East Africa Presbyterians to send representative to meeting in Greenville, S.C.
The Layman Online, October 23, 2006
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa will send a representative to address the Nov. 3-4 meeting of Constitutional Presbyterians in Greenville, S.C.
David Githii, the moderator of the fast-growing African denomination, informed the leaders of Constitutional Presbyterians that “we are birds of a feather flying with the same faith to the final destination which is the truth of the gospel.”
In a letter to Constitutional Presbyterians, Gitthii encouraged them to continue to resolve that “this is not the time to compromise. It is time to stand firm in spite of the pressure from those who have hammers to destroy the Word of God.”
The 4.2-million-member Presbyterian Church of East Africa has broken relationships with PCUSA presbyteries that support the ordination of practicing homosexuals.
The text of Githii’s letter:
Dear Constitutional Presbyterians:
Praise the Lord!
I send you our love from Kenya. It feels so good to read of you, and especially when it reflects that that we are birds of a feather flying with the same faith to the final destination which is the Eternal Kingdom. The flight here being the anchorage in the truth of the gospel whereby, it is the only Way and the Life. Thus, the pilot of our flight is the Way and the Resurrection who is also our Rock of Salvation. How much I would love to attend your gathering! While the time is short, the main stumbling block is the return ticket. Otherwise, I could just take a week off and be with you.
I have read the book Revolutionin the Church: Challenging the Religious System with a Call for Radical Change, by Michael L. Brown, and he says:
- 1.Sometimes the most radical thing we can do is return to our roots. Sometimes the way to progress involves going back and retrieving what was lost before moving forward into unexplored territory.
- 2. If your traditions stifle the Word of God, why adhere to the traditions? If your structure stands in the way of the Spirit, why remain loyal to the structure? If your spiritual-political alliances keep you from fulfilling your calling, why remain in the carnal bond?
- 3. A revolution has already begun, and we cannot afford to sleep.It is time to wake up. As Paul years ago said, “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber: because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed”, Rom.13:11-12.
I don’t know how the above references communicate to you but it is just pointing to the fact that, for the truly called, this is not the time to compromise. It is time to stand firm in spite of the pressure from those who have hammers to destroy the Word of God.
The truth of the matter is that, they will likewise be destroyed at the end of time. For us, it should be forward ever, backward never. Our vows should not be eroded by the worldliness and spiritual dryness. Rather than follow the mob, we who are in Christ should follow the Cross. We should move confidently towards Heaven in spite of the handles on the way.
I will send another message prior to your meeting in November, which the person I will send to represent me will read.
I see God has given us another person in the name of Constitutional Presbyterians to walk together from Jerusalem to Emmaus-the latter being the Eternal destination.
Peace be unto all the saints.
David M. Githii, Moderator
Presbyterian Church of East Africa.