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it)  im  Hebe n 


9 Community  publication  of  Princeton  Clicologitnl  £>fminarp 

Vol.  Ill,  Issue  1 November,  1985 


SGA  and  Faculty  Meet  With  Board 


On  October  7 students  and  faculty  members 
met  with  the  ad  hoc  committee  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  working  on  investment  guidelines. 
The  purpose  of  the  meeting  was  to  discuss 
both  the  student  and  faculty  resolutions 
passed  during  the  past  academic  year  regard- 
ing the  Seminary’s  investments  in  South 
Africa.  Rebecca  Brenner,  SGA  moderator, 
Floyd  Thompkins,  ABS  vice-president;  and 
David  Mosoma,  a Th.M.  student  from  Pre- 
toria, South  African  represented  PTS  stu- 
dents. Peter  Paris,  Charles  West,  and  Daniel 
Migliore  represented  the  faculty.  Rebecca 
Brenner  stated,  “As  students,  we  went  to 
represent  the  spirit  of  the  December  1984 
SGA  resolution  in  person.  We  also  wanted 
to  know  how  the  Board’s  broad  investment 
guidelines,  which  were  published  in  the  March 
1984  Alumni  News,  would  translate  into 
specific  ethical  investment  decisions." 

Seminary 

Along  with  about  a hundred  other  members 
of  the  seminary  community  on  the  morning  of 
Oct  5,  I made  my  way  to  Camp  Beisler 
Retreat  Center,  following  a long  winding 
road  through  mist-shrouded,  fall-colored  hills 
and  tiney,  English-style  villages  in  northern 
New  Jersey.  Meanwhile,  seated  shoulder  to 
shoulder  in  the  back  of  my  car,  a junior,  a 
middler.  and  a senior  took  the  opportunity  to 
catch  up  on  some  sleep— a symbolic  start, 
thought  I.  for  an  all-seminary  retreat1  This 
“omen,”  however,  proved  to  be  inaccurate. 
Fellowship  there  was  in  plenty,  and  the 
retreat  struck  this  participant  more  like  a 
much-needed  vitamin  shot  in  the  arm  than  an 
attack  of  narcolepsy. 

The  retreat  offered  a chance  to  play  in  the 
sun  and  hike  in  the  woods,  to  eat  drink,  and 
be  merry,  and  to  sing  and  worship  together. 
But  perhaps  the  highpoints  of  the  day  were 
the  lectures  given  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Moffett 
and  Dr.  Roberts,  along  with  the  small  group 
discussions  which  followed. 


Elisa  Diller 

The  student/faculty  delegation  was  told 
that  the  ad  hoc  committee  would  be  working 
for  the  next  six  months  to  establish  specific 
ethical  guidelines  for  investment.  George 
Piercy,  chair  of  the  committee,  said  that 
there  were  no  specific  guidelines  right  now 
and  requested  “positive  input"  from  the 
group.  Other  committee  members  include 
Roger  Hull,  Norman  Pott,  and  Robert  Bohl. 
Brenner  stated  that  the  SGA  plans  to  submit 
written  comments  to  the  committee  and 
requested  that  students  interested  in  the  issue 
contact  SGA  members. 

Brennefs  reaction  to  the  meeting  was 
“We  were  grateful  for  the  chance  to  meet  in 
person  with  the  committee.  I feel  we  had  a 
hearing  but  am  not  sure  we  were  really 
heard."  According  to  Brenner,  the  students 
who  met  with  the  ad  hoc  committee  came  to 
specifically  discus's  the  Seminary’s  invest- 


Lori  C.  Patton 

As  advertised,  the  theme  of  the  retreat  was 
"Building  a Spirit  of  Community,”  and  this 
problem  was  addressed  in  the  morning  by  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Moffett  in  a study  of  Philippians. 
Dr.  Samuel  Moffett  began  by  pointing  out 
that  for  Paul  there  is  no  building  of  community 
without  a willingness  to  be  committed  abso- 
lutely to  Jesus  Christ.  Paul’s  recipe  for  com- 
munity is  concern  plus  commitment  plus  joy. 
Mrs.  Eileen  Moffett  then  took  us  through 
Philippians  2:1-11,  noting  that  expressions 
of  love  ( for  God  and  for  one  another)  are  the 
foundations  for  community,  and  that  the 
prerequisite  of  community  is  humility,  think- 
ing more  of  others  than  of  yourself.  The 
secret  of  community,  as  outlined  in  2:5- 1 1 , is 
that  Christians  can  manage  the  humanly 
impossible  demands  of  humility  and  commun- 
ity because  we  are  in  Christ— we  must  be 
governed  by  our  new  nature  which  starts  to 
become  ours  when  we  are  in  him.  Dr.  Moffett 
drew  our  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  only 
real  obstacle  in  this  process  is  the  self.  In 


ment  policy  regarding  South  Africa  Unfortu- 
nately, the  committee  wanted  to  discuss  the 
issue  of  ethical  investment  in  general  as 
opposed  to  the  specifics  of  South  Africa. 
Brenner  noted  that  the  delegation  attempted 
to  “keep  the  meeting  on  track"  regarding  the 
issue  of  South  Africa  but  had  a difficult  time 
doing  so.  Although  Brenner  was  pleased  that 
the  meeting  “finally  took  place,”  she  stated 
she  was  uncertain  about  the  outcome.  She 
also  expressed  her  frustration  with  the  com- 
mittee’s reluctance  to  deal  with  the  student/ 
faculty  resolutions.  She  summed  up  her 
reaction  to  the  meeting  by  saying,  "One  great 
way  for  the  Board  to  avoid  responsibility  is  to 
keep  talking  about  what  its  arena  of  responsi- 
bility is.” 


chapter  three,  Paul  warns  against  self-righteous 
pride  in  its  three  varieties:  legalism  (pride  in 
the  law),  perfectionism  ( pride  in  the  self),  and 
libertinism  (pride  in  breaking  the  law).  Any 
righteousness  we  may  have  is  ours  in  Christ, 
being  from  Christ,  and  stops  when  we’re  out 
of  Christ  Dr.  Moffett  then  offered  some 
practical  suggestions  out  of  the  missionary 
community  for  how  to  build  a spirit  of 
community  among  Christians:  1)  make  a list 
of  all  the  good  qualities  of  the  Christians  you 
don’t  like;  2)  make  a list  of  your  criticisms  of 
them,  then  read  Romans  2: 1 ; 3)  ask  "Are  my 
inward  reactions  to  these  people  such  as  I 
would  like  to  explain  to  Christ?”;  4)  when 
criticisms  are  made  to  your  face,  write  them 
down  rather  than  answering  them  right  away, 
and  think;  5)  think  and  pray  about  problems 
before  discussing  them  with  others  and  write 
down  your  thoughts;  6)  if  you  do  argue  and 
get  angry,  ask  yourself  if  it’s  righteous  in- 
dignation (anger  rationalized  for  your  own 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


Retreat  Not  A Snooze 


Page  Two 


Sitz  im  Leben 


November,  1985 


Editorial: 

Please  Don’t  Shoot  the  Editors — 
They’re  Doing  the  Best  They  Can! 

When  he  heard  that  we  had  been  selected  by  the  SGA  as  the  Sitz  im 
Leben  editors  for  this  academic  year  a friend  remarked,  “You'll  be 
lucky  if  you  make  25%  of  your  readers  happy  in  any  given  issue.” 
We're  not  greedy.  We'll  settle  for  15%  on  the  first  go-round. 

Pleasing  people  and  reporting  the  news  are  not  necessarily  synony- 
mous, we  realize,  and  we  did  not  undertake  this  editorship  purely  for 
amusement.  We  owe  a great  deal  to  Stowell  Kessler  for  his  emphasis  on 
reporting  events  on  campus  even  at  the  risk  of  alienating  some  elements 
of  the  campus  community.  And  we  are  committed  to  broadening  the 
opinions  represented  here  by  conscientious  efforts  to  obtain  the  views 
of  a variety  of  groups  at  the  seminary. 

But  the  bottom  line  is  that  this  is  a volunteer  effort.  With  the 
exception  of  the  editors  (who  split  the  magnificent  sum  of  approximately 
$800  for  all  this  fun)  everyone  who  writes  for  the  Sitz  is  a volunteer, 
taking  time  out  of  his/her  busy  schedules  because  he/she  chose  to  do 
so  {thus  far,  we’ve  used  hardly  any  blackmail  or  threats  of  violence  at 
all).  Naturally  then,  those  who  work  for  the  paper  and  submit  articles 
are  much  more  likely  to  see  their  perspective  in  print  than  those  who 
merely  grumble  because  they  haven't  been  represented. 

Staff  meetings  are  open  and  are  announced  through  the  Wineskin, 
posters,  and  announcements  in  the  cafeteria.  If  you  have  a perspective 
which  you  feel  needs  to  be  presented,  please  join  us.  If  you  can’t  make  a 
meeting  but  have  an  idea  for  an  article,  talk  to  an  editor— we  have  not  as 
yet  had  to  go  into  hiding.  We  welcome  your  presence,  your  work,  and 
your  constructive  criticism.  But  remember,  we  can't  print  it  if  you  don’t 
write  it.  So  welcome  to  Sitz  im  Lebenl 


Smaller  Junior  Class  Shows 
Standard  Make-Up 

Thomas  Cross 


The  junior  class  at  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  while  sporting  smaller  enrollment 
figures,  retains  a demographic  configuration 
very  similar  to  other  junior  classes  of  recent 
years.  According  to  the  Office  of  the  Registrar, 
the  class  of  1 988  features  only  1 37  Master  of 
Divinity  students,  down  from  147  last  year. 

However,  this  is  the  only  characteristic  of 
the  new  class  that  radically  distinguishes  it 
from  other  classes  in  recent  memory.  As  in 
the  previous  two  years,  one-third  of  this  fall’s 
juniors— 45  students— is  female. 

In  addition,  the  new  students  display  a 
typically  wide  range  of  ages,  with  the  young- 
est being  21  and  the  oldest  being  65.  The 
mean  age  for  the  M.Div.  class  of  1988  is  26.7 
years,  indicating  a relatively  young  class. 


The  entering  students  are  predominately 
Presbyterian;  the  Presbyterian  Church  U.S.A. 
claims  98  juniors,  or  over  7 1 % of  the  class. 
This  represents  a proportion  of  Presbyterians 
consistent  with  the  previous  two  years. 

A total  of  32  different  denominations  are 
represented  (as  compared  to  33  for  the  class 
of  1986). 

The  entering  juniors  hail  from  30  different 
states.  Pennsylvania  has  provided  more 
students  for  the  new  class  than  any  other  with 
24,  while  California,  a close  second,  follows 
with  19  students.  Nine  New  Jersey  residents 
are  starting  here  this  fall. 


(In  the  spirit  of  Jonathan  Swift,  we  would 
like  to  introduce  "A  Modest  Proposal"  as  a 
regular  feature  of  the  Sitz.  Do  you  have  a 
modest  proposal  to  make?) 

A Modest  Proposal 

Brad  Weaver 

There  are  times  when  seminarians  feel  the 
urgent  desire  to  leave  a lasting  memorial 
expressing  their  heartfelt  emotions  towards 
the  illustrious  institution  that  nurtures  and 
prepares  them  for  their  future  in  the  real 
world.  Desktops  and  bathroom  walls  are  but 
two  mediums  for  the  expressions  of  such 
deep  emotions.  But  these  mediums  are  not  as 
enduring  or  far  reaching  as  may  be  desired 
(for  which  I am  grateful.).  For  those  frustrated 
statement-makers  out  there,  take  heart. 

Inebriated  sources,  close  to  the  floor,  have 
advanced  a modest  proposal  concerning  the 
installation  of  a radio-telescope  transmitting/ 
receiving  dish  majestically  atop  Miller  Chapel. 
Consider  the  possibilities,  if  you  dare. 

Imagine,  if  you  will,  “The  Miller  Chapel 
Program,”  beamed  weekly  to  those  shut-ins 
unable  to  attend  in  person.  Just  the  thing  to 
inspire  the  conscientious  seminarian  not  quite 
prepared  for  that  CHOI  precept  or  not  quite 
finished  with  that  paper. 

Why  stop  with  the  seminary  community 
and  the  surrounding  area?  Visualize  the 
entire  world,  and  any  intelligent  life  that  may 
be  listening  from  distant  locations,  being 
enriched  and  enlightened.  (Those  life-units 
interested  in  forming  an  Inter-Planetary  Mis- 
sions Group  should  have  met  with  Prof.  Rich- 
ard Pearson  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Wilmet  in 
Grovers  Mills,  NJ  at  9:00  p.m.  Oct  30.) 

Groups  interested  in  Peace  issues  would 
have  the  opportunity  to  track  the  latest  in 
killer  satellites  and  report  their  positions  to 
concerned  individuals.  And  in  the  event  of 
the  unthinkable,  there  would  be  the  early 
warning  aspect  to  consider. 

Foreign  students  would  have  the  chance  to 
view  the  news  from  home  and  experience 
services  in  their  native  tongue.  Those  planning 
to  go  into  missions  could  utilize  the  dish  to 
brush  up  on  those  languages. 

Educational  programming  on  topics  ranging 
from  counseling  and  pastoral  care  to  Hebrew- 
Made-Easy  and  many  others  dealing  with 
inter-personal  communication  could  be  made 
available  to  supplement  the  knowledge  im- 
parted through  this  institution.  Give  it  some 
thought. 


We  need  your  creative  talents. 

Poetry — Short  Stories — 
Graphic  Arts— Photography. 
Contact  Lori  Patton  or  Lisa  Differ 


November,  1985 


Sitz  im  Leben 


Page  Three 


“Vital  Statistics”  About  Your 
Student  Government  Representatives 

Rebecca  Brenner 


Rebecca  Brenner,  the  senior  class  rep  and 
moderator,  is  a Pennsylvania/New  Jerseyan 
who  worked  as  an  employee  benefits  consult- 
ant before  coming  to  PTS.  This  is  Rebecca's 
third  year  on  SGA,  and  she  is  concerned 
particularly  with  authentic  human  existence 
in  this  community  which  professes  Christ. 
Rebecca  hopes  to  head  for  a rural  New 
England  parish  after  this  year. 

Brian  Paulson,  serving  as  rep-at-large  and 
vice-moderator,  hails  from  Los  Angeles.  We 
kid  Brian  about  surf-theology!  An  MDiv 
middler,  serving  his  first  year  stint  on  SGA, 
Brian  wants  to  devote  his  energies  to  curriculum 
review,  coordinating  students  who  sit  on 
faculty  committees,  and  impacting  the  semin- 
ary's investment  policies.  “I'm  particularly 
interested  in  a dialogue  of  faith  with  interna- 
tional politics.” 

Emily  Duncan,  MDiv  middler  representing 
her  class,  and  a Missourian,  chairs  planning 
board.  Emily  coordinates  the  master  calendar 
for  student  groups’  activities  and  facilitates 
monthly  planning  meetings.  This  is  Emily’s 
second  year  on  SGA;  the  "survival  guide” 
happened  again  this  year,  due  to  Emily’s 
efforts. 

Fred  Mendez,  MDiv  senior,  rep-at-large 
and  SGA  clerk,  is  a native  New  Jerseyan 
who  knows  especially  the  “sitz  im  leben"  of 
exit  #5  of  the  NJ  Turnpike  in  Burlington. 
Before  coming  to  PTS,  Fred  worked  in  the 
field  of  mental  health,  which  he  left  because 
he  realized  there  is  enough  craziness  in  the 
"normal”  world  to  keep  him  busy.  Fred 
wants  to  know  how  you  feel  and  what’s 
happening;  maybe  we  can  bring  more  health 
to  the  PTS  community. 

Ann  Palmerton,  MDiv  senior  from  Cali- 
fornia, serves  in  the  capacity  of  Treasurer  for 
the  second  year  in  a row.  Some  of  us  are 
gluttons  for  punishment,  although  Ann  insists 
with  her  sunny  smile  that  the  hard  work  of 
managing  the  student  activities  fees  has  its 
rewards. 

Andre  Alston,  president  of  the  Association 
of  Black  Seminarians,  represents  ABS  to 
SGA.  A middler,  Andre  is  also  the  Treasurer 
of  the  National  Conference  of  Black  Seminar- 
ians. He  is  concerned  with  the  seminary's 
positive  involvement  in  world  issues,  particu- 
larly South  Africa  and  Third  World  countries. 
Andre  is  originally  from  Brooklyn,  NY. 

Hermie  Clemente  represents  the  Interna- 
tional Students’  Association  to  SGA.  Hermie 
is  from  Manila,  Philippines,  where  he  is  a 
minister  in  the  United  Methodist  Church.  A 
recipient  of  an  ecumenical  fellowship  from 


the  WCC,  Hermie  is  enrolled  in  the  ThM 
program  at  PTS;  his  concentration  is  Pastoral 
Theology. 

The  Women’s  Center  representatives  to 
SGA  are  Susan  Schilperoort  and  Taryn 
Hillary.  Susan  is  an  MDiv  senior  from 
W ashington  ( state),  who  currently  works  in  a 
bilingual  (Spanish-English)  Presbyterian 
church.  Taryn,  also  an  MDiv  senior,  also 
wears  the  hat  of  assistant  manager  at  the 
TBA.  An  animal  lover  from  New  York  City. 
Taryn  has  a peculiar  affinity  for  liturgical 
dance  and  Gordon  Lightfoot  (in  that 
order). 

[Elections  were  held  on  Oct.  14  and  15 
for  Junior  Class  rep.,  married  students’ 
rep.,  and  one  rep-at-large,  but  results 
were  not  yet  available  at  press  tirne—ed.] 

• • • 

So,  what  does  SGA  do  anyway.’ 

— We  are  the  stewards  of  a portion  of  the 
student  fees. 

— We  coordinate  activitites  of  all  “special- 
interest”  student  groups  on  campus. 

— We  represent  student  concerns  to  the  PTS 
administration,  faculty  and  sometimes 
the  Board  of  Trustees. 

— We  address  issues,  large  and  small,  of 
student  life  on  campus. 

— We  meet  every  Tuesday  from  12:40  to 
1:20  p.m.  in  the  SGA  room  on  the  third 
floor  of  the  Mackay  center.  Our  meetings 
are  public,  and  you  are  invited  to  attend. 


The  Association  of 
Black  Seminarians  (ABS) 

Keith  Page 

The  Princeton  Chapter  of  the  Association 
of  Black  Seminarians  (ABS)  is  organized  to 
deal  with  the  many  issues  which  black  semin- 
ary students  face.  Black  students  at  Princeton 
Seminary  are  confronted  with  an  institution 
which  sees  them  as  a minority  group.  The 
curriculum  of  this  seminary  is  primarily 
geared  to  socially  white,  upper-middle-class 
churches  that  are  historically  resistant  to 
issues  of  discrimination,  poverty  and  civil 
rights.  We  as  black  students  are  not  only  here 
to  find  the  true  meaning  of  the  Christian  life, 
but  also  to  determine  how  the  majority  of  the 
church  universal  receive  the  Gospel  of  our 
Lord.  We  bring  with  us  a host  of  religious 
traditions  which  we  feel  are  rich,  vibrant  and 
meaningful,  not  only  for  us,  but  also  for 
others.  How  can  we  integrate  these  traditions 
with  seminary  teaching  that  does  not  empha- 
size them?  ABS  deals  with  educating  the 
seminary  community  to  the  identity  and 
needs  of  black  students.  Further,  we  also 
seek  to  realize  our  own  individual  and  corpor- 
ate identities.  ABS  also  emphasizes  fellow- 
ship in  which  we  are  able  to  strengthen  and 
minister  to  one  another. 

This  organization  is  not  exclusively  for 
black  students.  As  our  constitution  states, 
ABS  is  for  all  who  seek  to  relate  the  "liberating 
word  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ”  for  our 
present  era.  To  accomplish  this  goal.  ABS  has 
planned  several  worship  services  during  the 
year,  events  for  Black  History  Month  (Febru- 
ary), and  various  times  for  fellowship  and 
discussion  of  issues. 


Some  SGA  members:  1.  to  r..  SGA  clerk  Fred  Mendez,  moderator  Rebeccal  Brenner,  treasurer  Ann 
Palmerton.  Susan  Schilperoort  of  the  Women’s  Center,  and  vice-moderator  Brian  Brian  Paulson,  (photo 
by  Thomas  Cross) 


Page  Four 


Sitz  im  Leben 


November,  1985 


Thoughts  on  South  Africa 

Edwin  Stern 


Perhaps  the  most  obvious  way  to  look  at 
South  Africa  is  to  see  it  as  the  last  bastion  of  a 
dying  system  of  European  racism.  It  has  only 
been  a few  decades  since  the  British  were 
bearing  the  "white  man’s  burden"  in  an 
empire  on  which  the  sun  never  set,  the 
French  were  bringing  culture  to  benighted 
natives,  and  American  society  was  segregated 
not  only  by  custom  but,  in  many  states,  by 
law.  South  African  apartheid,  it  might  seem, 
fit  comfortably  into  that  vanished  world,  but 
is  terribly  out  of  place  ( should  we  say  “out  of 
date”?)  in  the  present  With  the  end  of  the 
Portuguese  empire  in  Africa  and  the  establish- 
ment of  black  rule  in  Zimbabwe,  South 
Africa  stands  alone,  the  last  standard-bearer 
of  white  rule  in  the  Third  World.  By  this 
view,  Ronald  Reagan's  evident  sympathy  for 
the  South  African  government  might  be 
explained  by  the  fact  that  he  grew  up  in  the 
days  when  white  rule  was  the  norm  rather 
than  the  exception. 

But  there  are  problems  with  this  perspective, 
Historically,  apartheid  may  be  seen  not  as  an 
expression  of  South  Africa’s  unbending  resis- 
tance to  decolonization,  but  as  South  Africa's 
own  distinctive  version  of  decolonization. 
The  Bantustan  system,  a key  element  of 
apartheid,  was  created  contemporaneously 
with  the  great  wave  of  African  independence 
in  the  late  50s  and  early  60s.  While  Britain 
was  granting  independence  to  Ghana,  Nigeria, 
Kenya  and  Tanzania,  while  France  was 
doing  the  same  with  Senegal,  Mali,  Niger 
and  Algeria,  South  Africa  was  preparing  to 
grant  independence  to  Transkei,  Bophuthats- 
wana  and  other  "homelands"  within  its 
territory.  What  would  be  left  was  a white 
country,  like  Britain  and  France,  which  had 
previously  ruled  various  black  countries,  but 
now  coexisted  with  them  on  a basis  of 
equality. 

Ah,  but  there  are  important  differences, 
are  there  not?  For  one  thing,  the  plan  involved 
stripping  millions  of  blacks  of  their  South 
African  citizenship  and  making  them  citizens 
of  their  tribal  "homelands”  even  if  they  lived 
and  worked  nowhere  near  those  homelands. 

It  involved  a system  of  detailed  and  rigorous 
racial  discrimination  in  which  everyone  was 
officially  classified  "white”,  “black”,  “Indian”, 
or  “colored",  with  accompanying  restrictions 
on  travel  and  social  interaction  that  are 
becoming  more  familiar  to  us  now  that 
American  reporters  are  paying  more  attention 
to  them.  And,  of  course,  the  idea  of  an 
"equal"  relationship  between  South  Africa 
and  the  Bantustans,  when  South  Africa  held 
the  whip  hand,  both  in  military  and  economic 
terms,  was  preposterous. 

