The advisory board of the Cross Cultural Alliance of Ministries (CCAM) has challenged the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to focus on critical issues faced by the denomination at the 217th General Assembly this summer.
“We are leaders from the various racial ethnic caucuses, and speak for ourselves. While we have varying opinions about the final recommendations of (PUP Task Force) report, we are of one mind that the issue of ordination standards must not monopolize the agenda and resources of the church. … We need also to grapple with the matters that are at the heart of our decline,” they said.
Their concerns include lack of ethnic diversity in the PC(USA); the aging church membership; drop in membership; focus on certain issues to the neglect of others. “The PC(USA) has practically ground to a halt as it endlessly debates human sexuality and ordination standards while evangelism, justice, and reform receive scant attention,” the board said.
They called for a time of confession and repentance as Presbyterians come together to address these critical matters. “The church must embrace greater diversity as God makes all things new, and at the same time, hold fast to the author and perfector of our faith, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever,” according to their statement. … “We cannot settle for a bipolar debate between white conservatives and white liberals. Since Pentecost, the church has always been many voices proclaiming one word. We pray that the church will hear the many voices witnessing to the one Word, that the Presbyterian Church may be God’s faithful witness for our times.”
