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GA04024 |
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Four nominated for stated clerk
Election to highest church office is scheduled for Friday morning |
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by Jerry Van Marter |
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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. |
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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. |
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Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick |
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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." |
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Elder Alex Metherell |
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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." |
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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 — equipping the people of the church to do the work of the church." |
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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."
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Rev. Robert "Bob" Davis |
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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." |
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Rev. Linn W. Rus Howard |
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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. |
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