First Day of Fellowshiping

The first day of the Fellowship Gathering is over. I just finished hearing the president of Fuller Seminary speak.  It seems Dr. Mouw often plays to his audience.  He gave a long impassioned declaration for the support of the place of women in ministry. He did so in a way that you would have thought most of us questioned it but I doubt anyone did. He said a lot of things that spoke to the concerns I had regarding the place of Reformed theological distinctives. Then it occurred to me, was I “being played” just the way he played into the interest of women?

Today we heard the various alternative plans in greater detail. We learned more of the New Reformed Body and its continued relationship with the PC(USA). Sometimes it sounded like we would become “separated brethren” then it sounded like we would remain somehow connected to the PC(USA) either in “correspondence” with or in some even more indelible way.  It also sounded like some congregations would leave the jurisdiction of the PC(USA) to form the New Reformed Body and others would remain in the PC(USA) and be affiliated with the New Reformed Body. I remain unclear about this.

The chances of the General Assembly changing the property clause to release all those who wish to leave is slight. The chances of several presbyteries developing more gracious separation policies is more likely.

The seven men whose vision seems to have its unchangeable impact on every presentation reminded us of two things. One: “We are not all in the same place.” Two: The way of the future, regardless of every other consideration, is to do more good deeds.  By the first statement they mean that some congregations are in presbyteries located in states where the courts and state laws are not  inclined to rule favorably should they choose to leave the jurisdiction of the PC(USA) with their property. By the second statement they mean that we can become more faithful to Christ’s call if we just try harder, pray better, and, generally, model ourselves after their larger than life congregations. “Can I get an Amen?”

No one doubts the truth of each of these assertions. We are not all in the same place, legally, and politically, (within our congregations). If you are in a state, like Texas, Florida and Virginia your presbytery will win a court battle over property. So you might want to consider some other options that would sooth your wounded consciences and give you a measure of safety. You might want to try to form a “presbytery within a presbytery.” Still you remain a PC(USA) congregation and must accept your continued participation in the sinful policies of that national Church. It is even doubtful a liberal dominated presbytery would grant the commission powers needed to form such a presbytery within a presbytery. Besides, if a conservative minority within a liberal presbytery can form a presbytery within a presbytery so liberal minority can do the same in a conservative presbytery.

The best thing about today was the informal conversations I participated in and overheard. Folks are enthused about the prospects of a better future apart from the PC(USA).