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 Presbyterian Planning Calendar reminds us that Reformation Sunday and Reformation Day are celebrated this month. We focus in part on the Reformation in this issue, beginning with an invitation to visit an online exhibit by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS). The exhibit, “Sixteenth-Century European Reformers and Their Texts,” provides a snapshot of the lives of eight men who were either early humanist influences on the Reformation or reformers themselves. The exhibit is “designed to provide an introduction to some of the source works of the Reformation, the Reformed tradition, and the Presbyterian faith.” Click here to visit the exhibit. While at the PHS site, take advantage of the opportunity to order bulletin covers for Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2003.

Speaking of Reformation Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Susan R. Andrews, Moderator of the 215th General Assembly (2003), is one of the preachers featured on the Protestant Hour this fall. We share with you the transcript of the moderator’s Protestant Hour sermon, which is scheduled to be broadcast on Reformation Sunday. In it, she says, “Today is Reformation Sunday, which for those of us who embrace the Reformed tradition, is supposed to be a solemn day of remembrance, celebration, and recommitment. Like the early reformers of the 16th century, we are to look carefully at this institution we call the church, and then judge just how closely we are embodying the compassionate and graceful heart of Jesus.”

“O Lord, you gave one Shepherd to your scattered sheep to bring them, by the sacrifice of his life, to you and to one another. Be pleased to bring them together into one fold, through the power of your Holy Spirit.” Thus begins a prayer for Reformation Day, written by Kornelis Miskotte (1894-1976). The prayer is found in Prayers from the Reformed Tradition, published by Witherspoon Press in 2001, and reprinted here by permission.

Our offering to you from the ecumenical world this month is a report by the current moderator of the World Council of Churches to the WCC’s Central Committee at its meeting this past August. The moderator, Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, focuses his remarks on religious plurality and the growing need to meet “ the challenge of living our faith and proclaiming Christ in pluralistic communities responsibly and faithfully.”

Finally, we close by sharing a portion of the policy statement, God Alone Is Lord of the Conscience, adopted by the 200th General Assembly (1988) of the PC(USA). With discussion and debate on the separation of church and state in the headlines with more frequency these days, we offer the portion on religious liberty.

May we find new meaning this month in the church’s affirmation that we are “the church reformed, always reforming, according to the Word of God and the call of the Spirit” (Book of Order, G-2.0200).

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