Emily Belz June 23, 2022 01:52 PM Image: Screengrab / PCAGA.org Livestream PCA elder Carl Robbins speaks in favor of leaving the NAE. But the fact is that the General Assembly has strongly reaffirmed the standard of fidelity and chastity, and in the same day has granted freedom to governing bodies to decide whether this standard is essential or not. And it is a major theological disagreement, one that may be important enough to warrant the breaking of institutional fellowship. What if denominational connections hinder rather than help us fulfill the Great Commission? Do these criteria fit the situation of the PCUSA today? As they stand before God, they believe it is time for them to leave. In yesterdays post I showed that the current circumstances in the PCUSA are extraordinary, but also extraordinarily complicated. Rick Jones | Office of the General Assembly - April 25, 2022 LOUISVILLE There has been nothing normal about church membership and attendance over the past two years. Im also greatly blessed to be part of a strong, Christ-centered Presbytery (regional body). Roy Taylor, former stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America, told the General Assembly he planned to file a protest over its decision to leave the NAE. By the way, if youre interested in my understanding of homosexuality and Christianity, see my blog post entitled: Christian Inclusiveness. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Others have remained hesitant because theyve seen too many negative news stories. But the NAE has maintained politically conservative positions on a number of issues, like abortion. There are times when Christians need to recognize that they cannot be in the same denomination, even though they can be one in Christ and in much of what matters in the Christian life. The countless hours that I and my fellow leaders at Irvine Presbyterian Church have put into cleaning up PCUSA messes have been, quite frankly, a big waste of time. TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic 300. How Do We Observe It? RELATED: Presbyterian Church in America leaders say those who identify as gay are not qualified for ordination, People attend the Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly, June 23, 2022, in Birmingham, Alabama. So now we come to where the rubber meets the road. Yet many conservatives believe that they mustnt remain in the denomination for biblical reasons. Now Im going to have to tell people that our constitution calls for fidelity and chastity, and that Irvine Presbyterian Church affirms this completely, but that our denomination allows some people to do what our constitution forbids. (Section B). And you may need them later. Many individuals and congregations will conclude from this decision that the PC(USA) has abandoned the historic faith of the Church. 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In some ways they don't have to. But God is also concerned for mission. The ties that bind are not broken easily. Before transitioning to a full-time role with the NAE, Kim was ordained by the PCA and served as pastor for leadership at the church, according to the organization. So, on the same day we Presbyterians reaffirmed the rules with a strong positive vote, and then voted to allow people not to follow the rules. If this should happen, then my decision to leave the PCUSA would be an easy one (in principle, not in heart). The PC(USA) saw a sharp drop in recorded professions of faith and reaffirmation in 2019 when COVID-19 took hold. oga, Why Should We? If they decide its not essential, then they are free to ordain people who intend to engage in sexual intimacy outside of marriage. Already the Presbyterian Lay Committee has statedthat it "mourns these actions and calls on all Presbyterians to resist and protest them." I should add, by the way, that Im not a free agent here, but a member of a family. In 1978, when the General Assembly first dealt with the problem of homosexual ordination, I helped to write a portion of a book that strongly influenced that vote. Fittingly, the sin that led to this required separation was sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). It's Time to Leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) office of the general assembly, While the two held different beliefs on some theological matters, he said, Whitefield regarded Wesley as a brother in Christ and stipulated in his will that Wesley preach at his funeral. The PCUSA has made its rejection of the Word of God official. Discernment of Gods will is something we will do together. For the first time, a General Assembly has voted to allow church members to disobey the clear direction of the PCUSA constitution. His last . For all other uses, please contact me at mark@markdroberts.com. Sermon Index. An Introduction to Advent. It does not store any personal data. But it would be hard for us to be in the same denomination right now, since our denominations differ on key issues such as baptism and church government. I could not be governed by this polity. We are confident that God will be faithful to use this crisis to surface the need for, to awaken our desire for, the new work God wishes to do among us. However, last years records show a slight increase. Since constitutional change requires the concurrence of the Presbyteries (regional bodies), every one of these General Assembly votes has been rejected by the whole PCUSA. The decision comes at a time when the head of the NAE serves a PCA congregation. The median presbytery has a membership of 5,526 people and the average presbytery consists of 111 ministers, 53 churches and four candidates. Christians should also break fellowship over essential theological disagreement (2 John 1:9-11). The PCUSA has made its rejection of the Word of God official. The