Links to Congregations that Left Hollywood Pres:
Church for the Nations (Pastor Alan Meenan)
Ecclesia Hollywood (Pastors Brandon Dickerson and D. Paul Thomas)

E-mail us by clicking here.
Tip: This webpage is chronological from the bottom of the page towards the top.  For a complete history, start at the bottom.

Last Updated February 21, 2007

700-member Covenant Presbyterian in Omaha Votes Overwhelmingly to Leave PCUSA for EPC
Files claim in court for clear title to property
Kirk of the Hills Posts Its Legal Documents in its Property Dispute with Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery
These may assist other churches seeking to disassociate from the PCUSA

The Good Ship PC(USA)
Pastor Tom Gray Explains Why His Megachurch Congregation Is Jumping Ship

(11/14/06) Presbytery of Des Moines Administrative Commission Declares Windsor Presbyterian Church in Schism Because Majority of Congregation Wants to Leave PCUSA
Seeks to Discover "True Church" in the Congregation; Lays in Place Plans for "Original Jurisdiction" Takeover
AC survey indicates PCUSA will form a "true church" of senior citizens
See earlier stories about Windsor here, here and here.

Prospect Hill Presbytery Sues Riverside Presbyterian Church (Linn Grove, IA) for its Property
See earlier stories about Riverside here and here.
Read The Layman story on Prospect Hill Presbytery's Aggression

Bayou Christian: 7 Reasons Why a New Church Paradigm is Needed
and ... The PC(USA) -- 7 Reasons to Stay --  7 Better Reasons to Leave

What's Next for the New Winekins Association of Churches?

Presbytery of Santa Barbara Calls on Kirkpatrick to Repent.
Asks non-biblical Presbyterians to leave PC(USA).

The Balkanization of the PC(USA) Has Begun

New Wineskins Association of Churches Votes to Release Member Churches to EPC Transitional Presbytery: "We Have Crossed the Rubicon"
But is the NWAC really ready to jump to the EPC as a group? -- Bayou Christian's perspective

Clifton Kirkpatrick With the New Wineskins Convocation starting Thursday, February 8, PCUSA Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick Sends All PCUSA Pastors a Letter to Be Read to Their Congregations.
If Kirkpatrick had written what he was really thinking....

"Pay no attention to the congregations leaving!" -- An analysis by Classical Presbyterian
Why "Division Is Wrong" by Noel K. Anderson (and why New Wineskins is NOT division)
Talk that up to 130 congregations may "gracefully disaffiliate" this week -- Tom Gray, Kirk of the Hills
[SHP wonders: Will Hollywood Pres' interim, Dr. Gary Stratman, dutifully read Kirkpatrick's subterfuge to the HPC congregation?]

Sandra Mader Rewarded: Re-Enlisted as Vice-Moderator of the Presbytery of the Pacific,
Scheduled to Advance to Moderator in January 2008.
 Ms. Mader invited complaints against Pastors Meenan and Manock and brought them to the COM.
From a May 2005 Layman article:



One of the 22 people speaking on behalf of the two pastors was Jeff Traintime, coordinator of communications for Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Traintime said he once had a disagreement with Meenan and decided to attend a private meeting with Sandra Mader, the  congregation's former clerk of session, and others who opposed the pastors. "Sandra told us to write a letter to presbytery because she 'had friends at the presbytery who were going to help us,'" Traintime said. Mader is vice moderator of the presbytery and moderator elect. She is also a member of the presbytery's Committee on Ministry, but Wilde [the COM chair] said she recused herself from voting on the Hollywood issues.  [SHP Note: Ms. Mader had also temporarily stepped down as Vice-Moderator while the AC over Hollywood was in place.]

Ms. Mader, when she was Clerk of Session at Hollywood, also decided to not implement the Session's overwhelming decision to join the Confessing Church movement, according to elders on Session at that time.  This was finally corrected by Hollywood's Session in 2005.

2,000 Member Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church Overwhelmingly Votes to Leave PC(USA) to Join EPC
Presbytery of East Tennessee Plans Its Countermoves

New Wineskins Association of Churches Publishes Strategy to Leave PC(USA) and Affiliate with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)
Churches: Send your delegates to the New Wineskins Convocation in Orlando Feb. 8-9, 2007
"It is time to be united with those who confess Biblical truth through a polity that
serves Christ’'s mission, which is the Great Commission. It is time!"
From the Strategy: “The PCUSA has now embraced a de facto confessional position which encourages the worship of a god unknown in the Scriptures, a god of man’s own making whose names appeal to the sensibilities of contemporary philosophy, politics and a culture that asks the Church to validate rather than redeem culture.”

Presbyterian Outlook reports that the PC(USA) will experience a major shift toward liberalism after the conservative New Wineskins churches leave.
(registration required to read full article)

Os Guiness: Why We Left the Episcopal Church
"It is a matter of faithfulness to the lordship of Jesus, whom we worship and follow."

Is the PC(USA) following in the American Episcopal Church's steps?

The Truth in Love Network Comments on Trinity Synod's Stay of Enforcement against Pittsburgh Presbytery's Stance for Biblical Standards for Ordination:
 "The fact that we have reached the point we have, in spite of the clear will of the large majority of ordinary Presbyterians, is an evidence of gross corruption within the PC(USA)."

