Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church dismissed to EPC with all its property

Layman Online ^ | May 31, 2007 | Craig M. Kibler

[PAR35]

Expressing "deep regret and sorrow," the Presbytery of East Tennessee has voted overwhelmingly to dismiss the 1,965-member Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church with all its property.

"Considering and weighing all factors, including the absence of any identifiable PCUSA remnant in Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church," an administrative review committee stated in its report to the presbytery, the committee "concludes that the Presbytery of East Tennessee should, with deep regret and sorrow, dismiss Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church with all its property, real or personal, without condition."

***

2. ...That after dismissal, Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church will, without condition, continue to provide mission support to the Presbytery of East Tennessee in the amount of $500,000, payable over a period of five years, as follows:

* 2007 – $150,000.

* 2008 – $125,000.

* 2009 – $75,000.

* 2010 – $75,000.

* 2011 – $75,000.

"3. That the Presbytery of East Tennessee accept the following covenant: That Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church honor the terms of call, in their entirety, for any associate pastor(s) who wishes to remain in PCUSA, for a period of time not to exceed one year, from the effective date of dismissal, or until such time as said associate pastor(s) secures a call to another congregation or ministry, whichever time is less.

[PAR35]

Their definition of 'without condition' might differ from mine, but it looks like a good solution was reached.

Looks like the church as a budget in the $2.5 to $3 million range.

[wideawake]

“You can leave if you pay us a half-mil.”

[PAR35]

Compared to some of the presbyteries and Episcopal bishops, it’s almost a fair deal.