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Presbytery calls on Presbyterian College to halt implementation of proposed changes

Trinity Presbytery passed a resolution Tuesday, June 1, expressing concern with the proposed changes in Presbyterian College's educational program.

The resolution — drafted by a minister-member of the presbytery and amended by the presbytery's general council — was
amended by the presbytery to include a call for Presbyterian College to “halt the implementation” of the proposed changes and calls for the formation of a consultation at the synod level "concerning what it means, in a practical sense, for Presbyterian College to be ' ... a church-related institution committed to the Christian faith,' and a college 'related to the Christian Church' in the context of the Presbyterian Church (USA)."


The full text is as follows:

Resolution of Trinity Presbytery
June 1, 2004

Whereas Trinity Presbytery has long appreciated its close connection with Presbyterian College and its dedication to serving as a church-related institution committed to the Christian faith, expressed in its mission statement, “to develop within the framework of the Christian faith the mental, physical, moral and spiritual capacities of each student …” and

Whereas Presbyterian College seeks as its goal to “acquaint students with the teachings and values of the Christian faith” and has promoted this goal with the requirement that all students complete courses in both Old and New Testament; and

Whereas the faculty of Presbyterian College, at its March, 2004, meeting, approved changes in the educational program that would no longer require all students to complete courses in Old and New Testament, and would reduce the requirement of students in basic courses of history and English; and

Whereas Presbyterian College is presently considering modifications in the requirement that all members of the faculty be members of a Christian Church;

Therefore, be it resolved that Trinity Presbytery expresses its concern over these recent actions and proposed actions of Presbyterian College, and urges the Faculty, Administration, and Board of Trustees of the College to halt the implementation of these proposals that could jeopardize the College’s close connection to the Presbyterian Church; and

Be it further resolved that the Council of Trinity Presbytery invite representatives to be appointed by the councils of the presbyteries in the Synod of South Atlantic, along with representatives of the Synod’s Committee on Institutional Relations and Covenants, and including representatives appointed by Presbyterian College (faculty, staff, trustees) who are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), to join in a consultation concerning what it means, in a practical sense, for Presbyterian College to be ” … a church-related institution committed to the Christian faith,” and a college “related to the Christian Church” in the context of the Presbyterian Church (USA);

And further, that areas for consideration include mutual expectations, commitments, and accountability, and issues of course requirements, elective course offerings, recruitment and retention both of faculty and of students, and how the college serves its expressed mission “to develop within the framework of the Christian faith the mental, physical, moral, and spiritual capacities of each student …” and to “acquaint students with the teachings and values of the Christian faith”; and

Be it resolved that the Council of Trinity Presbytery be asked to coordinate such a consultation; and

Be it resolved that the findings and recommendations from the consultation be communicated to the administration of Presbyterian College, the Board of Trustees, the Synod of South Atlantic, and the presbyteries of the synod; and

Be it resolved that this resolution be transmitted with a cover letter to the President and Faculty of Presbyterian College, to the Chair and Members of the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian College, to the Stated Clerk of the Synod of South Atlantic, and to the executive/general presbyters and/or stated clerks of the constituent presbyteries of the synod that support Presbyterian College.

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