Theological task force to begin dealing with ‘pain’ in February
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, December 10, 2001
DALLAS – After a three-day “love-in” – the words of its co-moderator Gary Demarest – the Theological Task Force on Peace, Purity and Unity of the Presbyterian Church (USA) decided to begin in earnest the work of moving toward those goals when it meets again in February.
“I’m grateful for the sense of family and caring that we’ve had,” said Demarest, “but, dear friends, we’ve got some stuff to do, we’ve got some pain to deal with.”
With those words, Demarest set the tone for what’s likely to follow over the next four years as the 2001 General Assembly task force assesses the unrest in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and develops a strategy to respond to a polarized denomination.
The task force must present a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2005 General Assembly.
The first meeting of the task force was held in Dallas Dec. 6-8 and dealt mainly with pleasantries. Members got to know each other, introduced each other, chatted amicably and gave little evidence of some underlying deep differences in matters of theology, sexuality and polity.
They did get a few cosmetic matters resolved – principally a covenant intended to shape the tone of their discussions and the establishment of four work groups on Bible study/theology, assessment of conflict and resolution in church history, examination of current issues and communication to the denomination about what the task force is doing.
But they did not dive immediately into the most contentious debates in the denomination over the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the denomination’s ordination standard and Biblical interpretation.
They expressed a sense of independence. Panel member Jack Haberer, pastor of Clear Lake Presbyterian Church in Houston, had suggested a list of possible theological resources. But Dr. John B. Loudon, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, Fla., seemed to express the sentiment of the committee when he observed that the panel had an ample number of theologians. A seminary president and three seminary professors are on the 20-member task force.
And when it was recommended that Dr. Joe Small of the denomination’s Office of Theology and Worship be a resource person at the next meeting to talk about that office’s theological statement titled “Hope in Our Lord Jesus Christ,” there was no move to endorse that proposal.
“Hope in Our Lord Jesus Christ” was a statement rendered after the denomination’s General Assembly Council and General Assembly both adopted widely criticized declarations that, according to many Presbyterians, failed to affirm what Jesus himself said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except by me.”
The meeting did not underscore theological differences among the members of the panel, but there are some deep ones. Four ministers represent congregations that are in the Confessing Church Movement within the Presbyterian Church (USA). Several members of the panel have close relationships with More Light Presbyterians and the Covenant Network, two groups that are working against the “fidelity/chastity” ordination standard in the Book of Order.
In future meetings, according to the agenda established by the panel, the task force will focus on its four work areas – but the scope of those considerations was not settled at the first meeting.
The task force did decide by consensus to examine during its next meeting what it means to make a profession of faith and become a member of the church.
Some suggested that focus be on ordination vows instead of general membership, but Elizabeth Achtenmeier, a retired seminary professor, steered the group away from hastily dealing with ordination issues.
“Do you realize how explosive that word is?” she asked.
The co-moderators – Demarest, interim pastor of Glenkirk Presbyterian Church in Glendora, Calif., a Confessing Church congregation, and elder Jean S. “Jenny” Stone of Vermont, a former denomination staff member – will appoint the work group members and set the agenda.