What's the Good Word?

A Report on the 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The scripture above was the theme of our recent 217th General Assembly. Held in Birmingham, Alabama, from June 15-22, it proved to be a key gathering for our church in terms of pivotal issues facing our denomination. Our presbytery commissioners were the Reverend Randy Campbell, pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Coolidge, and Nancy Hummel, elder at Christ Presbyterian Church, in Tucson. The youth advisory delegate was Armando Cardenas, of the Presbyterian Church of Superior. The newly elected Moderator of our General Assembly, the Rev. Joan S. Gray describes the deliberations in a celebrative way:

As the 217th General Assembly met together in Birmingham, it was remarkable to see Presbyterians from north, south, east, and west gathered together to discern the mind of Christ for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We witnessed the work of the Spirit in and through the assembly, giving us a glimpse of our visible oneness in Jesus Christ. We give thanks that the assembly theme, "So Great a Cloud of Witnesses" (Heb. 12:1) permeated the community of faith within the convention center.

In this meeting, we saw commissioners and advisory delegates living out in word and deed their deep commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, their passion to be living expressions of Christ's love to the world, and their eagerness to be a part of the future God intends for the PC(USA). We experienced the Presbyterian process of doing things at its best. We observed people working fairly and treating each other graciously.

Along with this sense of passion, it seems a number of good things happened at the assembly:

• The GA acknowledged that the actions of the 2004 assembly relating to Israel / Palestinian issues caused hurt and misunderstanding among Presbyterians and our Jewish neighbors. This assembly altered the plan for promoting peace by no longer viewing divestment as a goal, but rather, broadening our focus for investment and peace in other constructive ways.
  
  
• In terms of issues relating to abortion and problem pregnancies, the assembly approved a statement on late-term abortion, affirming, “that the lives of viable unborn babies - those well-developed enough to survive outside the womb if delivered - ought to be preserved and cared for and not aborted.” Along with commending a study on abortion and continuing to support advocacy groups, this year's assembly seemed to take forward steps in caring for women and protecting children.

It is also with a sense of passion for our church, however, that we are concerned about other actions our General Assembly took:

• A paper on the Trinity was proposed and received, which affirms "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" as the church's primary language for the Trinity, and which must be used in baptism. However, the paper also lifts up other names of how we can refer to God. The concern here is theological and biblical - renaming God with metaphors or images can lead to confusion and distortion of our understanding of God and divine revelation. The paper was "received" as a resource only, and not acted upon as authoritative for practice.
  
  
• Perhaps the most distressing action of the assembly, in a measure approved 298-221, the Peace, Unity, & Purity Task Force Report, or "PUP" as it's commonly referred to, was passed in total. This report essentially affirms and continues our current church constitution which upholds the biblical and historic standards of sexuality and ordination. At the same time, however, local governing bodies can now choose for themselves which of these standards they deem "essential" in regards to those seeking ordination. While the report commends responsibility and acting in partnership and prayer, key standards of our constitution can now be set aside if sexual orientation or other issues arise. It is very discouraging that long-held historic standards of God's Word in the Presbyterian Church can now be viewed as no longer "essential" for faith and practice, but open to wide-ranging interpretation to fit the winds of culture and human preference.

Where do we go from here? Be assured that, in light of all these topics, we at Northminster Presbyterian Church will strive, by God’s grace, to be a people shaped and led by God’s Word, and by our historic Presbyterian constitution and principles. We became a Confessing Church in 2001, and each year we continue to uphold our witness in the denomination as we speak for biblical values and ideals. You can read more about our Confessing Church stance here, or simply come by the office. Be assured that Northminster is committed to speaking the truth of God’s Word — to those within our church and to those outside, who need the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please be patient with us as we consider carefully how our church’s identity and future can grow and become only more vital in the years ahead. It is important to us that we lead our church under the authority of God’s Word and in submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

So what’s the good word? It is the word of hope and new life that springs eternal in our sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ. The good word is that many in our church love this Savior, and we know that it is by his steadfast and merciful love we are offered forgiveness, restoration and new life. We believe this and celebrate this - and trust that God will bring about renewal and hope in the midst of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Let us persevere in our commitment to uphold God’s Word; may we continue to speak the truth in love. As the scriptural theme of the GA reminds us:

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
- Hebrews 12:12-14

In Christ,

Andy Ross, Pastor
The Session of Northminster