But  is  that  last  really  a difference?  Did 
decolonization  really  produce  an  equal  rela- 


tionship between  the  former  colonial  powers 
and  the  new  nations?  Certainly  the  legal 
relation  has  changed.  France  still  has  a few 
small  colonies  that  are  not  colonies  but 
"Overseas  Departments"  with  the  same  status 
as  departments  in  France  proper,  including 
representation  in  the  French  Senate  and 
Assembly.  Of  course,  they  are  far  outnumbered 
by  French  legislators.  Fifty  years  ago,  if 
there  had  been  a real  parliament  of  the 
French  Empire  or  the  British  Empire,  the 
"mother  countries"  would  have  been  outnum- 
bered by  the  colonials,  and  legislative  priorities 
would  have  been  very  different  It  is  not 
surprising,  is  it,  that  the  imperial  powers 
preferred  to  grant  their  colonies  independence 
rather  than  granting  them  an  equal  voice  in 
imperial  affairs.  In  this  sense,  considering  the 
great  military  and  economic  influence  of  the 
colonial  powers  even  after  independence, 
decolonization  can  be  viewed  as  a convenient 
form  of  disenfranchisement 
The  United  States  was  way  ahead  of 
Europe  with  this  idea.  Being  in  a position  to 
be  the  dominant  power  in  the  Western  Hemis- 
sphere,  the  U.S.  did  not  seek  colonies  but, 
starting  with  the  Monroe  Doctrine,  proclaimed 
its  intention  to  defend  the  nations  of  the 


Within  the  next  two  years  major  building 
renovations  and  new  construction  will  take 
place  on  the  PTS  campus.  In  an  interview 
with  Mr.  William  Lawder,  vice-president  for 
financial  affairs,  the  Sitz  received  a look  at 
renovation  plans  for  the  upgrading  of  campus 
facilities. 

The  first  phase  of  the  plan  will  occur  with 
the  renovation  of  Stuart  Hall.  "This  is  a must 
for  obvious  reasons,"  said  Lawder.  Work  on 
Stuart  will  begin  in  earnest  in  May  1 986  and 
“must  be  completed  by  August  1986.”  stated 
Lawder.  The  first  and  second  floors  of  the 
building  will  retain  the  same  number  of 
classrooms  although  one  of  the  classrooms 
on  the  second  floor  will  have  movable  chairs 
and  the  other  will  be  an  elevated,  bowl-like 
classroom  arrangement.  The  third  floor,  form- 
erly the  Speech  Studios,  will  contain  eight 
classrooms.  The  basement  will  have  three 
classrooms  as  well  as  a much-needed  locker 
room  and  lounge  for  off-campus  students. 
The  building  will  also  have  an  access  ramp  as 
well  as  an  elevator  installed. 

Construction  on  the  new  multi-purpose 
building  will  begin  in  spring  1 986  and  will  be 
finished  by  August  1987.  The  four  story 
building  (plus  basement)  will  be  built  on  the 


hemisphere  against  outside  interference.  If 
the  nations  of  Central  America  were  U.S. 
colonies,  they  would  have  recourse  to  the 
U.S.  political  system  to  call  for  redress  of 
grievances.  As  it  is.  their  lives  are  dominated 
by  U.S.  decisions,  but,  in  their  efforts  to 
influence  those  decisions,  they  are  effectively 
disenfranchised.  Perhaps  they  are  more  like 
Bantustans  than  we  would  like  to  admit 
Of  course,  there  are  countries  other  than 
the  United  States  that  exercise  power  in  a 
way  that  can  be  described  as  imperial  without 
the  old  political  accouterments.  There  is  the 
overwhelmingly  military  imperialism  of  the 
Soviet  Union  which,  without  the  Red  Army, 
would  have  little  economic  leverage  on  Poland 
or  Afghanistan.  There  is  the  more  sophisticated 
economic  imperialism  that  the  Japanese  have 
mastered  since  the  loss  of  their  military 
empire  in  World  War  II.  But  it  is  only  the 
United  States  that  has  the  military  and 
economic  resources  to  exert  the  kind  of 
dominance  on  a global  scale  that  South 
Africa  exerts  on  a regional  level.  Only  we 
have  shown  the  potential  to  do  to  the  whole 
world  what  South  Africa  is  doing  to  its  own 
people.  I hope  that  is  not  the  reason  for 
Reagan’s  sympathy. 


site  of  the  staff  parking  lot,  behind  the 
Campus  Center.  The  lower  level  of  the 
building  will  contain  the  computer  center  and 
other  service  offices.  The  first  floor  will 
house  the  Speech  Department  while  the 
second  floor  will  contain  speech  and  homiletics 
classrooms.  Administrative  offices  as  well  as 
the  admissions  office  will  be  housed  on  the 
third  and  fourth  floors.  After  the  building  is 
completed  the  first  floor  of  Hodge  Hall  will 
revert  to  dorm  space  Lawder  said. 

In  order  to  accomodate  parking  needs,  the 
parking  lot  between  the  Center  for  Theological 
Inquiry  and  Mercer  Street  will  be  expanded. 
In  addition,  a new  air  conditioning  plant  will 
be  built  to  serve  the  new  building,  the  chapel, 
administration  building,  and  the  Campus 
Center. 

The  total  cost  of  all  new  construction  and 
renovation  will  total  approximately  $1 1 mil- 
lion, Lawder  stated.  The  $3  million  renova- 
tion of  Stuart  Hall  will  be  funded  through 
bequests  and  gifts.  The  cost  of  the  multi- 
purpose building  and  all  other  construction 
will  be  approximately  $8  million  which  will 
be  paid  for  through  a bond  issue  and  fund 
raising  campaign. 


Building  Plans  Unveiled 

Elisa  Diller 


November,  1985 


Sitz  im  Leben 


Page  Five 


(Retreat  - Continued  from  page  I) 

satisfaction)?;  7)  pray  every  day  for  the 
people  you  don't  like,  pray  to  see  them  as 
Christ  sees  them;  8)  remember  that  the 
newest  (or  oldest)  ideas  are  not  always  the 
best;  9)  pray,  believing  that  God  will  work 
out  the  problem  in  true  Christian  fellowship. 
Mrs.  Moffett  concluded  with  a moving  story 
about  how  some  Christian  students  in  Seoul 
helped  to  build  a community  in  a shantytown 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  city. 

In  the  afternoon.  Dr.  J.J.M.  Roberts 
spoke  on  the  subject  of  “Spiritual  Develop- 
ment,” and  again,  the  emphasis  was  on 
focusing  on  the  divine  will,  rather  than  on  the 
human  self.  Noting  that  Christianity  is  not  a 
self-help  program.  Dr.  Roberts  began  ( after  a 
brief  but  entertaining  disclaimer)  by  redefining 
some  common  terms,  e.g.  “personal  spiritual 
development"  as  allowing  the  Spirit  of  God 
to  work  in  us,  and  “spirituality”  as  God 
working  through  us  to  transform  our  lives. 
Referring  to  Paul’s  instructions  to  a young 
minister  in  I Timothy  4:7b- 16,  Dr.  Roberts 
said  that  growth  in  faith  requires  exercise  and 
attention  to  detail,  and  that  it  is  a long-term 
process,  lasting  through  life.  We  often  want  a 


It  is  always  smart  to  avoid  annoying 
sacred  cows.  It  is  a better  course  to  say  only 
nice  things,  soothing  things.  But  alas  there  is 
always  somebody  who  wants  to  raise  questions. 
"O  seer  go  away!”  Soon! 

C.P.E. — Clinical  Pastoral  Exploitation. 
The  program  is  a wonderful  program.  The 
results  are  wonderful.  The  supervisors  are 
wonderful.  And  yes,  the  students  all  lined  up 
to  grow,  are  wonderful. 

Now  let  us  be  clear  from  the  beginning. 
C.P.E.  is  a sacred  cow.  It  isjust  so  wonderful 
that  nobody  but  a fool  would  throw  mud  on 
that  parade. 

Still  in  the  midst  of  all  that  wonderfulness 
is  a small  little  bit  of  a problem.  Maybe  you 
never  noticed  it  all  snuggled  down  under  that 
wonderfulness. 

“A  laborer  is  worth  her  or  his  hire”  (Luke 
10:7).  A few  years  ago  the  federal  courts 
ruled  that  state  institutions  could  not  hire 
inmates  to  work  for  a few  cents  an  hour.  One 
state  mental  hospital  was  giving  patients 
the  opportunity  to  work  for  eighteen  cents 
an  hour.  “Work,”  they  said,  “was  therapeu- 
tic.” It  gave  the  patients  a sense  of  worth. 
And.  in  addition,  they  said  that  this  eighteen 
cents  an  hour  could  purchase  cigarettes  and 
candy.  It  was  the  ruling  of  a federal  judge  that 
such  an  arrangement  was  a violation  of  the 
federal  statutes  against  SLAVERY! 


quick  fix  and  look  very  closely  at  ourselves, 
hoping  for  immediate  results  from  our  devo- 
tions, but  this  "navel-gazing"  is  self-defeating. 
Over  the  long  haul,  habitual  patterns  in  life 
(such  as  the  regular  habits  of  worship  and 
prayer  which  Jesus  maintained)  do  make  a 
big  difference,  affecting  one's  whole  life 
because  they  are  habitual.  Yet,  spiritual 
development  is  not  merely  an  individual, 
personal  process:  our  relations  with  the 
people  around  us  are  very  important.  In  I 
Samuel  23:15-18,  Jonathan  strengthens 
David’s  hand  in  God  when  David  is  in  the 
wilderness  in  fear  of  Saul.  We  need  to  ask 
ourselves  what  our  impact  is  upon  our  friends: 
do  we  strengthen  them  in  the  Lord,  even  if 
only  by  an  encouraging  word'1  There  are 
times  when  God  seems  absent,  when  there  is 
no  explanation  for  God's  actions;  we  may 
think  we  know  what  God  intends  for  our  life, 
and  then  “God  screws  us  up."  We  ask 
“What  now?"  and  want  an  immediate  answer, 
but  part  of  the  process  is  learning  to  wait  for 
God’s  good  time.  Reading  of  similar  experi- 
ences in  the  Bible,  such  as  in  the  book  of 
Job,  can  prove  helpful.  Furthermore,  though 
we  cannot  let  intellectual  attainment  take  the 
place  of  God  in  our  life  and  ministry,  de- 

The  Gadfly 

Stowell  V.  Kessler 

Now  perchance  someone  will  step  up  and 
argue  or  suggest  that  this  is  not  work  at  all. 
Rather  they  may  say  it  is  education.  Well  to 
that  we  must  quickly  point  out  that  field 
education  is  certainly  education;  and  yet 
each  student  in  field  education  gets  paid. 
Keep  in  mind  that  they  get  paid  above 
minimum  wage.  Even  at  18  cents  an  hour 
C.P.E.  students  would  receive  $72.00  for  the 
required  400  hours.  Yet  they  receive  not  one 
cent.  Further,  they  pay  $300.00  tuition. 

Now  perhaps  someone  will  say  SHUT  UP 
Stowell!  After  all  students  seem  quite  willing 
to  participate  in  the  program  as  it  is. 

Perhaps  it  is  a matter  of  the  C.P.E.  pro- 
grams not  really  needing  students.  Anyone 
who  was  at  “C.P.E.  night”  on  October  17. 
1985  can  attest  to  the  obvious  competitive 
and  almost  hawking  approach  to  recruitment. 
Evidently  these  hospitals  and  institutions  are 
quite  anxious  to  secure  students!  What  is  it 
that  Lane  Kirkland  says?  It  goes  something 
like  this:  Anything  worth  working  for  is 
worth  getting  paid  for. 

Don’t  let  anyone  play  the  "you  don't 
understand  game”  with  you.  C.P.E.  is  provid- 
ing a cheap  labor  force.  Real  cheap.  Think  of 
it  this  way.  If  you  have  to  give  up  Field  Ed 
money  of  $1,800.00  or  $2,400.00,  or  a 
summerjob  to  take  C.P.E.,  and  pay  transpor- 
tation, meals  and  tuition  then  by  taking  an 


votional  life  is  not  a substitute  for  intellectual 
efforts.  God  requires  our  best  efforts,  for  we 
are  to  serve  God  with  our  whole  being,  and 
prayer  and  illumination  of  the  Holy  Spirit  go 
with  but  do  not  replace  the  life  of  the  mind. 
Also,  our  devotional  life  must  affect  the  rest 
of  our  life,  or  else  it  is  as  vain  as  sacrifice 
without  justice.  It  is  important  to  think  about 
our  total  response  to  God  when  we  think 
about  our  devotional  life,  and  not  act  as 
though  our  prayer  and  study  are  unconnected 
to  our  lifestyle.  Most  importantly,  we  need  to 
be  obedient:  there  is  no  spiritual  growth  with- 
out the  pain  and  sacrifice  of  obedience,  and  if 
we  make  obedience  our  goal,  the  spirituality 
will  come. 

Out  of  an  advance  registration  of  1 50,  an 
estimated  115  (of  which  about  100  were 
adults)  actually  came  to  the  retreat,  and  there 
seemed  to  be  quite  a bit  of  diversity  in  the 
group.  For  a slightly  jaded  senior,  the  day 
was  a refreshing  and  invigorating  experience, 
a chance  to  recover  priorities  and  almost- 
forgotten  enthusiasm.  Anyone  who  would 
like  to  see  more  retreats  like  this  one— either 
later  this  year  or  next  year— should  talk  to 
his/her  deacon. 


average  of  costs  you  are  paying  $7.00  an 
hour  to  deliver  each  of  400  hours  of  profes- 
sional services.  Now  if  the  federal  courts 
called  18  cents  an  hour  slavery  what  do  you 
think  they  would  call  minus  $7.00  an  hour? 

Of  course  we  are  students.  We  come  and 
go.  You  can’t  say  anything  because  they  will 
say  you  don’t  have  a pastoral  attitude.  It  is 
part  of  our  hazing! 

What  did  Jesus  say  to  his  disciples  when 
he  sent  them  out  for  their  Clinical  Pastoral 
Education?  Oh  yes.  I know.  He  said,  “Be  wise 
as  serpents  and  innocent  as  doves.” 


Getting  their  exorcise— PTS  students  'exorcise' 
Bert  Moore’s  room  of  the  spirit  of  a famous  PTS 
alumnus. 


Page  Six 


Sitz  im  Leben 


November,  1985 


There  is  an  interesting  process  of  self- 
definition going  on  in  the  environs  of  PTS. 
One  of  its  earmarks  is  the  phrase,  “The 
Pastor  As.  ..’’The  Pastor  as  Evangelist,  the 
Pastor  As  Prophet.  No  doubt,  there  is  a push 
for  The  Pastor  as  Fundraiser.  A friend  of 
mine,  seeing  me  behind  the  cafeteria  serving 
counter,  suggested  “The  Pastor  As  Potato 
Pusher”.  This,  I believe,  is  going  a bit  far.  But 
it  serves  to  mark  the  trend:  where  in  all  this 
self-definition  do  we  see  The  Pastor  As 
Pastor?  I have  no  desire  to  start  any  new 
courses  or  lectureships;  and  I must  confess 
that  this  article  is  neither  well-researched  nor 
well-documented  at  this  time.  Anyone  wishing 
to  roast  me  over  the  coals  for  the  following 
article  will  undoubtedly  be  able  to  find  just 
reason  for  doing  so.  Nevertheless,  I do  want 
to  raise  a fairly  serious  question  concerning 
our  task  as  pastors,  and  open  it  up  for  public 
discussion. 

My  basic  text  is  Ephesians  4: 1 1-1 3:  “And 
He  Himself  gave  some  to  be  apostles,  some 
prophets,  some  evangelists,  and  some  pastors 
and  teachers,  for  the  equipping  of  the  saints 
for  the  work  of  ministry,  for  the  edifying  of 
the  body  of  Christ,  till  we  all  come  to  the 
unity  of  faith  and  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of 
God,  to  a perfect  man,  to  the  measure  of  the 
stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ. . The  first 
thing  to  be  noted  is  that  all  of  these  functions 
are  appointed  by  Christ  Himself,  for  the 
purpose  of  edifying  the  members  of  Christ's 
church.  His  body,  that  we  might  be  perfect  in 
our  knowledge  of  Him,  perfect  in  our  fullness 
before  Him.  Parallel  with  this  is  the  call  to 
equip  the  saints  for  their  various  ministries 
within  the  body  of  the  Church  functions 
which,  just  like  ours,  have  been  appointed  by 
Christ  What  do  we  mean  by  ‘edification’? 
Customarily,  it  means  to  build  up  and  strength- 
en the  church  and/or  the  soul  in  faith  and 
holiness.  In  other  words,  we,  as  ministers  of 
Christ,  are  there  to  be  His  hands  in  the  task  of 
strengthening  the  church.  We  are  there  for 
His  people.  The  next  question  is,  ‘Who  are 
His  people’?  Frankly,  this  is  a question  into 
which  I don’t  want  to  get  right  now.  However, 

I would  suggest  that  for  a pastor,  as  PASTOR, 
the  people  to  whom  we  are  entrusted  are  our 
congregations,  the  local  body  for  whom  we 


Pastor  as  Pastor 

Nansi  Hughes 

have  direct  responsibility.  The  cry  is  raised. 
But  what  about  the  rest  of  the  world?’  The 
cry  is  well  taken;  as  a Christian.  I have  a 
responsibility  and  duty  in  the  world  to  strive 
for  the  healing  and  peace  of  all  people  of  the 
earth.  Yet  I would  suggest  that  in  the  defined 
and  limited  role  of  pastor(  which  is  just  one  of 
my  roles  as  a Christian),  my  duty  lies  in  the 
equipping  and  edification  of  the  people  before 
me,  encouraging  their  growth,  their  gifts,  and 
their  God-given  capacities.  Which  brings  us 
to  another  aspect  in  the  Ephesians  passage: 
the  delineation  of  tasks  within  the  body  of  the 
church. 

Paul  separates  and  defines  some  functions 
of  the  church  in  Ephesians  4:1 1 when  he 
states  that  "some  will  be  apostles,  some 
prophets. . . some  pastors. . .”  A pastor  is 
not,  de  facto,  a prophet.  Nor  is  she,  de  facto, 
an  apostle.  The  spiritual  gifts  delineated  in 
this  passage  are  different,  and  should  be  used 
appropriately  by  those  to  whom  they  have 
been  given.  If  God  has  not  ordained  me  as  a 
prophet,  I should  not  presume  to  be  one. 
(Note:  A person  with  a social  conscience  is 
not  the  same  as  a prophet,  and  to  confuse  the 
OT  or  NT  gift  of  prophesy  given  to  some  with 
the  injunction  towards  justice  and  mercy 
given  to  all  is  exegetically  improper. ) Neither 
is  the  role  of’ watch-dog  of  social  conscience’ 
necessarily  a part  of  the  pastor’s  job  descrip- 
tion. Justice  and  mercy  are  definitely  part  of 
the  Christian’s  job  description,  but  the  procla- 
mation of  these  qualities,  per  se,  is  not  what 
makes  a pastor,  ‘pastor’.  Nor  is  The  Pastor 
As  Missionary  and  Church-Planter  necessar- 
ily an  appropriate  description  for  the  necessary 
quality  of  pastor . These  more  appropriately 
belong  to  the  person  blessed  with  the  gift  of 
apostleship.  If,  in  His  wisdom,  God  decides 
to  grant  me  a multitude  of  spiritual  gifts  for 
the  equipping  and  edification  of  the  body, 
among  them  the  ministries  of  Pastor,  Apostle, 
and  Prophet  (a  powerful  and  rare  combina- 
tion!), then  I am  truly  blessed  and  should 
exercise  those  functions  wholeheartedly.  But 
exercising  those  functions  if  they  are  not  my 
God-Given  gift  is,  on  my  part,  misdirected 
energy  at  best,  and  presumptuous  pride  at 
worst. 

What  IS  a pastor,  then?  What  is  our 


function  in  the  body  that  separates  us  from 
other  functions?  Again,  the  following  are  just 
incomplete  thoughts,  and  I am  sure  to  have 
left  out  something  desperately  important  But 
for  starters,  we  are  told  that  a pastor  is 
someone  who  is  spiritually  mature,  who  has 
his/her  life  in  good  righteous  order.  It  is 
someone  who  cares  for  the  spiritual  growth 
and  maturation  of  the  ‘flock’  given  him/her.  It 
is  someone  who  labors  in  the  word  and  doctrine, 
a phrase  in  1 Tim  5 : 1 7 which  I would  connect 
somehow  with  our  Reformed  ordination  into 
the  Word  and  Sacrament.  It  is  someone  who 
shepherds  his/her  flock  by  spiritual  and  physi- 
cal example,  in  humility.  By  the  reference  to 
the  laying  on  of  hands  by  the  elders  found  in 
Acts.  I would  suggest  that  the  pastor  should 
be  spiritually  mature  enough  to  see  the  gifts 
given  by  God  to  the  people  around  him/her, 
and  to  so  encourage  the  members  of  his/her 
congregations  that  these  members  might  grow 
and  mature  in  their  various  functions  in  the 
body — some  being  teachers,  some  prophets, 
etc.  For  in  truth,  every  need  which  the  church 
has,  has  been  supplied  by  God  in  the  church. 
If  we  look  around,  the  prophets  are  there,  and 
the  teachers,  and  the  apostles.  And  the 
fundraisers.  And  even  other  pastors.  It  isn’t 
our  purpose  to  BE  the  prophets  or  teachers  or 
apostles,  but  to  be  these  people’s  pastors  ( our 
purpose)— their  shepherds,  working  diligently 
under  the  Spirit  to  build  them  up  and  strengthen 
them  through  the  Word  and  by  example  to 
become  perfect  daughters  and  sons  of  God, 
and  the  strong  church  which  God  desires.  It 
is  not  for  us,  necessarily,  to  be  in  the  lime- 
light, but  to  be  the  strong  undergirding  of  the 
church,  helping  the  church  to  grow  strong  in 
all  her  gifts,  until  she  is  perfect  in  the  fullness 
and  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ.  Pastor  as 
pastor.  It's  a big  job.  Are  we  up  to  it? 

Why  is  time  that  which  eludes  us  most? 

That  about  which  our  lives  must  form? 

Forcing  into  a humanmade  framework  that 
which  Has  given  in  love  into  our  keeping,  no 
matter  the  choice,  for  far  beyond  the  puny 
boundaries  of  our  limited  understandings. 

Even  that,  time,  that  we  think  to  have  captured 
and  tamed,  perhaps  even  to  have  created,  eludes, 
shortchanges,  and  confounds  us  even  as  it  fades 
into  meaningless  in  the  face  of  the  greater 
Love.  — Elisabeth  W.  Farley 


Sitz  im  Leben 

The  Official  Student  Publication  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary 

Lori  Patton  and  Elisa  Diller,  Editors 

Doris  Hernandez,  Bill  Richard,  Ed  Stein,  Anna  Williamson,  and  Brad  Weaver,  Contributors 
Tom  Cross  and  Theodore  Brelsford,  Photography  and  Layout 
TypeHouse  of  Pennington.  Typesetting  and  Printing 


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'Lights  and  Shadows 
in  the  New  Day " 


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5 


Settles  Lectures 
and 

Missions  Conference 

October  28-30,  1985 

at 

Austin  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary 
Austin,  Texas 

Featuring 

Dr.  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 

"Lights  and  Shadows 
in  the  New  Day" 


Settles  Lectures:  A New  Day? 

