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An open letter to General Assembly commissioners Posted June 6, 2006 Dear Friend in Christ the Lord: My name is Lewis E. Andrew. For 30 years I was in the Synod of Illinois. My alma mater was McCormick Theological Seminary. I have an additional master's degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. I enjoyed both pastoral ministry and service on the Illinois Synod staff during the years of Dr. Alan Schoff's leadership as the synod executive. My position was regional general presbyter for three presbyteries in central Illinois. I have said this only to identify who I am. My purpose in this brief communication is to let you know that my prayers are with you, that God will be with you as your guide, to strengthen you with his Spirit and to share his fellowship with you and the Lord Jesus Christ. By now you have received the sad news of the broken and brutalized fellowship of our great and historic Presbyterian Church (USA) I have loved the Presbyterian Church nearly 60 years. Dr. Harold Walker received my bride and me as members in the First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, Illinois in 1949. What a wonderful and lengthy experience has been God's gift to me through our great church. But now, may I make a comment about the difficult times in our great church at this point in history? During my 30 years in the Synod of Illinois, followed by over 20 years in the Synod of the Sun, I have come to know a large number of our leadership in education and ministry. I am embarrassed, disappointed and humiliated by brothers and sisters in Christ who have treated their calling flippantly, insolently, without honor or integrity. The arrogance, dishonesty and lack of moral and spiritual restraint are an abomination before our sovereign God. The issues facing the 217th General Assembly reflect the spiritual bankruptcy of our church. The holiness of God, authority of the infallible written Word of God, and centrality of Jesus Christ as Savior have been replaced by doctrines of inclusiveness, reconciliation and unity. However, the Bible is unmistakably clear in its dealing with sin. And by clear Biblical definition, homosexuality, lesbianism included, is sin. Affirmation of this lifestyle is totally incompatible with the Christian faith. I have concerns for you as a commissioner. Be aware of the great pressure you will face. Stay alert to the divisiveness of some in our top church leadership. Stay attuned to emotional appeals that cloud clear doctrinal issues. Remember God is a God of purity who has given us clear directions in the Scriptures. Being a Christian involves more than just feeling good and affirming others. Jesus warns that a house divided cannot stand. Attempts to redefine the Presbyterian Church as all inclusive, where love allows no boundaries and all lifestyles are accepted and affirmed, are destined to fail. Such a church becomes no church at all. Based on the authority of Scripture we must continue to reject any position supportive of a homosexual or lesbian lifestyle, a position supported by many in our top church leadership. In this difficult time it is my prayer that you will remain faithful to our great church, the Church of Jesus Christ, founded on the Holy Word of God. I pray that you will act with honor and integrity, and that God's Son, Jesus Christ, will be your constant companion guiding you in the decisions you must make. May his name be praised, Lewis E. Andrew Bethany, Okla.

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