For the election of a new moderator the following were nominated: Rev. Bruce Prentice (Mandon, ND), Elder Bruce Stahl (Wentzville, MO) and Rev. John Shaw (general secretary of OPC Home Missions). After a vote Mr. Shaw was declared elected. Rev. Danny Olinger (general secretary of OPC Christian Education), who had nominated Mr. Shaw, led in prayer for the newly elected moderator.
The 89th General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) is meeting from June 7–13, 2023, at Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois. This running daily report was written by Robert Van Kooten and edited by Linda Foh. Questions or comments may be addressed to Hank Belfield, stated clerk. Go to Thursday.
Wednesday June 7, 2023
Trinity Christian College is located in Palos Heights, Illinois, near Chicago. This is where the 89th General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is meeting to conduct the business of our Church.
As is the usual custom, the Assembly began with a worship service, which was held at Ozinga Chapel. The Session of First OPC, South Holland, IL, had oversight of this service. The moderator of last year’s Assembly, Elder David P. Nakhla (Glenside, PA), convened this year’s Assembly and exhorted from Matthew 25:31–46. Mr. Nakhla reminded the commissioners from the passage that only sheep can show the mercy of Christ. He then showed from the passage how it’s a fact that the mercy of Christ flows from the Shepherd through the sheep to others, how it’s a challenge for the sheep to show Christ’s mercy, and how when the sheep show Christ’s mercy it’s a blessing to both the sheep who show it and to the ones receiving it. Rev. Daniel Svendsen (South Holland, IL) and the First OPC Session administered the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The offering collected was designated for the Committee on Ministerial Care.
Following a brief recess, the Assembly reconvened at the gymnasium, which will be the primary meeting place as we conduct the business of the Church. Mr. Nakhla opened in prayer. The president of Trinity Christian College, Dr. Aaron Keiker, welcomed the Assembly to the Trinity Campus. The roll call was taken by the stated clerk, Rev. Hank Belfield (Providence OPC, Chilhowie, VA). Members of the Assembly’s committees who are not commissioners were seated as corresponding members. Corresponding members were granted the privilege of the floor, which means they can speak on matters, but they are not allowed to make motions or vote.
Elder David Mahaffy (Oak Harbor, WA) gave a preliminary report for the Committee on Arrangements, noting key information regarding the campus of Trinity Christian College. At this point the Assembly tested the voting devices with three statistical questions. The first one was “Is this your first General Assembly?” There are 33 first timers and 109 seasoned veterans. The second one was “Did you grow up in the OPC?” 18 commissioners were born in the OPC, and the third one asked for the decade of ordination: 18 in the 2020s; 41 in the 2010s; 34 in the 2000s; 25 in the 1990s; 13 in the 1980s; 6 in the 1970s; and 2 in the 1960s, who were asked to stand.
On behalf of the Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations, Mr. Mark Bube (Glenside, PA) introduced the fraternal delegates, and these delegates were also seated as corresponding members.
The stated clerk presented the minutes of the 88th General Assembly. He noted that the hard copies of the minutes were mailed to ministers and presbyteries of the OPC, as well as a list of select denominations and seminaries, on September 19, 2022.
The next item of business for the evening was to elect a new moderator for this year’s Assembly. Rev. Bruce Prentice (Mandon, ND), Elder Bruce Stahl (Wentzville, MO) and Rev. John Shaw (general secretary of OPC Home Missions) were nominated. After a vote Mr. Shaw was declared elected. Rev. Danny Olinger (general secretary of OPC Christian Education), who had nominated Mr. Shaw, led in prayer for the newly elected moderator.
The docket was adopted, and subsequently the clerk proposed the assignment of the matters of business to the various advisory and temporary committees, which were adopted by the Assembly. Mr. Winslow closed the Wednesday evening session with prayer.
Thursday June 8, 2023
The first full day of the Assembly’s work began following breakfast. However, rather than begin the day as a whole, the commissioners meet in their respective advisory committees at various locations on campus.
What exactly is an advisory committee? All members of the assembly, except the moderator, clerks, and commissioners who give presentations in advisory committees, are assigned to an advisory committee. Advisory committees and temporary committees help the assembly with its work. They are tasked with meeting with representatives of the various program committees of the General Assembly (Committee on Christian Education, Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension, and Committee on Foreign Missions) to review those committees’ reports and recommendations. When an advisory committee reports that it is “silent” regarding the work of a committee under its review, this silence is understood to convey approval of the committee’s work and concurrence with its report and/or recommendations. However, an advisory committee may bring recommendations to the assembly that might differ from a committee’s report or recommendations under its review. But they may not do so without conferring with at least one member of that committee present at the assembly.
Each day the commissioners and corresponding members receive breakfast, lunch, and supper at the dining commons. There are two twenty-minute breaks with coffee and refreshments each day, at 10:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. The Assembly pauses its work each morning at 11:40 for a daily devotional with the exception of the Lord’s Day, when commissioners will have the opportunity to worship at nearby OPC congregations.
