|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by CYNTHIA HOLDER RICH
|
|
Sunday, 10 July 2011 23:53 |
|
Once again, Presbyterians could have discussed how race operates among us and how it could operate. The most recent opportunity came through a solid, dynamic theological statement — the first from the Southern Hemisphere considered for inclusion in our Book of Confessions.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by W.P. CAMPBELL
|
|
Tuesday, 28 June 2011 16:58 |
On Tuesday, May 10, a vote in the presbytery of the Twin Cities area
tipped the balance in a 30-year debate about ordination standards in the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), presumably allowing gays and lesbians to
become pastors, elders and deacons in gay-affirming congregations.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by THOMAS S. KIDD
|
|
Monday, 16 May 2011 04:35 |
c. 2011 USA Today (RNS) In its relatively short history, the United States has stood as the world's beacon of freedom, defender of democracy and pillar of principled power. An exceptional country, one blessed by the very hand of God. Right? Well, sort of.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by GEORGE HUNSINGER
|
|
Monday, 16 May 2011 04:25 |
Newark Star Ledger
Organizations and individuals from across the globe took to the streets a couple of weekends ago to protest the U.S. government’s treatment of Pfc. Bradley Manning (of WikiLeaks fame), who has been held in solitary confinement for more than nine months. As founder of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, I agree that solitary confinement is not the answer.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by The Presbyterian Outlook
|
|
Thursday, 28 April 2011 19:28 |
A personal reflection by Eddie Soto with response by Outlook Editor Jack Haberer
Dear Christian friend,
This morning I read the news that the Rev. David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge and author of the best selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade, died in an automobile accident in Texas.
His book was the first Christian book I ever read as a new Christian in 1965 when I gave my life to Christ at the age of 15. When I discovered that his recovery center for drug addicts was in Brooklyn, New York (where I was raised and lived at the time) I visited it, was impressed with the testimonies of lives changed by the power of the Christian Gospel and went there often to participate in ministry opportunities.
Two years later, in 1967, Rev. Wilkerson was preaching every Saturday evening at a local movie theater in the lower east side and I had the privilege of being invited to translate his messages into the Spanish language since many Hispanics lived in the area. As a result many came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I am very much saddened with his death but testify to the fact of his sincere love for Christ and for the many whose lives were eventually changed through his dynamic ministry. He was not perfect (as none of us are) but he was always the first to recognize his shortcomings and very sincere in his efforts to take the Gospel to those ignored or shunned by society.
I pray for the recovery of his wife from this tragic accident, for his family and the many people whose lives now have meaning because of his answer to God's call to reach out to the needy. Below is his last message on the web (the day of his death) which can have special meaning to those of us who are struggling in some area of our life. God bless you all!
In Christ,
Rev. Eddie Soto
Associate for Latin American Ministries
Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by The Presbyterian Outlook
|
|
Friday, 18 March 2011 23:00 |
As a big sports fan, I have been watching how the NCAA is working to maintain unity in the ever changing landscape of Division I athletics. It has made me wonder if the PCUSA should discuss something similar. Consider the following changes that will be made this coming fall in college sports:
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Cynthia Bolbach, Moderator of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
|
|
Thursday, 17 March 2011 19:59 |
|
The moderator’s March column
General Assembly Mission Council
Where is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) headed?
I wish I knew.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Gordon C. Stewart
|
|
Tuesday, 15 March 2011 21:28 |
What does a preacher or writer do when the well runs dry? For well over a month my
well has been dry as a bone. I have nothing to say.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Jeffrey DeYoe
|
|
Monday, 14 March 2011 21:24 |
|
I found the quote, "I don't want to fight the women's thing again," interesting to say the least.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Christian Iosso
|
|
Saturday, 29 January 2011 14:58 |
|
There are more than two ways to see the political changes in the greater Middle East, as there are more than the two main media creations: Islamism and the dictators friendly to the United States.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Christian Iosso
|
|
Monday, 28 June 2010 02:10 |
On April 21, 2010, facing the mayor of Rome and a room full of civic leaders, the press, and scholars, a series of former victims of horrific crimes came forward and testified that they had forgiven their tormentors.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Phil Leftwich
|
|
Monday, 28 June 2010 02:07 |
|
The rain is falling in torrents so heavy that I cannot see the end of my street (May 1, 2010, the weekend of the Middle Tennessee flood).
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Bill Tammeus
|
|
Monday, 28 June 2010 02:03 |
I saw my father dead once. He was in his casket, but the undertaker had put the wrong face on him. In death Dad wore an odd smirk that I never saw in life.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Michael L. Lindvall
|
|
Monday, 28 June 2010 01:56 |
|
Not long ago I was dashing from a lunch meeting in Lower Manhattan to the nearest subway station when two well-dressed young men approached me, both with side-locks and the broad-brimmed hats that some Orthodox Jewish men wear.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Karen Sloan
|
|
Sunday, 13 June 2010 00:00 |
|
The wedding season is upon us! Given the large number of single female Ministers of Word and Sacrament, I am amazed that I am one of this year’s brides.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Derek Maul
|
|
Sunday, 13 June 2010 00:00 |
My friend Peggie was in her 50s when she answered God’s call to ministry. She’s active in the local church, serves on the leadership team, preaches on occasion, and is naturally gifted in evangelism.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Bob Davis
|
|
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 18:20 |
Perhaps the most stunning piece of business coming to the 219th General Assembly is Recommendation 42 proposing to create a commission (the COGA Commission). As I first read it, my jaw dropped, I sat back in my chair and felt all the wind whistle out of me. I did not see it coming.
