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Pastor's Note | Saturday, June 21st

5

A few weeks ago, we thought together about an event in Acts 15 where Paul and Barnabas separated in ministry because of a disagreement. Verses 36-41 read,

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Of course, no one desired such a disagreement – and yet, it allowed each leader to go their own way, continuing in ministry. As I wrote then,

We have no indication anywhere in the New Testament that either Paul or Barnabas disrespected the other, even after this disagreement. It has been written that their ‘division became multiplication.’

This past Sunday, June 15th, our congregation voted to recommend action by our Session on the Joint Solution approved by Los Ranchos Presbytery the previous Saturday, June 8th. This allowed the Session - made up of 15 elected Elders and 3 Pastors – to officially act on the Joint Solution.

The results of the congregational vote was 252 voting yes (encouraging our Session to approve the Joint Solution) and 6 voting no (encouraging the Session to reject the Joint Solution). Immediately following this congregational vote, the Session gathered in the Sanctuary for a called meeting, unanimously approving the Joint Solution.

In the coming days ahead, our Session will send a letter and check in the full amount of $240,000 to Los Ranchos Presbytery, notifying them of Session’s approval, and thereby requesting dismissal from the PC(USA) to ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. This is the culmination of nearly two years of discerning God’s will for Good Shepherd, and, many thanks are due to you, our congregation and our Session, as well as our Discernment and Congregational Representation teams. I am especially proud of the ways we have conducted our discernment and dismissal process without disrespecting or disparaging one another or Los Ranchos. If we have disrespected or disparaged one another, may we seek forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

There is a possibility that in the coming weeks a Pastor or Elder Commissioner from our Presbytery may file a “remedial case,” against the Presbytery’s approval of our Joint Solution, thereby nullifying our Session’s vote until the case is resolved. If that does occur it will be Los Ranchos Presbytery’s responsibility to defend its action to the Synod’s Permanent Judicial Commission, and we will remain a PC(USA) congregation until a resolution is reached. As difficult as those months of denominational limbo might be, I trust that we will continue rely upon God’s grace and peace.

While we look toward the future God has for Good Shepherd in ECO, it is my hope and prayer that this denominational division might become multiplication – that our separation might somehow be used by God to further the Kingdom! What’s more, I hope that we will continue to partner in mission with Los Ranchos churches, and that those in our church family who would prefer not disassociate with Los Ranchos might remain in our community of faith, helping us to work toward such relationships.

No matter what, may we continue honor one another and trust God’s leading in our lives!

Grace and Peace,
Curtis

5 Comments

A heartfelt summary of
GSPC's current situation as it stands. Thank you for the info.

Thank you to our Lord for our church, our pastors, and our discerment team. Together and with His blessings we will accomplish our goal.

Although I am not an official member yet, I want to express my thanks to all who worked diligently to bring this to fruition. It is so beautiful to see the leadership of the GSPC church to follow Christian principles regardless of the difficulties. I feel honored and blessed to know you, and again, my heartfelt thanks!
Catherine

Although I am not an official member yet, I want to express my thanks to all who worked diligently to bring this to fruition. It is so beautiful to see the leadership of the GSPC church to follow Christian principles regardless of the difficulties. I feel honored and blessed to know you, and again, my heartfelt thanks!
Catherine

Thanks for clearing up the remedial case issue. I didn't understand it last Sunday when Sue mentioned it could happen. Praying it doesn't!

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