Parson to Person
September 10, 2009
It’s been a busy summer with many profitable activities since our last newsletter. Our summer has included our wonderful church picnic. The food and fellowship were great. Along the way, some new “younger” staff came alongside to help out during the day. Thanks to everyone who made the day such a success.
Our 73rd General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church was held in Bristol, TN/VA. Bristol is a unique town with a state boundary bisecting the town. We were there at the invitation of and to encourage the Ryder Memorial Church which served as our host. The congregation of Ryder Church meets in a small, square timber building nestled into the edge of a national forest. The small congregation led by Pastor Gary Cole exceeded everyone’s expectations in the gracious hospitality shown to the Synod.
All of our delegates were given positions of usefulness to the Synod. Dr. Pine was elected Moderator. Mr. Frank Williams was elected as Synod Treasurer with Mr. Eric Lasch to serve as his assistant. I continue to serve as Secretary of the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Inter-church Relations Committee.
Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, the theme for preaching revolved around his teaching on Prayer in the Institutes. The keynote speaker was Dr. Joel Beebe from Netherlands Reformed Church. Joel, seminary president, prolific author and editor of journals as well as a Soli Deo Glori publication, is a foremost authority on the Puritans and Calvin. His important keynote address was on the piety of John Calvin. It was a blessed time.
Like many of you, Sharon and I finished out August with a vacation. This year we were able to visit the Grand Canyon. The park is an amazing testimony to the handiwork of the Creator. We found it quite interesting to visit the Canyon having read Tom Vail’s book, Grand Canyon: A Different View. While no longer available in the Grand Canyon Bookstore, it is readily available through Answers in Genesis. The work of Tom, a lifelong river guide, together with expert commentators and photographers, is a compelling apologetic for God’s creation and flood accounts being responsible for the Grand Canyon, and demonstrating the impossibility of secular explanations.
The summer draws to a close, the last pool and beach parties have been held. And now we turn our attention to our fall schedule.
Sunday School has moved up; AWANA has held its organizational dinner, and around the corner will be Ladies’ Bible Study, the Ladies’ Retreat, Leadership Training, Counseling Class, and many, many more opportunities for serving the Lord in this present generation.
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