gracious witness update
From time to time I comment here on denominational things, as we are part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and our lighthouse/searchlight mission is out of that context. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you may remember that I served as a commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in June of 2008 and wrote an overture that called on presbyteries to create a pastoral and gracious alternative to slugging it out in civil court when congregations seek dismissal from the denomination. That overture was passed by a significant majority. (Official record HERE) I have also tried to help encourage not only my own presbyteries, but others to follow through on this pastoral exhortation.
Both as author of that "gracious witness overture" to the 2008 General Assembly and as moderator of the Presbytery of Charlotte, I am pleased to be a part of a collaborative process within the presbytery to reach out to those in our midst who are wrestling with denominational identity. To be sure, there is no easy or perfect process to do this, but I think presbytery leadership has responded with integrity to the challenge from the General Assembly for every presbytery to pursue better and more pastoral means of addressing theological, missional, and relational disconnects within our bounds.
This "reconciliation process" has been before the presbytery council for at least one year and before the presbytery since early spring of this year. As we have done before with issues of this magnitude, we set aside time at our most recent presbytery meeting (September) to host a workshop and receive input on the wording and concept of the process. Based on input from that workshop, the writing team will seek to further improve the document, which will then be put before the presbytery for vote at the December presbytery meeting.
Further input or questions are welcomed and may be directed to me prior to the October 20 meeting of prebytery's council: robert@gspc.net
I'll let you know how it goes!
Both as author of that "gracious witness overture" to the 2008 General Assembly and as moderator of the Presbytery of Charlotte, I am pleased to be a part of a collaborative process within the presbytery to reach out to those in our midst who are wrestling with denominational identity. To be sure, there is no easy or perfect process to do this, but I think presbytery leadership has responded with integrity to the challenge from the General Assembly for every presbytery to pursue better and more pastoral means of addressing theological, missional, and relational disconnects within our bounds.
This "reconciliation process" has been before the presbytery council for at least one year and before the presbytery since early spring of this year. As we have done before with issues of this magnitude, we set aside time at our most recent presbytery meeting (September) to host a workshop and receive input on the wording and concept of the process. Based on input from that workshop, the writing team will seek to further improve the document, which will then be put before the presbytery for vote at the December presbytery meeting.
Further input or questions are welcomed and may be directed to me prior to the October 20 meeting of prebytery's council: robert@gspc.net
I'll let you know how it goes!
