A Church Falters-Further Division in Bible Presbyterian Church

A Church Falters-Further Division in Bible Presbyterian Church

The 48th General Synod held in 1984 saw a further sad parting of ways as Dr. Carl Mclntire led 16 other commissioners to walk out and hold separate synod meetings at another location. Although this group represented only a small percentage of the churches, Dr. Mcintire claimed this was the true synod, Efforts at reconciliation proved fruitless and the majority continued the work of the church until there were apologies and a reuniting in the synod of 2001, meeting in Tacoma, WA.

 

In 1983-1984, several Bible Presbyterian missionaries were faced with the dilemma of chOOSing to declare unreserved support for the lCCC or they would not be returned to their fields of service abroad under the IBPFM. The compromise within certain church bodies of the ICCC in various countries overseas was well documented (and later publically admitted) so a partition took place with the Raymond Carlsons (Africa), Judith Collins (Africa), and the Irwin Steeles (South America) resigning from The Independent Board. A number of board members either reSigned or were not reelected to their positions on the board.

 

In view of this development, the Presbyterian Missionary Union was formed in a meeting of Bible Presbyterian ministers, elders, and missionaries on January 15-16, 1985, in Media, PA. Dr. G. Thomas Proctor was elected president and Dr. Morris McDonald was asked to serve as the missions coordinator. A Missions Council of 20 was elected to serve. The ministry of PMU was seen as that of supporting the work of missions abroad and church planting at home.

 

Over the years, God blessed in assisting ministries overseas, sending forth missionaries, and assisting churches at home. Bibles and theological books were shipped to 15 countries overseas, valued at over $300,000. The Missions Banner became a monthly missions and church update newsletter.

 

The end of July 2002, Dr. Morris McDonald retired from his position as PMU's field representative and the Missions Council appointed Dr. Len Pine to fill that post. The headquarters was then moved from Palm Harbor, FL, to Grand Island, NY.

 

Over the past decade and a half, these agencies, among others, have gained approval by the synod: Fundamental Presbyterian Publications (Charlotte, NC), Cohen University and Theological Seminary (Los Angeles, CA), and Western Reformed Seminary (Tacoma, WA).

 

Western Reformed Seminary opened for classes in October 1983 in facilities in the Bible Presbyterian Church of Tacoma, WA. Dr. John Battle assumed the office of president.

 

A first for the Bible Presbyterian Church was the 2003 meeting of the General Synod in Canada. The Synod accepted an invitation from the Bible Presbyterian Church of Edmonton, Alberta, to host the 67th Synod meeting.

 

ABOVE ARTICLE CAN BE RETRIEVED FROM: https://bpc.org/?page_id=646

 

My observation: Bible Presbyterian Churches are militants, they like to have infighting, and they like to shoot their own comrades. WHAT A JOKE!