Paul Rolf Jensen brings his threats to
GA [7-1-04]As the Assembly
Committee on Church Orders and Ministry listened
 |
|
Mr. Jensen (right) in
conversation with Don Stroud. |
to testimony from dozens
of people supporting or opposing the ordination of lgbt Presbyterians, the
Virginia/California attorney Paul Rolf Jensen appeared - first in the back
of the meeting room, and then at the front as he sought to give the final
word of testimony.
Jensen, who has filed dozens of complaints against
Presbyterian ministers charging them with either being sexually active
homosexuals or participating in the ordination of lgbt people, turned up
at GA on Saturday to present outgoing Moderator Susan Andrews with charges
against her for participating in the installation of Eric Scott Winnette
as her associate pastor at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, Bethesda,
Md., and in her continuing support of him in that office.
Jensen issued a new release about his charges, and
Andrews responded with a statement saying that the facts in the case are
on record, and adding that "I am saddened that Mr. Jensen has felt it
necessary to deal at the General Assembly level with what is really a
presbytery issue. I hope and pray that this will not distract
commissioners and advisory delegates from the real issues and important
business before this Assembly."
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick also issued a statement
clarifying the judicial process.
In the Church Orders committee meeting Jensen persisted
in demanding the floor - while a CNN camera crew hovered around him. When
the session adjourned he approached the Vice Moderator of the committee,
Muriel Brown, who had been presiding during that period, and acknowledged
that she had handled his demands well and fairly, even though (he
acknowledged directly) he had been out of order in his demands.
He has continued to watch the Assembly, and rumors are
circulating (no surprise at GA) of further charges that he may be bring.
The Presbyterian Outlook posted a report on Jensen's charges
against Andrews, including the various press releases.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A comment from a visitor
We received this note commenting on Jensen's visit:
Subj: Impugning our Moderators
Date: 6/29/04 12:35:29 PM Central Daylight Time
Friends in Christ:
I am appalled and sickened by the many UNCHRISTIAN
assaults on the good people of OUR church by Paul Rolf Jensen--and just
last Friday he went after the Rev. Susan Andrews, moderator of the 215th
General Assembly.
If Mr. Jensen can cite a single phrase or teaching of
Jesus Christ that warrants Mr. Jensen's viciousness, I'd listen. He
cannot.
OUR church should not give this man a single moment of
our time--we should be working on healing, bringing comfort to oppressed
peoples, and moving food to the hungry.
George Meese
Elder, Maximo Presbyterian Church
St. Petersburg, Florida
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two more comments about
Paul Rolf
Jensen [posted 7-10-04]
Is Mr. Jensen an
elder? If so, what happened to his keeping the ordination vow of
upholding the peace, unity, and purity of the church? I'm sure he would
argue that he is trying to ensure the purity of the church, but it seems
to me he is doing so at the expense of the peace and fragile unity of
the church. I find the reports on his behavior fill me with a deep
sadness.
Rev. Jane Winters, pastor in Geneva Presbytery
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A commissioner adds
this comment:
I was a first-time
commissioner to the General Assembly this year. It was fantastic... except
for the despicable actions of this so-called Presbyterian. Too bad he is
not an elder, because we could counter-sue him for failing to live up to
the ordination VOWS:
"Will you be a friend
among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the
ordering of God's Word and Spirit?" (G-14.0207e--sentence 2)
"Do you promise to
further the peace, unity and purity of the church?" (g)
ALL church members are
supposed to "live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been
called" according to the Bible, "with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:1-2) "It
is to peace that God has called you." (1 Cor. 7:15)
Presenting an outgoing
moderator with a court summons as she takes a break from her final
moderatorial appearance to use the restroom is not, by anyone's
imagination, an act of friendship, peace, humility, or gentleness, nor is
it designed to maintain unity. It is an act of arrogance, of hostility,
and a bald bid for public attention. Too bad he gets it!
I think this case
should be simply thrown out of court, including a public censure, with a
warning that the next step is supervised rehabilitation (so he will learn
how Christians are supposed to act to fellow believers). If that is
rejected, then a temporary exclusion from membership could occur until he
agrees to act in accordance with the Scriptures (see D-12.0103), or
permanent exclusion if he remains defiant. Of course, he may later be
restored upon demonstrating repentance and desire to demonstrate a manner
of life consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ (see G-6.0106 a).
Jesus said, "With the
same judgment that you make you will also be judged, and the measure you
give will be the measure you get." (Matthew 7:2) If Mr. Jensen insists on
persecuting faithful pastors and others who are trying to abide by the law
of love, then he should face the same disciplinary consequences which he
uses to pummel these good folks.
In Christ,
Rev. Cynthia A.
Jennison
Pastor, Main Street Presbyterian Church
Petersburg, Indiana
If you have thoughts or
experiences to add on Mr. Jensen's visit to GA, please share your
thoughts here.
Just send a
note!
General Assembly 2004