The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church, created by the 213th General Assembly (2001), is bringing its “mid-term” report to this year’s Assembly. The task force is scheduled to make its final report in 2006.

The group also will conduct a pre-Assembly conference on Saturday, June 26, and introduce the second of a series of video tapes it is producing for Presbyterians, “Seeking Peace, Unity and Purity,” during special sessions on June 27 and June 30.

The 20-member group, having achieved a remarkable sense of community despite its broad theological diversity, has recommended that sessions and presbyteries “create intentional gatherings of Presbyterians of varied theological views” to discuss divisive issues in the church and try to replicate its experience.

The task force, which meets three times a year, was born out of tensions in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), chiefly concerning the issue of sexual-conduct standards for ordination. The 2001 Assembly, discerning that theological issues were fueling the rancor, directed the task force to “lead the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in spiritual discernment of our Christian identity in and for the 21st century.”

The Assembly asked the task force — appointed by then-Moderator Jack Rogers and his two immediate predecessors, Freda Gardner and Syngman Rhee — to address the issues of Christology, Biblical authority and interpretation, ordination standards and power.

The task force, co-moderated by the Rev. Gary Demarest of Los Ranchos Presbytery in southern California and Elder Jenny Stoner of Northern New England Presbytery, developed three goals for its work:

• Deepen our understanding of our Christian and catholic identity and clarify key themes of the Reformed, theological and constitutional heritage;
• Study and evaluate sources of health and promise as well as the causes of dissension and unrest in the church; and
• Recommend ways for the church to move forward in peace, unity and purity.

The work of the Theological Task Force will be considered by Assembly Committee 08 — Theological Issues and Institutions.