Hollywood's Administrative Commission: "Gone But Not Forgotten"
Read the Presbytery of the Pacific's positive little blurb on the ending of Hollywood's AC after they unjustly destroyed one of the most vibrant congregations in the presbytery.  The SaveHollywoodPres website promises it will not forget either.


Also in the PoP's newsletter, Bel Air's Rev. Care Crawford, who as a member of the COM participated in the 2005 attack on Hollywood Pres, is rewarded by being elevated to Moderator of the PoP.

Presbyteries Targeted for Upholding Ordination Standards.
"More Light" Presbyterians file charges against Pittsburgh Presbytery for refusing to ordain those
who do not meet Book of Order's sexual purity requirements.
Synod of the Trinity's Permanent Judicial Commission issues Stay of Enforcement because it believes charges "have merit."
The enforcement of non-Biblical ideology from the top-down in the PCUSA continues....
The 'Game Over' Scenario Begins

Bible-believing Churches Prepare for 2007 Exodus from PC(USA).
New Wineskins Offers to Lead and EPC Will Provide Save Haven.
Register for the Feb. 8 & 9, 2007 New Wineskins Convocation in Orlando, Florida.


Clifton Kirkpatrick This Should Be A Time for Repentance for PCUSA Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick.
Mark Tammen, mastermind of Hollywood's downfall The Layman calls for Kirkpatrick to fire Mark Tammen of Constitutional Services for draconian, unbiblical attacks against evangelical churches.
George Wilde We wonder: Where is the repentance for the Presbytery of the Pacific's disastrous 2005 attack on Hollywood Pres, perpetrated by Linda Culbertson (Executive Presbytery of the PoP), George Wilde (Chair of the PoP COM), the largely unsaved Administrative Commission over Hollywood, and the disgruntled Hollywood Pres staff and elders who invited the presbyterror attack and unequally yoked themselves with non-believing presbytery officials?

Blog report on "Chicago Summit" of Presbyterian renewal leaders.
"The renewal movement in the PC(USA), as we have known it, is over. 
The season of discernment is at an end.  The season of decision is upon us all."

Windsor Presbyterian Church (Des Moines, IA) votes to leave PCUSA with its property.

Ventura (CA) Church Puts Forth Resolution Asking Theological Liberals to Leave the PCUSA
But is it too late to change the PCUSA?

10/26/2006: Judge rejects EOP's claim that civil courts cannot rule in church property dispute.
Kirk of the Hills' "quiet title" claim will continue to work its way through the courts.
Read about it in Tulsa World online.

District Judge Jefferson D. Sellers Pray for Judge Jefferson D. Sellers, who is deliberating and will decide Kirk of the Hills' claim on their property.  Pray that God will give him discernment and wisdom.

Kirk of the Hills' Day in Court (Mon., Oct. 23)

Judge Sellers hears EOP vs. Kirk of the Hills case.

Why Eastern Oaklahoma Presbytery says it can take Kirk of the Hills' property
...and why the EOP is WRONG

Where Are the Courageous Tall Steeple Pastors Who Will Stand Against Denominational Misdeeds?

PCUSA Claims to Hierarchical Government Don't Hold Water
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick tries to create a papacy in order to snatch property from departing congregations.

New Wineskins issues report on church action items to be taken prior to February 2007 Convocation.
Sends signal to Bible-believing churches: Get ready, wait until we meet in February, then let's move together!

October 20 Update: Western North Carolina Passes Oppressive Meaure to Hold Congregations Captive.
Presbytery of  Western North Carolina seeks to erect Berlin-like wall to prevent congregations from leaving.
Commentary from Pastor Tom Gray, who is leading his congregation through the barbed wire barriers.

Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery Tells Judge that the Civil Court Has No Right to Rule on Kirk of the Hills.
Pastor Tom Gray asks for prayer for October 23 court date.

Why Synods and Presbyteries Are Causing Denominational Stagnation and Decline
Full Court Presby series of blogs on why the PCUSA should eliminate synods (Synod 1) and maybe even presbyteries (Presbytery 1, Presbytery 2, Presybtery 3, Presbytery 4).
Certainly Hollywood Pres might still be growing strong without these two oppressive organizations.

Midwest Churches Continue to Lead The Way Out of PCUSA:
Stow Presbyterian (Ohio) Congregation Overwhelmingly Votes to Depart with Property

Presbytery of MIssissippi considers whether to uphold Book of Order property clause:
  Task force recommends allowing congregations in its jurisdication to leave PCUSA with their property.

Ohio civil court judge places restraining order on Eastminster Presbytery
Prevents presbytery officials from taking draconian "Hollywood" actions against Hudson Presbyterian Church
Hudson Presbyterian congregation to vote Nov. 5 on leaving PCUSA and joining EPC
Classical Presbyterian: "
Our denomination is less Christian in its behavior towards its own than the civil courts!"

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) Prepares To Receive Kirk of the Hills and Their Pastors
Team of EPC Pastors to Meet with Kirk's Session on October 16

EOP's Shadow Congregation AdEastern Oklahoma Presbytery advertises...for a new church?
Invitation for more to join EOP's shadow congregation, which they hope will tilt the courts to confiscate Kirk of the Hills' property.

The Pressing Need to Avoid the Fate of Hollywood Presbyterian Church
A member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Newport Beach, CA)--a congregation of 4,000--shares his concerns.

Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery attempts to form a tiny shadow congregation as leverage to hijack the Kirk of the Hills' massive property.  Read their letter here.
What happened at the first worship service of the shadow congregation.

The "Old Wineskin" of the PCUSA Starts to Disintegrate
Read Pastor Tom Gray's Analysis
Is It Time for New Wineskins?

Legal Update from Kirk of the Hills in Tulsa, OK
Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery Seeks to Hijack Property from Congregation that Has Left PCUSA

PCUSA: No longer Presbyterian, but Islamiterian.

Session of Hudson Presbyterian Church in Ohio Unanimously Recommends Leaving PCUSA

PCUSA: Is it worthy of our love?

Special Edition of The Layman: The War over Property

Satire: Five Easy Steps for Taking Down Evangelical Churches
Echoes of the Presbytery of the Pacific's 2005 gameplan to capture Hollywood Pres.

Clifton Kirkpatrick  Clifton Kirkpatrick dispatches squad to San Francisco to clamp
down on ministers (and their congregations' properties?) who seek to leave the post-PUP PCUSA.
Menlo Park Pres (over 4500 members and largest in San Francisco Presbytery)
 and their teaching pastor, Dr. John Ortberg, John Ortberg could be a target.   PCUSA's Mark Tammen Mark Tammen, mastermind of Hollywood's downfall, who trained the Administrative Commission that attacked Hollywood Pres, will provide "consultation" to Synod of the Pacific.


Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery states intent to hijack property from Kirk of the Hills.

Court prohibits presbytery from changing locks of or appointing administrative commission over 1st Pres of Baton Rouge.

Corruption at the Highest Level
It's put up or shut up time for the PC(USA): Will it be a Presbyterian polity or a tyranny?

Hollywood Pres leader, Rev. Chuck Robertson, leads worship in Muslim mosque.
This AC member teaches that Christians and Muslims have the same God.  Read his prayer to Allah here.
Read the Bible's response (speaking of Jesus).

Will the PCUSA's top leaders (e.g., Clifton Kirkpatrick) have the courage to resign?

Truth in Love Network: "It's official . . . the Presbytery of Sacramento is in open defiance of the powers which the Stated Clerk has claimed for himself and the oxymoronic Presbyterian Hierarchy."
Read the Layman story here.

Presbyterian Lay Committee denounces Clifton Kirkpatrick and denominational officials for deceitful tactics.
Calls on PCUSA to follow the more excellent way of love.

Synod of the Sun PJC Refuses to Uphold Ordination Standards: Allows Openly Lesbian Woman to Continue to Ordination as Minister in PCUSA
This is the same synod that is seeking to take Kirk of the Hills' property.

Clifton Kirkpatrick, chief executive of PCUSA, clamps down on presbyteries to prevent them from upholding ordination standards or to allow churches to leave PCUSA with their own property.
Read Kirkpatrick's letter to stated clerks of all presbyteries.

1st Pres of Baton Rouge (over 1600 members and largest in its presbytery) stakes claim to their own property in court.
Judge issues restraining order against Presbytery of South Louisiana.

Guidelines for Protecting Your Church Property from Your Presbytery

Presbyterian Coalition announces plans after August conference:
1. Seek to consolidate and/or coordinate PCUSA renewal groups.
2. Prepare for either of two actions:
a) Separate from PCUSA (working with New Wineskins)
b) Reform it from within

Presbytery of Eastern Oklahoma forms an administrative commission over Kirk of the Hills.

July Presbytery of the Pacific Meeting: Hollywood Administrative Commission (AC) gives an update.
Rev. Chuck Robertson (a "progressive" who preaches Christians and Muslims worship the same God and prays to Allah) reports "progress."
Elder Tony de la Rosa, a practicing homosexual who leads efforts to nominate and ordain homosexual PCUSA officers, reports on officer nominating and ordaining at Hollywood.

PUP: Peace, Unity and...Property?

 
96% vote for Kirk of the Hills to leave PCUSA & join EPC.
But the PCUSA still plans to sue for the property that the Kirk congregation paid for.
Pastor Tom Gray looks forward to freedom in ministry and exciting plans to reach more with the Gospel.

  Mark Tammen takes notes at 2005 New Wineskins Convocation Rev. Mark Tammen, Constitutional Services Director for PCUSA, says Bible-believing Presbyterians are just plain stupid.
From an article on Kirk of the Hills' decision to leave the PCUSA [SHP's comments in brackets]: "The Presbyterian Church is a very large umbrella of people," Tammen said. "There are people who believe more literally and that Jesus spoke in Elizabethan English [i.e., those who take Scripture literally are such Neanderthals that they probably think Jesus spoke 16th century English instead of Aramaic], and some people have a more literature-type approach [i.e., we progressives know that one cannot take the Bible at its word...one has to re-interpret it for modern times]."  Tammen said he is not familiar with the specific issues about the Kirk leadership's decision.  [A shocking statement, especially when Kirk of the Hills has been incredibly open with their reasons for departure.  One of their immediate reasons was documents from Tammen's office revealing gestapo-like tactics against Bible-believing churches that want to leave the PCUSA, leaked by an anonymous whistle-blower.]

  The brilliant strategy of Kirk of the Hills.
 
Read 1st Pres Fresno's 6/22 Letter re: Separation from PCUSA.

