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Holy Week resources and reflections

Candidates reveal their visions for the PC(USA)

Editor's note: The four candidates running in the election for moderator of the 217th General Assembly have responded to several questions from the Outlook.

  •  In your opinion, what is the most significant matter to come before this General Assembly and how do you propose that the Assembly respond to it?
  • What are your goals for your moderatorial years and what strengths do you bring to the task?
  • In your opinion, what is the most urgent need in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) over the next five years?

 

Editor’s note: The four candidates running in the election for moderator of the 217th General Assembly have responded to several questions from the Outlook.

 

DEBORAH A. BLOCK

In your opinion, what is the most significant matter to come before this General Assembly and how do you propose that the Assembly respond to it?

I’m glad you’ve posed the question as “significant matter” rather than “issue”; it gets us to the heart of the matter. “Matter” is what we’re made of, and this Assembly will challenge us to be persons in Jesus Christ and a church of Jesus Christ. It will test our resolve to be loving and just, forbearing and forgiving, trusting and bold. With God’s help, we can become that kind of church.

 

What are your goals for your moderatorial years and what strengths do you bring to the task?

My primary goal is to moderate the General Assembly meeting with fairness, respectfulness, clarity, and wisdom — bringing prayer to our decisions, and humor and patience to our frustrations. I come equipped with years of moderatorial experience in governing bodies and other organizations, and have steered difficult meetings to the high road of respect for both the persons and processes involved. Other goals will flow more from our week together and the agenda we set. I will faithfully interpret the actions and the spirit of the 217th General Assembly to our church, in contexts that are receptive and those that may be wary, unhappy, or even adversarial. I will explain our processes and decisions and strive to build understanding and trust. As a pastor, I will invite all persons to the table, pray with them, break bread with them, listen to them, and engage them in seeking the “uncommon ground” of peaceful discourse and faithful discernment. In the course of doing that, I hope to promote healthy congregational life and a new vitality in mission — including financial support. I bring 28 years of experience as a clergywoman in our church. It would be a privilege to represent the story of women’s ordination in this special anniversary year. By example and encouragement, I will “seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love” in the name of Jesus Christ and to the glory of God.

 

In your opinion, what is the most urgent need in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) over the next five years?

We need to learn to live together so that we can be a church that lives for others. “In a broken and fearful world” we are to be a source and model of reconciliation and courage. We’re being called to some new ways of being church — how we seek God’s will for us, how we honor one another and our theological tradition, and how we organize to do the work of the church. We need a hopeful, graceful, confident spirit to take some leaps of faith and make it work. 

 

Kerry Carson

In your opinion, what is the most significant matter to come before this General Assembly and how do you propose that the Assembly respond to it?

The final report of the Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church is one of the significant matters before us. In my conversations around the country, my sense is that the church is not ready to embrace the recommendations. In fact, there is much confusion on what the implications would be if they are adopted. I would like the assembly to receive the report while delaying action on the recommendations until the 218th General Assembly.

This allows a clearer picture to emerge regarding the implications of the recommendations while the whole church could gain the experience of the task force prior to final action.

 

What are your goals for your moderatorial years and what strengths do you bring to the task?

My goals:

“¢  Encouraging the growth of healthy Christians and congregations excited about their relationship with God and life in their community of faith as they share and live out the Good News of Jesus Christ;

“¢  To be a healing voice and presence to and for the whole PC(USA), inviting all I meet to listen, love, pray for, and honor one another as we seek the mind of Christ and the will of God for our church;

“¢ To be a global ambassador to the PC(USA), helping to communicate stories of God at work and ministries that are impacting lives; and for the PC(USA) through demonstrating and modeling humility and servanthood with our global and ecumenical partners.

My strengths:

“¢ Heart of a pastor, willing to listen, pray with and work for others;

“¢ Consensus builder with a demonstrated ability to bring people of differing backgrounds and theological perspectives together to focus on a common vision for mission;

“¢  Ministry entrepreneur, helping congregations and presbyteries to think “outside the box,” envisioning new ministry opportunities and approaches.

 

In your opinion, what is the most urgent need in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) over the next 5 years?

