Monthly Archives: September 2007

Reaction to Rev. Kirkpatrick’s decision to not run for fourth term

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To summarize the reaction to Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick’s decision, it has been predictable.  Those that he is closely associated with praise his service, those on the conservative side thank him for making a wise decision for the good of the denomination.  Some examples…

The World Association of Reformed Churches, of which he is currently serving as president, has issued a nice press release praising his service and being a person of “deep faith, biblical and theological depth of understanding, vision, courage and leadership skills.”

Most progressive organizations and blogs, such as the Witherspoon Society, seem to just cite or reprint this release or the Presbyterian News Service release about Rev. Kirkpatrick’s departure without additional comment.

On the conservative side, the reaction is led by the Institute for Religion and Democracy’s Presbyterian Action arm that issued a press release thanking Rev. Kirkpatrick for “graciously” not running again.  In the press release, James D. Berkley, the Presbyterian Action Director, is quoted as saying “I commend Clifton Kirkpatrick for his characteristic graciousness in
displaying the courage to step aside to allow new leadership to emerge.”  If you want more free-wheeling commentary on this you can check out Mr. Berkley’s blog appropriately named “ The Berkley Blog,” especially his entry titled “ Stated Quirks.”

Another interesting blog post on the subject comes from Jody Harrington in her blog Quotidian Grace where she has a concise post titled “ Kirkpatrick to step down.”  In there she writes:

While it’s tempting to view his retirement as paving the way for positive changes for the denomination, the truth is that renewal of the PCUSA is not the job of the Stated Clerk alone, but of all of us who care about the church, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

But maybe the best part of her post is in the comments section where there is a “Draft QC for State Clerk” movement.

Dr. Ian Paisley to step down as moderator of the Ulster Presbytery

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While the decision by Rev. Kirkpatrick to not run for another term as stated clerk was awaited news to US Presbyterians, an even more notable Presbyterian departure was announced over the weekend.

It was announced late last  Friday night in Belfast, Northern Ireland, that after a five hour presbytery meeting, the Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley decided he would not run for another term as Moderator of the  Ulster Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church.

This is  a significant event from both a secular political viewpoint as well as an ecclesiastical and polity perspective.

Politically, this is important because the 81 year old Rev. Paisley is also the First Minister of Northern Ireland and the political leader of the Protestant side of the government.  Up to this point, with his continuing religious involvement, there has been a certain overlap of church and state.  This overlap will continue to a degree because the Rev. Paisley will continue as pastor of Martyrs Memorial Church of Belfast, but not to the degree it had while he was moderator.

This religious overlap is due to the fact that not only is the Rev. Paisley the Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, but he has been for every year but one since he essentially founded the denomination in 1951.  While the Free Presbyterian Church has taken a more international turn over the last decade or so there is still a recognition of its roots in Northern Ireland and Rev. Paisley’s role in its history.

As a good GA Junkie would recognize, there are some apparent differences here with Presbyterianism as we recognize it in most other circumstances.  In particular, most of the time a Moderator of a Presbytery or General Assembly only serves for one term honoring the Presbyterian value that power is vested with the body not with any individual and multiple terms in leadership would tend to enhance power.  As you might suspect, a significant power base has build up around Rev. Paisley because of his near-perpetual office.  But, it might not surprise you to know that the Free Presbyterian Church, at least in Ireland, does not have a written Book of Order, or equivalent so the use of the word “polity” here is a bit loose.

Because of the political implications there are numerous news stories out about this.  Here is one from the BBC.  It will be interesting to see if any of the church order repercussions make it into the news or blogosphere.

PC(USA) Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick will not seek fourth term

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It was just announced by the PC(USA) Presbyterian News Service that the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will step down when his current term ends at the General Assembly in 2008.  Rev. Clifton Kirkpartick has served three four-year terms and says he will now devote his time to his family and his other position as the president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Rev. Kirkpatrick’s full statement can be found in the press release.

For any State Clerk candidates out there here is your chance.  The Stated Clerk Nominating Committee will post the application materials on the PC(USA) web site soon.