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2004 letters, page 2 Archives of letters to the editor  |
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background not surprising February 16, 2004 As author of a commentary sent to you recently which challenged the truth of the Washington's office document "Christian & Citizen," I was not surprised or shocked by Rick Ufford-Chase's statement which was in the The Layman Online article Feb. 13 ["Third person joins race for PCUSA moderator"]. Your story says Ufford-Chase "says he spent one semester at Princeton Seminary but dropped out to become a volunteer with Witness for Peace in Nicaragua." Your article then says, "Witness for Peace was a political activist group committed to liberation theology, the Sandinistas and their leader Daniel Ortega, who later was deposed." The Sandinistas and their leader Daniel Ortega were communists. Also supporting the Sandinistas was the Socialist International, the same communist organization that the stated clerk of the PCUSA has welcomed in fellowship with his group that is boycotting Taco Bell. I wrote regarding liberation theology in my commentary as well as quoting Author Ronald Radosh, who devoted an entire chapter on the Sandinistas in his book "Commies." Need I say more regarding the lack of Biblical qualifications and standards required of persons who seek the higher offices in the PCUSA? William R. Cramer, elder Christ Presbyterian Church Phoenix, Ariz. Don't feel bad about being an outcast February 16, 2004 I have been an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church since 1959. The treatment by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina is not surprising, as the hierarchy of the denomination is determined to continue in power and no alternative voices will be permitted. The farce is that this was presented as a legislative matter, where it really is a heavy-handed power play to silence a voice that speaks for so many Presbyterians throughout the world. The present structure, represented by those in the majority in the Western N.C. Presbytery, can continue their head in the sand movement, while the church they are "protecting" so rabidly is disintegrating around their heads. I send greetings to Mr. Williamson, and will continue to support the Presbyterian Lay Committee. He should not feel too badly about being an outcast in a group of Pharisees. Jack Houser Adopt a missionary with designated gift February 13, 2004 I empathize with Dr. Robert Kopp, who says, "We can't afford missionaries..." Many years ago, as a mission kid in Japan, I remember the Angela Davis period in which people gave less, causing the denomination to cut missionaries. When the people in the pew found out about missionaries being cut, they gave even less, which caused the denomination to cut even more missionaries. The people in the pews' higher priority was the denomination's lower priority, leading to a difficult "domino effect" on missionaries. However, the denomination has learned from that. Yes, missionary positions were closed in this last budget cut, but only if the missionary involved was already retiring or if the position was already empty. It is my understanding (and I stand to be corrected if I am wrong) that no missionaries were actually fired in the recent belt tightening. But I have hope to offer to Dr. Kopp. There is a way to afford missionaries. Now that I'm a missionary myself, I know that all missionaries are supported first of all by the general fund. Then, the more churches designate to that particular missionary's salary, the more (it seems to me, anyway) that missionary's salary is insured against budget cuts. After all, the money is specifically designated for that missionary's salary. The directed giving number starts with a "D" and has several numbers after it (mine has six numbers, so I presume they all have six). If a church wants to designate extra commitment giving to some specific missionary, I'd recommend contacting that missionary to see if his salary is at "100%" or if it still has room for designated giving. This information is available on the PCUSA Web site on Mission Connections on for specific mission workers. Ask Worldwide Ministries Division for the form for designating money for missionary salaries or projects. This is totally Presbyterian, it supports Presbyterian missionaries, and it gives churches the chance to be in contact with particular missionaries of their choice. But more important than dollar support, missionaries need your prayers. And missionaries also welcome opportunities to pray for folks in need back home. So adopt a missionary or a mission project today – whether home missions or foreign missions. Andy & Judy Carrick Evangelistic PCUSA Missionaries to Japan Justified by gobbledygook February 13, 2004 So the Cincinnati Presbytery ["Cincinnati Presbytery ordered to reinstate ousted minister"] was ordered by its Synod PJC to restore Stephen Van Kuiken to its ministry! As I read it they used all kinds of gobbledygook to "justify" their "decision." It's no surprise that the apostates have taken over every part of the PCUSA. The end of this denomination is in sight. A real shame but who in his right mind will miss it? Fred Edwards Washington Crossing, Pa. Some embarrassed to be Presbyterians February 13, 2004 Is the PFR still "ducking the issue" on how the denomination is treating the Presbyterian Lay Committee? Would your opinion be that More Light would be a more Christ-like affinity group to defend? Do you realize that some of us are embarrassed to be Presbyterians? Do you realize that some of us have repeatedly turned down invitations to be elders or deacons because we did not want to pledge loyalty to a denomination that cares mostly for preserving itself and cares very little about what the truth is about anything? Keith Johnston Berkeley, Calif. PFR's issues director, Jim Berkley, has written in support of Williamson's validation. The editors Lay Committee is a ministry of Jesus Christ February 13, 2004 James Bernhardt suggests that "it is time for Parker Williamson to step down and allow the ministry of The Layman to focus on Jesus Christ and not on The Layman's CEO." What a silly comment! Does Mr. Bernhardt really think the issue is about who leads the PLC and not what the PLC stands for? Does Mr. Bernhardt think that if Parker Williamson left the scene today that the PLC would become some sort of neutral, lukewarm publisher and let the heretics continue without protest or comment? Does Mr. Bernhardt think the PLC does not already touch lives with the ministry of Jesus Christ? Does Mr. Bernhardt think the rest of the people at the PLC are not baptized with fire and would simply acquiesce to those who want to turn a church into a political party with holidays? Does Mr. Bernhardt think that by having Parker Williamson retire, the rest of us would suddenly not care about the misfeasance and malfeasance of church offerings in Louisville? The whole reason for the PLC is about the theology and ministry of Jesus Christ, including shining the light on the money-changers who corrupt that ministry for wacky political purposes. The Holy Spirit will not be deceived.. The PLC is a ministry of Jesus Christ and remains so every day. Philip Pettus, elder Michillinda Presbyterian Church Pasadena, Calif. Eliminating sin would be apostasy February 13, 2004 The Defiant 9 ["Nine presbyteries seek to nullify PCUSA's ordination standard"] do not get it, but they want to eliminate the PCUSA's standards for ministers, and replace the same with same-sex ministers. Holy Scripture forbids same-sex marriages, and calls the same SIN. To eliminate sin from the Book of Order is Apostasy. Marriage is only between one man, one woman. Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del. Ballot was 'confidential,' not 'secret' February 12, 2004 From the written materials of the Presbytery, as a point of description in reports, recommendations and discussions, the term "secret ballot" was used. In the long, complex and hostile exchanges of the meeting of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, that reference, "secret ballot' was a constant. By a decisive majority, we determined that the vote to be taken on the validation or invalidation of the ministry of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, The Layman and, thereby, the ministry of Parker Williamson would be by ballot and not by standing, role-call voting as demanded by Mr. Williamson. We voted by ballot, not by "secret ballot." There was confidentiality, but the only thing that would have made it a "secret ballot" would have been for there to be no report on the outcome of the ballot vote. Our constant use of suspicious and mistrustful terms only fosters our inability to reason together. W. Robert Martin, Jr. (HR) member WNC Presbytery The ballots were secret inasmuch as presbytery commissioners voted not to disclose how they voted individually. The editors Whose moratorium is it? February 12, 2004 How can a presbytery "approve a voluntary three-year moratorium calling on congregations not to take each other to church court over disputes relating to ordination standards?" Is it the Presbytery of Cincinnati that is voluntarily accepting this standard or is it the congregations that will be doing this voluntarily? Does this mean congregations are simply encouraged, however strongly or not, to not engage in litigation? Or does this mean they are not allowed to? And if so, how does that fit in with the Book of Order? I thought all litigation, or the restraint from, was voluntary. If so, why this action by presbytery? There is something strange about this and I can't put my finger on it. Rev. Steven L. Seng First Presbyterian Church Wellsburg, WV It's time to negotiate a separation February 12, 2004 The Presbytery of Western North Carolina voted to invalidate the ministry of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. Yesterday the Synod of the Covenant PJC ordered Cincinnati Presbytery to restore Stephen Van Kuiken to the rolls as an active member of presbytery. Don't you just love unity amid our diversity? If we don't negotiate separation now, soon there will be no need to negotiate at all. James Tuckett The Old Gray Dog Maybe it's time for Williamson to step down February 12, 2004 Maybe it is time for Parker Williamson to step down and allow the ministry of The Layman to focus on Jesus Christ and not on The Layman's CEO. I hear positive things about the curriculum being developed by PLC press, and I believe PLC could take the lead as a kind of Upper Room for the great family of Presbyterians, touch many lives for Christ and actually provide leadership in education and nurture. But that kind of vision must focus on the ministry you have together in Christ and not on the singular voice of Parker. Retire him with honor, keep him writing and speaking, but put someone else at the helm. James Bernhardt Hickory, N.C. PCUSA lobbyists vs. missionaries February 12, 2004 Re: GAC to send 420 staff members to assembly Well, I guess that's our per capita at work! We can't afford missionaries but we can afford lobbyists for the apostate. Very, very, very sad. Dr. Robert Kopp An outstanding defense of Williamson February 11, 2004 This was an outstanding defense of a friend. I hope that Mr. John Forlines wants to live to regret the day he joined the Presbyterian church. However, it is not the same church today that it was in 1952. Then, everywhere you went new churches were being built. Now, everywhere you go they are being closed. The General Assemblies are blind to what is going on. Thank you, Mr. Forlines. Ben Brewer 'The devil must be dancing a jig' February 11, 2004 "Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" (Matthew 15:6-9) The devil must be dancing a jig right now. He has our culture shaping our faith, not our faith shaping our culture. He has Godly men feeling guilty because they stand strong against worldly precepts. He has sisters and brothers in Christ disagreeing with one another about just how to reverse the deterioration that is taking place in His Church. He has many believers in Jesus Christ doubting their ability to know how or what to do as they watch the very foundations of their faith redefined. He has made us more afraid of losing pensions and property than we are of offending God. Our comfort zone was being invaded by evil, but in the name of "tolerance" the devil made it easy for us to look the other way. We watch the hedonism displayed on TV - shake our heads and pray. God tells us it is all wrong. We shake our head and pray. God tells us it is all wrong. We shake our heads and pray. God tells us. So where are we, the PCUSA? What are the traditions of our 21st-century elders. What is defiling us? Is it contemporary parallels to the tradition of unwashed hands, a doctrine adopted by men? The scribes and the pharisees had so complicated the law that is was impossible for them to recognize the truth. We are now entangled in legalize, in trying to determine what the definition of "is" is, and in just how some think the truth should be expressed. I have asked myself if I am one of the Devil's dance partners and, to some extent, I am sure I have been. I ask God's forgiveness for this and pray that His truth will give me the strength and insight to witness to His truth and Grace. Marguerite Martin elder First Presbyterian Church Hendersonville, N.C. A nitpicking reader February 11, 2004 Two nits to pick: James I. McCord was a professor at Princeton Seminary, to be sure, but he was also president of that institution for many years and before that, dean at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas, where, I would guess, that famous quote was first spoken. Bishop Lee was a "parish priest," not a "parish pastor" as you designate him. Such a description is unknown in the Episcopal Church. Walter B. Funk First Presbyterian Church South Charleston, W.Va Presbytery made a mistake February 11, 2004 I believe that Western North Carolina Presbytery made a mistake in not validating Rev. Williamson's ministry with the Presbyterian Lay Committee. However, I'm a bit shaken by the constant comparisons between Rev. Williamson and Jesus in the letters I've read in The Layman. While I believe that Parker is being singled out and punished for his affiliation with The Layman, I cringe to hear fellow Christians make references that Parker's plight is similar to Jesus'. I hear in some folks' writings quasi-deification of Parker Williamson. Parker may be a modern-day prophet pointing out the need for salvation and repentance, but to continually compare him with Christ is borderline ... no, it is idolatry. Parker is one man within the Church of Jesus Christ – not Christ, himself. Rev. Jim Robinson pastor. Heritage Presbyterian Church Olathe, Kan. Parker T. Williamson agrees wholly with the writer. He would rather be compared to faithful Presbyterians who stand firm in what they believe. The Editor Renewal leaders must take action February 11, 2004 If they can do this in Western North Carolina, it means Presbyterian lay renewal is not as strong as previously estimated. The numbers tell the story. Won't you get it?! It's time for taking inventory and reappraisal in the offices of The Layman. Showers of letters won't succeed in the face of official indifference. Neither wild fulminations nor allusions to Bonhoeffer are sufficiently grounded to change the Presbyterian Church (USA). It's all so much hot air. Renewal leaders and their "supporters" must be willing to carry out action, not simply reaction. Blessings in all you do! Gary Starkey Yakima, Wash. Williamson treated unfairly February 11, 2004 I have been a subscriber to the Presbyterian Lay Committee for years, a great admirer of Parker Williamson, and I am outraged in regard to the grossly unfair treatment that he has received. I stand behind him 100 percent. He had the courage to stand up at his own risk to challenge those who seem to be intent on interpreting the Bible to suit their own lifestyles. I want assure Parker Williamson that I and many, many others join him in this most serious battle to preserve that which we hold dear. M. Jo Daniel Was Williamson out of order? February 11, 2004 Upon second reflection, the recent meeting of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina is more troubling than it originally appeared to be. I have read all the reports in the church press and they report the same problem, even on The Layman Online. And that is the lack of temperance on the part of Parker Williamson. He seems to think that he should be able to freely in church courts. When he shouted at the moderator, he very clearly violated our principle of doing things decently and in order. When he announced his intention to file an action against the presbytery, he also violates the Biblical duty of church people to "come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court…"(Matthew 5:25). To rail against the court in a fit anger only serves to further demonstrate his own intemperance. Parker T. Williamson has written widely about those that have violated G-6.106b of the Book of Order where it talks about those who "refuse to repent of self acknowledged practices that the confessions call sin." The Heidelberg Confession mentions intemperance saying "the Church of Christ condemns … intemperance." If one can assume that Parker's behavior on the floor of Western North Carolina Presbytery was intemperate , then one should be able to conclude that the Rev. Parker T. Williamson's use of intemperate language constitutes a "self acknowledged practice(s) that the confessions call sin." If this is so, then someone in his presbytery or even Paul Rolf Jensen should come forward and file a disciplinary case against him for his intemperance which plain, palatable and obvious. David Walters First Presbyterian Church