What does it mean to be a New Wineskins congregation in the PC(USA)?
An explanation to our fellow evangelical Presbyterians.
Let’s begin by addressing some common concerns that our fellow evangelicals in the PC(USA) might have about our work and our purpose:
Q: Why should we consider joining the New Wineskins Association when there are already so many renewal groups in the PC(USA) that do important work?
A: To answer this, it first needs to be said that the New Wineskins Association, within the PC(USA), is not really a ‘renewal’ group. The renewal groups within our denomination work from within the system, to bring not only spiritual and doctrinal renewal but also organizational change, for the purpose of calling the PC(USA) to remain confessionally sound and constitutionally viable. In these efforts, the New Wineskins networks and their member congregations within the PC(USA) will certainly work alongside them and pray for a positive outcome. But in a fundamental sense, the New Wineskins effort is an effort to live out a biblically-based missional and Reformed witness right now. We will not allow the present institutional malaise and theological confusion of the present denomination to hold us back in seeking to go about the work of our ministries to which Christ has called us. We intend to be fully missional and Reformed as New Wineskins congregations, regardless of whether or not the PC(USA) hears this call to reform and renewal. This does not make our fellowship better than or superior to any of the renewal groups in the PC(USA), it simply differentiates us and gives is a distinct vision and witness that is unique in our denomination. We invite any congregation to read our documents and discern if God is calling them to join us in this effort for the sake of the gospel in this time and place where God has chosen to locate us.
Q: What other aspects make your group different from the renewal groups?
A: We are unique in that we have decided to define for our officers and congregations the essential tenets of the Reformed faith. Further, we ask that all officers in our association subscribe to this statement, as a basis for membership in New Wineskins. But lest we think that our theology is separate from our behavior and lifestyle as disciples of Jesus Christ, we also require that officers affirm a statement of ethical imperatives. We encourage the study of the confessions that are consonant with the Reformed faith and we have chosen to allow defined essentials to shape our life together. Also, while some renewal groups have begun the process of networking congregations together for common ministry, we have taken this to the next level. Our ministry networks are really covenant fellowships, that not only assist in ministry development and the sharing of educational resources, they allow us to begin living out a missional structure for our churches and they allow our pastors to stay mutually accountable for their pastoral work and personal spiritual development as teachers of the Word. Rather than taking on the old model of institutional governance by a ‘top down’ approach, the New Wineskins structure has all congregations setting direction in our delegated meetings. Delegates from each New Wineskins’ congregation get a vote in the actions of the organization! In addition, all ministers in the New Wineskins networks are required to be in a pastor covenant group and they are accountable to their fellow ministers for their faith and growth in Christ. We believe these aspects make our effort truly unique and therefore we are offering a way forward that is hopeful, clear on what is essential and missionally focused for the future.
Q: Isn’t the whole purpose of the New Wineskins effort an attempt to get evangelical congregations to leave the denomination?
A: The short answer to this question is, “No.” That is not the purpose for New Wineksins. Certainly some of our congregations are either in the process of realignment with the transitional presbytery of the NWAC in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and many are considering this option. However, it must be said that there are no expectations about the ultimate choices that any New Wineskins congregation will make in the future. We trust God and each other enough to allow each congregation to discern through their study of Scripture and prayer where God is calling them to serve. A congregation may decide to realign with another Reformed body or it may decide to stay and work for reform within the PC(USA). Whatever choice the congregation makes, they will still be a member of the New Wineskins Association and they will have full representation and voting privileges in our delegated meetings. The particular denominational affiliation in which the congregation resides is thus a matter of congregational decision and no one in New Wineskins will pass judgment upon this decision of the people of Christ in that congregation. It should be noted that the decision of the last Convocation, to allow congregations to realign with other Reformed denominations was approved unanimously, by both those who will leave PC(USA) and those who are staying.
Q: Are you compromising the affirmation of the gifts of leadership of women in ordained ministry in any way?
