Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003
My heart wrenches as I read your “Declaration of Conscience” and the deceitful information that is in the November issue of The Layman! I pray upon the Merciful God, the One incarnate Jesus Christ that I know, the God made whole in the Holy Trinity, to have mercy upon you for your egregious propagation that does not build up the body of Christ! “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do!”
The Church of Jesus Christ as exhibited in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is doing amazing things to show the love of Christ, and bring others to the peace and reconciliation that only God can bring! If you spent the money that it costs to publish and print The Layman, and the salary of those who work for The Lay Committee, you could fund missionaries at home and abroad to evangelize for Christ, provide salaries for pastors at small churches who could not otherwise afford one and feed those who are hungry in your local community and across the globe!
I can think of no other action than for you to permanently suspend publication and have donors to the Lay Committee, to redirect their giving to those ministries listed above. Would not this be the ultimate glorification of Christ?
J. Tyler Ward II, elder Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church
Has ‘greatness’ of PCUSA been lost?
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Harold Kurtz once said this, “The Gospel is not safe in any society that does not have a witness from beyond itself” – Sunday, May 10, 2003, at the Mall Church in King of Prussia, Pa.
What made the PCUSA and other mainline denominations great was their zeal to obey the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 and the Great Commandment of Mark 4. That greatness has been lost at the altar of humanism, paganism and religious adultery. Am I wrong?
Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del.
What are we going to do about them?
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003
I already knew that [“For PCUSA activists, it’s not all about gays“]. My question is: Are these people trying to destroy Jesus’ good name?
What are we doing, we the people that have the real truth, about that? I see in my church people preaching, writing, and using the church’s law and even the Scripture to try to deceive and destroy the church and the good name of God, and I can’t see a real and strong peaceful but intelligent and, first of all, spiritual fighting against all this garbage people with their garbage teaching.
We are God’s people but looks like we are afraid to hurt someone by dealing with this problem with more energy. We have God by our side, consequently we have all his power. We look more like weak and poor people then God’s people. We have to start doing something instead of only talking about. We have some very good and influential people – pastors and lay people – in our church. What I see is that these people act like they don’t want to do nothing to extirpate the cancer that is distorting the church, forgetting that some day, if they are still part of this church, they will suffer the same consequences. I’d like to see PCUSA good Christian people fighting the good fight. We have a crown waiting for us.
Sorry about my poor English.
Rev. Adaias Magno do Ouro Pastor for Hispanic and Portuguese people in Tulsa, Okla.
There’s more to church than growing
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003
I read with interest your article on First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, Miss. In connection with this move, I could not help noticing your mention of the PCA as a “growing conservative denomination.”
I am PCUSA and serve as a state chaplain for the Army National Guard. One of our chaplains, who serves a PCA congregation, has been mobilized with his unit for Operation Iraqi Freedom 2. I recently received a message from him that his session appeared to be moving to dissolve the pastoral relationship upon his mobilization. Upon investigation, I discovered that while the church is telling the community they are “working on [the situation,]” my chaplain is cleaning out his office.
I mention this situation as an example of how patriotism and service to God and country can take a back seat in some denominations where growth and “the institution” appear to be the primary concerns.
Col. Sidney L. Leak III
Stated clerk: chief bureaucrat in vanishing sect
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Mr. Clifton Kirkpatrick speaks more truth than he knows about the recent deaths in Istanbul and throughout the Iraqi theater of operation. It is time for a change of tactics, strategy and leadership. He should look in the mirror, write his own letter of resignation and go into private life.
The Presbyterian Church (USA), of which he is the stated clerk is losing members at the rate of one member every thirteen minutes. Were he a battlefield commander, he would be summarily relieved of command and brought before a court martial for negligence.
I have read the most recent statement by our erstwhile stated clerk. It would be a heart-warming statement were his own losses not so grave. As it is, his suggestion that we “look deeply into how groups with radical and violent political agendas are misusing religion in support of their actions” rings with hypocrisy and pride.
