NAPARC2000 Meets in Los Angeles

The “City of Angels” was host, Nov. 14-15, of the annual meeting of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC), a delegated gathering of representatives of Calvinistic. conservative. confessional churches. Member churches are the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP/35,000 members), the Christian Reformed Church (CRC/ 320,000), Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC/ 35,000), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC/ 24,000), the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA/ 240,000). the Reformed Church in the U.S. (RCLS/ 4,400) and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA/ 6,200). Observers were present from the Free Reformed Churches (FRCNA/3,500) and the United Reformed Churches (URCNA/17,000). The latter seceded from the CRC over the ordination of women to the ministry. The CRC is under suspension from NAPARC and faces expulsion in the near future.

Each church reported on developments over the past year, all except the (un changed) RCUS showing definite growth. The general feeling was one of thankful ness for tokens of the Lord’s blessing.

The Los Angeles meeting was hosted by the KAPC, which provided a beautiful banquet of Korean delicacies on the Tuesday evening and also an exceedingly able speaker, Dr. Steven Park. who gave a paper on C. S. Lewis’ reflections on prayer.

There were two principal items of business. The first was a series of presentations from each denomination, focusing on their distinctive beliefs and practices, with a view to clarifying the framework for achieving the goal of the council to promote the organic union of member churches. A three—man committee is to collate the findings so presenting the groundwork for future steps toward unity. The ARP, KAPC, OPC, PCA, and RPC hold to the (British) Westminster Standards, while the CRC and RCUS hold to the (Continental) Three Forms of Unity (Belgic confession, Heidelberg Catechism and Canons of Dordt. The smaller churches have tighter views on a number of matters: exclusive psalmody (RPC), exclusive male/head of family voting and confessional member ship (RCUS). Practical and cultural differences characterize each and every church. The KAPC, as a 22- year-old church of Korean immigrants, is faced with crucial decisions with respect to language and ethnicity. Humanly speaking, the prospects for a broad-based union are not good, hut we believe that nothing is too hard for the Lord.

The second major matter was a motion from the PCA General Assembly calling for the expulsion of the CRC. Voting on this was delayed until NA1ARC 2001 in Philadelphia, to permit the PCA to present formal grounds for this action and to allow member delegations time to consider their responses. The trigger for this was the 1995 CRC decision to allow access of women to all ecclesiastical offices. G. I. Williamson (OPC) pointed out that this change contradicted an explicit provision of Article XXX in the Belgic confession, and that it also rested on a unbiblical hermeneutic by which the CRC declared that opposing views on the subject were both warranted by Scripture. Impassioned pleas to depart from the motion, from veteran CRC conservative Peter Brouwer and from general secretary David Engelhard, fell on deaf ears.

The underlying question for NAPARC concerns the substantive reason for its existence. Recent years have been absorbed with membership questions. first over the admittance of the RCLS, which had been opposed by the two largest denominations (CRC and PCA). and then by the problems in the CRC. This has been a period of great difficulty, and it has had a dampening effect on the positive wider work of the council. The hope is that, once this comes to final resolution, the 20 or so Reformed denominations classed as “observers” will soon he moved to join and so transform NAPARC into a deliberative meeting place for those Reformed churches remaining uncompromisingly faithful to Scripture and the Confessions. It is hoped that this will engender a revival of the pattern of study conferences held in earlier years, and give renewed impetus to the Home Mission and Foreign Mission Consultations that meet separately on an annual basis.

Smaller matters reported at Los Angeles were further steps to establishing a web site anti the apportioning of funds for the publication of a Spanish translation of G. I. Williamsons highly regarded study of the Westminster confession.

The RPCNA delegation consisted of Gordon Keddie, John McFarland, Ken Orr, and Bruce Stewart. Don Duff (OPC) stepped down as secretary after 10 years service and was succeeded by Bruce Stewart. The 27th meeting of NA1ARC will be hosted in Philadelphia by the OPC on Nov. 13-14, 2001.

—Gordon Keddie

Geneva (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC Bruce Backensto, Pastor

The congregation ordained and installed elder Matt Filbert and deacons Paul Schaefer and Matt Thompson.

Both men and women were invited to a wedding shower for Josh Lamont and Emily Wing, and Chris Matthews and Colleen McCreacly. The women had a baby shower for Lisa and Doug Wilson.

