Discernment Committee

Members of the Discernment Committee are: Dickie Brooks, Buck Bryan, David Carpenter, Steve Cassens, Barry Keim, Cathy Keyes, Denny Passman, Donna Rivett, David Sowerby, and Patti Williams

Any feedback, questions or comments can be sent directly to the committee by clicking here.

New Materials Available:

After the Congregational meeting on Sunday, January 22nd, the Session met to review the results of the survey taken. Question #3 on the survey asked if the congregation felt like God was calling IRPC to disaffiliate with the PC(USA). 90% said that they “agreed or strongly agreed”, 8% said that they “neither agreed or disagreed” or “had no opinion”, and 2% said they “disagreed or strongly disagreed.”

The session has called for the second congregational meeting, according to the Presbytery’s Gracious Dismissal Process, to be held on April 22nd at 1:00pm in the sanctuary. This is the meeting in which we will officially vote on whether or not to disaffiliate from the PC(USA). Additionally, the session has voted that if the congregation votes to disaffiliate with the PC(USA) then we would affiliate with the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians.

In light of this decision, the Discernment Committee has made available a more expanded list of resources for you as we individually consider our position in the Graceful Dismissal Process and where this is leading us.

• Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians Website
• Ortberg Video introducing ECO
• Message from Dana
• Letter from the moderator and vice moderator of the PC(USA) including comments
• Forum on Homosexuality and the Bible by Rev. Dr. Scott Dudley
• Affirming the Biblical Role of Women in Ministry – Frank Viola
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) – updated 01/12/2012

Timeline:

CLICK HERE to view the expected timeline for the Dismissal Process.

Report from Townhall meeting October 16, 2011:

• Feedback Form

Note – this link will take you to a pdf file which you can use in two different ways. The first, you can type and complete it online, and then print off your completed form to turn in to the committee. The second option is to simply print it off and then fill it in by hand and then return to the committee. Forms can be dropped off in the church office, given to any of the committee members, or place it in the offering plate on Sunday.

• Audio - Welcome & Opening Prayer - Donna Rivett & Cathy Keyes
• Audio – Where We Have Come From – Denny Passman
• Audio – Where We Are Now – David Carpenter
• Audio – Windows of Opportunity/Legal Implications – Barry Keim & David Sowerby
• Audio - Pastor’s Perspective – Rev. Dr. Dana Allin

Report from Townhall meeting October 30, 2011:

• Audio - Welcome and opening prayer - Donna Rivett:Dickie Brooks
• Audio - Recap of 1st Meeting - Donna Rivett
• Audio - Why I am not ready to leave the PC(USA) - Dickie Brooks
• Audio - Words of encouragement - Dr. Patti Williams
• Audio - Other Presbyterian Dominations - David Sowerby
• Handout – Comparison of Other Denominations
• Audio - A New Presbyterian Denomination - Rev. Dr. Dana S. Allin
• Handout – New Presbyterian Denomination
• Audio - Time line IF we were dismissed from the PC(USA) - Barry Keim
• Handout – General Timeline