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Presbyterians for Renewal seeks to provide online resources, enlightening and educational events and outreach ministries. The content of this web site will change frequently. We hope you are a frequent visitor.
The Continuing Prophetic Ministry of the Church:
PFR's Response to the Spahr Decision
The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) recently lifted a lower court's censure of PC(USA) minister Jane Spahr for conducting same sex commitment ceremonies that she called "marriages." This "Spahr Decision" is deeply troubling to Presbyterians who are committed to the traditional view of marriage and to biblical faithfulness in the Church. But beyond our initial emotional response, we must be precise in our reaction:
• This complex decision is not about Jane Spahr
• The decision includes at least one discernable step forward in the effort to uphold biblical faithfulness through the PC(USA) Constitution
• The decision also includes unnecessary and self contradictory statements
• The decision requires careful analysis and prayerful interpretation.
The Spahr Decision is complex, in part because the case is complex. In this response, PFR will:
• Highlight aspects of the case that impacted the GAPJC's decision
• Identify one potentially positive impact of the decision
• Challenge several significant and seemingly gratuitous statements that are theologically inaccurate, and
• Offer reflection on the role of "the prophet" in the life of the church.
Click here for the entire article or here for the printable version.
Support PFR at the 2008 General Assembly Proclaiming gospel hope and resurrection joy, praying for and supporting GA commissioners, making Christ-honoring Reformed resources available to several thousand visitors, and working in close collaboration with other renewal partners in the service of Jesus Christ; this is PFR’s reason for being at the 218th General Assembly (June 21-28) in San Jose, CA.
We will have:
An 18 member “GA Team” trained and on the ground, monitoring the work of each committee and the Assembly itself, praying with and for commissioners, helping people new to GA understand and prepare for the work they have been called to do. Most of the members of this team are paying their own expenses to be able to offer this ministry.
A fully stocked display in the Exhibit Hall, staffed by a wonderful team of volunteers who are paying their own way to be there just to support this ministry.
We will offer:
As-they-happen updates on GA discussions and actions through our dedicated website www.GA2008.com
A welcome reception for commissioners on Friday evening June 20
An evangelical orientation for commissioners on Saturday morning June 21
Daily luncheon briefings Monday through Friday
The celebrated PFR Breakfast Wednesday morning June 25 with special guest speaker Dr. Mark D. Roberts
Because General Assembly is meeting in San Jose, CA, our costs are significantly higher than in previous years. Our only funding support comes from people like you who care that a strong and clear evangelical witness is highly visible at the Assembly. We welcome your tax deductible contribution to help support this specialized ministry. Click here to contribute.
Recovering Gospel Hope:
God at Work in the PC(USA)
Viewpoint
Jesus: Unknown — Made Known
Paul Detterman, Executive Director of PFR
There is an amazing Easter text--a poetic reflection on the disciples' encounter with their risen Lord on the Emmaus Road. Take the time to read this whole poem carefully:
On the day of resurrection, to Emmaus we return;
while confused, amazed, and frightened, Jesus comes to us unknown.
Then this stranger asks a question, "What is this which troubles you?"
meets us in our pain and suffering, Jesus walks with us unknown.
In our trouble, words come from him, burning fire within our hearts;
tells us of the Scriptures' meaning, Jesus speaks to us unknown.
Then we reach our destination, then we ask the stranger in,
and he yeilds unto our urging; Jesus stays with us unknown.
Day of sorrow is forgotten when the guest becomes the host,
taking bread and breaking, blessing, Jesus is himself made known.
Opened eyes, renewed conviction, journey back to scenes of pain;
telling all that Christ is risen, Jesus is through us made known.
No matter where you are, I hope and pray this hymn speaks to you. The Resurrection was no less real when the disciples were walking, dejected, on the Emmaus Road than it was after they recognized Jesus and ran through the night to tell the others. What had changed was that the living, death-conquering Jesus had suddenly become SO real to them that their world now revolved around him.
When we try to force the "fable" of Jesus into a seemingly unyielding view of "reality," we too will be confused, amazed, and frightened by the result. But when the reality of Jesus-alive hits home, in the words of Tolkien, "...everything sad will come untrue."
Here's the catch: Jesus, alive, death-conquering, and transformational, must be known to us before we can make him known to others. Take time today to invite the Stranger in. You'll be amazed how quickly the guest will become the Host and how your life will change.
Articles A Response to the
Form of Government (FOG)
Proposal
Robert Austell, Pastor,
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
I've been studying and praying, leading my session and congregation toward becoming thoroughly missional in our mindset and response to our calling. Several months ago, when the Form of Government Task Force alerted pastors and sessions that they were seeking input on the final draft of their document, I described their endeavor to my Session. And I sold it.
The result? You could hear the birds chirping. One elder spoke up, "You're saying that they are re-writing the first part of the Book of Order?" That got the reaction I am more used to with teenagers.... "Whatever." There was a sense of complete irrelevance and disconnect from the values, priorities, and realities of our local congregation-and we are majoring on missional thinking! These are plugged-in, interested elders, and this left them cold. How will this ever go over nationally? The idea behind the work of the F.O.G Task Force is probably good, but there are several substantial hurdles that must be overcome before we can move forward with missional restructuring through polity. Read more....
"Blinded by the Darkness"
...You have invited me to preach the Word of God and preaching God's Word can be a very dangerous thing. God's Word is liberal enough to make conservative people very nervous — but it is also conservative enough to make liberals squirm. Read more....
PC(USA) High Court Rules "Fidelity and Chastity" Standard Remains Binding
Tuesday February 12 — The PC(USA)'s highest court issued a landmark decision that has direct bearing on the intense debate over ordination standards in the PC(USA).
For the last twenty months, a confusing debate has raged on the meaning of a new "authoritative interpretation" (AI) of the constitution passed by the 2006 General Assembly. Indeed congregations have left the PC(USA) in recent months, citing this new AI as a primary cause. The new AI appeared as though it would allow sessions and presbyteries to ordain candidates who were in open violation of our denomination's constitutional standards for ordination, including the biblical "Fidelity and Chastity" standard. In addition, just last month two presbyteries cited this new AI as justification for their decisions to allow open departures from the "Fidelity and Chastity" standard.
However, in three decisions issued yesterday, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) has ruled that no ordaining body (session or presbytery) has the right to ordain a candidate who is in violation of constitutional standards, including the "Fidelity and Chastity" standard expressed in the Book of Order (G-6.0106b). With these new GAPJC rulings, we can now rest assured that our standards for ordination in the PC(USA) continue to reflect the clear teaching of Scripture and the plain meaning of our constitution.
News
For the 217th General Assembly, GA2006.COM was wildly popular. So Presbyterians For Renewal is at it again. On www.GA2008.com, we'll constantly be adding news and commentary related to the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which will meet June 21-28, 2008, in San Jose, CA.
