Gloria Dei Presbyterian Church
Some Thoughts on the Future of this Congregation
You may have heard:
That all of the Presbyterian Churches in Rock Island were going to merge into one congregation.
What is the situation:
In January of 2006, South Park and Good Shepherd Presbyterian Churches began an
exploration of the possibility of merger. In April they invited representatives from Broadway and Gloria Dei to join their
conversations. Gloria Dei sent representatives to observe the conversation. Those representatives recommended and the Session
acted to not continue participating in the exploration. Representatives from Good Shepherd, South Park and Broadway continued
to meet. In August the Sessions of the three congregations met and voted to go from "exploration" to having a committee develop
a plan for merger. Early in 2007, the members of Broadway Presbyterian decided to withdraw from the merger plans. In
September 2007, the sessions and leadership of South Park Presbyterian and Good Shepherd Presbyterian decided to not
go any further with their merger plans.
You may have heard:
Gloria Dei Presbyterian is going to close its doors.
What is the situation:
The Session of Gloria Dei Presbyterian is convinced that God has a purpose for this congregation in
this place. Our financial situation and worship participation make this difficult to continue in the way we have in the past.
The Session has explored a number of options including shared pastor with another congregation, part time minister with
a secular job, etc. There are no plans nor intentions to close our doors.
You may have heard:
That there is already a plan and congregation to share Pastor Drew with.
What is the situation:
The Session and Pastor Drew have been in conversations about shared pastorate. There
are some congregations in the area where this might be a possibility for them. At the moment there is nothing decided. We
are still considering many possibilities, if funding does not allow the full time position to continue.
You may have heard:
The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. has allowed the ordination of practicing homosexuals and the marriage of homosexuals.
What is the Situation:
Actions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly re-affirmed the standard that would not allow
the ordination of homosexuals and the performance of homosexual marriage. In another action, it re-affirmed a process in which
God calls ordaining bodies to discern the individual’s fitness for ordination. If a person differs on theology or practice
they must state it. The body then determines if the difference would prevent that person from being fit for ordination. This
action would also be subject to review by other governing bodies. We don’t actually know how congregations and Presbyteries
will act with this guidance.
You may have heard:
The Presbyterian Church is falling apart and that soon there will be a complete split into two denominations.
What is the Situation:
The three hundred years of Presbyterians in this country have seen many splits and the formation of
many denominations. Since the General Assembly meeting in June 2006, a few congregations have left to become a part of
other Presbyterian denominations or to be independent. Other congregations are talking about forming a new denomination and
having a peaceable separation from the PCUSA. Thirty years ago there was speculation that if the denomination continued
to lose members at the current rate, there would be no Presbyterian Church left. It is true the denomination continues to
lose members, yet there continues a strong presence and ministry of Presbyterians across the country. In some congregations
there is considerable growth.
You may have heard:
The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. is going to die or split into two denominations.
What is the Situation:
The Presbyterian Church has been in a thirty year period of membership decline. Twenty years ago it
was said that by 2000 there would be no members left at the current rate of decline. The Presbyterian Church continues on
and in some places is growing. The Presbyterian Church has split and merged many times over its 300 year history. It may again
or it may not.
What does all this mean for Gloria Dei Presbyterian Church?
We need to be at prayer to see where God is leading and what God
is calling us to do in this time and place. We need to encourage each other to come together in prayer and worship in order
to do the ministry God has called us to do. We should be open to changes that may be needed in our life. We need to continue
to share the good news of Jesus and to invite others to join us in witness to Jesus.
What is our financial situation?
We are spending about $1,000.00 a month more
than we receive. We have been blessed with special gifts that were used up. Our spending is as bare-bones as possible
without eliminating ministry. The Memorial Fund was close to $12,000. In 2006, we spent $5,000.00 from the Memorial
Fund to cover expenses. Please consider making a pledge to yourself and to God for your financial contribution for the
coming months and years ahead. A bequest from the Helen Wahlgren estate has allowed us to bring the Memorial Funds amounts
back to the original amounts. As of September, 2009 we are still spending more than we receive in pledges.
We have recently been blessed with gifts from local construction companies that will allow us to expand the parking lot that
is along 42nd ave. and to regravel the lot that is along the alley.
What about giving to the denomination when our congregation has so much need?
We are not the church alone. As Presbyterians we believe that many individual congregations
working together represent the church. As part of the church we are called to support each other. Even as we have our own
need we are called to give in the form of mission dollars and per capita dollars. Since some of our members have concerns
about the denomination, the Session has agreed to only forward per capita and mission dollars as designated by individual
members (this is effective, 2007).
What are the first steps on the worship participation needs?
All members need to invite others to join them in worship. The first ones to invite are current members
and former members whom you have not seen in worship.
What about our own church officers?
The Session of Gloria Dei Presbyterian Church adopts the principle that compliance with the standards
for ordination as is stated in the Book of Order is an essential of Reformed polity. Any departure from the standards for
ordination expressed in the Book of Order will bar a candidate from ordination and/or installation as an officer or minister
of the Word and Sacrament in our denomination.
The Book of Order states "b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience
to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement
to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness.
Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed
as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
An update on connecting with other churches.
We have recently begun talks with the Session of Community Presbyterian Church in Sherrard. This
will NOT lead to a merger of our two congregations. We have been discussing ways to share our lives as Presbyterian
Churches. We have offered and they accepted an invitation to join with us at the Christmas Tea and Vesper Service on
November 29 and to come help us run our annual Christmas Faire that will be held on December 5. We are in the planning
stages on having a joint Epiphany service. The members of both Sessions are very excited about this prospect and see
this as a way to benefit both of our churches.
