Presbyterians talk of schism

AP ^ | 6/26/5 | Richard N. Ostling

[SmithL]

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been relatively quiet on the issue of homosexuality during a four-year study, but that's changing and the issue is intractable enough that leaders talk openly of schism.

Since 2001, Presbyterians have been awaiting recommendations from a special task force on "Peace, Unity and Purity." It is seeking a way to overcome severe disagreements on same-sex relationships and other issues.

The group is preparing its final report at meetings in Dallas next month and Chicago in August.

Some aren't even waiting to read the fine print: 85 conservative congregations sent delegates to a convocation in Edina, Minn., that ended last weekend.

There, representatives endorsed platforms that laid out essential doctrines and "ethical imperatives," including the Bible as infallible, salvation through Jesus Christ alone, the necessity of world evangelism and rejection of gay sex and abortion.

The group -- which calls itself the New Wineskins Initiative -- also proposed a radically reorganized, mission-minded denomination to halt decades of decline in the Presbyterian church, which has a current membership of 2.4 million.

The Rev. Tom Edwards of Wichita, Kan., who organized the Edina meeting, said Presbyterianism is too top-heavy and must "start serving the local congregation and stop being a structure that exists for the local congregation to serve the national bureaucracy."

New Wineskins wants its conservative beliefs and restructuring plan to be adopted by next year's national assembly. The assembly will also debate the task force report and the latest liberal attempt to abolish the church's policy against actively gay clergy and lay officers.

Although New Wineskins leaders emphasize unity around the group's bold vision, there's a scent of schism.

The Rev. David Henderson of West Lafayette, Ind., moderator of New Wineskins, sees three possibilities for the church's future:

• A thoroughly reformed denomination such as New Wineskins proposes;

• New Wineskins congregations find it necessary to leave the denomination;

• The denomination holds together, but congregations affiliate with like-minded networks within it, such as New Wineskins and liberal groups.

New Wineskins isn't schismatic, Henderson told Edina delegates, "because the schism has already happened," meaning liberals and conservatives are thoroughly divided.

The Rev. Jerry Van Marter, who covered the meeting for the church's news service, said it was "the most overt consideration of a split in the denomination that we have yet seen." Some participants are ready to leave now, he said, while others want dramatic change "but hold out very little hope for that happening."

Another observer was the Rev. Parker Williamson of Lenoir, N.C., whose ardently conservative Presbyterian Lay Committee promoted the Edina meeting.

Williamson personally thinks a Presbyterian breakup is "inevitable," but two elements are necessary. One is an organization for dissatisfied congregations, which New Wineskins now provides.

The second element is a "precipitating event," especially a liberal victory on homosexuality at next year's assembly.

Pamela Byers of the San Francisco-based Covenant Network vows continual work until church offices are opened to gays and lesbians, though "I'd be very sorry if this does lead to schism."

For years, liberals have been frustrated by the denomination's repeated refusal to abolish its sexual conduct rules, while conservatives have been equally frustrated by liberals' ongoing agitation and disregard for church law.

[SmithL]

It's not just the Episcopalians and Lutherans, I see. All of the mainline Protestant Churches seem to be under attack from those that want to make the Church socially relevant instead of Biblically relevant.

[TradicalRC]

What would Ann Coulter say?

[Tax-chick]

Not this shi'ite again! My mom says she's leaving the Presbyterians if her regional presbytery (Central FL) decides to ordain gays.

Where do they think the contributions are going to come from, if all the conservative retirees bolt? GAYS are going to pay for the day care center expansion? Come ON!

[PAR35]

These folks aren't really conservative. One of the speakers indicated that the Evangelical Presbyterian Church was too conservative for him because they didn't have enough ordained women. They are closer to the ultralilberals in the PCSUA than they are to even the moderates in the EPC. They let themselves be governed by 'feelings' rather than Biblical truths.

[Gamecock]

***What would Ann Coulter say?***

She is in the conservative Presbyterian church in America, so I wold assume she wouldn't be impressed.

[irishtenor]

Tell her to try the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America)

[Tax-chick]

Thanks.

[markomalley]

Its stuff like this that allows Marcus Grodi to continue to have a fresh stream of high quality guests.

[irishtenor]

you're welcome. I am in the PCA and find it to be very good.

[Tax-chick]

There are some excellent PCA churches around here, but I don't know what Mom's choices are where she lives. Maybe the PCUSA won't cross her last "line in the sand".