Now
then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by
us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
2 Corinthians
5:20
Greg Loren Durand, also claims that Brian Schwertley tells falsehoods.
See his acticle by clicking here.
http://www.reformedonline.com/view/reformedonline/WPCUSresponsetoCRPC.htm
If you were referred here by clicking this URL
please see our reply at Schwertley
We
issue this WARNING,against the
church calling itself, the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Waupaca
Congregation,Brian
Schwertley and
the denomination calling itself, the Westminster Presbyterian
Church in the United States.
The
Purpose of this Website
The purpose of this website was,
and
remains, to expose Brian Schwertley and the leadership of the Manawa
Congregation, now known as the Westminster Presbyterian Church,
Waupaca Congregation, for their abuse of
ecclesiastical authority, unethical
behavior, and the pastoral conduct unbecoming of a true
Minister of the
Gospel. This website was created onlyafter all
private attempts to deal with these abuses and
conduct failed.and
the Covenanted Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manawa unlawfully and
improperly withdrew from The Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Unfortunately, recent
developments clearly indicate thatthere has been no
recognition of wrong doing and no repentance but a further hardening
of hearts. Therefore, we regrettably view Brian Schwertley as a
hireling and not a true minister of the Gospel and issue this WARNING
to
the people of God to stay away from these men and
the church calling itself the Westminster Presbyterian Church,
Waupaca Congregation.
"For
I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in
among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves
shall
men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after
them." Acts 20: 29-30.
Church
of Christ or Cult?
At
what point does a church stop being
a true Christian Church and become a Synagogue of Satan, WCF Chapter
25:5?
Is it
after a minister becomes a law unto
himself?
Is it
after a minister and elders reject a
higher court's rulings and authority?
Is it
after a minister and elders abuse
church authority?
Is it
after a minister and elders
unbiblically administer church discipline?
Is it
after a minister and elders refuse
to honor a request to transfer a family and instead excommunicates them
and there are no charges?
Is it
after a minister and elders bring
other fellow elders before them in a form of an inquisition?
Is it
after a minister makes derogatory
comments about another ministers daughter?
Is it
after a minister and elders split a
church, driving from it member families and long time visitors?
Is it
after a minister and elders leave a
church denomination illegally through deception?
Is it
after a minister and elders steal
$50,000 in church funds?
We
also find it prudent to issue a WARNING against the Westminster
Presbyterian Church in the United States since they have participated
in the covering, excusing, and glossing over of the sins of Brian
Schwertley and the elders of the Waupaca Congregation.
Can
it be believed that such men have any integrity? Christ said in
Matthew 7:20, “by their fruits you will know them”.
We believe their
actions truly reveal that there is not the heart of a shepherd in
these so called ministers of the Gospel? We ask again, does beating
and scattering the flock of God through church discipline,
ecclesiastical abuse, pride, arrogance, and rebellion in the
ministry, and lying to cover sins represent the Gospel ministry?
This WARNING is not made in anger
but out of urgency
and of concern for the many people that remain in that church and
denomination. We love and care about the sheep in the Waupaca church.
What
we have seen in the last one and one half years is deep division, the
destruction of many relationships and people's lives and we cannot
remain silent!
We
have many Documents, for
the responses to the above questions by the WPCUS.
History
The
problems of the Covenanted Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manawa,
Wisconsin And
Brian
Schwertley, not calling itself, Wesminster Presbyterian Church, Waupaca
congregation.
Let me introduce myself, I am Fredrick Edward Fleming and I
was
going to the Covenanted Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manawa,
Wisconsin. What I am trying to do is set forth the record of what
happened there. Because of the problems, my wife and I left that church
and are in the process of setting up a new church in Antigo, Wisconsin.
Antigo Presbyterian Church. www.antigopresbyterianchurch.org
When I was living in River Falls Wisconsin, I heard that Brian
Schwertley might be called to pastor the church. I had never met Brian,
however I had been in touch with some of his writings and heard him on
the Internet and was very encouraged to come to this church, if they
called Brian. I made several trips to Manawa, I also told my friends
about the calling of Brian. I believe it was about August of 2004 that
they finally installed Brian as pastor of the church. I made
arrangements to move from River Falls to Manawa.
