“It
is the part of a good pastor, not only to supply the flock with pasture
and to rule the sheep by his guidance, but to drive away the wolves
when they threaten to attack the fold; and that not just once, but
to be constantly on the watch, and to be indefatigable. … What
excuse will the pastor have if, after courageously repelling them
several times, he gives way at the ninth or tenth attack?”
(John Calvin, from his commentary on Phil. 3:2)
Gathering
IX featured analysis of the PUP Report and a Call to Defeat Recommendation
#5
The
Presbyterian Coalition’s Ninth Gathering, held in Orlando, Florida,
Nov. 7-9 began with an analysis of the report from the Task Force
on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (PUP
report) by Rev. Jim Berkley, interim director of Presbyterian
Action. Those who came to Orlando this year know that the PUP report
will be a centerpiece of concern about the church when the General
Assembly meets in Birmingham next June.
Berkley’s
analysis highlighted the potential for
harm in the PUP report. The report’s Recommendation #5 proposes
a new authoritative interpretation (AI) that will permit the ordination
of persons in sinful sexual relationships—ordinations currently
prohibited by the Book of Order. Recommendation #5, if adopted, will
make all our Book of Order ordination standards optional. Recommendation
#5 poses a dangerous threat to the peace, unity and purity of the
PC(USA). It must be rejected.
Berkley, along
with most critics of the report, do not see peace and unity—or
purity—resulting from the adoption of this AI. An AI requires
only the vote of a single General Assembly. It does not have to be
ratified by the presbyteries. The presbyteries have discussed, debated,
and voted on this matter three times in less than ten years and have
reaffirmed the prohibition with increasingly larger margins. The growing
majority in the church surely will not find it peaceful or unifying
to discover their voice circumvented by a single General Assembly.
To highlight
the danger inherent in Recommendation #5, Pastor John Sloop asked
PUP task force member Frances Gench at Shenandoah Presbytery’s
meeting on Oct. 16 if persons in active homosexual relationship may
be ordained under the current Book of Order. She answered
“No.” He then asked if those same persons would be permitted
ordination if the PUP report is adopted. She answered, “Yes.”
The Presbyterian Outlook quotes Tricia Dykers-Koenig, the
Covenant Network’s national organizer, as saying that if the
PUP report passes, “it would still be a huge step forward because
a lot more ordinations would be happening….We would be doing
it all over the place.”
We
in the Coalition are committed to the defeat of any threat to our
biblical and constitutional standards for ordination. And
the church needs the active involvement of all Presbyterians who share
that commitment.
Coalition
offers an agenda and resources for action
The
dangers of the PUP report are real. Renewal leadership in the PC(USA)
is united in the belief that Recommendation #5 has the greatest potential
to do harm to the church. The Chicago Statement
of Presbyterian Renewal Ministries on the Peace, Unity, and Purity
Report demonstrated this united concern. Presbyterians can add their
voices to this united statement of dissent against the PUP report
by signing onto the Statement. Church
officials are using their offices to promote this report. Church members,
elders, and pastors who affirm the standard of G-6.0106b must speak
out now in response. We want to be sure that commissioners hear this
united voice.
On our
web site you will find important presentations from the recent Gathering
IX. Jim Berkley’s analysis of the
PUP report begins this set of postings. You can order tapes for a
number of the key Gathering presentations. You also will find action
opportunities along with links to more information and resources.
Gathering
IX called the church to “remember” her “first love”
Plenary speakers
looked beyond the current battles in the PC(USA) to call the Gathering
back to the heart and soul of our faith and ministry. The letter to
the Ephesian church in Rev. 2:1-7 focused the Gathering’s attention
on Christ and his calling. While we faithfully bear witness in the
church this year in the face of the PUP report, we must fix our eyes
on Jesus.
This
Gathering fell close on the heels of a very successful Missions Conference
in Atlanta that drew more than a thousand Presbyterians. The Gathering,
too, emphasized the nature and mission of the church. Gerrit Dawson
presented a compelling vision and call to the church in his paper
Given and Sent. Dawson reminded
the Gathering that the church is not a human enterprise, but rather
a gift of the Trinity given in love. Dawson concluded his presentation
with a call for the church to bear witness, elder to elder, session
to session, to the truth of the Gospel. Throughout the Gathering,
the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church was filled with praise
and thanksgiving to God and with the challenging call to bear witness
to the truth that comes from God’s Word.
Workshops not
only focused on plans of action to tackle PUP head on as we head for
General Assembly, but also on mission work at home and abroad, practical
avenues for evangelism, and ideas for building a more faithful church
in the days ahead. In addition, the workshops gave voice to the ministries
of virtually every renewal organization in the PC(USA).
