The PFR Feed

Looking Ahead, Looking to God: PFR Proposes a Non-Geographic Synod

michaelryanwalker@gmail.com (PFR) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:23:50 +0000

In June 2008 a simple majority of the 218th General Assembly proposed the removal of G-6.0106b (biblical standards of fidelity and chastity) to the presbyteries, requiring, for the fourth time in a dozen years, the time and energy of people across the PC(USA) be expended on debating the clear teaching of Scripture. When, in one vote, the same Assembly removed three decades of Authoritative Interpretation, Presbyterians for Renewal was compelled to declare the time had come to find a new way to relate to one another within the PC(USA).

We continue to contest for the historic and global witness of the Church to remain the faith and practice of our denomination. But, biblical and missional faithfulness compels us to direct energy away from answering the self-serving demands of a minority within our own denomination to joyfully proclaiming Jesus Christ in the world. Passion and energy that has been diverted to an interminable internal struggle must be released into active participation in God's mission.

To this end, Presbyterians for Renewal launched an ambitious campaign to converse with Presbyterians across the denomination. In the course of five months, we held over 40 regional gatherings, listening and responding to over 3000 people. Simultaneously, we formed a resource team to prayerfully consider new ways of relating within our denomination; ways that would allow both continued communal ties within the PC(USA), and uncompromised obedience to Jesus Christ. For over a year this team reviewed previous polity proposals and considered new ones.

As a result of these conversations and deliberations, we now offer a bold proposal: the creation of a new, non-geographic synod that could minister both through and to the PC(USA).

READ MORE (PDF file to download)

The Place of Covenanted Same-Gender Partnerships in the Christian Community

michaelryanwalker@gmail.com (Presbyterians For Renewal) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0000

TO: The Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage
RE: The Place of Covenanted Same-Gender Partnerships in the Christian Community
DATE: August 13, 2009

Download this article in a PDF file.

One of the treasures of Presbyterian worship is the “Statement on the Gift of Marriage” found in the Service for Christian Marriage, Book of Common Worship.¹ Its great theme is that the marriage of a man and a woman is not a human invention, but the good gift of our loving God. The Statement, intended to be read aloud at the beginning of the marriage rite, includes variations of the phrase, “God gave us marriage…,” no less than six times, ultimately declaring that marriage, “…is a new way of life, created, ordered, and blessed by God.”

This Statement is not some liturgical invention. The vision of creation found in Genesis 2 makes explicit that God’s gift of marriage is inextricably linked to our creation as male and female beings in God’s image. After the creation of humanity as male and female comes a sentence: “For this reason a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.”² When some Pharisees challenged Jesus with a question on divorce, he answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”³ The Apostle Paul also referenced Genesis 2 in urging the Corinthian believers to avoid any kind of sexual immorality.⁴ The author of Genesis, Jesus, and Paul are clear: the creation of the sexes is the creation of marriage. Marriage is given to us as a gift. It is to be received with humility and gratitude. The shape of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is not ours to alter.

The biblical understanding of marriage is that of a union bridging the differences between male and female. Men and women are literally “made for each other,” not only in their similarities, but especially in their profound differences — differences also ordained by a loving Creator. When a man and woman are united in marriage they become a whole being in a way that same-gender individuals cannot. A same-gender relationship brings together like with like, and thus can never be considered the equivalent of marriage.

It is on the foundation of its teaching on marriage that the Bible in various contexts forbids and condemns all homosexual relations. (See Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Romans 1:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-11.) These are not isolated “clobber texts” as has sometimes been alleged. Rather, the biblical prohibition of same-gender relations is in full unity with the Bible’s teaching on God’s gift of marriage and the life-giving pattern of Christian discipleship. As followers of Jesus, we are committed to live in faithfulness to Scripture, regardless of the license that may be given by secular law or the current caprice of an ever-changing culture.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recently affirmed, for the fourth time, that officers of the church are “to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness.”⁵ This standard is explicit for ordained officers, but as Reformed Christians we reject any two-tiered system of righteousness that would hold those called to ordained ministry to a higher standard than any other Christian. There is but one calling, and it is the same for all members of the Christian community. Our Savior commands, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”⁶ In calling officers to live in fidelity in marriage or chastity (abstaining from sexual relations) in singleness, we express the church’s expectation that officers will model the way of life that is God’s calling for all people.

Presbyterians For Renewal believes that for the PC(USA) to bless or tolerate any kind of same-gender partnerships within the Christian community, or sexual relationships outside the covenant of marriage, would be to violate the expressed will of Christ set forth in Scripture. In an age of sexual chaos and confusion, it is imperative that the Christian community reaffirm in word and in practice that marriage between a man and a woman is God’s good provision for human well-being, for the ordering of society and family life, and the only relationship within which sexual union is appropriate and blessed by God.

At the same time and with equal urgency, the Christian community must learn to extend the love and grace of Jesus Christ to people who experience same-gender attractions. The Body of Christ has too often excluded gay and lesbian persons, or hypocritically held them to one standard, while having another standard for heterosexuals outside the covenant of marriage. In sexual behavior, as in all other areas of Christian discipleship, we must hold together truth and compassion, godliness and grace and apply the same standard to all.

In a post-Christian culture, it is time for the followers of Jesus to return to our counter-cultural roots, drawing our identity and norms not from a lost and confused world, but from Christ alone. The Corinthian believers of the first century also lived in a context of sexual license and confusion, yet the Apostle Paul called them to a better way: “Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers – none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”⁷

¹ Book of Common Worship, Westminster/John Knox Press, '993, p. 842
² Genesis 2:24 (NRSV)
³ Matthew '9:4-6
⁴ 1 Corinthians 6:15-20
⁵ Book of Order G-6_0106b
⁶ Luke 9: 23
⁷ I Corinthians 6:9-11 (emphasis added)

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PFR Partner: Church Growth, Inc.

michaelryanwalker@gmail.com (PFR) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:22:20 +0000

In many minds, the “church growth” movement has been replaced by the “missional” movement — shifting the focus from growing congregations to participating in the mission of God. If that’s the case, why is PFR partnering with a group called Church Growth Inc. (CGI)?

