June 2001
Dear Friends,
This month we Presbyterians come together at the 213th General
Assembly, in Louisville. Our annual "family reunion"
reminds us that we have much in common, that we care strongly
about our church, and that we need each other. We go to Louisville
with high hopes for an Assembly that builds up the body of Christ.
Since 1998 the church has postponed discussion of ordination standards,
until this year's G.A. The Covenant Network supported this action.
We believe the Unity and Diversity Conferences across the Church
provided a valuable opportunity for us to reach across the boundaries
of our positions and seek God's will anew.
We note with gratitude the three dozen overtures, from 29 presbyteries
in ten synods, that call for deletion or change in the categorical
prohibitions in G-6.0106b of the Book of Order. This uncharacteristic
prohibition took from sessions and presbyteries their traditional
responsibility for discerning God's call in faithful people's
lives. It attempts to impose one particular reading of scripture
on all Presbyterians. It has brought great anguish to the church.
It has diverted our resources and attention for far too long.
We pray that this G.A will move toward a change that does not
impose particular viewpoints on sessions or presbyteries and that
affirms such standards for ordination as are already expressed
in G-6.0106a. We believe such a move will foster peace among
us and sustain our unity.
Some in the church are offering their own "confessional"
statements, "drawing a line in the sand," as they say.
We prefer instead to honor our historic Confessions as well as
the careful process by which the Church adopts new confessional
statements. Our Church's constitution ought not reflect the preferences
of the moment, but rather the abiding love and justice of Jesus
Christ. To that end, we commit ourselves anew to join with those
with whom we disagree across our church in seeking to build up
the body of Christ.
We look forward in hope to the renewing power of the Spirit at
Pentecost, and to the General Assembly that begins later that
same week. We trust that the Spirit will guide the commissioners
as they seek God's will for our beloved church.
Grace and Peace,
Deborah A. Block
Pastor, Immanuel Presbyterian Church
Milwaukee, WI
Laird J. Stuart
Pastor, Calvary Presbyterian Church
San Francisco, CA