We renew our recommendation that Presbyteries vote against adopting the BCO 14 amendments and seek improved formulations. Moreover, it is hoped that any Presbyteries which have not yet voted on the proposals will at least engage in deliberative study of this overture or other prudent alternatives prior to voting on the AC Funding Plan. The... Continue Reading

In announcing their selection of the Dr. Liam Goligher of Duke Street Church, London as their candidate to the congregation for the pulpit at Tenth Pres, the Pulpit Search Committee presented a 12 page booklet to the congregation. That booklet was published on the Blog of Teaching Elder Marion Clerk, Executive Minister, and with his... Continue Reading

Christmas celebrates the birth of a Jewish boy to Jewish parents in Bethlehem. With no sence of irony, the Swiss-based World Council of Churches (WCC) convened over two dozen church women in Bethlehem to rally against today’s Israel just in time for Christmas. Having come to “Palestine” to “listen,” the women fulfilled their assigned mission... Continue Reading

The Glendale (Cal)-based International House of Pancakes has dropped its trademark infringement lawsuit against a church with a Pasadena ministry, agreeing to resolve its dispute with the International House of Prayer out of court. On Dec. 21, the restaurant chain dismissed its case against the church, with its lawyers citing “ongoing mediation with the defendants,”... Continue Reading

In a landmark decision, the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey has settled out of court with St. George’s Helmetta allowing the parish to leave the Episcopal Church, keep its property and join with another Anglican jurisdiction. Details are sketchy, but it is understood from a source that a down payment of $30,000 was made by... Continue Reading

As tax time begins, church legal expert Richard Hammar warns ministers, pastors and clerics to be mindful of a legal battle that has strong financial implications on their personal and church taxes in 2011. In the January 2011 issue of Church Law & Tax Report, Hammar highlights tax developments, drawing special attention to a California... Continue Reading

“A whole group…has petitioned the synod for an administrative review of the entire Presbytery. Their concern is that the way Minnema was dismissed “didn’t follow our personnel policy.” It’s all part of how “the Presbytery has not been conducting itself in a manner consistent with, or appropriate to, our polity, our form of government.” The... Continue Reading

We have broken the 50 stories down into groups of 10 to run the five lists on consecutive days during the last week in December. Today we look at the final group – numbers 10-1: the TOP TEN stories for 2010. During 2010, The Aquila Report published more than 2,500 stories. We try to average... Continue Reading

We have broken the 50 stories down into groups of 10 to run the five lists on consecutive days during the last week in December. Today we look at numbers 20 through 11. During 2010, The Aquila Report published more than 2,500 stories. We try to average 7 new stories each day, with a large... Continue Reading

A groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively planned for Sunday, Jan. 23. Construction will begin after that, Pastor Nathan Wheeler said. Rebuilding will take about a year. If all goes well, the sanctuary will be complete in time for Christmas services in 2011. On Aug. 20, 2009, lightning struck at First Presbyterian Church of DeBary (PCUSA) on... Continue Reading