The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), anticipating the New Wineskins Association of Churches meeting https://www.newwineconvo.com/ that will take place in Orlando Feb. 8 and 9, has sent a letter to pastors of Presbyterian churches warning that some congregations may be about to leave the PC(USA) but saying that “we are better followers of Jesus Christ when we stick together.”
The letter to congregations https://www.pcusa.org/oga/newsstories/christs-unity.htm was sent by Clifton Kirkpatrick, the PC(USA)’s stated clerk, and by Linda Bryant Valentine, executive director of the denomination’s General Assembly Council. A second short letter accompanied it asking pastors to read the letter to their congregations.
While it does not specifically mention New Wineskins, the letter states that Kirkpatrick and Valentine are “deeply saddened” by the possibility that some congregations might leave.
It states that some are driven by the idea that the denomination’s ordination standards have changed or that “the PC(USA) denomination no longer believes in the Trinity. Neither of these is true.”
And it goes on to list several reasons why the denominational leaders think Presbyterian churches are “better together than we are apart.”
The actual letter to the congregations:
January 29, 2007
Dear Presbyterian sisters and brothers in Christ,
We are writing to you in advance of news you may read in the coming days. We have heard that a few Presbyterian congregations may soon announce their intention to leave the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
We are deeply saddened by this news for several reasons. First, any church’s departure is difficult and painful for the congregations involved and the wider church. Fractures within the body of Christ diminish our witness of God’s grace and mercy to the world–unfortunate in these already divisive times. And, the PC(USA) will miss the gifts and perspectives of these brothers and sisters in Christ.
Among the reasons of those wishing to leave are perceptions of particular actions of the 217th General Assembly last summer. These perceptions include concerns that our ordination standards have changed and that the PC(USA) no longer believes in the Trinity. Neither of these is true.
It is our deep conviction that we are better together than we are apart:
· We are better followers of Jesus when we stick together, mutually encouraging one another in the work of discipleship.
· We are better together and more effective in confronting the enormous problems in the world–dire situations like Darfur, HIV/AIDS in Africa, and ongoing human tragedies in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
· We are better together because the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as one expression of the whole body of Christ needs all of its parts in order to function well (1 Cor. 12).
· We are better together because our resources of time, talents, and treasure have a larger and farther reach.
· We are better together because our discernment and deliberations on tough topics need our many perspectives to reach the most faithful decisions.
Our confidence in the strength of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its people is unwavering. More than 11,000 PC(USA) congregations are, day in and day out, engaged in remarkable ministries that include proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, breaking the bread and sharing the cup, challenging injustice, and exhibiting the kingdom of God to the world. As the apostle Paul wrote, “I am confident … that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).
In over three hundred years of American Presbyterian history, we have never agreed 100 percent on any issue of the day. But, in the end, we are better together in Christ’s unity.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
| Clifton Kirkpatrick | Linda Bryant Valentine |
| Stated Clerk of the General Assembly | Executive Director, |
