Speakers, addresses outlined for New Wineskins convocation
By Craig M. Kibler, The Layman Online, May 26, 2005
Organizers have outlined the addresses that speakers from around the world will be presenting during a national convocation considering a “bold new design” for the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The New Wineskins Initiative convocation, with the theme “Following Christ into the 21st Century,” will be held June 15-18 at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minn.
The speakers (in alphabetical order) and their topics, according to a statement on the convocation Web site, are:
- The Rev. Clark Cowden is the evangelist presbyter for the Presbytery of San Joaquin and parish associate at First Presbyterian Church in Visalia, Calif. His address to the convocation will be “Why Are We Here.”
- The Rev. Dr. David Githii is the evangelistic leader of the fast-growing Presbyterian Church of East Africa, whose 4.5 million members are nearly twice that of the PCUSA. A year ago, in an action that stunned the leadership of the PCUSA, Githii severed his denomination’s relationship with both the Presbytery of National Capitol and the Presbytery of Detroit over their support for violating the PCUSA’s constitutional prohibition against ordaining practicing homosexuals. His address to the convocation will be “See, I Am Doing A New Thing.”
- The Rev. Dr. Sameh Maurice is the pastor of Kasr el Dobara Church in Cairo, Egypt, which event organizers describe as the largest Evangelical (Presbyterian) Church in the Middle East – 7,000 people regularly attend services and reach out to the city and region through multiple ministries and activities. His address to the convocation will be “Return To Your First Love.”
- The Rev. Dr. Ludgero Morais, executive secretary of the Supreme Council and stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, has spoken often about “liberalism’s threat to the integrity of Reformed Christian faith.” His address to the convocation will be “The Identity of the Church (Ephesians 1).”
- The Rev. Dr. Dean Weaver is vice moderator of the New Wineskins Initiative and senior pastor of Knox United Presbyterian Church in Kenmore, N.Y. His address to the convocation will be “Bursting At The Seams (Matthew 9:14-17).”
In its vision statement, the New Wineskins Initiative states: “We envision a connectional structure that . . .
- Serves the ministry and mission of the local congregation.
- Is united by a mutual commitment to a broadly evangelical and Biblical theology.
- Fosters relational networks based on ministry context as well as regional proximity.
- Provides accountability, support, and discipline in a healthy, balanced, Biblical way.
- Is flexible and responsive to changing needs and cultural dynamics.
- Supports and encourages partnerships for cooperative mission between congregations.
- Encourages partnerships for ministry and mission with Christians of other denominations and parachurch ministries.
- Draws upon proven programs, curricula, and other resources available from across the broader body of Christ.
- Functions like a missions agency more than a regulatory agency.
Delegates also will work on draft documents that propose new statements of faith essentials and ethical imperatives, as well as a revised constitution that calls for greater flexibility, a new approach to leadership development at the congregational level and a pared-down, adaptive service structure at the national level.
While the convocation will include preaching, prayer and worship, as well as an international flavor with guests and speakers from Presbyterian churches around the world, the focus will be on how evangelical Presbyterians respond to what task force leaders called “grave concerns about the health and effectiveness of our present organization” in theology, mission and structure.
More information about the convocation is available on a special convocation Web site.
For further information, contact “Following Christ into the 21st Century” at 888-754-9693, or 7435 E. Oxford Ct., Wichita, Kan. 67226.