PCUSA leader calls for end of 'Star Wars' competition By John H. Adams The Layman Online Tuesday, June 5, 2001 LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Presbyterian Church (USA) needs to end its "Star Wars" competition, adapt to a changing culture and "broaden the game," Peter Pizor told the General Assembly Council's executive committee June 4. Pizor's comments were his final report to the executive committee as its chairman. The Nevada environmental consultant gave high marks to the council for management and financial changes and said the council has built a sturdy foundation for the mission of the church. While alluding to some theological rifts in the denomination, Pizor did not specify what they are or whether they constitute legitimate concern over whether some PCUSA leaders are departing from Biblical or confessional standards. Rather, he blamed Presbyterians on both sides of the theological divide for "bombarding" Louisville, the denomination's headquarters, with complaints and for mounting aggressive and expensive battles for power. Pizor's comments echoed the tenor of the General Assembly Council when it considered the seething debate over the PCUSA's 2000 Peacemaking Conference. A keynote speaker at the conference, the Rev. Dirk Ficca of Chicago, suggested there are many valid paths to God, which contradicts Scripture – "I am the Way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except by me." (John 14.6) – and the denomination's confessions. More than 1,500 Presbyterians asked the council to ensure that conference speakers, curriculum and programs operated by the General Assembly Council toe that theological line. It did not do so. There have been other controversies, including the recent disclosure by The Layman Online that Gina Yeager, a staff member in the Congregational Ministries Division, had written the National Association of Boy Scouts a letter distancing the PCUSA from the Scouts because of their U.S. Supreme Court-affirmed policy against homosexual troop leaders. Asked by The Layman Online whether the council would deal with the Boy Scout issue at this meeting, Pizor said no, but that it would be on the council's agenda in September. In his report to the executive committee, Pizor used one Biblical reference – the visit by the Apostle Peter to the Gentile household of Cornelius. He noted that Peter had a vision convincing him that the Gentiles' dietary practices – eating pork – did not constitute a impediment to their becoming Christians. From that, Pizor concluded that Peter was adapting to a changing culture, and so must the denomination today. Most of Pizor's report was an endorsement of the work of the General Assembly Council during his leadership. He praised the council for team-building, budget reform, prioritization, listening, free phone access to Louisville through 800 numbers, Web pages and other changes. "Our core systems are in good shape," he said. "We have tamed our budgets. We have a listening and servant-styled approach. Our building upgrade is proceeding well. Our personnel systems are stronger. The General Assembly Council is in the finest position since reunion" of the Southern and Northern Presbyterian denominations in 1983. Declaring church improvements "a biological thing," Pizor said, "The bar is rising." He said his background is from "old-time religion" -- reflected by such hymns as There is Power in the Blood. "That was good enough then, but it is not good enough now," he said. "Our church is in a time and culture characterized by servant excellence." Pizor said the competition for theological issues, with different groups thinking that there is a "prize to be captured," detract from today's mission. "Each escalation induces another escalation," he said. "That increases the 'FAT' – fatigue, anxiety, tension – in the church." Pressure from different groups in the church "tends to increase fear, and fear tends to produce stupidity or drive out intelligence," he said. Using a phrase adopted by people who want to have a four-year study on homosexual issues – "A more excellent way" – Pizor said, "We need to move into a situation that reflects our cultural context." He described that as being "decentralized, multi-nucleated and plurivocal." Pizor wound down his report by referring to "rua" – an abbreviated transliteration of the Hebrew word for "breath" or "spirit" – and said it stood for "really useful attitude." "We have to be missionaries," he said, "moving into a new culture under the shadow of the cross. I've never known when we were in a better position to move into this."

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