by Jim Henkel, pastor of North Benton Presbyterian Church, North Benton, OH

In response to the growing number of congregations that are choosing to disaffiliate or to request dismissal from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the team of Andrew Purves and Mark Achtemeier contend that: “In leaving [they are] either … making the fearful judgment that Jesus Christ [has] wholly abandoned the proclamation and sacraments of the PC(USA); or, [their] departure from a church where Christ [is] still present would suggest that Christ’s presence is not enough to establish the church’s hope for the future! Such a separation effectively proclaims that the hope of the church must lie elsewhere than Christ’s reality and reign, perhaps in the supposedly superior moral purity and theological righteousness of its leaders and members” (this and all the italicized quotes that follow are drawn from Mark Achtemeier and Andrew Purves, On Unity: Jesus Christ, The Hope of the Church, Presbyterian Outlook, 10/29/2007, www.pres-outlook.org).
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This ministry is needed now more than ever to lead theologically and biblically. As we await Jesus’ Second Coming in the fullness of time, we are called to heed the Scriptures, “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (II Peter 3:14). Being ready to greet the coming King requires diligence on our part in allowing the Holy Spirit to live Jesus’ life through us, conforming us more and more to Jesus’ character, spotless and blameless, like the Lamb himself, whose blood washes away our sins (I Peter 1:9).

To what extent can that be said about us? To be sure, none of us is perfect. We are human all of us, sinners forgiven in Christ. Our justification before the Father is secure through Christ’s victory over sin and death in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sola gratia.

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Jim Berkley [Letters, September 10, 2007] makes some very good points in his letter concerning the Book of Order trust clause references. I am very pleased to say that our church is the recipient of Christian attitudes and actions on the part of our presbytery (Muskingum Valley) which, during this past summer, dismissed us to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

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This article is reprinted from its original location on Robert Gagnon’s website. We reprint it here for comment and discussion.

Calvin on Unity and Sexual Immorality
A Comment on a Presbyterian Coalition Document

by Robert A. J. Gagnon

In a new Presbyterian Coalition paper, “Let Us Rise Up and Build (Neh. 2:18): A Plan for Reformation in the Presbyterian Church (USA),” which I commend as a continuing effort to bring renewal to the PCUSA, Calvin is cited on the question of unity and the case of Corinth:

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by Randy Jenkins

Oh, the things they don’t teach you in Seminary! I never set out to change my denominational affiliation, but when the Lord opens doors we must go through them. This is the story of how I went from a born and raised northern Presbyterian to a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to a member of the New Wineskins Evangelical Presbyterian Church Presbytery.

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This is the text of the remarks from the Rt. Rev. Dr. David Githii, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) to the 27th General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, June 20-23, 2007.

I bring to you greeting and best wishes from your brothers and sisters of the Fraternity of the Presbyterian church of East Africa. (P.C.E.A.). Your General Assembly meeting held in Denver, reminds me of the first ever held general assembly (Jerusalem council) in AD 49, that had assembled to deal with a question, are we to accept them? whereby the Bible puts it “The apostles and elders met to consider this question.” This was after Paul had made converts among the Gentiles, people who had come to know the Truth, people who wanted to live in the totality of the scriptures and now they wanted to join the New Testament church, the church of the Apostles. “So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question” (Acts 15:2). Of course you know the rest of the story but the good news is that, the New Testament Church did accept and welcomed the new brothers and sisters.

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Since the approval of the Peace, Unity, and Purity Task Force’s Authoritative Interpretation (PUP-AI), the New Wineskins’ leadership and strategy teams have sought to develop a number of faithful options in response to this divisive action. New Wineskins continues to affirm that being a part of a new wineskin doesn’t depend on a particular denominational affiliation. This proposal offers a faithful way forward while remaining within the PCUSA.

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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.

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As I write this, two significant events are before me that shape the context of my reflections. First and most important, is the Celebration of our Savior’s Resurrection. Everything we do followers of Christ is in light of that transcendent reality. Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, sits at the right hand of the Father and has fulfilled His promise by pouring out the Holy Spirit to empower His followers to worship Him (in Spirit and Truth) and to be His witnesses (to Jerusalem, Judea and the Ends of the Earth).

The second event that is immediately before me flows out of the first and greatest event. Because of Jesus’ risen and ascended life, and the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowering, I will board a plane and fly Resurrection Sunday afternoon to Kenya.

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World of Wonders was a great title for a novel.  It’s also a great theme for those of us living to receive the wine of  the Spirit.  This year, I’ve tried to open my senses to the world of wonders that is filled with Christ’s Spirit. And this is what I’ve found: He shows up all the time!

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