So much is happening which our denomination needs to know. So instead of my traditional narrative this month, I wish to share some bullet points to underscore the remarkable way that God is alive and well in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and beyond. We have just received word that the two South Sudanese Presbyterian ministers who were arrested for their faithfulness have been released by the Sudanese government. This is wonderful news, and should be celebrated by all. Many of our PC(USA) people were involved in advocating for their release. Today they are home with their families. Praise God! A new focus on how we as a denomination are facing issues of racism is taking hold. Unveiled at the Big Tent in Knoxville, Tennessee, the first weekend in August, the theme, “Ask Me Why You Matter to Me,” has taken on a life of its own. Our denomination is realizing even more than ever that we cannot just sit by and idly watch as racist acts occur. As white as we are as a … [Read more...]
Prayer for the PC(USA)
As Moderator, I am acutely aware of the amazing ways the Holy Spirit is working in the PC(USA). In many ways it is a joy to watch and observe. In other ways, I am bewildered and confused about what is happening and how to respond. Thus it is that I offer this prayer for our denomination. To God be the Glory. Dear Loving God, We in the PC(USA) stand at the intersection of sacred and secular. We watch as our world, our nation, and our church undergo such extraordinary change that we are breathless. We watch as we see unbelievable examples of hate followed by love, of inhumane acts followed by new reflections of faith, of pain soothed by compassion. In our world we know that our sisters and brothers who are victims of ISIS are being abused, murdered, and horribly treated. In our world’s newest country we see the South Sudanese Christians being victimized and having to live in conditions where most of us would not even allow our pets to play. We see a world where some believe climate … [Read more...]
Seeking new pathways to trust in the midst of divestment
Little did I know in June of 2014 that the next six months of my life would be spent in focused communications and conversations on the issue of divestment. But no issue that remerged from the 221st General Assembly meeting in Detroit has caused the same degree of emotional response. Obviously we are a divided church over the issue. In the past two General Assembly meetings, the issue of divesting funds from certain American companies who are conducting business in Israel has been hotly debated. The ensuing votes of the almost 700 commissioners has been decided both times by less than 10 votes, with divestment being defeated one year and being affirmed two years later. During the past 10 months I have received emails, letters, phone calls and personal visits from people who were thrilled, furious, grateful, heartbroken and passionate. No one seems to be lukewarm about the issue. So in my efforts to serve our denomination by listening and loving, I have tried to distance myself … [Read more...]
Two more points from Heath Rada, moderator of the 221st General Assembly
LOUISVILLE (PNS) Several weeks ago I spoke to the Presbyterian Mission Agency about nine areas where I was observing interest, concerns, joys, or activity in our denomination. It was an “in-house” speech that was ultimately shared more broadly when placed on the Presbyterian News Service. The response has been heartening and I am grateful that a number of these matters hit home to some of you in the church. One church has told me that they intend to use the list as a study guide for the next year—focusing on each area, and seeing how they relate to their individual congregation as well as to the denomination. They asked if I had three more so they could fill the year! Actually, I did have two more that were not included in my presentation due to the constraint of time. So I offer my other two insights concerning what I am seeing and hearing across the church, with a follow-up question as to what might be some next steps. First... (or number 10)—This issue relates to education. For … [Read more...]
What I am seeing and hearing across the church (moderator’s statement)
Heath K. Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board—April 2015 It is my pleasure to offer to you a reflection of what I have seen and heard across our church during the 10 months since I was elected moderator. First, let me begin with some of the very positive reflections. 1. We are seeing an amazing emergence of young adults coming back to the church. Whereas statistics indicate that these folks are leaving evangelical megachurches in large measures, the PC(USA) is seeing young adults returning to our membership. Let me give you three examples. My own church, Grace Covenant in Asheville, N.C., announced last year that for the first time in our history we have more members, from our 900 memberships, who are under the age of 45 than older. Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, the fourth-largest church in our denomination, with over 5,000 members, says that their rapid growth is being … [Read more...]
A living church (moderator’s column)
Recently an article appeared in the Roanoke, Virginia, newspaper by author Timothy Buchanan. It was entitled “Death by Dishonor,” and began as follows: “The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is now dead. After a long, tedious struggle to remain faithful to the scriptures and great Christian reformers like John Knox, the leadership of the PC(USA) denomination (the liberal branch of Presbyterian Churches) has thrown in the towel. A PC(USA) church near you will soon be conducting the same-sex ‘marriages.’ The moral high-ground in this conflict has surrendered to Satan.” Pastor Catherine Taylor of the Blacksburg (Virginia) Presbyterian Church submitted a response to the paper. She said, “The piece by Timothy Buchanan … appeared at a fitting time, in Holy Week, when the Church the world over remembers the seeming triumph of embittered religionists. Buchanan gleefully announced the death of the PC(USA) much as priests and pundits in Jesus’ day proclaimed that he was in league with Satan, … [Read more...]
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