Chapter 2

On December 19, 1977 the Session had set in motion a one and one-
half year Mission study for Presbytery. The committee’s work was com-
pleted in 1979. Harold Wallace was the camittee chairman. Working
with him were Vern Austin, Ralph Bergquist, Anne Juhnke, Jerry
Lounsbury, Fred Phelps, Joanne Roy, William Sleeper, Dorothy
‘Theunissen and Cathy Willwerth. A vast amount of data was accumlat-
ed, primarily through the efforts of Lounsbury and Theunissen. A pro-
file showed that church membership was 1000; average Sunday Worship
attendance, 562; Church School enrollment 562; average Church School
attendance 157 (including adults); 25% of families had a child under
eighteen years at home; 8% were single adults; 54% had no children at
home; per capita giving was $130; and resident giving units in the
church totaled 300.

‘This study provided the first solid indication of a rift within the
church. There seemed to be growing division between the evangelistic
thrust group of membership and those who would prefer other avenues of
worship and Christian action. The cammmication between the Reverend
Malcolm Brown and those who did not accept his vision deteriorated.
‘There was the feeling among many long-time members of the congregation
that the evangelistic groups, e.g. the Covenant Commmity, had a dii
Proportionate influence on the direction of the church. There was a
primary concern that there was a direct shift of the church’s direc-
tion towards a charismatic influence in both the worship service for-
mats and church related groups and activities. The gravest concern
was directed toward the existence and operation of the Covenant
Community. Many members appreciated the performances of the Maranatha
Singers, but others resented them when they took part in a church ser-
vice. It was ironical that 100 years earlier (1879) the church had
gone through a similar unpleasant situation where dissension was
apparent within the church. In 1879 it involved the Reverend Edmnd
Borden and is described in A Silver Spire on pages 17-20.

 

 

Members of the study committee offered four suggestions:

1. the need for periodic forums in which the congregation could bring
to the ruling body of the church their concerns

2. the need to study the need for an additional Minister

3. the need for review of the Christian Education program - some of
the youth were apparently being “turned-off”

4. the need for investigation of the Covenant Community to determine
ite emphasis and direction

‘The Ministers reportedly were spending a disproportionate part of
their time with the Covenant Commmity.

‘The input of the Mission study had demonstrated concern regarding
both the fellowship and congregational care of the church. Related to
the concerns already mentioned was the apparent disregard for regula-
tions that governed the election of the members to the Session and the
fact that employees of the church served on the Boards of the church.

Letters were received by the Session and by Presbytery’
Ministerial Relations Committee from congregation members questioning
the Covenant Commmity and its spin-off ramifications. On dune 20,
1979 the Session received a letter from the Ministerial Relations
Committee explaining the concerns of the letters that they had been
receiving. ‘Issues brought into focus were:

-11-

 

whether the United Presbyterian Church of U.S.A. was an exclusive
or inclusive denomination

2. the issue of religious elitiem in the church

3. how human relations problems and conflicts are constructively and
openly dealt within the commmity of the church

how negative emotions, like anger, fear, and resentment are
constructively and openly dealt within the commmity of the church

 

 

The letter outlined these concerns/problems that had arisen, and
it asked the Session to study them and subsequently the Presbytery and
the Session should meet together. The three Ministers were asked to
remove themselves from the leadership of the Covenant Commmity.
Several special meetings were held, and in October the Session voted
against accepting the recommendations of the Ministerial Relations
Committee. In November, Presbytery appointed an Administrative
Commission to review the Ministerial Relations Comittee’s recommenda
tions. A petition, with ninety signatures, mandated that there be a
special congregational meeting in February so that the ministerial
staff of the church could inform the congregation of the events and
asues that led to the formation of the Administrative Commission.
‘The meeting was well attended and debate occurred. In March, the
Commission met with five different groups of the church to gather fur-
ther information.

 

After fourteen months of study, counsel, and inguiry regarding
circumstances at First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, the
Presbytery of Lake Huron acted. At ite June 10, 1980 stated meeting
at Alma College, the Elders and Ministers from fifty-six area churches
received the report of its Administrative Commission and adopted ite
recommendations. The Commission had noted a serious polarization
within the congregation, and the Session had reached the point where
there would be no reconciliation unless major action was taken by
Presbytery. ‘Their decision was forwarded to the Mt. Pleasant Session
which acted on June 16. Present at this meeting were the Reverend Dr.
John McDowell, moderator, and members of the Presbytery’s
Administrative Commission and Presbytery’s Ministerial Relations
Comittee. Included in the recommendations that were carried out
were:

 

1. dissolved the Covenant Community

2. dissolved relationship with the Reverend Malcolm Brown

3. Several families in the congregation had placed their pledge
dollars into an escrow account the previous year to be held there
until the church problems were resolved. ‘These individuals were
directed to close out this account and transfer the money to
the church.

4. ‘The relationships with Ministers VanDam and Osborn were dissolved.

5. Employment was terminated with the Director of Christian
Education, Director of Music, Sexton, Financial Secretary and
‘Treasurer, and Church Secretary.

6. Presbytery would appoint an interim pastor (Session’s choice) for
one year and then review the program.

7, Session would make monthly reports to the Administrative
Commission.

8. The three Ministers were enjoined from all functions of the church
for a period of six months.

Committees of the Session, with mich assistance from members of
the congregation, continued all major church functions. ‘This had been

~78-

 

a crucial year in the life of First Presbyterian of Mt. Pleasant, and
the Session had worked long and diligently. In addition to the twelve
Stated Meetings, the Session had held eleven Special Meetings. Each
committee met several hours to prepare for each of the Session
Meetings.

 

‘The church was without a pastor for approximately three months.
Services went smoothly with the help of Presbytery, willing and compe-
‘tent supply pastors, and able lay participants. Supply pastors during
the sumer of 1980 came from Midland, Alma, Flint, and Mt. Pleasant.

After studying the credentials of several candidates presented by
Presbytery, the Session recommended to them that the Reverend John
Deason be hired as interim pastor for one year. Kay and John Deason
had visited Mt. Pleasant and met informally with Session, and members
of Session had heard John preach in Fenton on July 13.

As was anticipated, the church almost immediately realized many
resignations including fifteen from the Session, twenty from the Board
of Deacons, one member of the Memorial Committee, and two members at
large to the Nominating Committee. A large number of the members that
resigned from the church rolls went to a newly formed Commmity Church
which later affiliated with the national Evangelical Presbyterian
Church. The Reverend Malcolm Brown became pastor at this new church.
On the positive side, a class of sixteen new members was received into
First Presbyterian Church in November.

‘The Reverend Dr. John McDowell from Midland continued as moderator
of the Session over the summer months. He gave outstanding assistance
to the Christian Education Committee and helped with all of the
changeovers that were occurring within the church.

~19-