October  28-30,  1985 


Dr.  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 


Dr.  Moffett  was  born  in  Pyongyang,  Korea,  in  1916, 
to  missionary  parents.  He  earned  degrees  from 
Wheaton  College,  Princeton  Seminary,  and  Yale 
University;  and  continued  his  study  in  Peking  in 
1947-48,  and  later  at  Cambridge  University  and  Col- 
umbia University.  He  is  Henry  Winters  Luce  Professor 
of  Ecumenics  and  Mission  at  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary. 

Dr.  Moffett  has  served  the  Church  as  pastor,  in  several 
positions  for  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  as  mis- 
sionary to  China  in  1947-51  and  to  Korea  from  1955-81. 
While  overseas,  he  was  a professor,  a principal  or  a 
president  in  educational  settings  including  high  school, 
university,  and  seminary.  His  expulsion  from  com- 
munist China  in  1951  led  to  the  first  of  his  several 
books.  Where'er  the  Sun. 


Mission-talk: 

New  day— new  ways 

Workshops  will  provide  laypersons  and  clergy  with  a 
basis: 

• for  advising  people  with  particular  skills  of  oppor- 
tunities for  short-term  mission  service; 

* to  forecast  directions  our  new  Church  is  taking  in 
international  mission; 

* to  plan  congregational  engagement  in  international 
mission; 

• and  to  interpret  mission  and  the  Church  to  congre- 
gations and  groups. 


Schedule  for 
Settles  Lectures  and 
Missions  Conference 


Monday,  October  28 


2:00  p.m. 
3:30  p.m. 
4:15  p.m. 

7:30  p.m. 

8:45  p.m. 


Registration 

Welcome/Worship 

Life  and  Mission  Statement- 
Dr.  Cynthia  Campbell 

"What's  New  about  the  New  Day"— 
Dr.  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 

Reception 


Tuesday,  October  29 
8:30  a.m.  Workshops 

Vocations  (using  laypersons'  skills) 
Patterns  of  Presbytery  and 
Congregational  Involvement 
(WOC  sister  countries,  Christmas 
International  House, 

Presbytery  Partnerships 
10:20  a.m.  Workshops 

Vocations 

To  Date  and  To  the  Future 
(directions  of  international 
mission;  partnerships/people  in 
mission) 


2:30  p.m.  Workshops 

To  Date  and  To  the  Future 
Hands-On  Interpretation  (demon- 
strate practical  ways  to  com- 
municate through  newsletters, 
bulletin  boards,  etc.) 

7:30  p.m.  "China:  Lessons  from  Failure?" - 
Dr.  Moffett 


Settles  Lectures  was  established  through  a gift  by  Mrs 
W.  R.  Settles  of  Big  Spring,  Texas,  to  underwrite  lec- 
tures in  missions  and  evangelism.  The  first  lecture  was 
given  in  1949.  The  combined  Lectures  and  Missions 
Conference  are  sponsored  by  the  Synod  of  the  Sun, 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.),  and  Austin  Seminary! 

Arrangements  for  individual  meals  or  for  all  five  may 
be  made  when  you  arrive.  The  cost  of  five  meals  is  $20. 
Indicate  as  you  register  if  you  would  like  a list  of  nearby 
motels,  as  housing  on  campus  is  limited. 

The  registration  fee  of  $10  should  be  included  with  the 
attached  form  and  sent  as  soon  as  possible  to  Ms.  Fern 
Chester,  Austin  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary, 
100  East  27th  Street,  Austin,  Texas  78705  (Phone- 
512/472-6736). 

A resource  center  with  Witness  Season,  One  Great 
Hour  of  Sharing,  and  other  materials  will  be  open  dur- 
ing the  Conference.  Workshop  leaders  will  include  per- 
sons from  the  Synod  and  the  General  Assembly. 
Leaders  from  General  Assembly  are  John  Linder,  asso- 
ciate for  Volunteers  in  Mission/Overseas,  and  Andrea 
Pfaff,  of  the  Division  of  International  Mission,  recruit- 
ment and  orientation.  These  leaders  will  be  available 
during  the  Conference  for  discussions  about  overseas 
appointments. 


Wednesday,  October  30 

8:30  a.m.  New  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 

Brief  Statement,  in  Process - 
Dr.  Jack  Stotts 

11:00  a.m.  "Korea:  Lessons  from  Success?"— 
Dr.  Moffett 


MEMBERS 


MINUTES 

PERSONNEL 


SENIOR  FACULTY  MINUTES 
May  8,  1985 
* * 


in  Faculty  convened  on  Wednesday,  May  8,  1985. 

in  Stevenson  Lounge  of  the  Campus  Center,  upon  the 

Pre^rtent^  ■ th?  meeting  of  the  General  Faculty. 

ineSP1T  WaS  ln  the  chair-  Also  present  were 
FroehffeH  Allen,  J.F.  Armstrong,  Beeners,  Beker,  Capps, 

Moffett  \ LaSSl?y'  Loder'  Lor>g<  Massa,  Meyer,  Miller, 
Moffett,  Moorhead,  Roberts,  Sakenfeld,  and  Willard. 

leaveSfo^Sth'S'  Arm;:trong<  Dykstra,  Hanson,  and  West,  on 
leave  for  the  semester,  did  not  attend.  Professors 

were1 excused!  D°Wey'  Gardner'  Migliore,  Story,  and  Willis 

The  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  April  10,  1985,  were 
approved  as  distributed. 

J*F*  Armstrong  reported  for  the  Curriculum 
Committee.  Upon  motion  the  Senior  Faculty  approved  the 

^ll0rin?KreC0minendatl0ns  re9arding  personnel,  referring 
them  to  the  President  and  to  the  Boa?d  of  Trustees?  9 

(a)  That  Evelyn  Delaney  be  reappointed  visit ina 
lecturer  m communication  for  the  1985-1986  pimAo-mlr- 

»ith  for  t».  oo™.1o",;s?„r?o;  s.y,,r' 

(b)  That  Garlie  A.  Forehand  be  appointed  visitincr 
lecturer  in  education  for  the  1985-1986  academic  year 
(replacing  Joel  T.  Campbell)  , with  responsibility7^  one 

Testingle^ice  ght  coniuncti°n  with  Educational 

thlrJn™  be  reaPPointed  visiting  lecturer  in 

theology  and  communication  for  the  1985-1986  academic 

(d)  That  Maureen  Shauqhnessv  (Diocese  of  Paterson)  be 
ITsTsfe  lil£i^leCtUr,er  ^ Kristian  educatloi  for  the 

SS. 

lLTl 

John  C.  Haughey  (Woodstock  Theological  Center). 

Uni nn'>aKa~rlS^iI?e  -arle  gmith  (Graduate  Theological 
1986-1987  SSic  year?"110'0"  ^ h°mileti«  *>r  the 

— ssw^iaets  sar, s?—  - J 


S4l>i 


Class  of  1985  to  hear  distinguished 
churchmen  on  May  26 


Two  eminent  speakers  will  grace  the 
commencement  weekend  at  King 
College  May  25-26,  as  the  college 
completes  its  118th  year. 

Dr.  W.  Graham  Smith,  minister  of 
the  Fairlington  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Alexandria,  Va.,  will  deliver  the 
baccalaureate  sermon  on  Sunday 
morning,  May  26,  at  Central  Presby- 
terian Church.  Dr.  Samuel  Hugh 
Moffett,  Henry  Winters  Luce  Pro- 
fessor of  Ecumenics  and  Mission  at 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  will 
give  the  graduation  address  in  the 
afternoon  at  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  the  Class  of  1985,  65  seniors  will 
be  candidates  for  degrees  in  May  and 
eight  in  August  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  summer  session. 

Dr.  Smith  is  a native  of  Toronto  in 
Canada  and  received  much  of  his 
higher  education  in  Great  Britain.  He 
holds  degrees  from  Queen’s  University 
and  from  Union  Theological  College  in 
Belfast,  North  Ireland,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  divinity  faculty  of  the 
University  of  Edinburgh.  Stateside,  he 
received  the  Th.M.  degree  from 
Westminster  Theological  Seminary  in 
Philadelphia  and  the  D.  Min.  degree 
fre^n  Union  Theological  Seminary  in 
Virginia. 

Dr.SSmith  served  churches  in 
Ontario,  New  York,  and  Pennsylvania 
before  he  came  to  his  present  pastorate 
in  Alexandria  in  1970.  At  the  call  of  the 
General  Assembly  in  Ireland  some  J ~~ 
years  ago  he  served  for  a year  as  ' 
General  Assembly’s  evangelist,  a 


W.  Graham  Smith 


position  his  father  had  held  30  years 
before.  He  has  served  on  numerous 
committees  and  boards  of  presbytery, 
synod,  and  General  Assembly,  and 
has  spoken  widely  at  conventions  and 
churches  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  North 
America. 

Over  the  years,  he  says,  he  has  had 
the  privilege  of  serving  in  six  separate 
communions  of  the  Presbyterian  family 
of  churches  — the  Church  of  Scotland, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Ireland,  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Canada,  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U S. A.,  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States,  and  now  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

He  can  soon  raise  that  number  to 
seven,  for  he  has  been  invited  to  visit  in 


1986  the  Republic  of  Malawi,  Africa,  as 
Visiting  Professor  of  Homiletics  at 
the  Theological  Seminary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Malawi 

Dr.  Moffett,  the  graduation  speaker, 
was  born  in  Korea,  the  son  of  pioneer 
missionaries  to  north  Korea.  He  is  an 
honors  graduate  of  Wheaton  College 
and  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary, 
and  holds  the  Ph.D.  degree  in  religion 
and  church  history  from  Yale  Uni- 
versity. He  studied  further  at  the 
College  of  Chinese  Studies  in  Peking 
in  1947-48,  twice  at  Cambridge 
University  as  a visiting  scholar,  and 
at  the  East  Asia  Institute  of  Columbia 
University  as  a research  fellow. 

Dr.  Moffett  was  ordained  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  U.S.A.,  and 
served  as  director  of  youth  work  for  the 
Presbyterian  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
in  1945-46.  In  1947  he  went  to  China  as 
an  educational  missionary,  on  the 
faculty  of  Yenching  University  in 
Peking  and  later  on  the  faculty  of 


Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 


Nanking  Theological  Seminary.  In 
1951  he  was  arrested  and  expelled  from 
communist  China. 

From  1953  to  1955  he  was  a visiting 
lecturer  at  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  and  then  was  acting  candi- 
date secretary  for  the  Presbyterian 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  In  1955  he 
returned  to  Korea,  first  as  principal  of 
Hyongan  Higher  Bible  School  and  then 
as  a faculty  member  at  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary  of  Korea  in 
Seoul.  He  was  dean  of  the  graduate 
school  there  for  several  years  and  then 
director  of  the  Asian  Center  for 
Theological  Studies  and  Mission 
(ACTS)  in  Seoul  from  1974  to  1981.  In 
1981  he  was  named  honorary  president 
of  both  the  Presbyterian  Theological 
Seminary  of  Korea  and  of  ACTS 

Dr.  Moffett  served  as  a member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  Yonsei 
University,  Soongjun  University,  the 
Korean  Bible  Society,  and  the  Christian 
Literature  Society  of  Korea.  Yonsei 
University  conferred  on  him  the 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Liter- 
ature, and  the  Republic  of  Korea  con- 
ferred on  him  the  Peony  Medal,  an 
Order  of  Civil  Merit,  in  1981.  In  1982 
he  received  the  Medal  of  Aaron  and 
Hur  from  the  U.S.  Army  Chaplains 
Corps. 

He  is  the  author  of  a number  of 
books:  Where’er  The  Sun,  The  Chris- 
tians of  Korea,  The  Biblical  Back- 
ground of  Evangelism,  Asia  and 
Mission,  (with  co-author  Eileen  F. 
Moffett)  Joy  for  an  Anxious  Age,  and 
, .(with  co-authors  P.  Underwood  and 
VJ.  Sibley)  First  Encounters:  Korea 
1880-1910. 


Administrative 

changes 

announced 

The  coming  academic  year  will  see 
changes  in  four  top  administrative 
positions. 

Dr  John  Gaines,  who  has  been 
Dean  of  the  Faculty  since  August,  1979, 
and  also  this  present  year  Vice  Presi- 
dent for  Academic  Affairs,  has  an- 
nounced that  he  intends  to  return  to 
full-time  teaching.  First  he  plans  to 
work  with  a co-author  on  the  third 
edition  of  their  popular  textbook  his- 
tory of  California  entitled,  The  Golden 
State.  To  facilitate  this  writing  he  has 
applied  for  a sabbatical  leave  for  the 
first  semester  of  the  next  academic 
year  On  his  return  he  will  be  giving  his 
full  attention  to  the  teaching  field 
as  Professor  of  Education. 

Dean  Faye  Leitch  has  also  expressed 
a preference  to  move  from  adminis- 
trative duties  back  into  the  classroom. 
She  has  been  Dean  of  Students  since 
the  fall  of  1982  while  retaining  some 
teaching  duties  in  the  Department  of 
Education.  Deciding  that  the  in- 
creasing work  load  was  forcing  her  to 
relinquish  one  position  or  the  other, 
she  has  opted  for  her  first  love  of  teach- 
ing. In  1985-86  she  will  serve  as  chair- 
person of  the  Education  Department. 


John  S.  Gaines 


Fay/e  R.  Leitch 


James  T.  Davis 


Jane  E.  Brown 


Dr.  James  Davis,  who  has  served  in 
the  last  two  and  a half  years  as  Dean  of 
Continuing  Education,  resigned  in 
December  of  1984  in  order  to  be  able  to 
give  his  time  to  the  care  of  his  mother 
who  has  been  unwell  for  some  time. 
Under  Dr.  Davis’  leadership  the  College 
developed  several  programs  which 
involved  people  from  the  Tri-Cities. 

He  was  also  active  in  many  areas  of 
campus  life. 

Dr.  Jane  Brown  '55,  who  came  to  the 
college  in  the  fall  of  1982,  has  decided 
on  a change  of  occupation,  from 
academic  administration  to  real  estate 
agent.  She  will  be  moving  to  the 
Washington,  D C.,  area  later  this 
spring  to  begin  her  new  duties  there. 
While  at  King  she  served  as  Associate 
Dean  with  particular  responsibility  for 
academic  counseling  and  retention. 

She  has  recently  completed  a compre 
hensive  study  of  student  retention 
at  King  College. 

In  commenting  on  these  changes 
Dr.  Mitchell  noted  the  strong  sense  of 
service  and  loyalty  to  the  community 
which  had  characterized  the  work  of  all 
four  administrators:  “We  will  miss 
their  leadership  and  we  are  indebted 
to  them  for  significant  achievements.” 

The  next  edition  of  the  King  College 
Bulletin  will  announce  who  has  been 
selected  for  the  positions  which  have 
become  vacant. 


4 


Departmental 

highlights 

Bible  and  Religion.  Dr.  Gary  Burge 
is  the  author  of  an  article  published 
in  the  March  issue  of  the  Journal  of  the 
Evangelical  Theological  Society 
entitled  “A  Specific  Problem  in  Text 
and  Canon:  The  Woman  Caught  in 
Adultery  (John  7:53-8:11).”  He  con- 
tinues to  mine  the  Fourth  Gospel, 
which  was  the  area  of  his  recent 
doctoral  dissertation.  Ahead  is  a publi- 
cation by  Eerdmans  Publishing  Co.  on 
the  theology  of  John  and  a commentary 
as  a part  of  a larger  volume  edited  by 
King  trustee  Dr.  Walter  Elwell,  The 
Evangelical  Commentary  on  the  Bible. 

In  late  July  Dr.  Burge  is  leading  a 
Chicago-based  church  group  on  a 
15-day  trip  through  Israel.  He  says  any 
King  College  alumni  are  welcome  to 
attend. 

Professor  Gregory  D.  Jordan  has 
written  a review  of  Werner  Schmidt’s 
Old  Testament  Introduction  which  will 
appear  in  the  forthcoming  issue  of 
Interpretation. 

Inter-Disciplinary.  Dr.  Donald  R. 
Mitchell,  Dr.  Richard  A.  Ray  (Bible  and 
Religion),  and  Dr.  Errol  Rohr  (Philos- 
ophy) attended  the  Presbyterian 
Congress  on  Lay  Renewal  in  Dallas 
in  January. 


Music.  The  Symphonic  Choir  traveled 
to  the  Atlanta  area  March  13-15,  and 
sang  in  Marietta  and  in  Rome.  A 
trip  is  planned  to  Hendersonville,  N.C., 
on  April  21. 

Two  senior  music  students  have 
performed  in  master  classes  held  by 
prestigious  teachers  and  performers. 
Robert  Holbrook,  organist,  played  at 
Milligan  College  in  November  for 
Warren  Hutton  of  the  University  of 
Alabama.  He  also  played  in  February 
at  the  Church  Music  Workshop  spon- 
sored by  the  Knoxville  Chapter, 
American  Guild  of  Organists,  in  a class 
of  Russell  Saunders,  Professor  of 
Organ  at  the  Eastman  School  of  Music. 
In  March  Virginia  Reed,  pianist 
(daughter  of  Gordon  Reed  ’52),  per- 
formed in  a master  class  of  Constance 
Knox  Carroll  held  at  Virginia  Intermont 
College. 

Various  department-sponsored 
recitals  in  the  Memorial  Chapel  have 
enlivened  the  college  calendar  this 
semester.  On  February  3 pianist 
Andrew  Hicks  played  the  complete 
Goldberg  Variations  by  Johann 
Sebastian  Bach  as  a part  of  the  com- 
memoration of  the  composer's  300th 
birthday.  On  March  28  there  were  two 
performances  by  the  classical  guitarist 
Ron  Hudson,  who  was  trained  in  the 
techniques  of  the  Spanish  classical 
guitar.  His  repertoire  included  not  only 
the  music  of  Spain  but  also  his  tran- 


scription of  Bach’s  Brandenburg  Con- 
certo No.  3 and  works  by  contempo- 
raries Paul  Simon  and  Mason  Williams. 
On  April  19  pianist  Andrew  Hicks  will 
return  for  a recital  including  works  by 
Bach,  Brahms,  Chopin,  and  Schubert. 

On  May  4 at  4 p.m.  in  Harrison- 
Jones  Auditorium  at  Virginia  Intermont 
College  the  Symphonic  Choir  will  join 
the  Concert  Choir  of  V.I.  for  a per- 
formance of  the  Musikalische  Exequien 
(Musical  Requiem)  by  Heinrich  Schutz. 
This  is  in  observance  of  the  400th 
anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Schutz  and 
is  thought  to  be  the  Virginia  premiere 
of  this  work,  the  earliest  extant  requiem 
mass  in  German.  Also  to  be  heard  in 
the  concert  will  be  works  by  Palestrina, 
Beck,  Stogedal,  and  Jerome  Kern. 

Philosophy.  Dr.  Errol  Rohr  and  Dr. 
Karen  Gegner  Rohr  are  the  authors  of 
an  article  in  the  March  issue  of  the 
Journal  of  Legal  Education,  “Role 
Conflict  in  Marriages  of  Law  and 
Medical  School  Students.” 

Chaplain  Rohr  attended  a seminar 
at  Wheaton  College  March  20-22  on 
“Christian  Theology  in  a Post-Christian 
World.”  Conference  leaders  were 
Dr.  John  Stott  of  the  London  Institute 
for  Contemporary  Christianity  and 
J.I.  Packer  of  Regent  College. 


Pre-Medical.  Dr.  Louis  Mattison 
(Chemistry)  attended  a workshop  for 
pre-medical  advisors  January  23-25  at 
the  Bowman  Gray  School  of  Medicine 
of  Wake  Forest  University.  The  topic 
was  "Medical  School  Admissions 
Criteria  and  Undergraduate  Curric- 
ulum.” 

Dr.  Mattison  and  Dr.  Charles  A. 
Owens  ’66  (Biology)  attended  the 
annual  meeting  of  thp  Southeastern 
Association  of  Advisors  for  the  Health 
Professions  March  28-30  at  Duke 
University.  The  meeting  included 
presentations  on  the  allied  health 
sciences,  medicine,  dentistry,  and 
veterinary  medicine.  This  annual  meet- 
ing provides  a valuable  opportunity  for 
the  exchange  of  ideas  and  information 
between  medical  school  admissions 
directors  and  the  pre-medical  and 
health  sciences  advisors  from  colleges 
and  universities. 

Business  and  Economics.  Professor 
James  H.  Wilson  spoke  at  a hearing 
convened  by  the  North  American 
Securities  Administrators  Associa 
tion  in  Miami  Beach,  Fla.,  on  March  8. 
He  presented  the  viewpoint  of  the 
American  Institute  of  C.P.A.’s  on  the 
regulation  of  personal  financial 
planners. 


Chaplain  finds  student  experience  universal 


by  Pattie  Bland 

College  students  are  college  stu- 
dents. The  size  of  the  institution  they 
attend  does  not  necessarily  make  a 
difference  in  the  range  of  problems  they 
experience. 

King  College’s  new  chaplain  Errol 
Rohr  agrees  with  this  view  based  on  his 
eleven  years’  experience  at  the  Ohio 
State  University  and  his  new  post 
at  King. 

“I  would  see  both  places  as  communi- 
ties of  scholars  and  learners.  There 
is  a basic  commitment  to  follow  truth 
wherever  it  leads.  I see  the  students  as 
a great  deal  alike.  There  are  a lot  more 
of  them  at  Ohio  State.”  He  laughed. 
“In  fact,  there  are  more  of  them  in 
one  dorm  . ..” 

But  as  far  as  the  gamut  of  problems 
goes,  it  is  pretty  much  the  same.  He 
commented,  “Kids  are  worried  about 
relationships  or  they’re  experiencing 
depression  over  grades  and  relation- 
ships and  career  decisions. 

“Here  at  King  I find  they’re  con- 
cerned about  God’s  will  for  their  lives 
and  their  career  decisions.” 

He  added,  “I  think  there’ll  always  be 
kids  who  are  concerned  about  relation- 
ships with  the  opposite  sex.” 

A pleasant  aspect  of  his  work  at  King 
has  to  do  with  the  smallness  of  the 
college.  “Here  I feel  closer  to  the 
students  than  I did  at  Ohio  State. 
There’s  a chance  to  get  to  know  them 
on  more  than  just  a superficial  level. 
King  is  more  personal.  At  Ohio  State  I 
could  walk  across  certain  parts  of 
campus  and  remain  anonymous." 


Errol  Rohr 


At  the  Ohio  school  Dr.  Rohr  was 
director  of  the  United  Christian  Center, 
the  eight-denomination  Protestant 
chaplaincy  service. 

Rohr  likes  the  difference  of  that 
personal  dimension  to  his  work  at  King. 
But  the  biggest  difference,  he  con- 
tinued, is  that  "King  is  consciously 
committed  to  the  integration  of  faith 
and  learning.  We  don’t  have  to 
apologize  for  a Christian  world  and 
life  view.  That’s  something  that  really 
excites  me.” 