The answer to his musing is singular if not simple. The people of good will who have the responsibility to define and defend those historic faiths have failed to discipline those perverting the fundamental truths of those historic faiths. Creating a new strategy for this denomination and implementing the effective change of tactics required for such a vision to counter the corruption of our own historic Presbyterian faith requires courage that Mr. Kirkpatrick appears to lack.
Mr. Kirkpatrick continues to fancy himself an international diplomat with a mandate to advise sovereigns rather than what he is: the chief bureaucrat in a rapidly vanishing Protestant sect. He appears to have had plenty of time to wade through the intelligence reports and private diplomatic cables that went into the decision of the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous vote for Resolution 1441.
But he seems to have little stomach and less energy to devise a workable strategy to contain those who hijack our own historic Reformed faith, which is where his primary responsibility lies.
He calls for war crimes trials of two leaders who have freed 24 million Iraqis from a despot. Will he now submit himself to a similar worldwide examination of his own performance – a performance that thus far has failed to liberate much of anything? Will he now submit to wise counsel regarding a new direction for his most primary task – that of preserving and defending our own denomination’s constitution from continued perversion and defiance?
Mr. Kirkpatrick’s time would be better spent demonstrating good faith in executing these primary tasks rather than presuming to advise his betters. Unfortunately, he continues to show only the same inability to act that has led to the misusing of religions he so heartily decries in the Middle East.
His suggestion is foolish in vision and will lead to the same catastrophic consequences on both the battlefield and in the Middle East that it leads to in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Donald D. Denton Jr., D. Min. Stated supply pastor, Brett-Reed Memorial Presbyterian Church, West Point, Va.
Let us worship God together
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003
To brother Lou Nowasielski (letter of November 24, 2003), I commend the reading of 1 Kings 19:11-18.
Elijah, in a despairing mood, said to God, “I alone am left,” to which God replied that 7000 in Israel have “knees that have not bowed to Baal.”
Let us only remember not to bow the knee to Baal – let us only remember to worship the Living God alone. Let us worship God together.
Andy Carrick PCUSA evangelistic missionary, Nagoya, Japan
The ‘great omission’ v. the Great Commission
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003
Concerning Mr. Cowling’s assertion about the gift, the giver and the response of The Layman to the $7 million bequest to the National Council of Churches:
First, it is clear that Mr. Cowling has a deep-seated hatred and loathing of the U.S. and its president. Take a look at the Web site of his church and see the links of some articles from the hate-American brigade that is connected with his church, Kirk of the Savior. He also has his facts wrong that The Layman has been around for 40 years, always promoting the pro-military stance of the United States. Wow. I can only wonder if he has his facts right about the Lord.
Secondly, it is also clear that Mr. Cowling has lots of time on his hands to participate in all these extra-curricular issues because the statistics from the denomination show a church of few members, little giving and, declining membership. Last year, three joined and 21 left. Thirty nine in the Sunday school program. I do not doubt the declines. I, for one, if was a member of the church, would ask why he has so much time to right all the wrongs of the U.S. and forget the Great Commission. I am sure his messages rival Dr. Al. Sharpton’s. He needs to be about the business of the Lord.
Obviously, for Mr. Cowling, it is the great omission, not the Great Commission.
As long as there are pastors of Mr. Cowlings’ kind in the church, and, alas, parishioners in the pew tolerating or refusing to move them out, and along, the church will, like Mr. Cowling, be on the catapult to oblivion – like the Edsel, which was built in the area in which the Kirk of the Savior stands.
Robert Kellner Jacksonville, Fla.
Does the PCUSA have the sign of Ichabod?
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003
I hope the brain trust is looking with concern at the action of First Presbyterian Church, of Charleston, Miss., leaving the PCUSA.
Is this the beginning of the end of the PCUSA? Probably not, but if conservative churches leave the PCUSA, what will be left? God is sovereign, and will protect the faithful within the PCUSA, but will the PCUSA be effective?
Does the PCUSA have the sign of Ichabod? Someone tell me?
Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del.
Soldier saddened by anti-war stands
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003
As a proud soldier of the U.S. Army and a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church, I am very troubled, and angered, by this article, “War brings NCC $7 million in anonymous contribution.”
