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Questions Raised at the Town Hall Meetings That Can Only Be Answered by the FPCO Session

Posted: Dec 06, 2011Category: Announcements

How is FPCO reconciling with the call to be salt and light within the PCUSA if we leave?
Jesus’ command to be salt and light in Matthew 5 is a general command to bear witness to the world. Such witness can be born to the PCUSA regardless of whether we remain in or move out. Further, it states that if “salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer good for anything.” Salt can only lose its “saltiness” when it becomes diluted by a liquid. The Session believes our denomination has become diluted by our culture to the point of “losing our saltiness”, a condition that has led our Session to implement the dismissal process.
What concretely has the session determined to be positive outcomes and extensions of ministry to be engaged in a new denomination, which they feel has not been possible in their present connection?
There are several:
We will no longer be wasting time, energy and money in fighting battles over the doctrine of Scripture and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, battles that have been a ministry distraction for at least 33 years. This is the first and most primary positive outcome. We can focus again on the ministry of the church.

Second, we will be freed to invest that same time, energy and money in ministry that is clearly missional while being unencumbered by the current bureaucratic processes of the PCUSA.

Third, the minimalist structure offered by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and The Fellowship of Presbyterians (the two denominations in consideration) in which regional relationships are based on shared ministry and personal accountability rather than specific geography, lends itself to a more meaningful and effective ministry partnership.
Fourth, we value our relationship with the Presbyterian Church around the world as well as the global Christian Church, relationships that are presently distanced or disconnected from the PCUSA because of her recent decisions. We look forward to being part of a denomination where those global relationships can be restored and affirmed.

Fifth, we will be able to reclaim greater influence in theological education by funneling candidates to more conservative seminaries. We will be working to raise up a new generation of young, entrepreneurial leaders grounded in the historic Biblical and confessional standards of the Presbyterian Church.
What has been the rush to pursue this course? (Gracious dismissal)
This course of action is not a “rush”, but the result of slow, prayerful, deliberative process spanning 25 years. First Presbyterian Church of Orlando has been having this same conversation since the late 1980’s, and the actions of recent General Assemblies have only served to intensify those conversations. With each General Assembly action, our Session would pray and deliberate over the appropriate course of action, and each time stopped short of seeking dismissal. FPCO has also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in that same time span in order to support “renewal” organizations which hoped to change the PCUSA from within.

For the past seven years, the Session has appointed a Denominational Relations Committee for the express purpose of studying and understanding these issues. However, with the passage of Amendment 10-A, plus the growing number of pastoral candidates unwilling to affirm the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in our salvation and a looming fight over same-sex marriage, the Session decided the time had come to pursue dismissal.
Why is there a call for a vote of the congregation before the Orlando meeting of the Fellowship of Presbyterians since many objectives and alternatives are still unknown?
While a vote has not yet been called, we are moving in that direction because our Session does not wish to delay the process and further distract form our overall ministry. We believe we have two good options in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and The Fellowship of Presbyterians (the name of the denomination being created.)

People are weary of this process, the meetings and the references, and we believe they know what they want to do. It is time to move past this decision. After considering both options, we believe it is in the best interest of the congregation to move into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. More information will be mailed in the coming weeks with information about the EPC or go to www.epc.org.
What reading and meeting with leaders of the denomination at various levels of the denomination did each minister and member of the session do before voting to begin the process of dismissal?
Our Session has met with leaders of our Presbytery on several occasions, including four times in the past six months. The reading they have done has been focused in a variety of areas, mostly online through the PCUSA website, the Presbyterian Outlook, the Presbyterian Layman, The Covenant Network of Presbyterians, and More Light Presbyterians. The Denominational Relations Committee has had the primary responsibility for staying current on the reading and informing the Session as to any developments.

In addition, Dr. Swanson has met on three occasions with the national leaders of the General Assembly as well as 15 leaders representing the “left” side of the PCUSA, and he has reported on each of these meetings to our Session.
What are the philosophies of the The Fellowship of Presbyterians (the new denomination)?
While the new Presbyterian denomination is in the process of being formed, here are the DRAFT values and distinctives:

VALUES of The Fellowship of Presbyterians
• Because we are committed to healthy, Missional Congregations, we will resource congregations seeking to become more missional
- Regional conversations share best practices and address common challenges for congregations of all sizes and settings
- National Gatherings celebrate/equip/inspire leaders if congregations who attempt to expand the work of the Kingdom)
• Because we value Leadership, now and in the future, we are committed to new paths for ministry preparation—theologically, relationally, and practically, along with new possibilities for ordination and leadership
• Because we Grow through Relationships, we will require each congregation to be involved in a network (not necessarily geographical) for mutual accountability and encouragement. Each pastor will be in relationship with peers, mentors or those they are encouraging.
• Because we believe that as fallen people, all of us need Support and Correction, we will offer mediation to pastors and congregations in distress upon request.
• Because we value the ministry of the Global Church, we will pursue partnerships with Jesus’s followers in and beyond the Reformed Tradition around the world, and look for opportunities for joint ministry and mutual growth in Christ.

