The Layman – June 2005 Volume 38, Number 2 – Posted May 27, 2005

Faithful fellowship in troubled times “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 That’s clear as a bell, isn’t it? When Christians come together to praise the Lord’s name, Jesus has told us he will be with them. That fellowship seems more important in our foundering denomination, what with the ongoing killing of millions of babies by abortion and the rising moral quagmire from fetal stem-cell research; continued assaults on the ordination standards and the blatant defiance of the PCUSA constitution; misguided political statements and the pervasive influence of “progressive” theologians; punitive actions against those attempting to exercise faithful stewardship; and on and on. Saying “enough is enough,” some Presbyterians are trying to rise above the seemingly endless wrangling over these issues by promoting traditional, orthodox standards of Biblical authority, morality, fairness and theological integrity. The New Wineskins Initiative has scheduled a national convocation June 15-18 at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, Minnesota, to consider a “bold new design” for the denomination. We applaud this call to faith at a time when its essentials are under siege. Ironically, this “bold new design,” like the Reformation, represents a return to Biblical essentials of faith and ethics. Jesus has said that he will build his Church on our confession of faith in him. The convocation, at its core, will be all about our faithfulness in proclaiming Jesus Christ alone as the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Presbyterian Lay Committee is grateful to applaud this event and stand together with faithful brothers and sisters whose confession builds Christ’s Church.

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