Pastor Russ Westbrook of Riverside Presbyterian Church examined by and accepted into PCA (8/24).
Congregation of Riverside Pres votes 83-0 to petition PCA for membership (8/27).
PCUSA Administrative Commission continues to harrass Riverside Pres: Plans to appoint moderator of congregation and send pulpit supply preacher.  Requests to meet with Session tonight (8/29) in Riverside Pres sanctuary, but Session will not as they are no longer affiliated with PCUSA.

Pastor Westbrook says, "While we are JOYFUL about our vote on Sunday and anticipating all the Lord is going to do through our church, we still desire your prayers as we struggle with the principalities and powers of darkness.  (Ephesians 6:12).  Of course, we serve the God who is the head over every power and authority and know He has disarmed them with cross! (Colossians 2:9,15)."

  Administrative Commission for Windsor Presbyterian Church meets for first time (8/28).
Church waits to see what their actions will be.
Pastor Terry Amann asks for prayer for repentance, renewal and reformation.

 

Less than 10 disgruntled Kirk of the Hills active members show up at 8/28 presbytery meeting.
Denomination officals had promised at least 300!
Kirk of the Hills looks forward to Wednesday (8/30) congregational meeting to affirm decision to join EPC.

  Presbyterror Attack Averted This Sunday (8/27) at Kirk of the Hills
But, "
People with synod contacts have told us that the 'big guns' from the denomination have us in their sights."
Pray that the Lord will protect His church at Kirk of the Hills and allow them to depart from the PCUSA peacefully.

 Presbytery Plans Sunday Strike Against Kirk of the Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Strike Averted at Last Minute?

Attack on Kirk of the Hills Disregards Scripture: "I'm wondering, as Presbyterians, will we stand with Jesus Christ, or will we be standing with the OGA, the Office of Constitutional Services, the Synod, or officials from the Presbytery of Eastern OK? These clearly are mutually exclusive options."

  They Say Nothing's Changed, But...

8/23/06--Bel Air Presbyterian Town Meeting about Response to Passage of PUP Report
Pastor Mark Brewer says Bel Air doesn't want to make a move out of PCUSA alone:
"Right now there's this awkward pause.  Everybody's got their hand by their holster, but nobody's drawing yet.  And the denomination's waiting now, looking around the room, going 'Who's going to make the first move?'"
Pastor Brewer says that in ten years he'd like to see either the PCUSA reformed to be driven by the pure gospel,
 or he'd like to belong to a new gospel-driven denomination in its place.
Bel Air session considers redirecting $75K in denominational giving to evangelical groups.
Bel Air plans to sponsor gathering of West Coast evangelical PCUSA pastors.
Online recordings of Bel Air Town Hall Part 1 & Part 2

 Irvine Pres Pastor Mark D. Roberts, a proponent of remaining in the PCUSA institution,  wonders "when my congregation will say, 'Enough is enough. Why do we continue to be part of a denomination that consistently does things that are so obviously divisive and unwise, if not offensive to us? When does the cost of being part of the PCUSA overwhelm the dwindling benefits?' As a pastor, I wonder how much longer I want to keep putting out denominationally-set fires in an effort to protect my church from burning down."
PCUSA Rejects New Wineskins Call for Moratorium on "Presbyterror" against Churches that Seek to Leave.
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and Moderator Joan Gray Hypocritically Claim GA Has No Authority to Proclaim Moratoriums  (previously Kirkpatrick had proclaimed a moratorium on overtures regarding gay ordination).

What kind of evangelical Presbyterian are you?  Cloistered, Institutional, or Confessional?

8/19: Presbytery of Des Moines leaves Pastor Terry Amann of Windsor Presbyterian Church in place and its administrative commission does not assume original jurisdication.  AC will make recommendations to presbytery in near future.
Presbytery seeks to avoid "presbyterror" tactics used by Presbytery of Prospect Hill against Riverside Presbyterian Church.
Pray that Windsor Presbyterian Church will be released graciously by its PCUSA presbytery.

Iowa presbytery uses similar tactics as employed at Hollywood in attempt to gag and isolate pastor of breakaway church.
But the session and pastor of Riverside Presbyterian Church responds by rejecting the authority of the PCUSA's presbytery, a response Hollywood should have made in May 2005 if it had only known how unfair and corrupt the Presbytery of the Pacific would prove to be.

 Presbyterian Coalition Conference Stunned by Kirk of the Hills Departure from PCUSA.
How will Louisville treat these departing brethren: with grace or judgement?

Riverside Presbyterian Church (Linn Grove, IA) Seeks to Join PCA:
Pastor Russ Westbrook will appear on 8/24 before the PCA's Iowa Presbytery to be examined for membership;
Riverside Presbyterian Church will hold a congregational meeting 8/27 to vote on sending an overture to the PCA petitioning for membership.
Pastor Westbrook asks for prayer for him and his congregation for each of these important junctures.

 Hollywood Pres Town Hall (8/17) Addresses Passage of PUP Report: The Compromise Continues
Assoc. Pastor Chuck Suhayda tells congregation that their are many theological debates regarding homosexual behavior and that the GA vote was confusing.
Interim Pastor Gary Stratman ducks challenge from floor asking if Hollywood Pres stands for biblical sexual expression (i.e., fidelity--between a man and woman in marriage--or chastity).  He said there will be a normal screening process for church officers, but did not categorically say that those who are not in fidelity or chastity will be rejected as officers.

African bishop says Gospel is central issue, not sex.
(Applied to ECUSA, but is relevant to PCUSA).


