Renewal leaders call PUP vote ‘a profound deviation from Biblical requirements’
By Craig M. Kibler, The Layman Online, June 21, 2006
217th General Assembly
Birmingham, Ala.BIRMINGHAM — A group of renewal leaders has denounced the 217th General Assembly’s action to approve a task force report on ordination standards, calling it “a profound deviation from Biblical requirements, and we cannot accept, support or tolerate this decision.”
Late Tuesday afternoon, commissioners voted (298-221-1) to approve a report by the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity that keeps the current ordination standards in the denomination’s constitution, but allows those who choose not to obey them to declare them to be non-essential.
More than 100 people crowded into a hallway in the Sheraton Hotel as the renewal leaders held an impromptu press conference, saying that, “Many individuals and congregations will conclude from this decision that the PCUSA has abandoned the historic faith of the Church.” Terry Schlossberg, executive director of the Presbyterian Coalition, read the following statement:
“Today, in a single vote by 298 commissioners, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) effectively was changed. The mandated requirements of ordination, rooted in Scripture and our Confessions, have been made optional. Sessions and presbyteries have been allowed to treat the Seventh Commandment as ‘not essential.’ These ordaining bodies have been told that they need not obey the explicit instruction of the apostles: that all Christian believers should “abstain from … sexual immorality” (Acts 15:29).
“The consequences of the decision of this General Assembly throw our denomination into crisis. Many individuals and congregations will conclude from this decision that the PC(USA) has abandoned the historic faith of the Church. The decision will be regarded by others in the worldwide body of Christ as profoundly offensive.
“Yet, we do not believe that God has abandoned the members of the PCUSA. We do believe that God’s Word, by the power of God’s Spirit, is able to convict, transform and restore. We are thankful for the many Presbyterian congregations and members who testify so boldly to that power — even this week in Birmingham. Faithful commissioners and advisory delegates have stood valiantly and effectively for doctrines such as the Trinity and the sanctity of human life.
“We will redouble our efforts to bear witness to the Gospel in this troubled time and place. We reaffirm our ordination vows at the very time when those vows are being cheapened. This recent decision marks a profound deviation from Biblical requirements, and we cannot accept, support or tolerate this decision. We will take the steps necessary to be faithful to God and to those God calls us to serve.
“Let us all be guided by the passage from which comes, providentially, the theme of this 217th General Assembly:
- Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood …
- Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
- Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. Hebrews 12: 1-4, 12-15 (NRSV)”
The statement was signed by the following renewal leaders:
Rev. Richard Burnett, of Constitutional Presbyterians
Rev. Paul Gaug, of Evangelical Presbyterian Pastors Fellowship
Rev. Robert Pitman, of Knox Fellowship
Rev. Sid Rice, of Literacy & Evangelism, International
Rev. David Henderson and Rev. Dean Weaver, of the New Wineskins Initiative
Kristin Johnson, Mdiv., of OneByOne
Rev. Jim Berkley, of Presbyterian Action
Elder Terry Schlossberg, of the Presbyterian Coalition
Rev. Susan Cyre, of Presbyterians for Faith, Family & Ministry
Rev. Michael Walker, of Presbyterians For Renewal
Rev. Parker Williamson, of the Presbyterian Lay Committee
Elder Marie Bowen, of Presbyterians Pro-Life
Rev. Brad Long, of Presbyterian Reformed Ministries, International
Rev. Katie Brandt, of the Presbyterian Forum
The first question Schlossberg was asked after she read the statement was what were the “necessary” steps mentioned in the statement. “They may vary greatly,” she said. “It is unclear at this moment. There are a number of initiatives in progress and meetings are planned. We are as unified as is possible as we move forward.”
Another reporter asked if schism is inevitable. “We hope not,” Schlossberg said. “We will encourage Presbyterians to stay with us, to stay united, to pray for the church. We hope that what happened here today will not stand. We certainly won’t stand for it.”
Parker Williamson, editor emeritus and senior correspondent of The Layman, said, “Schism has already occurred. There clearly are two worldviews, two faiths, in the Presbyterian Church (USA). We stand united in opposition to the erosion of those standards.”
The individual renewal groups, he said, “may approach the action of the General Assembly differently. You can expect a great deal of conversation as we move forward to lead the people of God with the Word of God.”
Michael Walker, executive director of Presbyterians For Renewal, said that, “We’ve made this stand together and stand together for a process of discernment” as the renewal groups seek to move forward. “The General Assembly action today has produced a real quagmire,” he said. “It sets the stage for a lot of rancor and many court fights. I expect a lot of confusion.”
Dean Weaver of the New Wineskins Initiative said that, “We seek to discern the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA).” One place that conversation will continue, he said, will be at the New Wineskins convocation “next month in Tulsa. We support the Presbyterian Global Fellowship in this.” The Presbyterian Global Fellowship has scheduled a conference in Atlanta in August.
Schlossberg said that the Presbyterian Coalition will be meeting at the same time in Atlanta “to consider the implications of this action and to discern the truth of this action.”
Asked if the renewal groups have been considering legal action so that churches may leave with their property intact, Williamson said that, “The Presbyterian Lay Committee has been working with attorneys in the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church (USA) to develop a book on church property issues.”
He said the book, which will be published in mid-July, was not to offer legal advice, since that was better left to local attorneys familiar with state law and dealing with local church property clients. “The book will offer guidance to churches. It provides a Christian overview about property, legal precedents, case law, and a discussion of the neutral principles of law and the hierarchical approaches, among other issues.”
Williamson said there will be “a plenary address and a workshop on property during the New Wineskins convocation that will provide information for churches that are researching their fiduciary duties regarding property issues.”
Walker said his organization has been exploring legal issues as well. “This assembly action will not shield individuals from the judicial process,” he said.