MINUTES OF THE 152nd GENERAL SYNOD REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EVANGELICAL SYNOD HELD AT ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE ELIZABETHTOWN. PENNSYLVANIA MAY 24-30, 1974 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface to Synod Minutes. 3 Actions for Presbyteries 4 Minutes of the 152nd General Synod 5 Succession of Synods, Moderators, and Stated Clerks . 212 Statistics ............ 222 Directories of Synod Officers 237 Synod Agencies 237 Members of Agencies 238 Members of Service Committees. 239 Members of Special Committees. 241 Elders of Agencies and Committees. 242 Presbyteries, Churches, Ministers 245 I ndex to Ministers 283 Index 287 Psalm 133 . laside back cover PREFACE TO SYNOD MINUTES These minutes, according to action of Synod, are to be distributed free of charge to all ministers, elders, and deacons in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod. They are also available at a nominal charge to others who wish to have them from the Office of the Stated Clerk. It was indeed a joyful experience to participate in the Bicentennial Celebra­ tion, 1774 to 1974. These minutes are already longer than usual and one would wish to record many of the highlights of the celebration itself, but unfortunately time, space, and resources do not permit. Professor J. Barton Payne collected the names of past moderators and stated clerks, and it would be a pity not to keep that record. This we included on pages 212-221. Following the minutes of the Synod are the statistics for the calendar year 1973. A complete directory follows, which this year includes a list of elders who serve on various committees of Synod. When quoting Minutes of Synod, caution should be exercised as to whether the reports were merely received or if they have been adopted. In some cases, study papers have been assigned and they are the product of the particular committee unless the action stated by the minutes is that they were adopted as the position of the church. When they are sent to presbyteries for study, it still may not be considered the position of the church. May the Lord Jesus Christ, the Sovereign Head of His Church, be glorified and exalted through the publication of these minutes. -PRG 3 ACTIONS FOR PRESBYTERIES AND SESSIONS The 152nd General Synod sent down to presbyteries and sessions several matters for action, study, and discussion. Please note the following matters that need attention: A. Proposed Amendments to FOG Pages 82, 83, 145 B. Study papers presented at Synod: Abortion 168·178 Divorce and Remarriage 135·136 Gifts for Ordination . 202·205 C. Overtures-Responses and Actions 137·147 (Note special reminder, bottom page 144) (Note the general recommendation, page 147) D. Fraternal Relations reports 7.4-81,167·168 E. Selection of Synod Commissioners and Certification . 209 Hist~rical marker unveiled during bicentennial celebration at Pax tang, PA 4 MINUTES of the 152nd General Synod Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod Held at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa. The 152nd General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, EVa}­ gelical Synod was opened at 8 p.m.,- Dr. William S. Barker, retiring Moder­ ator, presiding. He introduced Dr. Morley J. Mays, President of Elizabeth­ town College, who- extended very cordial words of welcome to all. Dr. Franklin S. Dymess was called upon to lead in opening prayer. Rev. Edward A. Steele III read a portion of Scripture, prayed, and then led Synod in sing­ ing "Crown Him With Many Crowns." Psalm 106 was read responsively. Dr. Barker preached the sermon, "A People of the Cross," using the texts of Mark 10:45 and Galatians 2:20. After singing the hymn, "Oh Sacred Head Now Wounded," Mr. Steele read Luke 18:10-14. "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed" was sung after which Dr. Barker and Rev. Steele administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, administered by eight ruling elders. Synod then sang "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." An offering was received, followed by the singing of"Oh Could I Sing." Dr. Barker pronounced the Benediction. After a five minute recess, Synod proceeded to the election of a new Moderator. Dr. J. Barton Payne was nominated by Dr. W. Harold Mare. Dr. John M. L. Young was nominated by Dr. Franklin S. Dyrness, Sr. Dr. Robert G. Rayburn nominated Pastor Samuel S. Ward, and Dr. Richard W. Gray nominated Dr. R. Laird Harris. In a runoff between Mr. Ward and Dr. Harris, Mr. Ward was elected. Dr. Rayburn escorted the new Moderator to the chancel, and Dr. Barker turned over the gavel to him. On motion, Mr. Ward appointed Dr. Harris as Vice Moderator. Nominations being opened for the office of Stated