Three compete for moderator of 214th General Assembly Jerry Tankersley The Layman Volume 35, Number 3 Posted June 3, 2002 After a year during which Moderator Jack B. Rogers and other leaders in the Presbyterian Church (USA) criticized the Confessing Church Movement, Jerry Tankersley weighs in with another view. “I think the Confessing Church Movement is going to be a positive in the denomination,” Tankersley said. “I think it’s very helpful to study who’s God, how do we come to know God and how we ought to live that out.” While his session has not adopted a Confessing Church resolution, Tankersley says he personally affirms the three tenets of the movement – but that he doesn’t believe they represent all the essentials of the Reformed faith. He is worried about the condition of the PCUSA. “The bonds of trust and peace have been stretched to the breaking point. Beyond these realities, some are suggesting that American Mainline Christianity now finds itself in an exilic situation in a secular Babylonian empire,” he says. “As Presbyterians we have become ‘de-centered.’ We are struggling to rediscover our theological and spiritual center ... Through faithfulness, we will emerge as a stronger church out of this time of dangerous disorientation, emotional pain, and spiritual brokenness.” On the issue of ordination standards, Tankersley says, “I believe the time has come for all sides of this debate to graciously accept and to respect the will of the church.” Biographical Capsule Ministry: Pastor of the 721-member Laguna Presbyterian Church in Laguna Beach, Calif. Theology: Describes himself as an evangelical. Other: Presbytery moderator; commissioner to two previous General Assemblies; numerous mission trips. Amendment 01-A view: Opposed because of “Biblical/confessional reasons.” Theological education: Bachelor of Divinity degree, Fuller Theological Seminary; Master of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary; D.Min., Claremont School of Theology. Family: wife, Kay; one son. Little known fact: His education includes a Ph.D. in political science from the Claremont Graduate School of Government. The title of his dissertation: “A Metaethical Analysis of American Theories of Jurisprudence.” Priority if elected: “To rediscover our true center. Jesus Christ is the only Savior and Lord of the world. In the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, God has acted to save the world.”

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