One  place  where  he  can  articulate 
that  viewpoint  is  in  the  classroom. 

He  teaches  religion  and  philosophy. 
And  he  believes  that  at  a liberal  arts 
institution,  especially,  “it  behooves  us 
to  look  at  the  bigger  picture.  We  ought 
to  be  looking  at  how  our  disciplines 
are  interrelated.” 

He  contrasted  this  to  his  work  at 
Ohio  State,  noting,  "Because  Ohio 
State  was  so  large,  I concentrated  in  a 
few  areas  of  academic  life,  specifically  ' 
with  the  medical  and  law  schools  and 
tried  to  learn  about  those  disciplines, 
and  the  people  in  them,  and  to  relate 
how  Christianity  bears  upon  those 
disciplines.” 

Rohr  speaks  of  being  “intentional 
about  our  world  view,”  meaning  that 
Christians  bring  their  faith  to  bear  in 
all  areas  of  life. 

He  sees  that  idea  working  in  the 
Christian  Conciliation  Service,  a 
branch  of  the  Christian  Legal  Society, 
which  serves  to  resolve  disputes  out- 
side the  courtroom.  The  method  is 
grounded  in  Scripture  which  en- 
courages charitable  settlements 
instead  of  angry  confrontation. 

Rohr  has  also  helped  found  a branch 
of  the  Council  on  Religion  and  Law  at 
the  Emory  University  law  school.  The 
council  promotes  thinking  about  the 
theological  roots  of  western  law  and 
looks  at  how  faith  is  applied  to  law. 

In  addition  to  teaching  and  counsel- 
ing, Dr.  Rohr  is  involved  in  some  other 
areas  where  people  can  be  intentional 
about  their  faith.  He  cited  the  faculty 


Bible  study  and  the  faculty  theology 
discussion  group. 

For  these  reasons  and  more,  Rohr  is 
glad  he  came  to  King.  “I’d  always 
wondered  about  working  at  a small 
liberal  arts  college,  but  it  wasn’t  as  if 
I d pursued  it,  though  there  was  a desire 
in  my  heart  and  mind.” 

He  went  on  to  say  that  he  has  found 
everyone  to  be  “real  friendly,  warm, 
and  supportive.” 

At  Ohio  State,  he  set  a goal  that  he 
wouldJ “make  the  law  school  a different 
place.”  He  laughed  and  said,  “I  don’t 
know  whether  I succeeded.” 

The  deliberate  and  soft-spoken 
chaplain  continued,  “At  King  I want  to 
be  known  as  someone  who  is  a good 
chaplain  that  provided  good  spiritual 
leadership.  I hope  I don’t  do  anything  to 
detract  from  that  goal.  I want  to  be  a 
good  example  of  the  integration  of 
faith  and  learning  and  present  Chris- 
tianity as  a viable  world  view.” 

He  summed  up,  "I  really  like  this 
place.  I like  the  conscious  commitment 
to  a value  system.  We  reiterate  it  and  it 
is  our  standard.” 

Miss  Bland  ’74  is  Assistant  in  College 
Relations.  This  article  was  used  in 
part  in  the  progress  edition  of  the 
Bristol  Herald  Courier/Virginia 
Tennessean  of  February  24,  1985. 


NOMINATED  TO  BE  ELDERS  AND  TRUSTEES  IN  THE  CLASS  OF  1988 


Betty  Annich 
Barbara  Broad 
Alison  Glockler 
Louise  Goss 


Robert  Hendrickson 
John  Reid 
Philip  Shaver 
Martha  Lou  Stohlman 


Sally  Sword 
William  Thompson 
Jay  Vawter 
Larry  Vroom 


NOMINATED  TO  BE  DEACONS  IN  THE  CLASS  OF  1988 


Harriette  Brainard 
Marie  Burroughs 
Philip  Burroughs 
Ruthanne  Carpi 
Betty  Chenicek 
James  Conant 
Susan  Conant 
Thomas  Dennison 


Eleanor  DeYoung 
Betty  Gilbert 
Richard  Gilbert 
Evelyn  Hemstock 
Ruth  Homrighausen 
Patsy  Keisling 
W.  Stewart  Keisling 
Janet  McDonald 


Patricia  Payne 
Betsy  Ruddy 
Crystal  Sargent 
Gary  Sargent 
Barbara  Shaver 
Irene  Stevenson 
Lois  Thomas 

Elizabeth  Ann  Vandegrift. 


NOMINATED  TO  BE  CONGREGATIONAL  MEMBERS  OF  THE 
COMMITTEE  ON  NOMINATIONS  FOR  1985-86 


Adrienne  Anderson 
Henry  Broad 


Charles  Granade 
Margaret  Hastings 


Theodore  Vial 
Karen  Woodbridge 


NOMINATED  TO  BE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  AUDITING  COMMITTEE,  1985-86 
Carol  King  Eileen  Moffett  Frederick  Seidel 


The  elections  will  take  place  at  the  ANNUAL  CONGREGATIONAL  MEETING 
on  Sunday,  April  14,  1985,  following  the  worship  service. 


NOW  LET  THE  HEAVENS  BE  JOYFUL 

John  of  Damascus  (c.  696  - c.  754)  Provenqal  Carol 

Trans.  John  Mason  Neale  (1818-1866),  alt.  Setting:  Healy  Willan  (1880-1896) 


FROM:  CAROLS  FOR  THE  SEASONS 
© 1959  CONCORDIA  PUBLISHING  HOUSE 
USED  BY  PERMISSION 


I'W,  t 

Mr\  ■ 

Missions  Conference  Speaker 


Tctin 


Dr.  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 


Our  principal  speaker  for 
the  Missions  Conference  this 
year  will  be  Dr.  Samuel  Hugh 
Moffett,  a man  born  in  Korea 
to  missionary  parents.  Dr. 
Moffett  is  widely  known 
across  the  United  States  and 
throughout  the  world  as  an 
inspiring  a nd  challenging 
Christian  leader  and  mission- 
ary spokesman. 

After  graduating  from  Whea- 
ton College  and  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  he  did 
graduate  work  at  Yale  Univer- 
sity, from  which  he  holds  the 
Ph.  D.  degree.  Further  studies 
have  taken  him  fom  China  to 
Great  Britain  as  well  as  the 
United  States.  Dr.  Moffett 
served  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  country  during  the 
midforties.  In  1947  he  went  to  China  as  a missionary  and 
served  on  the  faculties  of  Yenching  University  in  Peking 
and  the  Nanking  Theological  Seminary.  He  was  arrested  in 
January,  1951,  by  the  newly  established  Communist 
authorities  and  expelled  from  China. 

After  a period  of  lecturing  at  Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary and  of  service  on  the  Presbyterian  Missions  Board,  he 
returned  to  the  East  in  1955  as  a missionary  to  Korea  where 
he  worked  particularly  in  the  field  of  education.  Many  hon- 
ors were  accorded  him.  He  held  the  title  of  principal,  pro- 
fessor, president,  director,  councillor,  and  chairman  of  dis- 
tinguished schools,  seminaries,  universities,  societies,  and 
commissions.  Dr.  Moffett  is  an  Honorary  President  of  both 
the  Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary  of  Korea  and  the 
Asian  Center  for  Theological  Studies  and  Mission,  Seoul. 
The  Republic  of  Korea  has  awarded  him  the  Order  of  Civil 
Merit,  the  Peony  Medal.  He  has  also  received  the  Medal  of 
Aaron  and  Hur  from  the  United  States  Army  Chaplain 
Corps. 

He  is  married  to  Eileen  Flower  Moffett  who  co-authored 
a book  with  him  in  1966,  Joy  for  an  Anxious  Age.  Among 
his  other  published  works  are:  Where'er  the  Sun  (1953), 
The  Christians  of  Korea  (1962);  The  Biblical  Background 
of  Evangelism  (1968) ; Asia  and  Missions  (in  Korean,  1976); 
and  First  Encounters  (co-edited  with  P.  Underwood  and  J. 
Sibley,  1982). 

Dr.  Moffett  was  one  of  the  leading  speakers  at  the  recent 
Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal  held  in  Dallas,  Texas 
(January  7 - 10,  1985).  The  representatives  from  Second 
Presbyterian  Church  who  attended  the  Congress  agreed 
unanimously  that  he  was  the  warmest,  brightest,  most . 
challenging  and  stirring  of  the  speakers  they  heard. 


Jib 


Missions  Conference  Speaker 


Dr.  William  A.  Ackerman  is 
an  unusual  person  in  that  he 
is  a layman  who  has  directed 
a great,  world-wide  missionary 
organization  for  more  than 
thirty  years.  A native  of  New 
Jersey  who  began  his  adult 
life  in  the  market  place.  Dr. 
Ackerman  responded  to  the 
call  of  God  which  came  to 
him  with  an  opportunity  to 
serve  as  director  of  the  World 
Home  Bible  League.  Under 
his  leadership  the  Bible  League 
has  grown  at  a rapid  pace.  It 
is  now  one  of  the  largest  agen- 
cies in  the  world  devoted  to 
the  distribution  of  the  Bible. 

The  World  Home  Bible  League  was  begun  in  1938  by  Mr. 
William  A.  Chapman,  a ruling  elder  in  the  First  Reformed 
Church  of  Roseland,  on  the  south  side  of  Chicago  (this  con- 
gregation was  later  served  by  the  Rev.  Gary  De  Witt,  father 
of  our  senior  minister).  It  has  been  principally  a layman's 
movement  ever  since.  The  League  now  distributes  the  Scrip- 
tures in  more  than  seventy  countries  around  the  world. 

Asked  to  comment  on  the  qualifications  of  our  speaker 
for  a conference  like  the  one  we  are  planning.  Dr.  de  Witt 
said,  "Bill  Ackerman  is  one  of  the  finest  and  ablest  Chris- 


Or.  William  A.  Ackerman 


tian  leaders  I know.  He  is  an  excellent  speaker,  a really  chal- 
lenging speaker.  I believe  that  the  hearts  of  the  people  of 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  will  be  warmed  when  they  hear 
him.  I have  known  Bill  since  1952,  having  met  him  and  first 
heard  him  when  I was  a boy  in  the  City  of  Chicago.  I have 


watched  the  progress  of  the  League,  have  been  amazed  at 
the  way  the  Lord  has  blessed  its  work.  Personally  I am  de- 
lighted that  he  has  consented  to  join  us  for  the  conference 


this  year.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  men  of  the  church  will  be 
particularly  interested  in  what  he  has  to  say  about  missions 
because  Bill  himself  is  a layman." 


Dr.  Ackerman  has  travelled  and  spoken  extensively 
around  the  world:  Europe,  the  Orient  (including  Mainland 
China),  Africa,  India,  and  Australia.  Under  his  direction  the 
League  both  distributes  copies  of  the  Bible  and  also  publish- 
es translations  for  the  Wycliffe  Bible  Translators  and  other 
similar  missionary  organizations.  He  is  married,  has  three 
children,  six  grandchildren.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Ackerman  present- 
ly make  their  home  in  South  Holland,  Illinois. 


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The 

Inaugural 

Program 

for 

Dr.  John  P.  Ragsdale 

as  the 

second  president 
of 

United  Wesleyan  College 


Friday 

March  1, 1985 

7:00  p.m. 


PROGRAM 

Inauguration  of  John  P.  Ragsdale 

MARCH  1,  1985 
7:00  p.m. 


Reverend  William  F.  Kinnan,  Sr. 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
Presiding 


PRELUDE Mrs.  Gloria  Snyder 

Instructor 


•PROCESSIONAL— “GOD  OF  OUR  FATHERS” Mrs.  Gloria  Snyder 

(Warren)  Mrs.  Marlene  Wint 

Instructor 


•INVOCATION Reverend  Paul  W.  Ragsdale 

Missionary  and  Pastor — The  Wesleyan  Church 

WELCOME Reverend  William  F.  Kinnan,  Sr. 

Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 

•CONGREGATIONAL  HYMN— 

“HOW  FIRM  A FOUNDATION” Mrs.  Faith  Ingles 

Assistant  Professor 

GREETINGS:  The  Wesleyan  Church Dr.  LeeM.  Haines 

Genera I Secretary  of  Education  and  the  Ministry 

The  Board  of  Trustees Reverend  William  F.  Kinnan.  Sr. 

Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 

The  American  Association Dr.  Gilbert  A.  Peterson 

of  Bible  Colleges  President,  Lancaster  Bible  College 

The  Lehigh  Valley  Community Mr.  David  Bausch 

Chairman,  Lehigh  County  Commissioners 

The  Faculty Reverend  R.  Randall  Schenkel 

Assistant  Professor 

The  Student  Body Mr.  E.  John  Wood 

President,  Student  Senate 

The  Alumni  Association Reverend  Joseph  Watkins 

President.  A lumni  A ssociation 


CHORAL  SELECTION — “REJOICE  MEDLEY” College  Choir 

(arr.  by  Dick  Bolks)  Mrs.  Faith  Ingles 

Assistant  Professor 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS Dr.  O.  D.  Emery 

General  Superintendent— The  Wesleyan  Church 

INTRODUCTION  OFTHE  PRESIDENT Reverend  William  F.  Kinnan,  Sr. 

Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 


INAUGURAL  CEREMONY 
PRAYER  OF  DEDICATION 


Dr.  O.  D.  Emery 

Dr.  Lee  M.  Haines 
Reverend  William  F.  Kinnan,  Sr. 


PRESIDENT’S  RESPONSE Dr.  John  P.  Ragsdale 

President 

CHORAL  SELECTION— “IF  NOT  US,  THEN  WHO?” College  Choir 

Mrs.  Faith  Ingles 
Assistant  Professor 

•BENEDICTION Dr.  Streeter  Stuart 

Professor 

•RECESSIONAL — “RONDEAU” Mrs.  Gloria  Snyder 

( Mouret ) Mrs.  Marlene  Wint 

Instructor 


•Congregation  Standing 


College  and  University  Representatives 

Date 

Founding  ‘ Institution  Representative 

1742  Moravian  College  Dr.  James  John  Heller 

Vice  President  A cademic  Affairs 

1812  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Dr.  Samuel  H.  Moffett 

1826 

Professor 

Lafayette  College 

Mr.  Elbern  H.  Alkire,  Jr. 
Alumnus 

1848 

Muhlenberg  College 

Dr.  Jonathan  Messerli 
President 

1855 

The  Pennsylvania  State  University 

Mr.  John  V.  Cooney 
Allentown  Campus  Executive  Officer 

1856 

Albright  College 

Marie  C.  Maly 
Home  Economist 

1865 

Lehigh  University 

Dr.  Paul  VanR  Miller 
Director.  School  of  Education 

1866 

Roberts  Wesleyan  College 

Rev.  Charles  Felsburg 
Vice-President  of  Finance 

1883 

Houghton  College 

Dr.  Daniel  R.  Chamberlain 
President 

1906 

Central  Wesleyan  College 

Dr.  John  Newby 
President 

1920 

Marion  College 

Dr.  James  Barnes 
Professor 

1923 

Asbury  Theological  Seminary 

Rev.  Harry  F.  Wood 
Alumnus 

1932 

Baptist  Bible  College 

Dr.  Mark  Evan  Jackson 
President 

1933 

Lancaster  Bible  College 

Dr.  Gilbert  A.  Peterson 
President 

1938 

Valley  Forge  Christian  College 

Dr.  Anthony  D.  Palma 
Vice  President  A cademic  A f fairs 

1945 

Bethany  Bible  College 

Dr.  Ronald  Mitchell 
President 

1950 

Pinebrook  Junior  College 

Dr.  Carl  C.  Cassel 
President 

1953 

Evangelical  School  of  Theology 

Dr.  Kirby  Nelson  Keller 
Chairman,  Division  of 
Church  Ministries 

1964 

Allentown  College  of 
St.  Francis  De  Sales 

Very  Reverend  Daniel  G.  Gambet 
President 

1964 

Allentown  College 

Dr.  Alexander  Pocetto 
Vice  President  A cademic  A f fairs 

1966 

Lehigh  County  Community  College 

Dr.  Robert  L.  Barthlow 
President 

1972 

Bartlesville  Wesleyan  College 

Dr.  Larry  R.  Hughes 

Vice  President  A cademic  A f fairs 

1979 

Evangelical  Mission  & 
Seminary  International 

Dr.  Moses  D.K.  Yang 
Director  General/Pastor 

Organizations  and  Association  Representatives 


Date  of 

Founding  Institution 

Representative 

1831 

First  Presbyterian  Church 

Reverend  William  P.  Barker 
Head  of  Staff 

1833 

Pennsylvania  Department  of 
Education 

Dr.  Warren  D.  Evans 
Chief.  Division  of  Postsecondary 
Education  Services 

1866 

School  District  City  of  Allentown 

Dr.  Glenn  Smartschan 
Assistant  to  the  Superintendent  for 
Curriculum  and  Community  Services 

1867 

Christian  Holiness  Association 

Reverend  Robert  Kehler 
Immediate  Past  President 
General  Superintendent  of 
Evangelical  Christian  Church 

1968 

The  Wesleyan  Church 

Dr.  O.  D.  Emery 
General  Superintendent 

1968 

The  Wesleyan  Church 

Dr.  Lee  M.  Haines 
General  Secretary  of  Education 
and  the  Ministry 

1983 

Financial  Resources  Service 

Reverend  Harold  Gunsalus 
President 

John  P.  Ragsdale  Biography 

Dr.  John  P.  Ragsdale  was  named  president  of  United  Wesleyan  College  on  October 
16,  1984.  Prior  to  this  appointment,  he  was  the  Dean  of  Academic  Affairs  at  the  college 
from  January  1972  through  October  1984. 

Dr . Ragsdale  is  an  alumnus  of  United  Wesleyan,  having  graduated  from  the  Allen- 
town campus  with  the  Th.B.  Degree  in  1959.  He  also  received  the  B.S.  Degree  from 
UWC  in  1961 . With  a definite  call  to  educational  missionary  service,  he  taught  public 
school  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  while  attending  Trenton  State  College.  He  also 
pastored  the  West  Pen  Argyl  Pilgrim  Holiness  Church  and  was  ordained  in  1961 . 

After  graduating  with  the  M. A.  from  Trenton  State  College  in  1964,  Rev.  Ragsdale 
and  his  family  were  appointed  to  Zambia,  Africa  as  educational  missionaries.  He 
served  Choma  Secondary  School  for  one  year,  then  in  January  1965  became  the  head 
of  the  education  department  at  the  David  Livingstone  Teacher’s  College.  During  his 
furlough  in  1969,  Rev.  Ragsdale  attended  Lehigh  University  where  he  completed  his 
residency  for  the  D.  Ed.  Degree.  Upon  returning  to  the  David  Livingstone  Teacher’s 
Training  College,  he  also  prepared  his  dissertation  on  the  Educational  Development  of 
Zambia  as  Influenced  by  Protestant  Missions  from  1880  to  1954.  In  May  1973  he 
graduated  with  the  D.Ed.  Degree. 

Dr.  Ragsdale  has  published  articles  on  missions  and  religion  in  the  Wesleyan 
World,  Wesleyan  Advocate,  and  Journal  of  Church  and  State.  His  book,  Protestant 
Mission  Education  in  Zambia:  1880-1954  is  to  be  published  by  Susquehanna  University 
Press  in  1986. 

He  married  Shirley  L.  (Wensel)  Ragsdale  in  July  1959.  Mrs.  Ragsdale  is  a registered 
nurse  having  trained  at  the  Easton  Hospital  School  of  Nursing.  She  also  holds  the  A.S. 
and  B.S.  Degrees  from  United  Wesleyan  and  an  M.S.  from  University  of  Scranton.  She 
was  the  Director  of  Nursing  at  Muhlenberg  Medical  Center  from  1972  to  1984. 

They  have  two  daughters,  Wendy  S.  (Ragsdale)  Leamon,  whose  husband  is  a 
Wesleyan  pastor;  and  Crystal  G.  Ragsdale,  a sophomore  at  United  Wesleyan  College. 

History 

The  Bible  college  program  of  The  Wesleyan  Church  began  in  the  early  twentieth 
century,  when  zone  schools  were  established.  These  effective  Bible  training  centers 
served  the  southern,  eastern  and  central  areas  of  the  church. 

The  first  zone  school,  the  Beulah  Park  Bible  School,  opened  in  1921.  In  1934,  the 
name  was  changed  to  the  Allentown  Bible  Institute,  granting  two-  and  three-year 
diplomas,  which  was  accredited  by  the  American  Association  of  Bible  Colleges  in  1950. 
The  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  approved  degree-granting  status  in  1954  and  the 
name  was  changed  to  Eastern  Pilgrim  College.  With  the  merger  of  the  denominations 
the  name  was  changed  to  Penn  Wesleyan  College.  In  1972,  as  a result  of  the  merger  of 
the  three  Bible  colleges  of  The  Wesleyan  Church,  the  name  was  changed  to  United 
Wesleyan. 

Frankfort  Pilgrim  College  was  founded  as  a Bible  school  for  the  Indiana  District  of 
the  Pilgrim  Holiness  Church  in  1927.  It  opened  with  120  students  from  15  states  and 
was  chartered  by  the  state  of  Indiana  for  the  granting  of  degrees.  The  general 
conference  of  1942  appointed  the  college  to  the  central  educational  zone  and  elected  a 
board  of  directors  representing  the  area.  It  became  Frankfort  Wesleyan  Bible  College 
in  1968  when  the  Pilgrim  Holiness  Church  and  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  merged. 
When  the  Bible  colleges  merged  in  1972,  four  members  of  the  administration  and 
faculty  joined  the  merged  college  staff. 

The  Pilgrim  Bible  College  was  organized  by  the  North  Carolina  District  of  the 
Pilgrim  Holiness  Church  in  1946.  In  1957  the  name  was  changed  to  Southern  Pilgrim 
College  and,  with  the  merger  of  the  denominations,  to  Kernersville  Wesleyan  College. 
One  of  the  Kernersville  faculty  joined  the  merged  college  staff  in  1 972. 

Dr.  Earle  L.  Wilson  served  as  the  first  president  of  United  Wesleyan  College  from 
1972  until  his  election  as  a General  Superintendent  of  The  Wesleyan  Church.  The 
enrollment  of  the  college  increased  from  127  in  1972  to  223  in  1984.  The  J.H.  Fralin 
Memorial  Student  Center  was  completed  in  1979  under  his  leadership.  The  college  also 
was  reaffirmed  for  accreditation  with  the  American  Association  of  Bible  Colleges  in 
1982,  and  received  candidacy  for  Middle  States  accreditation  in  1981 . 


HOW  FIRM  A FOUNDATION 

1 . How  firm  a foundation,  ye  saints  of  the  Lord, 

Is  laid  for  your  faith  in  His  excellent  Word! 

What  more  can  He  say  than  to  you  He  hath  said, 

To  you  who  for  refuge  to  Jesus  have  fled? 

2.  “Fear  not,  I am  with  thee,  O be  not  dismayed: 

For  I am  thy  God,  and  will  still  give  thee  aid; 

I’ll  strengthen  thee,  help  thee,  and  cause  thee  to  stand, 
Upheld  by  my  gracious  omnipotent  hand.” 

3.  ‘‘When  through  fiery  trial  thy  pathway  shall  lie. 

