RP Official Minutes for OCTOBER 28, 2017

The minutes are found online at this link:
http://www.reformationparty.org/rp/minutes/RP_Official_Minutes_for_OCTOBER_28_2017.pdf

2017 Reformation Party Essay Contest Winner Is.....

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Samuel on his award-winning essay for the inaugural Reformation Party Essay Contest.   Paper found here: http://www.reformationparty.org/rp/pdf_downloads/Establishment_Principle_Essay_Contest_2017.pdf

RP Official Minutes for FEBRUARY 18, 2017

REFORMATION PARTY, USA NATIONAL COUNCIL OF OFFICERS

OFFICIAL MINUTES – FEBRUARY 18, 2017

 

 

1. Present at the meeting were Council members Brian Hanley and Mark Wallace, along with Party member J. Parnell McCarter.  The Council was informed by Party member J. Parnell McCarter that Council member Evan Kersten was unable to attend this meeting due to injuries sustained in a recent automobile accident, but Evan indicated for the Council to proceed with its meeting in his absence.  Meeting moderator Brian Hanley asked new Council member Mark Wallace, along with others present in the meeting, to explain his background.  He also asked Parnell to keep the meeting minutes.  After these informal introductions, the meeting officially opened with a reading of a Bible text from Psalm 46:8-10 by Brian Hanley and the opening prayer was led by Mark Wallace.  

 

2. Officers first discussed the essay contest on the topic of the Establishment Principle with a $100 prize.  Brian asked how many might be participating in the contest.  Parnell noted that he has heard of two who may be.  Beyond that, it is uncertain how many might submit an essay.  Essays are due at the end of February.  It was decided to wait and see how many, if any, might submit an essay, before deciding anything further on the topic.

 

3. Officers next discussed the Party blog.  Brian noted that there needs to be an updated blog entry since the last one was almost one year old. Brian agreed to submit one in March, and Mark indicated he would submit one 4 to 6 months afterwards.  It was decided regularly to update.

 

4.  There was next discussion of the list of current members of the Party and their status.  Brian asked Parnell to email the membership list to Council members, and Parnell indicated he would do so.

 

5.   Next discussed was an idea of Brian to start a Party Facebook page just for members.  It was agreed that Brian should spearhead such an effort.

 

6. Next discussed was an idea of Brian to create a Party YouTube video explaining the Party and its principles, especially the Establishment Principle.  It was agreed that Brian should spearhead such an effort.

 

7. Next discussed was an idea of Brian to seek that there be a public debate on the topic of the Establishment Principle.  It was decided to pray about this and consider ways it may effectively happen.

 

8. Finally the Council discussed an idea broached by Mark that he use MS Publisher to prepare brochures of some of the essays and articles at the Party website.  It was agreed that Mark proceed to do so.

 

9. The Council closed with prayer by Parnell.

 

Our First Essay Contest

The Reformation Party is very excited to have our first essay contest, which is to encourage young hungry minds to think about the importance of Jesus being King of the Nations and the advancement of the true religion. 

The topic for our first essay contest is:  ‘The Establishment Principle- a present need in the US today, and its Biblical rationale’

See the Rules by going here:  http://www.reformationparty.org/rp/minutes/Rules_For_Essay_Contest_2017_Final.pdf

Submissions should be sent to contest@ReformationParty.org . Winner of essay contest receives $100 award.

RP Official Minutes for NOVEMBER 12, 2016

RP Official Minutes for NOVEMBER 12, 2016

REFORMATION PARTY, USA NATIONAL COUNCIL OF OFFICERS

OFFICIAL MINUTES – NOVEMBER 12, 2016

1. The Council meeting opened with a reading of a Bible text from Daniel 4:17 by Brian Hanley (who moderated the meeting) and the opening prayer was led by Evan Kersten.  J. Parnell McCarter kept the meeting minutes. Present at the meeting were Brian H., Evan K, and J. Parnell M.