A: One of the most unfortunate misconceptions about our work is on the issue of women’s ordination and leadership. There is much that is being said of our effort that is simply not true. The New Wineskins’ essentials and constitution make clear that God calls women and men into all forms of ministry. The same standards of leadership development and opportunities for service apply to all ministers within the New Wineskins Association regardless of gender. We have been clear on this from our beginning and will not change our position on this issue. We believe this to be fully in accord with Scripture and the Reformed tradition. Our work with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church does not change either our theology or practice of fully affirming the gifts of women to all forms of service in all of our member congregations.
Q: Won’t the New Wineskins congregations who elect to stay within the PC(USA) be ‘second-class citizens’ in the Association?
A: Certainly not! That would destroy the biblical mandate that the New Wineskins constitution lays out for our association, namely that we are all one in Christ, in the unity of a commonly-held faith and within the ministry networks that will be formed among equals. The answer to the second question in this paper also addresses this concern. Denominational affiliation is not relevant to the status or representation of any congregation that is a part of the New Wineskins Association, as all member congregations have equal voice and voting privileges.
May 2nd, 2007 at 9:28 am
The final question has been raised in several conversations I have had with a number of elders. They want — in the cases of some individuals, desperately — to remain in the fellowship of the New Wineskins, but their church leadership, pastors, and/or congregations are not yet ready or able to begin discussions about the possibility of realignment. I have assured them that there is a full-fledged place for them in the New Wineskins, subject to one caveat: the Session and pastor must continue to endorse and accept the essential tenets of the Reformed faith and the ethical imperatives as set forth in the NW constitution.
This requirement is more than an issue of trust. Dean and others have repeatedly stressed the essence of real presbyterian connectionalism: a common, explicit and unifying statement of our theology.
A man-made institution is incapable of “belief.” Its human members, however, can agree to and covenant to declare a set of common beliefs. It was the surrender by the General Assembly of 1924 to the Auburn Affirmationists that marked the beginning of the decline and probable demise of the PC(USA). After 1924, the PCUSA (and its successors) no longer had a any such formal understanding. Those who continued to voluntarily associate with one another under the banner of the PCUSA chose nonetheless to grant equal standing to members of wildly disparate beliefs. We became a meandering herd, moving in loose formation in the same general direction, but unconnected by any commonly expressed conviction.
The frailty of our connection was recently confirmed by the Synod of the Sun. It reviewed the decision of the Presbytery of South Louisiana to join in a stipulated judgment confirming that First Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge held its property free from any trust in behalf of the Presbytery or the PC(USA). The Synod report stated
“Yet we are concerned with the implications that relate to the connectional nature of our Presbyterian Church. By adopting Motion 7, the Presbytery essentially agreed with the provisions of the Stipulated Judgment, one of which states that all property is ‘held and owned for the sole and exclusive benefit of the First Presbyterian Church of the City of Baton Rouge.’ This statement negates the connectional covenant of our Presbyterian polity.”
Thus, in condemning the stipulation, the Synod’s report declared and recognizes that Presbyterian connectionalism in 2007 has been reduced to nothing more than one of real and personal property.
The joy we find in the continued relationship between NWEPC and NWPC(USA) congregations is the restoration of historic Presbyterian connectionalism through a mutual statement of specific core beliefs that are essential to our identity as Christians We must continue to assure our brothers and sisters who are called to remain that our connection in faith is more important than our selection of a separate polity.
Mac.
May 17th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Thank you for your firm reaffirmation of women in ordained leadership! My husband and I are currently seminary students and are active in a PC(USA) church. However, we are trying to decide whether to remain affiliated with the PC(USA)/New Wineskins effort or whether to join some other denomination - and the issue of women in ministry is a top priority for us. We have heard rumors that New Wineskins was compromising its support of women in leadership, so your reaffirmation is great to see. Thank you and God bless.
May 18th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Dear M.S.,
If you would like to connect with other women pastoral leaders in NWs, please write me at rbguth@comcast.net.
Blessings in Christ,
Renee
Exec. Coordinator
NWAC
January 25th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Nice comments Renee. Glad you are keeping us informed on Wineskin activity. Keep up the effort.
Thanks, Carl Holmberg