Renewal Network and Coalition release statement on ‘Unity and Diversity’ conferences
The Layman Online, July 26, 1999
Meeting on July 26, 1999, the Presbyterian Renewal Network and the Presbyterian Coalition issued the following statement concerning the upcoming ‘Unity and Diversity’ conferences:
“The Presbyterian Renewal Network and the Presbyterian Coalition welcome actions of the 211th General Assembly that have encouraged the development of conferences to discuss “The Nature of the Unity we Seek in Our Diversity.” We are pleased that the assembly instructed the Stated Clerk to provide resource materials that reflect positions that are “within the Presbyterian polity and theology” (i.e. the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions). Also to be included are the “Historic Principles, Conscience, and Church Government” policy adopted by the 1983 General Assembly (and cited in Commissioners’ Resolution 99-17).
“Members of the Presbyterian Renewal Network and the Presbyterian Coalition believe that an assembly-wide study of what the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s constitution and its “Historic Principles, Conscience, and Church Government” document have to say on the subject of unity and diversity would be beneficial to the life and mission of the church. We commit ourselves to encourage full participation in such discussions.
“It has been reported that some special interest groups are lobbying the Stated Clerk to turn these conferences into discussions of sex outside of marriage, and to debate the wisdom of our denomination’s ordination standards regarding limits on sexual behavior. The PC(U.S.A.) has spoken clearly on this matter in numerous General Assemblies since 1978 and recently in two national referenda, resulting in the adoption and reaffirmation of a clear constitutional standard. The church has learned much and suffered much during this period. Continuation of these discussions is not explicitly called for in the action of the 211th General Assembly, and we do not believe that it is in the best interest of the church and its mission for that to be the focus of the Unity and Diversity Conferences.
“Members of the Presbyterian Renewal Network and the Presbyterian Coalition will encourage participation in those Unity and Diversity conferences whose agenda is clearly specified and whose subject matter focuses primarily on what the constitution and the General Assembly’s “Historic Principles, Conscience, and Church Government” policy have to say about unity and the limits of diversity.
“By unanimous vote July 26, 1999”
Presbyterian Renewal Network members present:
(Note: organizations listed for identification purposes only)
John Boone (Presbyterian Action)
Ilona Buzick (Presbyterian Elders in Prayer)
Alan Wisdom (Presbyterian Action)
Robert Pitman (Knox Fellowship)
Brad Long (Presbyterian Reformed Renewal Ministries International)
Parker Williamson (Presbyterian Lay Committee)
Bob Davis (Presbyterian Forum)
Clarke Reed (Presbyterian Forum)
Sylvia Dooling (Voices of Orthodox Women)
Terry Schlossberg (Presbyterians Pro Life)
Bob Biederman (Literacy and Evangelism International)
Jack Haberer (Presbyterians for Renewal)
Presbyterian Coalition Members present:
Robert Howard, Don Hofmann, Hans Cornelder, Rebecca McElroy, Bill Giles, Jerry Andrews