Perspectives offers an exploration of issues facing the church as well as some reflective analysis of our life together as a denomination through the lens of scripture, our Reformed theology, and a constitutional and confessional framework.

“We Want to See Jesus” is a meditation by Liza Hendricks, shared this past fall with staff from the Synod of the Covenant, General Assembly Council, and Office of the General Assembly. “The first disciples wouldn’t recognize the world we live in,” Hendricks says, “but they might recognize our struggle to adapt to new questions and let go of the ways things have always been.” Hendricks is the general presbyter for the Presbytery of Western Reserve.

“Along this Lenten journey, Lord, give us eyes to see the vision you’re creating for this community.” These words are the first two lines in a new hymn text we want to share with you for this season of the liturgical year. “Along the Lenten Journey” was written by Tom Ulrich, co-pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

In keeping with the theme of vision, we have decided to take the remainder of the season of Lent to look at Perspectives magazine itself. While we do so, we want to share with you some of the items we have featured from the past two years. Look forward to a new issue this spring.

Here’s what we said about these articles when we first featured them:

July 2003 issue: Clark Cowden is the evangelist presbyter for the Presbytery of San Joaquin. Clark is among a growing number of people who are talking about the missional church—a way to rethink how to do ministry in the 21st century. In his article, Clark puts the life of faith into an interesting perspective. He writes, “We’ve been here before. Feeling like we’re on the edge of a cliff. It’s not comfortable, and we can never completely relax. But, if we learn to balance on its energy, God will take us for the ride of our life!”

February 2003 issue: “United Across War Fields?” was written by the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, a pastor in Bethlehem and currently a guest professor at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the Mission Partner in Residence on the Worldwide Ministries Division staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This article is a reflection that Dr. Raheb shared with the Worldwide Ministries Division staff during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In his reflection, he writes, “Is unity between those who favor a war and those who are against it something that is not possible? Does it mean that no place exists for toleration, that there is no other way but to draw a line? Does it mean that any compromise is nothing but cheap unity that compromises the gospel and the truth?”

November 2003 issue: At a time when faith, patriotism, and their intersection are seemingly points of serious conflict for a number of United States Christians, it seems appropriate to share a statement adopted by the 113th General Assembly (1973) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. As the person who brought this to our attention noted, while the statement was adopted thirty years ago, most of it could have been written today.

December 2004 issue: “Over the past decade I…have been studying vital liberal and evangelical Protestant churches across the country…. It was suggested that I write something on what church leaders can learn from vital liberal and evangelical Christian churches. I like to learn from both sides; some of us are ‘one-siders’; I’m a ‘two-sider’. If you are the former, read your side; but you might be surprised by what you might learn from the other side!” This is how James Wellman begins an interesting critique of “both sides” of the church. Jim is a Presbyterian pastor and assistant professor in American religion at the University of Washington. His most recent book is The Gold Coast Church and the Ghetto: Christ and Culture in Mainline Protestantism (Illinois). The article originally appeared in the September-October 2004 issue of The Spirit, a Seattle Presbytery publication.

July 2003 issue: We include a paper by Dr. Gayraud Wilmore that was presented to and adopted by the National Black Presbyterian Caucus at its recent meeting in Baltimore, June 25-29. In his paper, Dr. Wilmore writes, “The women and men who led the Black caucus of the church [from 1900 through the 1960s] exemplified what we are calling pragmatic spirituality—a spirituality that draws its strength from prayer and devotion to God, but urges people soon to get off their knees and join the struggle for the humanization and transformation of the world which God loved and for which Christ died (John 3:16-17).” It is to this pragmatic spirituality that Dr. Wilmore urges his brothers and sisters to return.

August 2004 issue: The third installation of the Reverend William E. Chapman’ exploration of the Book of Order has just been published. Mission Symphony: Notes for the Third Millennium focuses on chapter three of the Form of Government. We share with you an excerpt from Mission Symphony entitled “Second Movement: Church,” which focuses on G-3.0200: “The Church of Jesus Christ is the provisional demonstration of what God intends for all of humanity.” [From the Mission Symphony: Notes for the Third Millennium, “Second Movement: Church” pp. 30-42 by William Chapman. Copyright 2004 Witherspoon Press. Used by permission of Congregational Ministries Publishing, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202.] Bill’s new book can be ordered by calling 800-524-2612 and asking for item # 095821.

June-July 2004 issue: “The World Is Our Parish” is the text of an acceptance speech by Cliff Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, upon receipt of the E. H. Johnson Award by the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The award is given to individuals for their service on the “cutting edge of mission.”

Grace and peace to you along your Lenten journey.

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Sharon K. Youngs, Editor