Elder Nancy Maffett

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

GA actions ratified (or not) by  the presbyteries   

A number of the most important actions of the 219^th General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries, confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.

We provided resources to help inform the reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.

Our three areas of primary interest have been:

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