Final Report Of Pcusa Tf On Peace, Unity & Purity

[mystictrek]

http://pcusa.org/peaceunitypurity/resources/finalreport.pdf

 

The PC(USA) like all mainline denomoinations has been torn by conflict during the culture wars. This TF was set up to try to address some of the issues and bring reconciliation and harmony to the denomination.

 

The key phrase seems to be "process of discernment." The TF steers clear of advocating ordaining GLBT members but doesn't oppose the idea either.

 

I'm usually impressed by the clarity and comprehensivemness of Presbyterian reports and this one is no exception.

[mystictrek]

The Witherspoon Society (progressive Presbyterians) offers several responses to the TF report > http://witherspoonsociety.org/2005/ttf_final_report.htm

[sterrettc]

I had the oportunity, a couple of weeks ago, of having a casual conversation with one of the members of the task force. I had met him last year at General Assembly, and I ran into him at an event not related to the task force.

 

I told him that I had read a number of responces to the Final Report from advocates on both the progressive and the conservative side of the contentious issues facing the church. These responces had expressed dissappointment in the report. I told him that I thought that the responces had missed the point. If the purpose of the task force had been to decide the contentious issues, there is no way that it could succede. The purpose of the task force was to determine ways that we can live together faithfully while we continue to work out the solutions to the issues. I believe that, if we see the report in light of what their task really was, and if we listen to and consider their recommendations, we can, in fact, preserve our Peace, Unity, and Purity.

 

The name of the task force, for any who might not know, comes from one of the questions that officers of the church--Deacons, Elders, and Ministers of Word and Sacrament-- must answer in the afirmative at the time of their ordination. "Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church." (G-14.0207g; G-14.0405b(7); G-14.0801g(7)) As a progressive, I am disappointed that the fourth member of the list has been left out. In another place in the denominations constitution, it says that governing bodies of the church have the power "to do those things necessary to the peace, purity, unity, and progress of the church under the will of Christ." (G-9.0102b)

[mystictrek]

The name of the task force, for any who might not know, comes from one of the questions that officers of the church--Deacons, Elders, and Ministers of Word and Sacrament-- must answer in the afirmative at the time of their ordination.  "Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church." (G-14.0207g; G-14.0405b(7); G-14.0801g(7))  As a progressive, I am disappointed that the fourth member of the list has been left out.  In another place in the denominations constitution, it says that governing bodies of the church have the power "to do those things necessary to the peace, purity, unity, and progress of the church under the will of Christ."  (G-9.0102b)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wow! Thanks for bringing my attention to G-9.0102b! Progress is our most important product!!

[irreverance]

"And progress"? This is new. I never noticed that before. Thanks for pointing it out.