Coalition Speaker Cites Denomination's Retribution against Hollywood Pres as Example of PC(USA)'s "Coercive Trend"

Attendees at Presbyterian Coalition conference in Atlanta favor separation from PC(USA)
Majority of Coalition attendees reject the "Stay, Fight, Lose Again" strategy proposed by some.
The Case for Gracious Separation

"The Exodus Has Begun...."
Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church (a much larger church than Hollywood, and host of New Wineskins Convocation) Disaffiliates from PC(USA)
Tulsa, OK pastors resign from PC(USA); church's session and trustees vote to reorganize church and join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) denomination.
Kirk asks civil court to remove Presbytery's affidavit of claim on church property.
Pastor Tom Gray Shares His Heart.
"We have not left the PCUSA, the PCUSA left us!"

THE PERSECUTION BEGINS: Presbytery of Prospect Hill Places Breakaway Church Pastor on Administrative Leave & Appoints Administrative Commission with Original Jurisdication over Riverside Presbyterian Church at A Called Meeting of Presbytery on August 14.  The Book of Order Was Violated Numerous Times During the Called Meeting, Especially the Act to Place Pastor Westbrook on Administrative Leave, which Was Not on the Agenda of the Called Meeting.  Administrative Commission Announces Plans to Seize Church Property, Replace Session, and Remove Pastor Westbrook.  Congregation Rallies Unanimously around Their Pastor and Remains Undeterred to Break Off from the Apostate PC(USA) and Faithfully Proclaim Christ.

A second Iowa congregation, Windsor Presbyterian Church, votes to leave the PC(USA).
The very liberal Presbytery of Des Moines calls emergency meeting for August 19.  An administrative commission lies in wait.
Contact Windsor Presbyterian Church.
Presbytery of Des Moines leadership contact info.

Two Brave Iowa Congregations Spearhead Exodus From PCUSA

New Wineskins asks PC(USA) for moratorium on legal, administrative, or disciplinary actions.
"Work with us to help create an environment of real peace during these troubling times."

The Rise of a New Presbyterian Papacy: Louisville Issues Advisory Opinion #19 Declaring Presbyteries Must Take Over Churches that Attempt to Leave the Denomination...And If They Don't, Then Their Synod Will Take Over the Presbytery!

 The Scandal of the Decade: The Louisville Papers
"The PUP Report, with all of the grand language about forbearance and conversation means nothing. The Institution and its assets are everything.
Here's the basic message of the Louisville Papers: 'If a church decides it must leave our fold, then squash them in civil court. Go in with guns blazing and take their property, label them schismatics and troublemakers. Do what it takes to win.' This is not the path of Jesus. This is the tactic of Ahab.
"

In Their Own Words:
(1) Secret Plans Made Prior to 2006 GA to Secure Church Property;
(2) Louisville Selectively Targets Biblical Churches Instead of, for Instance, GLBT-ordaining Churches

Double Standards "show the greed of our leadership. They want us to accept decisions that aren’t biblical but they don’t want to accept session decisions that might hurt their pocketbook."

PC(USA) Issues Hardball Stategies
Surely, those at denominational headquarters are not truly our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus as they fail to exhibit any of the fruit of the Spirit.

 
Iowa Presbytery Seeks to Appoint an AC to "Destroy" Bible-believing Congregation Asking to Leave PC(USA)
The Presbytery of Prospect Hill seeks to remove the church's pastor and appoint an AC to control the church's finances, property and personnel.  Sound familiar?
Will this be the national pattern: To destroy the church to "save" the presbytery?
Contact the presbytery staff, or contact its moderator, Richard Francis.

An open letter to Prospect Hill Moderator Rev. Richard Francis:
"You are the cad who breaks the faith and the ordination vows here, not the Riverside Presbyterian Church and its session!"

To contact Riverside Presbyterian Church and offer encouragement and support, click here.

Shaming Jesus: The Presbyterian Persecution Begins

2006 New Wineskins Action Plan

Already Taken Prisoner, HPC Plans To Discuss General Assembly Actions
Town Hall Meeting Called for Thursday, August 17 at 7 PM

Bel Air Presbyterian Church Plans Its Next Steps: "The passing of the PUP report caused many of us to fear that we have torn at the heart of being a constitutional, connectional, and confessional church. If every Presbytery can choose to enforce its own interpretation of standards, what are the standards for?"

"What is essential now is courage."

Why Many PCUSA Pastors and Churches Will Not Leave the Apostate PCUSA: Comfort

Pastors Attending New Wineskins Fear Their Ordination Will Be Stripped and Property Confiscated...Just for Attending!

January 11, 2007: 273 days have passed since the false statements about Dr. Manock on HPC's website were brought to HPC's attention, yet no correction has been made.  The AC's Rev. Hughes promised to "forward it to the appropriate bodies for response," but no response has been made to date.
June 12, 2006: Update: HPC has removed the link from its homepage to the Renewal Bulletins with the false statements, but they remain active web pages on its website.  No retraction has been made.
All charges dismissed against Dr. David Manock; PJC believes they are without merit.
But HPC's "Renewal Bulletin" falsely implies PJC believed charges against Dr. Manock had merit
 and falsely implies a plea bargain arrangement.
Read the letter from an eyewitness asking for HPC and its AC to retract the false statements.


