The Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Canada was held at Bedford Presbyterian Church (Nova Scotia).
In attendance were 22 teaching elders, 18 ruling elders, and 3 candidates.
The Moderator, RE Allan Buist, called the meeting to order at 10:03 AM, and the Presbytery worshipped together with the Moderator presiding. The Moderator read from 2 Corinthians 3 and shared a devotion.
Actions of the Presbytery*
– The Presbytery created a new committee, named the “Committee on Constitutional Business,” with the mandate to a) review all appeals and complaints from ministers, sessions and congregations, b) advise all parties as to procedures and biblical teaching, c) provide advance review of judicial matters that may come before the Presbytery, and d) advise all parties of applicable rules of discipline outlined in the Book of Church Order.
– In Executive Session, the Presbytery received the report of the Investigative Committee struck regarding a complaint received against a member of Presbytery. After consideration of the report, the Presbytery determined that the institution of judicial process was not warranted in respect of the complaint received.
– In the communications report, the Stated Clerk reported receiving notice of the following resignations: RE Jung Chee (Grace Toronto Church), TE Connan Kublik (New City Church, Hamilton).
– The Presbytery approved a petition from the members of New City Church, requesting the Associate Pastor Moses Lee may be considered as a candidate to succeed TE Kublik as the Senior Pastor of New City Church.
– The Presbytery set the Stated Clerk stipend for 2024 at $8,225.
– The Presbytery set the “partnership shares” (the contribution to the administrative fund from each particular church of the Eastern Canada Presbytery) at $35 per member, or $30 per average adult attendee, whichever more fairly represents the congregation.
– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Jim Poopalapillai’s examination to come under care as a candidate for the gospel ministry.
– The Presbytery sustained Rev. Gillis Smith’s examination for licensure.
– The Presbytery sustained Mr. Ben Reid’s examination for licensure.
– The Presbytery received reports from two mission churches: Grace Gatineau Mission Church and Grace West Mission Church.
– The Presbytery authorized the Candidates & Credentials Committee (Maritimes) to act as a commission to examine Rev. Rick Barnes (Harbour Light) and Rev. Wayne MacLeod (Sovereign Grace) for licensure.
– The Administrative Committee presented their report containing the review of all session minutes from 2023. Sessions were directed to consider the exceptions noted and to bring a response to the Presbytery meeting in February 2024.
– TE Mike Chhangur was elected at the Presbytery Moderator for 2024.
– The next stated meeting of Presbytery was set for Friday, February 23, 2024, in Ottawa.
*not all actions of the Presbytery are listed here for the sake of confidentiality
Presbytery of Eastern Canada 