News Archive

News Release

August 6, 2002

For further information contact: Barbara Everitt Bryant at (734) 763-9062.

Focus Groups and Interviews Capture Opinions
On Peace, Unity, and Purity Issues

"Be forthright and honest about what is healthy about the church and show where the divisions are." This was one participant's charge to the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church during focus discussion groups at the 2002 General Assembly. This charge was echoed by others in three groups designed to capture ideas to give the Task Force direction as it moves ahead to fulfill its mandate from the previous General Assembly.

The focus groups were supplemented by responses to questionnaires distributed at regional consultations across the country asking church members what issues the Task Force should address.

"Start with unity, then peace and purity will result. You can't edict them," said a focus group participant.

"Be genuine about what it is we really agree upon and what we disagree about; promote dialogue."

"There is concern at different levels about an unwillingness to articulate issues that divide."

"What is the simplest, most basic statement of what we believe as Presbyterians upon which we can all agree?"

"Find a clear definition of the essential tenets of the Reformed faith."

"If the Task Force tries to make us think alike, it doesn't have a chance."

"Recognize and celebrate our diversity."

"Historically, the church has agreed to disagree."

These are but a sampling of ideas that flowed freely in two-hour discussions with two random sample groups of registrants at the June General Assembly (GA), and with a group of seminarians who were attending GA as part of their course work. All three discussion groups were led by Barbara Everitt Bryant, a member of the Task Force with 35 years professional experience measuring public opinion. Three other members of the Task Force, co-moderators Jenny Stoner and Gary Demarest, and Joan Kelley Merritt, chair of the Task Force's communication and consultation committee, served as observers. Discussants were promised anonymity to encourage frank opinions. Additional ideas are drawn from questionnaires returned from the synod consultations.

Each of the groups brought up the issue, best phrased by one discussant as:

"There is an elephant in the room called sexuality. I would hate to have you (the Task Force) talk about it exclusively, but if you don't talk about it, you are not about your work."

As anticipated, there are real differences of opinion about ordination of gays and lesbians. These were illustrated by personal stories of homosexual couples in committed relationships within congregations whose Christian activities make real contributions to society and make them, in the opinions of the narrators, worthy of church offices. The opinions of those who wish to ordain homosexuals are offset by the position of those who respect Presbyterian polity and feel that—whether one agrees or disagrees—the rules in the Book of Order are to be followed.

There is general consensus that there are more issues that church members agree upon than those they disagree about but—as several said—"We have got to find ways to agree to disagree and to respect each others differences."

"If we can't live in the same room, can we live next door?" one discussant asked.

"Dissension is a sign of health, the absence of it is complacency."

Discussion of the authority of scripture brought forth such comments as, "We need to check out arguments by Jesus, not later theologians."

"Interpretations of scripture change."

"What most of us believe we learned as teenagers. The Task Force should recommend whole church adult Bible study."

The feeling permeated all three groups that there is great strength in local churches; there is vibrancy, health, and mission going on at the local levels without ideological conflicts. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is viewed as democratic rather than hierarchical, with recognition that democratic decision-making can be messy.

Both focus group discussants and those who filled out the questionnaires distributed at synod consultations were asked for ways their congregation, presbyteries, and synods deal with divisive issues. In-depth questions in the groups and telephone interviews with those who responded to questionnaires provide models the Task Force may ultimately make available to the larger church.