Andalusia, Ala. Parker T. Williamson was exercising his constitutional right to inform the presbytery of his intention to file a complaint within the PCUSA judicial system. He did not shout but he did speak more loudly when the moderator inappropriately had his microphone turned off. The presbytery's stated clerk said Williamson was not out of order. The Editors Many do not trust Presbyterians in the pews February 11, 2004 In a letter I sent last week, I suggested that we might look with hope to the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a time when darkness seems to be overtaking our church. I suggested that elements in our own leadership do not seem particularly inclined to follow Bonhoeffer's path of simplicity and straightforwardness, but we who would seek genuine transformation in the church must strive to follow Bonhoeffer's lead. The question remains, however, why we have leadership that seeks to operate in secrecy and convince more by seduction and sophistry than reason and seek to suppress voices of dissent such as Parker Williamson's. It seems to me that the answer to that might be that many do not really trust the people in the pews. They might either believe that their own arguments will be seen as inadequate and weak in the light of open discussion or they might believe that the average parishioner does not have the spiritual roots and/or theological critical thinking resources to put challenges such as Parker's into perspective. But if the latter is the case, who is responsible for this lack, if not the people who have been charged with leading our church in recent years? This is a trap, from which there are only two exits. One would be to own up to our own blindness and seek to change how we are doing business. The other is to seek to discredit or devalue any voices speaking up in opposition, and hope that no one notices what we are doing. This is partisan speculation, of course, but if people in the pews care that this church has a viable future, they have the right and the responsibility to call leadership to account and to insist that there be open discussion in the church, even with viewpoints we might find personally disagreeable. Bruce M. Williams San Francisco, Calif. . Something is wrong with PCUSA's agenda February 9, 2004 The "high priests" of the PCUSA shout, "Crucify him, crucify him." And the incited mob yells, "Crucify him, crucify him." But wait! Like Pontius Pilate trying to wash his hands of the troublesome matter, the mob, to justify their self-righteousness and assuage their guilt only invalidate the ministry of the PLC. They then validate Reverend Parker Williamson as a "minister at-large," in effect an emasculated ambassador for Christ without portfolio. Now what? Continue to seek out and destroy the Taco Bells of "sinful America," continue to libel and vilify a brother in Christ as a war criminal, continue to protest globalization in the name of "social justice?" Globalization is an economic process that creates more jobs and raises the standard of living in Third World countries. I hear still small voices crying in the wilderness (read pews) saying something is terribly wrong here with this agenda, wrong with this scenario, wrong with this so-called gospel. May the upcoming General Assembly receive from above the wisdom and fortitude to "anoint" someone other than King Saul. Now may the God of grace replace my sadness with joy, my anger with peace and my hostility with love. Amen. Art Montgomery Salt Lake City PCUSA hierarchy shows infidelity to Scripture February 9, 2004 I am a member of a church in the PCA denomination who has watched the decay of the PCUSA with considerable interest, and regret. With the decision to invalidate the ministry of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, the PCUSA hierarchy has once again demonstrated its willful infidelity to the Bible. We have been told that the PLC has been invalidated because of its aggressive tone. Question - was the apostle John somehow less aggressive in his tone in 3 John 9-11? Or Jesus in Mark 11:15-17? Or perhaps the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:18-32? There is such a thing as righteous anger and outrage over the transgression of God's law and character when express sin and false teaching threaten the church. Is there any doubt that this is the exact situation that the PCUSA finds itself in today? If so, how can the tone of the PLC be out of bounds, when a major theme of both the Old and New Testament is indignation over the sinful compromising of Christ's church? The answer, I suspect, is that the Bible is not taken seriously on these matters by those who are in positions of leadership, which is not surprising. We are told that the PLC is being invalidated because of slanderous and divisive epithets and rhetoric. As I understand it, this charge was a long way from being proven, and was therefore dangerously close to transgressing the Ninth Commandment in Exodus 20. It is important to keep in mind that these broad-based forfeitures of God's Word are being perpetrated not by laypeople, but by church leaders who are trying to shield themselves from criticism and attention. As a result, it has become obvious to the point of being painfully ludicrous that the leadership of the PCUSA has not only failed almost completely to uphold the spirit of Colossians 2:7, but also has contrarily become the embodiment of Colossians 2:8. Lastly, it is important to address what seems to be the official position of PCUSA regarding conservative agitators – that such agitators are threatening the peace and unity of the church. This argument is a misnomer for several reasons. First, there is no peace and unity in the church. Why? Because there can be no peace and unity in the church when the Spirit of Christ which sustains, strengthens and unifies the church is being grieved and quenched by a church leadership that refuses to be faithful to Him. Second, it is an unbiblical argument. In 1 Corinthians 11:19, the Apostle Paul, while commenting on the abuse of the Lord's Supper in the church at Corinth, specifically states that division and disagreement are regrettably necessary "to show which of you have God's approval." No doubt, many divisions in the church are indeed sinful. But nowhere does the Bible place unity over truth, and nowhere does the Bible condone a false unity based on false teachings. The church leadership, having willingly forfeited the authority of Scripture, has also forfeited their right to appeal to Scripture's call for unity to support their own divisive actions. It should strike everyone as a textbook example of intellectual dishonesty for the PCUSA to attempt to make any appeal to the very Book they long ago relegated to the status of semi-authoritative (at best). They apparently fail to see that appealing to a Book that according to them is not fully authoritative renders their appeals to little more than human opinions with no firm basis in divine inspiration. Jason Foster Orlando, Fla. Vote to replace the stated clerk February 9, 2004 Since the stated clerk refuses to enforce the Book of Order on those presbyteries seeking to ordain homosexuals/lesbians, the gate is opening up for defiance and insubordination not fearing the actions of anyone, including Christ. With his re-election to take place in Richmond, Va., those faithful to Christ must stand up, and vote to defeat the current stated clerk and elect a stated clerk who obeys Christ and His Word. Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del. The aftermath of Williamson's rejection February 6, 2004 In the aftermath of Parker Williamson's rejection by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, let us not give up hope for change in the church. I think even some of Williamson's strongest opponents recognized up front that the action by WNC was likely to be, in many respects, ultimately self-defeating. In a past letter, I noted that when Christ calls us to love one another, he doesn't necessarily ask us to like one another or agree with one another, but he does call us to unconditionally accept one another. The leadership of WNC seems to have forgotten this distinction. Let us resolve not to follow that path, but to accept unconditionally even those who lack the vision to see the positives as well as the negatives in Parker's call. Further, let us remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer's word's as he tried to articulate and encourage others who were similarly beset: "We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds; we have been drenched by many storms ... Are we still of any use? What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straightforward men…." "Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God - the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life an answer to the question and call of God…. "Will our inward power of resistance be strong enough, and our honesty with ourselves