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A reader's comment on the A Moment
to Decide
from Lynne Reade, Fremont, California
June 13, 2000
Those of us who have dealt with Presbyterian polity for many years need
to focus our attention on the new book called A Moment to Decide/The
Crisis in Mainstream Presbyterianism.* If we are not part of our
denomination's Right Wing, reading A Moment to Decide is like
standing in Tiananmen Square watching as the tanks bear down on us. The
amassed power described in this book is formidable.
The facts about the well-organized forces of conservative evangelism
moving to take over our denomination follow one after another in
depressing order. There are 641 detailed footnotes.
Leading the assault is the Presbyterian Lay Committee - Chapter 1.
Following are chapters on Presbyterians Pro-Life, Presbyterians for
Renewal, The Presbyterian Coalition, The Presbyterian Forum, and a
separate chapter on The Revival of Church Discipline.
IRS reports of funding for these groups are some indication of their
strength: 1997 income for Presbyterian Lay Committee - $1.5 million
(note 201); 1996 income for Presbyterians Pro-Life - $251,699 (note
343); 1999 income prediction by its Executive Director for Presbyterians
for Renewal - $5 million (note 413); 1997 income for Presbyterian
Coalition $206,588 (note 525); 1998 income for Presbyterian Forum
$52,000 (note 601.)
Brief histories of these groups are presented along with their attacks
on Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) positions on various justice issues and
staff people who support them. Their agenda, activities and political
ties are all laid out for examination. Most of the above-named groups
target Commissioners and Youth Advisory Delegates to General Assembly
with their "war rooms," free lunches, and
"Shepherds" who coach and prepare scripts for Commissioners
and YADS.
Biographical information is given on key leaders of each group. Since
many of these same people have also attained prominent spots in the
official Presbyterian structure as executives, committee members,
pastors, etc., it is helpful to have their names included in the Index.
Individually, the persons named are probably all "nice
people," but they are part of a movement intent on changing the
principles and polity of a denomination which until now has been based
on the teachings of Jesus and scripture of justice, kindness and
humility with God.
* A Moment to Decide: The Crisis in Mainstream Presbyterianism
can be ordered for $18 from Presbyterian Pipeline at the Presbyterian
Publishing Corporation: 1-800-227-2872 or write: Presbyterian Pipeline,
100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202 or e-mail: ppc@pcusa.org.
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog
for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship and activism,
Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the voices of
feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy, students,
exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers and
devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God in
whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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Witherspoon’s Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, Witherspoon’s
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views, or initiate
a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical reflections on
everything between summit to shore, including kayaking, climbing,
religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture,
travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New York City and the
Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive New York City
Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the Witherspoon
board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in
Flushing, NY. |
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John
Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently serving as
pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs
about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and
disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening
up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
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