My  grace,  all  sufficient,  shall  be  thy  supply 
The  flame  shall  not  hurt  thee;  I only  design 
Thy  dross  to  consume,  and  thy  gold  to  refine.” 

4.  “The  soul  that  on  Jesus  hath  leaned  for  repose, 

I will  not,  I will  not  desert  to  his  foes; 

That  soul,  though  all  hell  should  endeavor  to  shake, 
I’ll  never,  no,  never,  no  never  forsake!” 


Upcoming  Events 


Tuesday,  Feb.  19,  5:30  p.m. 
Shrove  Pancake/Sausage  Supper 


Bring  a Friend 


Come.  Find  a Friend 
Bring  your  parents 

Choose  your 

activities  Bring  your  grandchildren 

6:00  'till  7:30 

Lenten  Workshop 


66 


Expect  a Miracle 

Nursery  provided  For  2 and  under 
From  there  up 

Come  to  the  LENTEN  WORKSHOP 


55 


Supper  reservations  in  church  office 

by  Monday  noon 

Adults  $1.50  Children  $1.00 


Who  are  Peacemakers? 

Peacemakers  are  the  children  of  God  because 
their  lives  imitate  the  life  of  God's  one  true 
child,  Jesus  Christ,  whose  gospel  was  peace. 
As  he  ignored  the  boundaries  of  status,  race, 
creed  and  family,  so  they  embrace  all  persons 
as  sisters  and  brothers. 


Ash  Wednesday  - Feb.  20,  7:30  p.m. 

Plan  to  begin  the  season  of  Lent  at  the  Lord's 
Table.  We  will  observe  the  Lord's  Supper 
together  in  the  East  Dining  Room  as  we 
are  seated  about  tables.  The  Passover  Seder 
will  be  shared  in  meaning  and  spiritual  signifi- 
cance as  this  Jewish  observance  sheds  new 
insight  upon  our  Lord's  Table. 


WICHITA  KANSAS 


Mission  Fair 

February  15,  16,  17,  1985 


Dr.  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 
Guest  Speaker 

Professor  of  Ecumenics  and  Missions 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary 


PRESBY  NEWS..,..,... 

Published  weekly  by  First  Presbyterian  Church  525  N Broadway  Wichita.  Kansas  67214  Second 
Class  Postage  Paid  at  Wichita  K s POSTMASTER  Send  address  changes  to  FIRST  PPESBv  NEWS 

525  N.  Broadway.  Wrchila.  Kansas  67214  0 1 . 1 5 NO-7  Friday.  Feb. 15, 1985 


Pastor’s  Comments 

David  Glenn  Walker 

A great  weekend  is  before  us!  Dr.  Samuel 
Moffett  will  be  our  guest  speaker  and  leader. 
For  the  past  three  and  a half  years  he  has  been 
the  Henry  W.  Luce  Professor  of  Ecumenics  and 
Mission  at  Princeton  Seminary  in  New  Jersey. 
He  was  born  in  Korea  of  Presbyterian  mission 
parents  who  went  to  Korea  in  1890. 

Prior  to  coming  to  Princeton  Dr.  Moffett 
taught  and  worked  in  the  church  in  mainland 
China  for  four  and  a half  years,  where  he  was 
caught  in  the  revolution.  After  the  Communist 
takeover,  he  and  his  wife  continued  for  two  years 
and  then  moved  to  Korea  where  for  twenty-six 
years  he  was  a church  leader  and  teacher.  His 
dynamics,  spiritual  commitment  and  skill  in 
articulating  the  Christian  faith,  make  him  a 
much  sought  after  mission  speaker. 

Plan  on  joining  in  as  many  of  the  events  as 
you  and/or  your  family  can. 

Friday 

6:30  pm-  Youth  dinner,  Grace  Presbyterian  Church 
Saturday 

8:30  am-  Presbyterian  Men  of  Wichita,  breakfast 
(All  Presbyterian  churches  of  Wichita 
have  been  invited) 

10:00  am-  Elders  and  Deacons  Workshop,  Parlor 
"A  Challenge  to  Church  Leaders" 

12  Noon-  Church  Officer  Luncheon  (reservations) 
1:00  pm-  Dialogue  with  Peacemaking  Committee 
6:00  pm-  All  Church  Pot-Faith  Dinner 

Activities  for  children,  youth,  parents,  adults 
"Changing  Patterns  in  Mission" 

Sunday 

9.15  and  11  am-  Morning  Worship  Services 

Daily  Inspiration  - Information 
Phone  265-6729  - Meditation  and  Prayer 
Phone  265—6731  — Bible  stories 
Phone  265-7561  - Issues  to  think  upon 


Boards.  Committees 

Saturday,  Feb.  16 

1 0:00-Transportation  Board,  Hobbs  Room 

Monday,  Feb.  18 

3:30  pm-Christian  Education  Staff 

Church  and  Society,  Reception  Rm. 
5:30  Single  Adult  Cmte., W.dining  room 

Tuesday,  Feb.  19 

9:00  am-Staff  meeting,  Hobbs  Room 
7:30  pm-Session,  Parlor 

Wednesday,  Feb.  20  Ash  Wednesday 

9:30  am- Board  of  Pastoral  Care,  Gold  Room 

Thursday,  Feb.  21 

4:00  pm-  Board  of  Trustees,  Hobbs  Room 

"Spruce-up  Day"  for  the  church  will  be  Satur- 
day, March  2,  starting  at  8:30  a.m.  Anyone  who 
can  give  a few  hours  to  clean,  fix-up,  or  paint 
is  welcome.  Lunch  will  be  served. 

Lenten  Studies 

Class  enrollments  are  beginning  to  grow. 
Don  t miss  out!  Register  now  for  one  of  the 
vital  studies  on  Thursday  evenings,  Feb.  21  through 
March  28. 

6:15  pm-  Supper  in  the  West  Dining  Room 
6:45  pm-  Worship  in  the  Chapel 
7:00  pm-  Studies 

Beliefs  That  Matter  - Dr.  Walker 
Study  of  Five  of  the  World's  Religions 

Turk  Humann 

The  Prophetic  Imagination-  George  McCall 
(This  course  continues  through  both  hours) 
You  Are  There  - Nils  Gabrielson 
(A  class  for  elementary  children) 

8:00  pm-  Studies 

Theology  of  Culture  - Bill  Sloan 
Grow  Your  Own  - 

Teresa  Shaffer,  Don  Ingle,  Max  Morris 
Elect  the  studies  of  your  preference  and 
enroll  today.  Review  the  Lenten  Study  Brochure 
that  arrived  in  your  mail  earlier  this  week  for 
full  information. 


MINUTES  OF 

PUBC  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  MEETING 
FEBRUARY  12  - 14,  1985 
THE  HOLMES  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 
HOLMES,  PA 


PRESENT:  Foster  Shannon,  President;  Julian  Alexander  (Nominee),  Sarah  Blanken, 

Laura  Dickman,  Russell  Hitt,  Jack  Kling,  Murray  Marshall,  Frank  McPherson,  Pam 
Powell,  Louise  Risk  (Nominee),  Ben  Sheldon,  Garth  Steele,  Dick  Todd,  Kent  Pipes, 
(Nominee),  Walter  Ungerer,  Roberta  Winter,  and  Chuck  Wiggins. 

ABSENT:  Excused  — Martin  Anorga,  Jack  Chisholm,  Byron  Crozier , Elaine  Emery, 

Jim  Hagelganz,  Ken  Kalina,  Ernie  Lewis,  Bill  Long,  Doug  McDowell,  Murray  Smoot, 
and  John  Zimmerman.  Not  heard  from:  Howard  Rice  and  Bill  Stoddard  (chaplain  on 

world  cruise) . 

STAFF  PRESENT:  Matt  Welde,  Executive  Director,  Kathy  Goodrich,  Assistant  Direc- 

tor, Richard  Lovelace,  Theological  Advisor,  Betty  Alexander,  Staff  Associate  for 
Development.  Sue  Craves,  former  Administrative  Assistant  and  her  husband,  Steve 
also  attended. 

ADVISORS/FRIENDS  PRESENT:  Bill  Carpenter,  also  gracious  and  effective  host,  Jim 

Kraft  (Pastor,  First  Pres.,  Mt.  Holly),  John  Pavelko  (Assistant  Pastor,  Northfield 
Pres.),  Jim  Stout  (Pastor,  Covenant  Pres.,  Sharon,  PA),  Mrs.  Sharlyn  Stare  (College 
Hill),  Rev.  Robert  Stier  (Forks  of  the  Brandywine  Church). 

TUESDAY  EVENING,  FEBRUARY  12 

After  a dinner  together  at  the  Holiday  Inn,  Foster  Shannon  called  i_he  meeting  to 
order  and  led  the  devotions  from  the  book  of  Esther.  Matt  Welde  and  Kathy  Goodrich 
gave  an  update  on  those  who  were  unable  to  attend  the  Board  meeting. 

BRD285 : 1 VOTED  to  approve  the  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Directors  Meeting,  held  in 
Dallas,  TX,  February  6-8,  1984,  as  distributed. 

There  was  a time  of  "logging  in"  where,  at  Foster  Shannon's  request,  each  person 
introduced  him  or  herself  and  stated  "what  is  energizing  me  now.' 

REPORT  OF  THE  NOMINATING  COMMITTEE 

Russell  Hitt,  chairman,  made  the  report  of  the  committee  consisting  of  Ben  Sheldon 
and  Chuck  Wiggins.  Nine  names  for  the  Class  of  1987  were  placed  in  nomination: 

Rev.  Julian  Alexander,  Dr.  Cecilio  Arrastia,  Rev.  Jack  Chisholm,  Rev.  Elaine  Emery, 
Rev.  Kent  Pipes,  Rev.  Robert  Pitman,  Mrs.  Louise  Risk,  Mrs.  Roberta  Winter,  and 
Dr.  Virgil  Cruz. 

Duo  to  the  resignations  of  Murray  Smoot  and  Byron  Crozier  from  the  Class  of  1985, 
it  was  reported  that  the  Executive  Committee  had  made  the  following  six  suggestions 
lo  fill  these  two  unexpired  terms:  Rev.  Paul  Key,  Rev.  John  Pavelko,  Rev.  Wcyland 

Wong,  Dr.  Dwight  White,  Rev.  Pat  Hartzock,and  Mrs.  Sam  Stare.  Sam  Stare  and  John 
Pavelko  were  nominated  by  Jack  Kling.  In  order  to  reduce  confusion  in  acting  on 
the  nominations  to  the  two  different  classes,  Stare  and  Pavelko  withdrew  their 
names  as  nominees. 

BRD285 : 2 VOTED  to  elect  the  nine  nominees  of  the  Nominating  Committee  to  the  Class 
of  1987. 


2 


JoKn  Pavelko  and  Sara  Stare  were  then  nominated  to  fill  the  two  unexpired  terras 
for  the  class  of  1985. 

BRD285:3  VOTED  that  a unanimous  ballot  be  cast  for  the  election  of  Pavelko  and 
Stare  to  the  Class  of  1985. 

Several  Board  members  suggested  the  possibility  of  settling  up  standards  of 
participation  and  attendance  for  PUBC  Board  members. 

BYLAW  CHANGE 

The  Board  requested  Julian  Alexander  to  investigate  the  need  for  a change  or 
addition  in  the  wording  of  the  bylaws  to  include  provision  for  the  position  of 
assistant  director.  Later  in  the  meeting  Julian  read  from  the  Bylaws  Section 
6:2  which  covers  this  need.  No  further  action  was  necessary. 

REPORT  OF  THE  ASSISTANT  DIRECTOR 

Kathy  Goodrich  presented  her  report  of  her  activities  since  joining  the  PUBC 
staff  at  the  end  of  1984.  It  was  in  written  form  with  a copy  for  each  director. 

She  also  presented  her  vision  for  PUBC's  future.  Because  of  a staff  shortage,  more 
than  half  her  time  has  been  engaged  in  office  and  secretarial  work.  Because  of 
her  vision  of  drawing  in  a far  wider  base  for  PUBC  and  much  greater  numbers  of 
evangelicals,  Kathy's  major  concern  in  her  report  was  for  a massive  fund  raising 
effort . 

In  answer  to  Russ  Hitt's  question,  it  was  reported  that  the  computer  purchased 
last  spring  has  so  far  been  used  only  for  word  processing.  To  make  full  use  of 
the  computer,  an  executive  secretary  with  computer  skills  is  needed. 

Matt  Welde  warmly  affirmed  Kathy's  contributions  in  her  first  months  on  the  staff 
of  PUBC  and  spoke  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  held  her.  Both  Kathy  and  Matt 
expressed  deep  appreciation  of  Sue  Graves'  contributions  and  expressed  regret 
that  it  was  necessary  for  her  to  resign  because  of  family  responsibilities. 

REPORT  OF  THE  DIRECTOR 

Matt  Welde  called  attention  to  the  Annual  Report  to  the  General  Assembly,  a copy  of 
which  was  in  Board  members'  folders.  He  stated  that  during  the  8 years  he  has 
been  director  of  PUBC,  he  constantly  has  prayed  for  humility  and  wisdom.  He  re- 
ported as  follows: 

1.  Impediments  to  Renewal:  a)  The  isolationist  spirit  of  many  evangelical 

churches,  which  do  not  function  fully  in  the  connectional  denominational 
system.  b)  Outmoded  authoritarian  models  in  evangelical  churches  rather 
than  the  team  model  of  Ephesians  4.  c)  The  intransigence  of  liberalism, 
holding  on  to  power,  using  manipulation  which  prevents  a true  open  forum  on 
issues,  d)  Permissive  positions  held  by  churches  on  sexuality  — ie. 
abortion,  homosexuality.  e)  Cryptounivcrsalism  with  a weak  view  of  the 
lostness  of  people  without  Christ,  in  turn  affecting  the  mission  imperative. 

f)  Cultural  captivity  to  materialism.  g)  A weak  base  for  Biblical  authority. 

2.  Signs  of  Vitality:  a)  Uneasiness  in  the  church  with  the  status  quo.  — e.g. — 

loss  of  members,  left-leaning  resolutions  without  open  debate,  b)  Improve- 
ment in  ethnic  and  theological  Indus ivism  and  representation,  c)  Possibili- 
ties of  "some  things  new",  i.e.  new  structure  to  facilitate  missions,  d)  New 
evangelical  initiatives,  i.e.  homosexuality  issue  in  San  Francisco  Presbytery 
and  initiatives  of  such  leaders  as  Jerry  Kirk. 


3 


J 

0 , 

3.  The  Challenge  Before  Us:  Using  the  Pope's  recent  outline,  Matt  spoke  of 
the  challenge  of  "integrality,"  where  sound  doctrine  and  social  action 
are  not  divided,  of  "identity"  where  we  need  to  establish  what  we  really 
are  as  a Chapter  9 organization,  recognizing  that  "networking"  is  "in," 
and  "clarity"  where  contributions  such  as  Jack  Rogers'  book,  "Presbyterian 
Creeds,"  is  welcomed  and  utilized. 

Matt  outlined  PUBC's  challenges  as  follows:  a)  PUBC  must  lead  in  a new 

era  of  evangelical  unity  and  cooperation,  breaking  new  ground  in  dialogue 
with  other  groups  — i.e.  Black  Presbyterians  United,  the  charismatic 
communion,  and  young  pastors,  b)  Opportunities  for  clergy  renewal  must 
be  provided,  recognizing  that  many  are  lonely,  burned  out  with  family  and 
staff  problems.  Do  we  need  regional  conferences,  another  Congress,  etc.? 
c)  A strong  parish  renewal  plan  — Bob  Pitman  has  a plan  and  Bob  Fenn  is 
no  longer  with  the  denomination.  Possibility  of  cooperating  with  CFP  in 
a venture?  Matt  feels  there  is  a powerful  call  to  prayer  for  all  of  these 
concerns . 

The  meeting  was  recessed  until  Wednesday  morning. 

WEDNESDAY  FEBRUARY  13 


The  Wednesday  morning  session  opened  with  an  inspiring  devotional  report  by  Jack 
Kling  on  his  advanced  research  on  Christopher  Columbus  writings  linking  the  King- 
dom of  God  to  new  world  discoveries  and  his  unraveling  of  the  meaning  of  the 
"Columbia"  symbol,  America's  early  visionary  iconography. 

REPORT  OF  THE  FINANCE  COMMITTEE 

Frank  referred  to  the  financial  reports  in  the  hands  of  the  Directors,  pointing 
out  that  much  income  was  received  in  January  1985  due  to  the  fund  raising  efforts 
late  in  1984.  He  stated  that  there  was  an  increase  in  1984  income  of  6%  over 
1983,  and  that  we  could  expect  perhaps  $150, 000  in  1985  income  based  on  past  ex- 
perience. New  strategies  will  have  to  be  undertaken  if  the  budget  of  $188,762  is 
voted.  Matt  reported  that  PUBC  is  currently  up  to  date  on  all  bills  with  $5,000 
in  the  bank.  He  also  stated  that  there  will  be  immediate  expenses  for  the  upcoming 
COMMUNIQUE  and  for  the  traveling  expenses  for  this  Board  meeting. 

In  answer  to  questions,  Frank  stated  that  Matt  has  the  responsibility  to  manage 
the  cash  flow  and  to  manage  the  various  line  items  month  by  month,  but  is  account- 
able not  to  exceed  the  total  budget  on  line  items. 

Matt  stressed  the  importance  of  hiring  an  executive  secretary  at  $8  per  hour  for 
a 30  hour  week.  He  reported  that  there  has  been  no  progress  on  the  purchase  of 
software  needed  for  fund  raising. 

BRD285:4  VOTED  to  accept  the  budget  as  presented  by  the  Finance  Committee. 

BRD285:5  VOTED  to  accept  the  Audited  Financial  Report  by  the  Certified  Public 
Accountant,  Stuart  W.  Miller. 

Walt  Ungerer  expressed  a concern  that  we  follow  IRS  regulations  regarding  pro- 
visions for  the  Directors'  housing  allowances.  He  stated  that  Matt  and  Kathy 
need  to  submit  in  writing  at  this  meeting  what  their  real  housing  allowance  needs 
to  be,  including  upkeep.  This  must  be  submitted  to  IRS  before  the  end  of  Febru- 
ary. 


4 


w 

Matt  Welde  called  attention  to  the  report  on  the  film,  "Stirrings  of  the  Spirit," 
with  the  small  debt  of  $500  remaining  to  the  film  producer,  Burt  Martin.  It  will 
be  liquidated  in  the  next  few  months  after  which  PUBC  will  enjoy  a profit  on  each 
rental  or  purchase  of  the  film  and  cassettes. 

REPORT  ON  PUBC/CFP  MISSION  TEAM,  1984-1985 

John  Pavelko  presented  this  report  and  called  attention  to  the  Purpose  Statement 
of  the  various  aspects  of  PUBC's  mission  at  General  Assembly.  He  reported  that 
the  luncheons  for  Commissioners  are  no  longer  effective  because  of  unavoidable 
logistical  problems  in  scheduling  by  the  General  Assembly;  a PUBC  reception  for 
Commissioners  is  needed  the  first  day. 

The  major  item  he  presented  to  the  Board  was  a proposal  for  a hospitality  suite. 

This  would  increase  PUBC  expenses  at  General  Assembly.  CFP  has  stated  that  they 

have  their  own  suite  with  a team  of  8 people.  They  are  ready  to  cooperate  on 
staff  orientation  and  on  meeting  together  as  a team  each  morning  at  breakfast,  but 
will  operate  independently  in  other  ways.  It  was  agreed  that  two  locations  will 
be  needed:  the  booth  to  disseminate  information  and  a suite  for  private  conversa- 

tion and  interaction  with  Commissioners  and  others  and  to  publish  FRESH  BREAD. 

After  considerable  discussion,  it  was  moved  by  Alexander,  seconded  by  Hitt  that 
PUBC  provide  a booth  for  public  relations,  a room  in  the  Hyatt  Hotel  to  be  used 
by  Matt  as  his  residence,  and  to  request  room  in  Byron  Crozier's  church  to  pub- 
lish FRESH  BREAD.  John  Pavelko  stated  that  his  main  request  was  to  receive  approval 
to  seek  two  PUBC  locations  for  PUBC’s  various  activities.  A motion  to  table 
Alexander's  motion  was  defeated.  Alexander  and  Hitt  then  withdrew  their  motion  to 
make  way  for  a new  one. 

BRD285:6  VOTED  that  two  locations  for  PUBC  activities  at  General  Assembly  be  approved 
and  that  John  Pavelko  with  Matt  Welde  and  Kathy  Goodrich  be  authorized  to  work  out 
the  best  arrangement. 

In  further  discussion  Walter  Ungerer  offered  to  have  his  church  staff  mail  out 
information  about  PUBC’s  resources  for  Commissioners  at  General  Assembly  to  all 
elected  Commissioners,  if  PUBC  wishes  to  prepare  such  information  for  mailing. 

Appreciation  was  expressed  to  John  Pavelko  for  his  presentation  and  planning  for 
PUBC's  strategy  at  General  Assembly  in  1985. 

BRD285:7  VOTED  that  John  Pavelko  be  authorized  to  speak  for  the  PUBC  Board  regard- 
ing General  Assembly  arrangements,  especially  with  reference  to  negotiations  with 
CFP,  and  that  Jack  Kling  be  invited  to  be  the  convener  of  the  General  Assembly 
Mission  Team. 

GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  MODERATOR  CANDIDATES 

Matt  Welde  reported  that  there  are  two  definite  candidates  for  Moderator:  Jim 

Odell  and  William  Wilson.  William  Wilson  is  a moderate  to  whom  Clayton  Bell  has 
pledged  his  support.  It  was  agreed  that  Sam  Moffett  would  be  an  excellent  candi- 
date, but  perhaps  would  accept  a draft  to  run  next  year  after  he  retires  from  Princeton 
Seminary.  It  was  reported  that  the  PUBC  Executive  Committee  at  its  meeting  the 
previous  day  had  voted  to  encourage  the  nomination  of  Sam  Moffett  in  1986. 

BRD285:8  VOTED  the  recommendation  of  the  Executive  Committee  to  encourage  the  nom- 
ination of  Sam  Moffett  for  General  Assembly  Moderator  in  1986  and  that  PUBC  do 
all  it  can  to  accomplish  this,  with  a copy  of  this  motion  be  sent  to  Sara  Moffett. 


VevaljBtttr  of 


FROM  THE  PASTOR'S  DESK 


2 


"All  Things  New"  was  the  slogan  for  the  "Presbyterian  Congress  on  Re- 
newal" I attended  in  Dallas,  January  7 - 10.  One  of  our  local  pastors, 
upon  hearing  of  this  conference,  jokingly  said:  "you've  gdtto  be  kid- 

ding, Presbyterians  aren't  interested  in  renewal."  He  must  have  read  my 
answer  on  my  face  because  he  quickly  asked,  "Are  they?" 

