Guest commentary from Philip Reed and Mark Verdery
Dear Mr. Moderator,
We write to recommend consultants to facilitate a multi-level listening process throughout our church and provide a “broad based, overall, consistent understanding of how to proceed” that will involve our entire church – Alan Roxburgh and Craig Van Gelder of the Missional Network.
We are responding to two recent articles in the Presbyterian Outlook. An article entitled, “Presbyterian Mission Agency board faces end of financial reserves,” stated that the Presbyterian Mission Agency is looking to develop “a multi-level listening plan” and to conduct a “church wide discussion coordinated with the Office of the General Assembly.” In another article about your “Call to the Church,” you make a strong plea that no agency or department of the church attempt to control the outcome of a new discernment process. We believe consultants outside our PC(USA) structure will provide the kind of objective guidance you are calling for.
Alan Roxburgh and Craig Van Gelder have conducted multi-level listening at the denominational level with American Baptists and Reformed Church in America. They have a wide range of experience in facilitating such listening at the middle-judicatory level as well. Currently, the Missional Network is involved with several PC(USA) presbyteries, especially an exciting long-term project with the Presbytery of Cincinnati.
Alan is adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary; Craig just retired from Luther Theological Seminary as professor of congregational studies. Both are well-known authors. Alan’s most recent books are, “Structured for Mission,” which is especially pertinent for denominations, and “Joining God, Remaking Church, Changing the World: The New Shape of the Church in our Time.” (See the section in “Structured for Mission” titled, “The Challenge of Trust,” pages 140-144. Alan describes what has happen is denominations like our own PC(USA) and what to do about it.) Craig’s most recent works are “The Missional Church in Perspective” and “The Ministry of the Missional Church.”
We know Alan and Craig very well as colleagues and friends. They are passionately committed to the church of Jesus Christ as it re-discovers how to join what God is doing in our world. Alan and Craig would bring a unique focus on biblical and theological discernment to our multi-level listening and church wide discussion.
“The need is immediate.” Thank you for naming our current realities and moving with a sense of urgency to address our challenges. We agree that trust is the key issue. Please know that we trust in your leadership and we want to do all can to build trust across our church. Please contact us to hear more about our recommendation of Alan Roxburgh and Craig Van Gelder of the Missional Network.
Faithfully,
Philip J. Reed
T. Mark Verdery
Teaching elder, Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church
Grosse Ile, Michigan
Chair, Committee on Ministry
Presbytery of Detroit
Soulutions2002@yahoo.com
T. Mark Verdery
General presbyter/stated clerk
Providence Presbytery
markverdery@providencepres.org
