Call for Commission

GA moderator calls for a ''commission'' to seek reconciliation, unity

Rhee endorses proposal to pursue "a more excellent way"

from Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - May 14, 2001 - General Assembly moderator Syngman Rhee has endorsed a proposal to create a "theological commission" to try and steer the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through the turbulence that threatens the church as the 213th General Assembly prepares to convene here June 9.

In a prepared statement that Rhee submitted to the Presbyterian News Service, he said "perhaps it is time once again to establish a commission to help us in seeking a more excellent way."

He noted that a similar commission was established by the 1925 Assembly when the Presbyterian Church was threatened with schism in what was called the Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy.

John Calvin Presbytery has submitted an overture to this year's Assembly calling for the creation of such a commission.

The full text of Rhee's statement, which he told the Presbyterian News Service he is also submitting to the Presbyterian Outlook and the Presbyterian Layman:

Last year, prior to the 212th General Assembly, as a candidate for moderator, I identified some of the issues facing our church, including mission and evangelism, spiritual renewal and nurture, and the ministry of reconciliation. Now, a year later, after visiting in 45 presbyteries, 59 churches, 77 church organizations, 8 different countries, 28 General Assembly-related committees and organizations including eight seminaries, I rejoice in the work the Holy Spirit is doing in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the areas of mission, renewal, and reconciliation. God is working in our Presbyterian family through faithful Christians in their own communities and all over the globe.
In looking forward to the 213th General Assembly, I have looked back to other times in the life of our denomination when disagreements and conflicts seemed ready to tear our church asunder. I note especially the 1925 General Assembly wherein a special commission was appointed "to consider the spiritual condition of the church and to make …… proposals which may promote purity, unity, peace, and progress." In subsequent Assemblies, proposals concerning the evangelical faith of the church and calling it to be the body of Christ were unanimously affirmed. The Apostle Paul, facing numerous divisions in the Corinthian church, also called upon the followers of Christ to pursue "a more excellent way."

Perhaps it is time once again to establish a "commission" to help us in seeking this more excellent way, a way guided by the Spirit of Christ seeking mutual understanding and enabling us to speak the truth in love. This "commission" might enable us to discern the way the Spirit is leading us in the future, a way that we as Presbyterians can walk together, if not in unanimity, at least in unity. I am convinced that this way can only be discerned through much prayer in the unity of the body of Christ, which is the church. We must sit down together, we must pray together, we must discern together, we must act together, seeking all the while the mind of Christ, that our actions may reflect, not our own agendas, but the will of God. This requires of us humility more than honor; listening more than lecturing; being loving more than being right.

I believe that the power that holds us together is far greater than those forces which seek to divide us. God has called the church into existence, and it is Gods power which even now sustains us and unifies us. This same power is available to us now, at this time, in this place, to claim as our own and to proclaim to the world that nothing in all creation can separate us from each other and from the love of God in Jesus Christ. This more excellent way, the way of love, the way of Christ, is our promise and our calling. God grant us the faith, hope, and love to seek this way.

I am grateful to the commissioners of the 212th General Assembly for their prayers and support throughout this year, and felt them with me as I wore the pulpit gown signed with their names and their good wishes. I give thanks to God for Rebecca McElroy, who accepted my invitation to serve as vice-moderator this year and served faithfully and effectively to demonstrate our oneness is Jesus Christ. I am most grateful to my family for their loyal support and prayer, particularly to Haesun, my wife, who has given herself totally for my ministry this year by coordinating all of my appointments and travel arrangements. My special thanks to Valerie Small for her faithful and effective work and to Dr. Louis Weeks, the president of Union-PSCE, and others for their wonderful support.

It is my sincere prayer that as we move toward the 213th General Assembly in June 2001, that we commit ourselves to being one in Christ, speaking the truth in love as we seek the will of God for our church.