Six  thousand  Presbyterians  gathered  in  Dallas  to  affirm  our  interest 
and  investment  in  the  renewal  of  ourselves  and  our  church.  Perhaps  this 
affirmation  was  best  expressed  in  the  final  morning's  message,  delivered 
by  Dr.  Sam  Moffet  of  Princeton  Seminary's  missions  department.  This  humble 
multi-generation  Presbyterian  minister/missionary  shared  his  heart  and 
hope  for  the  church  he  loves  and  has  served  for  years  on  end.  Dr.  Moffet, 
using  Acts  1 as  his  text,  diagnosed  the  Presbyterian  Church  as  over-^ 
organized  but  under-energized.  His  prescription  challenges  our  church  to 
seek  cleansing  through  prayer  and  thus  be  ready  for  the  Holy  Spirit's 
empowerment  for  mission,  as  Jesus'  disciples  did  prior  to  Pentecost. 

Dr.  Moffet's  message  received  a spontaneous  standing  ovation  from  every- 
one present  for  this  apostolic  sermon  on  church  renewal. 

We  of  Williamston  Presbyterian  Church  will  have  a personal  opportunity 
to  affirm  our  belief  in  renewal  during  the  Faith  Discovery  Weekend, 

February  1 - 3.  Ben  Johnson,  of  Columbia  Seminary,  will  lead  our  renewal 
experience  (via  video-tape). 

Assisting  in  this  weekend  will  be  WPC's  "Outreach  Team",  consisting 
of:  Marie  Cobb,  Wade  Gardner,  Elton  Hardy,  Ernest  Harrison,  and  your 
pastor.  The  Outreach  Team  has  been  praying  for  you  and  your  participation 
in  our  weekend  of  personal  renewal.  Please  prayerfully  consider  joining 
us  in  presence  and  praying  that  this  might  genuinely  prove  to  be  your 
Faith  Discovery  Weekend. 

Yes,  Presbyterians  do  believe  in  and  personally  pray  for  renewal  in 
ourselves,  our  church  and  our  world.  Let  us  all  join  with  those  first 
disciples  and  the  six  thousand  Presbyterians  of  Dallas  in  praying  for 
the  outpouring  of  God's  Spirit  upon  His  church  and  His  world. 


Jim  Carr 


SW 


jnto  His  world  with  burning  heart  and  working  hands 

0 r?  ano  Presbyterians. , At aska-NortlvJ 


(USPS  628-540) 


WORKSHOPS 
BEST  EVER, 
REPORT 
ATTENDEES 


brate  with  you  the  renewal  enphasis  within  our  church,  and 
affirm  the  efforts  of  the  Congress  to  give  strength  and  di- 
rection to  the  emphasis.  May  God  use  the  enthusiasm  of  this 
event  to  deepen  ccomitment  and  energize  congregations . ■ 

A total  or  247  workshops  and  seminars  were  held  during  the 
three  days,  with  participants  able  to  attend  three  each  day. 
All  or  them  were  recorded  and  have  been  made  available  on 
cassettes  (only  $1125  for  all  400  hours  worth!)  Indicative 
of  the  wide  spectrum  of  viewpoints  was  the  workshop  on  Cen- 
tral America,  with  a spirited  debate  between  Robert  White, 
former  U.S.  Ambassador  to  El  Salvador  under  President 
Carter,  and  Constantine  Menges,  President  Reagan's  National 
Security  Council  Advisor  for  Central  America.  About  25  to 
30  ethnic  minorities  were  in  leadership  roles,  as  well  as  60 
to  80  women.  About  25  workshop  leaders  were  presbytery, 
synod  or  General  Assembly  officials. 


The  Rev.  Ron  Rice,  pastor  First  PC,  Centralia  and  photographer  for  the  Dal- 
las event  prepared  this  summary  and  photos  for  THRUST.  With  a $1.1  million 
budget,  Renewal  Congress  organizers  left  Dallas  with  less  than  a $200,000 
deficit.  "The  Congress  is  a fuse — a launching  pad  that  sends  embers  and 
sparks  to  ignite  throughout  the  PC  (USA)  tor  the  new  age  dawning,"  reflected 
the  Rev.  Robert  Meneilly,  chair  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Evangelism  and 
Church  Growth  which  is  launching  the  churchwide  New  Age  Dawning  emphasis . 


Bruner 


Mikoski 


Hestenes 


Moffett 


I Workshop  leaders  from  our  synod  included  Bruce  Larson;  Ray 
Moore;  Tim  Dearborn;  Denny  Rydberg  and  Betsy  Weaver,  all  of 


12 


CHRISTIAN 
CELEBRITIES 
NUMEROUS 


WARM  GLOW 
NOT  ENOUGH 


lMiyersity  PC,  Seattle;  Dale  Bruner  and  Ron  Frase, 
I Whitworth;  Dick  I^on,  First  PC,  Spokane;  Steve  Hayner, 
eattle  Pacific  University;  Marian  Bjerke,  First  PC, 
Seattle;  and  recent  synod  pastors  John  Zimmerman,  Miami,  FL, 
and  Tim  Johns,  Kansas  City. 

| Numerous  celebrities  and  well-known  authors  led  workshops, 
including  Robert  Schuller,  Keith  Miller,  Lloyd  Ogilvie, 
Richard  Hal vorsen , Os  Guiness,  Sam  Moffett,  Ralph  Winter, 
Ron  Sider , John  Perkins,  Jim  Smoke,  Louis  and  Colleen  Evans, 
'Bryant  Kirkland,  Robert  Munger  and  Earl  Palmer. 

i Standing  ovations  were  given  to  two  of  the  plenary  speakers: 
Dr . James  Forbes , black  pentecostal  professor  from  Union 
I ln  New  York,  for  his  rousing  exposition  of  Luke  15 

I fT16  ttlemes  "Separation,  Restoration  and  Celebration," 
and  Dr.  Sam  Moffett,  retired  missionary  statesman  from  Kore- 
la,  now  at  Princeton  Seminary,  for  his  penetrating  address, 
"Where's  the  Power?" 

I p^r^ciPants  left  Dallas  expressing  cautious  hopes,  recog- 
I nizing  that  four  days  of  worship,  workshops  and  warm  feel- 
mgs  alone  could  not  create  a growing,  unified  church.  "I 
don't  think  one  week's  effort  can  fix  it,"  said  the  Rev. 
John  Anderson  of  Dallas,  last  Moderator  of  the  former  south- 
ern  church.  "I've  seen  others  just  come  back  tired  and  a 
little  poorer." 

Many,  however,  came  home  excited  and  revitalized.  John 
| Drummond  wrote  to  his  Toledo  congregation  in  Olympia 
Presbytery:  ”Our  denomination  would  do  well  to  have  such  a 

renewal  conference  once  a year  and  our  General  Assemblies 
once  a millennium.  It  was  so  refreshing  to  worship  togeth- 
er, to  hear  leaders  of  strong  churches  share  their  insights 
and  experiences,  and  to  pray  and  covenant  with  each  other 
for  a renewal  in  our  church.  I came  away  blessed,  renewed 
and  hopeful.  1 had  been  fed  spiritual  food.  It  was  like 
eating  steak  and  lobster  for  each  meal;  all  on  $50  • " Con- 
ference organizers  said  there  are  no  plans  for  another  such 
event,  but  tnat  they  are  open  to  the  possibility. 


SEATTLE 

CHURCH 

ASSIST 

CENTRAL 

AMERICANS 


13 


, 011  0,6  secona  rloor  of  the  Woodland  Park  PC,  Seattle,  is  the 
office  of  the  Salvadoran/Guatemalan  Refugee  Program,  spon- 
sored by  the  Washington  Association  of  Churches,  an  ecumeni- 
cal  agency  supported  by  $12,700  from  synod's  mission  budget. 

! Rising  bail  bond  and  arranging  legal  aid  after  a Salvadoran 
I Gu^ternalan  has  .been  arrested  by  the  Immigration  and 
I Naturalization  Service  (INS),  is  among  the  program's  key 


Y'\  '4;  wr 


75SJ' 


1 ,-klOc/^t J.5.p&;J.7SXp 


Features 


Presbyterian  meeting  termed  ‘a  cry  for  help’ 

I eaHprc  r\ f the*  r-»-> f ; ■ • 


Leaders  of  the  meetings,  sponsored  by  four 
evangelical  and/or  charismatic  groups,  said  . 
they  hoped  the  congress  would  help  lead 
Presbyterians  to  new  ways  of  personal  and 
denominational  renewal. 


century  mission,7  he  said. 

For  example,  he  said,  the  20th 
century  has  seen  far  greater  growth 
in  the  number  of  Christians  in  the 
World  than  the  ) 9th  century  pro- 
duced. "But  the  mainline  churches 
are  not  holding  up  their  end.  The  ex- 
citement has  returned  to  the  volun- 
tary societies  and  away  from  de- 
nominational boards." 

He  said  re-emphasis  in  mission 
on  Jesus  Christ  as  Lord  and  Savior 
was  needed. 


cerns,  the  Presbyterian  Lay  Cc 
tee.  the  Covenant  Fellowship  a 
Presbyterian  Reformed  am 
newal  Ministries  (formerly  the 
byterian  Charismatic  Commun 
The  gathering  attracted 
bers  seeking  both  personal  re 
and  renewal  of  their  denomir 
The  Rev.  Randy  Young  of  f 
ville.  Wash.,  said.  "It's  the  firs 
I’ve  known  Presbyterians  to  j 
gether  to  pray,  learn  and  wor: 


By  SHARON  MIELKE 
Religious  News  Service 

DALLAS  — Two  green  leaves 
sprouting  from  a cross  symbolized 
hope  for  some  5.000  Presbyterians 
gathered  here  recently  for  a re- 
newal congress. 

The  largest  Presbyterian  evan- 
gelical seminar  series  ever  con- 
ducted was  brokered  by  four  special 
interest  groups  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.),  all  of  the  evangeli- 
cal and/or  charismatic  persuasion. 

While  the  congress’  executive  di- 
rector. the  Rev.  Ernest  J.  Lewis,  said 
a characterization  of  the  congress  as 
’a  major  show  of  force"  by  the  con- 
servatives in  the  church  was  "rather 
extreme."  he  said  the  congress  was 
"a  cry  from  trusted  leaders  for  a 
place  in  the  church." 

Leaders  said  they  hoped  the 
four-day  event  would  help  the  3.1- 
million-member  denomination  find 
new  ways  of  personal  and  denomina- 
tional renewal.  The  congress  fea- 
tured worship,  plenary  addresses 
Bible  study,  Christian  theater  and 
250  workshops,  seminars  and 
forums. 

Workshops  were  offered  in  four 
basic  areas:  personal  renewal,  con- 
gregational renewal,  renewal  in  the 
world  and  denominational  renewal. 

The  themes  of  the  congress  in- 


dicated a strong  evangelical  bent,” 
Lewis  said,  "with  emphasis  on  a re- 
turn to  principles  as  old  as  the 
church  itself,  a restoration  of  the 
basics  of  Christianity  and  renewed 
vigor  in  missionary  outreach." 

The  Rev.  Bruce  Larson  of  Seattle 
reminded  participants  at  the  open- 
ing service  to  remember  that  re- 
newal requires  both  reaffirmation  of 
the  "non-negotiable  basics"  of  the 
faith  and  the  making  of  things  new. 

The  Seattle  pastor  said  renewal 
for  all  aspects  of  the  world  is  possi- 
ble through  Christian  love: 

"Medicine  is-  waiting  for  a 
church  that  says  we  want  to  be  part- 
ners with  you  ...  Half  of  all  illness  is 
caused  by  the  absence  of  love,  the 
absence  of  joy,  the  absence  of  pur- 
pose. Doctors  ask  our  help  to  under- 
stand the  spiritual  nature  of  sickhess 
and  wellness  ...  The  chief  justice 
calls  us  to  use  the  teaching  of  the 
church  as  an  alternative  to  the 
courts,  to  use  the  court  system  only 


as  a last  resort” 

The  Rev.  Leighton  Ford  chal- 
lenged the  participants  during  the 
closing  service  to  trust  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  point  them  In  the  right  di- 
rection after  the  conference. 

He  said  that  while  many  might 
be  confused  by  the  variety  of  offer- 
ings, the  important  step  was  that  of 
personal  commitment. 

Ford  said  the  Holy  Spirit  beckons 
Christians  to  cast  out  demons  in  the 
modern  world  — "demons”  of  al- 
coholism, drug  addiction,  material- 
ism, nuclear  stockpiling,  and  terror- 
ism. 

Leading  the  challenge  to  renew 
mission  vigor  was  the  Rev.  Samuel 
H.  Moffett,  professor  of  ecumenics 
and  mission  at  Princeton  Theologi- 
cal Seminary.  A former  missionary 
to  Korea,  Moffett  contrasted  the 
19th  and  20th  centuries  in  mission. 

"There  has  been  a loosening  of 
the  theological  fiber,  of  the  convic- 
tions that  were  at  the  heart  of  19th- 


Asked  if  local  churches  should 
continue  to  support  Presbyterian 
missions,  Moffett  said  they  had  an 
obligation  to  support  Presbyterians 
but  that  there  should  be  more  free- 
dom "to  spread  the  money  around.” 

Petition  signatures  were  being 
gathered  here  in  support  of  the 
"Townsend  Statement,”  whiclj  was 
drafted  by  Presbyterians  seeking 
structural  changes  in  mission, 
specifically  the  division  of  mission 
into  two  separate  agencies. 

One  agency  would  be  for  na- 
tional mission  and  the  other  interna- 
tional. Moffett  is  vice  chairman  of 
the  statement  signers. 

The  congress  brought  under  one 
roof  several  different  streams  of 
Presbyterian  evangelicals  and 
charismatics. 

Sponsoring  the  event  were  Pres- 
byterians United  for  Biblical  Con- 


see  it  as  a sign  of  hope  for  re 
in  the  church.  I’m  waiting  t 
something  different  and 
emerge." 

Welde  said  he  "believes  a 
spiritual  energy  will  be  releas 
cause  of  the  congress.”  He  pre 
that  follow-up  events  would 
up  spontaneously. 

"There  are  new  alliances 
convergences  coming  out  of 
said  Dr.  Richard  Lovelace  of 
don-Conwell  Seminary  "This 
celebration  of  getting  our  act  t< 
er.  a reunion  of  North  and  f 
The  image  I have  of  this  gather i 
that  of  a fission  bomb  when 
addition  of  uranium  trigger: 
energy.  Gifts  are  latent  all  ovei 
place  in  the  denomination,  and 
congress  could  be  the  trigger 
explodes  good  stuff  all  throug 
Presbyterian  Church  in  a po 
way." 


A RENEWAL  AND  ISSUES  RESOURCE  FOR  PRESBYTERIANS 

1 

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Volume  16  January-February,  1985  Number  1 

The  Covenant  Fellowship  of  Presbyterians 


Congress  on  Renewal: 
“Largest  Presbyterian 
Gathering  Ever!”  M 


When  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on 
Renewal  convened  Monday  evening, 
January  7,  in  the  Dallas  Convention 
Center,  the  worship  leader,  Dr.  Gary  De- 
marest,  informed  the  worshippers  that 
they  were  part  of  “the  largest  gathering 
of  Presbyterians  for  this  length  of  time 
in  our  history."  The  historic  gathering 
had  been  over  2 years  in  the  planning. 

The  story  of  the  Congress  began  when 
three  Presbyterian  renewal  groups — the 
Covenant  Fellowship  of  Presbyterians, 
the  Presbyterian  Committee,  and 
Presbyterians  United  for  Biblical  Con- 
cerns— became  convinced  that  Presbyte- 
rian reunion  deserved  to  be  celebrated  in 
a great  gathering  for  praise,  worship, 
study  and  fellowship.  Each  of  the  three 
groups  delegated  board  members  to 
serve  on  the  planning  committee.  The 
original  group  added  members  from  the 
church  at  large,  so  that  the  Congress  on 
Renewal  could  include  the  whole  range 
of  leadership  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.).  The  committee,  chaired  by  lay- 
man Bill  Yinger  of  Oklahoma,  called  Dr. 
Ernie  Lewis  to  serve  as  Executive  Direc- 
tor of  the  Congress.  The  result  was  the 
Congress  which,  as  Dr.  Lewis  said,  was 
evangelical  Presbyterianism’s  “gift  to  the 
Church.” 

The  work  of  this  committee  and  the 
Congress  staff  came  to  fruition  on  Mon- 
day, January  7,  as  leaders  and  partici- 
pants gathered  in  Dallas.  When  the  re- 
gistration was  over  nearly  6,000  persons 
representing  all  50  states  as  well  as  9 for- 
eign countries  had  come  to  the  Congress. 
The  program,  which  opened  Monday 
evening  and  closed  Thursday  evening, 
January  10,  with  a communion  service 
led  by  Dr.  Leighton  Ford,  offered  many 
opportunities  for  worship  and  study. 

Participants  could  choose  from  some 
250  seminars  offered  in  four  groups:  Per- 
sonal Renewal,  Congregational  Renewal, 


Houston,  TX 

Renewal  in  the  World,  Denominational 
Renewal.  Board  members  of  the  Cove- 
nant Fellowship  who  served  as  seminar 
leaders  included:  Clayton  Bell,  Jim 
Bankhead,  Roger  Gulick,  Doug  Harper, 
Bob  Henderson,  Ed  Henegar,  Melicent 
Huneycutt,  Matt  McGowan,  Chuck 
Neder,  and  Alice  Petersen. 

Readers  of  the  Open  Letter  will  be  fa- 
miliar with  other  seminar  leaders,  either 
because  of  their  participation  in  CFP 
conferences  or  simply  because  of  their 
high  visibility  as  evangelical  leaders.  A 
few  names  will  illustrate  the  breadth, 
competence  and  commitment  of  the 
Congress  leadership:  Keith  Miller,  Hugh 
White,  Earl  Palmer,  Robert  Munger, 
Brick  Bradford,  David  Redding,  Louis 
and  Colleen  Evans,  Os  Guinness,  Jerry 
Kirk,  John  Huffman,  Don  Moomaw, 
Andy  Spickard,  Richard  Lovelace,  Jack 
Rogers,  Bob  Pitman,  Denny  Rydberg, 
Ben  Johnson,  Win  Am,  Roger  Hull, 
John  Perkins,  Dick  Halverson,  Ralph 
and  Roberta  Winter,  and  Robert  Schul- 
ler. The  denominational  leadership  in 
evangelism  was  represented  by  Bob 
Meneilly,  Grady  Allison,  and  B.  Kong 
Han. 

The  high  points  of  inspiration  in  the 
Congress  were  the  worship  services  led 
by  a team  consisting  of  Dr.  Gary  Demar- 
est,  La  Canada,  California;  Dr.  Arlo 
Duba,  Dean  of  Dubuque  Theological 
Seminary;  and  Dr.  Linda  Jo  McKim, 
also  of  Dubuque  Seminary.  Music  was 
furnished  by  an  outstanding  team  of  mu- 
sicians including  the  Congress  Choir 
made  up  of  persons  attending  the  Con- 
gress. Worship  services  were  held  Mon- 
day through  Thursday  evenings,  and 
Tuesday  through  Thursday  mornings. 
Worship  on  Tuesday  focused  on  God  the 
Father,  on  Wednesday  on  God  the  Son, 
Continued  on  p.  5 


A Preview  of  the  1985 
General  Assembly: 

Questions  on  the  Minds 
of  Southern  Evangelical 
Conservatives 

by  Harry  S.  Hassall,  Dallas,  TX 

The  Covenant  Fellowship  has  long  ad- 
vocated the  position  that  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church — whether  PCUS  or 
PC(USA) — is  the  richer  for  including 
“Evangelical  Conservatives”  in  our 
midst.  Many  Evangelical  Conservatives 
look  to  CFP  as  one  of  their  voices.  Many 
in  CFP  identify  themselves  as  “Evangel- 
ical Conservative.”  The  purpose  of  this 
article  is  to  attempt  to  highlight  many  of 
the  concerns  of  such  Southern  Evangeli- 
cal Conservatives,  without  buying  into 
all  that  some  may  support. 

Southern  Evangelical  Conservatives 
continue  to  look  for  signs  indicating  that 
the  new  PC(USA)  is  genuine  in  its  inten- 
tion effectively  to  include  them.  They 
hear  the  songs  of  the  PCA  calling  them 
into  a Promised  Land;  they  note  the 
openness  of  the  EPC  to  them;  they  are 
reminded  that  Southerners,  via  Article 
#13,  may  transfer  denominational  affili- 
ation with  property  any  time  prior  to 
December  1991.  Many  of  us  . . . the 
PC(USA)  urgently  desire  their  remain- 
ing with  us,  but  from  their  perspective 

Continued  on  p.  7 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 


Editorial 2 

Youth 3,  4,  5 

Women’s  Task  Force 4 

Renewal  Ministries 6 

Conferences 7,  8 

Executive  Director 8 


_JSb\ 


Published  by 


EDITORIAL 


From  The  Editor’s  Desk 


THE  COVENANT 
FELLOWSHIP  OF 
PRESBYTERIANS 

PURPOSE 

We,  Ihe  Covenant  Fellowship  of  Presbyteri- 
ans, will  seek  to  serve  the  Church  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ: 

1. 

By  urging  obedience  to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  repentance,  faith,  evangelism,  and  action. 

2. 

By  calling  for  intercessory  prayer  and  en- 
couragement of  all  those  who  are  seeking  to 
advance  the  unity  and  mission  of  the  Church 
in  the  bond  of  peace. 

3. 

By  committing  ourselves  to  maintain  and 
promote  a reformed  and  evangelical  fellow- 
ship within  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

4. 

By  praying  and  working  for  renewal  through- 
out our  denomination,  especially  at  the  local 
church  level. 

5. 

By  initiating  fellowship  with  other  groups  or 
denominations  with  whom  we  have  com- 
mon commitments. 

6. 

By  providing  needed  services,  programs,  and 
resources  within  the  Presbyterian  family  of 
churches. 

7. 

By  working  to  influence  others  in  the 
governing  bodies  of  the  Church  to  support 
our  views  and  objectives. 

8. 

By  encouraging  small  "face  to  face"  discus- 
sions in  groups  within  presbyteries  and 
across  presbytery  lines. 

9. 

By  publishing  THE  OPEN  LETTER  to  report 
news  of  renewal  and  to  discuss  the  issues 
before  the  Churches. 

10. 

By  supporting  through  the  governing  bodies 
of  the  Church  the  positions  indicated  in  the 
CFP  By-laws. 

THE  OPEN  LETTER 

MEMBER  GipXJI  EVANGELICAL  PRESS  ASSOCIATION 
ISSN  01  947125 

EXECUTIVE  EDITOR  M.  DOUGLAS  HARPER.  JR. 

713-667-1703  5308  Buffalo  Speedway 

Houston.  Texas  77005 
PRODUCTION  MANAGER  MATTHEW  MCGOWAN 
615-855-0709  Mall  Address  Below 

EDITORIAL  BOARD  AND  STAFF 
B Clayton  Bell.  Dr  M.  Douglas  Harper.  Jr.  The 
Reverend  Harry  S Hassall,  Dr  Myers  Hicks.  Dr 
Matthew  McGowan,  Mr  D.  A.  Sharpe 
Published  bi-monthly  except  July/ August  by  the  Cov- 
enant Fellowship  ot  Presbyterian*.  412  Uptaln  Building 
(P.O.  Box  8307).  Chattanooga.  TN  37411.  Second  class 
postage  paid  at  Chattanooga,  TN  and  at  additional 
mailing  offices.  Sand  correspondence  to  Covenant 
Fellowship  ol  Preabyterians.  Postmaster  Send  change 
ol  eddreas  order  to  Covenant  Fellowship  of  Preabyter- 
ians. P.O.  Box  8307,  Chattanooga,  TN  37411. 


