Presbytery of Philadelphia
by Rev. John Berstecher
In 2001, the Presbyterian Coalition issued a call for evangelicals to network with like-minded Presbyterians through regional gatherings patterned after the national event. A few pastors who attended the Coalition Gathering, took the call seriously and began to work together. The following spring, Bethany-Collegiate Church in Havertown, PA, outside Philadelphia, hosted the first “Regional Gathering of Evangelical Presbyterians” (RGEP). It featured Dr. Rob Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, as its first plenary speaker. The event also included 4-5 practical seminars to strengthen and equip the ministry of local churches.
The RGEP currently holds two events a year, one in the spring and the other in the fall, always at the Church on the Mall, Plymouth Meeting, PA. It attracts between 150-200 pastors, staff, lay leaders, and church members from eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. In our brochure, we describe the event as “a time for worship, celebration, instruction, fellowship and encouragement.” The events begin in mid-afternoon for learning, followed by fellowshipping and networking over the dinner hour, concluding with Christ exalting worship in the evening featuring a combined choir and a message delivered by a significant voice for evangelical Christianity.
On November 14, 2006, at our fall gathering, Michael Carey, Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, in Satellite Beach, FL, led the afternoon workshop on the Purpose Driven model for ministry. Michael’s congregation hosts the annual Purpose-Driven Church Conference. Our evening speaker was the Rev. John Guest, rector of Christ Church at Grove Farm near Pittsburgh. John has led evangelistic crusades around the world and was instrumental in the founding of Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry.
Other speakers at previous RGEP events include: Craig Barnes, Head of Staff at Shadyside Presbyterian Church and Meneilly Professor of Leadership and Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; Darrell Guder, Dean of Academic Affairs and the Henry Winters Luce Professor of Missional and Ecumenical Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary; Arnold Lovell, Senior Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Knoxville; Dean Weaver, Senior pastor of Memorial Park Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA and co-moderator of the New Wineskins Initiative; Jim Berkley, Director of Presbyterian Action; Andrew Purves, the Hugh Thomson Kerr Professor of Pastoral Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; Wallace Charles Smith, President of Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern Baptist) and Jim Logan, Pastor of Bread of Life Church in Charlotte, N.C.
Those who would like to receive information about our regional events can contact me at presbypal@hotmail.com.
Presbytery of Cincinnati
by Elder Sharlyn “Sam” Stare
“Get Changed…Get Together…and Get Going” is a phrase that has informed and formed much of my Christian ministry. It serves as an unseen heartbeat of a group in the Presbytery of Cincinnati where I and other evangelicals find refreshment and renewal.
Rev. Sam Shoemaker, founder of Faith At Work, coined the phrase before I was born. My spiritual father, Dr Jerry Ross Kirk, preaches and lives Shoemaker’s words. The phrase made sense to me as a new believer. Now it’s part of my Christian DNA.
I’ve served beyond my local Presbyterian congregation since the early 1980’s. Faith at this work is challenging—sometimes like a foreign mission work. By the mid-90’s, frustrated with the overture wars, crumbling theology and general denominational malaise, I was tempted to withdraw to the safe haven of my local congregation. The Gatherings of Presbyterians in Dallas/Orlando provided encouragement and vision for me and other believers within the Cincinnati Presbytery…. “We Got Changed.”
“We Got Together.”
Our small group coalesced around two key documents: http://www.presbycoalition.org/
- “Union in Christ: A Declaration for the Church”
- “Turning Toward the Mission of God: A Strategy for the Transformation of the PC(USA)” which focused on 6 key areas: mission, polity, discipline, theological education, worship and educational ministries
The documents declared “that this work of renewal will be carried on in and through the existing structures of the PC(USA) whenever possible.” While critical of the PC(USA), the Strategy noted “that all too often we[evangelicals] have been part of the problem.” The Strategy listed “frequently encountered obstacles” and “strategic goals.”
“And We Got Going….”
- We invited Rev. Andrew Purves, from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to Cincinnati to help us understand what we saw as “key formation documents” from the Dallas Gathering.
- John Detterick, the Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, was known to affirm the documents. A dozen of us drove to Louisville to build a relationship with him. We shared dreams, concerns and prayer. We asked, “How can we help you to succeed?” (a good question to ask denominational leaders at any level).
- We called ourselves the ‘PSST’ (Presbytery Strategic Support Team). Our mission was to be supportive of one another as we respond to Christ’s upward call on our lives, and to be strategically supportive of our presbytery consistent with the 1998 Dallas Declaration and Strategy. We chose not to be an “issues-oriented” group, but to be informed so that we could respond to issues, as led, individually or congregationally.
