Tough-love’ strategy receives standing ovation
By Parker T. Williamson, The Layman Online, October 16, 2001
ORLANDO – More than 1,000 Presbyterians rose to their feet in applause as Robert L. Howard, chairman of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and an executive committee member of the Presbyterian Coalition, called for “a strategy to win the war within our church.”
Key elements of Howard’s speech included enthusiastic endorsement of the Confessing Church Movement, support for regional networks of Presbyterians that cross the lines of a decaying denominational structure, cooperation among evangelical organizations to defeat Amendment A and give birth within three years to a “drastically restructured” denomination.
A call for ‘true parity’
Howard’s comments brought cheers when he said that the emerging church must focus, not on a national, hierarchical and clergy-dominated structure, but one that turns the focus toward networks of congregations and that returns to lay leaders their proper role in church governance.
Howard called for “true parity between active elders and ministers [who] are accountable to viable congregations.” He said the time has come to limit clergy voting privileges only to ministers who actively serve congregations. Retired and “specialized” clergy (clergy without calls to congregations) would be given a voice, but not a vote, in presbytery meetings.
In 1999, the total number of clergy was 20,988, but the number of those actually serving congregations was 9,292. Polls conducted by the denomination’s department of research services reveal that “specialized clergy,” ministers who are not accountable to congregations, represent the most liberal extreme of the theological spectrum.
A time for discipline
Addressing the frustration that many Presbyterians feel over annual assaults on the church’s faith and morals, Howard said the time has come to exercise discipline. Each year we fight another version of the battle, and this year it is Amendment A, he said. “Just winning the battle over Amendment A, one more time for the Gipper, is not enough,” he said. Howard suggested a “carrot and stick” approach to church discipline, declaring: “Grace will be extended to congregations which will not uphold Biblical ordination standards, by allowing them to peacefully separate with their property. Those who will not obey [these] standards, and will not withdraw in peace, will be graciously disciplined.”
The money option
Presbyterians who love and affirm the denomination’s historic faith are reaching the limits of their tolerance, Howard said. He reminded his audience of the Coalition’s position, affirming “the right of all sessions” to withhold or redirect their per capita assessment and to restrict or redirect their mission offerings, “as an act of conscience to protest the failures of PCUSA leadership, the actions of the 2001 GA, and to accelerate dynamic and drastic restructuring of the PCUSA.”
Following the Coalition’s statement, Presbyterians For Renewal, generally regarded as a moderate voice among Presbyterian evangelical groups, changed a longstanding policy by removing from its fundraising literature a statement asking donors not to make gifts in lieu of contributions to official agencies of the denomination.