I moved to Iola, Wisconsin, and lived there for a month and a half
starting in August. In October I purchased a small trailer and placed
it at Jim Brown's home. Jim Brown was one of the elders of
the
Manawa congregation. I lived in my trailer until April of 2005. At this
time, Brian was making the trip from Michigan to Wisconsin at first
about twice a month, then he began to do the trip every week. Because
Brian's family was in Michigan, he usually would spend the night at
someone's house in Wisconsin. Several times he spent the night at Jim
Brown's home.
Jim Brown and myself became very close friends and are still close
friends. His family was having some problems, and he and his wife and
their two daughters were working at solving the problems. However, one
of the most important things that the church does is to counsel the
members. Unfortunately, at around the same time that Brian was
installed, Brian made several inappropriate comments, which included a
previous church member, all of which offended Beverly Brown. These
comments were made in the Brown's home. There was also an
elder
of the church named Olev Tauts. Olev became an elder about
the
same time as Jim Brown had become an elder. Although I know many of the
details we do not need to go into them.
Now to continue, I was with Jim, during the entire time that Beverly
was gone.
At the same time my life took on a new meaning for I had met Dairalene,
and we soon knew that we wanted to get married. I had moved my trailer,
up close to Antigo and spent most of my time with Dee. We both together
began attending the church, we were happy there and had friends. On
October 3, 2005 we were married. Brian performed the ceremony and we
continued to attend. Things began to change at the church.
Brian
and Olev began to say that we needed to depart from the Presbytery.
There were comments that we needed to be in a totally Psalm singing
Presbytery. There were a lot of comments about how the other churches
in the denomination had interfered with the discipline of the Brown's.
However, I knew this was not true. I was still very much in touch with
Jim Brown and his wife Beverly. For one I knew that Jim had requested
that his membership be transferred to a different church. I had been
around when Brian was counseling Jim and knew that the counsel was not
good. Beverly had left and was out in New Mexico, and she was there for
about a month. Jim and Beverly wanted to work together at keeping their
marriage. I knew that Beverly had problems with Olev and Brian and the
Manawa session. I did not know how deep the problems were, but I had
been around enough to know that this marriage would never make it with
Brian and Olev doing the counseling.
It is my
understanding
that the Manawa Session did meet with the Brown's for the purposes of
knowing the progress of the reconciliation of their marriage, and for
Beverly and Brian to be reconciled. Though I do not know the details,
I am aware that Brain refused to acknowledge any wrong doing in
regards to personal matters between him and Beverly and any wrong
doing in regards to disciplinary procedures by the session.
Therefore, there was no reconciliation between Brian and Beverly.
Lastly, the progress made in the Brown's marriage was not acceptable
by Brian and the other elder, Olev Tauts. Without any explanation,
the Brown's were dropped from the membership roll the following
month. As for the Brown's, they currently they live together in
southeastern Wisconsin and their marriage continues to be be healed.
My wife and I were living in
Antigo Wisconsin, and still attending the
church. There was a time, about three weeks where for health issues we
did not attend. In November 12, 2005, I met with Jim at his home, (we
were working at getting things ready for him to sell his home). In the
course of things he asked me if I would be willing to talk with Frank
Smith, another pastor in the denomination. I agreed to call him. My
call to Frank Smith was very enlightening, he informed me that there
were problems developing with the Manawa congregation. He told me about
comments that had been made by Brian, about pastor Marty Waltho, words
which were very inflammatory. We discussed the aspect that the church
would be departing from the Presbytery. The words that were stated by
Brian were, " lying wicked Whore", this was in reference to Marty's
daughter. Such words may be used in a proper meaning, but being used
against the Father of the daughter were derogatory. A little bit later
Marty came over to Jim's House. Marty was able to confirm the
statements that Brian had made. He also told me why he was no longer
attending the church. Because of Brian and Oly handled the Brown
Family.
