Korean council urges vote
against changing G-6.0106b
The Layman, January 13, 2009
The National Korean Presbyterian Council has warned the Presbyterian Church (USA) that elimination of the “fidelity/chastity” ordination requirement from the Book of Order will result in the denomination’s “further isolation from the global faith community.”
That warning was included in a strongly worded letter by the council to all congregations in the denomination. The council, which represents 400 Korean congregations with 50,000 members, said, “We hope that the sessions and congregations better understand the context and implications of the upcoming presbytery vote on ordination requirements.”
The Korean congregations are among the most authentically reformed congregations in the denomination. Their representatives consistently vote to uphold Biblical standards for faith and action.
The council notes Korean Presbyterians have a “genuine love for our ‘Mother Church,’ the Presbyterian Church (USA).”
“Previous generations of Presbyterian missionaries brought to Korea the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has powerfully transformed countless Korean people,” the council said. “As immigrant Korean Presbyterians, we are deeply concerned about the alarming decline in membership within the PCUSA. That symptom coincides with the loss of energy and focus on the Great Commission – evangelism and mission. The PCUSA has too long been in this debate on ordination standards resulting in further deterioration of mutual trust among Presbyterians and possible schism. We call all Presbyterians to redirect our energy and resources to the great ends of the church.”
The full text of the letter:
Dear Presbyterian sisters and brothers:
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! This letter has come out of genuine love for our “Mother Church,” the Presbyterian Church (USA). As a body within the denomination, we Korean Presbyterians, represented by 400 congregations, 800 ministers and 50,000 members, would like to express our concerns over the current state of the PCUSA.
In response to the crucial decisions of the 218th General Assembly of the PCUSA, the National Korean Presbyterian Council (NKPC) has decided to call upon all Presbyterians to stand firm and uphold our current Constitution (G-6.0106b) concerning ordination standards.
In spite of our sinfulness, we firmly believe that the power of the triune God can transform our lives and liberate all of us from the oppression of sin, whether our particular vices are sexual or nonsexual, and if the former, whether they are heterosexual or homosexual in kind. The transformation can happen at the cross where God’s righteousness and grace is manifested. Therefore, we urge all congregations in the PCUSA to be united at the foot of the cross in repentance and humility. Behold a new creation in Christ, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness!
Previous generations of Presbyterian missionaries brought to Korea the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has powerfully transformed countless Korean people. As immigrant Korean Presbyterians, we are deeply concerned about the alarming decline in membership within the PCUSA. That symptom coincides with the loss of energy and focus on the Great Commission — evangelism and mission. The PCUSA has too long been in this debate on ordination standards resulting in further deterioration of mutual trust among Presbyterians and possible schism. We call all Presbyterians to redirect our energy and resources to the great ends of the church.
The NKPC is very concerned about the direction of our current path that will ultimately cause irreparable tension among Reformed churches of the world. We believe in one universal body of Christ. If our denomination decides to unilaterally depart from historical confessions and Biblical beliefs that tie our bond with other Reformed churches, we will further isolation from the global faith community. As a result, our mission in the world is going to suffer embedded distrust and hinder God’s mission. We hope that the sessions and congregations better understand the context and implications of the upcoming presbytery vote on ordination standards.
We, the NKPC, as members of our beloved denomination, pledge to pray and work without ceasing for the unity and mission and evangelism of the PCUSA for the glory of God.
Faithfully in Christ,
(signed by)
Chang Eui Ahn, moderator
Eushin Lee, general secretary