Rev. Eriberto Soto preaches at GA The Presbyterian Layman Sept/Oct, 1997 Editor’s note: The last issue of the Layman included an article critical of preaching at the Syracuse General Assembly that ignored Scripture and the Great Ends of the Church (the theme of the worship services) in favor of promoting the gay/lesbian agenda. We failed, however, to mention the sermon preached by Rev. Eriberto Soto, leaving some with the mistaken impression that he followed this pattern as well. The Layman regrets this error. At the suggestion of Rev. Soto, we are running the following account of his sermon as reported by the Presbyterian News Service. SYRACUSE (PNS) – Decrying “a world of imbalance and polarization,” Assembly preacher Rev. Eriberto “Eddie” Soto told worshipers Friday that he is “saddest that instead of being a model for the world, the church instead reflects and imitates the world.” Soto, a Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican who is area secretary for South America in the Worldwide Ministries Division in Louisville, cited four reasons why the Presbyterian church must maintain balance in its attention to spiritual and social issues. First, he said, “such balance is the example given to us by Jesus Christ, who taught, preached, and healed.” As a result, he said, secondly, “We are the body of Christ in the world today – his hands, his feet, his eyes and ears, his voice.” If the teaching, preaching and healing ministries of Jesus are not carried on by the church they will not be done, Soto added, “because the only body Christ has in the world today is us.” Thirdly, he continued, a balance between spiritual and social concerns is “our Reformed tradition.” Noting that John Calvin was teacher, preacher and civic activist in Geneva, Soto said, “I am proud we are evangelical and ecumenical, spiritual and passionate about social issues.” Finally, Soto concluded, “Our partner churches continue to look to us as an example.” Citing several examples of vital churches in other countries that have been planted by the PCUSA, he said, “These churches have learned well – they look first to Christ, but they are also looking to us.”

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