On Sunday, November 13, 2005 my wife and I attended church and were
informed that the session had decided to leave the denomination. That
was the last time that we attended the church. That night we contacted
some dear friends that were also going to the church. I spoke with the
husband and just asked if he would call Frank Smith. He told me that if
I was having a problem with what Brian had said, that I should go to
him. That was the only person in the church that I had discussed
anything about Brian and Olev and their decision to leave the
denomination.
On December 20, 2005, I went to Brian's home to return a set of tapes
and a stamp. The letter below details my conversation with
Brian
of which I sent to him. His response to my letter and my
subsequent response to his letter are also below. So far, I
have
received no further responses.
"December 20, 2005
Brian, today I came by your house to give you your stamp and those
tapes. I followed you down into the basement of your house where first
you and then I used your restroom.
After that we talked about your basement and your bookshelves and the
setting up of your office. At that time you asked me what I wanted to
say. I told you that when you decided to leave Presbytery, that's when
I stopped coming to church.
You made a comment to me that if Frank had said he was reforming the
Presbytery, it was a lie. I said that Frank hadn't said that to me. You
told me that you wouldn't be involved in a Presbytery, that was not
exclusive Psalm singing. You went on to say that the other ministers in
the Presbytery were not exclusive Psalm singers and that they wouldn't
become Psalm singers. You even stated that two other ministers
shouldn't even be ministers. You went on to say that Jim and Beverly,
lied to you. That Jim had said one thing and then changed his story.
That first it was Beverly's fault and after that it was his fault.
You claimed that there were false statements made in the minutes of
Presbytery.
You kept going on about the Presbytery that the documents of Presbytery
were formed by Wayne Setlack (sic) who was an adulterer. (I have to
ask, how you could become a part of this Presbytery, being as you
already knew its statements, and took an oath saying that you agreed
with them?) You also continued to lash out at the Orthodox Presbyterian
church. You spoke of Pastor Conrad and that they had not disciplined
him.
You also claimed that you are in a new Presbytery, and I don't see how
you can be in one, while you're still in this Presbytery.
In the entire time that I was there you did not have one word of
commendation to anyone.
For over a year I have been attending that church with you, you always
knew that I was under veteran's benefits, that I had a stroke. You have
never once raised the issue. However, you then said that I was under
welfare. Nothing about my disability. You even seemed to make reference
to my wife being under welfare. Dee has MS and receives SSI. You then
said that you regret marrying us. You also told me that I was to get my
stuff out of Olev's pole barn. You got all upset with me because I am
not a church member; however, you were quite willing to have me work
with you. Quite willing to go out and pass out tracts, and even talk
about me preaching at the retirement home. Now you say, that you "want
nothing to do with me." It was all so interesting that you were shaking
my hand just prior to dumping on me your statements about me. You also
said that no one else in the church was at all bothered by what you
said, about leaving the presbytery.
I believe I have correctly stated what you told me yesterday. If not,
please correct my statements and reply back to me. This document was
written using Dragon NaturallySpeaking program."
Brian's
response was, "In
response to your letter about our meeting, I have the following to say:
A.
Your letter is full of untruths and gross inaccuracies. Perhaps your thinking
ability has been affected by the stroke you had in the recent past. B.
You are not a member of this church. In fact, for a number of years you
have
not been a member of, nor under the authority of, any church. I urge you
to find a good reformed church and place yourself under godly authority
as
commanded by Scripture. C.
It is the assessment of the elders and also of others who know you that
you
are able to work in some capacity. 2 Thess. 3:10 "For even when we were
with
you, this we command you that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
D.
Further, it is has been reported that you have been gossiping and attempting
to disturb the peace of this church. 2 Thess. 3:11-12 "For we hear
that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all
but
are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord
Jesus Christ, that with quiteness they work, and eat their own bread." E.
You need to repent, and until you do, I ask that you refrain from speaking
to my family or others in the church. For
Christ's Crown and Covenant, Rev.
Brian Schwertley Pastor,
Covenanted Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manawa"
To which I replied,
"Brian, the response you have given is not acceptable. You
cannot
with
ad hominem attack, you must respond to the statements, you have 24
hours
to respond with the statements, or it will be taken as factual."
There was never a reply to this.
