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.

The 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is set to convene in Richmond, Virginia, on June 26. The articles in this issue have been chosen with the assembly in mind.

“Presbyterian Churches,” written by Joseph D. Small, associate director for the office of theology and worship/spiritual formation, is a chapter that will appear in Christianity: A Complete Guide, edited by John Bowman (to be published in the United States by Continuum). It serves as a primer for some and a refresher for others on Presbyterian beginnings within the larger Reformed tradition, as well as some basic components of our theology.

One of the reports coming to this year’s assembly is a summary of the middle governing body consultations that have been held over the past three years. In this article, Gary Torrens, coordinator for middle governing bodies, looks back on the consultations. He writes, “The conversations were rich and covered the whole gamete of mission and ministry concerns of our denomination. In spite of regional differences and the conflicts that frequently are in the foreground, Presbyterian leaders throughout the church continued to talk about mission above all else.”

The United Methodist Church held its quadrennial General Conference in Pittsburgh last month. One of the conference preachers was Bishop Robert E. Fannin, from Birmingham. In his sermon on May 6, 2004, Bishop Fannin said, “We are called to be the people of God in the context in which we find ourselves. I am often amused when we start a new church that we often try to disguise it by changing names. Now, I am not saying that we ought to continue naming our churches First, Second, or Third United Methodist. However, to name it the Orange Blossom, or Apple Seed Community of Faith isn’t going to help you either.” Sound familiar? Bishop Fannin’s sermon appears here thanks to the United Methodist News Service.

Over this past year, we have featured a number of sermons by Susan R. Andrews, Moderator of the 215th General Assembly (2003). As the Moderator closes out her year, we share with you one final sermon, “Puah’s Purity.”

We do look beyond the assembly in this issue. You may recall that each month in 2004 we are featuring an aspect of the World Council of Churches’ Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010): Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace. The geographical focus of the Decade in 2004 is the United States, with the specific theme, “The Power and Promise of Peace.” This month, Mark Koenig, associate for resources and publications with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, shares “Come to the Water,” in connection with a gathering of ten international scholars in Louisville, Kentucky this past April to discuss issues of violence and to explore possibilities for peace and reconciliation in Jesus Christ. A press release that was posted after the gathering can be found here.

Last month we shared a keynote address by Cliff Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, at the Common Faith, Common Mission event at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. (Go to last month’s issue to read the address.) This month, we offer to you the responses of three individuals to the Stated Clerk’s address. They are Craig Barnes, a faculty member at Pittsburgh Seminary and pastor of Shady Side Presbyterian Church; Florence Johnson, an elder and member at East Liberty Presbyterian Church; and Carolyn Jones, interim executive presbyter of Beaver Butler Presbytery.

Finally, we feature “The World Is Our Parish,” an acceptance speech by the 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.”

May God bless the deliberations and decisions of this General Assembly, so that all may indeed have “life in fullness.”

We always appreciate hearing from you. Simply drop us a line at OGA_Communications@ctr.pcusa.org.

Sharon K. Youngs, Editor

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