2. Officers discussed the idea proposed by Brian of an essay contest with a $100 prize.  Children would be asked to write an essay explaining and defending the establishment principle.  Brian indicated he would be sending other officers his list of proposed rules relating to such an essay contest in order that at the next officer meeting in the first quarter of 2017 such rules could be discussed and acted upon.

3. There was a discussion of how the Party website has moved from Fatcow to iPage.   Parnell indicated he would email to the other officers the ftp and other information relating to the new webhosting platform.

4. Officers discussed and agreed to have a public posting that the Party will have an election once there are more than 3 members seeking to be on the three member Council of Officers.  Until then the current 3 officers will remain on it without election.  It was also discussed how there appears we may soon have 4 candidates, because it is appearing like member Mark Wallace may put forth his name as a candidate.  Brian and Evan requested information about Mark, and Parnell indicated he would email it to them.

5.  There was next discussion of what the Party strategy should be at this point in time, with these possibilities proposed by Parnell for publicly published strategies:

a)      Continue to hold up a public standard of where we believe the political order should move long term.  -  This item was supported by all 3 officers so approved.

b)      Help political leaders and politicians in other parties which will move political policy in the general direction we seek (albeit such do not generally embrace all aspects of what the Reformation Party aims for).  -  This item was disapproved by Brian and Evan for public publication but supported by Parnell, so this item was not accepted for public publication.

c)       Encourage Party members to get involved in local politics and even run for office when the time is opportune.  -  This item was supported by all 3 officers so approved.

Also as part of discussion of this topic Parnell noted that certain Reformation Party members have asked to attend a Party teleconference to discuss Party strategy.  It was agreed that the first quarter of 2017 Officer meeting would have this as a component of it.  It was approved to let members know of this.  Brian also suggested that if there were an Officer election in the future that we ought to consider a teleconference where members could ask the candidates questions.

6.   Parnell had proposed the following: 

"With the rising prominence of politicians like Trump and Farage, along with the success of Brexit, etc., nationalism has become a more prominent issue in recent years.  *If* we as a Board of Officers can reach unanimity on it, I would request that we put out a statement indicating our view that Protestant nationalism is consistent with and conducive to the ends of the Reformation Party.  If we cannot reach unanimity, then I would request we publish what is the majority and minority opinion on this topic.  We should make clear that no member is required to embrace Protestant nationalism in order to be a member of the Reformation Party, nor are we saying there is unanimity of view on this topic in the Party." 

After some discussion, this item was disapproved by Brian and Evan for public publication but supported by Parnell, so this item was not accepted for public publication.

                                                    

7. The Council closed with prayer by Parnell.

RP Official Minutes for SEPT 12, 2015

RP Official Minutes for SEPTEMBER 12, 2015

REFORMATION PARTY, USA NATIONAL COUNCIL OF OFFICERS

OFFICIAL MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 12, 2015

This was our agenda for the meeting:

1. The Council meeting opened with a reading of a Bible text from Revelation 11:15-19 by Brian Hanley (who moderated the meeting) and the opening prayer was led by Evan Kersten.  J. Parnell McCarter kept the meeting minutes. Present at the meeting were Brian H., Evan K, and J. Parnell M.

2.  Officers discussed the upcoming election of Party officers for the 2016 term, and especially procedures if only three Party members run for the three officer positions.  The Council adopted the following motion proposed by Parnell: "In the event only three members run for the three-member Reformation Party Council of Officers for the coming term of office, and no member objections are raised regarding any of the three candidates, and hence it is an uncontested election, the three member candidates will automatically be declared as winners for the three-member Council in the coming term.  In the event an objection is raised by a Reformation Party member regarding any of the three candidates, the election must proceed to take place and none of the three member candidates will automatically be declared as winners for the three-member Council in the coming term.     This provision is being added to the Reformation Party by-laws."  Evan seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously upon vote.   It was noted by Brian that there are other issues related to the one addressed in the passed motion, involving objections to membership or candidacy of a Party member.  It was decided to table consideration of these other issues until a future meeting.  Parnell was authorized by the Council to proceed with soliciting candidates for Reformation Party office, making note of the newly passed motion and by-law provision.