Because of the way that my meeting had been with Brian, I sent an
e-mail message to the Presbytery. On December 29, 2005 I attended the
Presbytery meeting in Janesville Wisconsin. I was there to make my
complaint to Presbytery about Brian statements. At Presbytery Brian and
Olev both agreed to meet with me and resolve the issues. Such meeting
has never taken place. After the morning session, and partway through
the afternoon session, Brian and Olev left the meeting over the
objections of the other Presbyters.
At Presbytery they formulated the charges against Brian, and I agreed
to be the process server for Presbytery. On January 1, 2006 Jim Brown
and myself attended the Manawa congregation. Jim wanted to participate
in communion and I was there to serve the papers upon Olev as the clerk
of the session. The following is a letter that was written after that
Sunday.
"Jim
& Beverly Brown
4833 Village Ct. #4
Nashotah, WI 53058
January 1, 2006
Dear Brethren of the CRPC,
I am writing to you to inform you of the most recent actions of Pastor
Brian Schwertley and Elder Olev Tauts of the Manawa Congregation.
After the decisions from presbytery on Thursday in regards to
myself
and Beverly (#4), and the freedom and right of any person to discuss
the matter of the Manawa Church leaving the CRPC (#8), I began already
as early as Friday to consider attending worship at the Manawa Church
this coming Lord's Day. With other things falling into place in regards
to personal business I had in the area, and after conferring with my
wife Saturday evening, I decided to go up to Manawa.
Before leaving Sunday morning Beverly and I prayed together. Two hours
later, I met Fred Fleming at St. Marks Lutheran Church parking lot
where he came into my van. We prayed together and left for the Union
Town Hall where the service was held.
The following is an account of what occurred at the Union Town Hall on
Sunday, January 1, 2006.
I.Our Arrival and Entrance
1.Fred and I arrived at church at 9:58 am just prior to the beginning
of the
worship service.
2.We walked in and we greeted a few people, and talked very briefly
with Richard Caplinger.
3.At that time and within my sight only a few feet from where Fred
& I were, Oly and Brian huddled together briefly.
II.The Back of the Church
1.Fred and I were asked to go to the back of the church (by the back
door) and we were escorted there by Brian and followed there by
Oly.
2.Brian spoke first. He told us that today was communion and that I was
not allowed to partake of the communion.
3.Fred and I both responded with what Presbytery had declared in
regards to my membership and privileges.
4.Brian told us that he did not agree with what presbytery had decided
and that if I wanted to bring him up on new charges to go ahead.
Besides that Brian stated that they had twenty days to respond to
presbytery. (I think he is confused about what the Congregational
Presbytery has twenty days to respond to).
5.He further said that both Fred and I were not allowed to speak in
regards to charges brought against him or about the church leaving the
denomination.
6.I told him that I had no intentions whatsoever of speaking about
charges but that according to presbytery that I could speak about the
church being pulled out of the denomination.
7.Oly then told me that in regards to the decisions of presbytery that
they were just suggestions.
8.Brian stated again the conditions for us staying, namely no communion
for me and the both of us remaining silent. If we violated what Brian
set forth we were told that we would be physically removed and that the
police would be called.
9.We argued again concerning presbytery's rulings about my standing in
the church and communion. Again, Brian said that I would not be allowed
to take communion. I then asked him if he would be taking communion
after slandering myself, my wife (calling us liars), Fred, Marty,
Frank, and other men in presbytery.
10.Brian then turned to Fred and told him twice to go get a job and
quoted Scripture.
III.The Physical Altercation
1.Because of Brian's obstinate behavior and refusal to follow what
presbytery had ruled on, Fred served Oly the papers from presbytery and
said very loudly to Oly, "I'm serving you with charges from presbytery
for Brian!"
2.Brian then told us that we were being removed out the back door. Fred
said he was going out the front door the way he came.
3.At that time, Brian became physical with Fred. Brian stepped in front
of Fred, grabbed him to prevent him from going out the front. In
response to Brian grabbing and restraining him, Fred pushed Brian out
of his way and went out the front door, with me following close behind.
IV.Outside of the Church
1.Fred and I went out the front door with Brian and Oly following us
out.