remorseless enough, for us to find our way back to simplicity and straightforwardness?" Bonhoeffer's words, I believe, stand and remain potentially both a judgment on and a hope for us and the church to which we belong. Many in the church, unfortunately many in leadership, seem to find it more convenient to follow the paths that Bonhoeffer rejects, yet I believe that the full faith and credit of the church as the body of Christ is more likely to be staked on our ability to follow Bonhoeffer's path. Bruce M. Williams San Francisco, Calif. My 2 cents on presbytery's actions February 6, 2004 I spoke these words at presbytery in support of our brother Parker on Saturday, and I still stand by them. "Since others will speak on Parkers behalf, I will speak on my own "I feel betrayed. I have watched as my denominational leaders have consistently disregarded our constitution, our confessions and creeds and, most sadly, the Scriptures. I've watched them shirk their responsibilities and abuse their positions. "The presbytery has betrayed me. The COM, dissenting votes excluded, does not speak for me. I have to wonder, did the COM even read the "Declaration of Conscience?" It is one of the most benign and uncontroversial declarations I've read. All it does is state clearly the reality that 1) there is deep theological schism in our denomination (to not admit this is to ignore the elephant in the room), 2) that others are subverting the constitution (to not admit this is to be blind or in denial), and 3) then goes on to reiterate our constitutional rights. "I must believe that the COM at least read the declaration. Assuming that, I can only conclude one of two things: either you do not affirm what are our constitutional rights, and you therefore are trying to supercede our very order of government, or you have a personal vendetta against Rev. Williamson. Either case I find reprehensible. In either case, you have subverted our rights and you have subverted a man who stands up for our rights, our constitution and our faith. In either case, COM, your recommendation does not represent me. "You have betrayed me. You asked me at my ordination if I would be a friend among my colleagues in ministry. I have tried. Now you have attacked one of my friends and role models. You asked if I would further the peace, unity and purity of the church. I have tried. And now you have eroded the unity by your decidedly un-peaceful stance against Parker, thus showing yourselves to be un-pure. Yes, un-pure. Your actions reveal your bias against Rev. Williamson, The Layman, and the Right. "I stand openly in solidarity with my brother Parker." Rev. George J. Saylor First Presbyterian Church Lenoir, N.C. A comment on the article about the Brazilian Church February 6, 2004 I am glad [Rev. Williamson was] invited to go to Brazil to speak on "Liberalism's threat to the integrity of the Reformed Christian faith." I will be praying for your ministry to my fellow Brazilians. Our church in Ephrata is a Confessing Church and we want you to know that we prayed for you during the past month; having also sent the Presbyterian Lay Committee our letter to be forwarded to the Western North Carolina Presbytery on your behalf I am from Brazil, a former member of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Ludgero Morais is an acquaintance of mine for many years. It surprises me, though, that he would speak on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil on this Presbyterian Church (USA)'s situation. I believe that any comment on what goes on (good or bad) in our denomination, should be done by those who are in conversation with us. This kind of rebuke should be more reliable had it come from the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil, which has ties with PC(USA). The very decision of not having anything to do with our denomination, as it has been reaffirmed over and over again in the past few year (I think they closed all the doors for any conversation with us in 1999 or 2000), does not give them the right or even the privilege of making any comment on what decisions (again, good or bad) we make in our church. Morais speaks not on behalf of all the Presbyterian Church of Brazil's pastors and other leaders. Although, I am quite sure, that all of my fellow Brazilian pastors, elders and deacons would uphold you in prayers and have the same strong position on your behalf. But not all the matters that go on between the PCofB and PC(USA) reflect the consensus of the entire church in Brazil. Most of the Brazilian (PCofB) leaders would welcome returning into conversation and developing new relations with the PC(USA), but they are not given the voice to act upon that. Again, I am glad that the Brazilian Church has invited you to be there; but I totally disagree with the source of the rebuke because of a lack of right for doing so, as I explained before. You have my deepest respect and commitment to the cause of the Confessing Church Movement. I'll be praying for your ministry and for your time in Brazil. Rev. Ehud M. Garcia Interim Pastor First Presbyterian Church Ephrata, Wash. Will Louisville listen to Presbyterians from other continents? February 6, 2004 Is it surprising that Presbyterian affiliates from other continents are similarly raising their voices of objection as we have seen happening in the Anglican Church? Do you suppose Louisville and the Presbytery of Western North Carolina will listen and pay attention any better than the ECUSA did? Rev. Steven L. Seng First Presbyterian Church Wellsburg, W.V. PCUSA could use a few more Parker Williamsons February 6, 2004 The Presbyterian Church could use a few more Parker Williamsons. Then it would be more in accord with its own guidelines and with the Bible. Evelyn M. Thom Invalidation? Forget about it! February 6, 2004 Invalidation? Forget about it! I hope Parker Williamson and the Lay Committee will tell the PCUSA the same thing I've told our church over the years as they've paid lip service to open debate while trying to muzzle the loyal opposition: "I will neither give up nor shut up until I am called up!" Many thanks, and keep the faith. Chuck Creamer Santa Fe Presbyterian Church Edmond, Okla. 'Sadness and frustration' at presbytery's action February 6, 2004 It was with sadness and frustration that I read of the recent decision by the Committee on Ministry. No matter how this all plays out in the end, I know you will one day be vindicated when we all stand before God. In the meantime, who may I write to protest this kangaroo court? My wife and I left the PCUSA about 11 years ago (Fremont Presbyterian, Sacramento, Calif.) when our pastor, Darrell Johnson, felt compelled to accept a call from another church, partially because a small but vocal faction within the church complained he talked "about Jesus too much" and apparently made life quite difficult for him. We could not in good conscience remain in the church without becoming a disunifying influence, especially within the congregation we were in, since we were unwilling to see this situation continue unchecked with future pastors. We wanted to be able to go to church to worship our Lord, to learn, to love others, to serve - not to fight. It was with great sadness that we left. We now live in New Hampshire, are members of a little Baptist church, and are raising our three wonderful children to love and serve God. Though we've only been here two years, my oldest daughter has already led two of her friends to the Lord and both girls have managed to get most of the girls in their elementary school classes to attend the AWANA program. We truly have much to be thankful for. I tell you all of this to encourage you to remember that even though disappointments come, God remains faithful and sovereign. Whatever the days ahead bring, I hope and pray that God will continue to guide both you and your valid and much-needed ministry. Tom Ambrose The prayers of thousands are with the PLC ministry February 6, 2004 The prayers of thousands are with you after the recent travesty of the Western North Carolina Presbytery. I am one of the many who are thankful for your ministry, and for your diligence in exposing the absurdities that plague our denomination. Our prayers will be with you in your appeal process. Please know that you aren't alone - hundreds of thousands of Bible-believing Presbyterians are behind you. Don Leypoldt West Hartford, Conn. 