What does it mean to be a New Wineskins congregation in the PCUSA?
Special to The Layman Online, April 30, 2007
Editor’s Note: The New Wineskins Association of Churches, during its Orlando convocation in February, commissioned a task force to explore “what it means to be part of the New Wineskins Initiative [“New Wineskins Initiative” refers to those congregations that intend to remain within the Presbyterian Church (USA)] and to bring its recommendations to the 2007 fall convocation,” scheduled Oct. 29-30 in Fair Oaks, Calif. The following is the first part of the task force’s report.
An explanation to our fellow evangelical Presbyterians
Let’s begin by addressing some common concerns that our fellow evangelicals in the PCUSA might have about our work and our purpose:
Q: Why should we consider joining the New Wineskins Association when there are already so many renewal groups in the PCUSA that do important work?
A: To answer this, it first needs to be said that the New Wineskins Association, within the PCUSA, is not really a “renewal” group. The renewal groups within our denomination work from within the system to bring not only spiritual and doctrinal renewal, but also organizational change for the purpose of calling the PCUSA to remain confessionally sound and constitutionally viable. In these efforts, the New Wineskins’ networks and their member congregations within the PCUSA will certainly work alongside them and pray for a positive outcome. But, in a fundamental sense, the New Wineskins effort is an effort to live out a Biblically-based missional and Reformed witness right now. We will not allow the present institutional malaise and theological confusion of the present denomination to hold us back in seeking to go about the work of our ministries to which Christ has called us. We intend to be fully missional and Reformed as New Wineskins congregations, regardless of whether or not the PCUSA hears this call to reform and renewal. This does not make our fellowship better than or superior to any of the renewal groups in the PCUSA; it simply differentiates us and gives is a distinct vision and witness that is unique in our denomination. We invite any congregation to read our documents and discern if God is calling them to join us in this effort for the sake of the Gospel in this time and place where God has chosen to locate us.
Q: What other aspects make your group different from the renewal groups?
A: We are unique in that we have decided to define for our officers and congregations the essential tenets of the Reformed faith. Further, we ask that all officers in our association subscribe to this statement, as a basis for membership in New Wineskins. But lest we think that our theology is separate from our behavior and lifestyle as disciples of Jesus Christ, we also require that officers affirm a statement of ethical imperatives. We encourage the study of the confessions that are consonant with the Reformed faith and we have chosen to allow defined essentials to shape our life together. Also, while some renewal groups have begun the process of networking congregations together for common ministry, we have taken this to the next level. Our ministry networks are really covenant fellowships that not only assist in ministry development and the sharing of educational resources, but also allow us to begin living out a missional structure for our churches and allow our pastors to stay mutually accountable for their pastoral work and personal spiritual development as teachers of the Word. Rather than taking on the old model of institutional governance by a “top-down” approach, the New Wineskins structure has all congregations setting direction in our delegated meetings. Delegates from each New Wineskins’ congregation get a vote in the actions of the organization! In addition, all ministers in the New Wineskins networks are required to be in a pastor covenant group and they are accountable to their fellow ministers for their faith and growth in Christ. We believe these aspects make our effort truly unique and, therefore, we are offering a way forward that is hopeful, clear on what is essential and missionally focused for the future.
Q: Isn’t the whole purpose of the New Wineskins effort an attempt to get evangelical congregations to leave the denomination?
A: The short answer to this question is “No.” That is not the purpose for New Wineskins. Certainly, some of our congregations are in the process of realignment with the transitional presbytery of the New Wineskins Association of Churches in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and many are considering this option. However, it must be said that there are no expectations about the ultimate choices that any New Wineskins’ congregation will make in the future. We trust God and each other enough to allow each congregation to discern through their study of Scripture and prayer where God is calling them to serve. A congregation may decide to realign with another Reformed body or it may decide to stay and work for reform within the PCUSA. Whatever choice the congregation makes, it will still be a member of the New Wineskins Association and will have full representation and voting privileges in our delegated meetings. The particular denominational affiliation in which the congregation resides is thus a matter of congregational decision, and no one in New Wineskins will pass judgment upon this decision of the people of Christ in that congregation. It should be noted that the decision of the last convocation, to allow congregations to realign with other Reformed denominations, was approved unanimously, both by those who will leave PCUSA and those who are staying.
Q: Are you compromising the affirmation of the gifts of leadership of women in ordained ministry in any way?
A: One of the most unfortunate misconceptions about our work is on the issue of women’s ordination and leadership. There is much that is being said of our effort that is simply not true. The New Wineskins’ essentials and constitution make clear that God calls women and men into all forms of ministry. The same standards of leadership development and opportunities for service apply to all ministers within the New Wineskins Association regardless of gender. We have been clear on this from our beginning and will not change our position on this issue. We believe this to be fully in accord with Scripture and the Reformed tradition. Our work with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church does not change either our theology or practice of fully affirming the gifts of women to all forms of service in all of our member congregations.
Q: Won’t the New Wineskins congregations who elect to stay within the PCUSA be “second-class citizens” in the Association?
A: Certainly not! That would destroy the Biblical mandate that the New Wineskins constitution lays out for our association – namely, that we are all one in Christ in the unity of a commonly-held faith and within the ministry networks that will be formed among equals. The answer to the second question in this paper also addresses this concern. Denominational affiliation is not relevant to the status or representation of any congregation that is a part of the New Wineskins Association, as all member congregations have equal voice and voting privileges.