Candidates for Moderator respond
to questions:
Elder Nancy Maffett
[5-15-01]
Question:
In the debate about Amendment O, it has been argued that the
recently adopted G-6.0106b reflects "essential" parts of our
polity and should therefore be applied to our theology about marriage.
What would you say are the "essential tenets" of the Reformed
tradition (not just "from the book," but from your own
convictions!), and how do they guide you in dealing with G-6.0106b?
I believe the question reverses the order of polity
and theology. The language of G-6.0106b was written to reflect the
church's theological understandings, which have been accepted as
standards for ordination throughout our history. My "essential
tenets" are that God is sovereign over all things and has given us
scripture as the authority upon which we base all our decisions. Church
membership is offered to anyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior. However, leadership is not an entitlement that accompanies
membership. It is a calling discerned through the evidence of the gifts
required in the individual, the discipline of prayer by those
nominating, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, consistent with the
standards upheld in scripture. Throughout scripture leaders have been
held to higher standards established by God. We must not forget in the
emotion of our current debate that God intends blessing even in what
seems to us in our human perspective to be unfair limitations. There is
no occasion in which we are given permission to act hatefully toward
each other.
Question:
In light of recent demands that our GAC
affirm Christ as the only way to salvation, how might we reconcile the
statements in our confessions that say God's love extends to all people,
with other statements that say salvation is only through Christ?
I do not believe that these statements need to be
reconciled. They are not mutually exclusive. Rather, because God loves
all people, Jesus Christ came to redeem all people. This is the
"Good News" we proclaim, having first experienced its
transforming power in our own lives. The question is not whether we
witness to the whole world, but how. We must do so with humility and
with servant hearts. We must stay humble before the mystery of how God
reveals Himself to all people and leave judgement to God. Our mandate is
to love all people with the love of Jesus Christ and to be witnesses by
all we do and say to His transforming and redeeming power. This is Good
News.
Question:
The 213th
General Assembly will begin with a workshop on racism. Do you believe
that racism is a real problem in our Presbyterian Church? How would you
move us toward fulfilling the mandates of recent Assemblies to develop
more racial-ethnic congregations?
As much as I would hope that there would be no racism
in our churches, it likely does exist in some hearts and even in some
congregations. We must repent not only of any specific racist attitudes
and actions but also of the sin of omission -- not making any effort to
involve ourselves in friendships or ministry with our brothers and
sisters of different races. I have personally experienced the blessings
of such relationships. My congregation has actively participated in a
network of congregations working together for social justice, human
welfare and the cause of Christ. I will bring a vision for that type of
shared ministry if I am elected. I support the proposals of the Advocacy
Committee for Racial-Ethnic Concerns being brought to this General
Assembly with their call for justice as well as reconciliation.
Question:
Questions of sexuality continue to dominate
our life as a church. Do you see any creative ways to work through these
questions? Is there a "third way" that you would encourage us
to follow?
The questions of sexuality dominating the church are
symptoms of much broader issues. They will never be resolved through
polity or judicial actions. The Church must address the tension that
exists between a culture of self-fulfillment and entitlement, on the one
hand, and a faith that calls for giving up of self into the transforming
and redeeming will of God, on the other. We begin by repenting of mutual
mistrust, of the ways we have demonized those with whom we disagree, and
our failure to offer each other the grace which Jesus Christ has offered
each of us. We acknowledge that each of us needs to be transformed. To
avoid having just a cosmetic unity, we must address the different
meanings we give to words such as grace, authority of scripture, sin,
fallenness, and many more. We also need to address the radical claim
that Jesus Christ makes on all who would follow him. I am confident that
God is Lord of the Church and is faithful to hear our prayers, guide our
study, our conversations and our votes, and lead us through this
challenging time. How tragic that the headlines report divisive debates
on sexuality rather than on our witness for Jesus Christ in a world
desperate for the Good News of His redeeming power.
On the web: www.first-pres.org
E-mail: nmaffett@first-pres.org
