Philadelphia pastor adds
fifth name to moderator ballot
By Edward Terry , The Layman, May 10, 2010
Editor’s note: Article updated May 10.
A fifth person has announced candidacy for moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s 219th General Assembly.
The Rev. James Belle
The Rev. James Belle, pastor of Holy Trinity Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, was announced as a candidate on May 6. Belle said he was asked by leadership in the Presbytery of Philadelphia, where Belle serves on the Committee on Ministry.
“This is not something I asked for or sought out,” Belle said in an e-mail to The Layman. “Others came to me feeling that I would (be) a person to provide unity within our diversity, reconciliation and justice. I will share with you that the phrase that defines who and ‘whose’ I am and who and ‘whose’ I feel our great church is called to be: ‘A Common Faith, with Common Sense, Serving an Uncommon Savior!'”
The decision to run for moderator was made after much prayer, soul searching and conferring with family, colleagues and friends, Belle said. The Presbytery of Philadelphia will consider endorsing his candidacy at its May 25 meeting.
According to the PCUSA’s online records, Belle was ordained in 1996 and has served congregations in North Carolina, Nebraska and most recently Pennsylvania.
Belle is slated to serve as vice moderator of the Committee on Middle Governing Body Issues at the 219th General Assembly, which is scheduled for July 3-10 in Minneapolis, Minn.
According to a 2002 article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Belle was a member of the committee at the General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, that debated the “Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ” paper. Affirming the Biblical and Reformed assertions that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, it was approved by the General Assembly.
In the Post-Gazette article, Belle said the issue of Christ’s Lordship was too complex to boil down. “There are forces that would reduce Jesus to sound bites – and we have resisted that,” he said.
The election of moderator is scheduled for the second business meeting of the assembly’s opening day.
Belle joins Elder Cynthia Bolbach of National Capitol Presbytery, the Rev. Jin S. Kim of Twin Cities Area Presbytery, the Rev. Maggie Lauterer of Western North Carolina Presbytery and the Rev. Eric Nielsen of Northern Waters Presbytery, in the race for moderator.
Prior to the General Assembly, more details about the candidates will be printed in The Layman and The Layman Online.