Letters to the Editor - July/August 2000

Letters to the Editor *The Presbyterian Layman* Volume 33, Number 4, Posted August 4, 2000
Church close to swapping holiness for inclusiveness Re: Assembly vetoes same-sex unions Whew ... that was a close one [General Assembly vote on same-sex unions]. We are on the verge of relinquishing holiness for unity and inclusiveness. Let’s work together to keep our denomination grounded in God’s Word. Is there a place for homosexuals in the church? Absolutely – sitting in the pews with the heterosexuals, confessing their sins and relying on God’s grace. But make no mistake, when we call evil “good” and rely on our own understanding rather than God’s truths, we will perish. Kay Barry Libertyville, IL Diversity of gifts, gender – not diversity of beliefs Re: General Assembly decides not to confront theological differences What the General Assembly has said in response to the Beaver-Butler Overture is not that we are not divided. It admits that we are divided. What it claims is that we are stronger because of our division, citing the words of Paul in I Cor. 12. This is a blatant distortion of the Bible and the people who are saying it must know that it is. Paul speaks of a diversity of gifts. He speaks of a diversity of genders and social position. He does not speak of divisions in faith or belief. When he does refer to those, he speaks very differently. In the same Galatian letter cited in this year”s General Assembly motto, Paul writes, “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Gal. 1:9). Dan Reuter Beaver-Butler Overture Advocate PCUSA has reached a theological impasse Re: General Assembly decides not to confront theological differences The news from this year’s General Assembly is further evidence that we as a denomination have indeed reached a theological impasse. The Beaver-Butler overture was intended to get us to admit to ourselves that this condition exists, so that we can finally deal with the heart of the problem. Unfortunately, our denomination has chosen once again, like the unrepentant alcoholic, to pretend that no problem exists. Charles Jeffries Concord, CA Closing meetings a setback for truth Re: Loophole inserted in open-meeting rule Another setback for truth and openness. Does anybody doubt the motives of the leaders when they wish closed meetings? Why do the commissioners to the General Assembly keep falling for these tactics? Those favoring altering our faith doctrine and Biblical truth to provide acceptance for gay issues et al are rejoicing over the victory. Shame on all of us for letting it happen. Gordon Pilcher Mountain View, CA Denomination sticks its head in the sand Re: General Assembly decides not to confront theological differences I am appalled that my beloved denomination would stick its collective head in the sand [regarding the Beaver-Butler overture]! It does not help to say that there is no need to discuss critical issues that may divide us. The fact that this issue has been broached as an overture must indicate the tremendous unrest that is present in many congregations. If we don’t discuss it now there may not be a chance later on. To many of us the issues are straightforward and we cannot understand why there is so much equivocating. Though we will continue to pray for our commissioners and our denomination it does appear that there will come a day of reckoning. May the Lord be gracious and merciful to us all on that day! David Brownstein Pittsburgh, PA A candid admission on abortion study Re: Committee rejects proposed Biblical study of abortion Commissioner Wayne Mell’s argument that a study on abortion starting with the Bible would lead the denomination away from its present position is remarkable in its candid admission that being pro-choice is more about cultural pressure and personal convenience than Biblical principles. Rev. Alison Bucklin Clayton, NJ Disclosure measure an invasion of privacy Re: Assembly approves disclosure policy I’d like to know for what purpose will these disclosures be used by the denomination? I feel this is an invasion of my privacy as a contributor. As an ethnic German, I feel very queasy about organizations asking for “lists” of persons, especially our denominational headquarters. What business is that of theirs? This seems to be an attempt at some kind of “control” at a time when there is very little trust in the Louisville leadership. Please do not comply. Monika (Steinke) Sawyer Homeworth, OH Spong has created God in his own image Re: Episcopal bishop's column posted on pornographic site It does not surprise me to know that Bishop Spong is writing for a porn site. It is a natural step for one who has created God in his own image. God is not the center of Spong’s world; Spong is the center of his own world. Very sad. Bill Simpson San Antonio, TX I want to evangelize, instead I apologize I passionately want to be an evangelist for Jesus Christ; I find I am having to be an apologist for my denomination. Dr. Patrick H. Wrisley Community Presbyterian Celebration, FL No heart to contribute to capital campaign While attending my hometown PCUSA church the past few years, I have looked around during the service and wondered what the folks who built it would think if they heard what was being preached. Now there is a capital campaign under way and I just don’t have the heart to contribute. What would I be building? It’s one thing when the new “enlightened” clergy take over a church. They charm the selection committees with skill, effectively using all the high-sounding language they can muster. In an odd way I respect their resourcefulness. But it’s quite another thing for our “superiors” to expect our continued support. The same love that made us want to give in the past is disrupted, even destroyed, as it is re-defined to embrace practices that are clearly against Scripture. I can get pop culture for free over the TV. Why would I want to pay to hear it in the church? It would be better if the buildings all fell apart and the steeples crashed down than for us to hold them up against God. Scott T. Allen Currently serving in the Armed Forces in O’Fallon, Ill. Liberals miss point on so-called exclusion Re: Pastor: Ordination standard has 'dehumanizing' effect Once again, confusion reigns, or seems to. In the case of Northern New England defending its member church, Christ Church, the church’s pastor says the denomination’s stance on homosexuals is demeaning and harmful to Christ Church’s members, many of whom are gay. But as usual with liberals, much of the point is missed. No one is claiming these men and women cannot be members. It is that they may not be officers, a distinction seemingly lost in all the usual hoopla about “excluding” some people. Dr. Stephen H. Janssen Eastminster Presbyterian Church Writer frustrated with liberal politics in church Thank you for your ministry! My husband and I have become quite frustrated with several lay leaders who influence the direction of our entire church. Our frustration is a side-effect of liberal democratic partisan politics (Jubilee 2000, Million Mom March, and increase in minimum wage legislation) promoted by our church’s agencies. Our attempts to refocus the leadership back to Jesus Christ have resulted in much frustration. So much frustration, in fact, that we began to doubt that we belong in the Presbyterian Church at all, even though I was born and raised in the church. Your web site encourages us to continue in our effort. Susan Christ Herndon, VA Methodists take Scriptural stand on homosexuality Re: Demonstrators arrested after Methodists vote against ordaining homosexuals Praise God for the stance taken by the Methodists on homosexuality! To most believers it is Scriptural and therefore an indisputable truth. The gay minority will continue to push for acceptance no matter what the Scripture says. The Presbyterian Church is in the same boat, and these same gay minorities will, with a Presbyterian label, hammer away at the very structure of the Holy Bible, the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions. This cannot be allowed to happen and all that oppose a lifestyle contrary to these documents should continually be in prayer that these matters be solved with the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that no disorder will come from us. There is enough disorder in the world, certainly Christians need not contribute. V.R. “Bob” Campbell Kingman Presbyterian Church Kingman, Ariz. Historical accuracy preserved in hymn Re: The Church is found at the end of the gauntlet We were surprised that Sunday’s General Assembly worship service included verse three of The Church’s One Foundation, this great song by Wesley and Stone, which speaks of what was on their hearts at the end of the Civil War, and which is on our hearts, over 130 years later: “[A Church]...by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up: ‘How long?’...” When I got home, I looked in four different songbooks for this original third verse, including our own PCUSA The Hymnal from 1933. This verse had been excised from all except the Sing Joyfully by Jack Schrader and Karen Burton Mains, 1989 Tabernacle Publishing Company. Congratulations to Rev. Steve Yamaguchi and Dr. Hanan Yaqub on the Worship Committee for their historical accuracy. This verse applies today, more than ever. Jim Esser Rochester, NY Dr. Bell was gracious to Presbyterian Men Re: Bell, renewal leader, dies at Montreat I just read of this on your web-site what about the death of Clayton Bell. In Ft. Worth last year, Dr. Bell was the guest speaker at the Annual Presbyterian Men’s Luncheon at General Assembly. He was most gracious. His wife attended and sat with us at the head table. When he was speaking, I noticed he had a prepared sermon. Afterward I inquired as to whether we could get some copies for those who might ask for a copy later. This was on a Thursday, and on the following Monday, back in California, I received 100 printed copies with a nice note from him. This is hard news but we also know we will see him once again as our Lord has indicated. Thank you for posting this information. Donald E. Travis President, National Council of Presbyterian Men Silver-tongued support for PCUSA chaplains Re: Presbyterian chaplains win fight for funds Listening to Mr. Kearns and others talk about their “support” of our military chaplains but requiring them to “raise their own money” reminds me of an aphorism by Ogden Nash: “The more he talked of his honor, the faster we counted the silver.” Donald D. Denton Richmond, Va. Miami First one of three types of congregations Re: Miami church slowly reemerging despite controversy with presbytery For some time I have been following the events at First Presbyterian Church in Miami. I have spoken with the pastor, Michael Girolimon. The events at his church constitute a microcosm of that which is occurring in our denomination. I believe the denomination consists, broadly speaking, of three primary, but not equal in any shape or form, groups. A small but vocal minority is essentially post-Christian in theology. They are also anarchically inclined. This is evident from their regard for our constitution. Second, we have a large body of congregations that may loosely be called, and consider themselves, “conservative.” One challenge for this group is how to make the essential tenets of our faith experiential. They will affirm the historical truths of Scripture; yet, to this group, Scriptural truth is no more than merely “historical.” Finally, we have a growing, in every sense of the word, number of congregations that challenge and encourage each other to “walk with Jesus.” We should all ask ourselves and each other, “Are you walking with Jesus?” Not infrequently will you find with people so busy in the church that they have no walk with Jesus. That may well in part explain the challenges First Church in Miami is facing. My session and I have pledged to pray for Pastor Michael and his people. Rev. Jerry Voss Millbrook Presbyterian Church Fresno, CA Miami church is being treated wrong Re: Miami church slowly reemerging despite controversy with presbytery What is happening at the First Presbyterian Church in Miami is wrong, wrong, wrong. My prayers go out to the session and to Michael Girolimon. Why is it that there are so many people who are willing to kill the church for the sake of personal pride and political agendas? However, I take comfort in the fact that no one can kill the Spirit of God which is moving through this brave and faithful congregation. John Hinkle Jr. Hiram, GA Contemporary service is filling sanctuary Re: Miami church slowly reemerging despite controversy with presbytery Your article, “Miami church’s renewal blows into presbytery storm,” caught my attention since our church here in Medford, New Jersey, has experienced some of the same reactions to the implementation of a contemporary service as has Miami’s First Presbyterian … except our presbytery is not involved. Our contemporary service is now filling our sanctuary. As a result of the article, I got a copy of Rick Warren’s, The Purpose-Driven Church, from my pastor and found the book an inspiring and Scripture-based approach to church growth with emphasis on equipping the congregation for the Great Commission! That emphasis is something many of our denomination’s churches would be wise to address. While on business in Miami, I made it a point to visit pastor Michael Girolimon’s church. I sat in on Mike’s adult class where he was using Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God as a text, and I found an enthusiastic class with friendly people. The contemporary service followed with a Spirit-filled time of praise and worship. Cultural diversity was indeed evident in the congregation that day. My prayers go out to this brave church and its members. If more of the PCUSA’s churches would undertake some of the same changes as Miami’s First Presbyterian, then maybe we could stem the precipitous decline in our denomination’s membership. Philip H. Warren Southampton, N.J.





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