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 confirmation of Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire in August produced a great amount of reaction across the Episcopal Church here in the United States and the Anglican community worldwide. We feature in this issue the statement made by Bishop Griswold, the Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, USA, following the confirmation of Canon Robinson. In his statement, Bishop Griswold offers these words: “What [this decision] does do is place squarely before us the question of how a community can live in the tension of disagreement. So, it is now our challenge to take up the difficult and holy work of living with difference. We must live with the consequences of addressing conflict and facing squarely difficult decisions. The fact that we are willing to do this work in a public way that is honoring of one another says a great deal about who we are as a community of faith.”

In a number of ways, formally and informally, Presbyterians are at work, seeking the peace, unity, and purity of the church. Here, we feature a recent sermon by the Rev. Whit Malone, pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, that offers reasons why this work is so important. He asks, “Why are the Anglicans gathering in London next month? Why do Presbyterians so value the peace, unity, and purity of our church? Why should you—if you have a run-in with me or another member of this church—why should you do everything you can to reconcile yourself with that person? Does Christian unity really matter? It does to God.”

Gradye Parsons, Director of Strategic Operations in the Office of the General Assembly, traveled to Australia earlier this summer to observe the triennial assembly of the Uniting Church of Australia. The Aussies have elected to use a consensus method for making decisions, rather than Roberts Rules of Order. Gradye shares with us his reflections of the experience in “A Consensus Observed.”

A regular feature of Perspectives is the inclusion of the “Editors’ Message” for each new issue of the Journal of Presbyterian History. The fall 2003 issue is out this month and features a number of interesting articles. Read a bit about them here. For more information on the Journal, please visit the Presbyterian Historical Society’s Web site at www.history.pcusa.org.

Finally, our attention continues to focus on the violence and tensions in the Middle East. The National Council of Churches in Christ has announced that a new, interfaith collection of Prayers for Peace in the Middle East is available for use in religious services. Written by Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Unitarian leaders, the prayers give expression to the longing that “hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation” and that “violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces, and peace and justice could be experienced by all.” Also included are selections on the imperative for peace from Christian, Jewish, and Islamic sacred texts. The collection was produced by the U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East. The National Council of Churches USA is among the distributors. Here we feature excerpts from the collection. For additional information on the collection, visit www.ncccusa.org.

May God bless the tireless efforts for peace and unity in this place, in your place, and across the world.

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