'PC(USA) is a tottering tower of institutionalized hypocrisy' February 6, 2004 The Sanhedrin didn't like the tone and content of Jesus' ministry, and plotted to have Him killed. The Vatican didn't like the tone and content of Martin Luther's ministry, and excommunicated him. Now the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, no doubt with a nudge from Louisville, doesn't like the tone and character of the Presbyterian Lay Committee's ministry, and votes to invalidate it. So, now we have one more bit of evidence (as if more were needed) that the PC(USA) is a tottering tower of institutionalized hypocrisy too many of whose leaders have sold their confessional birthright for the pottage of a socio-political agenda. If the PC(USA)'s liberal/progressive oligarchy really want to know why their membership continues to decline while the nondenominational congregations they so disdain are thriving, I suggest they read Matthew 11:25-26 and Acts 5:34-39. Also, in the spirit of true ecumenism, they might consider some advice from Confucius, who said: "When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns around and seeks for the cause of his failure within himself" (The Chung Yung 14,5:). In the words of the Rev. Bill Pawson, "When will God's faithful people say 'enough is enough?'" Fenton G. Cates elder Ashland, Ore. 'Committee on Ministry can't kill the message' February 5, 2004 It saddens me to read the order of events that went on in North Carolina that invalidated Parker Williamson's ministry. The Committee on Ministry can't kill the message, so they are trying to kill the messenger. I, for one, will continue to support The Layman and Parker Williamson for no other reason than because The Layman is a watchdog of the Presbyterian Church (USA) – they report on issues I need to hear about. Should the word "watchdog" and "church" be in the same sentence? Sadly, the answer is "Yes" based on the track record of the Presbyterian Church. The Layman is a direct response to the church not following Biblical standards and supporting causes that are in direct conflict with the teaching of the Bible. The Presbyterian Church is to blame for this entire mess. We should not need people like Parker Williamson to report on the misdeeds of the church. I'm glad he stood up and said he couldn't take it any more back in 1989 by joining The Layman. Bob Westrich Lincolnshire, Ill. Kirkpatrick must not be re-elected February 5, 2004 After "too many" violations of our church's legal and moral responsibilities, I feel Mr. Kirkpatrick must go. Do not re-elect him as clerk of the General Assembly. Roger Weller Lincolnshire, Ill. Are these the end times? February 5, 2004 I do not profess to be an expert on the book of Revelation. However, some of the things that are happening in the world today surely point to the time of Jesus' return. I believe that the problems we are having in our denomination are just another sign or warning of things to come. Brother fighting against brother. Demoting Jesus to the status of a prophet and not the Son of God. Turning away from God altogether. I am sure a lot of us are asking how or why we have let our church get away from us. Like a thief in the night, a small group has attempted to take away all that we hold sacred. Yet, I am starting to think that it is supposed to go this way in the end. That the people in authority, like the leadership of the PCUSA, make policy and decisions that defy logic and sense. We wonder why this is taking place, but it seems logical to me that Satan has gotten a foothold in our church. He is influencing our leadership. I pray for those in authority, and I thank God that I am not one of them. For all the anger we have for the liberal establishment in the PCUSA, we must continue to pray for our lost brothers. That we are in the end times is the only logical conclusion I can come to as an explanation for all this mess. But, I do not believe that God would want us to just sit on our hands and watch it happen. It does say in the Bible to be watchful. And we must continue to fight evil at every turn. Those of us that see the light must continue to use that light as an example to others. Our church being in chaos should not stop us from doing God's will. If we truly are in the end times, the fight we are waging in our denomination is only just the beginning of incredibly difficult times. We should not and cannot give up. I pray for The Layman and all the good people that read it. The end times will fool and confuse many, but I believe The Layman will not be one - and will give us strength. David Hankins South Bend, Ind. Thank you for 'very accurate account' of presbytery's actions February 5, 2004 Thank you, Layman Online, for providing a very accurate account of the proceedings on January 31st. It is with a sense of relief that this single event is finally over and now Parker can begin his real calling, wherever that may lead us. And lead us he will. If not the next step, it will be soon . . . Gracious Separation is upon us and we must be ready. I would rather be on the sidelines saying, "What are those crazy Presbyterian USAers up to" than standing in the muck saying, "Oh my God, what have we done?" The Confessing Church ministries of our denomination should take heart. No, the end is not near . . . it is the miracle of a new beginning that is at hand. Praise the Lord for continuing to show us the way. Ron Groetsema The Presbytery of Western North Carolina's actions are an outrage February 5, 2004 The actions by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina to terminate the ministry of Parker T. Williamson as chief executive officer of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and editor in chief of its publications are an outrage. Their disregard of the constitutional mandate to follow written criteria for terminating a ministry demonstrates that this presbytery acts without legal or moral basis. They are acting out their petty power play. They deepen the constitutional crisis of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and hasten its demise. Wolfgang Wulff, elder Setauket Presbyterian Church Follow in the footsteps of Jesus February 5, 2004 I exhort and encourage all who have finally seen the absolute corruption and abusive actions of authority of the Western North Carolina Presbytery's leadership to continue to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as well as the lead of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Let us be done with the yoke and shackles of Western North Carolina Presbytery. Let us once for all crown Jesus as our King .... not Bill Taber! Glenda L. Smith, deacon Reems Creek Beech Church Parker Williamson's invitation to speak in Brazil February 5, 2004 Good! Now let's go on the offensive and challenge the extremes of the "left wing." Let''s not sit back and let them "take over." Rev John K. Wilson, pastor First Presbyterian Church Kamrar, Iowa 'I concur' with the presbytery's actions February 5, 2004 I concur with the Presbytery of Western Carolina. "Chief Executive Officer" and "editor" are not set forth in Scripture nor in the Book of Order as "Word and Sacrament." If we are to adhere to keeping the Scriptural guidelines for ministers, then I would offer to Rev. Williamson that joining the "lowly" state of the rest of us might not be so much an insult. The Layman isn't a congregation. Sorry. Andrew Byrne Greenville, N.C. Go where the Holy Spirit leads you February 5, 2004 I am a former Presbyterian (PCUSA), having left within the last 18 months. As I read about the continued escalation of attacks on evangelical members and leaders, I take issue with those who write telling people not to leave the denomination. In the last years of my membership in my congregation and the denomination, I not only didn't want my 20-plus dollars per capita going to the denominational hierarchy, but I also didn't want my tithes going to support my local pastor who was teaching from the pulpit that Jesus is one savior among many and advocating a variety of alternate lifestyles as approved by God. Shortly before my wife and I left, the pastor, a strong backer of the Covenant Network, used a clip from the movie Pleasantville to demonstrate that we needed to be open to change in the church. I knew that the couple that was being used as a positive example in the film clip were now "in color" instead of black and white because they were having an extramarital affair together and were now leading "fulfilled" lives. We could no longer attend or support these teachings with our financial contributions. Over the next few months, we visited several local churches and decided that we would make a commitment to regular attendance at one of them before making any decision about membership. The next Sunday, in the first eight minutes of his sermon, the pastor said of his congregation: We believe the Bible to be true; we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that he rose from the dead three days later, and that if we confess our sin and ask him to be Lord of our lives, we will spend eternity with him. We knew that we had found a church home that we could not have found in any of our area PCUSA congregations. If you just like to argue with people and feel embarrassed when people ask you where you go to church, then stay. If we want to worship Jesus Christ and be taught (and teach others) the truth about him, then many of us will have to go somewhere else. As one of the other recent letter writers said, "Which is more important – the building (denomination) or the Bible?" Go where the Holy Spirit leads you! Reed Siebenthal Muncie, Ind. Is the evidence clear? February 5, 2004 The evidence is clear, according to John H. Adams, on Clifton Kirkpatrick's nomination to a third term as stated clerk. If Kirkpatrick's views are filtered through the eyes of Holy Scripture, one can see Kirkpatrick is not Biblical in being the stated clerk of the PCUSA. To go against Holy Scripture, and not enforce the Book of Order, leads me to believe Kirkpatrick is a rebel, seeking to be his own god and promoting his views to the body politic of the PCUSA. To re-elect Kirkpatrick to a third term as stated clerk of the PCUSA is a miscarriage of justice and insubordination. 