One  of  the  unfinished  tasks  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  is  the 
writing  of  a Brief  Statement  of  the  Re- 
formed Faith.  It  is  mandated  by  the  Ar- 
ticles of  Agreement  (Article  3)  which 
were  agreed  on  by  the  two  denomina- 
tions before  reunion.  That  mandate 
clearly  reflects  one  of  the  concerns  which 
the  Board  of  the  Covenant  Fellowship  of 
Presbyterians  felt  very  keenly  as  we  con- 
sidered our  position  on  the  whole  matter 
of  reunion.  It  was  one  of  the  concerns 
that  Dr.  Andrew  Jumper  and  I brought 
to  the  Joint  Committee  on  Union  when 
we  became  members  of  it.  Of  necessity, 
we  would  be  entering  into  a union  which 
would  be  multi-confessional  in  character. 
The  United  Presbyterian  Church,  U.S.A. 
already  had  a Book  of  Confessions.  Re- 
union would  add  to  that  collection  the 
Westminster  Larger  Catechism,  the  one 
confessional  document  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  U.S.  not  already  included 
in  the  Book  of  Confessions. 

The  first  option  that  the  Joint  Com- 
mittee on  Union  considered  was  simply 
writing  and  presenting  to  the  two  de- 
nominations, along  with  the  other  docu- 
ments, a brief  statement  of  the  Re- 
formed faith  which  would  represent  a 
summary  of  our  confessional  documents. 
The  closest  that  the  Joint  Committee  on 
Union  could  come  to  this  is  Chapter  II, 
The  Church  and  Its  Confessions,  in  the 
present  Book  of  Order.  Still  seeing  a 
need  for  a brief  summary  of  the  Re- 
formed faith  to  be  used  with  the  Confes- 
sions of  the  Church  ‘‘in  the  instruction 
of  Church  members  and  officers,  in  the 
orientation  and  examination  of  ordi- 
nands  prior  to  ordination,  and  of  minis- 
ters seeking  membership  in  Presbyteries 
by  transfer  from  other  Presbyteries  or 
other  Churches”  (Articles  of  Agreement, 
3.3),  the  union  committee  recommended 
the  use  of  the  1962  “Brief  Statement  of 
Belief’  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  U.S. 
With  the  reunion  of  the  two  denomina- 
tions that  statement  became  the  docu- 
ment to  be  used  “until  the  Brief  State- 
ment of  the  Reformed  Faith  has  been 
incorporated  into  the  Book  of  Confes- 
sions.” (3.3) 

The  General  Assembly  of  1983  author- 
ized its  Moderator,  Dr.  J.  Randolph 
Taylor,  to  appoint  a committee  to  pre- 
pare the  new  Brief  Statement  of  the  Re- 
formed Faith.  Dr.  Taylor  deliberated  for 
some  months  before  appointing  that 
committee  in  the  spring  of  1984.  He 
honored  me  by  asking  me  to  serve  as  a 
member  of  that  committee  which  held 
its  first  meeting  in  May  of  1984  and 
which  met  again  in  November,  1984.  Dr. 


by  Dr.  M.  Douglas  Harper,  Editor 
Houston,  TX 

Taylor  named  as  the  committee’s  Mod- 
erator, Dr.  Jack  L.  Stotts,  who  was  then 
President  of  McCormick  Theological 
Seminary  but  who  has  since  been  elected 
President  of  Austin  Presbyterian  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  The  committee  itself 
named  Dr.  Jane  Dempsey  Douglass  of 
Clarement,  professor-elect  at  Princeton 
Seminary,  to  serve  as  Vice-Moderator. 

In  keeping  with  the  requirement  of 
the  Book  of  Order  that  committees  re- 
present the  full  sweep  of  the  denomina- 
tion’s variety,  Dr.  Taylor  appointed  a 
committee  made  up  of  persons  from 
across  the  nation  with  a wide  variety  of 
qualifications  and  experience.  Two  mem- 
bers of  the  committee,  Dr.  John  Leith 
and  Dr.  Roland  M.  Frye,  were  members 
of  the  committee  that  wrote  the  1962 
Brief  Statement  of  Belief  of  the  PCUS. 
Five  members  of  the  committee,  myself 
included,  are  pastors  of  churches. 
Twelve  committee  members  serve  on  the 
faculties  of  various  theological  seminar- 
ies. Four  racial/ethnic  groups  are  repre- 
sented on  the  committee,  while  seven 
committee  members  are  women. 

The  committee  has  already  come  to 
some  conclusions  about  its  work.  One  of 
these  is  our  intention  to  present  the  new 
Brief  Statement  of  the  Reformed  Faith 
to  the  denomination  in  1989,  in  time  for 
the  celebration  that  year  of  the  bi- 
centennial of  the  General  Assembly.  God 
alone  knows  if  we  will  succeed,  but  this 
is  our  intention! 

Another  aim  of  the  committee  is  to 
seek  the  participation  of  the  entire 
Church  in  our  work.  We  will  be  making 
opportunities  for  this  as  the  work  of  the 
committee  progresses.  We  started  the 
process,  incidentally,  at  our  November, 
1984  meeting  when  we  heard  from  Dr.  A1 
Winn  and  Dr.  Ed  Dowey,  who  chaired 
the  last  two  committees  to  undertake  a 
similar  task  in  the  PCUS  and  UPC  de- 
nominations, respectively. 

Personally  I am  very  optimistic  about 
the  work  of  this  committee  and  the 
eventual  product  of  its  work.  One  of  the 
reasons  for  my  optimism  is  the  presence 
of  many  competent  theologians  on  the 
committee.  To  cite  only  the  most  obvi- 
ous example  among  many,  Dr.  John 
Leith  is  one  of  the  foremost  authorities 
in  the  world  on  the  subject  of  creeds.  His 
book,  Creeds  of  the  Churches,  has  been 
used  and  acclaimed  all  over  the  world. 
Another  reason  for  my  optimism  is  that 
Continued  on  p.  3 


2 


January- February,  1985 


YOUTH  MINISTRIES 


From  The  Editor 


Continued  from  p,  2 


FUN  IN  THE  SON 
JEKYLL  ISLAND,  GEORGIA 

There  is  no  youth  conference  like  it 
anywhere  in  the  country.  Come  join 
approximately  3,000  high  schoolers 
for  the  best  week  that  you’ve  ever 
spent. 

1st  Week  Conference 
July  29-August  3,  1985 

Speakers: 

Ken  Davis,  Christian  magician,  co- 
median and  inspirational  speaker. 
Bob  Mitchell,  President  of  Young 
Life  International 

The  Adult  Seminar  Leader  during 
both  weeks  is  the  Rev.  Chuck 
Neder,  Youth  Consultant  for  Cove- 
nant Fellowship  and  the  Director  of 
a national  Parent  Seminar. 

Music: 

Ken  Medema 

2nd  Week  Conference 
August  5-10,  1985 

Speakers: 

Dr.  Tony  Campolo,  Christian  speaker 

and  Sociologist,  Eastern  College. 

Steve  Brown,  Pastor,  Key  Biscayne 

Presbyterian  Church 

Chuck  Neder  will  also  speak  this 

week. 

Music: 

Freddie  Langston 

Conference  Director: 

The  Rev.  Dan  Roberts 
P.O.  Box  722 
Darlington,  S.C.  29932 
Adult  Seminar  Leader: 

The  Rev.  Chuck  Neder 
P.O.  Box  4905 

Hilton  Head  Island,  S.C.  29938 
Price: 

$144  per  person.  This  includes 
breakfasts  and  dinners. 

Space  is  limited  to  1,950  persons  for 
each  week. 


this  committee  i9  composed  of  people 
who  have  served  the  Church  widely  and 
usefully  and  who  have  broad  knowledge 
of  the  Church’s  faith  and  life.  An  addi- 
tional reason  to  be  hopeful  about  the 
work  of  the  committee  is  that  it  is  a 
group  committed  to  serving  the  Church 
to  the  very  best  of  its  ability.  It  has 
worked  hard  already,  and  has  set  aside 
significant  blocks  of  future  time  for  its 
work. 

I am  optimistic,  most  of  all,  because  I 
am  convinced  that  God  is  working 
through  the  process.  It  is  my  conviction 
that  God  wants  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  to  give  to  the  world  a statement 
that  will  reflect  honestly  and  faithfully 
the  historic  catholic,  Protestant  and  Re- 
formed elements  in  the  faith  of  our  de- 
nomination of  Christians  of  the  Presby- 
terian persuasion  who  are  living  and 
working  in  the  closing  days  of  the  Twen- 
tieth Century.  I believe  that  God  wills 
this  and  that  He  will  enable  our  commit- 


tee to  write,  and  our  denomination  to 
adopt,  just  such  a Brief  Statement  of  the 
Reformed  Faith.  Certainly  I pledge  my 
own  best  efforts  to  make  it  happen! 

Please  remember,  though,  that  it  is 
not  easy  to  write  even  a brief  statement 
of  the  Reformed  faith.  Additionally,  the 
problems  that  arise  when  a committee 
attempts  to  write  anything  are  prover- 
bial! It  is  my  prayer  that  this  committee 
can  overcome  the  difficulties  and  achieve 
the  goal  of  writing  a faithful  and  brief 
statement  of  the  Reformed  faith.  Join 
me  in  this  prayer,  and  be  certain  to  let 
the  committee  know  of  your  interests 
and  concerns.  Letters  can  be  9ent  to  the 
Moderator,  Dr.  Jack  L.  Stotts,  McCor- 
mick Theological  Seminary,  5555  Wood- 
lawn  Avenue,  Chicago,  IL  60637.  Or  you 
can  write  me  at  St.  Andrew’s  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  5308  Buffalo  Speedway, 
Houston,  TX  77005.  Above  all,  pray  for 
the  Spirit  of  God  to  guide  us  as  we  work! 


Fun  in  the  Son  - Northeast 

“Better  Than  Ever” 


In  1984  we  had  our  first  “FUN  IN 
THE  SON  - NORTHEAST”,  with  ap- 
proximately 150  high  schoolers  at  Cape 
May,  New  Jersey.  This  year,  we  are  ex- 
pecting to  have  250  to  300  senior  highers 
at  our  second  “FUN  IN  THE  SON  - 
NORTHEAST”.  You  do  not  want  to 
miss  it.  It  is  the  most  exciting  thing  hap- 
pening in  the  Northeast! 

We  will  again  this  year  be  having  our 
conference  at  Cape  May  in  the  historic 
Chalfonte  Hotel.  The  dates  are  July  7-11 
and  the  price  is  a very  inexpensive  $149. 
This  includes  room,  board  and  all  pro- 
grams. The  speakers  this  year  will  be  the 
Rev.  Jim  McNaull  from  First  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  Orlando,  Florida  and 
John  King,  a Presbyterian  Youth  Minis- 
ter from  the  Philadelphia  area.  The  mu- 
sic will  again  be  performed  by  the 
fabulous  Freddie  Langston.  We  will  have 
unbelievable  surprises  for  you  in  the 
program  as  well  as  very  challenging  sem- 
inars. We  hope  you  will  not  miss  this  op- 
portunity to  have  fun  and  to  grow 
spiritually. 

If  you  have  any  questions  or  would 
like  more  information,  you  may  contact 
the  Rev.  Trevor  Smith,  Bethany  Col- 
legiate Presbyterian  Church,  Township 
Lane  and  Concord  Ave.,  Havertown, 
Pennsylvania  19803;  (215)  789-2486. 

We  look  forward  to  your  participating 
in  a growing  tradition. 


FUN  IN  THE  SON— NORTHEAST 
CAPE  MAY.  NEW  JERSEY 

Dates: 

July  7-July  12,  1985 

Speakers: 

The  Rev.  Jim  McNaull,  Associate 
Pastor 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  Orlando, 
Florida 

The  Rev.  John  King,  Presbyterian 
Youth  Minister  from  the  Philadelphia 
area. 

Music: 

Freddie  Langston 

Plus: 

Exciting  and  challenging  seminars  as 
well  as  some  of  the  best  activities 
you  have  ever  been  involved  in.  We 
have  the  world's  only  square  break 
dance! 

Conference  Director: 

The  Rev.  Trevor  Smith 
Township  Lane  & Concord  Ave. 
Havertown,  PA  19803 
(215)  789-2486 
Price: 

$148  per  person. 

Space  is  limited  to  300  for  1985. 


The  Open  Letter 


3 


YOUTH  MINISTRIES 


Son  Servants  ’85 

“The  Beat  Goes  on” 


We  are  now  approaching  our  fourth 
year  in  SON  SERVANTS,  and  we  are 
very  excited  about  how  this  ministry  is 
expanding.  SON  SERVANTS  is  an  out- 
reach ministry  derived  from  the  FUN  IN 
THE  SON  Conference.  It  gives  young 
people  an  opportunity  to  serve  Christ  on 
international  mission  fields.  We  see  tre- 
mendous opportunities  for  service  in  the 
area  of  missions  and  we  believe  SON 
SERVANTS  is  a meaningful  way  that 
youth  can  be  involved. 

This  summer,  we  will  be  taking  two 
projects:  one  to  the  Dominican  Republic 
and  one  to  the  Yucatan  Peninsula  of 
Mexico.  The  dates  of  both  trips  are  ap- 
proximately June  12  to  June  26.  These 
dates  may  vary  according  to  airline 
schedules.  The  price  will  be  approxi- 


mately $750-$800  for  each  trip.  Both 
projects  will  be  involved  in  building 
churches  and  ministering  to  local  people. 
Both  will  challenge  youth  physically  and 
spiritually. 

If  you  have  an  interest  in  either  pro- 
ject, you  may  write  for  more  informa- 
tion. Those  interested  in  Mexico  may 
write  Mike  Pratt,  P.O.  Box  4905,  Hilton 
Head,  SC  29928;  (803)  785-8685;  and 
those  interested  in  the  Dominican  Re- 
public may  write  to  the  Rev.  Mike  Car- 
son,  First  Presbyterian  Church,  P.O.  Box 
1412,  Bartow,  FL  33830;  (813)  533-4186. 

Our  SON  SERVANTS  ministry  has 
grown  every  year;  the  reason  is  that  so 
many  kids’  lives  have  been  touched  in  a 
deep  way.  The  interest  this  year  is  very 
high.  Do  not  get  left  out  — begin  mak- 


WOMEN'S  MINISTRIES 


" You  Can  Make 

By  Helen  Louise  Herndon, 

St.  Louis,  MO 

The  opportunity  for  Covenant 
Fellowship  women  to  make  a real 
difference  as  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  charts  its  new 
course  has  arrived.  The  Working 
Team,  composed  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Women  and  the  Women  of 
the  Church  (former  UPC  and  PCUS 
women’s  organizations),  has  met  to 
focus  attention  on  the  review  process 
of  the  women’s  organization  for  the 
new  denomination.  The  review  pro- 
cess is  scheduled  for  next  spring  in 
all  presbyteries. 

As  the  post-natal  care  of  a new- 
born requires  much  time  and  love, 
such  concern  and  attention  are  being 
given  to  the  new  women’s  program, 
to  which  we  are  being  invited  to  re- 
spond at  the  spring  annual  meetings 
of  the  Presbyterial.  Through  a pro- 
fessional survey,  the  Working  Team 
learned  that  fellowship,  prayer,  and 
spiritual  nurture  and  Bible  study  are 
priority  concerns  of  women  in  these 
organizations.  Women  who  wish  to 
reinforce  these  findings  or  share 
other  insights  will  have  the  opportu- 
nity to  do  so  at  the  annual  meetings. 

Each  concerned  woman  is  asked  to 
inquire  at  her  local  church  to  deter- 


the  Difference " 

mine  who  from  her  church  attends 
Presbyterial  and  to  become  herself 
involved  both  to  attend  the  spring 
meeting  and,  if  possible,  to  en- 
courage those  planning  the  agenda 
to  allow  plenty  of  time  for  discussing 
the  planned  program. 

While  inquiring,  find  out  who  is 
the  Presbyterial  President.  Your 
church  office  should  have  this  infor- 
mation. Contact  the  Presbyterial 
President  and  tell  her  you  are  inter- 
ested in  the  spring  review  plan  and 
that  you  want  to  attend  the  meet- 
ings. There  are  three  upcoming  op- 
portunities for  you  to  participate  in 
the  process.  The  first  is  at  the  Pres- 
byterial meetings,  the  second  is  at 
the  1985  Montreat  Women’s  Confer- 
ence, and  the  third  is  at  the  Na- 
tional Business  Meeting  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Women  at  Pur- 
due University.  Begin  now  to  be- 
come involved.  Plan  now  to  attend. 

We  believe  God  has  called  us  to 
serve  in  our  new  denomination.  We 
can  contribute  spiritual  vitality  and 
experience  to  the  women’s  organiza- 
tion in  the  beginning  of  its  new  life 
as  the  UPW  and  WOC  merge.  Join 
us  and  let’s  make  the  difference  to- 
gether! We  can  help  this  newborn 
organization  stand  firm  in  its  Chris- 
tian witness  and  ministry. 


ing  preparations  to  be  a SON  SER- 
VANT now!  If  you  have  general  ques- 
tions, you  may  direct  them  to  the  Rev. 
Chuck  Neder  at  P.O.  Box  4905,  Hilton 
Head,  SC  29928. 

We  are  available  to  assist  you  in  youth 
retreats,  fund  raisers,  and  general  plan- 
ning for  SON  SERVANTS. 


SON  SERVANTS  1985 
MEXICO 

Oates: 

June  12-26,  1985 
Location: 

Tabi,  Mexico,  Yucatan  Peninsula 
On  Site  Directors: 

Mike  Pratt,  Young  Life  Area 
Director 

P.O.  Box  4905 
Hilton  Head,  S.C.  29938 

Chuck  Neder,  Youth  Consultant 

P.O.  Box  4905 

Hilton  Head,  S.C.  29938 

Price: 

$825,  includes  transportation  from 
Miami  to  Mexico  and  back  to 
Miami;  room  and  board;  construc- 
tion costs;  country  taxes,  and 
sightseeing. 

For  more  information,  you  may  contact 
Mike  Pratt,  P.O.  Box  4905,  Hilton 
Head,  S.C.  29938,  (803)  842-3183. 

DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC 

Dates: 

June  12-24,  1985  (dates  may  vary 
a few  days  either  way). 

Location: 

Santo  Domingo  (working  in  a Chris- 
tian camp  just  outside  Santo 
Domingo) 

On  Site  Director: 

Jack  Larsen,  Youth  for  Christ,  Ft. 
Lauderdale 

Price: 

$800-$850  (final  price  has  not 
been  set). 

Contact  person: 

Rev.  Mike  Carson,  First 
Presbyterian  Church 
P.O.  Box  1412 
Bartow,  Florida  33803 

Chuck  Neder  is  the  Executive  Director 
of  Son  Servants.  For  more  information, 
you  may  contact  him  at  P.O.  Box 
4905,  Hilton  Head  Island,  S.C. 
29938,  (803)  785-8685. 


4 


January-February,  1985 


YOUTH  MINISTRIES 


“For  Junior  Highers  Only  ” 


“FUN  IN  THE  SON”  is  proud  to  pre- 
sent the  “Great  Escape”,  a conference 
for  Junior  Highers  only.  We  all  woke  up 
one  morning  to  realize  that  we  were  not 
doing  anything  for  Junior  Highers.  We 
realized  this  was  wrong,  so  we  set  out  to 
do  something  about  it.  For  two  years  we 
talked  and  planned,  and  the  results  are 
the  “Great  Escape”  to  be  held  this  sum- 
mer at  King  College  in  Bristol,  TN  on 
July  15-19.  You  do  not  want  to  miss  it! 

We  promise  you  the  best  experience 
ever.  If  FUN  IN  THE  SON  is  a ‘blast  on 
the  beach',  then  the  Great  Escape  is  a 
‘thrill  in  the  hills’! 

We  have  some  capable  people  who 
have  been  planning  this  conference  — 
Jim  Byrne  from  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Orlando,  FL;  Beth  Dotson 
from  Darlington,  SC;  Tom  Ricks  of 
Lookout  Mountain  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Lookout  Mountain,  TN;  the  Rev. 
Steve  Rhodes  from  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Eastman,  GA;  Tina  Thorpe 
from  Colonial  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Kansas  City,  MO;  and,  of  course,  Chuck 
Neder  and  Freddie  Langston.  We  will  all 
be  at  King  College  to  be  with  you  and 
hope  you  will  give  serious  consideration 
to  being  with  us.  ‘Junior  Highers'  are 
those  young  people  who  have  completed 
the  sixth  grade  through  those  who  have 
completed  the  eighth  grade.  The  cost  is 
$98,  which  includes  room  and  board  plus 
the  program. 

King  College  is  ideally  set  up  for  a 
Junior  High  Conference.  We  have  foot- 
ball fields,  gymnasiums,  swimming  pools, 
and  the  best  food  you  have  ever  eaten 
(well,  almost  the  best!).  We  promise  you 
an  inspiring  time  that  will  meet  many  of 
your  spiritual  needs. 

John  Riley,  the  Rev.  Chuck  Neder, 
and  others  will  provide  the  speaking  that 
will  be  brief  and  to  the  point,  and  Fred- 
die Langston  will  entertain  you,  plus  a 
lot  of  surprises! 

Why  are  we  doing  this?  We  think  Jun- 
ior Highers  are  special  and  we  want  to 
prove  it  to  them.  If  you  want  more  infor- 
mation or  brochures,  please  contact  me 
at: 

The  Rev.  Chuck  Neder 
P.O.  Box  4905 
Hilton  Head,  SC  29928 
(803)  875-8685 

I hope  to  see  you  at  King  College  this 
summer! 


THE  GREAT  ESCAPE 

(for  Junior  Highers  only) 

Dates: 

July  15-19.  1985 

. . . at  King  College  in  Bristol,  Tenn. 
This  year  we  are  inaugurating  the  only 
national  junior  high  conference  in  the 
country.  We  believe  Junior  Highers  are 
special  and  we  have  planned  some- 
thing special  for  them  at  King  College, 
centrally  located  on  the  Tennessee-Vir- 
ginia  line. 

Speakers: 

John  "Rat”  Riley,  former  football 
star  from  Auburn  University  and  a 
nationally-known  Christian  inspira- 
tional speaker. 

Chuck  Neder,  Youth  Consultant  for 
Covenant  Fellowship  and  a frequent 
speaker  at  youth  conferences  and 
family  life  retreats  around  the  coun- 
try. Also,  the  founder  of  a national 
parenting  seminar. 

