The Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, meeting on June 7, overwhelmingly approved an overture affirming the special creation of Adam and Eve and rejecting all evolutionary views of their origin. The hotly debated memorial from Mississippi Valley Presbytery on the special creation of Adam and Eve as amended by the Memorials Committee was... Continue Reading

The ARP Synod made history and has elected its first ever “foreign” Moderator. Rev. Rob Patrick, Pastor of Bartow ARP, Bartow, FL, nominated Rev. Jeff Kingswood, Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Woodstock, Ontario, for Moderator for the 2013 Synod. Mr. Patrick noted that two years ago he nominated Rev. Andrew Putnam, who ran against... Continue Reading

…the 2011 Synod…passed a policy for trustee removal from agencies and boards. Various agencies contacted Paul Bell, Director for Central Services about issues of legality. Synod’s attorney, Mr. Dan Eller, studied the issue and reported back to the Executive Board that there are liability issues with having this policy.

“Often, when the church seems buried and things seem most discouraging, God is working profoundly beneath the surface. Fathers and brothers, what is God doing to further his grace among us so that He can work his grace through us? Let us not look at the externals – the statistics, the reports, the so-called struggles for control and blame-shifting. Rather, let us call upon our Sovereign God under whose lordship we stand and serve." (Comments of incoming Moderator)

The congregation of Progressive ARP in Princeton, NC met on April 29, 2012 and voted to restore the (Presbytery deposed) Session; to withdraw membership from the ARP Denomination; and to dissolve the pastoral relationship with the Rev. Percy Coleman.

I do believe that literal six day creation is the best, most sound way to affirm the special creation of Adam and Eve, but this, of course, does not mean that I believe that only a six day creationist can affirm the special, immediate creation of Adam from inanimate dust, and Eve from his rib.... Continue Reading

When DeWitt was asked, by Murray, if he believed in revival (I believe trying simply to engage him in the conversation), DeWitt simply said, after a brief pause, 'Yes!'

How the ARP Synod will respond to the Mississippi Valley memorial remains to be seen, but to me it is clearly worded, says what needs to be said, and is something that as stated pretty much everyone should be able to in good conscience agree upon. I trust the Lord will give wisdom, love and faithfulness, in this important discussion and decision.

I am an old-earth, special creation of Adam and Eve guy, and I am genuinely uncomfortable with macro-evolutionary explanations of human origins.

…let us rejoice in Dr. Norman's transparent articulation of his views, which has afforded us this opportunity to explore important matters, and let us strive to be both faithful and rigorous in our analysis, all with the goal of glorifying God and edifying the Church.