In addition to the press release below from the PFR Board, also see this letter from Michael Walker.
It is with genuine sadness that the Board of Directors of Presbyterians For Renewal announces Michael Walker’s resignation as our Executive Director. When PFR “called” Michael, we believed the work would not prevent him from having enough time with his young family or to complete his Ph.D. dissertation. However, the state of the denomination is such that the last two years have been more demanding than we expected, and because of his deep commitment to the renewal efforts within the PC(USA), Michael met the challenge head on and has done a superb job leading and representing PFR. However, the time he has had to spend away from his family and his doctoral work has been greater than anyone could have anticipated.
While the PFR Board is greatly saddened about Michael’s departure, we are thankful that, for him, being “free to be faithful” is not just about the PC(USA). Michael’s faithfulness to Christ means that his family takes precedence over PFR, and we strongly support his commitment to his family.
The PFR Board also strongly supports his commitment to complete his doctoral work. It is crucial to the future of the church that we have theologians with strong orthodox and evangelical beliefs who are also committed to high standards of scholarship. As Michael completes his Ph. D, the wider church will benefit from his scholastic and theological ability, just as PFR has benefited from these gifts during the past two years.
One area for which we are especially grateful for Michael’s time with us is in the work he and our Issues Ministry accomplished in addressing the issues that came before the 217th General Assembly — before, during, and after the Assembly. PFR’s very timely response to the PUP report and assistance to presbyteries wishing to send overtures to G.A. lifted up the truth of the Gospel and made a significant difference at the Assembly.
And though the “issues” occupied a great deal of Michael’s time, his passion for the missional transformation of the church has begun to move PFR in a new and exciting direction. As Michael visited with Presbyterians around the country, the Board asked him to look for a new and positive ways for PFR to engage the church for the future. In addition to beginning the process of renewing PFR from within, we have also been supporting and resourcing the work of the Presbyterian Global Fellowship. We look forward to Michael’s continued involvement in both PFR and PGF.
Both the Board of PFR and Michael planned for our time together to continue for many more years, but now we find that God has a different plan. We recall another phrase that Michael has used, “for a time such as this,” and we look back and see that God brought PFR and Michael together for a very specific and special time in the life of PFR and the PC(USA). PFR has never been more present in the life of the church and our relationships with congregations and individuals have been strengthened.
Michael will continue as our Executive Director through January 5, 2007. During his last few months he will help PFR to address the many changes in the life of the church. It may be that one of the best things we will take from our time with Michael will be the process of strategic re-evaluation and renewal that we are now entering. The PFR Board is committed to ensuring that our ministries are equipped to lead the church into a more faithful future, and to that end we will be working with Michael and a consulting firm to engage in a full assessment of our ministries and activities. This work will begin in earnest at our Board meeting later this month.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, let us all be more committed than ever to see renewal within ourselves and the PC(USA), so that we will all be “free to be faithful” in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the mission and ministry of PFR.
In the love of Christ,
PFR Executive Committee,
On Behalf of the PFR Board of Directors
