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Huffman says special session unnecessary; disagrees with tactics of church members Metherell, Jensen

During the last several months, I have received numerous communications asking where I stand in relation to controversial actions being taken by two members of the church I serve. This statement is intended to bring clarification.

I am in an awkward position as the pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, Calif., and the moderator of its session.

Donald Stroud – ‘I’m being faithful to what I feel is discipleship to Christ’

Donald Stroud, the gay Presbyterian minister who's been at the heart of a dispute in Baltimore Presbytery because of his public statements that he cannot in conscience comply with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) prohibitions against ordaining sexually active gays and lesbians, grew up in the Presbyterian Church and began telling people when he was 9 that he was going to be a minister. Stroud also said he knew early on that there was "something different" about him, compared to other boys.

Baltimore decision inflames supporters of call for a special session of 214th GA

Paul Rolf Jensen isn't surprised and he isn't happy.

The decision of two designated members of Baltimore Presbytery's Permanent Judicial Commission not to bring charges against Don Stroud, an openly gay minister who has said publicly that he cannot in conscience comply with the provision in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Constitution that limits ordination to those who practice fidelity if they are married or chastity if they are single, means "they have decided to use the Constitution as toilet paper," Jensen said in a written statement.

Baltimore Presbytery judicial commission members, agree, no charges to be filed against Donald Stroud

Two members of Baltimore Presbytery's Permanent Judicial Commission designated to review an investigating committee's report say no disciplinary charges should be filed against Donald E. Stroud, a gay Presbyterian minister who is on the staff of That All May Freely Serve.

The commission members' letter to the presbytery, which will meet on Nov. 21, was made public Thursday by Charles P. Forbes, the presbytery's stated clerk.

Don’t state defiance of the Constitution, ordain and install church officers, Covenant Network told

MINNEAPOLIS — Some in the Covenant Network of Presbyterians are arguing that the time has come to interpret what the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) really means when it limits ordination of elders and ministers to those who practice fidelity if they are married or chastity if they are single. And their conclusion: it does not say what many people think it does.

Covenant Network looks to win over ‘the great middle of the church’

MINNEAPOLIS — It's clearly not a time for legislation: the Covenant Network of Presbyterians has no plans to push now for another amendment to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) to remove restrictions on ordaining gays and lesbians who don't promise to be chaste. Instead, the group is working to win over what co-moderator Eugene Bay of Philadelphia called "the great middle of the church" and to broaden its agenda

Moderator Abu-Akel opposes special session

MINNEAPOLIS -- Fahed Abu-Akel, moderator of the 214th General Assembly (2002) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has released a letter to the General Assembly's commissioners announcing his opposition to calling the Assembly back into session for a special meeting to address what some in the church are calling a "constitutional crisis."

Synod to review Baltimore Presbytery’s actions in case of minister Don Stroud

The Mid-Atlantic Synod has decided to set up an administrative review committee to review the actions of Baltimore Presbytery regarding Donald Stroud, a minister who has publicly said that he cannot comply with the section of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that does not permit the ordination of those who are single and sexually active.

Task force members consider the broader forces shaping the future for ‘mainline’ denominations

LOUISVILLE — Mike Loudon's church in Lakeland, Fla., thinks of itself as "very evangelical," he said — but it loses people, folks who think his Presbyterian church isn't conservative enough, to Assemblies of God or Southern Baptist congregations. Sacramento, where Scott Anderson's from, has been named one of the most integrated cities in the country. There, he said, one of the fastest growing congregations is called the "spiritual life center," which promotes no clear dogma or doctrine at all.

Leader development is top request from PC(USA) international partners

It’s true: the advertising folks would hate it. There’s absolutely no jingle in the phrase, "International Leader Development."

But the idea itself has plenty of pull. Think of Christians from many countries, some of them new converts, some religious minorities in a volatile political landscape, hungry for pastors who can teach them about the Bible and God.

Mark Achtemeier leads task force through the key points of Christian doctrine

LOUISVILLE — Whether the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is in a time of crisis — theological, constitutional or just plain lethargy, with some people ready to post explanations of their views onto the front doors of church institutions while others pull the blankets up to their ears in delicious slumber every Sunday morning, effectively unconscious to the Presbyterian church — is a matter of debate.

Louisville Seminary President John Mulder resigns due to health concerns

LOUISVILLE — John M. Mulder, 56, president of Louisiville Seminary for 21 years, has resigned due to health concerns.

Meeting in Louisville Saturday (Oct. 26), the seminary's board of trustees "determined his resignation is in the best interest of the seminary and is effective immediately," according to a seminary news release.

Tankersley, Stuart urge no special session for GA

Dear 214th General Assembly Commissioners:

It has come to our attention that there is an effort being made to reconvene the 214th General Assembly for the purpose of dealing with what some consider to be a constitutional crisis in the PC(USA). It seemed appropriate for us, both having stood for the office of Moderator of this past Assembly, to remind our fellow commissioners of the theme of our Assembly.

Henry Van Dyke: Another ‘Wise Man’

In 1895, Henry Van Dyke, pastor of the Brick church, New York City, wrote The Story of the Other Wise Man, which is still in print and still a favorite at Christmastime. It is about a Persian, Artaban by name, who follows the Christ star. Because he stops on his pilgrimage to assist the needy, he misses meeting the three Magi in Bethlehem. He continues his quest after the Christ for 33 years, ministering to others with gifts originally meant for the Christ-child. Finally he comes to Golgotha. There he hears Christ's words: 'Inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me' (Matthew 25:40).

In this story, translated into many languages, Van Dyke, another wise man, continues to touch our lives. In addition to being a pastor, Van Dyke was a popular writer, professor and diplomat, who deserves notice on Nov. 10, his 150th birthday.