My hat goes off to the stated clerk for making this General Assembly a lot more interesting. It is unprecedented to see the chief constitutional officer of the denomination being quoted, “The structure coming out of reunion is clearly devolving.” The implication of that sentence is enormous.
If approved, the COGA Commission has the potential to be a game-changer. It may be the most impactful piece of business coming to the General Assembly since the 1983 reunion.
Specifically, the recommendation is for the Assembly to approve a 21-person commission on Middle Governing Bodies with six enumerated powers. It is the fifth power that is extraordinary:
5. In response to actions of the 219th General Assembly (2010), or upon request of the presbytery and synod, the commission is authorized to act as the General Assembly according to
a. G-13.0103m: “to organize new synods and to divide, unite, or otherwise combine synods or portions of synods previously existing;”
b. G-13.0103n: “to approve the organization, division, uniting, or combining of presbyteries or portions of presbyteries by synods.”
Because it would be a commission, the decisions of a majority of these 21 people would be the same as a decision of the General Assembly.
Thus, if the 219th GA approves the commission, every congregation and every presbytery will have to figure out how they plan to navigate the devolution. It will not be hypothetical as in, What might we have to do at some point in the future? Perhaps the most important question will be, How do we convince 11 of these 21 appointed people that they should grant our request?
There will be no such thing as maintaining status quo; granting one request has consequences of fellowship, finances, mission, and ministry for everyone else.
For example: imagine the COGA Commission is approved, as is. Then by a slight majority (say, 81 yes: 79 no), San Diego Presbytery requests the COGA Commission to:
» Dissolve the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii (our synod);
» Create two new synods: an “emergent” synod and a “traditional” synod;
» Split the assets between the two new synods;
» Create parallel presbyteries in the synods (i.e., San Diego Emergent, San Diego Traditional);
» Require every congregation within old synods to determine — by vote — their affiliation to presbytery and synod.
Now, imagine you are in a congregation in Los Ranchos or Riverside Presbytery (both immediately north of San Diego). You like how things are and do not want this result. What then? You would be required to engage in some sort of campaign to get the COGA Commission to deny the request or to propose an alternative solution.
I am not saying it would happen, I am saying it could happen.
Is there a better option than a commission? If the status quo is not sustainable, if devolution is reaching a critical stage, and if a commission is not the right mechanism for change, what then?
A commission may be the only realistic mechanism for dealing with the question. Not limited by time or other responsibilities, it could delve into the questions, problems, challenges, and opportunities that re-constituting poses. It affords flexibility and opportunity for experiments. Yes, it is fraught with potential problems; but, again, what is a better alternative?
In Southern California, we often hear about “the big one.” In General Assembly terms, this is it.
BOB DAVIS is pastor of the Chula Vista Church in Chula Vista, Calif.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Jill Duffield
|
|
Monday, 05 April 2010 02:37 |
|
On this particular Sunday we are celebrating the Lord’s Supper by intinction. The congregation has been served except for those in the nursery.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Amy Butler
|
|
Monday, 05 April 2010 02:34 |
(ABP) The snow has stopped falling here in Washington. At least for the moment. After almost two weeks, we are still digging out from a few weeks ago when whoever is in charge of weather patterns mistakenly thought we were Alaska and dumped multiple feet of snow on our unsuspecting city.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Ann Lewis
|
|
Monday, 05 April 2010 02:31 |
Just before Christmas I received notice that a childhood friend had written a book. He had gone on to college to major in Religious Studies. He had been very serious, but the book was described as a satire, written to make people laugh. I was intrigued. I couldn’t wait to read it and got it right away.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by John G. Hamilton
|
|
Monday, 05 April 2010 02:23 |
Have you ever had one of those moments when you knew, you KNEW, God was present? I did recently.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Tom Ehrich
|
|
Monday, 22 March 2010 01:51 |
As faith communities venture into a new era, they face rethinking "membership."
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by bill tammeus
|
|
Monday, 22 March 2010 01:43 |
Much of pop culture both astonishes and appalls me. But perhaps nothing does that more than the run-amok habit of celebrities to reveal their bad decisions, transgressions, and destructive impulses to the whole world. And worse than just revealing, they revel.
|
|
InSights Opinions
|
|
Written by Derek Maul
|
|
Monday, 22 March 2010 01:36 |
Recently, I sat in a pastor’s office and asked this question: “Why is it important to have a Presbyterian Church in this community?”
|
|
|