Wrap-up Post from New Wineskins: "The PCUSA does not look, or sound, like a church of Jesus Christ. The NWI convocation felt like a church. It worshipped like a church. It sounded like the church. It prayed like the church. It focuses on mission like the church. It places a high priority on Reformed Theology like the church. It seeks to value and honor scripture like the church. Could it be a new representation of the church (not the “Church)?"

REPORTS FROM 2006 NEW WINESKINS INITIATIVE (in order): 1, 2, 3, 4

Blog by the pastor of Kirk of the Hills Church, host of 2006 New Wineskins Initiative

Seminary Professor Robert Gagnon at NWI: "Don't fear human beings who can only kill you. You must fear God, who can send your soul to hell." Presbyterians who are committed to God's Word should make preparations for separation.

New Wineskins to Consider Withdrawing Its Congregations from PCUSA.

  "'Stay/Fight/Win' is now a lose/lose proposition."  A Presbyterian pastor looks forward to the New Winekins convention in Tulsa, OK (July 19-21).
The Presbterian Lay Committee isses a response to the 2006 GA: "Reluctantly, and with deep sorrow, we conclude that current renewal efforts within the Presbyterian Church (USA) are not capable of reversing the denomination's plunge into apostasy. Continuing the remedial course that our renewal organizations have pursued for more than four decades will not save this ecclesiastical body; for its sin is so systemic as to render it impervious to change from within. This institution begs not for improvement, but for Reformation and transformation."

Presbytery's COM has approved a new interim pastor for HPC.
Dr. Gary Stratman joined Bel Air's Dr. Mark Brewer in signing statement against PUP: "While longing to retain our unity, we are ready for a redefinition of that unity and the structural realities that hold us together. God help us."

Rumor Denied: The Presbytery AC's Tony de la Rosa, an openly gay Presbyterian elder, has not become a member of Hollywood Presbyterian Church.  Some session members are relieved.  But the real question is: What will prevent this advocate of anti-biblical sexuality from becoming a member of HPC?
Elder Tony de la Rosa is in control of HPC's session.
The Presbytery of the Pacific supports homosexual acts as a civil rights issue
and casts Scripture as a man-made document.
Can HPC even choose to follow God instead of man after it invited the Presbytery wolves to oversee the flock?
Only Jesus can save Hollywood Pres now, if they will allow Him.  (Luke 5:31,32)

Presbyterian pastor analyzes six possible responses to the PUP passage: Submit, Starve the Bureaucracy, Split to an existing denomination, Split to a new denomination, Become non-denominational, or The Pastor Leaves with a Portion of His/Her Flock.

1st Pres Fresno Votes to Separate from PCUSA: "The real heart of the issue is the authority of scripture."

1st Pres Beeville (TX) Minister & Congregation leave PCUSA: "After this vote, I could not stand on this pulpit one more Sunday."

PoP Delegate Elder Lyle Steinmehl comments on PUP Report Recommendation #5:
"
I think it was poorly advised, shortsighted, and a very 'agenda' driven measure. While one side was drinking champagne in celebration of a first step, the other side was gathering in prayer, grieving for the church and asking for God’s guidance. It was an act of appeasement and not scriptural obedience. The missiology of relevance overcame Christ’s mission and ministry of transforming lives and culture in reconciliation to God."

New Wineskins Initiative declares "the time is now" for a new wineskin.  "The PC(USA) has forsaken its constitutional covenant, abandoned its Presbyterian heritage and opened the door to the blatant disregard of Biblical standards, paving the way for a climate in which 'each does what is right in his own eyes.' "

Presbyterian Pundit Hugh Hewitt: "What should follow now is an orderly separation of the church and its property into two denominations. Theological debate is one thing, but a farce serves nobody."

General Assembly of PC(USA) Votes to Allow Presbyteries to Ordain Practicing Homosexuals.
Peace, Unity & Purity (PUP) Report Recommendation #5 Passes General Assembly.

From the Truth in Love Network:

"The vote was 57% to 43%. A commissioner asked the moderator about the proper procedure to register dissent. Now the assembly is celebrating the work of the PUP Task force -- calling it a sacred gift and comparing it to the water that was brought to David from the well of Bethlehem. The assertion was made that Jesus would have accepted a gift of this kind.

A former moderator of the PC(USA) who I will not name was heard to say that when it passes, about 200 churches will leave the denomination, and we’ll all be better off."

Read The Layman Online article on the passing of the PUP Report.
San Diego and Santa Barbara Presbyteries to consider whether to leave PC(USA).
New Wineskins Initiative to meet July 19-22 to Consider Starting New Denominational Structure for Churches Leaving PC(USA).
Los Ranchos Presbytery (Orange County) predicts that many thousands of Presbyterians and a great many churches will now leave the PC(USA).

Former HPC Pastor Mark D. Roberts calls passage of PUP Report "the beginning of the end of the PCUSA."

A Presbyterian pastor hears God call him to leave the PCUSA.

Presbyterians for Renewal Issues Statement.
Declares
"This recent decision marks a profound deviation from biblical requirements, and we cannot accept, support, or tolerate it. We will take the steps necessary to be faithful to God and to those God calls us to serve."

Hollywood Pres remains in the tight grip of the Presbytery of the Pacific and its Administrative Commission, both of which strongly favor homosexual ordination.  Now that the denomination has become officially unbiblical, how can Hollywood Pres muster the strength to break away from the PC(USA) and the gay-ordaining Presbytery of the Pacific?

