Moderator Syngman Rhee, once pilloried by The Presbyterian Layman as a Communist sympathizer, was nominated by a member of the board of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. This action affirmed that there is no chasm in today's church that cannot be healed by Jesus Christ to those open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Rhee's nominator, Rebecca McElroy, whom he named vice moderator, disagrees with Rhee about many issues but nothing can separate the two of them from the love of God in Christ Jesus, their common Lord -- and ours. Furthermore, the announcement that individuals associated with the groups involved on both sides of the ongoing discussions that threaten to divide us plan to have a retreat together is an encouraging step. The re-election of Stated Clerk Cliff Kirkpatrick by an overwhelming majority was a strong vote of confidence in our national church leadership. Kirkpatrick and John Detterick, executive director of the General Assembly Council, together are modeling the way a … [Read more...]