1 Thessalonians 5 teaches we must pray without ceasing, and the faithful in the Body of Christ must demonstrate this truth from Holy Scripture, if real change and transformation is to occur in the PCUSA. Louis S. Nowasielski Christians and bigots February 5, 2004 While searching the Internet for information about Rev. John Fife, I came across your unfortunate article about John Jenks dated 3-26-01. I find it disheartening that Jenks apparently feels he is on the more direct path to God than is Rev. Fife because Jenks shuns activism, preferring the Bible-thumping approach to the hard work of putting faith into action. He seems to feel his path is validated because membership in non-activist churches is higher than membership in activist churches. Sure, it is far easier to attract greater numbers of churchgoers if you convince them they don't really need to do anything to address the oppression and bigotry so common in society today. But who ever said truly serving God is easy or popular? I will agree with Jenks on one thing: He says the core problems around homosexuality, abortion, etc., is the "abandonment and setting aside the Word of God." Yes, these problems exist because so many in our society, including many so-called Christians, have abandoned the Word of God by being bigoted, self-righteous and narrow-minded and, like Jenks, prefer the easy way out. Keith Schaeffer Lessons gleaned from Western North Carolina Presbytery February 4, 2004 As I was leaving the January 31 meeting of Western North Carolina Presbytery, I turned to a colleague and commented, "This was the ugliest and saddest presbytery meeting I have ever attended!" During my long, eight-hour drive back to Pittsburgh, I reflected upon the events of the meeting. These are lessons I learned: Presbyterians with ill-intent can and will misuse and abuse our polity and process in order to accomplish the wrong things in order to satisfy personal agendas which are not in accordance with the Bible, the Reformed faith, our confessions, and the Book of Order. The abusive misuse of our process which was used to invalidate Parker Williamson's ministry replicates what Central Florida Presbytery did to Carmen Fowler; what Baltimore Presbytery did for Dan Stroud; and what Redwoods Presbytery did for Katie Morrison. A pattern of abuse at the hands of liberals is emerging. Liberals are not interested in unity in diversity, even though they have become quite adept at singing the 'We Are One Family" chorus. A terrible division, which may never heal, was created in Western North Carolina Presbytery by the desire of "liberals" to invalidate Parker Williamson's ministry. There never has been and there will never be any "unity in our diversity." If we are not "united in Christ," we are divided. The claim that the PCUSA is a "big tent" denomination is a lie. The "big tent" of the PCUSA only has doors on the far left side. Giving one person too much power kills the church. I was stunned and amazed at how much control and power Bill Taber, executive presbyter, has. Not only does he keep the minutes, but he also serves on the committee of three which approves them (one of the other two is a staff member under his supervision). Not only does he provide leadership to the Coordinating Council, but he freely amends their recommendations. Interestingly, you cannot introduce new business at the presbytery meeting. Everything that happens must first funnel through the Coordinating Council, which looks to Bill Taber for leadership. It did not take long to observe that this is "Bill Taber's Presbytery." No wonder the presbyters wanted to vote by secret ballot. The leaders of Western North Carolina Presbytery have tremendous control needs. It has been my observation that individuals and groups with high control needs do not trust others and are afraid of losing their power. I keep wondering, "Why are the leaders of Western North Carolina Presbytery afraid?" The recommendation, discussion and debate about invalidating Parker Williamson's ministry had nothing to do with Jesus, the Bible or our confessions. However, it had a lot to do with power and control. It has become clear to conservative evangelicals that speaking out against the powers to be is not a safe thing to do. This process was all about silencing Parker Williamson and all evangelical conservatives in the PCUSA. As one colleague asked me, "Who will they go after next?" Bill Taber's leadership has failed Western North Carolina Presbytery. A presbytery which once worked together well, despite differences, is now deeply divided. To a casual observer like me, it seemed as if Bill Taber was fully vested in invalidating Parker Williamson's ministry and that he wanted this done. It was equally clear that a significant minority in the presbytery disagreed with him. A good leader who cares for the whole church would have done all he could to prevent this from happening. Bill Taber has failed his presbytery and left it deeply divided. Furthermore, the presbytery will be consumed by this for a long time. Bill Taber should resign. The meeting of Western North Carolina Presbytery was horrendous. It was a dark and stormy day which divided the church, made a horrible witness and dishonored Jesus. It may be the meeting that buried the PCUSA. I hate to say it, but "I am no longer proud of my church!" Rev. L Rus Howard Peters Creek Presbyterian Church Venetia, Pa. Keep the faith, Parker February 4, 2004 Parker Williamson, I am sorry for the entire church of the actions taken by your presbytery. Keep the faith and fight the action. God bless. Deane Higgs Keep the faith, Parker February 4, 2004 About the vote on Parker Williamson's ministry There is no doubt in my mind and, I suspect, in the minds of most Presbyterians that this action was taken to silence the strongest voice against the liberalization and, thereby, the weakening of the testimony of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Personally, I am sick and tired of liberals in the church labeling as divisive those who stand up and speak out for the confessions that have guided our beloved denomination throughout its history. Parker Williamson and The Layman have consistently supported the Bible as the infallible Word of God, Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation, and the church's call to lead lives in accordance with God's will. Others in the church, however, have openly defied the church's constitution, advocated worship of the so-called goddess Sophia and have consistently ignored the votes of the people in the pews with their attempt to change the Book of Order to normalize a perverted and clearly sinful lifestyle. Our denomination has been losing members at a ridiculously rapid pace because people are fed up, not with the people who are standing up for the church's standards, but of those are doing their dead-level best to destroy the church from within. I don't know enough about church law to understand what steps need to be taken to reverse this outrageous action on the part of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, but I hope the Presbyterian Lay Committee and Parker Williamson will take whatever steps necessary to get their ministry validated again. I know they will follow proper procedures, unlike the Western North Carolina Committee on Ministry which apparently developed their own unwritten criteria. It is, indeed, an uphill battle when conservatives follow the long-standing rules of the church while the liberals who are destroying our church openly defy the rules or refuse to enforce them. However, I am confident that God will bless the efforts of those who seek to build the church around the Bible, not those who are doing their best to conform the church to the world's lack of moral standards. Howard W. Tice, elder Southwest Presbyterian Chruch Wichita, Kansas The Lord is not done yet February 4, 2004 As one with you in the battle and the site of the next attack: Don't leave. Pray, work, wait on the Lord and for heaven's sake don't send per capita to Louisville – but don't leave. The Lord is not done yet. When God is done with this denomination, we will know and we will know together. This Western North Carolina