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A Reconciliation of Loyalties

2 Comments / PCUSA, Theological Reflection / By /

Dilemmas abound in the PCUSA, at all levels of the church’s life. The more conservative church member feels the tension of holding the historic, orthodox faith while participating in an organization perceived to be drifting away from that faith. Congregations feel themselves at theological odds with the emerging denomination and yet have closely identified with its historic roots. The representatives of the PCUSA (office-holders and Louisville staff, for instance) recognize, to some degree, the angst among members and yet believe in the institution and seek to preserve its corporate integrity for the good of all. Every Presbyterian, to one degree […]

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‘Eye for an Eye’ and the Extra Mile

1 Comment / PCUSA, Sermon on the Mount / By /

This week’s lesson from the Sermon on the Mount addresses the issue of retaliation. There is a word here for all Presbyterians about responding to life’s hurts in a godly fashion. Particularly in the contentious environment in which some of us are working these days, where hurts are inflicted and wrongs are perpetrated, I predict that Christ may challenge us severely. 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the

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I Made a Mistake: The Rules that Govern GA Overtures

Leave a Comment / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), New Form of Government (nFOG), PCUSA / By /

This week’s objective is to work through the process required to bring an overture to the attention of the General Assembly next summer. An overture is basically a motion, stated as a resolution that the General Assembly take such-and-such an action. This piece of legislation is often accompanied by a rationale, which itself is not enacted, but offers some background to the decision-makers. When the GA convenes next June, the committees will receive and debate the overtures relevant to their focus. Some years there are only a few dozen overtures; other years the Assembly must deal with perhaps 200. Already

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Those Mysterious Manuals

Leave a Comment / New Form of Government (nFOG), PCUSA / By /

Some of the changes to the Book of Order, particularly in the PCUSA Form of Government, were adopted earlier this year and their reality is only now hitting. The most obvious of these was the deletion of the fidelity and chastity standard for ordination, which I have written about extensively. But there are other more subtle changes whose impact is not yet clear, until we start using the book for our everyday business. At the time of the debates on the new Form of Government (also known as nFOG), I confess I was not particularly engaged, having other fish to

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The PCUSA as a Masked Ball

2 Comments / Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith, PCUSA / By /

The question is whether a PCUSA-ordained person still has the same dance partner now as when he or she took those ordination vows. The longer one has been ordained, the more serious is the question. I have been dancing with the PCUSA for twenty-four years (and longer if you count the years as a church member). Sometimes I feel as if I am waltzing at a masked ball, with a partner of unknown identity. Could it turn out to be someone other than the one with whom I came to the party? To those who believe the incremental changes occurring

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Living Into the Vows We Have Taken

Leave a Comment / Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith, PCUSA / By /

In yesterday’s post, I suggested that there is a mutuality in promise-keeping. Every church officer in the PCUSA answers questions for ordination committing oneself to trust Jesus Christ, abide by God’s Word, adopt the essential tenets of Reformed faith, further the purposes of the church, and faithfully serve the people therein. These are promises made to God, to the PCUSA church as a whole, and to the people in one’s worshipping community. The question is whether these “vows” (though technically the PCUSA does not call them such) are akin to a covenant which cannot be broken or an agreement that

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Mean What You Say

1 Comment / PCUSA, Sermon on the Mount / By /

My weekly Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount continues. This week’s topic is found in Matthew 5:33-37, on the taking of oaths. To 21st century eyes, it is a strange passage, but with a little digging into Jewish context, its message is surprisingly challenging. First, the text: 33“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by

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Claim to “Peace, Unity, and Purity” Is a Sham

3 Comments / PCUSA / By /

Thinking about the PCUSA ordination vows, Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Deacons say yes to question number seven: “Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?” It is interesting that church officers do not promise to achieve peace, unity, and purity; but by their actions they promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church. These three characteristics are the three legs of a stool, upon which church life rests, or so I have taught incoming elders during orientation for Session. Furthering a cause can mean “making progress,” and then we have the

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Reflecting on My Ordination

2 Comments / Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith, PCUSA, Teaching, Theological Reflection / By /

Today, November 1, is the 24th anniversary of my ordination and installation. All Saints’ Day has carried special meaning for me during these years as a result. Alongside my own call to the pastoral ministry, each year I am made aware of the many who have gone before me in Christian ministry, among them Athanasius, Augustine of Hippo, Madame Guyon, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Evelyn Underhill, William Law, C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and E. Stanley Jones. I have my own Hebrews 11 kind of roster of faithful servants cheering me on to this day; these are the ones who have

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Reformation as Discipline

Leave a Comment / PCUSA, Theological Reflection / By /

As Reformation Sunday approaches, thoughts turn to the question, “What sort of reformation is necessary for the PCUSA to get back on solid footing with God in order to fulfill its mission?” The great 16th century Protestant reformers addressed this question with renewed focus upon the unadorned and uncorrupted gospel of Jesus Christ: “The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God” (Luther, Thesis number 62). Aware of God’s awesome power and holiness, Luther, for instance, trembled in his own repentance and called the Church to its own. The particular presenting

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