Denomination officials, supported by some outside Louisville’s hierarchy, continue to claim identity with
Robert L. Howard, Chairman
Presbyterian Lay Committee
the “moderate middle” of the church, while condemning as right-wing radicals those who profess historic, orthodox faith. The editor of The Presbyterian Outlook even made the comparison that those who stand for the faith once for all delivered to the saints are kin to factions who wage real war in Ireland.
The moderator asserts he is a “a bridge builder.” Yet, at his publicly reported speaking engagements, he continues to criticize the Confessing Church Movement, attack the Presbyterian Lay Committee, support Amendment A and advocate blessing same-sex relationships.
The stated clerk expresses concern over the Confessing Church Movement, fearing loss of per capita contributions. He asserts that some in the movement have fallen in the direction of loss of civility and respect. Yet, his assistant stated clerk responds with cynical disdain to a session reporting its Confessing Church resolution. The actual correspondence needs to be read and I am yielding the rest of my column for that purpose.
The struggle within the PCUSA is not really between factions of the same faith. We are facing an insurrection against the faith. Woe to the PCUSA if it cannot decisively decide whom its house shall serve.
If we continue our annual struggle being neither hot nor cold and if we continue to compromise his word, the PCUSA will surely be the Laodecian Church of the 21st Century.
Robert L. Howard of Wichita, Kan., is chairman of the Presbyterian Lay Committee.