Mary Lou Hemphill has been the subject of concerted prayer all year for medical needs for liver problems. She is now on radiation therapy and appreciates all the prayer support from caring friends.

Men’s prayer/fellowship breakfasts continue to meet monthly on Saturday mornings; and their Bible study on Thursday evenings. Women’s Bible study met twice during the year for 10- week sessions, led by Kim Backensto and Elaine Tweed. It was a good time for sharing deep feelings, problems, and realizing that each member is not the only imperfect person in the church. “Owe no man [or woman] anything but to love one another.” The women’s study on “Learning to be a Titus 2 Woman” was challenging anti helpful. The study on “James: Faith That Works” was practical. honest, soul-searching, and challenging in spiritual growth.

During the school year, there is a congregational fellowship dinner the first Sabbath of the month to encourage getting better acquainted with Geneva College students and other visitors.

Mid-week fellowship and prayer meets Wednesday evening, except for the January through March months when it is held at 1:30 p.m.

The Presbytery Youth Fellowship’s winter retreat was at Grace (State College, Pa.) RPC.

Many members went to the 90th birthday celebration of Caroline McCreacly. Old songs were sung, and she had happy visits with many relatives and friends.

Pastor Jeff Stivason, the winter communion assistant, preached on “Test of Faithfulness.”

Work day at the church had many helping hands for spring cleaning.

A Sabbath morning class for college age students began in February, with Matt Filbert leading.

Calvin Campaign Booster events were held each month to raise money for RP International Conference attendees. Events including the Y-2-Koffee House, a buffet dinner, musical program, movie night, and a drama night: “Macbush,” a Clinton/Bush political parody/Shakespeare slapstick written by Willard G. McMillan. A repeat performance by popular demand was given after a spaghetti dinner and dynamic speech by Robert L. Hemphill, International Conference Program Coordinator. The wonderful conference theme psalm, Psalm 16, with music by Bob Copeland, was sung.

Pastor Pruce was in Cyprus on behalf of the Foreign Mission Board. He got to “fish” for octopus while there and even to touch and eat it. The Lord let him “fish” for men, also, while octopus fishing, and the man eventually came to Christ. We rejoice in God’s power and grace.

A festive 90th birthday celebration for Jennie Park brought family and friends from near and far, and ;mich reminiscing. “The memory of that joyful day will linger on in my heart for the rest of my days,” Jennie said.

Presbyterial of the Alleghenies met at Geneva RPC this spring for a time of spiritual encouragement and Christian fellowship. Guest speaker and former member of First (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC, Dr. Socorro Woodbury, originally from Honduras. told her life story of God’s grace, in spite of many troubles.

Money raised at presbyterial was given for RP Seminary student expenses—unexpected, medical, and so on.

—Virginia McBurney, correspondent

Westminster, Colo., RPC Robert Hemphill, Pastor

After an enjoyable summer and international conference, Westminster RPC returned to kick off the fall quarter with a number of activities, ministries, and projects. Four support groups and Bible studies meet on a weekly basis around the area. The high school Sabbath school class is studying the hooks of Obadiah anti Jonah, in addition to viewing a new teen video series by R.C. Sproul on the holiness of God. The adult class is taking an in-depth look at the definition, role, and mission of a biblical church. After watching a disturbing video on the war and persecution in Sudan. the congregation collected blankets as a small way of alleviating the suffering there.

A new “Fourth Friday of the Month Program for Young Couples” began in late September. About 10 couples gathered for dinner, discussion, and fellowship. With an informal presentation by an older/mature couple on various topics of family life, this program provides an enjoyable way of mentoring our young families.

Kristi McDaniel and Christine Dobos co-lead the youth group this year. The youth meet on Sunday evenings before the evening service to study the hook of Revelation.

Two Friday mornings out of every month, about a dozen mothers are treated to a little break as they bring their preschool age children to the congregation’s Mother’s Day Out program. This program was a huge success last year and continues to have a tong waiting list. The children enjoy a morning of play, crafts, singing, and games.

Landscaping work has been completed on the church property as the congregation continues to raise money for a new building. This work includes the completion of the parking lot and lights; trees, shrubs, and sod; anti a new shed, sidewalk, and retaining wall.