  » Will Hollywood Pres foolishly think itself safe from gay ordination regardless of the PC(USA)'s actions?
» Will HPC compromise its biblical standards by remaining in the PC(USA)?
Remember that attorney Tony de la Rosa is on Hollywood's AC and actively campaigns in the PC(USA) for gay ordination and gay marriage.  He and his AC have full control over HPC's property, finances, and personnel.
» Will HPC continue its unholy complicity with the heretical Presbytery of the Pacific?
» How long before HPC is forced to accept an openly homosexual pastor, elder or deacon?
» Will HPC follow man or God?
Keep track of the GA actions through these websites and blogs:
The Layman
Presbyterians for Renewal
The Presbyterian Coalition
Truth in Love Network (focused more on Israel divestment issues)
Read Rev. Donna Lee Merz's Blog about Her Experience Representing the Presbytery of the Pacific at the General Assembly.  She shares her excitement over the More Light Presbyterian events and the sermon given by the PoP's own lesbian pastor, Rev. Bear (yes, that is her name) Ride ("married" to Rev. Susan Craig, whose retirement and ministry was celebrated by the PoP last June).
Where Hollywood Pres and the Presbytery of the Pacific are now headed.
The biblical response to sexual brokenness.

"The Word Is Out - Sundays" Unfurls New Name: "Church for the Nations"
Read the
story in the Los Angeles Daily News

Shame on HPC's leadership: Their latest Renewal Bulletin attempts to defame Dr. Alan Meenan with spurious and trumped up charges.  These were produced by the same PIC that had its charges against Dr. Manock thrown out by the PJC.  The PIC's charges were dismissed for lack of merit because of bias and the fact their procedures lacked due process and fundamental fairness.  We do not doubt the PJC would have thrown out the charges against Dr. Meenan as well for the same reason (lack of merit), if he had elected to remain in the PC(USA).

One example of the ridiculousness of the PIC's charges against Dr. Meenan: It is charged that he did not fire Sarah Berry as Clerk of Session, a position she holds again at the request of the current HPC Session.  Should charges now be filed against Interim Head of Staff Scott Erdman for not removing her as Clerk?

Dr. Alan Meenan forced to renounce membership in the PC(USA).
Read his letter to Presbytery detailing his situation.
Read his letter renouncing the PC(USA).

Excerpt: "My heart also grieves for the church that I served in Hollywood whose members have been rendered a heavy blow.
While real financial issues existed - which issues we were addressing - I am persuaded that the crisis that presently
exists there is directly attributable to the heavy-handed inappropriateness of the Presbytery’'s actions. The drastic
and precipitous decline of that congregation is a matter the Presbytery though its COM and AC has brought upon
itself when it chose not to listen to the vast majority of its parishioners!  In all, the debacle affected by the
Presbytery has caused irreparable damage to many souls in Christ's Kingdom and, one day, there will be those who
will have to give an account of their actions."

Read The Layman story.
Read the Truth in Love Network's commentary.
Read the commentary from Amarillo Globe News (registration requred)


Read Betty Zaun's Letter to The Layman.

After months veiled with secrecy and hints of nefarious deeds,
you can finally read the misguided and petty charges against Dr. David Manock here.

(Adobe Acrobat Required.  Download it here.)
These charges show how some HPC elders resented Dr. Manock's request that they be more than just a school board, but be "spiritual elders" after the Biblical mandate, responsible for praying for and ministering to the church.
The Presbytery's Investigative Committee, headed by Rev. Leslie Atkinson and including Elder Elizabeth Evans (Westwood Pres.) and Elder Youngman Kwan (Bel Air Pres.), recommended that the charges be filed in Presbytery court even when it was obvious that the charges were without merit or trivial.
Read The Layman's story about the charges against Dr. Manock.
Read The Layman's story about the charges against both Dr. Meenan & Dr. Manock.

Dr. Manock's new e-mail address: dmanock@comcast.net

The Word Is Out ... on Sundays!
10:00 a.m. at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood (free validated parking)
Preaching from Dr. Alan Meenan with a New Series on the Acts of the Apostles
Contemporary Worship
Home Bible Study Groups
Children's Program from Birth thru High School
See the announcement postcard here.
Visit The Word Is Out website for more information.
Hollywood Pres Session Explores How to Respond to Dr. Meenan's New Church
Will they rejoice in the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Dr. Meenan Responds to Actions of PoP in Layman Article

A Warning Letter to Congregations that Believe They Are Strong by Dr. Frankie Cotton

Now 10 Session elders have resigned since the AC took over HPC.
Read former Elder Bella Thomasson's resignation letter here.

We will start to post resignation letters here (updated 01/13/2006) as a testimony to what has happened.
You may e-mail us a copy of yours here.
Read the Layman's print article about the forced resignations.

December 11: Congregation Votes to Approve Severance and Accept Drs. Meenan and Manock's Resignations.
After 7 months since the Administrative Commission (AC) was illegally appointed and the AC illegally removed the pastors, after the Session and congregation of HPC were completely worn down by the AC, after the AC  scrupulously prevented any efforts toward reconciliation, after attendance dropped approximately 40%, the pastors saw there was no hope for return and sought to resume their ministries in a different venue.
Drs. Meenan and Manock offered their resignations and asked the congregation to accept them.
Read Dr. Meenan's Statement at the Dec. 11 Congregational Meeting
Read Dr. Manock's Statement at the Dec. 11 Congregational Meeting

Keep tuned to this website for updates on the future ministries of Dr. Alan Meenan and Dr. David Manock.

