We get mail

I read ideas! cover to cover. Thanks for a great issue (Vol. 6, Spring/Summer 2007). I liked the suggestions of Christina Berry and thought of other ways that the Lenten tree idea might be used, such as in a retreat. Joe Small’s article, “What in the Church Is the Reformed Tradition?,” put the whole issue in context. The article on peacemaking and Reformed identity tied together some of the issues for me, and I appreciated it. I shall give the pastors here ideas! and recommend the articles on space for worship, Lent and sacramental practices, the Great Fifty Days and Trinity Sunday, plus the reminders of the two offerings. I liked the variety of ideas and the encouragement of pastors to take thought of their Reformed practices. That has been one of the reasons I read ideas! — to get my creative juices going, to think of ways of presenting the gospel in fresh ways. The article by Sheldon Sorge, “Calling a Newly Ordained Pastor,” was excellent and could be included in the COM handbook. Thanks for the good work.

Idea Exchange

Congregations Share What Has Worked

We get mail on a variety of topics. Sometimes people share ideas and sometimes they share reflections on ideas! Our spring/summer issue on Reformed identity really seemed to hit a nerve with some of our readers. Letters to the editors are edited for space and clarity.

Dear ideas!:
I am writing in response to your request for thoughts on “What Reformed Identity Means.”

I have a friend who was recently encouraged to leave her church after asking too many questions about how a music director was fired. This was a “mega church,” over 3,000 members! In a long conversation with her about her spiritual divorce, I told her “polity and theology matter,” now more than ever, probably.

We are inundated by messages (from the religious right), interpreting Scripture fundamentally and often out of context. It is important to approach our study of Scripture and how it impacts our lives through dialogue and thoughtful interpretation with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s OK to struggle with interpretation. It’s OK not to have answers all the time. It’s important that thoughtful people work together to ask questions and challenge our interpretation.

As abuse in numerous denominations in the church has become known, now more than ever polity matters. We govern ourselves by holding each other accountable, through group rule, in the hope of leaving behind the ability of any one person to pervert the desires of God’s church.

I’m a denominational nerd. As the church educator, I have a big responsibility to help our congregation understand what “being Presbyterian” means, especially since over half of the members come from other traditions. Strangely, it’s an exciting story to share. . . .

Robin Turner
Director of Christian Education
Eastminster Presbyterian Church

Greetings from West Texas!
I’m writing regarding one of the articles in the latest issue of ideas! (Spring/Summer 2007). Richard Ray’s “Rechoosing Our Reformed Identity” seems to advocate cessation of use of inclusive language, and the article seems to make disparaging remarks about liturgy in our Book of Common Worship, as well as “‘global’ or world church hymns” (using Ray’s own terms) that are in The Presbyterian Hymnal and supplements.

What is more, Dr. Ray uniformly uses only “he” and other masculine pronouns in reference to God. For a denomination that officially espouses the use of inclusive language and that accepted the report “The Trinity: God’s Love Overflowing,” Dr. Ray’s comments and language usage seem to contradict. (I’m basing my comments on the portion of the article that begins with the fourth sentence of the first paragraph and continuing through the third sentence of the second paragraph.)

I’d also like to say a big “thank you” for focusing on the Reformed tradition and for the other articles in this issue. I made a point of taking the magazine to my presbytery’s PUP discernment group meeting and commending its reading and use.

SarahLee Morris
Lubbock, Texas

Akaloo
I love Akaloo. We use the curriculum in all of our Sunday morning classes, preschool through adult. We also use the lesson plans on Wednesday nights with our middle and high school youth. I am really looking forward to the small group module for adults that I believe will be ready for fall of 2007. Akaloo is the best, most comprehensive resource I have used in my eight years as an educator. I am so proud to participate in such a progressive and vibrant network.

Ann Sukraw-Lutz
Central Nebraska Presbytery

Send us your ideas?

Tell us your plans for celebrating Advent and Christmas. Do you have a great idea for Epiphany? How do you recognize and celebrate Black History Month in your church? We want to hear about these and any other ideas you have to share for our winter issue. We want this magazine to be a vehicle for congregations to exchange ideas that are working well in their churches.

Call Michael Purintun,
(888) 788-7228, ext. 5192