Needed: A Plan for PC(USA) Renewal

Straight AheadI have now returned from my trip which combined a visit to Nashville and my attendance at the conference of the Presbyterian Global Fellowship in Atlanta. I also stayed over in Atlanta an extra day and attended Sunday morning worship at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, where the conference was held. Every Presbyterian ought to attend a Sunday morning worship service at Peachtree Presbyterian at least once in a lifetime. It is an experience not to be matched anywhere else. The conference was a very good missions conference. The presentations by the Peachtree staff, Christians from around the world, and Sharon Cohn--representing the International Justice Ministry--were outstanding. It was also a wonderful opportunity to connect with many interesting and dedicated Presbyterian pastors and laity. The covenant statement that was distributed for the consideration of those attending the conference was weak on theological commitments. I addressed this concern in one of the feedback sessions. That's an important consideration, since the approach one takes toward world missions and evangelization is directly influenced by theological perspectives. This problem could be addressed fairly easily, however, by simply including some basic orthodox statements that are affirmed by most evangelicals. (I'm not asking that everyone interested in Presbyterian missions join me in being a "Five Point" Calvinist.) The other problem facing evangelicals now in the PC(USA) however is more serious. I hear a lot of talk about renewing or reforming the PC(USA), from all the renewal groups, including PGF. The problem is that I don't see anyone or any group coming forward with a plan as to how that's going to be accomplished. The PGF leadership seems most reluctant even to admit that such sweeping renewal is necessary. Do they really believe that a greater emphasis on missions alone will sufficiently address the denominational crisis we face? True, a zeal for missions which promulgates the orthodox teachings of Scripture regarding Jesus Christ and biblical morality could go far to heal our relations with the global church and might help to reverse declining church membership in certain parts of our own country; but what is needed is a thorough and complete plan for renewal within the PC(USA.) Over the past few weeks, when talking to other Presbyterians about renewing and reforming our denomination, I have repeatedly heard things like, "Yes, but what's the plan! Let me see the plan!" After discussing this concern with some of those who are active in renewal movements, I am forced to conclude that there is none. No such plan exists! The Presbyterian Global Fellowship urged us to be "internally strong, externally focused." Without a plan to strengthen and renew us from the inside out, the external focus cannot be fully realized. Along with strengthening our missions efforts and connections with global Christians through groups like the Outreach Foundation, Presbyterian Global Fellowship and Frontier Fellowship, the following concerns will have to be met head-on. Evangelicals within the church will have to be prepared for the next election of stated clerk. They will have to find a way to begin a theological transformation of denominational colleges and seminaries. The method of electing commissioners to synod and General Assembly which now holds sway in the vast majority of presbyteries will have to be confronted and changed so that the election process will be more open, fair, and balanced. The heavy emphasis on social and political issues which currently takes up such a large amount of denominational resources will have to be exchanged for a greater emphasis on strengthening the local church--especially smaller churches in rural areas and multi-cultural settings--and the evangelistic and missions efforts of congregations, presbyteries, and synods. Initiatives must come from the church at the grassroots level rather than be directed by bureaucratic agendas. I believe it is important for our polity to continue to be connectional. For that reason, I am skeptical of the "streamlining" suggestions made by our stated clerk, and even more wary of some of the tendencies I see developing in the New Wineskins Initiative. Yet, without a plan for renewal which addresses the concerns I have mentioned and others that could probably be added, no missions effort alone will begin to heal the injuries our denomination is now suffering. For years, I have heard moderate evangelical voices urging Presbyterians in our denomination not to pull out, not to go into the PCA or EPC, but to "stay in and fight." I have heard too many others say, "I'm tired of the fight. Let's try to get along." I have seen little in the way of fighting for principles. We have been going from one issue to another, fighting individual battles, always on the defensive, with no logical or systematic plan for reformation or renewal. Is such renewal possible? Yes. Is it likely? That's up to us and the Sovereign and Almighty God we serve and worship.