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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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An index of
our reports
from
BECOMING NEIGHBORS:
An Invitation
to Global Discipleship
A Witherspoon conference
on global mission and justice
September 16 - 19, 2007
Louisville, Kentucky |
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Check out our report from the
Conference
on
Terror, Torture,
and Security |
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