3.  Brian raised the possibility of a Reformation Party member running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate.  He pointed out how Biblically speaking none of the candidates thus far in the race for President are qualified, and the existence of provisions in the law for alternative write-in candidates.  He feels a burden for this, and recommends that a Reformation Party member run for office in this way.  Parnell expressed his agreement that Biblically speaking none of the candidates thus far in the race for office are qualified, but expressed his reservations about any current members running for President, although noting their right to do so.  Parnell stated his opinion that current qualified members should focus their efforts on local candidacy, since no current members appear to have national stature, so as to make their candidacy known to most voters in a national election.  He expressed a concern that it may subject the Party and candidate to unnecessary mocking.  Evan stated his reservations regarding a Reformation Party member running for President of the United States, expressing his opinion that such an effort would not be taken seriously.  Brian noted his opinion that there is much we must do trusting the Lord, and ignoring the scoffs of the world.  It was agreed by officers to disagree on the advisability of a Reformation Party member running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate, but acknowledged by all of the right for any member to so run.

4.  Parnell discussed his own candidacy for local office in West Michigan in the upcoming elections, and solicited advice from the other officers.  Brian helpfully noted that if Parnell should have any meetings open to the general public where strong and possible raucous dissent was a real possibility, he suggests that such a meeting be videotaped as a means to keep the meeting more orderly and respectful. 

                                             

5. The Council closed with prayer by Parnell.

The meeting minutes can be downloaded from here:

http://www.reformationparty.org/rp/minutes/RP_Official_Minutes_for_SEPTEMBER_12_2015.pdf

RP Official Minutes for MAY 16, 2015

REFORMATION PARTY, USA NATIONAL COUNCIL OF OFFICERS

OFFICIAL MINUTES – MAY 16, 2015

This was our agenda for the meeting:

1. The Council meeting opened with a reading of a Bible text from Psalm 2 by Brian Hanley (who moderated the meeting) and prayer by J. Parnell M. (who kept the meeting minutes). Present at the meeting were Brian H., Evan K, and J. Parnell M.

2.  Officers adopted the following motion proposed by Parnell: "The Reformation Party is commending its members in the USA to observe a fast and prayer day during the last week of May to beseech God for mercy and a turning away from the sin of sodomy and other grievous transgressions and not to adopt so called 'gay marriage' as the law of the land.  Already the HRC denomination has called a fast and prayer day during this period for that purpose, and members may suggest other churches do so as well."  Evan seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously upon vote.   It was noted how Brian had gotten this ball rolling with his work in the HRC.

3.  Brian indicated he would publish the decision above on the ReformationParty.org website, and Parnell indicated he would seek to publish it elsewhere.

4.  Evan explained his efforts to get a similar fast and prayer day in the NRC. He noted that the suggestion has met with positive reception by the NRC minister he discussed it with, who will in turn be bringing it before a larger body of NRC church officers.  

5. Parnell explained how he has requested the officers of the FPCS congregation in Houston (the only FPCS congregation in the USA) to consider calling such a fast and prayer day.

6.  Parnell also briefly explained efforts at petitioning local civil officials with the help of the consistory of a local NRC congregation which has supplied him with the wording for such a petition.

7.  It was noted how further matters could be discussed via email among the three officers.

8. The Council closed with prayer by Evan Kersten.

Fast and prayer day - last week of May

The Reformation Party Officers adopted the following: The Reformation Party is commending its members in the USA to observe a fast and prayer day during the last week of May to beseech God for mercy and a turning away from the sin of sodomy and other grievous transgressions and not to adopt so called 'gay marriage' as the law of the land.  Already the HRC denomination has called a fast and prayer day during this period for that purpose, and members may suggest other churches do so as well.
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This blog is a news feed for the Reformation Party. Visit us at: reformationparty.org