I am so thankful that my dad’s church, New Zion Presbyterian Church (USA), and my home church, Highland Presbyterian Church (USA), do support me and my efforts to bring a people out from under an evil dictator and help them establish a democracy. I know that there are others out there who support the war effort and pray for us, but I find it very saddening that some in the leadership of the church would openly criticize us being here.
Perhaps, if God is willing, I will be able to finish my ordination process and work to change the attitude of the denomination in different areas. Lord only knows. But, now I have guard shift, so I must go.
Ray C. Underwood SPC, U.S. Army , 82 Airborne Division , Iraq
The problem with left-handerse
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003
The Massachusetts Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case regarding equal motor vehicle rights for left-handers (Gauche, et al v Otto). It is clear that it has come time for us to unite as a society, to draw a line in the sand, to clearly state our fundamental and traditional principles, and to commit to action to preserve our right-handed traditions.
We have a right-handed society that was given to us by our forefathers and reinforced by Scripture. The Apostle’s Creed states that Jesus “sitteth at the right hand of God.” Even our handshake remains as a tribute to this Nation’s strong tradition of right-handedness.
Who knows if left-handedness is a product of heredity or environment? Are we certain that left-handers are born that way? We simply don’t know because little effort and money has been spent to study why they are like they are. What we do know is that left-handedness is a behavior that can be changed. In fact, the Friends and Parents of Left-Handers and the Ambidextrous have claimed for years that there is no fundamental difference between left and right-handers. These symmetrists have even stated that most people would give their right arms to be ambidextrous, which I find hard to believe.
Despite the contention, we must not regard left-handers as pariahs. I am, in fact, married to one. But who among us hasn’t casually used the epithet, “lefty,” or “southpaw,” perhaps without first considering the emotional damage we may have caused? It is wrong to do so and shows an abject insensitivity, though it may actually be an instinctive reaction that stems from a basic drive to preserve the species.
As right-handers we may accept others, work with them, and socialize with them – but we cannot in good conscience abide their excesses or permit fulfillment of their wish to be classified by something as unrelated to legal rights as where they hold their pencils. Do we give special rights to people who skip instead of walk? How about people who nap? What about those strange people who scratch because of some unconquerable allergy? Consider people who jog; do they deserve a special classification and identity? Given their incessant pained expressions, I think not. In that regard, it should be noted that unpleasant feelings associated with left-handers are a natural reaction and one of ancient origin. The Latin word for “left” is the root word for “sinister,” meaning untrustworthy. While the Latin word for “right” is the root for “dexterous,” meaning skillful with the hands, or adroit, to be somewhat elliptical.
But now, the radical symmetrists are attempting through the courts to acquire the right to drive on the left side of the highway. And they ask us to be tolerant! I say they must not be allowed that right because driving on the right side is more than just a tradition. To allow some people with aberrant behavior to drive on the left side of the road may be extraordinarily tolerant of their orientation – but it will have a lasting negative impact on the rest of society. Left-handers have so special rights.
Unfortunately, there may be enough lefties in Massachusetts to make it so.
Jack O’Brien Pittsburgh, Pa.
Presbytery has held local church hostage
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003
Well, here we go again, a church that feels it must withdraw from the PCUSA over many of the same issues that are causing me pain and anguish. The Presbytery of St. Andrews in Mississippi has held a local church hostage by making them pay in order for them to keep their property. The First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, Miss., has had to hold on to its principles by paying what I call extortion money of $75,000 in order to leave. More troubling, was the fact that the presbytery tried to originally get $250,000.
I was not in Mississippi in 1983, when a large number of PCUS churches left prior to merger with the Northern church – because, in part, they feared the new PCUSA would be too liberal – to form PCA. Now, it appears the Charleston church is being held hostage because they might join the PCA folks. Shame on the Presbytery of St. Andrews. It was too bad that churches in the Northern part of the family in 1983 were not afforded the same opportunity to leave.
