An important announcement was made during worship on May 25. The Session unanimously approved an agreement that has also been approved by the Presbytery of the Western Reserve Mission Council and the Special Administrative Review Committee as well as Negotiating teams for both sides. Approval is still needed by the full Presbytery this Wednesday, May 28. Details of the agreement are below.
This agreement reflects a mighty movement of God over the past few weeks. The agreement, if approved, would allow us to move forward with our mission and ministry as a member of the New Wineskins Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
We are convinced this agreement was only possible because grace was extended by both sides and both sides - without changing their views and convictions - have been willing to make sacrifices. And we believe this is a faithful witness to Jesus and proclamation of the kind of Kingdom He seeks to build.
Please continue to pray. A Prayer Vigil - led by the Deacons - will begin at 4 pm on Wednesday, May 28 and continue through the end of the Presbytery meeting. We will communicate the results to you following the meeting.
In Gratitude to our Lord,
Pastors, Session and Negotiating Team of BPC
JOINT AGREEMENT
The Mission Council of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve (PWR), The Special Administrative Review Committee (SARC), the Negotiating Teams and the Session of Bay Presbyterian Church (BPC) recommend that the Presbytery of the Western Reserve dismiss Bay Presbyterian Church to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church through the New Wineskins Presbytery in accordance with the following covenant:
We believe that the Holy Spirit guided us in conversation and has led us to the following ways in which we might come together on a plan for separation. We are fully aware that these proposals will not meet the expectations of many members of Bay and of the Presbytery; that these proposals call mutually on Bay and the Presbytery to make material sacrifices; and to risk setting precedent for other churches in NWAC, the PWR and the PCUSA. In making this compromise we acknowledge that we have fundamental differences over the interpretation of the Constitution of the PCUSA and grounds for determination of these differences by civil courts. But we share the belief that Scripture calls us to seek in all humility to resolve our disagreements and avoid the harm that is done to the Gospel and the Church universal when Christians find themselves resorting to civil litigation and witness to their brokenness rather than the love of neighbor and of enemies that Christ commands us to practice.
Therefore, this proposed plan should in no way be interpreted as a concession by either body to the "rightness" or superiority of the other's convictions and understandings, nor should it be construed as binding the process or the outcome regarding any other dispute between the Presbytery or the PCUSA and a congregation; it is simply our best effort to move forward in the Christian spirit of putting others before ourselves, to support each other's future mission and ministry; and to find the reconciliation to which God in Christ calls us.
Because scripture often upholds a seven-year period when God is doing a work or when two parties are in relationship with one another, Bay Presbyterian Church commits for the next seven years to use its current property and facilities at Columbia and Lake Roads in Bay Village, Ohio, for Christian worship, ministry, service and mission in affiliation with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, which is at the time of this agreement in correspondence with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), or another denomination now or at that time in correspondence with the PCUSA, or the possible Reformed and Presbyterian successor denomination of the New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery;
The Presbytery of the Western Reserve agrees to accept a commitment from Bay of $100,000 annually for seven years, which represents the approximate amount for continuation of mission and per capita, for a total of $700,000, as secured by a letter of credit. The initial payment of $100,000 is due within 60 days of dismissal and six subsequent annual installments of $100,000 are due on the successive anniversary dates of the first installment.
In recognition of our mutual mission concern for urban ministry, spreading the Gospel by starting new congregations, and making Christ known in Northeast Ohio, the Presbytery will direct a substantial amount of the funds received for those purposes. BPC and PWR representatives will meet concerning projects of mutual interest.
In the event of a breach of this seven-year covenant, whether by ceasing its affiliation with any of the bodies cited above, or sale of more than 35% of the property, the consequences shall be immediate payment in full of the remainder of the original $700,000 commitment and an additional payment of $700,000.
The Revs. Hubert Auburn, Thomas Madden and Carol Rettew will be dismissed to the New Wineskins Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church along with Bay Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dan Edgerly is a member of the Reformed Church in America and will be released to the care of that denomination.
The PWR agrees to allow Bay to keep the name Bay Presbyterian Church as a sign of its desire to remain a Reformed congregation.
The effective date of the dismissal and transfer shall be the later of June 1, 2008 or the date both parties sign a legal agreement with the terms of this covenant which satisfies in full all claims by the PWR against BPC and by BPC against the PWR, and pending notification of the formal receipt of BPC by the New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery of the EPC. Within thirty days following dismissal BPC will deliver to the PWR its Session Minutes books, Rolls, Registers, and symbols of the PCUSA or microfilm or archival hard copies.
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