The Rev. Dr. Jerry Tankersley
"Where there is no vision, the people
perish," according to
Proverbs in the King James Version. What vision do you offer to our
church in these difficult days? And what vision should our church be
offering to our society as a whole?
In his hometown synagogue, at the beginning of his
public ministry, Jesus articulated his vision. (Luke 4:16-21). He read
from Isaiah 61:1,2, and 58:6. This text was programmatic for the rest of
Luke/Acts. I would like to stand with Jesus in his vision and mission.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to
bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the
captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go
free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
I offer to the church a vision deeply rooted in the
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
I offer to the church a vision inspired by both Word
and Spirit.
I offer to the church a vision that embraces both poor
and rich with the proclamation of good news.
I offer to the church the vision of a holistic gospel
that reconciles the believer to God and us to one another.
I offer to the church the vision of a transforming
gospel. This gospel forms disciples and gives to them the mind of
Christ. At the same time, this gospel promises the transformation of
human society and sends disciples into a broken world to work for peace
and justice.
I offer to the church the vision of "the year of
the Lord's favor", the "Year of Jubilee", a time of
"new beginnings", in which we return to our true center, Jesus
Christ, in whom our sins are forgiven, our community is restored, and in
whom we celebrate the gift of God's peace, with joy.
I believe our church is called to offer this vision to
the world.
Since a majority of our presbyteries have failed to approve Amendment A,
some have suggested a "moratorium" on any actions related to
sexuality and ordination. How would you deal with such suggestions? If
there should be such a moratorium, what form should it take?
Human sexuality has preoccupied the PCUSA for 25
years. It is an important issue. But we have studied and debated until
we are all exhausted, angry, and alienated. Now is the time for all
sides to accept and to respect the will of the church. Further
legislative efforts to remove G-6.0106b from our Book of Order, at least
in the next several years, would rub salt in our wounds and further
divide the church. Unity is the gift of God and we must all work toward
realizing the gift.
Beneath the Amendment A conflict are more basic issues
related to our biblical and confessional tradition. The new Theological
Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church is involved in
a discernment process related to the issues of Christology, biblical
authority and interpretation, ordination standards, and power. We need
to give the Task Force the time it needs to address these and other
issues that have led to disagreement. I have high hopes that the Spirit
will lead us into a time of reconciliation.
The movement of Confessing Churches is seen by some as promising the
salvation of the Presbyterian Church, while others view it as a serious
threat to our church's unity and mission. Some are concerned about the
rise of a 'parallel church' through this movement, with the apparent aim
of displacing the structures, programs, and personnel that now strive to
serve the whole church. How would you deal with the Confessing Church
movement?
I love the PCUSA. Throughout my years in ministry I
have sought to build up our church, to increase our church's General
Mission giving, and to be an active participant in the life of the
larger church. I joyfully embrace our ordination vows. These vows affirm
our Reformed theological tradition as interpreted in The Book of
Confessions. Because of this I have not felt inclined to encourage
our session to endorse the CCM.
However, while our confessional tradition runs deep
and wide, I do believe it is appropriate for sessions and congregations
to lift up for study, discussion, debate, and reaffirmation certain
declarations of our confessional tradition. This the Confessing Church
Movement has done.
I believe the CCM is a cry from the grass roots
expressing the deep anguish, frustration, and anger that many
Presbyterians feel. By means of this movement we have all been called
back to the study of The Book of Confessions. This will have a
positive result for the larger church.
I believe we must listen for and affirm the truth that
emerges from various movements within the PCUSA. Hopefully, we do not
need to be threatened by one another. From the Witherspoon Society to
the CCM each advocacy group holds a part of the truth that the larger
body needs to hear and to appreciate.
The attacks of September 11th have had a profound effect on our society
and our church. What do you see as the role of the PC(USA) at this time
in our nation's history? In particular, how should we deal with
extremism that is rooted in religious traditions, and with our own
nation's increasing reliance on military measures to "solve"
large and very complex problems?
Peacemaking is the believers' calling. Making peace
begins with understanding all sides to a conflict. It is difficult for
American Christians to be seen by many in the Islamic world as
representatives of a spiritually and morally corrupting Western culture.
The State of Israel to the detriment of the Palestinian people has
deployed American technology and military power. Many resent this and
are envious of our economic and military strength. Our foreign policy
has supported totalitarian Islamic leaders for the sake of the West's
oil supply. There is a long history of warfare among Jews, Christians,
and Muslims. Therefore, extreme elements within the Jewish and Islamic
people have interpreted their holy scriptures as a call to "holy
war" or "jihad".
The Confession of 1967 calls our church to the
ministry of reconciliation. This means that our church is called to live
at the center of the world's conflicts ever working for understanding,
compassion, and just relationships. In the name of the Prince of Peace
we seek to make peace. I commend the April 5, 2002, statement by the
stated clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) calling for peace
and justice in the Middle East.
The events of 9/11 have reminded us that nation states
have the responsibility of protecting and defending themselves when
under attack. (Romans 13:1-7) Where terrorists are determined to destroy
innocent people, I believe all governments must act to deter their
activities. However, the use of military power can never be an adequate
or total answer for the complex religious, cultural, political, and
economic issues. (Book of Confessions, C-67, 9.45) As
Christians we must not only share our peacemaking vision, but also be
continually in prayer for the peace of the world.
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