2.Brian was out only for a moment and was threatening to call the
police.
3.Alex Gulotta then opened the door and said to us all that we were
making a lot of noise and that it was the Lord's Day. I told Alex that
Brian and Oly provoked the entire situation. At that time Brian went in
with Alex.
4.Oly told me that this whole thing started when the Sheboygan church
stepped in.
5.I then told Oly that just so he and Brian knew that Frank, nor anyone
from presbytery asked me to come to Manawa for worship today. I told
Oly that I came here for worship. I showed him that I had my Bible,
notebook, and a church bulletin.
6.At some point Oly went in and appeared to be guarding the door. The
door maybe was locked because as two other families walked in he opened
the door for then.
7.There were a few more comments made in reference to coming back later
to talk and to arrange for Fred and I to meet on Monday at Oly's to
pick up the remainder of Fred's belongings.
8.Fred and I left at approximately 10:15 am.
This testimony is to the best of my memory and the memory of Fred
Fleming.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Brown, Fredrick Fleming
Manawa Congregation Antigo, WI"
The Charges against Brian Schertley
1. The American Presbytery hereby prefers the following charges against
Pastor Brian Schwertley in the congregational presbytery of the
Covenanted Reformed Presbyterian Church of Manawa:
a. violations of the fifth commandment ("It is required of superiors .
. . to love . . . their inferiors; . . . and by grave, wise, holy, and
exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God, honour to themselves, and
so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them", WLC #129;
"The sins of superiors are . . . provoking them [inferiors] to wrath;
or any way dishonouring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an
unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behaviour", WLC #130):
(1) a failure to follow proper procedure in disciplinary matters and a
failure to lead the church into a proper understanding of disciplinary
procedure;
(2) the intended erasure from the membership roll of a family that had
requested transfer to another CRPC congregation;
(3) prior to notice being given to that family of the intended erasure
from the roll and notification of their right to appeal, the public
declaration that that family had been erased from the roll;
(4) the refusal (despite numerous requests) to allow the head of that
family to have access to the tape recording of a congregational meeting
which he did not attend, but at which he and his wife were discussed
and during which the head of the family was allegedly slandered;
(5) the refusal (despite numerous requests) to allow the head of that
family to have access to the tape recording of a counseling session
between the family and the Session.
b. violations of the third commandment ("The sins forbidden in the
third commandment [include] . . . violation of our oaths and vows, if
lawful", WLC #113) and of the ninth commandment ("The duties required
in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth
between man and man, and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our
own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from heart, sincerely,
freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in
matters of judgment and justice, and all other things whatsoever . . .
[and] keeping of lawful promises", WLC #144; "The sins forbidden in the
ninth commandment are, . . . giving false evidence, . . . concealing
the truth, . . . [and] breach of lawful promises", WLC #145):
(1) willful disregard of and failure to abide by the denominational
standards which represents a failure to keep one's word (he took these
ordination vows: "Do you approve of and agree to uphold the government,
discipline and worship of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church as
contained in the Book of Church Government?"; "Do you acknowledge the
rightful authority of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, and do
you promise to perform your office faithfully in the same and to show
all proper regard for its laws and ordinances and all suitable
obedience to its government in the Lord?");
(2) at the November 1-2, 2005, meeting of the American Presbytery, Mr.
Schwertley was asked directly if there was any further matter of
significance from the Manawa congregation, and he at first declined to
indicate that the congregational presbytery was intending to take the
congregation out of the denomination, even though he knew that that
action had been taken by the Manawa congregational presbytery;
(3) at the December 29, 2005, meeting of the American Presbytery, he
stated that the oath which he took was not intended to be the oath
which we received, in that the oath he intended to take included
undisclosed exceptions;
(4) in his letter to the American Presbytery delivered on December 29,
2005, he made an untrue statement in that he stated that the Manawa
elders intended to bring up the matter of withdrawal under church
reports.
