Resources for Dialogues


	In Addition to the Bible, the Book of Confessions, and the Book of Order: A guide for study of A Call to Covenant Community http://covenantnetwork.org/CN Study Guide .pdf Information about CovNet print and electronic resources at http://covenantnetwork.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PLST&Store_Code=CNOP Covenant Connection newsletters at http://covenantnetwork.org/newsletter06.htm. Papers and sermons from Covenant Conferences (audiotapes may be ordered) 1998 – Living Faithfully in the Church When We Disagree 1999 – Jesus Christ and the Church 2000 – Biblical Authority and the Church 2001 – Christ Transforming Culture: Why the Church Matters in the 21st Century 2002 – Confessing Christ Today: Seeking Common Ground 2003 – The Church We Are Called to Be and to Become 2004 – Made in the Image of God: Thinking Theologically About Sex 2005 – Disciples in Community 2006 – Discerning the Call: Ordination and Mutual Forbearance addresses from Covenant Network events at General Assembly sermons, statements, papers, and a variety of other resources: http://www.covenantnetwork.org/newsermpap.html. For a different theological perspective, see the Presbyterian Coalition'sUnion in Christ: A Declaration for the Church, http://www.presbycoalition.org/union.htm. Sessions or other groups may wish to invite comparable groups from other congregations to study both documents together.
	On Talking Across Boundaries Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Disagreement: http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/guidelines.pdf. (50kb, 5 pages) The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program has a number of resources, including Talking About Tough Issues - http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/pubs/pubs.htm. The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity is sharing many of the resources they have been using: http://www.pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/resources.htm. The Task Force is also developing a video series to help the church experience a portion of the process in which it has been engaging; order at http://www.pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/vid.htm. Both the Peacemaking Program and the Task Force have made use of a process developed by Eric Law called "Mutual Invitation." http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/iraq/biblestudies.htm or http://www.pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/resources/invitation.htm. Connecting Diversity in Community: Race, Class, Gender, Religion, a video by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy; order at http://www.pcusa.org/acswp/connecting.htm.
	On Biblical Authority and Interpretation Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture (denominational position statement) and Biblical Authority and Interpretation (resource document): http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/scripture-use.pdf. (5 mg file, 42 pgs) Using the Bible, a guided study of Presbyterian statements on biblical authority and interpretation; order at http://www.pcusa.org/marketplace . Reading the Bible and the Confessions: The Presbyterian Way, Jack Rogers (1999, Geneva Press) - previewed in the keynote address of the 1998 Covenant Conference. Order at http://www.ppcpub.com/home.asp. Struggling with Scripture, Walter Brueggemann, William Placher, and Brian Blount (2002, Westminster John Knox Press) - from their addresses at the 2000 Covenant Conference. Order at http://www.ppcpub.com/home.asp.

	On Homosexuality Presbyterians and Homosexuality, 1991 - Actions of the 203rd GA, including the document "Keeping Body and Soul Together" and the Minority Report of the GA Special Committee on Human Sexuality: http://www.pcusa.org/ogaresources/human-sexuality1991.pdf. (32 mb, 139 pages) The Church and Homosexuality, 1978 - Background paper of the Task Force to Study Homosexuality, and the Policy Statement and Recommendations adopted by the 190th GA (1978) of the UPCUSA: http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/church-and-homosexuality.pdf. (14 mb, 60 pages) Sexuality and the Human Community, 1970, UPCUSA report: http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/sexuality-and-human-community.pdf. (5.3 mb, 50 pages) How I Changed My Mind About Homosexuality, a video by Jack Rogers. Order: http://covenantnetwork.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=CNOP Homosexuality and the Bible, by Walter Wink http://christianity.about.com/library/weekly/blwink.htm?once=true&. Human Sexuality and Christian Community: A resource for theological reflection on human sexuality and the place of homosexuals in the church. Order at http://www.ptsem.edu/grow/media/catalog.htm#PTS%20Media%20Sets. (scroll down the page) Introductory video, 9 audiotapes primarily Princeton Seminary faculty, moderated by Max Stackhouse, with the anthology edited by Choon-Leong Seow. The tape series does include a diversity of views, but (unlike the book) is not entirely balanced. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is engaging in a denominational study of sexuality and homosexuality: http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/ Their extensive resources include a study guide, Journey Together Faithfully; and an annotated bibliography: http://www.elca.org/dm/te/Homosexuality_Bibliography.pdf. (84kb 11 pages) Claiming the Promise: An Ecumenical Welcoming Bible Study Resource on Homosexuality; order at http://www.rmnetwork.org/ctp.php. So Great a Cloud of Witnesses: The Story of the Shower of Stoles Project; order at http://www.showerofstoles.com/resources.htm. What We Wish We Had Known: Breaking the Silence, Moving Toward Understanding - A Resource for Individuals and Families: http://www.mkpc.org/Blue_Book_2001.pdf. (231kb, 70 pages) The American Psychological Association's Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html?CFID=2910607&CFTOKEN=67752551 More Light Presbyterians has an extensive resource list at http://www.mlp.org/resources/index.html.
	On General Theological Issues The Office of Theology and Worship has published a "Church Issues Series" dealing with unity and diversity, biblical authority, and religious pluralism: http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/pubs/churchissues.htm. What Makes Us Distinctive as Presbyterians, a video by Jack Rogers. Order at http://www.covenantnetwork.org/rogvidorderfm.pdf. (230kb, 1 page) Renewing the Vision: Reformed Faith and Life for the 21st Century, ed. Cynthia Campbell (2000, Geneva Press) - reflects on theological issues facing the Presbyterian Church today, from the perspective of A Call to Covenant Community. Order at http://www.ppcpub.com/home.asp. Various General Assemblies have adopted or received papers that inform the discussion: - Historic Principles, Conscience, and Church Government http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/historic-principles.pdf (4.1 mb, 19 pages) - The Nature of the Church and the Practice of Governance http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/nature-of-church.pdf (4.1 mg, 39 pages)