An election was held in mid-October after a series of four evening lessons about the qualifications and duties of church officers. Don Willson has accepted the call of the congregation to become an elder.

Ken and Gina Klein organized a successful Reformation Day party held on Oct. 28 that included a meal, costume contest, scavenger hunt, anti a delightful game of “Pin the 95 Theses on the Door” The party culminated with the usual bonfire and an interesting anecdote on the life of Martin Luther by the pastor.

—Colleen Flowers, correspondent

RP Begins Term As State Senator

As reported in last month’s Covenctnter Witness, a Reformed Presbyterian from Winchester, Kan., was elected to the Kansas state senate on Nov. 7. Bob Lyon, a ruling elder in the Winchester RPC, was elected to his first term on a platform of “restoring moral responsibility to state government” (Leavenworth Times.

Mr. Lyon submitted the following statement to the Witness:

“I would like to thank everyone in the denomination for their interest anti prayers over the last several months. We pray for God’s protection, strength, and mercy, and that He would be pleased to use these earthen vessels, Please continue to pray for a reformation of government, such that Christ would be honored, and biblical law would he revered.

“I am assembling a group of email advisors to help as sist in developing public policy that is consistent with God’s Word. Anyone who is interested in being a part of that group, please feel free to e-mail me at <blyon55  hotmail .com>.”

College Hill. (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC

On Sabbath evening, Nov. 5, the Highlanders missionary society of the College Hilt congregation held their annual fall thankoffering service. Alicia Deibert, a junior accounting major at Geneva College and a member of the North Hills RPC, recounted her experience of serving on an RP Mission Team in Scotland this past summer. Alicia described several experiences that made a significant impression on her life by opening up for her a new appreciation for missions work in a hard bitten area largely immune to the impact of the gospel.

In November, at the request of the session, a team of ministers began leading the congregation through the pastoral epistles (1-2 Timothy and Titus) in the morning worship services. Members of the team are Dr. Norman Carson, Rev. Willard McMillan, Dr. Dean Smith. and Dr. Wayne Spear. Because the congregation continues to seek a pastor, messages of other ministers who may be invited to preach will take precedence over the series itself.

The annual congregational meeting of the College Hill RPC was held Nov. 15. At this time the congregation unanimously elected Leo Salgado as deacon. Mr. Salgado, a native of Columbia, was brought to faith in Christ through the ministry of Grace RPC in State College, Pa.. while he was a student at Penn State University Mr. Salgado will he interviewed by the session in the near future about his response to the congregation’s call upon him.

—Norman Carson, Correspondent

Cloughmills, N. Ireland, RPC

On Dec. 9, the Northern Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland met with the members and adherents of the Cloughmills RPC, together with a good number of other friends, to install Peter F. Jemphrey, B.Ed., B.D., as the first minister of the reorganized congregation. Rev. Jemphrey had been received as a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church at a prorenata meeting of the Synod on Nov. 22, 1999.

The installation service was led by Prof. W. D. J. McKay, moderator of Synod. Rev. Nigel Agnew read the Scripture from Romans 11:11-24 and 1 Peter 2:4-10. He preached on the facts of our being a people of God, and then stressed the privileges and responsibilities of God’s people as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a special people.

Prof. Norris Wilson gave an exposition of Reformed Presbyterianism, Rev. Wallace McCollum gave the historical narrative. Rev. Vincent McDonnell, moderator of presbytery, put the prescribed questions to Mr. Jemphrey and to the members and adherents of Cloughmills.

Prof. Edward Donnelly offered the installation prayer, and Mr. Jemphrey was then given the right hand of fellowship.

Rev. Harry Coulter gave the charge to minister and congregation, preaching from 1 Timothy 5:17-19. The minister is “ to rule well,” and the congregation is to count him “ worthy of double honor.” Prof. Hugh J. Blair led in the closing prayer and pronounced the benediction.

The members of Cloughmills, assisted by members of Kilraughts RPC, entertained the assembled gathering to a welcome tea. There followed a reception to welcome Pastor Peter Jemphrey, his wife Jenny, and their baby son Thomas. Mrs. Jemphrey was raised in the Drimbolg RPC.

—Samuel L. Reid, correspondent