March 2003 letters to the editor Archives of letters to the editor

Expect heavy-handed politicking March 27, 2003 Watch for heavy-handed politicking on the part of the stated clerk and his minions to void any move to set aside "the action on biennial assemblies and returning to the denomination's historic practice of holding annual meetings," as proposed by overture 03-15 from the National Capital Presbytery. But, if the commissioners give any serious thought to this matter, they will understand the absolute need to restore the annual assembly. After all, if we maintain biennial assemblies, and a need arises to recall the assembly, the only way open to do so is by petition in accordance with G-13.0104. Given the precedent set by the ruling of the GAPJC in the remedial case brought by the Westminster session in the matter of Alex Metherell's recent petition to do just this, it is obvious that no future petition to recall the assembly will ever have a chance of actually resulting in a meeting being convened. The PCUSA has become the only jurisdiction in the nation where a petition is not final upon delivery to the proper authorities. Instead, until the moment the moderator actually calls the meeting commissioners can sign on or off at will. The stated clerk has been granted license and all the time he wants to try to get the signatories to recant as he engages in the same shenanigans seen recently in a so-called "verification process." This is because the constitutional "shall," as in "The Moderator shall call a special meeting at the request or with the concurrence of twenty-five elders and twenty five ministers, representing at least fifteen presbyteries, under the jurisdiction of at least five synods," apparently places no obligation upon the moderator to act with alacrity. The GAPJC has done mischief to an important constitutional protection. They have set a foolish precedent that makes bad law. And the price will be paid by any minority that foolishly thinks it still has anything resembling a right to petition for redress. Rev. Bill Pawson Westminster Church Canton, Ohio Layman Online misses point March 27, 2003 The Layman Online has missed a main point of the Detroit Presbytery overture concerning Chevrolet sponsorship of the "Come Together and Worship" tour. This is not a matter of the Presbyterian Church seeking money from the Wal-Mart heirs to build new churches. Those are matters that should be discussed, but are not part of the Detroit overture. A primary concern of the Detroit overture is evidenced by the fact that the only cross on the official tour poster was the Chevrolet logo. Chevrolet, by its own admission, was motivated by a desire to sell cars to what it believes is a ripe market – the concert attendees. Will Wonder Bread become the official bread of communion? Will the Welch's grape juice logo appear on communion cups? Or maybe we should state the truth about the American addiction to materialism and print on our currency: "In Chevy we trust." Paul Peterson, minister Royal Oak, Mich. Membership loss: 130 a day for 37 years March 27, 2003 Thanks for the letter by Cliff Mansley Sr. regarding the numbers of Presbyterians leaving the denomination annually over the last 37 years. I attend a Presbyterian church with slightly more than 130 in membership. Based on your figures, the Presbyterian denomination is losing a church our size every day for the last 37 years. Shocking! A true lack of leadership that does not hold itself accountable to Biblical standards. Peter Nelson Thermal, Calif. Membership decline – a different slant March 27, 2003 I am responding to the article that points out that the membership declines in Confessing Churches is less than in the denomination as a whole. That is true. It has also been noted that there is an even stronger correlation between membership loss and presbyteries that voted against the fidelity and chastity ordination standards. I would suggest a modification in your data presentation to make the comparison more fair. When you compare the decline of the Confessing Church congregations to that of the denomination as a whole, you are double counting the Confessing Church members. The truer comparison is between the Confessing Churches and the others (not including the Confessing Church numbers). When you do this you see that while the decline of the denomination is 11.6 percent, the decline for the non-Confessing part is 12.7 percent. The conclusion, taking into account the 6.3 percent decline for the Confessing Churches, is: Membership decline in Confessing Church congregations is less than half that of other PCUSA congregations. Keep up the good work, and may God bless you. Owen Smith Sad to see consequences of devious conduct March 27, 2003 Excellent work in reporting the misconduct of our leadership. It is truly sad to see and to contemplate the consequences of such devious conduct in manipulation of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Let us remember to thank God in all circumstances. Pray always and rejoice always and rely on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. R.H. Sharrett, Elder Fanwood Presbyterian Church Elizabeth Presbytery

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