 
EPC clerk proposes ‘cooperation without compromise’ By Robert P. Mills The Presbyterian Layman |
||||
CHARLOTTE – Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and representatives of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Korean Presbyterian Church in America, and the Reformed Church in America were guests of honor at the Genevans’ annual GA luncheon. Jerry Andrews, president of the Genevans and pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn, Ill., noted that one of the Genevans’ goals was to broaden the PCUSA’s vision of ecumenism to include denominations more theologically conservative than our own. He then introduced Kirkpatrick, who said that 1998 had been “a year of ecumenical breakthroughs.” Kirkpatrick in turn introduced Daniel Metier of the Reformed Church in America, a pastor from Hoboken, N.J., and a part of the Lutheran/Reformed dialogue group; John Wu, stated clerk and general secretary of the Korean Presbyterian Church in America; and Ed Davis, who for 18 years has been stated clerk of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Davis said that the EPC has 60,000 members in 190 congregations. He told those gathered “We need to rediscover the ability to trust each other, something that has been lost, if for no other reason than the tremendous opportunities and responsibilities that are before us in the postmodern world. We can have cooperation without compromise. … I would encourage organizations committed to the renewal of the church to take some initiative toward us and give us the opportunity to build some bridges.” Wu said the KPCA, which was founded in 1976 with 14 churches in three presbyteries, now has 316 churches in 11 presbyteries. He said that in 1884 Presbyterian missionaries came to Korea. Now that Korean Presbyterians have sent 4,000 missionaries all over the world, “We feel we are repaying materially the Presbyterians.” He continued, “Numerically we are small compared to PCUSA. But we are proud of being strong spiritually, and we are trying our best to be a friend of Christians in the world.” Metier, who has served on the Lutheran/Reformed dialogue team for several years, called the relationship between the RCA and PCUSA “the oldest and least cultivated ecumenical relationship.” He said that “in 1754 we were asked to merge with Presbyterians. We said no,” adding, “Calvinist churches are never in full communion with anyone.” |
||||
|
The Presbyterian Layman, July/August 1998 contents |
||||
|
Home,
· Archives,
·
Breaking News, |
||||
