PFR missed positive attributes of declaration
November 7, 2003
Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) has missed some of the positive attributes of the Presbyterian Lay Committee's (PLC), A Declaration of Conscience. Additionally, there is a need for an outside perspective of our denomination.
For such a perspective, let's consider the Barna Research's study, "Practical Outcomes Replace Biblical Principles as the Moral Standard" from Sept. 10, 2001. If one believes that the glass is more than half full, it will be surprising to learn that more mainline Protestants agree that abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances (50 percent) than the general public (41 percent). Also, the difference between mainline Protestants and the general public who agree that sexual relations between consenting adults of the same gender should be legal was essentially the same (almost 50 percent). This compares with 35 percent of those who attend non-mainline Protestant churches. On the whole, there was little difference between the general public and those who attend mainline Protestant churches. Regarding theological beliefs, Barna Research's study, "Religious Beliefs Vary Widely By Denomination" from June 25, 2001, provided similar results. The general public and Presbyterians:
Strongly agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches (41 percent and 40 percent, respectively).
Strongly agree that they have a personal responsibility to tell others about their religion (32 and 33 percent).
Strongly disagree that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others. they will earn a place in heaven (30 and 31 percent).
45 percent of all Presbyterians strongly disagree that Jesus Christ committed sins while on earth compared with the general public (40 percent).
In this study, "Presbyterians" represented all Presbyterian denominations collectively. In general, Presbyterians from the PCUSA are less traditional/ orthodox than those from other Presbyterian denominations. If this study included only PCUSA Presbyterians, it would be expected that the theological beliefs of "Presbyterians" would have been less orthodox/ traditional than the general public.
Is the glass half empty or half full? Is optimism for our denomination warranted (not to be confused with faith in God)?
A Declaration of Conscience calls us to be "faithful stewards of all that he has entrusted to us and has called us as officers of our congregations to ensure that offerings are consistently used to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and carryout out his Great Commission." The PLC has clearly stated its evaluation of the denomination. They are asking us to prayerfully study these issues as well. If there is hope for renewal and reform from within, then our local congregations need to be actively engaged in the life of our denomination.
PFR's statement indicated that the withholding of funds during the ReImaging God controversy had a positive result. Why is this time any different?
The Presbyterian Lay Committee did not discourage – in any way – designated giving to missionaries, new church development, racial-ethnic ministries and other national ministries. Imagine the positive effect of unbridled generosity in faithful and enthusiastic designated giving!
Rev. Glen James Hallead, a PCUSA mission co-worker in Thailand, acknowledged his concerns about mission giving in his recent letter to Presbyweb, "My fear is that those of us missionaries who receive the majority of our support from the undesignated/non-directed mission budget will be the first to feel the crunch … Perhaps the Lay Committee would be willing to set up a system, or support a designated line item of support to be used in this manner. Perhaps the Committee would begin the rallying cry of Directed Mission Support for missionary salaries in general or for individuals in particular … I encourage each and every one of us to prayerfully consider how we can make mission happen in a way that is faithful, diligent, and responsible."
This is a reasonable approach that honors our Historic Principles of Church Order, "God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship" (G-1.0301).
Finally, A Declaration of Conscience is not without hope! The PLC leaves the door open for systemic change. Let's prayerfully consider what this option might look like! Without an objective assessment and evaluation of our denomination, this will be very difficult, if not impossible. We need not be afraid. Let's consider counter-intuitive measures like Solomon's that threatened to cut the baby in two (I Kings 3)!
Renee Guth