PCUSA report critical
of EPC, New Wineskins
The Layman, April 22, 2010
A committee of the Presbyterian Church (USA), in its report to the 219th General Assembly, has accused a sister denomination of violating ecumenical etiquette and is urging dialogue in the future.
The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations (GACER), in response to accusations that the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) was recruiting dissatisfied PCUSA congregations, will make its report when the assembly meets in July. The task force was formed from a 2008 General Assembly overture asking the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) to investigate the charges.
Its recommendations include:
- Requesting WARC create guidelines for interactions and behaviors of member denominations;
- Inviting the EPC to enter into a “season of confession” with the PCUSA;
- Inviting the EPC’s General Assembly to engage in bilateral dialogue, and a subsequent report be made to the PCUSA assemblies in 2014 (interim) and 2016;
- Directing the OGA to support presbyteries with congregations and/or ministers engaged in a process of dismissal
At the 218th General Assembly, the Presbytery of Peace River accused the EPC of pursuing a strategy to persuade PCUSA churches to disaffiliate and join the more conservative denomination. Referred to GACER by the assembly, the report outlines a history that includes dozens of PCUSA congregations citing theological disagreements with the larger PCUSA in their move to the smaller EPC.
“The task group would submit that the presenting cause for this struggle originates in an internal conflict within the PCUSA,” the report states, adding that the EPC has inserted itself into that conflict. “On one side are ministers and members of the PCUSA who believe that they cannot in good conscience stay within this denomination. On the other side are ministers and members of the PCUSA who believe that unity of Christ’s body, made clear through the constitution that binds us all together in a covenantal community, should be honored and preserved.”
Much of the report focuses on years of legal disputes between congregations and presbyteries. It also is critical of the role of the New Wineskins Association of Churches (NWAC) in the issue, and the fact that PCUSA was not invited to discussions about creation of the EPC’s New Wineskins Transitional Presbytery.
“The creation of a transitional presbytery (New Wineskins) as a mechanism for receiving congregations is seen by the EPC as a means to prevent a large influx of PCUSA congregations from changing the EPC’s culture,” the report states. “However, it has been seen by some in the PCUSA as inappropriate interference in our internal conflict and a clear breach of ecumenical protocol.”
Another sore spot for the investigative committee is the alleged assistance, by way of written materials, legal advice and personal visits, given to congregations. The report lists NWAC, along with the Presbyterian Lay Committee, as resource providers for congregations considering departure.
“The PCUSA presbytery representatives involved in these conversations often felt they were ‘not on a level playing field,’” the report states. “Typically, they were invited to speak as part of a series of speakers in which they were the only presenters representing the PCUSA’s perspective and interests, while the vast majority of time was devoted to other presenters who spoke against the PCUSA (and often for the EPC).”
Specifically, the report claims that the PCUSA often is shown in a “less than flattering light” by NWAC and EPC leaders.
Also critical of congregations that take a legal course of action when disaffiliating with the denomination, the committee advises that much money and heartache could be saved with more trust of and respect for one another.
The report claims, in several cases, both EPC and PCUSA representatives cited better outcomes when presbytery processes were followed than if it had gone to court.
Though the report clears the EPC of “initiating” entry into congregations to speak against the PCUSA, it does state that EPC leaders spoke freely when invited. Among the observations about relations between the PCUSA and EPC was that:
- Expectations that the EPC would extend “normal, standard ecumenical courtesy” were repeatedly frustrated.
- Attempts by PCUSA stated clerks from presbyteries to contact their EPC counterparts were not returned in a “timely fashion.”
- When pastors facing discipline in the PCUSA would transfer to the EPC, the pastor’s story, “in every instance,” was believed without question, investigation or background check.
GACER’s task force, which interviewed parties on both sides of the issue, was comprised of seven PCUSA ministers and one elder.
According to the report, 46 congregations have left the PCUSA and were received into various geographic presbyteries of the EPC, while another 46 congregations have entered the New Wineskins non-geographic transitional presbytery.
The EPC General Assembly will meet in Englewood, Colo., June 23-26, and the PCUSA General Assembly will follow July 3-10 in Minneapolis, Minn.
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