A
strategic vision for the PCUSA
The
Presbyterian Coalition
Volume
34, Number 7
Posted November 30, 2001
The
PCUSA is bogged down in a cultural war of accommodation and
attrition. People are battle weary and will not continue
commitment to the PCUSA unless they believe there is a better
way to be the Church in the 21st Century. The strategy
followed for over 20 years, called stay, fight, win, is not
enough if we are to be faithful to God’s call to the
church. The Presbyterian Coalition endorses and supports the
following strategy for transformation of the PCUSA:
1. Confession – of Christ, Scripture and
lifestyle is the essence of who we are.
- a. We enthusiastically endorse and support the
Confessing Church Movement (CCM).
- b. We encourage quality overtures through all governing
bodies confessing commitment to our historic Biblical
faith.
2. Conversion – personally and corporately
calls us to a life of discipleship.
- a. We believe transformation of the PCUSA occurs
through our Union in Christ.
- b. Our strategy to transform the PCUSA leads the whole
church to that union and to the life of discipleship.
3. Connection – of like-minded churches
through the CCM and regional networks.
- a. We must develop new ways of being a connectional
church in the 21st Century.
- b. We need an effective shadow denomination while the
PCUSA is being transformed.
4. Cooperation – among all renewal groups,
the Coalition, and the Confessing Church Movement.
- a. We are committed to decisively defeat Amendment A.
- b. We are developing consensus for dynamic
restructuring of the PCUSA.
- c. We will exercise discipline and extend grace to
those who will not uphold Biblical ordination standards.
5. Commitment – to become a new kind of
connectional church.
- a. The PCUSA needs to be drastically restructured. We
are actively supporting immediate development of a new
wineskin for being the Church in the 21st Century. A
Church that will be:
- (1) Downsized and streamlined to serve congregations
and networks.
- (2) Truly committed to fulfilling the great ends of the
Church.
- (3) Truly representative of the committed people in
the pews.
- (4) Governed through fairness at all levels by true
parity between active elders and ministers who are
accountable to viable congregations.
- (5) Consistently obedient to Christ's call and to the
authority of Scripture in its life.
- b. Grace will be extended to congregations, which will
not uphold Biblical ordination standards, by allowing them
to peacefully separate with their property.
- c. Those who will not uphold Biblical ordination
standards and will not withdraw in peace, will be
graciously disciplined.
The Coalition affirms the right of all sessions to
withhold/redirect their per capita assessment and/or to
restrict/redirect their mission funds, as an act of conscience
to protest the failures of PCUSA leadership, the actions of
the 2001 GA, and to accelerate dynamic and drastic
restructuring of the PCUSA. |