Presbyterian Church (USA) was established with the 1983 merger of the Presbyterian Church in . Roy Taylor, the former and longtime stated clerk of the PCA, was strongly in favor of remaining with the NAE, where he has served as chairman of the board. June 23, 2022 By Emily McFarlan Miller (RNS) Commissioners for the Presbyterian Church in America approved a motion to leave the National Association of Evangelicals on Wednesday (June 22). Withdrawing their membership is meant to be a symbolic gesture for the larger church. Institutional fragmentation is at hand. Approximately 82% of the churches submitted data representing 91% of PC(USA) membership. Todays vote to approve the Peace, Unity, and Purity Report has begun to rupture the fragile peace of the PCUSA. Both organizations have been featured on the PCUSA website. Furthermore, in the last ten years Ive had to deal with dozens of people who believed that the PCUSA endorses homosexuality, and for whom this is a reason not to get involved in the PCUSA church. Step One: Initial Contact and Dialogue. Im not suggesting that the people who voted in favor of the PUP Report believe what I just said. On the other hand, it was to do with the fact that I have not engaged in an extended season of prayerful, scriptural, and communal discernment about whether or not to part ways with the PCUSA. The first is from the New Wineskins folk, some PCUSA leaders who have been working hard on the question of denominational renewal and reconfiguration. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. An NAE spokesperson said the group does not comment on denominational decisions. How can a mere General Assembly pass a measure that effectively changes the constitution, without having the whole church vote on such a change? Note: This is not a topic Ive spent a lot of time thinking about before this week. Since they believe that God is directing them to leave the PCUSA, then they must do it. The church will be destroyed if we don't keep the feast. Its the third time in the past decade the theologically conservative Presbyterian denomination has considered a measure to leave the association, an umbrella organization of 40 evangelical Christian denominations. Taylor argued for the denomination to remain part of the association, urging commissioners to show the same unity as George Whitefield and John Wesley, two prominent ministers in the Church of England during the Great Awakening. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. On the surface, a denominational disagreement over sexual ethics does not appear to be that essential, though its important. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:20-23). Check them out every Wednesday and Friday through Aug. 4. But we would not be continually duking it out to preserve a tenuous and unhelpful institutional unity. I would never leave the PCUSA without extensive conversation and prayer with my fellow leaders at Irvine Presbyerian Church. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. First Black stated clerk for Presbyterian Church's General - WDRB Those arguing in favor of remaining pointed to the PCAs outsize influence at the NAE as well as the historic ties between the groups. Thus, if any governing body believes that fidelity and chastity are not essential, then that governing body has the freedom to ordain candidates who are not and do not intend to practice fidelity in heterosexual marriage or chastity in singleness. Thus I expect to miss salient points. If our polity required that I personally support the ordination of people who engage in sex outside of marriage, then I could not fulfill my pastoral vows. Or we could decide to separate institutionally, so that we might be free to lead our churches according to our differing convictions. The presbytery who put forward this overture to leave the NAE cited, among other things, the NAEs advocacy for political measures like the Fairness for All legislation, an attempted compromise on gay rights and religious freedom. The second is the official statement of the Presbyterian Renewal Network. Michael Brown is the host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show, China arrests pastor, Christians for illegal business practices; church says 'they are innocent', WEA criticized for human rights events with the Iranian delegation to UN, Nashville mourns 49-year-old pastor who led at-risk youth away from life of crime, Eric Metaxas calls on the Church to 'wake up' or face disastrous consequences: 'Everything's at stake', If you disagree with SCOTUS decision on Christian graphic artist answer these questions, Yes, trans exhibitionism is directly downstream of redefining marriage, Freedom only comes through sacrifice, never goes on sale, The extraordinary meaning of July 4th for America and the world, The long march of Drag Queen Story Hour across Europe, Outlasting the Gay Revolution: Where Homosexual Activism Is Really Going and How to Turn the Tide. Ive received strong support from my local Presbytery (regional body), and Im in a great covenant group with several PCUSA pastors. Sermon Series. What I call the beginning of the end they might call the last nail in the coffin or the straw that finally broke the camels back. I can see their point. 