Moderators begin putting together
"peace, unity and purity" task force
More than 500 names have been submitted for
17-member panel
by Jerry L. Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service
Click
here for a report on the March, 2002 meeting of the Task
Force.
LOUISVILLE -- August 9, 2001 - [posted here
8-11-01] General Assembly moderator Jack Rogers and his two
immediate predecessors met in Louisville Aug. 6-8 to begin the process
of selecting a 17-member task force that will try to lead the
Presbyterian Church (USA) out of its current theological malaise.
"We've begun, and we're hopeful," Rogers
told the Presbyterian News Service after he, 1999 GA moderator Freda
Gardner and 2000 moderator Syngman Rhee concluded their first meeting
together.
This year's Assembly - by a vote of 467 to 41, more
than 90 percent - instructed the three to appoint the 17-member task
force "to lead the Presbyterian Church (USA) in spiritual
discernment of our Christian identity in and for the 21st century …
seeking the peace, unity and purity of the church."
The study group, which will make annual progress
reports and a final report to the 2005 GA, will address "but not be
limited to issues of Christology, Biblical authority and interpretation,
ordination standards and power."
Rogers said the potential membership of the task force
was not discussed. "We talked about our expectations and those of
the Assembly, attempting to sharpen the focus of the task that is before
this group," he said. "I didn't even bring my list (of names)
with me."
Rogers said more than 500 people have been recommended
for the task force, which he said proves "that the church is
heavily invested in this process of theological discernment."
He added, "We're thrilled that so many
Presbyterians are willing to be involved in this most important task, to
commit four years of their lives to this."
Rogers said the trio of moderators will meet again in
August to "begin the process of choosing the 17 task force
members." He said he hopes the group will be ready to begin its
work by the end of September.
