We remain firmly Presbyterian in polity, with the highest court being the General Synod. What seems to be at the center of this confusion is a short phrase in the new FOG “in order to:” That phrase indicates that the synod has the authority to do those things (organize, receive, divide, dissolve, etc.). And that it consults with presbyteries regarding the presbytery’s business/actions – not to get their approval of synod’s actions.

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) is one of the oldest Presbyterian denominations in the United States. It is organized in a series of ‘courts’ or congresses that bring accountability to each level of the church. The highest court of the ARPC is the General Synod, which is comprised of the various presbyteries (geographical groupings of churches). Being Presbyterian is quite different than being Episcopal (rule by one individual or small group of bishops, etc.) or being Congregational (each congregation individually decides what is right and only associates, as it pleases, with others). It is however striking the number of times those claiming to be Presbyterian really are desiring to be Episcopal or Congregational.

At the center of this current issue in the ARPC is Second Presbytery, which has been comprised of the state of Georgia and roughly half of the state of South Carolina (primarily the Greenville area). It is the opinion of many that a cult of personality centered around Chuck Wilson has been running Second presbytery through favoritism, intimidation and manipulation of church rules. This has been going on for some years. Even after he requested removal from the roll (while in the middle of an investigation into charges of child molestation), Mr. Wilson continued to have influence through a handful of ministers and elders that followed him and retained power within Second Presbytery.  They attempted to derail the action of the General Synod, at its meeting this past June, with all sorts of creative methods of interpreting parliamentary minutia. Some were blatantly absurd, such as the application of a rule requiring written reports to have signatures (commonly done for handwritten reports submitted during the meeting) towards the packet of reports sent out to the delegates of Synod. (Which does not contain ANY signatures on any reports, nor has it in the past 50 years). Each of these spurious attempts were incorrect and addressed in the June meeting.

Some have continued to portray this as a violation of the church constitution, though it clearly is not, and in general (whether they realize it or not) make an even stronger argument, by their actions, of the presbytery’s dysfunctional situation. There is no crisis of the ARP church constitution, more a crisis of conscience on the part of a few, who would prefer to continue in their ways rather than repent or be held accountable.

At its June meeting, the General Synod voted overwhelmingly (86% voted in the affirmative) to dissolve Second Presbytery, effective September 1, 2024. This merely takes away the perceived authority of the few who cling to power. No churches were to be closed, nor ministers automatically excluded. All that happened was the physical boundaries of Second presbytery were absorbed into the two adjoining presbyteries (Georgia into Tenn/Al and SC into Catawba/rest of SC). An orderly effort was begun to matriculate the churches and pastors into their new presbyteries. By action of the Synod, ARP Churches within those geographic bounds were assigned to the new presbyteries Sept 2, 2024. Should any wish to leave the denomination, there is a process outline in the Form of Government for the churches (takes approximately a year). Since ministers’ ordination credentials reside with a presbytery, they were to make appropriate transfer applications by that date (otherwise they would be without ordination credentials after Sept. 1).  At the synod level a commission was formed to handle any matters overall, such as any distribution of property, etc. At no time has there been any discussion regarding funds that Second Presbytery has accumulated from the closing and sale of former church properties. It is well presumed that it would be in some way set aside for the continued work of the churches in the former presbytery. There have been attempts by some, yet again, to frame this as some sort of violation of the church’s constitution and procedures in an effort to gain funds. Since the Synod meeting, there have been attempts to twist and torture the wording of the Form of Government to have it confess to all sorts of nonsense, in an effort to undo, cast doubt upon or reverse the action of the highest court of the denomination.  One can only hope these men handle the Word of God with more care than they do the church constitution.  Since June we have seen a continuation of the pathetic attempt to hold onto power by about a half dozen ministers and the churches they influence. Additionally, some have reached out to Second Presbytery churches with lies and disinformation (telling them that one Presbytery seeks to gain/sell/dissolve the church, etc.).

The overwhelming majority of the ministers and churches in the former Second Presbytery are excited about this transition.

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