LOUISVILLE (OGA) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Stated Clerk the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II has written to Colombian President Iván Duque condemning “credible reports of a systematic campaign of extra-judicial assassinations that have taken the lives of hundreds of church and community leaders as well as human rights activists in Colombia.” Nelson called on Duque to “do everything within your power to cause paramilitary activities to cease, to bring those responsible for such illegal acts to justice, and to work in good faith for the full and prompt implementation of the Peace Accords.” The full text of Nelson’s letter, dated August 7, 2018: August 7, 2018 Hon. Iván Duque President of the Republic of Colombia Carrera 8 No. 7 -26 Palacio de Nariño Bogota, Colombia Esteemed President Duque: In October of 2016 I had the privilege of visiting your country at the invitation of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. During that visit I formed part of an … [Read more...]

(OGA) The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, stated clerk of the General Assembly, has issued a statement in response to the executive order issued on June 20, 2018, by the president of the United States.  Nelson points out that, though Joseph's call to flee to Egypt has long since passed. "People are still in danger. People still flee into the night to find safety..." The stated clerk calls on Presbyterians to, "Take the tears you have shed and harvest them into acts of peaceful resistance, advocacy, pastoral care, and prayer to bring about peace for the hundreds of families suffering from this nation’s border policies." The full text of the statement is below, followed by additional information and resources to provide guidance for those discerning ways to take action: June 28, 2018 Siblings in Christ, God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this … [Read more...]

ST. LOUIS (OGA) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Stated Clerk the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, issued a statement  from the denomination’s 223rd General Assembly condemning the Trump administration’s new policy of separating young children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. “What has this nation become?” Nelson queried. “How have we wandered so far from Jesus’ kind admonition, “‘Let the little children come to me…’” He also criticized the Justice Department’s stated use of separate detention of parents and their children as a “deterrant” to immigration and accused the administration of selective use of scripture, saying the citing of Romans 13:1 to obey the law (presumably whatever the law says), while ignoring the higher scriptural demand that “love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10) is a blatant misuse of the biblical message. The full text of Nelson’s statement, dated June 16, 2018: As Presbyterians gather for the meeting of our 223rd … [Read more...]

(OGA) The Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus and the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, General Assembly Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U,S.A.) have issued a statement in response to President Trump’s comments earlier this week referring to certain immigrants as “animals.” The complete text of the statement, issued May 18: Joint Statement from the Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus and the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), along with the rest of the United States, continues to experience the tearing apart of our social fabric by a president who insists on using inflammatory and divisive language about immigrants in this country. Faithful Presbyterians believe humans are created in God's very own image, and each should be afforded equal respect and dignity. Calling certain immigrants to the U.S. “animals” demonstrates yet again President Donald Trump’s xenophobia. The fact that President Trump defended his … [Read more...]

(OGA) Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, J. Herbert Nelson, II, issued a statement today condemning President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, citing that containment of Iran’s nuclear program has been “severely jeopardized.” Lifting up the foundational importance of peacemaking to the Christian Gospel, Nelson expressed the importance of treaties as a pathway to peace, despite their imperfections. Nelson wrote, “While no international treaty is perfect, interim agreements such as this are essential to guiding the nations of the world toward peace rather than war.” Noting concern for the withdrawal’s impact on the United States’ relationship with the agreement’s other signing nations, Nelson urged Congress to, “use their good offices to move the administration back into this partnership …” The full text of Nelson’s statement: Peacemaking is at the heart of the Christian Gospel, and it is intended … [Read more...]