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| The Presbyterian Forum offers an
analysis of what's wrong with the PC(USA), and what they hope to
change
[12-20-00]
The Presbyterian Review,
an on-line expression of the conservative Presbyterian Forum, is
presenting an end-of-the-year review which is focusing on the
Presbyterian Church as "the institution, not local
congregations." Some themes are suggested here which may indicate
issues that we will be hearing more about in the coming months.
Click here to
go directly to the Presbyterian Review web site.
One theme that emerges in the first installment of this survey is the
supposed tension between congregations and "the institution"
-- with the implication being that (a) institutions are suspect by
definition, and (b) congregations are not institutions. One
"foundational question being asked," then, is: "should
the institutional denomination be equated with the church; or should it
be understood to be the servant of the church?"
The implication so far is that the
"institution" (which presumably means the national boards and
agencies of the church) should operate for the single purpose of serving
the congregations. That's a line of thinking that has been heard with
increasing frequency from some of the nation leaders of the church, but
apparently the Forum is concerned to make the point more clearly than
ever.
A second theme is that the PC(USA) is "struggling to articulate a
clear message." And that will come, it is suggested, as the growing
power of congregations over against "a centralized office"
leads toward "a truly 'confessional' church." And the message
of that confessional church will presumably be revealed to us in
installments to come.
 As
one observer notes, it seems that conservative groups are aiming to
sideline "the institution" when it comes to its mission and
service activities, preferring to enhance the power of their own
parachurch organizations. At the same time, they seem to be trying to
take over "the institution" when it comes to the millions of
dollars in the Presbyterian Foundation and the coercive power of the
institution's "courts" and Book of Order.
Evangelicals have frequently pointed to declining "brand
loyalty" to denominations among people in the pews. (In that
regard, they seem much more realistic than liberals.) This essay
reflects that awareness by urging loyalty to a "message"
rather than to a particular faith community, i.e. the Presbyterian
Church (as an "institution"). |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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