DISTINCTIVES of The Fellowship of Presbyterians
The Essential expression of our service to Christ is communities of faith/congregations, rather than intermediate structures (i.e. denominations and associations), which are created to enrich and connect the ministry of congregations
• We are bound by a Centered Set of beliefs and commitments, rather than a rigidly defined border, and rejoice in the variety of expressions ministry will find• Our association is voluntary submission to a Covenant, gladly agreed upon and joyfully supported with resources, time and relationship
• Property will be the stewardship of the congregation
• Ministry Networks will be the primary expression of our connection, offering both support and accountability. We look forward to creating environments to regularly report on our ministry to one another, humbly learning from our peers
• The new reformed body will continue to nurture gifted, educated ordained leaders, through a process that encourages theological training connected to ongoing ministry (mentoring / discernment of gifts). At the same time, we desire to become more catalytic, entrepreneurial, and affirming of the gifts of leadership. Congregations will have the responsibility of discerning leadership in their context, apart from traditional ordination processes. This may be the creation of a new office of leadership, still to be determined)
• Congregations will demonstrate that they are fairly compensating all employees, whether through continued access to the BOP or other avenues
• Congregations will apply for membership, to be reviewed (in the opening phase by a Task Force reporting to the Board of Directors, by Ministry Networks as they are established)
• In any structure, voting by pastors will be limited to those in called positions responsible to a Session. Voice without vote will be offered to pastors serving in specialized calls and retired clergy.
• While asserting a distinct identity, the new reformed body desires to maintain gracious relationships to our sisters and brothers in the PC(USA), within and beyond the Fellowship of Presbyterians. We desire the mutual encouragement of the Body of Christ as we look for partners in Christ’s Church around the world.
Is this the first step toward becoming non-denominational?
NO. We have no desire to be non-denominational. We are a Presbyterian Church and value the distinctives of our Reformed heritage, especially the connectional nature of the Body of Christ.
Which of the four tiers is our session considering? (A reference to the Fellowship of Presbyterians)
As of October 1, the General Assembly office had eliminated Tiers 2 and 3 as potential solutions by ruling that both would require changes to the Book of Order. Overtures are being written to try to effect that change, but that will only be known in time. Thus, Tier 4 is our current path, looking to either be a Union church (belonging to two Presbyterian denominations at the same time) or to be dismissed to another Presbyterian denomination.
Is FPCO rushing to this decision because we are not confident of keeping the property?
No. As stated above, there has been no rush. Property has not been a concern in this process. The Presbytery’s Resolution Team has stated clearly, on more than one occasion, their desire to avoid conflicts over the disposition of property. Their hope, and ours, is that the majority would be dismissed with the property in order to continue serving Christ in this location. Provision will also be made by the majority to care for those who may chose to remain in the PCUSA, including providing space for them to worship and pastoral care until such time as they choose to join another PCUSA body.
What will be the status of various confessions in the new denomination (The Fellowship of Presbyterians)?
The Fellowship of Presbyterians is in the process of considering which Confessions to include in its Book of Confessions, but there will be far fewer than the current PCUSA Confessions. The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Heidelberg Catechism and the Second Helvetic Confession are those most likely to be included, but no more than those three.
What will be the timeline for making a final decision? Will there be more town hall meetings later in the process but before the final vote?
The timeline has not been determined as yet, but the next step will be for the Session to make a recommendation to the Resolution Team that a congregational meeting be called for the purpose of voting on dismissal. Given the outcomes of the seven Town Hall meetings, and the repeated nature of many comments, further meetings do not appear to be necessary. The Resolution Team will take the Session’s recommendation to the Committee on Ministry, and should they concur, a meeting will be called mostly likely in early January. Should a 2/3 majority vote for dismissal, that decision would then be taken to the Presbytery for final vote at their February meeting.
Where can we get more information on other Presbyterian brands that are being considered?
The Fellowship of Presbyterians www.fellowship-pres.org
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church www.epc.org
What is the status of The Fellowship of Presbyterians Dr. Swanson talks about forming?
The Fellowship of Presbyterians will hold a “Covenanting Convention” in Orlando January 18-20, 2012 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel. At that time, churches will be asked to commit to join The Fellowship of Presbyterians, and then indicate whether they plan to remain in the PCUSA or depart. If they chose departure, then they will begin the process of being dismissed to the new denomination, also of the same name. The new Presbyterian denomination will be fully constituted in January, with its Constitution, Confessions, and Statement of Faith being ratified by those in attendance. The new Presbyterian denomination will then be ready to receive churches pending being received into the World Council of Reformed Churches.
Has the property of FPCO ever been used to perform a same sex marriage?
NO.
Is there a way that we can welcome practicing homosexuals (or non-practicing) in our worship services? I am in favor of dismissal but would like to think we welcome the above but do not want them as leaders.
Any and all persons are welcomed to worship with us at any time. Dr. Swanson has built relationships with several young gay men in our community, as has Dr. Thorp, and they attend worship from time to time. Dr. Swanson has met with them on a regular basis for the purpose of friendship and theological discussion. We are all sinners saved by grace, and thus no one would ever be precluded from being in worship.

Further, FPCO has supported the ministry of One by One, a Presbyterian ministry which reaches out to those who struggle with same-sex attraction.
A question for the session is: “You have communicated why we should leave but not where we are going and what the doctrines of the new denomination will be. When will we know that?
Some of this has been answered in previous questions. The doctrines of both the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and The Fellowship of Presbyterians are in line with the Statement of Faith of First Presbyterian Church, Orlando and would be a natural fit. More information will be forthcoming nearer to the actual vote, but suffice it to say that both are firmly Reformed, uphold the Authority of Scripture, the Sovereignty of God, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the call to make disciples.
What is the cost in time, money and staff to pursue dismissal?
The cost in money has been limited to Dr. Swanson’s travel for the aforementioned national meetings. The cost in time spent by staff has been significant, mainly because of the efforts of Dr. Swanson to help create The Fellowship of Presbyterians and Rev. Knight to serve on the Resolution Team.
If someone has prepaid and reserved a cremation space in the Columbarium Garden at FPCO and the dismissal is successful, will the new church refund the money on request and void the reservation made with the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, (PCUSA) as the new church may change in name and denomination?
Anyone who does not wish to be buried in the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church, should she choose to join another Presbyterian denomination, will receive a refund of the original amount paid upon request.