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| Editor's note: The following press release from the Office of the General Assembly was received by The Presbyterian Layman on May 21, 1998. It is posted below for your information. A link to questions asked by The Presbyterian Layman of those who signed the document follows the press release. We have also included a link to our analysis of the document. | ||
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Office of the General Assembly |
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| Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick
invited leaders of the Presbyterian Coalition and the Covenant Network
of Presbyterians and the moderators of the committees for the 1996 and
1997 General Assemblies which proposed Amendments B and A to meet
together out of common concern for the well-being of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). They were joined by Rev. John Galloway, who had earlier
sought to bring together Presbyterians on both sides of this issue. The
group produced the following "Call to Sabbatical" which they
wish to share with their colleagues in ministry throughout the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) A Call To Sabbatical In The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Introduction The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is at a crossroads. We have spent the last 20 years in debate, taking actions in the General Assembly, voting on constitutional amendments, and engaging in judicial process related to concerns over human sexuality and ordination. We believe that continued reliance on overtures, amendments, and judicial process will not lead us to a new vision or to the restoration of Christian community bit may well lead us to division and schism. We believe the time has come for our church to enter into a sabbatical season on these issues. A sabbatical is not meant to be the end to discussion and learning. It is meant to be a season of peace and rest from the confrontations of recent years. A sabbatical would be a time to refrain from seeking legislative and judicial solutions to our conflicts so that they may be dealt with in our congregations and presbyteries primarily in a personal and pastoral manner. A sabbatical would be a time to engage in reflection and repentance, a time to listen to God together, and a time to reaffirm and to celebrate our life and mission together as God's people. A sabbatical would not change the policy of the church as amended in the Book of Order G-6.0106b. It also would not remove the deep sense of alienation which many Presbyterians feel over the provision. It would allow us to engage this and other crucial concerns such as Christology, the authority and interpretation of Scripture, and the mission of the church in a changing culture and world in an environment that is not overshadowed by pending legislation or threatened judicial actions. Our Appeal to the Church We realize that there is no way to require such a sabbatical in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and we do not propose any specific General Assembly action to achieve it. However, we to appeal to you, our sisters and brothers in Christ, to redirect our energies for the next number of years. During such a sabbatical we appeal to all Presbyterians to: · Honor and respect our Constitution (both the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions). · Resist the inclination to develop further overtures to amend the constitution with regard to ordination and human sexuality. · Resist the inclination to provoke or initiate judicial confrontation. · Make a fresh commitment to treat those whom we disagree on these matters with respect, refraining from personal attacks, accusations, defamation of character or intrusive exposures of sexual orientation. We believe that God is calling the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to a better way of living together as the body of Christ, and we invite you to join us in this endeavor. Our hope is that we will honor our ordination vows by working diligently and praying earnestly for the peace, unity and purity of the Church. We are looking to God to redeem us from our present tensions and fears and to guide us into a season of restored respect, greater wisdom, and a more effective witness for our Lord. Respectfully submitted, Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly John Buchanan, Co-Moderator, Covenant Network of Presbyterians John Galloway, Pastor, Wayne Presbyterian Church, Wayne, PA Jack Haberer, Moderator, Presbyterian Coalition Roberta Hestenes, Moderator, Human Sexuality Committee 208th General Assembly (1996) Laird Stuart, Moderator, Book of Order Committee, 209th General Assembly (1997) |
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| signers respond to The Presbyterian Layman's questions | ||
| a brief analysis of "A Call to Sabbatical" by Robert P. Mills | ||
| Breaking News contents | ||