Read The Layman's article here.

AC Lifts Gag Order between HPC congregation and pastors
after worn-down Session remnant asks for pastors' resignations.
Congregants and pastors are now free to communicate, but pastors
are still prohibited by AC from setting foot on HPC campus.
Pastor Alan Meenan may be contacted at ameenan@thewordisout.com.

Pastor David Manock may be contacted at dmanock@comcast.net.


Read This Open Letter to the Pastors



Read the print version Layman story re: the request for the pastors to resign
with quotes from the Oct. 9 congregational meeting.

Read The Layman story about the request for the pastors' resignations here.
Read analysis on an independent blog: "The end of Hollywood Presbyterian?"

Visit the new The Word Is Out website here.
More Letters to The Layman

 Oct. 9 Congregational Meeting Documents
Read Letters to the Layman Describing the Meeting
"So That  Both Sides Might Be Heard"  FAQ's


Ecclesia: The Gathering Field (the new church that used to be the C.U.E. service)
Visit Dr. David Manock's New Website: The Titus Walk
Listen to or read Dr. Meenan's last sermon at HPC.
More of Dr. Meenan's sermons here.
Listen to Dr. Manock's last sermon at HPC.

Since the Administrative Commission won't let us e-mail, phone or talk to our pastors,
we thought some of you might like to post open letters to them on this website.
Just click here to e-mail us an open letter to Pastors Meenan and Manock and--if it is appropriate--we'll post it!

Read the letters to date.  Send in your own!

Another Deacon Resignation Letter

Elder Mary Hersh Resigns from Session,
Citing "Turmoil" and "Divisiveness" Caused by the Administrative Commission.
Read her resignation letter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) -- Click here.

Stated Clerk of Synod, Margy Wentz, Supports Gay Ordination.
Read about it here.


Issue #2: What Happened to the Legal Stay?
Issue #1: What Has Happened to Our Church?

Hollywood's Clerk of Session Resigns
Letter Cites
"Broken Processes" of Administrative Commission and Presbytery
Read about it on The Layman

Deacon Resignation Letter: "It is time to move on."

Synod and Presbytery Clerks Attempt to Turn the Tables on the Pastors
Read their statement
Read an analysis and response to the clerks' statement
Read about it on The Layman

The Christian Examiner Reports Denomination is Killing Hollywood Pres by Keeping Pastors Away
Presbytery of the Pacific Stated Clerk Opines that Stay Request is Invalid
Hollywood Pres Session Elder Responds to Stated Clerk's Letter with a Reading from the Book of Order

Petition to Presbytery puts administrative
leave on hold. Pastors Alan Meenan and David Manock
were at all services Sunday, June 26.
Read letter to elders

Read all about the pastors' return on The Layman!


OKAY.  LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT:
THERE IS NO SMOKING GUN!

No "Affair."
No "Embezzlement."
No "Charges."
Just "Complaints."


  See it for yourself!
PoP Liturgy: Koran read during May 10 meeting,
Mohammed acknowledged as a prophet in prayer!
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

  Article from Christianity Today

  Article from Layman editor


Presbytery upholds AC's actions
to put pastors on leave

Read the story here

SHOCKING! May 10th Presbytery Meeting:
Readings from Koran?? Acknowledging Mohammed??
Read the liturgy from the meeting here!
Updates about Presbytery AC members

Partial transcript from May 15th

Congregational Meeting
Read it here

Letter from a Presbytery Reverend
Read it here

CUE leadership moves on
Open letter from leadership team
Additional Article on layman.org
CUE Part 2 has new location!

HPC session files remedial complaint,
believes appointment of AC wrong
Download full pdf here!

Article from Associated Press
Read it here!

 

or Official statement from Hollywood Pres

Click here for full story on layman.org!




1. Letter from Hollywood Pres staff member
2. Letter from HPC Personnel Committee Chair on $$$


Response of the COM to the Concerned Session
Elder's letter to the COM dated April 24th


 
The Backstory
Read an official statement from Hollywood Pres summarizing
Committee on Ministry's (COM) reason for action
(from April 15, 2005).

 
Read the List of "Concerns"
against our pastors for yourself!

The official document from George Wilde (chairman of COM)
entitled "Actions of the Committee on Ministry".

 
Majority of Session Elders reply to COM
"we...object strongly to the COM's actions..." - Letter to COM - April 24

 
Letter to Presbytery
Download PDF sent by HPC Action Team
to the Elders and Pastors who will be voting on May 3rd.

 
Letters of Support from Christ Presbyterian
Their Session and unanimous congregation both write letters of support!
Download and read both of the PDFs now.

 
Letter of Support from First Presbyterian Bakersfield
Insightful letter from their Executive Pastor

 
Pastor Mark Roberts discusses church conflict
Blog site from pastor of Irvine Presbyterian on healing.


Click Camera
Photos of Hollywood Presbyterian Church.
A vibrant, diverse, active,
and growing congregation!

Check out original posting of the issue on www.layman.org from April 13

Check out letters to www.layman.org regarding the issue

Learn more about Hollywood Pres
Visit the church website

Check back for Updates (This website is not sponsored by FPCH)

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