“The interest in how to be a ‘missional church,’” says Dr. Charles (Chip) Arn, President of CGI, “shows that people are realizing that the church’s call is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. And that ministry is primarily in the world; not the church.” Chip calls himself a “Great Commission thinker” and CGI’s goal is to help churches fulfill that commission without resorting to gimmicks.

“While some church leaders accurately understand that the primary focus of church growth is the fulfillment of the great commission,” he says, “a common misperception is that church growth is all about techniques, methods, and models.”

Church Growth, Inc. (CGI) is a 23-year old ministry organization dedicated to the research and dissemination of how local churches grow.

In the most basic understanding, churches grow in one of a combination of three methods: biological growth, transfer growth, and conversion growth. CGI believes, and operates under the assumption, that while all kinds of growth are desirable growth, the primary call of Christ to his church is the pursuit of conversion growth — the reaching out to, winning, and assimilating of previously un-reached people into the local congregation.

CGI holds to the underlying conviction that "It’s God’s will that His church grow,, and His lost children are found." CGI is dedicated to resourcing and helping local churches who share this conviction that Christ is calling them to continue his own purpose: "... to seek and to save those who are lost." (Luke 19:10)

PFR has enthusiastically endorsed this strategic partnership with CGI, believing that this tried-and-true ministry fits perfectly with our mission to mobilize [and equip] leaders of congregations within the PC(USA) to be biblically faithful and missionally minded in their service to Jesus Christ.

Visit Church Growth, Inc.

Hold a One-Day Seminar with PFR and CGI!

How to Reach Unchurched People in Your Community
Download the Brochure (2.4mb)
Download the Powerpoint Presentation (4.6mb)

Welcome to the Family: How to Involve Newcomers in Your Congregation
Download the Brochure (1mb)

Testimonies

“This was the best attended and most helpful seminar we have sponsored”
[in cooperation with the Chicago Presbytery]

Rev. Jerry Andrews
First Presbyterian Church, Glen Ellyn, IL

The seminar in Nampa, Idaho [sponsored by the Presbytery of Boise] was very inspirational and sent me home to my church on Sunday with tons of enthusiasm. Thank you for a wonderful seminar.

Gracia Bare
Chairperson, Church Health Team
First Presbyterian Church Pocatello, ID

Dr. Arn was great. Filled with years of wisdom and knowledge, he was able to give our participants some useful tools and ideas that they can put to use immediately in their congregations.

Wendy Bailey
Associate General Presbyter for Evangelism & Renewal
New Covenant Presbytery Houston, TX

I recently attended the one day seminar on "How to Reach Unchurched People in Your Community" sponsored by the Blackhawk Presbytery. Our Elder Delegate made a presentation to our Session this week based on the seminar. It stirred some very productive thinking. The seminar was one of the most helpful continuing ed. events I have ever attended in 25 years of ordained ministry. It took a lot of scattered information I knew and put it into a system I can practice.

Rev. Jeff Borgerson
Oswego Presbyterian Church Oswego, IL

Our people are raving about their experience on Saturday; they learned so much and they are excited about thinking up new ways to connect people to our church family. We loved your presentations and your humor. Thanks again for all you did to make this an effective and important day for our church.

Kathy Morgan
Director of Equipping Ministry
Glenkirk Presbyterian Church, Glendora, CA

"This seminar offers Presbyterian churches a wealth of practical and effective ideas for connecting with people in their community. The model for outreach is based on solid research of how mainline churches grow...and Presbyterian churches need to grow!"

Becce Bettridge
Director, Network of Presbyterian Women in Leadership

I took four of my elders and they were really energized by what they took away from the seminar! We are looking forward to sharing this with the rest of our two boards. Thank you very much.

Rev. Kit Stanich
Faith Presbyterian Church McHenry, IL

From the anonymous seminar evaluation form from the "How to Reach Unchurched People" One-Day Seminar:

“Great day!” Benefits far outweighed the costs (even though we drove over an hour to get here).”

“There were so many ideas generated on how to encourage us to evangelize without feeling insecure about being required to do cold calls.”

“Very thought-provoking.”

“Careful compiling of good marketing theory in the context of the Christian gospel.”

“Very informative and helpful to understand why unchurched join a church, and how to identify with them.”

“Helped me see we are on the right path and gain knowledge on how to continue building.”

“This is my first time attending a religious seminar. I found everything enlightening and helpful.”

“The snacks were very good!”

“Well organized. Presents a good plan for action.”

“Good presentation by speaker and interactive learning techniques. Good use of PowerPoint software.”

“I received many new ideas from the seminar. Thanks.”

“I wish it had been two days long.”

“Enjoyed it and feel I learned some things that will make a difference in our church.”

“Helpful seminar with good information for evaluating my current situation. It helped me to better evaluate and define our current outreach activities and think about future ones.”

“Good pace and visuals. Well-balanced.”

“The workbook was most helpful.”

“Excellent job. Thanks!!”

“Learned a lot. Grateful for the ‘how-to’s.”

“This is the first seminar I have attended which delivered more than promised.”

“Held my attention. Provided useful info for small as well as large churches.”

“The statistics and data confirm what I have ‘felt’ but couldn’t prove as helpful or not helpful. Many practical strategies on how to get started. Non-threatening.”

“It’s harvest time!”