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When you know your angels — A Lenten reflection

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Guest commentary by Jordan B. Davis This year, Lent has had a new and beautiful meaning in my life. For the first time since I was in college (8 years), I have a place to call “home” as I sit with God. I never considered the importance of having a constant faith family during the Lenten season until this year. In fact, last year I spent the season going to visit one congregation after another to observe the many ways that others were spending time with God during this holy and sacred time. The year before that, I hadn’t paid much attention to the season and instead focused my energy on my work with Union Presbyterian Seminary, sharing more about the work of the seminary than thinking about my relationship with God. As part of my role, I had already compiled a Lenten devotion; I was done with Lent. This year, however, I have a place to call “home” as I wander my wilderness. Not quite halfway through the season, I already appreciate the presence of the congregation far more than … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Lent

Fellowship Community National Gathering: A reflection

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Guest commentary by Joseph D. Small The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was once blessed and/or cursed by an abundance of special interest organizations arrayed on one side or the other of the sexuality issues fault line. Although most of the organizations had interests that went beyond LGBTQ issues, it was sexuality concerns that energized constituents and determined strategy and action. The church’s irreversible decisions on ordination and marriage have changed all of that. The recent split that resulted in many conservative-evangelical congregations leaving for the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) or the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) has reduced evangelicals in the PC(USA) to minority status for the foreseeable future. Conversely, the split has resulted in a PC(USA) that is now moderately progressive at every level. The two special organizations that remain nationally prominent are The Fellowship Community and NEXT Church, both of which held national … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Fellowship

Fellowship Community gathering discusses the crossroads of human division

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Guest commentary by Jerry Andrews Relationships. Theology. Addressing divisions. These issues were at the forefront of sermons and discussions at the National Gathering of The Fellowship Community. The gathering was hosted by Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta Feb. 20-22 and drew about 225 participants from across the country. The annual gathering accomplished what it determined to do: attend to some of the matters of theological importance and develop the relationships of the evangelical community within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), while advancing the missional work to which we are called and committed — announcing to the world that a loving God sent a crucified Savior to reconcile humanity to the Triune God. There is a problem in God’s world which needs attention and needs it now. It is neither new nor surprising; it is very present and persistent, even long standing and deep: division. When we came together for the national gathering, we hoped to help … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Fellowship

A Presbyterian pastor remembers Billy Graham

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Guest commentary by Harry J. Heintz  Amidst all that was happening in the world on February 21, Billy Graham died at age 99, and no story demanded our attention like that one. Global evangelist, counselor to presidents, the closest thing we had to a national pastor — Billy Graham was all that and more. That is bringing back many memories. Since hearing Graham preach at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1963 when I was 16, I have had the highest respect for him. One of my strongest memories of that crusade, and of my teenage years, was the final day, when more people were packed into that venerable old stadium than at any other event in its long history. I had seen countless athletic contests there (including Rams, Trojans and Bruins football games, track and field meets featuring the best athletes of the time and the first four years of Dodgers baseball). Part of being reared in Los Angeles was going to games at the Coliseum. That late summer day it witnessed something it had never … [Read more...]

Billy Graham and George Docherty: The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church connection

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Guest commentary by John A. O’Brien Billy Graham, the most prominent Christian preacher of the 20th century and pastor to several United States presidents, died on February 21, at the age of 99. Graham spoke the word of God before millions of people who attended his revival-style “crusades,” and many more millions through his innovative use of television as an evangelical tool. In his efforts to extend his ministry, Graham engaged with many traditional church pastors. He had a particularly strong connection with George M. Docherty, the pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., from 1950 to 1976. Docherty was skeptical when he received an invitation to meet Graham at a revival scheduled for January 20, 1952, in the Washington, D.C. National Guard Armory. He had been aware of Graham since his breakthrough revival in Los Angeles in 1949 that attracted 350,000 to the “canvas cathedral,” a huge tent that had been erected for the eight-week event. Revivals … [Read more...]

What we could be: A response to the Way Forward Commission’s report

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Guest commentary by Raymond R. Roberts  I had high hopes when the Way Forward Commission was formed. At the time, Heath Rada, the moderator of the 221st General Assembly, had reported the concern churning through the church. The 222nd General Assembly responded by creating the 2020 Vision Team and The Way Forward Commission. The mid-term report indicated that the Way Forward Commission was listening. Yet, now that I’ve had a chance to read their report to General Assembly, I am extremely disappointed. My discontent falls into three categories: its theological weightlessness, its inattention to our vision problem and two recommendations that depart from core Presbyterian principles. The Way Forward report lacks theological substance. I hoped the commission would have started with a theological statement about the purpose of the church and its ministry: Who is God? Who are we? What has God called us to do? Who is our neighbor? The Way Forward report is hardly alone in this … [Read more...]

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