Fairview Presbyterian Church
March 20, 2016
 Review
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of Last Meeting Data
Essential Tenets
Trinity Presbytery
Questions
Straw Poll
Where to Find Information
Schedule of Future Meetings
2
 June
10, 1983, the Northern
Presbyterian Church (UPCUSA)
merged with the Southern
Presbyterian Church (PCUS) to
form the Presbyterian Church
(USA) – 3.1M members
 Plan
of Reunion allowed an
exemption option concerning
property sale and purchase –
Fairview exercised the option
in 1985 at a congregational
meeting
 1995
– A Higher Courts
Committee (HCC) was
appointed to review the
actions of 1995 General
Assembly and discuss per
capita requirements
 2006
– Session re-formed
Higher Courts Committee to
monitor denominational
developments due to concerns
about the PC(USA) trends
 The
Session has suspended
General Assembly per capita
contributions since 2011
 March 2013, the Session
reconstituted the HCC to
examine the actions of the
PC(USA) as a denomination and,
in particular, the General
Assembly as our governing body
 April
2015 – By a vote of the
majority of presbyteries (12148), the Book of Order of the
PC(USA) will be changed to
allow marriage as more than
between a man and woman
(Note: Trinity Presbytery voted no by a
vote of 47-70)
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June 8, 2015 – Trinity Presbytery was
notified via a hand delivered letter to the
Executive Presbyter that Fairview’s Session
had voted to enter the Presbytery’s
Discernment, Reconciliation and Dismissal
Process.
June 13, 2015 – Trinity Presbytery rescinded
the Discernment, Reconciliation and
Dismissal Process, without substitution
 February
28, 2016- First Town
Hall meeting was held to
present and explain Fairview’s
Discernment Process and the
timeline leading up to us
entering into it.

Review of Last Meeting Data
 Essential
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Tenets
Trinity Presbytery
Questions
Straw Poll
Where to Find Information
Schedule of Future Meetings
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THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST
SALVATION IN CHRIST ALONE
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
 What
do we believe about
this essential
foundational tenet?
 How
has the PCUSA
deviated?
◦“Interpretations of Scripture
are never once and for all,
but must be continually
renewed in the context of
changing circumstances.”
PC(USA) GA - 1982
◦“Scripture is only a reference
point to the Word of God, it’s
not the Word of God, you
know, capital W. It’s only a
reference point.”
Vice Moderator 219th PC(USA) GA 7/24/10
221st GA PC(USA) 2014 voted to allow
ministers and churches to perform
same-sex “marriage” ceremonies and
to change the definition of marriage.
◦“The Bible like all other books
are human products (what
else could they be?) and
should be read as such, as
opposed to special revelation
from a divine being.”
PC(USA) Pastor John Shuck
 What
does the Bible say?
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
and instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every
good work.
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 What
does the Bible say?
1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing,
because when you heard from us, you welcomed it
not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the
word of God which also effectively works in you
who believe.
 What
does the Bible say?
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth;
Your word is truth
What
do we believe
about this essential
tenet?
How has the PCUSA
deviated?
–In 2008, the General Assembly
encouraged common worship
between member of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam
– In 2012, the General Assembly
passed a resolution encouraging
participation in the “Words Matter”
project, which seeks to eradicate
words like “lord”, “lordship”, and
“king”, including the term “Lord” for
Jesus, as well as contrasts like
“light/dark” and terms like
“spiritual blindness”.
– “I believe that Jesus may have been
historical but most of the stories
about him in the Bible and
elsewhere are legends. But he’s
cool. He serves as a human ideal
and a focal point for devotion (like
an ishta deva, [a concept from
Hinduism])”.
– PC(USA) Pastor John Shuck
 What
does the Bible say?
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you
Satan! For it is written,’You shall worship
the Lord your God, and Him only you shall
serve.’”
 What
does the Bible say?
Philippians 2:9-11
9
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and
given Him the name which is above every name, 10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven and of those on earth, and of
those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue
should confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father
 What
does the Bible say?
1 John 1:5-6
5This
is the message which we have heard from
Him and declare to you, that God is light and in
Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have
fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie
and do not practice the truth
 What
do we believe about
this essential tenet?
 How
has the PCUSA
deviated?
–More than half of
Presbyterians surveyed reject
Jesus Christ as the only way
to Salvation
–Pastors (45%) and Specialized
Clergy (60%) disagree that “only
followers of Jesus Christ can be
saved.”
–Approximately 1 in 5 in both
categories answered “neutral” or
“not sure” making the totals
closer to 65% & 78% respectively
 What
does the Bible say?
John 14:4-6
And where I go you know, and the way you
know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do
not know where You are going, and how can
we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am
the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me.
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 What
does the Bible say?
Colossians 1:19-20
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the
fullness should dwell. 20 And by Him to reconcile
all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on
earth or things in heaven, having made peace
through the blood of the cross.
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 What
does the Bible say?
Acts 4:12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no
other name under heaven given among men by
which we must be saved.
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Review of Last Meeting Data
Essential Tenets
 Trinity
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
Presbytery
Questions
Straw Poll
Where to Find Information
Schedule of Future Meetings
34
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
Review of Last Meeting Data
Essential Tenets
Trinity Presbytery
 Questions



Straw Poll
Where to Find Information
Schedule of Future Meetings
35

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
Review of Last Meeting Data
Essential Tenets
Trinity Presbytery
Questions
 Straw
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Poll
Where to Find Information
Schedule of Future Meetings
36
 Should
Fairview Presbyterian
Church seek dismissal from the
PC(USA)?
Yes___ No___ Undecided___
Please place your ballot in the
basket on your table upon
completion.
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
Review of Last Meeting Data
Essential Tenets
Trinity Presbytery
Questions
Straw Poll

Schedule of Future Meetings




 Where
to Find Information
38
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
Review of Last Meeting Data
Essential Tenets
Trinity Presbytery
Questions
Straw Poll
Where to Find Information
 Schedule
of Future Meetings
41
 3rd
Town Hall Meeting
◦ Wednesday, April 20 at 6:30
PM
 Congregational Meeting
◦ (If Necessary)
◦ Sunday, May 22 (Time TBD)
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