‘It’s about repentance’
South Carolina church plans solemn assembly
The Layman , July 26, 2011
A Presbyterian Church in South Carolina is calling on North American churches to pray and fast in response to changes in the direction and ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, S.C., will lead a Solemn Assembly of Prayer on Aug. 21 and seeks “to engage with other concerned Presbyterians from across the country” in a time of focused prayer and fasting. According to the church’s web link, the assembly will focus on, among other issues, the PCUSA’s shift away from Biblical standards with the recent change in ordination standards allowing presbyteries to ordain homosexuals as well as for the success of the Fellowship Gathering of Presbyterians in Minneapolis, Minn. on Aug. 25-26.
“Fasting ….For The Purpose of Godliness”
The Fellowship (PCUSA) is a group of pastors formed to “call others of like mind to envision a new future for congregations that share our Presbyterian, Reformed, Evangelical heritage,” according to the group’s website. The August gathering, which has drawn at least 1,800 registered participants, is being billed as “a time for life-giving worship, discussion, and prayer as we ask God to bless a new way forward.”
The Rev. Brian Stewart, FPC-Greenville ’s evangelism and missions pastor, said the prayer assembly is open to churches across North America and each church is urged to pray at the same time according to time zones.
“What has happened in the General Assembly is of serious concern to us,” Stewart said. “Rather than reacting to it out of a sense of anger, we want to take it to God.”
Stewart said the calling of a solemn assembly was both a tradition at FPC-Greenville and backed by Scripture, mentioning the Book of Joel. Joel 2:15b-16 (NASB) reads “Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation.”
Stewart added that the assembly would focus on repentance for all parties concerned with regard to the theological direction of the PCUSA.
“Rather than pointing our fingers at someone else and what they may have done, we want, first of all, to consider our own complacency — our own inaction — and ask our Father in heaven to forgive us,” he said.
FPC-Greenville also hopes the prayer assembly will bolster and sanctify the efforts of The Fellowship gathering and that the solemn assembly would also be “praying for clarity and that a spirit of confusion would not reign; that there would be vision and leadership displayed” at the gathering. He added he hoped the August meeting would give the Fellowship a sense of where God is leading.
“It’s about repentance,” he said.
FPC-Greenville invites churches to participate during the following hours:
· 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
· 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central
· 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain
· 4:30-5:30 p.m. Pacific
According to the church’s web link, the assembly will focus on:
· Those who will be attending The Fellowship gathering in August;
· Unity and leading of the Holy Spirit for the future of [PCUSA] congregations and governing bodies;
· Repentance over disengagement, complacency, and neglect of the Kingdom of God.
· Praying for grief, anger, and anxiety over recent decisions in the denomination.
Stewart said the church also offers resources on the same web link.