OPC Assembly

[Glenn Ferrell]

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly convenes Wednesday, May 27th, at Kuyper College in Grand Rapids. It meets until noon, Wednesday, June 3rd, unless business is finished early. Pray for the commissioners and the work of Christ’s Church, or that part of it over which they exercise jurisdiction.

If any of you visit the Assembly, look me up and say hello.

 

[jawyman]

See you there and I will being for the work of Christ's church.

 

[Edward]

 

[Knoxienne]

 

[PresbyDane]

 

[GTMOPC]

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

 

[Berean]

 

[ExGentibus]

The thought that somewhere in the world there are faithful churches that uphold the reformed confessions is of great comfort to me.
I will be praying for their work.

 

[jwithnell]

Could you keep us posted on the new Directory for Public Worship?

 

[Romans922]

Let me help JWithnell. They won't approve it yet.

Someone told me while candidating for an OPC pastorate that some people take pride in the fact that the denomination has spent so long on the Directory of Worship, as if it will make it better.

 

[Oecolampadius]

Let me help JWithnell. They won't approve it yet.

Someone told me while candidating for an OPC pastorate that some people take pride in the fact that the denomination has spent so long on the Directory of Worship, as if it will make it better.

That for me is disappointing. I have read a portion of the proposed version and I believe that the proposed revisions are very much needed.

 

[Mushroom]

Grand Rapids, MI? What, you guys don't want to go see the Mouse like your PCA brethren?

M-I-C-K-E-Y... Oops! nevermind.

May God bless your assembly.

 

[Josiah]

Let me help JWithnell. They won't approve it yet.

Someone told me while candidating for an OPC pastorate that some people take pride in the fact that the denomination has spent so long on the Directory of Worship, as if it will make it better.

That for me is disappointing. I have read a portion of the proposed version and I believe that the proposed revisions are very much needed.

I think it is good to take time and being careful in the revision, but In other words, why it should take this long. after seeing the APRV I am convinced that it is a good revision and appreciate that it clarifies and tightens the screws on what we believe.

(FYI the June 2009 Issue of New Horizons looks at the APRV from two perspectives, for and against.)

 

[OPC'n]

 

[ADKing]

You can follow the progress through periodic updates here: 2009 General Assembly Report

 

[jwithnell]

I"m just somewhat confused by a majority report from back in the 90s that tried to make leadership in worship more inclusive. I'm hoping (when?) if they approve a new directory it will bring clarity to this point.

 

[Glenn Ferrell]

Great reports from the fraternal delegates from the

BPC
ARP
EPCE&W
FCC, and
URCNA

today.

This is always one of the best things about GA. Reports from fraternal delegates are interspersed between other business.

Mostly reports from programs today, Christian Ed, Home Missions, Foreign Missions, etc.

There is probably no major obstacle to the Proposed Revision of the DPW being adopted and sent to the presbyteries this year. We've scheduled a full day for its consideration.

We have three appeals or complaints to deal with. That could eat up a day or more.

Committee meetings and program reports behind us, the real debatable stuff will start tomorrow, Saturday.

 

[Marrow Man]

Glenn, who was the ARP representative?

Update: Oops, nevermind, I see from Adam's link above that it was Ben Dowling.

 

[Glenn Ferrell]

I"m just somewhat confused by a majority report from back in the 90s that tried to make leadership in worship more inclusive. I'm hoping (when?) if they approve a new directory it will bring clarity to this point.

None of those reports were officially adopted. There were actually three different reports. I don't think the Proposed Revised Directory changes much regarding worship leadership. It still takes a three office view, with ordained men leading worship. There is nothing like women or non ordained persons taking a public leadership role in OPC worship that I know of.

-----Added 5/29/2009 at 11:48:31 EST-----

Glenn, who was the ARP representative?

Update: Oops, nevermind, I see from Adam's link above that it was Ben Dowling.

I'd need to check my notes for the name. He was from one of the Carolina's, a man without call currently; but has supplied an OP church recently. Oh yes, checking, it was the Rev. Benjamin W. Dowling III.

 

[Marrow Man]

Yes, I saw (corrected my post above) that it was Ben Dowling.

 

[Glenn Ferrell]

GA in recess for the Lord's Day. Will do the PRDPW Monday; appeals and complaints afterwards.

I hope to worship with the RPCNA congregation in Grand Rapids for the morning service, and the FRC in the evening.