Our most urgent need is to rediscover a sense of hope and optimism about our life together. Our faithful God is doing amazing things … in our relationships and discussions. In my travels in the United States and around the world, I have seen signs of renewal in worship, Bible study, prayer, and sharing life in Jesus. I am excited about the future as God calls us to grow the church together, seeking healthy Christians and congregations committed to honoring God, one another, and living their faith in all the arenas of life.

 

JOAN GRAY

In your opinion, what is the most significant matter to come before this General Assembly and how do you propose that the Assembly respond to it?

We must find a way to go forward together as one church in the midst of our very real differences. Whether recommendation 5 passes or not, the time has come to find new ways to engage each other across the great divide of how we interpret the Bible on matters of sexuality. I believe God can do new and unexpected things among us if we are willing to climb out of our issue trenches and give the Holy Spirit room to work. Our habit of waging pitched battles over the pages of the Book of Order is not getting us where we really need to go. My hope is that this Assembly could make a fresh beginning and point the denomination toward a more life-giving way of being the church.

 

What are your goals for your moderatorial years and what strengths do you bring to the task?  

My three priorities if elected moderator are (1) to be a graceful, pastoral presence where discord is sharp, (2) to lead us toward a spiritual renewal that will empower our mission, giving, and evangelism, and (3) to encourage and resource elders to be spiritual leaders in the church. My strengths: through my conflict management work I have learned how to be a helpful presence in troubled situations; I have a solid knowledge of the principles of polity that can guide us in turbulent times; I have built relationships with people on all sides of our current conflict; I love working with lay people and have gifts for teaching polity and spiritual formation; and I have a passionate faith in the God who can do more than we can ask or imagine.

 

In your opinion, what is the most urgent need in the Presbyterian Church (USA) over the next five years?

We need to figure out how to be a denomination in a post-denominational age. This will involve prayerful definition of our unique mission; letting form follow function in configuring denominational resources; and striking a healthy balance between mission best done at the congregational and presbytery levels and mission best done through the wider church. We must find ways to treasure both our diversity and the common belief, polity, and mission that bind us into the body of Christ. In the midst of the changes some things must not be lost: the theological treasures of the Reformed tradition, our prophetic witness and world-wide mission, the fabric of trust expressed in our polity, and our ecumenical partnerships. Change is upon us, but it does not have to be our enemy if we trust the God who is always doing something new.

 

H. TIMOTHY HALVERSON

In your opinion, what is the most significant matter to come before this General Assembly and how do you propose that the Assembly respond to it?

We are in denial. To date, 85 of the 130 overtures before the 217th General Assembly have been posted on the General Assembly Web site. None of these overtures deals specifically with church growth or evangelism.  

There has recently been another major pruning of our national staff. These are not statistics that were “let go”; rather, these are real people with families and friends. They were let go because our church has experienced huge membership losses. Ninety percent of our churches have “plateaued” in membership or are in decline. When do we wake up? When do we stop ignoring our most pressing issue and make evangelism “the most significant matter to come before this General Assembly”?  

 

What are your goals for your moderatorial years and what strengths do you bring to the task?

My goals are to       

“¢  Ignite a fire and passion for evangelism,

“¢  Become a church that “holds the center” where everyone may belong,

“¢  Be more respectful of the minority and listen to their concerns, and

“¢  Persuade those on the right and on the left that we are stronger together.


My Doctor of Ministry work was in the area of evangelism and church growth. I have served as a consultant to churches and presbyteries in this area. I believe that God wants the Presbyterian Church to be reborn.

A common perception is that the PC (USA) has become a center-left church. Therefore, many conservative evangelicals feel marginalized and excluded. I hear them. I want them to be part of the church. We must create a level playing field; we must move to the center. 

We are stronger together. We need one another. In the past, when the church has been the weakest, it has been the strongest because it has not relied on its own wisdom. We are weak, but with God all things are possible. Faithfulness demands that we cannot give up on our church.

As I stand before the church as a candidate for moderator, the greatest gift I bring is an uncommon stubbornness to believe that our church can grow. I am hopeful because Jesus Christ was resurrected and resurrections often follow the darkness.

 

In your opinion, what is the most urgent need in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) over the next 5 years?

Evangelism.

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