Examined and Found...

Well, he passed. I'm not sure how, but Liam Goligher slipped through all the examinations of presbytery, and on Saturday was extended the call to be our Senior Minister.

Here is how the system works. Though we voted as a congregation to call Dr. Goligher to be our Senior Minister, it is the responsibility of presbytery (Philadelphia Presbytery) to approve him. The wording is as follows:
"No minister...shall receive a call from a church but by the permission of his Presbytery. When a call has been presented to the Presbytery, if found in order and the Presbytery deems it for the good of the Church, they shall place it in the hands of the person to whom it is addressed....an ordained minister from...another denomination, ordinarily shall not move on to the field to which he has been called until examined and received by Presbytery."

That is what happened this past Saturday. Liam was examined and approved. Then the presbytery heard and approved the terms of his call. The court then "placed his call in his hands."

There is one last step, which is to install him in his new position. A commission was formed to act on behalf of presbytery to do that. The installation service will be held May 22 in the evening service.