Note From Current Officer Mark Hausam:

I regret to say that I will not be able to run for office in the Council of Officers for the 2015 term.  The reason is that I am currently switching denominations from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and, as of now, I have only adherent (non-communicant) membership status in the FPCS and no longer any status in the OPC, and therefore do not qualify for office (or even to be a voting member) in the Party.  I have felt for some time the need to make this switch, as I believe the FPCS's distinctive stands to be more biblical than those of the OPC--in areas such as exclusive psalmody, the Establishment Principle, etc.  I believe that it is important to join with that denomination whose distinctive stands give it an adequate warrant for continued separate existence from other denominations.

I continue to wholeheartedly endorse the foundation and goals of the Party, and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with all the members and officers of the Party to further those goals from the position of my new status.  And I recommend to other members of the Party who meet the qualifications (http://reformationparty.org/about.php) that you consider whether this might be a good time for you to run for office in the Council of Officers yourself.

Thanks!

Mark Hausam

Download, signing and mail the covenant...

Download, signing and mail the covenant...
go to:   http://www.reformationparty.org/rp/covenant.php

Now it is time to begin to prepare for the 2015 term.

We are thankful our God has been blessing the Reformation Party during term of operation in 2014.  Now it is time to begin to prepare for the 2015 term.  Each annual term we need voting members willing to serve on the Council of Officers.  If you are a qualified voting member and would be willing to serve on the Council for the 2015 term, please submit your name and information as a candidate soon to info@reformationparty.org.  This information will be posted at http://www.reformationparty.org/candidates.htm .  Subsequently there will be election of officers by voting members.
Also, if you are not sure whether you are registered as a member of the Reformation Party, please feel free to email your inquiry to info@reformationparty.org.   We want to make sure our Party membership records are complete.  For those of you who have "liked" the Reformation Party on Facebook, in order to be a member of the Reformation Party you still need to register as a member by emailing your information to info@reformationparty.org.

Resource: The Establishment Principle (External Link)

The Establishment Principle

				The Establishment Principle "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry" P...
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Signing of the Reformed Party covenant

We are presently organizing gatherings around the United States for the signing of the Reformed Party covenant (an optional covenant).  If you are interested in being a signer, please email us and let us know.  Also if you are a Pastor or Elder which want to have a covenant signing at your church, contact us and we'll seek to work with you.   Contact us at:  info@reformationparty.org

For your reference:  Reformation Party Main Blog: Reformation Party Covenant

	Reformation Party Main Blog: Reformation Party Covenant The Reformation Party Council of Officers would like to invite anyone who shares the convictions expressed below to personally sign this covenant.  You can do so privately, of course, but if you wish to sign the covenant in a more public manner, you are welcome to send your na...
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New Tracts for Your Church's Booktable

The Reformation Party is excited to provide local churches tracts which they can be printed and left on a display table.  See Link:  The Reformation Party

			The Reformation Party Council of Officers for 2014 Term (results) Attacks Against the Reformation Party/Response Now it is time to begin to prepare for the 2014 term.
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Council of Officers for 2014 Term (results)

 The Reformation Party election for its 3-man Council of Officers for the 2014 calendar year term has concluded. There were 3 candidates that registered to run for this office for the 2014 term. These candidates are listed at http://www.reformationparty.org/candidates.htm . These 3 candidates were elected to serve for the 2014 term.

Attacks Against the Reformation Party/Response

It has come to the attention of the Council of Officers that a particular individual who is no longer a Reformation Party member is issuing attacks against the Reformation Party that it is the party of kinism because this former member asserts a specific current member of the Reformation Party is a kinist.  The particular current member in question is a white American married to an Asian wife.  In this current member's own words he says: "I am happily and unrepentantly married to an Asian wife, and I believe it is morally permissible for anyone else likewise to marry outside his race and ethnicity, so long as it is in the Lord.  I am extremely opposed to the absolute separation of the races and ethnicities, and I believe each church congregation has a moral duty to welcome people of all races and ethnicities into its membership, just as the Reformation Party welcomes people of all races and ethnicities into its membership.  It should be self-evident I am against the absolute separation of races and ethnicities because the human closest to me in this world is a member of another race and ethnicity."  If there are any doubts or questions of Reformation Party members or the public as to this matter, we would encourage you to contact the Council of Officers as a whole or individually.