Presbytery action is a sign that nothing good is in their camp and panic is setting in. God will fight for us – don't leave. Remember the sacrifices of those before us; these bones can yet live. Work, pray, redirect. Don't leave! Kirk Johnston Paola, Kansas Williamson working on 'behalf of the faithful' February 4, 2004 My prayers are with Rev. Williamson and the fine work he has been doing on behalf of 'the faithful.' I applaud his integrity, courage and conviction as a pastor. Your work has enormous value and I am praising the Lord for you. How sad that those in leadership positions would be found not only ungodly, but downright sinful. I am praying for you, and know that you will be greatly blessed. We know that you can never outgive God. May you be strengthened and given his wisdom as the battle continues – for it is a war you wage. God bless your ministry. Kaye Saylor Naples, Fla., and Johnstown, Pa. The 'invalidation fiasco' February 4, 2004 Memo to Parker Williamson: Hang in there, Parker, you have a lot of friends here in the Presbytery of San Joaquin who are rooting for you. I, personally, am very supportive of the nomination of Bob Davis for stated clerk of the PCUSA. Does he have a chance? Leonard D. Hansen, elder Woodlake Presbyterian Church Sad news from Western North Carolina February 4, 2004 Shame, shame, shame on the Presbytery of Western North Carolina! I can't recall a situation where blatant disregard for truth and factual evidence existed more openly than in this case. In plain language, "bald-face lies." In all the excellent letters to the Lay Committee in response to this terrible action, I think Bill Clayton of Shelby, N.C., really tells it like it is. The Biblical reference, Isaiah 5:20, 21, 24, certainly is appropriate. Those 150 people who voted to not validate Parker T. Williamson either have no conscience or will be nagged and have to live with their's for a long time to come. They chose to hide their face to vote, but they and the good Lord know who they are. I pray that some day, by God's grace, they repent and reverse this terrible action. I am so glad we have the Presbyterian Lay Committee and people like Parker T. Williamson to keep us informed as to what is happening. Otherwise, there would be a lot going on "under the table" that we would never hear about. I hear nothing through my normal church activities, but I am probably fast becoming an "outcast" in my local church as I speak up on the illegal things that are happening. After all, I am in the Hudson River Presbytery. I recently submitted a letter to my session requesting that my per-capita payment be stopped. It was read at the Jan. 14th meeting, but I have as yet to get a response. My prayers go out to Parker and the Lay Committee, as well as the PCUSA, in the hope that those who have turned away from the laws of the church and teachings of the Scriptures will come back to the fold and one day make us whole again. Howard Fogle Jr. Katonah Presbyterian Church Katonah, N.Y. Money and our commitment to truth February 4, 2004 Karl Marx once said that the Anglican church would part with 38 of their 39 articles before they would part with 1/39th of their money. I pray the same doesn't hold for us. I envision many churches will someday soon have to choose between their property and their faithfulness to Christ. May they choose well. And may we prepare ourselves and our churches ahead of time to choose faithfulness. Geoff Robinson Haddon Heights, N.J. Response to 'Lay Committee, Williamson vow to continue ministry' February 4, 2004 As an elder commissioner at the presbytery meeting on January 31st, I would just have a few reflections about the tone and approach of the Reverend Williamson, those showing support for him, and your editorial. A "long afternoon of contentious debate" did indeed occur. However, I believe that it became contentious when the Reverend Williamson's supporters began challenging the most minor of procedural issues. I was frankly very disappointed to see this occur, and I wondered if the Reverend Williamson had any connection to these rabble rousers or if they were just on their own. It was interesting to see the Committee on Ministry make its very reasoned and orderly presentation with three ministers and one certified Christian educator, while the Reverend Williamson's presentation was made by him, a minister, and two lawyers. I will say that I thought the Reverend Williamson made a kind and reasoned presentation. However, both lawyers made very threatening presentations which set the tone for the Reverend Williamson's approach for the day. I really don't think that approach was very Christ-like. It was the hope of many of us in the presbytery that the changing of the Reverend Williamson's status from validated to at-large would give the Reverend Williamson a way to be comfortable in what he does while at the same time remain a full member of presbytery. But, no, there was no sense of accountability on the Reverend Williamson's part. He showed no respect for his fellow presbyters, nor did he really acknowledge that they do indeed have some power over him and his ministry. After the vote, the Reverend Williamson, in a completely out of order action, came to the microphone on the lectern of the church. I thought, surely he's going to make some statement of love and respect to the presbytery. But, no, he began a bombastic rant, gaveled down by the moderator, for whom he showed no respect by continuing his ranting. Finally, he asked commissioners to come forward and to sign a document, that he already had prepared, which he purported "stay the order" if one-third of those present and voting signed it. Then, in the final and utter act of contempt, Parker Williamson laid these documents on the communion table, where rested the bread and cup! I had some love and concern for Mr. Williamson up until that point. Any elder, and certainly any minister, should know better than to desecrate the table upon which are placed the elements symbolizing our Lord's death, burial and resurrection. In summary, I'm sorry the presbytery had to meet into the night. I'm grieved by the Reverend Williamson's actions on the communion table. And finally, I'm most grieved by the fact that when we got to the end of the presbytery meeting, which was long after the vote on Parker Williamson, there were few if any of Parker's supporters, and certainly not Parker himself. Those who left missed a very uplifting and soothing communion service and for that they, and those of us who stayed, are the less. David Duncan, elder Black Mountain Presbyterian Church Response to the John Adams report in The Layman February 4, 2004 I must confess surprise that The Layman has not identified the support of Avodat Yisrael as contrary to its founding principles and a threat to the integrity of the Presbyterian tradition. To reduce Jewishness to an ethnicity that is analogous to a Korean, Ethiopian or Indonesian culture belies a fundamental historical and theological reality. Time and time again the Jewish people have been subjected to discrimination and persecution on the basis of their religious commitments, and they have survived on the basis of their unyielding fidelity to their covenant with God. When Adodah Yisrael integrates, or more accurately stated, when this congregation expropriates the menorah, the Torah scroll, the Jewish liturgical calendar, prayer shawls and Hebrew recitations, they are doing much more than providing cultural embellishments that make Jews feel at home. They are establishing a core symbolic connection with the religious heart of Judaism. To pretend that these elements are merely ethnic props is disingenuous at best. From the perspective of the Reformed tradition, Judaism and Christianity are distinct forms of religious life. They cannot be blended any more than Christians can merge Goddess worship, gnostic spirituality, Buddhist practices or Hindu mythology into the life of the Presbyterian community without fundamentally altering the reality of each tradition. The Layman has consistently noted the dangers of syncretism, and this "new church development" conceals the fact that Jews who convert to Christianity enter into a new and utterly distinct religious reality. While Avodah Yisrael has every right to claim that it can do an end-run around history and that this community can recreate the first-century reality of Jewish Christianity, this escape from history breaks with the fundamental claims of the Reformed tradition. The early church insisted that Christians cannot maintain their own integrity if they are wrenched by dueling religious loyalties. We are a confessing church and nowhere within our tradition is there a warrant for the reinstitution of Jewish practices, ritual and symbols into our religious life. Ultimately, the demands of Jewish observance undermine the affirmation of that faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is totally sufficient. Not