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Press Release

February 17, 2003

The pair of topics: scriptural authority and interpretation and the theology and practice of confessions in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be explored when the Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church meets February 20-22, 2003, in Dallas, Texas. In accordance with the Work Agenda developed to deal with the Task Force mandate, study, worship and deliberations at this meeting will focus on the topics of "Bible, creeds and confessions in faith and life" and "How the Presbyterian church understands and proclaims its faith." At its last meeting in October, study focused on Christology and the nature of the Presbyterian Church.

In preparation for the meeting, Task Force members have read relevant Presbyterian Church statements and articles presenting varying opinions related to both Biblical authority and the confessions and confessionalism. A listing of these readings will be added to those already on the bibliography found on the Task Force website immediately following the meeting.

The Meeting Planning Team of Frances Taylor Gench, professor at Union/PSCE in Richmond, VA, John B. (Mike) Loudon, pastor in Lakeland, FL, Sarah Grace Sanderson-Doughty, pastor in Lowville, NY and John Wilkinson, pastor in Rochester, NY selected the readings, developed questions for reflection and will be leading the Task Force study and discussions.

Also at this meeting, the Task Force will receive a report from its Educational Resources Development Team with specific recommendations for resources to offer the church.

The 20-member Task Force, mandated by the 213th General Assembly (2001), had its first meeting in December 2001. It is scheduled to meet three times a year through 2004 and report to the 217th General Assembly in 2006.