 

[Glenn Ferrell]

The Proposed Revised DPW was approved for sending to the presbyteries for ratification.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

Can you tell us what that means?

By the way if you see Terry F. Thole tell him I said hi!

 

[Oecolampadius]

The Proposed Revised DPW was approved for sending to the presbyteries for ratification.

Thanks for sharing the good news!

 

[Glenn Ferrell]

Can you tell us what that means?.

A new Directory of Public Worship has been approved for submitting to presbyteries for their ratification. The DPW is part of the Book of Church Order, which also contains the Form of Goverment and Book of Discipline. With the confessional standards and the Bible, these documents make up the constitution of the church. A majority of presbyteries must approve the proposed directory for it to become official. As there are 16 OPC presbyteries, that means 9 must approve before next year's GA.

Today, we worked through the appeals and complaints, extending the last session until 10:15 PM.

There is still a "humble petition" to President Obama concerning the proposed changes in the UCMJ to allow practicing homosexuals in the military. The proposed petition itself is controversal in the OPC GA, because some believe it is contrary to the "spirituality of the church." This does not include myself.

GA is suppose to end at noon tomorrow.

 

[bookslover]

As there are 16 OPC presbyteries, that means 9must approve before next year's GA.

And, there's no guarantee that it will happen in one year. It could take 2 or 3 years to get the requisite number of presbyteries to agree. Not because there's necessarily anything wrong with the new document, but just because many people will want to be careful and consider long and hard before making up their minds.

Remember, it took 14 years (1947-1961) for the first Trinity Hymnal to get put together and approved.

 

[Glenn Ferrell]

As there are 16 OPC presbyteries, that means 9must approve before next year's GA.

And, there's no guarantee that it will happen in one year. It could take 2 or 3 years to get the requisite number of presbyteries to agree. Not because there's necessarily anything wrong with the new document, but just because many people will want to be careful and consider long and hard before making up their minds.

The presbyteries and congregations had several years to study the original proposed document and submit suggestions. These were incorporated and then two previous GA's amended it paragraph by paragraph. This GA made a few additional amendments to the whole. At this point, it is a matter of whether they think this is better than the existing DPW. I suspect it will be ratified within a year.

The GA indefinitely postponed the proposal to send a "humble petition" to President Obama. They adjourned at noon on Wednesday.

 

[Blue Tick]

Quotes taking from the OPC General Assembly Report.


The APRV will now be known as the Final Proposed Revision (FPR).

The Assembly resumed its consideration of the motion that the 76th GA propose the APRV to the presbyteries for approval as the new Directory for the Public Worship of God. After a period of deliberation, the Assembly adopted the motion. The APRV will now be known as the Final Proposed Revision (FPR).

Having approved the FPR, the Assembly voted to send it to the presbyteries for their approval with the following grounds:

The FPR more consistently explicates the implications of the fact that public worship is "divine" (II.4) and that it is "before all else a meeting of the triune God with his chosen people" (II.2).
The FPR more nearly adheres to the Westminster Standards in applying "ordinary" and "occasional" to different services of worship, not to different elements of Lord's Day worship.
In accord with WCF XXI.5, the FPR includes the worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ as part of the ordinary worship of God as distinguished from special occasional worship whereas the present Directory identifies the sacraments as "occasional elements of the public worship of God," which use of these terms was an innovation.
Also in accord with WCF XXI.5 and the Westminster Assembly's Directory for the Publick Worship of God, the FPR provides guidance for "solemn fasting and thanksgivings upon special occasions."
The FPR more fully spells out that the Lord's Supper is a means of grace by which our Lord applies himself and his benefits to those who receive it in faith to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.
The FPR puts greater emphasis upon the corporate implications of the sacraments.
The FPR more explicitly details the positive commitments of the responsibilities of church membership in the membership vows.
The FPR shows greater conformity to the fact that, according to our Standards, baptized covenant children are members of the church, albeit non-communicant members.
The FPR clearly expresses the integral relation between the Sabbath day and public worship that is implicit in the Directory, but not stated explicitly.
The FPR more explicitly states the regulative principle of worship.
The FPR helps clarify certain issues surrounding the conduct of worship.
The FPR surveys the elements of worship in a more complete fashion.
The FPR shows greater care in its allusions to Scripture.
The FPR is organized in a more logical manner for increased ease of use.

 

[jogri17]

My Pastor from here in Québec attended (Ben Westerveld). I hope you all had a chance to meet him.