Perspectives offers an exploration of issues facing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its witness in society through

• reflective and provocative analysis of our life together as a denomination, and
  
• the lenses of Scripture, Reformed theology, cultures, and a constitutional and confessional framework.

IN THIS ISSUE:

“The church affirms ‘Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda,’ that is, ‘The church reformed, always reforming,’ according to the Word of God and the call of the Spirit” (Book of Order, G-2.0200). This issue of Perspectives focuses on this foundational component of the Reformed tradition.

“The church reformed….”

Each year, the Presbyterian Planning Calendar includes a Sunday in May to celebrate Presbyterian heritage. This year, the date is May 29th. The Presbyterian Historical Society has made available resources for congregations to use in celebrating this important day. Here, we feature “Tips for Celebrating Your Presbyterian Heritage.” You will find additional resources by clicking here.

Next, we offer a hymn text by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. As you will see on the page, this noted hymnist has drawn from G-2.0500 in the Book of Order to pen “Our God, We Are a Church Reformed.” Carolyn Winfrey Gillette and her husband Bruce are the co-pastors of the Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Carolyn is the author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press, 2000). Carolyn’s hymns are in the new Episcopal and Presbyterian hymnal supplements. They have been sung in churches throughout the USA and overseas, posted on many denominational/ecumenical Web sites, and featured on national PBS-TV and BBC-TV in the UK. A complete list of her hymns can be found here.

“The church…always reforming...”

An international consultation on “The Impact of Calvin’s Economic and Social Thought on Reformed Witness” was held in Geneva in November 2004. Thirty scholars, pastors, and laypersons attended. The event was conceived in response to the 24th General Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), held in Accra, Ghana three months earlier. The participants of the consultation issued a statement, parts of which are included in this issue.

“It feels like questioning mom, apple pie, and Chevrolet to suggest there might be something wrong with the Great Ends [of the church]. However, many of us prefer dad, eat cherry pie, and drive Toyotas. If we must use this dated document as the mission statement for our church, we should at least rewrite the words to be meaningful to the post-modern world. I have taken the liberty to suggest new language in Six Core Values for the church.” So writes Jay Hudson, president and CEO, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program. Jay has been a pastor and a middle governing body executive. Read about his provocative article in “Dad, Cherry Pie, and Toyotas.”

It is the prompting of the Spirit that moves the church to be “always reforming.” Pentecost Sunday is mid-May this year. The presidents of the World Council of Churches have issued their annual Pentecost message. We include it here for your consideration.

Finally, how does the church bear witness in these present days? We feature “A Quest for a National Lament,” written by Helen Baily Cochrane. Helen wrote this piece following the death of her husband, an occasion that prompted for her a look at lamentation. She moves quickly beyond personal lament to the grief of a nation at war: “God knows we need a way to speak of the sorrow and sacrifices of war. If we don’t lament as a nation, if we avoid facing the truth of wars’ terrible costs, we will never work hard enough to bring about true peace.”

Day in and day out, we are called to be both “the church reformed, always reforming….” May you know deeply the blessings of God, who is behind us, before us, and, yes, even beside us.

We always appreciate hearing from you. Simply click here to drop us a line.

Sharon K. Youngs, Editor

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