At 11:40, the commissioners reconvened at the gymnasium and sang from the Trinity Psalter Hymnal #73C, “In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee,” and Rev. Warren Bennett III (Covenant OPC, Natchitoches, LA) led a devotional on Psalm 73:25–26. He noted that the Psalmist looks at his life in the world and comes to realize that he needs God, and that he must want God and to be with God in Heaven more than anything else in the world. The Psalmist then comes to realize, as God’s people should, that the way to obtain that is through the faithful worship of the Lord. The Assembly recessed for lunch and afterward the commissioners returned to their advisory committees to finish their remaining work. Elder John Terpstra (Austin, TX) led in prayer.
Thursday Afternoon
The Assembly reconvened at 4:15 p.m. and sang from Trinity Psalter Hymnal #524, “Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” followed by prayer led by the moderator.
Mr. Belfield presented the report of the stated clerk. Mr. Belfield serves in this capacity on a part-time basis while also serving in full-time ministry. Mr. Belfield noted that fifteen of seventeen presbyteries had approved the amendment to Form of Government XV.3, which was proposed at the 88th General Assembly, and so the amendment was adopted. He also noted the amendment to the Directory of Public Worship III.B.2, which was proposed at the 88th General Assembly, failed to be adopted, as it was approved by eight presbyteries and denied by nine presbyteries. He expressed gratefulness for the help from the clerk’s staff: Mrs. Charlene Tipton, Mrs. Linda Foh, and Mrs. Judith Dinsmore. He also thanked Rev. John Mahaffy (Trinity OPC, Newberg, OR) for serving as the GA assistant clerk for 24 consecutive years along with Elder Mike Shields (Mt Airy, NC) for his work as clerk observer but who now serves more as an assistant. Rev. Donald Duff (retired minister from Beaver Falls, PA and a previous stated clerk) on behalf of the Advisory Committee prayed for Mr. Belfield and his work as stated clerk.
Rev. Stephen Phillips (retired minister, Quarryville, PA), on behalf of the OPC Board of Trustees, presented the report of the trustees. The trustees expressed thanks to Mr. Belfield for his work as stated clerk of the General Assembly. Two men were reelected to serve for another term on the Board of Trustees: Mr. Phillips and Elder Mr. Kelvin Monteith (Gastonia, NC). Mr. Duff prayed for work of the trustees.
Rev. Archibald A. Allison (Fort Collins, CO) presented the report of the statistician on behalf of the statistician, Mr. Luke Brown, who could not be present at the assembly. During 2022 the number of local churches grew by five to 301. The number of mission works declined by seven to 31.
Total membership increased by 3,686 persons to 32,720 members. Morning worship in-person attendance increased by 1,396 persons (6.78 percent) to 24,176 as measured in November 2022. Sunday school attendance increased by 1,396 persons (29.2 percent) to 10,976 in November as congregations continue to bounce back from the period of COVID-19 restrictions.
Total giving grew by 4.86 percent over the previous year to $78.8 million. In addition, there was a robust 3.79-percent increase in average giving per communicant member, which reached $3,273.
The church welcomed 23 new ministers last year. Eighteen were ordained as ministers, and five were received into the OPC from other churches. Fifteen ministers were removed from the rolls of presbyteries among them; two ministers were dismissed to other churches, seven by reason of death, two who demitted the ministry, two who were deposed, and two who were erased. This brings the total number of ministers to 584.
At a later time Mr. Brown was re-elected as statistician. Rev. Allison prayed for the statistician and gave thanks for his faithful service.
The Assembly recessed for dinner at 5:15 p.m., following prayer by the Rev. Jeremy A. Brandenburg (Redeemer OPC, Carlisle, PA).
Thursday Evening
The Assembly reconvened at 6:45 p.m. with the singing of hymn #492, “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds.” Rev. Johnathan E. Hutchinson (Reformation OPC, Morgantown, WV) led in prayer.
Elder Michael Cloy (Marion, NC), a member of the Committee on Chaplains and Military Personnel, presented the committee’s report. He introduced Rev. Richard M. Dickinson, committee secretary, and Mr. Donald Sampson, Associate Endorser, Military Chaplains, from the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRCC). Mr. Cloy reported that the OPC currently has fifteen chaplains, six serving on active duty, seven serving in the Reserves or National Guard (two of whom also serve as civilian chaplains), two serving as civilian chaplains, and two serving as chaplain candidates. In addition, the OPC has thirteen retired military chaplains and one retired civilian chaplain. During the report the committee representatives showed pictures of our military chaplains faithfully serving on the field and described some of the sacrifices they and their families have made. We must remember to pray for these men.
Rev. John A. Carter (retired chaplain) and Rev. Patrick Morgan (professor, Heidelberg Seminary) were elected to the committee’s class of 2026, and Mr. Jeremy Brandenburg and Elder Jeffrey W. Dronenburg were elected to the class of 2025. Elder Mark Stumpff (Mifflinburg, PA) prayed for the committee.
Rev. Mark Sallade (Calvary OPC, Glenside, PA), vice president of the Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension, began the report of the committee. He introduced general secretary Rev. John Shaw and associate general secretary Rev. Al Tricarico.
