wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Four nominated for stated clerk

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8315 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Four nominated for stated clerk
GA04024

Four nominated for stated clerk

Election to highest church office is scheduled for Friday morning

by Jerry Van Marter

RICHMOND, June 27 -- As expected, four candidates were nominated Sunday
afternoon for the office of stated clerk of the General Assembly, the
denomination's top-ranking ecclesiastical post.

The incumbent, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick was nominated by the Rev. Sandy
Peirce, the chair of the Stated Clerk Review and Nomination Committee. The
names of three others were placed in nomination - the Rev. Robert "Bob"
Davis, executive director of the Presbyterian Forum and associate pastor of
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Escondido, CA; the Rev. Linn "Rus" Howard,
pastor of Peters Creek Presbyterian Church in Venetia, PA; and Elder Alex
Metherell, a physician, inventor and engineer who is a member of St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA.

After a random drawing to determine the order of nominations, Metherell was
nominated first, by Elder Matthew Johnson of the Presbytery of the James.
Alluding to the book of Eccelesiastes, Johnson said the troubles now
assailing the Presbyterian Church (USA) "mean that this is the time and
season for a new stated clerk." At a time when the church is losing members
and defiance of the constitution is rampant, he said, "then it's the time and
season for a change."

Johnson said Metherell "will be guided first by scripture, then by the
confessions of the church, and then by the Book of Order. He said the
nominee, who tried and failed to force a special meeting of the General
Assembly last year to take up cases of alleged defiance of the constitution,
will defend our constitution, no matter what powers assail him."

Next, the Rev. Chris Scruggs of Memphis Presbytery nominated Davis, saying,
"Bob Davis has the talents and experience to meet the needs of the church
today and in the future."

Noting Davis's popularity as a speaker, Scruggs said Davis "is endorsed by
many, because he's been helpful to them." Agreeing with Johnson that the
PC(USA) is "in crisis," he contended that Davis should be elected "because of
two qualities: He's willing to face hard facts about our denomination, and he
provides leadership with a grass-roots vision for the future 3/4 equipping
the people of the church to do the work of the church."

Peirce described Kirkpatrick, who was first elected in 1996 and reelected in
2000, as "a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, a serious student of Reformed
theology and polity, and a compassionate pastor." She recounted some of
Kirkpatrick's travels around the world on behalf of the General Assembly,
saying: "When the General Assembly speaks, the stated clerk acts on its
behalf. Cliff knows and honors both the responsibilities and the limitations
of the office."

Peirce said Kirkpatrick is "known and respected in ecumenical circles around
the world" for his commitment to Jesus Christ and to ecumenism, adding, "I've
known Cliff Kirkpatrick for 13 years -- he's worthy of your trust."

Finally, the Rev. Rodney Baker of Great Rivers Presbytery spoke on Howard's
behalf. "Rus Howard has a prophet's love for the church," he said, "and he's
unwilling and unable to remain silent while the church flounders." The church
needs a new stated clerk, he said, because the church is threatened "by
shrinking membership, shrinking finances and persistent conflicts."

Echoing the tenets of the Confessing Church Movement, of which Howard is a
leader, Baker said Howard will promote the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the
only way to salvation, the Bible as the inspired, authoritative and
infallible word of God, and the gospel's call to "holy living." Howard, he
said, "will lead a new reformation according to the word of God, not cultural
accommodation."

The election is scheduled for Friday morning. Each candidate will address the
Assembly for up to five minutes, then all will take part in a one-hour
question-and-answer session before the voting.

This story and many others may have photos, media, video clips that can be
found at http://www.pcusa.org/ga216.htm.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to
pcusanews-subscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org or
pcusanews-unsubscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org

To contact the owner of the list, please send an email to
pcusanews-request@halak.pcusa.org