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Scholar expounds on the cost and value of converting anger to grace and love

MINNEAPOLIS – Hearty applause greeted biblical scholar Ken Bailey when he was introduced at morning worship at the Fellowship of Presbyterians meeting Aug. 26.

Bailey recently completed decades of study by publishing his new book, “Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in I Corinthians."

His teaching, writing and biblical interpretation have nurtured many Presbyterians. And his message to participants at this gathering – some of whom are angry with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – dealt with reprocessing anger into grace.

Bailey pulled together lessons from a number of scriptural passages – stories of fathers and those in power turning aside from an angry response, and instead showing grace. He said he has tried for years to come up with a theological formula – one as significant as Einstein’s E = mc2 has been for scientists. The closest he has come has been to see the grace of God in Christ as a costly demonstration of God’s love.

Many Americans are angry these days, Bailey said – angry at job losses and a sluggish economy, at political gridlock, at a decade of war and its fallout. Presbyterians, he said, are angry at a “diminished sense of belonging in our own spiritual home.”

Mouw presses the heart of the matter

MINNEAPOLIS – When Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary, was asked to speak at the Fellowship of Presbyterians’ big gathering in Minneapolis, organizers asked him not to say what he personally thinks Presbyterians ought to do in response to the latest crisis.

Mouw is well aware that many congregations and individuals are considering leaving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), part of the fallout from the denomination’s recent decision to lift the categorical prohibition against the ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians.

So Mouw spoke instead during evening worship Aug. 25 about what Presbyterians should hold in their hearts and minds as they consider their options – and in doing so, he issued a call to theological orthodoxy, expanded ecumenism, a renewed commitment to the ordination of women and increased efforts to care for the world. He challenged evangelicals now in the PC(USA) to learn from those both more conservative and more liberal than themselves.

And he exhorted them to stand firm in their conviction regarding the unique, atoning work of Jesus Christ as the only Savior. “If you dilute lost,” Mouw said, “you will inevitably dilute saved.”

United by dissatisfaction with current PC(USA), evangelicals sketch possible outlines of a new ‘Reformed body’

MINNEAPOLIS – Leaders of the Fellowship of Presbyterians began to add details to their proposal for creating a new Reformed body – which they describe as more a movement than a denomination, saying it would be built around a common theological core.

World Mission responds to ending of partnership by Mexican Presbyterian Church

LOUISVILLE (PNS) Responding to the decision by the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico's (INPM) to sever ties with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the PC(USA)’s World Mission ministry area has released the following statement:

Mexican Presbyterian Church votes to end 139-year-old relationship with PC(USA)

The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (known as INPM) has voted to end its 139-year partnership in mission with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in response to the PC(USA)’s decision earlier this year to allow the ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians.

Changing times, changing needs: New church development pastors must be humble, teachable, authentic

BAJA CALIFORNIA, Mexico (Special to PNS) Twenty years ago, the ideal candidate for a church-planting pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was a 34-year-old married male with two or more kids, a dog and a mortgage. He was a charismatic leader who could draw people to himself, according to research done at the time.

Fellowship PC(USA) sends mixed signals- Minneapolis gathering will be multi-“tier”-ed

Written by Jack Haberer, Outlook editor  
Friday, 12 August 2011 14:55

The Minneapolis gathering of nearly 2,000 Presbyterians on August 25 and 26 looks to be a potentially historic event, perhaps the beginning of yet another denominational division to rock the Presbyterian world.  Yet leaders of what formerly called itself “Fellowship PC(USA)” and now is using the name the “Fellowship of Presbyterians” are acknowledging that unity among its own supporters will be tested, given that the participants come to Minneapolis with a diverse set of expectations of what they hope will result.