only does the merger of Jew and Christian contradict the historical and theological affirmations of both the Presbyterian and the Jewish traditions, the attempts to dress up a Presbyterian church in Jewish garments signals a disturbing ethical breach. The deception is expressed when a Presbyterian minister presents himself to the public at large as a rabbi. If Presbyterians insist that faithfulness to the Bible and the Christian tradition made known in our confessions are trustworthy, then they must certainly renounce their support of any evangelical subterfuge. If a religious community does not explicitly and publicly affirm the governing creeds and confessions of our denomination, how is it Presbyterian? To what extent will visitors to Avodat Yisrael know, much less affirm, that they are situated within a Presbyterian Church? The dangers of political correctness are evident when we try to be all things to all people without offending anyone. In an attempt to include Jewish people without divulging what they are losing as well as what they are gaining when they become Christian, the Presbyterian community stands in danger of an inclusiveness that fails to make clear the cost of discipleship. If the Presbyterian church decides to contradict the constitutive claims of its tradition and claim that people can remain simultaneously Jewish and Christian, what criteria will we use to determine the boundaries of our membership? The sponsorship of Avodat Yisrael is a misguided experiment in syncretism that may find a toehold in the world of new age spirituality where anything goes, but this theological anomaly has no place within the Reformed tradition. Rev. Christopher Leighton Baltimore, Md. Now I know what to ask my session to do February 3, 2004 Well, well, well – the presbytery that Parker belongs to has shown its stripes: Ask people to consider what to do with their money that might (would) have a better chance of honoring Jesus Christ than handing it over to a denomination that has bordered on apostasy for years (and has definitely slipped over that line on more than one occasion) and the denomination bites back – hard. Our fate as a denomination seems to have been narrowed to two: death or schism. And the way we evangelicals have ineffectually dithered in recent years, I suspect that it will be death. But now I know what to say to my session, which has wondered again (for only the second time in our history) whether to withhold per capita. I will tell them that the best thing I know to do with it will be to send it, lock, stock and barrel, to The Layman. What better way to use that money! If my elders are thinking straight, then you folks will receive another large check from us this year. Blessings on all of you for speaking truth when so few of the rest of us seem to have the guts to do so. Marc Benton Bethlehem Church (I try to avoid the "Presbyterian" label as often as possible) New Windsor, N.Y. Williamson and PLC 'have been blessed by what happened' February 3, 2004 They say there are two things you don't want to witness being made – legislation and sausage. However, from the sound of the letters from eyewitnesses to the WNC Presbytery's debacle, most of which were still smoldering from the anger and disappointment that compelled them, the writers might have been well-advised to spare themselves the anguish. But it's also possible that they, and all of us through them, have witnessed a miracle and didn't even recognize it. Dear brother Parker, you and your ministry have been blessed by what happened. In your heart of hearts, I suspect you know exactly what I mean. Consider this: We know the Lord was in control of what happened. He knows your heart and he knows what has been happening to his church. There can be no doubt that he is greatly disappointed and no doubt that he is more angry than any of us can even imagine. Can you see his hand in this? He must persuade those of us of goodwill, by our own experience, that we cannot walk in the council of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. Otherwise, our human desire to be liked, to work within even an abjectly corrupt system, to be patient with sin, to be tolerant of misbehavior – that human desire overwhelms the voice of the Spirit, calling on us to run away as fast as we can. This miracle was God's separating the wheat from the chaff. The wheat has a great purpose – some provides nourishment, some is meant to be consecrated. Which is to say, you were blessed to be a blessing. Please continue to lead The Layman and the laypeople of the church to his purpose. Don't seek to undo what God has accomplished. It was part of a greater plan. Instead, keep your eye on the prize. Lead us to sanctuary and away from this apostate denomination. May God continue to bless you and your ministry. Jack O'Brien Pittsburgh, Pa. The Layman is a 'vitally important publication' February 3, 2004 I believe that The Layman publication is a Godly and vitally important publication in which we are made aware of the many ways in which the enemy is attempting to undermine and destroy the PCUSA. I just looked up G.11.0403 in the Book of Order in which it describes the criteria for a ministry. I firmly believe all of these are met and surpassed by The Layman. Our congregation became a Confessing Church in great part because of The Layman. I would like to thank each person involved in the publication for your dedication and service to our Heavenly Father. My prayer is that God will continue to strengthen each of you daily that you may continue to be faithful in serving God in whatever ministry he calls you to. I personally am becoming quite discouraged, but God has not called me to move on yet, so I strive to serve him where I am with all my heart. While my joy in Christ is unconditional, my heart is heavy with sorrow, as I believe Christ's heart is, as I see so many ways in which we as a denomination have been unfaithful. Jacquie Bailey, elder First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia, Calif. Message to WNC clergy was quite clear: 'Shut up or you are next' February 3, 2004 Well, here it is Monday morning and the PCUSA finds itself reeling from the aftershocks of what turned out to be a public lynching of a good and faithful servant of our Savior Christ. His crime? Simply behaving in accordance with his conscience to live a life which reflects true Christian discipleship. What was the Reverend Williamson thinking when he decided to stand in opposition to the continued apostate behavior at the highest levels of our denomination? What he clearly didn't think was that the rot at the top has spread so far that an executive presbyter (simultaneously serving as stated clerk of that presbytery) seems to have anointed himself bishop of Western North Carolina. The message to the clergy of WNC was quite clear – "Shut up or you are next." Is it any wonder that this can happen in the PCUSA of 2004? It shouldn't be. The letter from H.D. Valentine illustrates as well as anything could the widespread level of ignorance about our essential tenets, historical polity and faithful living. Like far too many in the church, H. D. probably wishes "we could all just get along" and thinks Mr. Kirkpatrick is doing a fine job in Louisville. The fact of the matter is that Mr. Kirkpatrick has failed to exercise any leadership in his tenure as stated clerk. On his watch:
Really, H.D. Valentine, are these the marks of a "good, decent and very competent" stated clerk? Are these really the marks of Biblical responsibility? Perhaps, if one has adopted the loose-leaf Bible of the radical left church deconstructionists. Sorry H. D., but a strong belief in Christ precludes a theology of accommodation. Rev. James C. Yearsley Pittsburgh, Pa. Presbytery attempts to appease critics while getting its desired outcome February 3, 2004 The Presbytery of Western North Carolina has now voted to no longer validate the ministry of Parker Williamson; however, they have given him status as minister-at-large. It would seem that the presbytery is attempting to appease their critics while still having their desired outcome. There are certainly constitutional issues that need to be dealt with in this issue. I am grateful to see that the decision will be appealed. The idea that the ministry of Parker is not valid (in his position as editor with The Layman, although his at-large ministry is to be considered valid), while the ministry of Steve Strickler in the same organization is valid raises at least a flag of caution. And the statements by the Committee on Ministry (COM) about the Book of Order standards for validating ministry are questionable. And there is the whole question of a "valid ministry" as opposed to a "ministry validated by the presbytery." I am confident that history will show that the presbytery made a grave error of judgment in this action. Brian Ahier The Dalles, Ore. |
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