Witnesses and Evidence: Pastor Geoff Donnan, 13950 - 122nd Street,
Fellsmere, Florida 32948-6411; Elder Olev Tauts, E1575 Johnson Road,
Iola, Wisconsin 54945; Elder Jim Brown, 4833 Village Court, Apt. 4,
Nashotah, Wisconsin 53058; Richard and Susie Caplinger, W16283 County
Rd. Z, Birnamwood, Wisconsin 54414; Manawa Session minutes; forms
filled out by Mr. Schwertley when he applied for membership in the
CRPC; Elder Jim Brown, 4833 Village Court, Apt. 4, Nashotah, Wisconsin
53058; Pastor Martin Waltho, N8005 Nollenberg Road, Manawa, Wisconsin
54949; correspondence from Mr. Brown (March 6, August 6, September 18,
2005); Mr. Fred Fleming, 635 Dorr Street Antigo, Wisconsin 54409; tapes
which were supplied to the American Presbytery; tape of the December
18, 2005, meeting with Marty Waltho; tape of the December 29, 2005,
meeting; letter signed by Brian Schwertley from the Manawa
congregational presbytery to this meeting of the American Presbytery.
2. The American Presbytery of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church
hereby directs the congregational presbytery of the Covenanted Reformed
Presbyterian Church of Manawa that since that body as a whole has been
involved in the very matters aforementioned, the only appropriate
action for that congregational presbytery is to refer these charges to
another CRPC congregational presbytery or to the American Presbytery
itself (in accord with the spirit of DCD 6); and also hereby instructs
the congregational presbytery of the Covenanted Reformed Presbyterian
Church of Manawa to report within twenty (20) days as to what action it
has taken in the matter.
3. Pastor Frank J. Smith is hereby appointed to represent these charges
before the congregational presbytery of the Covenanted Reformed
Presbyterian Church of Manawa.
4. The American Presbytery hereby appoints a special judicial
commission (DCO 10:4), consisting of all members of the Sheboygan and
Janesville Sessions, with a quorum of any three, to adjudicate any and
all matters pertaining to Pastor Schwertley, including those that arise
from the action of the American Presbytery and those that may arise by
complaint; and further authorizes this commission to act to appeal all
appropriate matters for adjudication should the Manawa Session fail or
refuse to act according to the American Presbytery direction (DCD 4:2).
GROUNDS:
(1) Pastor Brian Schwertley was received by the Covenant Reformed
Presbyterian Church in June 2004, and affirmed that he had read and
would abide by the denominational standards.
(2) Mr. Schwertley was received upon his having read the documents and
having not voiced his significant objection to them at the time with
regard to matters of discipline.
(3) Furthermore, Mr. Schwertley voted in the affirmative to adopt the
new Constitution and the revised By-laws, both at the October 2004
meeting in Manassas, Virginia, and the January 2005 meeting in
Fellsmere, Florida, thereby reaffirming his favor of the documents
without contestation at those two meetings.
(4) It is apparent that there have been numerous instances over the
course of his ministry in the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church
that evidence that he has not only failed to adhere to those standards,
but indeed has willfully disregarded them and willfully treated his own
denomination with contempt.
(5) DCD 4:2 states: "Congregational presbytery shall receive from
regional presbytery all matters pertaining to the character, ethic, and
behavior in the credentials of a minister of the Word and shall become
the court of original jurisdiction in all such matters from that point
onward. If any matter pertaining to credentials was found to have been
willfully misrepresented to presbytery by such minister of the Word,
the presbytery will choose one of its members to represent a charge to
the congregational presbytery of that minister's church. If not
satisfied with the decision of that local court, the presbytery may
then, by its own appeal, bring the matter to the appellate level. . .
."
(6) The matters referenced above are serious and strike at the heart of
what it means to be a good presbyter, as well as what it means to be
pastoral.
(7) The American Presbytery hereby states that since these matters are
public in nature, and since Mr. Schwertley has not been repentant in
them, proceeding directly to the institution of judicial charges is
warrantable.
American Presbytery
Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church
November 2, 2005
The counsel of Presbytery about the Manawa Church desiding to leave the
denomination.