The fact that the church was without a pastor for a long time, because they wanted an evangelical pastor, sounds like they received little help. I’m sure, but I have no facts, that the presbytery didn’t want an evangelical pastor there to help lead a conservative congregation because then their pastor might have helped to lead them out of the denomination.
With no pastor, the local church congregation was in a weak position, or so the presbytery probably thought. I’m very proud of the local session and the lay membership of this small congregation. I feel I could be a part of them. It might also have been a problem that evangelical pastors were not interested in coming into this type of presbytery.
I don’t know the facts personally. I live in New Jersey and I only have The Layman side of the story, but this is another real sad story. I wonder what will happen to my church or myself when the time comes for the split that I’m afraid is coming in my beloved PCUSA. I would love it if the various churches that have left recently could get their property money back from the national church or from these presbyteries as part of the forming of the new Presbyterian denominations. This could be handled as part of the agreement of separation between the two new groups. If this was done, I feel it would be the kind of action that was more Christ-like than what has transpired so far. I’m probably a little too naive on this subject, but I just try to think what would Jesus do and then do it and work out the details latter.
Elder Steven D. Buckley Hope Presbyterian Church, Tinton Falls, N.J.
$7 million going down a rat hole
Posted Friday, November 21, 2003
For Ray Kroc’s deceased wife to donate $7 million dollars to the NCC is throwing money down a rat hole. I would like to see Bob Edgar reject capitalistic money, but since the money will go to help defeat the Republicans in November 2004, it will be gladly accepted. Forgive me, is the NCC politically free from engaging in politics?
How much of that $7 million will go for the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)? I wonder if Bob Edgar will account for every penny spent? Does the NCC stand for: No Christian Commitment?
Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del.
Shame on The Layman
Posted Friday, November 21, 2003
May God bless the eternal soul of Joan Kroc if indeed she is the anonymous donor of $7 million given to the National Council of Churches for its peace witness and critique of immoral U.S. policies in Iraq.
To call the gift “war money” is tantamount to blasphemy on the part of The Layman and dishonors the gift, the giver and the non-violent Prince of Peace who inspired the gift.
If you want to call something “war money,” put that epithet on the billions used to invade Iraq.
Shame on the Presbyterian Lay Committee for using such a description, but then I have come to expect no less from a group that has, contrary to the Biblical witness, unstintingly supported war efforts throughout the world for nearly 40 years.
Neil D. Cowling, pastor Kirk of Our Savior, Presbyterian Church (USA), Westland, Mich.
Dialogue with gay-ordination community futile
Posted Friday, November 21, 2003
I am grateful to Detroit Presbytery for a clear declaration of their intent. It serves as a reminder that ongoing dialogue with the pro-gay ordination lobby is an exercise in futility.
One clear irony that emerges from this is the periodic discussion on the “separation of Church and State.” While many demand such a distinction, the moral value agenda of the Covenant Network makes the issue a mute point. In adopting the values of our secular culture and seeking to impose these on the church, the Covenant Network renders the issue of “separation” irrelevant.
The clear division within the Detroit Presbytery should perhaps lead to the following procedure: Each individual congregation ought to vote on whether they are willing to affirm the historical truths as we have understood them in both the Word and constitution.
Those who refuse, perhaps some five hundred (?), presumably with a total membership of less than one hundred thousand, should be excommunicated. This can be done without malice. They are simply no longer PCUSA as the majority understand the meaning of that term. Allow them to retain their property, and “serve their god.”
Subsequently, we can realign our presbytery boundaries accordingly.
Pastor Jerry J. Voss Millbrook Church, Fresno, Calif.
RCA survived fight over homosexuality
Posted Friday, November 21, 2003
As another Reformed Church in America minister (and a current one, at that, thanks to the Formula of Agreement), I’d like to second Rev. Schreurs’ offer. (I’d also like to ask him where and when he went to college and seminary.) If they’re determined to go (and I wish, for the good of the US church, that they wouldn’t), my other denomination is well worth checking out. It went through its fight over homosexuality in the mid-90s and seems to have come out distinctly more evangelical than when it began.
Rev. Rob Harrison Grand Lake, Col.