[Note: this constitutes neither the official minutes nor an exhaustive report of all the actions of the Presbytery.]
First Presbytery met at New Sterling ARP. Moderator Rev. Phillip Mayberry constituted the meeting with prayer. New Sterling provided gracious hospitality for the delegates throughout the day. Numerous guests were introduced.
Student of Theology, Paul Chung, preached his senior sermon for the morning worship, after which the Lord’s Supper was observed by the court. Moderator Mayberry led the court in a season of prayer for needs in the presbytery.
The Moderator opened proceedings with old business. Minutes of the Summer 2022 stated meeting and the August 2, 2022 called meeting were approved.
Under old business, the moderator’s committee concerning sessional records presented a recommendation for a change to the Manual of Procedure for churches unable to submit their minutes electronically. The committee was then dismissed.
Several second readings to amend the Manual of Procedure as well as a first reading to remove the ARP Home Board committee were approved.
The court received the reports of the Program Committee, Treasurer and the Stated Clerk. The Treasurer has developed a shorter report that will be sent out in the Presbytery packet, and the full report of each month will go on the First Presbytery website, http://firstpresbyteryarp.org
The Stated Clerk distributed and received forms to gauge the receptivity of First Presbytery regarding Synod’s directive to discuss merging options with Grace and Virginia presbyteries.
The Synod overture to amend the Directory of Public Worship V.B.8.c(10) was presented for discussion. Voting on the overture will be taken up at the Spring Stated meeting.
From the recommendations of the Minister & His Work committee, Rev. Jeff Morrison was approved to be moderator for Mint Hill ARP, Rev. Alex Lott to be moderator for Pressly Memorial, Rev. Bob Wilson to be stated supply and moderator for Covenant Presbyterian at Millers Creek, and Rev. Anthony Pizzuti to be stated supply and moderator for Trinity Reformed Presbyterian.
Rev. Mark James was approved to labor out of bounds at RTS Global.
Just prior to lunch, Mrs. Susan Tanner gave a report to the presbytery from Central Services. Additionally, Rev. Darin Stone gave a presentation on his ministry, Ministry to State North Carolina, which is under the umbrella of the PCA Mission to North America agency.
Following lunch, the court reconvened with the hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy.
The Minister & His Work committee report was resumed after lunch. The higher levels of censure of Removal of Office and Excommunication (BOD 2.6.D, 4.9, 4.9.C-D) were imposed upon Scott Robar.
The session and pastor of Covenant Presbyterian at Millers Creek were ordered to reconcile in grace and love with the session and pastor of Covenant of Grace ARP in Grace Presbytery.
The Memorials Committee presented a motion to give thanks to New Sterling ARP for their hospitality.
From the Candidates and Examinations Committee report, several items were approved.
Mr. Joshua Feimster, Trenton Cleveland, and Austin Bollinger were all received as students of theology under care. The call from RTS to Rev. Mark James was approved.
From the Church Extension Committee report, funding was approved for RUF Queens and Rev. Josh Grimm, and Trinity Chapel Mission and Rev. Keith Ginn. ONA MEG grant applications from Living Hope Mission and Trinity Chapel Mission were approved to be recommended to the board of ONA.
The Christian Education Committee report was received as information.
The report of the Congregational Health Committee included reminders of the information and documents that the committee needs from each session of First Presbytery.
The Nominations Committee recommended Rev. Tim Watson to continue as Assistant Stated Clerk, Dr. Rob Roy McGregor III to continue as Parliamentarian, Mr. Butch Bigham to continue as Treasurer, and Mr. Jim Snyder to continue for one more year as Assistant Treasurer.
The committee was also empowered by Presbytery to fill several open unexpired slots on various standing committees.
The 2023 presbytery budget as recommended by the Treasurer was approved from the Stewardship and Finance Committee report.
The World Witness Committee report was voted by a 2/3 majority to be received and acted upon. Funds for 2023 were approved for Rev. Michael Cochran, Rev. Lee Shelnutt, and A.T. & Lauren Cason.
A motion from the floor passed “that the World Witness committee bring to the First Presbytery spring meeting a recommendation for ongoing support of missions in First Presbytery.”
The court was dismissed after announcements and the singing of the Psalm of Christian Unity at 2:55 PM.
The next stated meeting of First Presbytery will be on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Coddle Creek ARP Church.
First Presbytery of the ARP Synod 