1. That the American Presbytery hereby counsels the Manawa
congregational presbytery that the earliest that a congregational
meeting (for the purpose of voting on withdrawal from the denomination)
can be held is February 12, 2006; that the call for such a meeting
should specify that the purpose is to vote on withdrawal from the
Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church and to consider any action that
may arise from any act or failure to act by the congregation; and that
should such a congregational meeting be called, it should be called for
a date and time that would be convenient for representatives of the
American Presbytery to be present (such as Sunday afternoon at 3 o'
clock).
2. That the American Presbytery hereby adopts a letter to the Manawa
congregational presbytery, in an effort to dissuade the Manawa elders
from continuing to pursue the withdrawal from the denomination; and
hereby instructs the Manawa congregational presbytery that should a
call for a congregational meeting (as delineated in #1above) be issued,
the letter to the Manawa congregational presbytery (along with a cover
letter as adopted) must accompany and be sent with said call to all of
the members of the congregation. Should the letter from the American
Presbytery not be circulated to all of the members of the congregation
in a timely fashion, the American Presbytery hereby declares that a
vote to withdraw taken at said congregational meeting would be null and
void. The American Presbytery also hereby authorizes the
representatives to add as an appendix to the letter to the
congregation, any additional documents that they deem appropriate.
3. For purposes of verification, the American Presbytery hereby
instructs the Manawa congregational presbytery to provide a list of all
members of the Manawa church, along with their addresses, email
addresses, and phone numbers, as well as copies of minutes of all
Session meetings held since June 2005.
4. That the American Presbytery hereby counsels the Manawa
congregational presbytery that the Jim Brown family and the Martin
Waltho family, having not been removed properly from the church rolls,
are members in good standing in the congregation, and are afforded all
privileges thereby. The American Presbytery hereby counsels the Manawa
elders that any effort on their part to state to the congregation or
members thereof that the Browns and Walthos are no longer members, or
to act in a manner inconsistent with the Brown and Waltho families
retaining membership in the Manawa church, will be regarded by the
American Presbytery as a breach of faith. Any attempt to remove from
Messrs. Brown or Waltho congregational franchise will render any vote
to withdraw from the denomination null and void (DCO 17:6).
5. That should the above-mentioned congregational meeting be held, and
should the motion to withdraw from the denomination fail, or be held to
be null and void, the American Presbytery hereby counsels that the
honorable action for the elders who supported withdrawal would be an
immediate resignation of church office. In such a case, should the
Manawa congregational presbytery cease to exist or to have a quorum,
the American Presbytery hereby appoints the members of the Sheboygan
congregational presbytery as an acting congregational presbytery for
the Manawa church or to assist any remaining elder (per DCD 6:1).
6. That the American Presbytery hereby instructs the Manawa
congregational presbytery that should the congregation withdraw
properly and legally, the congregational presbytery must provide a list
of members who wish to remain members of the Covenant Reformed
Presbyterian Church.
7. That the American Presbytery hereby instructs the Manawa
congregational presbytery that the Manawa church should reimburse the
American Presbytery representatives for their travel costs (DCO 27:4).
8. That the American Presbytery hereby counsels the Manawa
congregational presbytery that since the matter of withdrawing from the
denomination is a public matter, and is subject to debate and
discussion both within and outside of a congregational meeting, it is
entirely proper for members of the congregation and other interested
parties, to seek to persuade other members of the congregation with
respect to a vote on withdrawing from the denomination. Any such
efforts at persuasion, so long as they do not directly violate God's
law, are perfectly lawful, and any attempt by the Manawa elders, either
in their several or joint capacity, to thwart said discussion will be
viewed by the American Presbytery as a breach of faith. The resulting
chilling effect on free speech and liberty of conscience will be
regarded by the American Presbytery as creating such a hostile
atmosphere as to render any congregational vote to withdraw as null and
void.
The charges are still pending.
The
church in Manawa was pulled out of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian
Church in January, 2006, following secret meetings by its leaders and
the remaining few members. All of this was done improperly, and
without the knowledge or consent of families that objected to the
separation. These families have left including a pastor and an elder,
or should I say were pushed out, despite efforts and pleadings to
work things out and to be reconciled.
However, we plead with you Brian
to reconsider and please be reconciled to
God and to
the brothers in Christ Jesus.
