In Memoriam, Lesslie Newbigin January 1, 1998 “My life without her would have been a poor thing.” Lesslie Newbigin’s tribute to Helen, his wife of 61 years, expresses precisely our sentiments on hearing of his passing from this life to the next. This profoundly Christian missionary, an ecumenist in the only sense that befits the…
Rebuilding community January 1, 1998 While a handful of agitated activists was exacerbating denominational divisions by insisting that the PCUSA conform itself to the moral standards of modern culture, commissioners to the Charlotte Assembly were quietly pursuing another agenda: rebuilding Presbyterian community around historic Christian faith and practice. One step commissioners took toward rebuilding community…
After our likeness January 1, 1998 What is the mission of the Church? How should the Church be organized? Indeed, what is the Church? And who gets to answer such questions? Presbyterians who went to Minnesota in mid-April and those who gathered in Colorado two weeks later (see stories, p. 1) responded very differently to…
Slippery slopes January 1, 1998 Many of the topics and events covered in this issue of The Layman are built on a common foundation – the denial that God’s self-revelation in Scripture, and supremely in Jesus Christ, is authoritative for Christian faith and life. When God’s revelation is repeatedly denied, what results are rapid skids…
Commissioners and conscience December 1, 1997 How is it that the same presbyteries that approved Amendment B elected as their commissioners to the Syracuse Assembly individuals who proposed Amendment A? One obvious answer is that presbyteries are far more discerning and disciplined when voting on Constitutional amendments than when electing General Assembly commissioners. While procedures…
Integrity (re)defined December 1, 1997 Amendment A wordsmiths have undertaken an ambitious enterprise. Redefining “integrity” away from any meaningful connection with its roots, they offer Presbyterians sound without substance. As one Syracuse commissioner put it when asked what “fidelity and integrity in all relationships of life” could possibly mean, “I don’t know. I just like…
An unconstitutional Constitution? December 1, 1997 A growing movement among local church sessions to redirect their per capita contributions has understandably increased anxiety levels in the office of the stated clerk. But a response from lower-level officials – and the stated clerk’s refusal to correct or modify his subordinates’ opinions – is a cause for…
For the record December 1, 1997 As a service to the Presbyterian Church (USA), The Presbyterian Layman is pleased to publish in each issue an unedited guest column by the moderator of the General Assembly, the stated clerk of the General Assembly, and the chairman of the General Assembly Council. The moderator has taken that…
Pocketbook protests October 1, 1997 The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly has money worries. For good reason. The Presbyterian Layman is receiving notices from church sessions across the country that they are cutting off per capita contributions to Louisville. The General Assembly portion of per capita contributions, $4.77 per church member on the active…
Covenants October 1, 1997 It comes as no surprise to see a press release titled “Covenant Network Formed to Support Passage of Amendment A.” It comes as no surprise to see former GA moderators Robert Bohl and John Buchanan listed as the group’s co-moderators. And, unfortunately, the content of their press piece comes as no…