Clerk, Rev. Donald J. MacNair nominated Dr. Paul R. Gilchrist who was then elected on a white ballot. Rev. James A. Smith was nominated by Rev. Lynden H. Stewart and he also was elected by a white ballot. The adjoutning prayer was offered by Dr. William S. Barker. SATURDAY MEETING May 25,1974 The Moderator, Rev. Samuel Ward, led a devotional prayer time at 8:10 a.m., reading from Psalm 62. Following a season of prayer, the Moderator constituted the meeting with prayer at 8:28 a.m. FORMATION OF THE ROLL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT AT FIRST BUSINESS MEETING: CALIFORNIA PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-J. Buckley, B. R. Short, J. D. Winscott Ruling Elders- R. M. Coie 5 DELMARVA PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-R. F. Auffarth, G. Blomquist, G. R. Bragdon, D. Cross, D. L. Gardner, A. L. Herries, D. J. Hoover, B. T. Hubbard, W. Kirwan, W. A. Mahlow Sr., N. K. Malkus, J. Senneker, R. G. Shafer, S. Smallman, F. Smick Jr., H. W. Stevens, R. P. Warren, H. G. Welbon, R. Wright, M. Youndt Ruling Elders- R. C. Chewning, J. A. Crumbaker, R. R. Doig, R. D. Gray, W. C. Hammell, D. G. Honeywell, J. H. Pattison, H. Sieling, W. G. Van­ noy, W. A. Walstrum FLORIDA PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-C. D. DePrine III, L. L. Donaldson, O. ,C. Harris, D. W. Hein, P. R. Palmer, F. Shepperson Jr.' " Ruling Elders-M. S. McDonough, H. F. Morse Sr., T. Sayres GREAT PLAINS PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-N. McCall, D. P. Peterson, R. A. Wildeman Sr. MIDWESTERN PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-R. Aeschliman, W. O. Armes, A. McD. Baldwin, W. S. Barker, J. W. Buswell, J. R. Caines, G. H. Clark, F. P. Crane, C. D. Darling, W. George, W. L. Gienapp, R. W. Graham, R. L. Harris, R. Hunt, D. C. Jones, J. P. Kern, D. H. Linden, J. M. MacGregor, D. J. MacNair, W. H. Mare, D. R. McDonough, E. A. Middelmann, A. F. MOginot Jr., J. B. Payne, M. Pett, R. G. Rayburn, R. L. Reymond, D. W. Robinson, R. Smallman, E. B. Smick, E. A. Steele III, R. W. Stewart, W. B. Wallis, D. M. Warren, R. W. Wildeman Jr., K. Wolf, R. C. Woodson. Ruling Elders-G. Baas, C. A. Darger, T. R. Elliott, J. D. Loeks Jr., E. A. MussIer, M. O. Peacock, G. D. Shaw, D. TerMaat, J. M. Wilson, E. Witmer NEW JERSEY PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-R. Craggs, F. L. Fiol, K. A. Homer, J. M. Kay Jr., J. Palmer, M. N. Parker, J. A. Smith, L. H. Stewart Ruling Elders-M. Frangipane, M. Scott, J. Stites NORTHEAST PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-S. R. Brown, E. R. Eckerson, R. Edmiston, B. E. Gordon, R. W. Gray, A. L. Kay, D. Ketchen, J. F. Pokrifka, G. W. Smith, J. L. Vance, M. A. Weiford PACIFIC NORTHWEST PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-W. L. Detlor, C. F. Gwin Jr., W. D. McColley, P. H. Morison, J. E. C. Shepherd PHILADELPHIA PRESBYTER Y Teaching Elders-E. Breen, W. J. Brooks, M. D. Brown, H. Burkhart, J. P. Clark Sr., F. S. Dyrness Sr., D. F. Fleece, J. S. Kiefer, E. Potoka, J. L. Ransom, W. Shannon, W. Siddons, F. R. Steele Ruling Elders-P. Goldsborough, P. Groff, R. J. Heerdt, C. Richardson, 6 R. P. Steffe, C. E. Troxell, J. H. VanVoorhis PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-R. L. Brinkley, C. L. Fritz, C. B. Holliday, D. R. Hop­ kins, H. E. Johnson, R. Raines, D. Rogers, R. Rowe, C. A. Stewart, J. C. Taylor, P. W. Taylor, T. E. Troxell, S. S. Ward, W. B. Wolfgang Ruling Elders-H. C. Harris, H. Nida, R. Titmus, W. L. Troup, C. L. Wink­ ler ROCKY MOUNTAIN PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-R. A. Case II, F. S. Dymess Jr., R. Kamrath, W. B. leo­ nard Jr., T. L. Nixon, J. C. Pickett, A. E. Scott, J. E. Singleton Ruling Elder-O. H. Black SOUTHEAST PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-W. H. Albany, D. Alexander, T. G. Cross, M. W. Evans, C. A. Lutz, S. Lyra Jr., G. Malkus, W. G. Mietling, R. Tevebaigh, H. B. Williamson Ruling Elders-T. E. Berch, G. Owen SOUTHERN PRESBYTERY Teaching Elders-P. H. Alexander, R. H. Cox, R. Dameron, S. B. Ford, C. F. Frett, P. R. Gilchrist, G. Miladin, R. L. Shaw, J. M. L. Young Ruling Elders-M. D. Barnes, J. P. Cummer, C. W. Donaldson, C. F. Edgar SOUTHWESTPRESBrTERY Teaching Elders-I'. H. Langford, K. Thurman, T. Waldecker Ruling Elders-C. Breeding, J. W. Cleary COMMISSIONERS PRESENT FOR PART OF SYNOD BUT NOT FOR FIRST OR LAST MEETING: CA-L. M. Barnes Jr. DMV-R. Weeber; Elders: W. J. Cross, V. H. Smick Sr., E. G. Wentling FL-R. G. Watson, T. Watson Jr.; Elders: L. Brown MW-A. P. Soltau; Elders: R. Dykema, R. L. Harbison, D. Laverell, A. C. Stoll NJ-Elders: J. C. Long PNW-L. Billiter PH-W. W. Blakely, W. F. Brauning, E. L. Fackler; Elders: R. H. Montgomery, F. Pletscher Jr. PI-D. Hicks; Elders: F. S.