Mr. Shaw reported that in 2002 eight new church plants rejoiced in the arrival of new organizing pastors and the start of denominational aid. During the report he introduced one of the church planters, Rev. Chris Drew (Faith OPC, Grand Forks, ND) who reported on his church planting efforts there. Mr. Tricarico then reported that as of the start of this assembly there are currently ten Regional Home Missionaries (RHMs) that are serving the presbyteries. He introduced one of the Regional Home Missionaries, Rev. David Chilton (Presbytery of the South), who spoke about new mission works in the Tampa Bay, FL and New Orleans, LA.
Mr. Shaw spoke to the commissioners about the Neilands Fund, which is now the Seed and Sowers Fund. The purpose of this fund is for church planting that follows a mother-daughter church planting model; there are six currently in the OPC.
He then introduced Rev. Steven McDaniel (Calvary OPC, Glenside, PA) who presented a brief report on a new church plant in King of Prussia, PA. This congregation was the daughter church of Calvary, Glenside, which guided them every step of the way and now church planter Rev. Nate Jeffries is on the field. He spoke of the blessing of the Seed and Sowers Fund, which gave the church plant a boost from the very beginning.
Mr. Shaw also noted that the committee has been working on a revitalization program to help struggling OPC congregations and has men available to give help and advice to congregations that need help with revitalization.
Mr. Sallade then announced that after serving ten years as General Secretary, Mr. Shaw has expressed a desire to return to pastoral ministry. The following resolution was read and will be included in the minutes of the assembly:
Resolution of Thanks. The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expresses its deep gratitude to you, John S. Shaw, for your ten years of faithful service as its general secretary.
You were raised in the OPC and participated from your earliest years in church planting efforts with your godly parents, Bill and Mary Shaw. The experiences and memories of your upbringing enriched your service to the Lord as a church planter, then as a member of CHMCE, and until now as the Committee’s general secretary.
The Committee notes with gladness that you labored faithfully in St. Paul, Minnesota, as the church planter and pastor of Mission OPC in that city for seven years. During your time in St. Paul you were elected to CHMCE and served on the Committee for five years. In recognition of your value as a committee member, CHMCE called you to serve as its general secretary in 2013—a position you held for ten years.
During your tenure as general secretary you made many positive contributions to the cause of home missions. Your practice of patient leadership and open-hearted consideration of the contributions of committee members provided a context for unique fruitfulness for the Kingdom of God. Among the things you initiated and/or developed are these:
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- Thorough initial and ongoing evaluation of mission works
- A robust program of support for church planters and their families
- Conferences designed to deepen the quality of OPC engagement in home missions
- Generous and creative funding programs that better position presbyteries to resource their home missions efforts
- A new and growing mentoring program purposed to help congregations grow in spiritual health
The Committee also wants to recognize your wife, Anne, for the support she showed during the years you served as general secretary. Her willingness to sacrificially serve in your absence during times when you travelled—sometimes for extended periods—is evidence of her love for the Kingdom of Christ. As we thank you, we thank her.
John, CHMCE will miss your service and your regular company, but will continue to enjoy your friendship and partnership in the gospel. You leave this call to serve under another with CHMCE’s thankfulness for your fellowship and labors, along with its prayers that you will enjoy every spiritual blessing in Christ as you continue to serve the church for the glory of God.
Mr. Sallade then announced that Rev. Jeremiah W. Montgomery (Covenant OPC, Dayton-North, OH) has accepted the call to serve as the next General Secretary of Home Missions and had him stand and introduced him to the Assembly.
For the election to the Committee’s class of 2026, the Assembly needed to elect three ministers and two ruling elders. Rev. Christopher D. Hartshorn (RHM, Presbytery of Southern California), Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Sallade, and Elders Keith A. LeMahieu (Oosburg, WI) and Jeremy R. Geaslen (Vandalia, OH) were elected. And then to fill a vacancy to the class of 2024, Elder J. Kevin Baldwin (Grace Hanover, MD) was elected.
Rev. Mike McCabe (OPC Missionary to East Asia) prayed for Messrs. Shaw and Montgomery and the work of the committee.
Rev. Paul N. Browne, vice-president of the Committee on Foreign Missions, introduced the report of the committee and he introduced Rev. Douglas B. Clawson, the general secretary for the committee.
Rev. Clawson began his report noting that the OPC has currently a great need for multiple Foreign missionaries, but right now the committee has zero applicants. He then read from Isaiah 6:1–9 concerning the prophet Isaiah’s commission: “Here I am, send me!” and made a passionate plea to commissioners to consider whether the Lord may be calling them to the foreign mission field. He then provided updates on OPC missionary work being done in parts of Asia, and Uganda. The report will continue on Friday morning.
The Assembly recessed at 8:30 following prayer by Rev. W. Vernon Picknally (Bethel OPC, Fremont, MI).
This report was written by Robert Van Kooten, pastor, Sovereign Grace OPC, Oak Harbor, Washington.