1. These determinations include: a. We are deeply bonded in Christ and in mutual love. Remarkably, the original language of the proposal only stated, "marriage involves a unique commitment between two people." Then theres the other vote. I have been asked, however, to remain in institutional fellowship with people who will do what I believe to be wrong. Faithful commissioners and advisory delegates have stood valiantly and effectively for doctrines such as the Trinity and the sanctity of human life. And so, while affirming Israel's right to exist within secure borders and while renouncing anti-Semitism, the PCUSA calls for all kinds of actions against Israel and virtually none against the Palestinians (other than renouncing violence on either side). Author: Rick Jones | Office of the General Assembly, Department: Let us all be guided by the passage from which comes, providentially, the theme of this 217th General Assembly: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. We reaffirm our ordination vows at the very time when those vows are being cheapened. The words "traditionally a man and a woman" were added as a concession to conservatives and in order to secure their vote. This article was changed to clarify the PCAs relationship to the NAE in 1973. Together. I do not share their conviction, however, at least not today. Unity is both a result of what Christ has done on the cross and a testimony to the world of this accomplishment. It is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, known for its liberal stance on doctrine and its ordaining of women and members of the LGBT community as elders and ministers. The Rev. Sermon Topics. Leave . In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Note: You may download this resource at no cost, for personal use or for use in a Christian ministry, as long as you are not publishing it for sale. They leave churches for trivial or ill-considered reasons. He maintains his ministerial credentials with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. On July 19, in Tulsa, the second annual convocation of the New Wineskin Initiative begins. First, and most importantly, I believe that God calls the church to unity. Now I realize this might sound like Im being wishy-washy, and perhaps I am. Wed soon find ourselves in unending conflicts and general anarchy. This world longs to see us give faithful expression to our covenantal life. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Until today, candidates are expected to follow these standards if they are to be ordained. Note also that the "PCUSA actively supports and endorses the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (formerly the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, RCAR) and Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options (PARO)." statistics, Topics: I know this sounds strange if youre new to the Presbyterian soap opera. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This would suggest that leaving a denomination, or dividing that denomination into new groups, should only be done thoughtfully, carefully, and for very good reasons. From their point of view, the end had its beginning long ago, when the denomination stopped being clear about biblical truth and its governance over our church. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Moreover, Ive found that the Presbyterian label is sometimes more of a minus than a plus for outreach. We recognize in this moment of crisis and profound disappointment a God given opportunity. Leaving the PC(USA): What Are The Facts? - The Presbyterian Outlook This is a real problem, to be sure. We have come to the realization that our church has been forever changed by this pandemic, said the Rev. What To Do If Someone Sins Against You: The Teaching of Jesus, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/. 7.Keep praying and ask others to pray for you. I received five or six e-mails from members of Presbyterian churches who are now leaving the denomination. Im trying to surrender my agendas and preferences, so I can be open to Gods call. At its annual meeting on Wednesday, the Presbyterian Church in America voted to leave the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), which it has been connected with since the denominations founding in 1973. Its as if the PCUSA has multiple personality disorder. When should you leave a church? This statement puts the reasons this way: [The recent vote by the General Assembly has accomplished] the alteration of the PCUSA from a presbyterian to a congregational form of government in that each Presbytery is now able to do what is right in its own sight with respect to, among other things, the ordination of persons who engage in sexual activity outside the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. Whether a candidate being examined for ordination and/or installation as elder, deacon, or ministry of Word and Sacrament has departed from scriptural and constitutional standards for fitness for office, b. At least two of these people will remain active in their Presbyterian churches, however, because these churches are vital and biblically-sound. This is shocking and profoundly sad, especially when so many people who voted for it believe they did the right thing. The theological basis for this unity is the work of Christ on the cross and the work of the Spirit at Pentecost and beyond (see, for example, Ephesians 2, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12). Ill say more about this in my next post in this series. But I believe that an issue such as this one deserves careful attention and analysis. I can imagine a severe shortage of funds for the PCUSA national ministry. Even though Im deeply grieved by the action of the General Assembly, and even though Im angered by the way our constitutional fellowship has been violated, Im not ready to throw in the towel. SOUTH BEND Spend a little time speaking with Pastor Vickie Van Nevel, pastor of First United Methodist Church of South Bend, and you'd . In order to safeguard the integrity of our congregation and maintain the kind of true biblical accountability and connectionalism prescribed in the New Testament, the session of Providence Presbyterian Church has decided to prayerfully begin the process of investigating other denominations to determine if we should affiliate with them.