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 are merging 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 are in early 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 now are 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 year ahead.

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.