07357
June 14, 2007

Church leaders send letter, resources to refute New Wineskins 'mischaracterizations'

Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — In an effort to address material from the New Wineskins Association of Churches (NWAC) that “mischaracterizes” the convictions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), top officials with the denomination have sent a letter and resource material out to middle governing body leadership.

General Assembly Council Executive Director Linda Valentine and stated clerk the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick jointly penned a letter to executive presbyters and stated clerks, available at www.pcusa.org/mgbconnect, in an effort to deal with information presented by NWAC in its document, “A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven: Report of the Strategy Team of the New Wineskins Association of Churches.”

The New Wineskins’ document, posted on the association’s Web site, raises questions about the faith and mission of the PC(USA). NWAC is a conservative movement in the PC(USA) that seeks partnerships with Presbyterian churches that hold similar views of biblical standards.

Accompanying the letter from Valentine and Kirkpatrick also is the document “The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ Her Lord,” developed by the PC(USA)’s Office of Theology and Worship.

The full text of the letter, dated June 12, 2007:

Dear Executive Presbyters and Stated Clerks:

We are grateful for the leadership you provide to your governing body and to the whole church. We are also grateful for the ways we in the General Assembly Council and the Office of the General Assembly are able to work with you in the ministry and mission of the church. One way we can be of service to you is by providing resources that may be helpful, especially as you deal with congregations in conflict.

The New Wineskins Association of Churches has circulated material that mischaracterizes central convictions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s faith and life. This material appears on the NWAC web site, as well as in direct communication with some congregations. A number of presbytery executives and stated clerks have asked us to outline the church’s position on these matters.

We attach a document, “The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ Her Lord,” prepared by the Office of Theology and Worship, that sets forth the church’s convictions. This document, which will also be posted on the PCUSA web site, beginning with www.pcusa.org/mgbconnect, is in two parts: a one-page summary and an expanded commentary.

We recognize that most of our congregations are not focused on New Wineskins or the statements being made about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We are simply making this resource available for those who seek to interpret accurately the positions of our church. Please feel free to distribute it as you deem helpful.

We encourage your comments, feedback, and questions – especially your thoughts about how we can be helpful to you and the whole church as we seek to reach out to those who believe that the church is moving in troubling directions. Please send your comments to taw@ctr.pcusa.org.

We are grateful for so many Presbyterian leaders who are working hard and faithfully in this time of confusion and conflict. You are in our prayers.

In Christ,

Linda Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly Council

Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk

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