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Welcome to Perspectives,
the online magazine published by the Office of the General Assembly.
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:
This issue of Perspectives
revolves around the fall season, which is in full swing. Schools are
well into a new year and those congregations that slowed down their
programs a bit for the summer are back at it. Here in the Office of
the General Assembly, we’re into detailed planning for next year’s
General Assembly.
Here are the offerings:
 “Doubt,
Imagination, and Truth: The Domain of the Church-Related Liberal Arts
College” is a meditation by John V. Griffith, president of Presbyterian
College. Griffith was in Louisville last month for a meeting of the
board of directors of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities.
Through Griffith’s meditation you, too, will ponder the relationship
between faith and reason. (The PC(USA) has an impressive array of church-related
colleges and educational institutions that provide unique and valuable
opportunities for learning that lasts a lifetime. Find out more at www.apcu.net.)
In
his article, “Schism Is Unlikely,” Clark Cowden writes,
“…it is doubtful we will have any more splits, in spite
of our current rhetoric and tone. Why? Because these splits happened
in the Enlightenment era, based on a modern worldview. Today, we live
in the post-Enlightenment era, where splits are not part of the post-modern
worldview. What do I mean?” Cowden is the evangelist presbyter
for the Presbytery of San Joaquin, a middle governing body that has
studied in depth what it means to do mission and ministry in the 21st
century. (For a new advisory opinion on the topic of schism, visit the
Constitutional
Services Web site.)
Planning
is well underway for the 217th General Assembly, which will convene
in Birmingham next June. The assembly will be held concurrently with
the assemblies of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church in America. In “Looking Ahead,” the
Stated Clerk of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Robert D. Rush,
offers background on the decision to have concurrent assemblies. The
statement of purpose for the concurrent assemblies can be found at www.americanpresbyterianism.org.
(Also, look for the item in the latest InfoPak that provides more information
on the upcoming assembly, the Cumberlands, and the city of Birmingham.)
Finally,
we offer a sermon by Victoria (Vicky) Curtiss, who reflects on the 75th
anniversary of the ordination of women elders. This anniversary is but
one of several that will be celebrated across the church over the next
many months and at next year’s assembly. Among others, they include
the 300th anniversary of American Presbyterianism and the 50th anniversary
of the ordination of women clergy. Curtiss is a member of Cascades Presbytery
and serves on the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity
of the Church.
We
always appreciate hearing from you. Simply drop
us a line.
Sharon
K. Youngs, Editor
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