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The
American Presbytery convened on February 19, 2007 via teleconference at 6:32
p.m. CST. Churches “present” consisted of Sheboygan and Janesville from
Wisconsin; representatives of the mission work in New London, Wisconsin,
Palm Bay, Florida and Paramaribo from Suriname.
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A
challenge was received from the floor with respect to the Manawa/New London
church status as a particular church. The church was seated at the time and
declared part of the quorum by the chair, with challenge (though not voted
because it was not the stated purpose of the meeting), but this decision was
reversed at the June 11-13, 2007 regular American Presbytery meeting (see
that short report) upon review of the minutes of this meeting.
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Roll Call
of members was taken, a declaration of Quorum was made. Discussion was
limited to CRPC delegates.
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Ruling
Elder Jerry Clay was elected as moderator.
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Teaching
Elder Frank Smith was elected as secretary.
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The short
report preparation was deferred till the June Presbytery meeting (now
completed).
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The
stated purpose of the meeting was to receive and act on the report of the
committee formed at the December 28, 2006 Special Presbytery meeting on the
status of the credentials of TE Justin Stodghill (resulting from his
resignation and the reasons leading up to it) and his on-going participation
in the Manawa/New London mission work. Additionally, some details with
respect to the next stated meeting in June were to be decided.
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The
report from the committee on Justin Stodghill’s credentials was received and
discussed and adopted with amendments. It was decided that Justin Stodghill
was to remain a member of the Janesville church until he was transferred to
a reputable exclusive psalmody denomination. He was to be allowed to
continue to serve on the Manawa/New London temporary session at the
discretion of the Janesville church. An exit report from the Janesville
church, as well as a letter from the American Presbytery, would be provided
upon transfer to the receiving church.
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The
subject for the papers to be presented and subsequent discussion established
at the last presbytery meeting was changed to the following subject: “to
write concerning the matter of the Regulative Principle of Worship and all
areas of allowed diversity within the CRPC and whether any allowed practice
within the scope of the CRPC constitution requires one to conclude that any
within the CRPC who oppose their position are committing sin.” Pastor Frank
Smith from the CRPC and Pastor John Pedersen (Sovereign Grace Church,
Gettysburg, PA) were to be the presenters.
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At the
request of the Sheboygan church, for the purpose of convenience of a
proposed licensure candidate, the location of the upcoming June presbytery
meeting was agreed upon by the Janesville, the convening church, to be in
Sheboygan. (This location was later changed back to Janesville when the
Sheboygan church brought forth its intent to withdraw and did not put forth
a candidate for licensure which was the sole reason for the location
change.)
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The
business being concluded, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m. CST,
February 19, 2007.
