An Open Letter from The Outreach Foundation Group regrets GA actions which compromise the PCUSA's participation in God's mission Posted Tuesday, July 7, 2008 218th General Assembly San Jose, California June 20-28, 2008 Articles from the General Assembly In the light of the recent 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we want to make clear our continuing beliefs and commitments. There was much in the Assembly's actions to give thanks for, including approval of: A mission budget that will allow, for the first time in decades, an increase in the number of PCUSA missionaries; from 196 this year to 215 in 2009 and 220 in 2010 "An Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God's Mission," a statement about new patterns of collaboration in mission that The Outreach Foundation helped to write A Christ-centered commitment to foster the growth of "Christ's Church Deep and Wide" through a focus on discipleship and evangelism " A new Strategy for Church Growth for African American Congregations More balanced statements on working for peace in the Middle East. But we disagree with and deeply regret other actions by the Assembly which compromise the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s capacity to participate fully in God's mission in the world. Despite the prayerful work of the commissioners, the Assembly in San Jose erred in dramatic ways. In wrestling with matters of ordination and human sexuality, issues that reflect tensions within the broader culture, the Assembly set aside the plain teaching of Scripture and adopted positions which put our denomination at odds with nearly all of our mission partners and with the global body of Christ. In its attempt to foster more open relations with other faiths, the Assembly did not adequately lift up the uniqueness and sufficiency of Jesus Christ and His call to be His witnesses among all the peoples of the earth. Although it approved a mission budget which seeks to reverse the historic decline in the number of PCUSA missionaries, the Assembly voted down an annual special offering that would have helped to fund the reversal. At a time when the PCUSA needs to focus on missional integrity instead of institutional retrenchment, the Assembly remained fixed on matters related to church property and congregational affiliation. Amidst all of the discord in the PCUSA, we are thrilled at the ways we see God at work in the world. We rejoice at how God continues to use faithful Presbyterians in his work of gathering up all things in Christ Jesus, and we are more committed than ever to proclaim Christ's good news together with our global partners. We believe that Jesus Christ is the one true Lord and Savior. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12, NRSV) We believe that the church's only true authority is the Lord who has given His Word to the church as the supremely trustworthy guide for faith and practice. We believe that humankind's highest purpose is to live for the glory and honor of God. We believe that each congregation is called to organize its life and to focus its resources around its primary purpose of being an agent of God's mission in the world. We believe that the usefulness of any church organization or body, including The Outreach Foundation, is determined by its faithfulness to the mission of God into which Christ calls us. Therefore, at this time when the needs of the church and the needs of the world are great, we recommit ourselves to connecting Presbyterians with God's mission in vital, transforming ways, and we open ourselves to the Spirit to expand our vision and extend our reach, for Christ's sake. We will continue to invite congregations and individuals to partner with us, receiving mission gifts in our office and sending those gifts directly to missionaries and mission partners around the world who proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed. We will continue to help congregations build relationships with global partners, seeking together to learn from the faith and faithfulness of the global church. We will continue to work to further the peace, unity and purity of the church, and we will pray that the church will increasingly be built up for God's mission, trusting not in ourselves but in the One who gives us good news to share. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NRSV) The Trustees of The Outreach Foundation Rick Wesley, Chair Rob Weingartner, Executive Director

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