Statement from the Presbyterian Lay Committee's
Board of Directors
A call to arms
The Layman
Tuesday, July 8,
2008
The 218th PCUSA General Assembly waged a frontal assault on
Biblical Christianity. The assembly disregarded historic Reformed
standards, undermined its Constitution and failed to glorify the Lord
Jesus Christ with its actions.
In San Jose, commissioners pleaded with the General Assembly not to push
congregations beyond their tipping point. For many, the tipping point
was passed two years ago when the General Assembly, by approval of the
Peace, Unity and Purity report (PUP), made compliance with our
Constitution optional. For many more, it was crossed this year at the
218th General Assembly when Biblical standards were discarded and "the
faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints" was
rejected.
Specific actions taken by this assembly that violate the faith and life
of Biblical Christianity include:
- Initiated a process to revise the Heidelberg Catechism (written
in 1562, adopted by the General Assembly and ratified by the PCUSA
in 1967) to delete the Bible's prohibition against homosexuality.
- Called for yet another vote by presbyteries to delete our
constitutional standard that requires fidelity in marriage between a
man and a woman and chastity in singleness.
- Nullified all previous proscriptions against sexual behavior
outside the covenant of marriage by a new Authoritative
Interpretation, which attempts to overrule the recent PJC decision
in respect to the PUP report.
- Stood silent while a homosexual wedding was performed at a
General Assembly related event, in flagrant violation of the PCUSA
Constitution and the clear dictates of God's Word.
- Ignoring its declaration that "to be Presbyterian is to be
ecumenical," alleged without any supporting documentation that
the Evangelical Presbyterian Church encourages congregations to
leave the PCUSA, and sought action against the EPC.
- Authorized the creation of a $2 million legal war chest to
litigate against churches of good conscience which seek to transfer
to other Reformed denominations with their property.
While signs of life dwindle within the institution called the
PCUSA, the heart of faith beats powerfully among many congregations.
Therefore, we urge the sessions of faithful congregations to take the
following actions:
- Form alliances with like-minded churches in your presbytery.
There is strength in numbers. A call to arms is a call to unite.
- Restrict all mission and per capita gifts to ministries that are
trusted by your congregation, and do not send undesignated money in
any form to denominational entities, boards or agencies.
- Be prepared to defend the property rights of your congregation
against claims of ownership by the PCUSA.
The PCUSA has jettisoned the solid rock of Biblical authority and
morals and is now floundering in the sea of cultural relativity. In
desperation, it lays claim to the property of congregations that love
the Word of God more than denominational loyalty.
In its final hours, and after having established a fund to facilitate
lawsuits against local churches, the General Assembly counseled
presbyteries to seek alternatives to civil court litigation and treat
congregations with "pastoral concern and gracious witness."
The Presbyterian Lay Committee encourages presbyteries to abide by this
counsel.
The Presbyterian Lay Committee is available to all Presbyterians and
will continue to stand with faithful congregations that strive to honor
the Reformed tradition by their commitment to Scripture and by
unashamedly proclaiming the undiluted Gospel of Jesus Christ. |