Now it is time to begin to prepare for the 2014 term.

We are thankful our God has been blessing the Reformation Party during term of operation in 2013.  Now it is time to begin to prepare for the 2014 term.  Each annual term we need voting members willing to serve on the Council of Officers.  If you are a qualified voting member and would be willing to serve on the Council for the 2014 term, please submit your name and information as a candidate soon to info@reformationparty.org.  This information will be posted at http://www.reformationparty.org/candidates.htm .  Subsequently there will be election of officers by voting members.

Also, if you are not sure whether you are registered as a member of the Reformation Party, please feel free to email your inquiry to info@reformationparty.org.   We want to make sure our Party membership records are complete.  For those of you who have "liked" the Reformation Party on Facebook, in order to be a member of the Reformation Party you still need to register as a member by emailing your information to info@reformationparty.org.

Quarterly officer meeting of the 2013 term - the minutes may be read here.

The Council of Officers met in the second quarterly officer meeting of the 2013 term.  The minutes may be read here.

Possible ways members can get involved in and promote the goals of the Reformation Party

 Council officers of the Reformation Party are wanting to provide members with some possible ways such members can get involved in and promote the goals of the Reformation Party.  Here are some that have been submitted thus far:

 

1. Become coordinator in your local area of a chapter of Campaign for Community Biblical Governance

 

2. If your area has a chapter of Campaign for Community Biblical Governance, then help it in such ways as becoming editor of its periodic newsletter, managing its Facebook page or other website, writing letters to area churches and civil magistrates, inviting people in your area to join the chapter, etc.

 

3. work towards organizing a local/regional Reformation Party chapter with its own local Council of Officers

 

4. for those qualified, run for civil magistrate in your area with the Reformation Party agenda.

 

5.   If you are a writer, consider writing articles in favor of biblical principles of civil government. This could include letters to the editor dealing with some specific issue that is currently in the news, starting a blog, writing a book, writing a journal article, etc.

6. Sponsor, help to arrange, or engage in public debates over biblical civil issues—either in general or on specific topics.

7. Bring up these issues in conversations with others informally whenever there is a reasonable opportunity. Don't be afraid to speak your opinion when political issues come up, even if it is very uncomfortable.

8. Encourage people in your church, both lay people and leaders, to consider these issues. Help to bring these issues into the awareness of people who might not naturally think about them or be aware of them very much.

9. Become an active part of your community--going to community meetings, serving on committees, etc.--and be willing to put in your input to get people to think about biblical civil issues and to consider non-secular alternative ideas.

10.  Create a press release about the reformed party and local involvement.  A well-written online press release in an excellent way to build publicity.
11. Create a youtube.com video to promote and challenge secular thinking.  It can be as simple as taking a sermon excerpt and moving it to youtube.
12.  Create pictures with pro-establishment captions which can be shared on Facebook.
13.  Go to town meetings and ask questions which challenge the thinking of our leaders.
14.  Start a book discussion group at your home or church to expose people to Christ's Kingship.
15.  Offer scholarship money or prizes for the best paper on an establishment theme.
16.  Pray, Pray and Pray - nothing is mightier than having God on our side.
17.  Submit articles, book reviews to Christian magazines for publication.
18. Find an establishment theme book which is not in circulation and have an eBook created for publication.
19. Encourage pastors to write books on the crown rights of King Jesus.
20. Add quotes, links to sermons, books to the signature of your emails and posts.

set up Facebook The-Reformation-Party-Pics

Council officer Brian Hanley has helpfully set up http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Reformation-Party-Pics/243754329089762 so members may help spread the word regarding the Reformation Party.