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.

Here’s a glimpse of this issue’s contents:

The Rev. Jin S. Kim has served Korean American Presbyterian congregations since becoming a pastor ten years ago. This coming January, under Jin’s leadership, the English Ministry of the Korean Presbyterian Church of Minnesota will become an independent, multicultural church called The Church of All Nations. In a paper written as part of his D. Min. course work, Jin provides a look at the contextual theology that undergirds The Church of All Nations. He writes, “In the increasing multicultural context that is North America, we dare not limit the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to one race, one class, or one culture…We envision a day when, in the context of a local congregation, each culture can be affirmed as a gift from God, and each culture challenged of inherent idolatries by a beloved community speaking the truth in love. Come, Lord Jesus!”

The 2003 Fall Polity Conference, attended primarily by middle governing body stated clerks and sponsored by the Office of the General Assembly, just concluded in Philadelphia this past weekend. The theme was, “Faith or Fear: What Drives Us?” Two pastors in the Philadelphia area, the Rev. Cynthia Jarvis (Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church) and the Rev. William Borror (Media Presbyterian Church), preached at the event. We feature here both of their sermons.

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.

Finally, we close by sharing with you a sermon by the Rev. Susan R. Andrews, Moderator of the 215th General Assembly (2003) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “Sacred Squandering,” is on the timely theme of stewardship. She says, “More taboo than sex, more contentious than politics, today we are going to talk about money. We’re going to talk about your money and my money, which, theologically, is really God’s money.”

Also timely this month is the subject of thanksgiving. In the words of the hymn writer, “For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.”

We are always eager to know your comments about and suggestions for Perspectives.

Contact us at OGA_Communications@ctr.pcusa.org.

- Sharon K. Youngs, Editor