Red and White Blood Cell Work
Rev. Dr. Harry Hassall also met with us. Former Highland Park PC Executive Pastor, visionary behind Presbyterians for Renewal’s Wee Kirk Conferences and a brilliant strategist, Harry brought more clarity on “Get Going.” He spoke of the Body of Christ’s “red blood cell” and “white blood cell” functions.
“Red Blood Cell” functions are life-giving: Ephesians 4 actions that build up, strengthen, nurture, connect and support. The relational stuff brings PSST together for lunch each month and makes it a “safe place.” No one requires you to come, but you know that you’ll be missed if you’re absent. Red blood cell functions keep emails of encouragement coming. You pray for the family and congregational events of others and celebrate God’s answers to prayers. You have others whom you trust… who are for you…who may not be connected with your congregation but care about the things you care about.
Since its inception, PSST has been a partnership of clergy and laity, men and women. I convene the group and form the agenda each month. Unlike other denominational forums, PSST recognizes the value of having strong lay participation with clergy. A layman noted, “I think the laity bring the seat in the pew view that is very hard if not impossible for the clergy to get.” Another said, “I need to know that pastors (other than my own) care as deeply as I do about what’s happening in the church, and that they need me for prayer, support and action.”
PSST is there when the elders decide you need to leave…. your spouse dies…. you’re facing a huge deadline…. you’re between jobs…. you need an emergency pulpit supply…. or you’ve taken a faith-step that takes the pooled resources of several churches. PSST is there when laypersons put their faith to work and they want to share what happened. PSST knows when missionaries are in town who can share God-stories to help your church members grow as global Christians.
“White Blood Cell” functions defend the Body from threats from inside and outside. Molding and mobilizing and mending are all aspects of these functions.
Molding — I came to Christ with no history in the faith, reformed or otherwise. I struggled to understand the Presbyterian streams, systems and seismic dramas. Men and women throughout the PCUSA who have mature relationships with Jesus Christ have mentored me. Locally, PSST provides a place to share such legacies and equip others. The group provides wise counsel and encouragement during the tough “white blood cell work.”
Sometimes simple information is needed. “Thank you. You’re a great ‘birddog!” “That link to the web article was perfect for my task force debate.” “The Outlook article really helped our church elders understand their options.” “Boy, that Amendment was confusing. You all sorted it out for me.”
More often though, “white blood cell work” leads the members of PSST to be molded and mobilized in spiritual warfare. Here’s a recent example: PSST took Cliff Kirkpatrick, the GA Stated Clerk seriously when he said: “…we have not altered the [ordination] fundamentals; we have the same standards as before. The [PUP] report encourages a more pastoral approach to ordination and encourages our governing bodies to do a thorough work of examining people for office.”
Three candidates for ministry were to be examined at the September Cincinnati Presbytery meeting. Usually we’d discuss who would line up to ask what questions. This time we said, “If someone asked questions about sexual practice, what presbytery leaders should be alerted out of respect?” We prayed and God did the rest. Three days before the Presbytery meeting, a member of PSST saw Erwin McManus’ “The Barbarian Way” video and was mobilized into action. The layperson shared the proposed questions with the Presbytery Moderator and Stated Clerk. The Moderator ultimately laid the groundwork for the commissioner to ask all 3 candidates the same questions:
- about the Constitutionality of their own personal sexual practice, and
- about whether they would support the Constitution as an ordained leader advising a Session or another ordaining body.
The lay person asking the questions did not stand alone and did not speak alone. She was undergirded with prayer and by the presence of PSST brothers and sisters in Christ.
Serious “white blood cell” work also requires mending— “binding up the brokenhearted” (Is. 61:1; Lk. 4:18) and healing by the Holy Spirit. The PSST group serves as a mobile field hospital and aid station when the inevitable wounds occur. God mends us — our attitudes, our beliefs and our actions. He also may change our circumstances through others, or mold others through our circumstances.
PSST members have said:
- “The fellowship has helped several of our elders and me to keep a balanced perspective on presbytery and the larger church…[PSST] is realistic about the events and direction of our denomination, but also seeks to be edifying and positively engaged in work beyond the congregation.”
- “[As a leader in my church] I’m better informed and armed to respond to congregational questions about the actions of the Presbytery and the denomination.”
- “I had a plan, but felt defeated. The prayers of PSST sustained me through the long process.”
- “PSST provides hope in the midst of dark times. I don’t feel like the lone ranger any more.”
- “I was so encouraged when another PSSTer joined the Task Force…. Jesus did send folks out two by two!”
- “Blogging with a brother about the presbytery Transformation Process is great.”
- “The prayers and support of PSST have contributed quietly, but significantly, to the healthier function and spiritual well-being of the Presbytery of Cincinnati.”
