Presbytery ends support for messianic congregation
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, April 1, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Presbytery of Philadelphia has decided to end financial support for Avodat Yisrael, a messianic Christian congregation that created a stir among Jews who saw it as an effort to proselytize Jewish people.
In response, the congregation issued a statement saying that it has decided to become independent of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Acting on a recommendation from an administrative commission and an 18-month study, the presbytery voted on March 29 to no longer include Avodat Yisrael among its new church development projects.
Effective July 1, Advodat Yisrael will receive no additional funding from the PCUSA. It will, however, be permitted to continue to lease space at the Presbyterian Church on the Mall in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., and the Rev. Andrew Sparks, a PCUSA minister, will continue to be the leader of the congregation.
The presbytery’s decision to cease its relationship with Avodat Yisrael included a number of conditions:
- The presbytery will continue funding as budgeted through June 30.
- The presbytery will forgive all debts owed to the presbytery by Avodat Yisrael on June 30.
- Avodat Yisrael will be allowed to keep supplies and equipment obtained during its time as a new church development.
- The presbytery will continue to recognize Sparks’ call as the executive director of Messiah Now Ministries as a validated ministry.
Avodat Yisrael was one of two PCUSA undertakings that caused tension in Presbyterian-Jewish relationships. The other was the resolution adopted by the 216th General Assembly (2004) that called for divestment of PCUSA funds in “multinational corporations doing business with Israel.”
Avodat Yisrael was begun as a new church development with the authorization of the General Assembly. But when controversy arose about the congregation’s outreach, mostly to nonpracticing Jews, the denomination’s staff and the presbytery offered little encouragement to maintain it as a Presbyterian ministry.
In response to the presbytery’s action, Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick issued a statement that took no sides in the dispute. But he did commend the Presbytery of Philadelphia – “and every presbytery across the Presbyterian Church (USA)” – as “we all seek to live out our call to share the good news of the gospel and to respect the common roots we share with our Jewish neighbors.”
The 216th General Assembly (2004) responded to the controversy over Avodat Yisrael by calling for a task force to study the relationship between Christians and Jews and messianic congregations in particular. The group’s report will be presented in June 2006 to the 217th General Assembly.
In another press release, Avodat Israel confirmed that it is separating from the PCUSA.
“While Avodat Yisrael and the Presbyterian Church (USA) share faith in Jesus as Messiah, Avodat Yisrael’s choice to separate from the Presbyterian Church (USA) allows the congregation to maintain its Jewish practices without interference and build a Jewish community of Messianic faith without ongoing controversy,” the news release said.
Avodat Yisrael will continue to be affiliated with the Union of Messianic Jewish congregation, an international association of congregations committed to Jesus in the context of Jewish life and practice, the release said. The release expressed gratitude for the support of the presbytery, the denomination, the Church on the Mall and Messiah Now Ministries.