Panel results show little
knowledge of Belhar Confession
The Layman, September 27, 2010
According to The Presbyterian Panel, almost all Presbyterians polled in August 2009 were not familiar with The Belhar Confession and were not even sure they supported it being inserted into the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Book of Confessions.
In July, the 219th General Assembly voted to send an amendment to the denomination’s presbyteries on whether to include the Belhar Confession ,written in South Africa in opposition to the government’s policy of apartheid, in the PCUSA’s constitution, which includes the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions. To be approved, the action requires a two-thirds majority vote of the 173 presbyteries.
According to the survey, 96 percent of members, 97 percent of elders, 71 percent of pastors and 72 percent of specialized clergy are either “not familiar with” or only “slightly familiar with” Belhar; and are not sure they want it placed in the constitution along with the 11 other statements of faith that constitute the Book of Confessions.
In 2009, when the survey was conducted, only 54 percent of pastors and 40 percent of specialized clergy were even familiar with the proposal to place the confession in the Book of Confessions.
The survey results also show that “among the two in five ministers who are at least slightly familiar with the Belhar Confession those who support including Belhar are disproportionately theologically liberal and disproportionately Democrats.”
In questions concerning the other confessions found in the PCUSA’s Book of Confessions, survey results show:
- “The Apostles’ Creed is the only PCUSA creed or confession that has been ‘very important’ or ‘important’ to the faith development of a majority of panelists in each group (members, 74 percent; elders, 83 percent; pastors, 90 percent; specialized clergy, 85 percent)”
- “‘Very important’ to at least three in five panelists in each group are God (members, 88 percent; elders, 93 percent; pastors, 96 percent; specialized clergy, 96 percent), Scripture (65 percent; 72 percent; 92 percent; 83 percent), and the work of the Holy Spirit (63 percent; 77 percent; 91 percent; 81 percent). About one in eight elders (11 percent), pastors (14 percent), and specialized clergy (12 percent) – but only 6 percent of members – regard the confessions as very important”
- “During the 12 months before the survey majorities of pastors and specialized clergy consulted the Apostles’ Creed (pastors, 72 percent; specialized clergy, 52 percent) and A Brief Statement of Faith – Presbyterian Church (USA) (70 percent; 54 percent)”
- “At least one in six members and elders consulted the Apostles’ Creed (members, 31 percent; elders, 38 percent), the Nicene Creed (20 percent; 26 percent), and the Brief Statement of Faith (18 percent; 28 percent). Fewer consulted other confessions”
- “Almost all ministers (pastors, 99 percent; specialized clergy, 94 percent) and seven in 10 elders (72 percent) – but only two in five members (42 percent) – currently have a copy of The Book of Confessions.”
The survey was distributed in August 2009 and returns were accepted through October of that same year. It also included questions on the priorities of the General Assembly Mission Council and Israel/Palestine and the rest of the Middle East.
The Presbyterian Panel is a group of 5,000 Presbyterian members, elders, pastors and specialized clergy who respond to mailed questions four times a year. Panel members serve for a 3-year period.