“Get Changed…Get Together…and Get Going” is much more than a phrase to the Cincinnati Presbytery Strategic Support Team (PSST). Through “red and white blood cell” functions working together, God is mending, molding and mobilizing us as “contemporary apostles.” Ordained clergy and lay people are experiencing community where we help one another. We haven’t arrived, but (psst) we’re moving together in the right direction. Alleluia!
Presbytery of Carlisle
by Rev. Denny Finnegan
According to the Presbytery of Carlisle web-site,
We are a Presbyterian faith community of nearly 17,000 members in 52 congregations….
We inhabit a region that includes a national civil war battlefield, a famous chocolate company, three turnpike tunnels, a state capital, and a variety of water sources including springs, trout streams and rivers. We have mountains, valleys and fertile farms. We reflect ethnic, theological and vocational diversity…. We have a history that precedes the Presbytery’s founding in 1789. Our oldest congregation dates from 1724.
Even though that describes “what we look like,” that does not really tell, “who we are.” On the one hand, we have folks very supportive of the Covenant Network; on the other hand, there are folks very active in renewal groups like Presbyterians Pro-Life and Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International.
On the one hand, our Presbytery’s Mission statement is, “The Presbytery of Carlisle exists to support our congregations for faithful service to God in the name of Jesus Christ”; on the other hand, when the Presbytery restructured a few years ago, they forgot to keep both stewardship and evangelism as two important “features” of the new structure “for faithful service to God in the name of Jesus Christ” …. this is not something that is just a problem of the theological “right, or left,” but of many of our churches within our presbytery. And while we seem to treat each other very amiably at Presbytery meetings, the votes usually lean 45%—55%, theologically “right to left.”
In response to the passage of the PUP report, those who want to see the ordination standards maintained are currently organizing themselves to accomplish three tasks:
- Take the responsibility to become better informed as to what our constitutional “essentials” are, so that we can help the presbytery and congregations hold to the “shall-s” of our polity (there are many resources available, including “questions to ask” that the Presbyterian Coalition has produced);
- Learn how to “speak the truth in love,” so that we are neither a contentious nor divisive force within our presbytery; and,
- Discern how to support and encourage one another in the Lord to remain faithful to what we firmly know to be “essentials” of our faith and practice.
We are just beginning. But we hope to be an active voice in the presbytery, rather than a group of passively frustrated and angry conservatives.
One way my congregation has chosen to do this more recently was to host a meeting for elders within the presbytery to discuss the PUP report and “what it does say” versus “what it does not say,” at least within our Presbytery. We had 41 pastors and elders (mostly elders) from the presbytery in attendance; our Presbytery Executive moderated the meeting. The majority of those present were “not happy” with the PUP report, nor the vote at GA.
The more we can do to “make available resources” and help facilitate “honest dialogue,” the better equipped congregations will be to take a faithful stand.
Sheldon Jackson College
by Rev. Dr. David Dobler
Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka has served Alaska Natives since 1878. That is old for any institution in Alaska, and we are the oldest continuously operating school in the state. Begun as a Presbyterian training school, the four-year College is named for our iconic missionary founder. Sheldon Jackson’s traveling desk and binoculars, which sit today in my office, are tangible reminders of the faith, vision, and tenacity from which the College grew.
“Alaska Education in a Christian Environment,” the College’s recently revised mission byline, emerged from a trustee-driven, campus-wide reflection on who we are called to be and how we speak of ourselves. The words did not come easily. The argument on “Alaska” or “Alaskan”’ I leave to students of Alaskana. It is enough to say that we know our place and our people. “Education” asserts that while we must be entrepreneurial and make money from our assets, our purpose is to serve and to teach.
With “Christian” began the real struggle. To serve Alaska Natives is to honor and embrace the range of Christian expression that characterized the frontier mission movement. One distinctive of Alaska is the visceral identification of particular regions, villages, and peoples with historic denominations. Sitka’s earlier name, after all, was New Archangel, the capital of Russian America, and St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral is the center of our town. Yet divisions between denominations that can be so corrosive in some locales, fade away in the Alaska Bush. If there is but one church in a village, that is where you worship and all are welcomed.
Among the many blessings I have received in my Alaska years are the sure knowledge of the unseen world, and the witness of a gentle and generous ecumenism. Presiding at the only Eucharist in an isolated Yupik village on World Communion Sunday changed forever my sense of the Real Presence of Christ.
“Christian,” for the College, means non-sectarian and unashamedly Presbyterian—“Mere Christian,” to borrow a phrase—or small ‘o’ orthodox. Sheldon Jackson College, which houses the Sitka Young Life office, requires religion courses, has a variety of Bible studies and chapel services, sends mission groups, and encourages students to attend a local congregation on Sundays. Our chaplain is staunchly Presbyterian and the chair of presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. I’m pretty Presbyterian myself.
