God for an end to abortion.
The theme of the event in Germantown is: "Do you believe prayer and public witness can end abortion? We do!”
Michael Martelli, the Executive Director of the Maryland Coalition for Life, comments: “Leroy Carhart came to Maryland because it is one of the most pro-abortion and unregulated states in the country. Carhart has turned our great state into ‘Ground Zero’ in the battle for the lives of the next generation.
“We believe that the all-powerful and sovereign Creator of the Universe makes no mistakes, and will use ‘Summer of Mercy 2.0’ to end the barbaric practice of late-term abortion once and for all.”
Shady Grove Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church in America) Senior Pastor the Rev. Charles Bail, adds: “As a local pastor, we welcome the opportunity to stand for life in our community during ‘Summer of Mercy 2.0’. Our community needs to know that we truly love and care for pregnant women in crisis and that we will help them so they are not left to think their only alternative is to take the life of their own child.
“Our community needs to know that in the shadow of our nation's capitol the barbaric practice of late-term abortion is being performed. The Church cannot remain silent while seven month old viable children in their mother's wombs are being destroyed.
“I look forward to uniting with numerous churches in praying and pleading for the protection of children and standing for their basic right to life.”
A schedule of events for ‘Summer of Mercy 2.0’ is available here:
http://summerofmercy.com/events.html
+ Christian News Wire, 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20006, 202-546-0054, newsdesk@christiannewswire.com
+ Maryland Coalition for Life, 13230 Executive Park Terrace, Germantown, Maryland 20874, 410-775-6670, info@mdcoalitionforlife.com
+ Operation Rescue, Post Office Box 782888, Wichita, Kansas 67278, 800-705-1175, Fax: 916-244-2636, info@operationrescue.org
+ Christian Defense Coalition, Post Office Box 77168, Washington DC 20013, 202-547-1735, ChristianDefense@gmail.com
+ Presbyterian Church in America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 105, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043, 678-825-1000, Fax: 678-825-1001, ac@pcanet.org
[4] Robert H. Schuller Voted Off Crystal Cathedral Board of Directors
A 3 July 2011 article by Deepa Bharath in the Orange County Register titled “Schuller Ousted from Crystal Cathedral Board” reports that the Rev. Robert H. Schuller has been voted off the Crystal Cathedral (CC) (Reformed Church in America) board after trying to expand the size of the board to include other than paid CC staff members that hold a majority on the board.
Schuller’s son the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, who himself was ousted three years ago from the position of CC senior pastor, said that paid staff members dominating the board is a “serious conflict of interest”.
The CC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2010, owing US$7.5 million to unsecured creditors.
+ Orange County Register, 625 North Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92701, 877-469-7344, thorne@ocregister.com
+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org