‘Framework of Positions for Reform
of the PCUSA’ issued in wake of GA
The Layman, Presbyterian Forum, July 24, 2008
The Presbyterian Forum posted a “Framework of Positions for Reform of the PCUSA” on its Web site July 18. It comes in the wake of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s 218th General Assembly, which was widely considered devastating for evangelicals and conservatives.
The framework is signed by two groups – Concerned Presbyterians and the Presbyterian Forum; by a member of Constitutional Presbyterians; and by Chuck Burge, executive director of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, which publishes The Layman.
What is the framework and why is it necessary?
- The actions of the 218th General Assembly have made it plain that the PCUSA is not of one mind. A majority of the assembly voted to undermine many of the truths that are expressed in the Bible, beliefs that are held by the clear majority of the members of the PCUSA. How can the members of the Church bring her back to her Biblical and Confessional roots?
- Ultimately, elders and members must be trained in Scripture and our Reformed theology to bring the PCUSA back to her Reformed roots. This necessary step is vital in the long-term plan to bring the Church back to faithfulness.
- In this immediate crisis, the framework is a tool to ultimately effect change in the selection of commissioners to the 219th General Assembly. The framework simply provides an opportunity for you and others to succinctly declare what you believe about these important issues. The framework is not a statement but rather, it is a tool to be used to help members and elders who agree to identify one another and join together to work for change in the selection of GA commissioners.
What are the beliefs of those involved in the framework?
- We believe that in the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons of one substance, power and eternity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.1
- We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the Father, is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him.2 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.3
- We believe the Bible is the Word of God written4, the only infallible rule of faith and practice5, and that the Holy Spirit did so inspire, guide and move the writers of the Holy Scriptures as to keep them from error.6
- We condemn racism and sexism and seek for the PCUSA to be “a community of women and men of all ages, races, and conditions.”7
- We affirm that God instituted marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman and thus that no other form of marriage should be recognized or celebrated by the church.8
- While we grieve the sexual confusion of this present age, we affirm that homosexual behavior is not part of God’s plan for humanity. We thus affirm the present language of G-6.0106b in the Book of Order.
- We believe that men and women are created in God’s image, and that human life begins at conception. Thus, in decisions about life and death, the sanctity of life of both mother and child must be respected, and every effort to preserve their lives should be made.
- While we reject the attempt to instruct commissioners, we believe that elections at every level of the church should provide electors a real choice, and an opportunity to learn about all the candidates’ beliefs. We believe that conscientious Presbyterians, in prayerful consideration, must wisely choose candidates, particularly those to be sent to General Assembly.
- We believe that all business meetings at every level of the church should be open, and we pledge to model such openness at governing body meetings where the work of the Church is being done.
- While unapologetically upholding what we believe, we refuse, during elections, to speak negatively about the faith or motives of those who disagree with us but rather to lift up the positions and theology of those who agree.
- 1 Book of Confessions, 6.014
- 2 John 14:6, ESV
- 3 Acts 4:12, ESV
- 4 Book of Confessions, 6.002
- 5 Form of Government (1789) Chapter XIII, Section v
- 6 Doctrinal Deliverance, Minutes of the General Assembly (1910), p. 272
- 7 Book of Order, G-3.0401b
- 8 Book of Confessions, 9.47
How can you get involved?
- All you have to do is to affirm the positions in the framework. If you believe what we believe, you are one of us, one who seeks the reform of the PCUSA.
- The next step is to identify others who share our beliefs. You probably already know quite a few people in your church, on your session or throughout your presbytery who agree with you as well. Let them know you agree with them – that in itself will be a great encouragement.
What can you do to help promote the positions?
- At the congregational level:
- Before you elect people to be elders, ask them what they think about their various positions and theology. You may have an opportunity to do this during the congregational meeting at which officers are elected. If not, ask the session to sponsor an open forum at which candidates for elder can have an opportunity to express their views.
- Sometime before election day, hand out copies of the Framework of Positions for Reform. If, on election day, you are not certain that those who have been nominated to be elders will support various positions for reform in the framework, nominate people from the floor who will. As you place each name in nomination, simply say that this person supports these various positions for reform – that way the congregation will know what at least one of the candidates believes.
- At the session level:
- You probably already know the people actively serving on the session who support these positions. If you don’t, a quick way to identify them would be to distribute copies of the framework and ask the session to endorse it. Insist on a show of hands, so you can tell who is in favor.
- When it comes time for the session to appoint commissioners to presbytery, nominate someone who supports the positions, or have one of them nominate you.
- At the presbytery level:
- Read the standing rules for the election of commissioners to the General Assembly in your presbytery. If they do not allow for more than one name for each slot submitted by the nominating committee or if they do not require the candidates’ answers to key questions to be submitted to the electors before the election, submit a simple overture to change the standing rules. If the overture is not successful and there is still only one name for each slot, make a nomination for each slot from the floor, clearly stating the positions for reform that your candidate supports. Find out what prospective commissioners to General Assembly believe before you vote for them. Ask questions of the nominees regarding their faith and beliefs from the floor during the election. When the vote is taken, ask for a show of hands so you can identify those who agree with you. Then, if you need to join with others to further work on changing your presbytery’s standing rules to allow for clearer choice in the election of commissioners to the General Assembly, you will know with whom to make common cause.
Why has it come to this in the Church?
- We are aware that many are uncomfortable examining candidates and hesitate
to stand for election in the Church. But many of the issues that face the PCUSA are too important to ignore and too antithetical to be compromised. Either Jesus Christ is the only Savior and Lord, or there are other means of salvation. Either the Bible is the Word of God written, or it simply reflects the opinions of its human writers. Marriage is either exclusively the union of a man and a woman, or it has no meaningful boundaries. Either self-acknowledged practitioners of homosexual behavior will be ordained to office, or they will not be ordained. The church will either support abortion or it will work to preserve life. On none of these issues can there be any meaningful middle ground. - We acknowledge that members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are on both sides of each one of these issues. And because of the actions of the General Assembly, we have all once again been forced to take a stand. The question is thus not whether we will fight over these issues, for the fight has been thrust upon us. The question is simply whether truth or error will prevail. Those who recognize this reality and organize themselves with like-minded believers will have a much better chance of keeping the Church faithful to the Confessions, to the Bible, and to the Lord Jesus Christ. We offer the Framework of Positions for Reform as a tool toward that end.