On my desk stands the icon of St. Trifon of Pechenga, a Russian layman of Medieval Novgorod. Trifon walked one thousand miles to answer God’s call to evangelize the Saami people on the Arctic coast of the Kola Peninsula, near Murmansk. Established in 1573, three hundred years before Sheldon Jackson, the monastery Trifon founded lives today. Relations between the Orthodox and Presbyterians have not always been gracious, yet the ministries of St. Trifon and Sheldon Jackson, though half a world apart, exhibit the same zeal for Christ and love for the North and its people.
The “Environment” we would, like Christ, cherish and claim. One aim of Christian education is to cultivate our sense of wonder; “When I look at the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars that Thou hast established; what is man that Thou art mindful of him, the son of man that Thou dost care for him?” (Ps. 8:3-4). Faith need not fear inquiry, nor knowledge rob us of awe. To love the Lord with all our mind is, after all, a commandment.
The world that God so loved is our home and the arena of our Christian service. Sheldon Jackson College seeks to prepare students for the sake of that world, not to exploit but to serve. In earlier years the school’s motto was “Competent Christian Citizens.” While the modern ear might find that formula harsh, it does point to a classic Christian truth not lost upon traditional peoples—that humanity is expressed only through community. Our student body today is international, and the world both wider and smaller than ever, yet the proof of Christian education remains healthy communities.
Sheldon Jackson College continues as a work in progress. We continue to respond to changing needs and opportunities, have known our share of struggles and challenges, and witnessed generations of leaders, teachers, and pastors coming from our classes. Our campus by the sea is breathtaking, and our mission is clear: Alaska Education in a Christian Environment.
Presbytery of Los Ranchos
by Elder Leslie Day-Ebert
Before I’d even returned home from serving as a commissioner to the 217th General Assembly, my church (Trinity United in Santa Ana, CA) had already appointed a G.A. Follow-Up Task Force. We met soon after G.A. was over and decided upon several actions in order to respond to the passage of Recommendation 5 of the PUP Report. The first was to send a letter from our Session to our Presbytery stating that we supported the ordination standards as they exist in the Book of Order and Book of Confessions. We also asked our Presbytery to affirm as essential all of the current standards and, in particular, G-6.0106b.
Our second action was a resolution to the Presbytery asking that they insert into the Manual of Operations of the Presbytery a similar affirmation. Several other churches submitted similar resolutions, as did a consortium of 10 pastors. The ten pastors worked with our Stated Clerk of Presbytery in editing and re-drafting a resolution which they felt most would accept. That resolution was approved by the presbytery at their November 16 meeting. Los Ranchos Presbytery now affirms that the Book of Confessions and the Form of Government in the Book of Order set forth the Scriptural and constitutional standards for ordination and installation.
In addition, our church has been in discussion with an attorney regarding church property issues and is planning a Spring presbytery-wide seminar for clergy and elders.
We have also been researching our church’s by-laws to see what might need to be changed in them in order to protect our property. We will be holding a congregational meeting in a Town Hall format to bring our congregation up-to-date when we’re a little further along as we have received several letters from members expressing their anger, frustration, etc. with the actions of the PC(USA) and our most recent General Assembly. I have spoken to a couple of our adult Sunday School classes giving an overview of the G.A. and pointing out some of the positive actions that occurred in Birmingham.
We believe that taking positive steps in response to Recommendation 5 is called for if we are to be faithful witnesses to our Reformed heritage and to our Lord. These actions need to be bathed in prayer so that they will be not only constructive but act as a balm to our souls. Our actions also assure our congregation that we are indeed being proactive and responding to their concerns and anger. We have found that some people are reluctant to participate in our capital campaign unless and until they feel we are doing everything in our power to protect our property and respond to what they feel is apostasy.
We have discussed the allocation of our offerings and find that almost all of it is designated. The percentage that is undesignated is 1.8%. The possible placing of per capita in an escrow account has not been discussed in any depth. We are in a unique situation because we have a new pastor who has just started and we feel he obviously needs to be involved in any far-reaching actions.
Another action our task force has discussed is sending some overtures to the next General Assembly. One possible overture would ask that the AI approved in 2006 be sent to the presbyteries for their vote so that the whole church can discern the will of God on this matter.
With the controversy over the passage of the PUP Report swirling about us, it’s important that we not let it “wag the dog.” We need to take to heart Paul’s words in II Timothy 4:2, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.”
Above all, we seek to remain faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to remember that it’s God’s church and He is still on the throne. Praise be to God!
This feature first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 12, No. 5 (Nov/Dec 2006).