Music: 

Freddie  Langston 

Program: 

Jim  Byrne  and  Tom  Ricks — 
Two  of  the  craziest  youth  workers 
in  the  world  who  will  keep  you  go- 
ing every  minutel 

Conference  Director: 

Chuck  Neder 
P.O.  Box  4905, 

Hilton  Head  Island,  S.C.  29938 
(803)  785-8685 

Price: 

$98  per  camper 
$85  per  counselor 
Space  is  limited  to  400 

For  more  information  and  brochures, 
contact: 

Covenant  Fellowship  of 
Presbyterians 
P.O.  Box  8307 
Chattanooga,  TN  37411 
(615)  855-0709 


Congress  on  Renewal 

Continued  from  page  1 

and  on  Thursday  on  God  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

Evening  preachers  included:  Monday, 
Dr.  Bruce  Larson,  Pastor,  University 
Presbyterian  Church,  Seattle;  Tuesday, 
Dr.  Lloyd  J.  Ogilvie,  Pastor,  First  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Hollywood,  California; 
Wednesday,  Dr.  Thomas  Gillespie,  Pres- 
ident, Princeton  Theological  Seminary 
(substituting  for  Dr.  James  I.  McCord 
who  could  not  be  present  because  of  this 
wife’s  death);  Thursday,  Dr.  Leighton 
Ford. 

Morning  worship  each  day  featured  a 
Bible  Study  as  well  as  a sermon.  Bible 
study  leaders  included  Dr.  Dale  Bruner, 
Whitworth  College,  Spokane;  Dr.  Cecilia 
Arrastia,  the  Program  Agency,  New 
York;  and  Dr.  Melicent  Honeycutt,  St. 
Louis,  a Vice-President  of  Covenant  Fel- 
lowship. The  morning  preachers  were: 
Dr.  James  Forbes,  Union  Seminary,  New 
York;  Dr.  Roberta  Hestenes,  Fuller  Sem- 
inary, Pasadena,  California;  and  Dr.  Sa- 
muel Moffet,  Princeton  Seminary  and  a 
veteran  missionary  and  missionary 
statesman  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

An  article  such  as  this  can  only  sug- 
gest the  sense  of  vitality  and  spiritual 
power  which  flowed  through  the  entire 
Congress.  It  was  a visible  symbol  of  the 
conviction  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  concerning  the  truth  of  the 
Christian  gospel  and  the  urgency  of 
Christ’s  mission  in  the  world. 

Those  who  did  not  attend  the  Con- 
gress can  still  participate  in  it  in  two 
ways.  First,  tapes  of  all  plenary  sessions 
and  seminars  are  available  from  ACTS, 
Inc.,  1025  E.  Clayton  Rd.,  Ballwin,  MO 
63011.  Second,  the  Congress  was  entirely 
funded  by  giving  from  individuals  and 
congregations  and  by  registration  fees. 
No  money  came  from  the  denomination, 
from  foundations  or  from  corporations. 
There  was  still  a significant  deficit  at  the 
close  of  the  Congress.  If  you  can  help  to 
clear  up  this  deficit,  please  write  to  the 
Congress  office,  P.O.  Box  202254,  Dallas, 
TX  75220-9990. 

Thousands  of  Presbyterians  left  Dallas 
asking,  “Shouldn’t  we  do  this  again?" 
Only  God  in  His  wisdom  knows  the  an- 
swer, but  shouldn’t  we  all  pray  for  an 
answer  to  that  question?  Can  we  let  the 
blessing  of  such  a gathering  of 
Presbyterians  be  a one-time-only  thing? 
Whether  we  do  anything  like  this  again, 
however,  what  a blessing  it  was!  Thanks 
be  to  God  for  all  who  made  it  possible! 


The  Open  Letter 


5 


1985  Board  of  Directors 
Covenant  Fellowship  of  Presbyterians 


PRESIDENT 
•Mr.  D.A.  Sharpe 
Dallas.  TX 

IMMEDIATE  PAST  PRESIDENT: 

•Mr  B.  Clayton  Bell 

Dallas.  TX 

VICE  PRESIDENTS  - TASK  FORCES 
Administration: 

•Mr.  Frank  R.  Warren 

Conroe,  TX 

Issues: 

•Rev  Harry  S.  Hassall 

Dallas.  TX 

Renewal  Ministries: 

•Dr.  Myers  H.  Hicks 
Florence.  SC 
Pastoral  Support: 

•Mrs.  Joanne  Folger 
North  Augusta.  SC 
Youth  Ministries: 

•Rev.  Daniel  M.  Roberts.  Jr. 
Darlington,  SC 
Communication: 

•Dr.  M.  Douglas  Harper.  Jr. 
Houston,  TX 
Women  s Ministries: 

•Dr.  Melicent  Huneycutt 
SECRETARY: 

•Rev  Albert  H Freundt.  Jr. 

Clinton,  MS 
TREASURER: 

•Dr  Matthew  McGowan 
Chattanooga.  TN 
MEMBERS  AT  LARGE: 

•Mr  Pete  Hammond 
Madison,  Wl 

•Dr.  Andrew  A.  Jumper 
St.  Louis,  MO 
•Mrs.  Betty  Moore 
Florence.  SC 
Mrs.  Martha  Bandy 
Chamblee,  GA 

Rev  James  B.  Bankhead.  Jr. 

Opelika.  AL 

Mr.  L.  Thomas  Bates.  Jr. 

Atlanta.  GA 
Dr.  Wade  H.  Bell.  Jr. 

Panama  City,  FL 
Dr.  Andrew  R.  Bird.  Jr.,  H.R. 
Sterling.  VA 
Mr.  David  C.  Black 
Matthews,  NC 
Mr.  William  Brafford 
Charlotte.  NC 
Dr.  William  T.  Bryant 
Nashville.  TN 
Dr.  Edwin  O.  Byrd.  Jr. 

Spartanburg,  SC 
Mrs.  Anita  Castano 
San  Antonio.  TX 

Rev.  Samuel  H.  Christopher.  Jr. 
Decatur,  GA 
Mr.  L.  M.  Clymer 

Linville.  NC 

Dr.  Robert  W.  Cousar.  Jr. 

Brazil 

Dr.  John  Richard  deWitt 
Memphis.  TN 
Mr.  William  C.  Dotson 
Dallas.  TX 


Mr  Claud  L.  Efird.  Jr. 
Middlesboro,  KY 

Dr  William  M.  Elliott.  Jr..  H.R. 
Dallas.  TX 

Mr  Frank  M.  Farris,  Jr. 

Nashville,  TN 
Dr.  J.  Wayte  Fulton 
Winter  Haven.  FL 
Rev.  Ernest  E.  Gilmore.  Jr. 

Bradenton,  FL 
Dr  Roger  K.  Gulick 
Bluefield,  WV 
Rev.  Richard  L.  Haney 
Richmond,  VA 
Rev.  Robert  T.  Henderson 
Hendersonville.  NC 
Rev.  Edward  Henegar 
Durham.  NC 
Mr  Charles  A.  Hunter 
Charlotte.  NC 
Mr.  Louis  Hunter 
Richlands.  VA 
Rev.  Linda  Jaberg 
Exton,  PA 

Dr.  Verne  R.  Kennedy 

Jackson,  MS 

Mr.  Charles  V.  LeCraw.  Jr. 

Atlanta.  GA 

Dr.  Robert  T.L.  Liston 

Davidson,  NC 


Dr.  William  R.  Long 
Germantown.  TN 
Rev.  James  McNaull 

Orlando.  FL 

Rev.  L.  Wayne  Meredith 
Lynchburg,  VA 
Dr.  Dan  Milam 
Nashville.  TN 
Rev.  Charles  N.  Neder 
Hilton  Head,  SC 
Rev.  Alice  J.  Petersen 
Cincinnati.  OH 

Rev.  Mrs.  Annette  Ragsdale 
Conyers.  GA 
Rev.  Roy  Riviere 
Atlanta,  GA 
Dr.  William  Rule 
Knoxville,  TN 
Dr.  E.  Lee  Secrest.  Jr. 
Montreat.  NC 
Dr.  Walter  D Shepard 
Dallas.  TX 
Mrs.  Betty  Sherer 
Charlotte.  NC 
Rev  Trevor  H.G.  Smith 
Havertown,  PA 
Mr.  Robert  J.  Snelling.  Ill 
Douglasville,  GA 
Mrs.  Virginia  Snoddy 
Charlotte.  NC 


Dr.  Jule  C.  Spach 
Winston-Salem,  NC 
Dr.  Lowell  B.  Sykes 
Lynchburg.  VA 
Dr.  Calvin  C.  Thielman 
Montreat,  NC 
Rev.  H.  Cobb  Ware 
Jackson,  MS 
Dr.  Rene  Williamson 
Baton  Rouge,  LA 
Mr.  John  F.  Wilson 
Dallas,  TX 

Rev.  Albert  F.  Wyllie 
New  Orleans.  LA 
STAFF: 

Executive  Director 
Dr.  Matthew  McGowan 
Chattanooga,  TN 
Renewal  Coordinator 
Dr.  Myers  H.  Hicks 
Florence,  SC 

Associate  Renewal  Coordinator 
Mr.  Knox  Sherer 
Charlotte,  NC 
Youth  Consultant 
The  Reverend  Charles  N.  Neder 
Hilton  Head.  SC 
Administrative  Assistant 
Mrs.  Shirley  Somervill 
Chattanooga.  TN 

•Members  of  the  Executive  Committee 


1985  CFP  Conference  Schedule 

Youth  Workers’  Conference,  Jan.  31-Feb.  3,  Atlanta,  GA 

Son  Servants,  June  12-26,  Mexico  & Dominican  Republic 

Christian  Life  Conference,  July  5-8,  Montreat,  NC 

Fun  In  The  Son  (Northeast),  July  7-11,  Cape  May,  NJ 

Junior  High  Conference,  July  15-19,  Bristol,  TN 

Fun  In  The  Son,  July  29-August  3,  August  5-10,  Jekyll  Island,  GA 

Labor  Day  Conference,  August  30-Sept.  2,  Montreat,  NC 

Wee  Kirk  Conference,  October  21-23,  Montreat,  NC 


Lay  Renewals 

March  14-17  Galatia  Presbyterian  Church,  Fayetteville,  NC,  Dr.  Myers  Hicks,  Coordinator 
April  18-21  Ebenezer  Presbyterian  Church,  Rock  Hill,  SC,  Dr.  Myers  Hicks,  Coordinator 
Sept.  19-22  Calvary  Presbyterian  Church,  Raleigh,  NC,  Dr.  Myers  Hicks,  Coordinator 

Lay  Renewals  Pending 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  Orange,  NJ 
Brookings  Presbyterian  Church,  Brookings,  OR 
Mars  Hill  Presbyterian  Church,  Athens,  TN 
St.  Andrews  Presbyterian  Church,  Houston,  TX,  Knox  Sherer,  Coordinator 
May  31 -June  2 Society  Hill  Presbyterian  Church,  Society  Hill,  SC,  Dr.  Myers  Hicks, 

Coordinator 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  South  Amboy,  NJ 

Officer  Training 

Jan.  Mount  Pleasant  Presbyterian  Church,  Monroe,  Ohio,  Jim  Kitchen,  Coordinator 

Jan.  25-27  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Baton  Rouge,  LA,  Bob  Folger  and  Matt  McGowan 
Feb.  1-2  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Lumberton,  NC,  Dr.  Myers  Hicks,  Coordinator 

Apr.  19-21  Eastminster  Presbyterian  Church,  Cincinnati,  Ohio 

Pray  for  these  events  and  for  God’s  blessing  on  the  people 


6 


January- February,  1985 


1985  LABOR  DAY  WEEKEND 
LEADERSHIP  CONFERENCE 

MONTREAT  CONFERENCE  CENTER 
Montreat,  NC 

August  30-September  2,  1985 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knox  Sherer 
Directors 

Theme: 

"RESPONDING  TO  GOD'S  CALL  TO  DISCIPLESHIP" 

Look  for  more  information  in  the  next  issue 


A Preview 

Continued  from  page  1 

the  overarching  question  these  Conserv- 
atives will  be  asking  of  the  Indianapolis 
General  Assembly  is:  “Does  the  new 
church  really  want  us?  Is  there  a place  in 
the  new  order  for  self-identified  ‘Con- 
servatives?’ Is  there  a place  for  those 
who  see  themselves  as  ‘inerrantists,’ 
‘fundamentalists,’  or  ‘questioners  of  the 
ordination  of  women?’  ” Most  want  to 
remain  a part  of  mainstream  Presbyteri- 
anism, and  we  of  the  CFP  want  them  to 
stay.  We  pray  the  General  Assembly  will 
also  take  actions  signifying  their  desire 
to  be  inclusive  ...  on  the  right,  as  well 
as  on  the  left. 

All  the  church  will  be  looking  to  the 
Assembly  to  see  how  committed  the 
Church  is  to  put  energy,  staff  and  dollars 


in  the  cause  of  winning  the  lost  to  Christ 
through  evangelism  and  church  growth. 
Those  who  believe  that  the  structures  of 
the  church  have  majored  on  minors  will 
be  looking  to  the  Mo-Ranch  mission  de- 
sign report  to  see  how  the  PC(USA)  will 
heed  the  Lord’s  GREAT  COMMISSION 
and  if  it  will  focus  anew  on  world  evan- 
gelization through  a separate  overseas 
missionary-sending  agency.  Many  are 
looking  for  a denominational  structure 
and  staff  to  energize  the  spiritual  dy- 
namics of  our  three  million  Presbyteri- 
ans through  RENEWAL  on  the  pattern 
of  the  recent  Presbyterian  Congress  on 
Renewal. 

Eyes  will  be  focused  on  the  reaction  of 
the  General  Assembly  to  the  apparent 
promotion  of  homosexual  lifestyle,  seen 
in  the  Stony  Point  Conference  on 
“homophobia;”  this  is  contrary  to  man- 
dates of  past  Assemblies.  Will  the 


Church-wide  Personnel  Policies  incorpo- 
rate “sexual  orientation”  as  a protected 
category  in  the  EEO  Guidelines?  Will 
these  Guidelines  be  coercive  or 
persuasive? 

Will  the  Assembly  use  Evangelicals 
and  Conservatives  as  Standing  Commit- 
tee Resource  Persons,  or  will  they  once 
again  overlook  their  availability?  What 
will  be  the  quality  of  the  review/critique 
of  the  WCC  and  the  NCC?  Will  there  be 
a balanced  call  for  reform?  Will  the  As- 
sembly continue  the  PCUS  practice  of 
relating  also  to  the  NAE,  in  a gesture  of 
goodwill  to  Evangelicals?  Will  the  GA 
Permanent  Nominating  Committee 
bring  recommendations  in  conformity 
with  the  BOO  mandate  for  theological 
inclusiveness  of  acceptable  Reformed  po- 
sitions, including  Evangelical 
Conservatives? 

Conservatives  will  be  asking:  “Will 
this  Assembly  have  the  courage  to  throw 
its  moral  weight  against  the  continued 
taking  of  the  lives  of  children  who  are 
powerless  to  defend  themselves  in  the 
womb?  Where  are  our  church’s  justice 
and  compassion  in  the  current  crisis 
which  allows  millions  to  destroy  life  to 
cover  up  for  human  sin  and/or 
inconvenience?” 

How  long  will  the  highest  Presbyterian 
governing  body  consistently  continue  to 
support  the  left  position  in  every  social, 
economic  and  political  issue  discussed? 
Is  there  never  any  rightness  in  the  right? 
...  or  in  the  center? 

Evangelical  Conservatives  will  make 
little  noise  at  the  forthcoming  Assembly 
but  will  prove  exceedingly  observant, 
pondering,  waiting,  wondering,  thinking, 
praying,  as  they  look  for  direction  for 
their  future.  Let  us  all  make  them  wel- 
come in  the  Presbyterian  home  of  all  of 
us. 


Church  Position/Role 

CFP  GIFT  to  be  used 

SEND  RENEWAL  MINISTRIES  INFORMATION 

Conferences 

Renewal  ministries 

— Lay  renewals 
Officer  training 

— Youth  ministries 

— Issues 

— Women's  ministries 

— Seminary  ministries 

— Where  needed 


— I would  like  to  serve  on  the 
lay  renewal  teamls): 

Church 

Date 


My  Church 

Presbytery 

Denomination 

Business/Profession 

Date Birthday 

BROCHURES/OTHER  INFORMATION 

Add  me  to  the  mailing  list 

of  THE  OPEN  LETTER 

Send  a copy  of  the  latest 

CFP  brochure 

Send  other  information: 


MAKE  CHECKS  PAYABLE  TO  THE  COVENANT  FELLOWSHIP  OF  PRESBYTERIANS  AND  MAIL  TO. 

P.O.  Box  8307,  Chattanooga,  TN  37411 


The  Open  Letter 


7 


CHRISTIAN  LIFE  CONFERENCE 

JULY  5 - 8,  1985 

Montreat  Conference  Center 
Montreat,  North  Carolina 

"ENCOURAGEMENT — GOD'S  GIFT  TO  THE  CHURCH'' 


KEY  NOTE  SPEAKERS 


Dr.  J.  Howard  Edington.  Senior  Minister 
First  Presbyterian  Church 
Orlando.  Florida 

Dr  J.  Allan  Peterson,  Founder  & Director 
Family  Concern 
Wheaton,  Illinois 


BIBLE  HOUR  TEACHER 

Dr.  William  R.  Long, 

Associate  Minister 
Second  Presbyterian  Church 
Memphis.  Tennessee 


Dr.  Roger  Gulick,  Senior  Minister 
Westminster  Presbyterian  Church 
Bluefield,  West  Virginia 

FOR  YOUTH  ONLY! 

Freddie  Langston,  Musician 
And 

The  Fun  In  The  Son  Team 
Music  and  Seminars 


Dr.  Jerry  Kirk.  Senior  Minister 
College  Hill  Presbyterian  Church 
Cincinnati.  Ohio 

Dr.  David  Chadwick,  Senior  Minister 
Forest  Hills  Presbyterian  Church 
Charlotte.  North  Carolina 


FOR  HOUSING  INFORMATION  WRITE 

Montreat  Conference  Center  Summer  Reservation  Office 

P.0  Box  907  Montreat-Anderson  College 

(Phone  704-669-2911)  Montreat.  NC  28757 

Montreat,  NC  28757  (Phone  704-669-8011) 

Write  the  Covenant  Fellowship  Office  for  further  details:  P.O.  Box  8307, 
Chattanooga.  TN  37411  Phone  (615)894-6389  or  855-0709 


SPECIAL  MUSIC  LEADERSHIP 

Bob  and  Jane  Henley 
"New  Life  Singers" 

SEMINAR  LEADERS: 

Dr.  J.  Allan  Peterson 
(Special  Four  Sessions). 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  David  Chadwick: 

Dr.  Matt  McGowan, 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Roger  Gulick; 

Dr.  Jerry  Kirk  and  others. 


Montreat  Christian  Life  Conference 

CONFERENCE  REGISTRATION 

Name 

Address. 


Telephone  (Area  Code)- 

Local  Church 

Presbytery 


Enclosed  is  my  registration  fee.  payable  to 
COVENANT  FELLOWSHIP  OF  PRESBYTERIANS. 

Send  to:  P.O.  Box  8307,  Chattanooga.  TN  37411 

40  00  Individual  adult 

80.00  married  couple 

15.00  each  dependent  child 

NOTE:  The  above  fee  is  for  conference  registration 
only — food  and  lodging  not  included 


THE  OPEN  TETTER 

412  Uptaln  Bldg. 

P.O.  Box  8307 
Chattanooga,  TN  37411 


Second  Class  Postage  Paid 
at  Chattanooga,  TN  and 
additional  mailing  offices 


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PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  (U.S.A.) 

FOR  RELEASE  AT  WILL  WEEKLY  NEWS  WRAP-UP 

1 -2-2A-2B-3-4-5-S  CONTENTS  — JANUARY  18,  1985,  ISSUE 


Release  #3508  More  than  $2  million  in  African  relief  aid  is  collected 
through  denominational  offices  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  in  less  than  two  months.  page  2 

Release  #8509  Presbyterians  conment  on  sanctuary  worker  indictments.  page  4 

Release  #8510  Leaving  a "mountaintop  experience"  in  Dallas,  many  of 
the  6,000  attending  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on 
Renewal  hope  the  Jan.  7-10  event  will  renew  the  church.  — page  5 

Release  #8511  Organizers  of  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal  say 

they  may  do  it  again--or  encourage  regional  events.  page  7 

Release  #8512  Ad  hoc  committee  seeks  signatures  at  renewal  congress 
to  spur  creation  of  separate  national  and 

international  mission  boards.  page  10 

Release  #8513  Presbyterians  gathering  for  renewal  congress  express  hopes 

for  how  event  will  change  lives.  page  11 

Release  #8514  Abortion  is  discussed  in  renewal  congress  workshop.  page  12 

NOTE 


Nearly  6,000  Presbyterians  participated  in  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on 
Renewal  in  Dallas  Jan.  7-10  [see  Release  #8506,  Jan.  11].  During  that  event, 
denominational  and  churchwide  communicatons  staff,  with  the  assistance  of  various 
volunteers  from  the  Chapter  9 organizations  sponsoring  the  event,  produced  three  daily 
newsletters.  Reprinted  teginning  on  page  five  are  some  of  the  articles  which  were 
prepared  for  the  daily  issues  of  the  Congress  Courier.  Space  permitting,  others  will 
appear  next  week. 

Writing  the  articles  were:  Hal  Bray,  editor  of  the  Synod  of  the  Sun's 

newspaper.  The  Presbyterian;  the  Rev.  Douglas  Brouwer,  Harrisburg,  PA,  editor  of  the 
General  Assembly  News  at  the  196th  General  Assembly  (1984);  Marj  Carpenter,  from  the 
Presbyterian  News  Service  of  the  General  Assembly  Mission  Board  in  Atlanta;  the  Rev. 

Doug  Harper,  Houston,  from  the  Covenant  Fellowship  of  Presbyterians;  the  Rev.  Kathy 
Goodrich,  Reading,  PA,  from  Presbyterians  United  for  Biblical  Concerns;  the  Rev.  Roberta 
Kinney  and  the  Rev.  Frank  Kinney,  Cambridge,  NY,  from  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Renewal 
Ministries;  Midge  Mack,  reporter  for  the  Synod  of  the  Covenant's  newspaper  Communique; 
the  Rev.  Pamela  Powell,  First  Prestyterian  Church,  Sherman  Oaks,  CA;  Peggy  Rounsevil le, 
associate  general  presbyter,  Grace  Presbytery;  Carol  Shaffer,  NY,  intern  with  the 
Council  on  Women  and  the  Church;  Dennis  A.  Smith,  San  Jose",  Costa  Rica,  coordinator  of 
Centro  Evangelico  Latinoamericano  de  Estudios  Pastorales  (Latin  American  Evangelical 
Center  for  Pastoral  Studies);  and  the  Rev.  Donald  Wright,  associate  executive  for 
stewardship  and  interpretation  of  the  Synod  of  Southern  California  and  Hawaii. 

ATLANTA:  341  Ponce  de  Leon  Avenue  NE  30365  • Telephone  (404)  873-1531 
NEW  YORK:  Communications  Unit,  475  Riverside  Drive  10115  • Telephone  (212)  870-2807 


January  18,  1985,  Weekly  Wrap-up,  2 


Release  #8508  PRESBYTERIAN  DENOMINATION  COLLECTS  $2  MILLION 

FOR  RELIEF  WORK  IN  ETHIOPIA  AND  AFRICA  IN  2 MONTHS 

NEK  YORK,  Jan.  16  - More  than  $2  million  to  relieve  hunger  in  Ethiopia  and  other 
African  countries  has  been  collected  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.)  since  November, 
according  to  officials  in  the  3.1  million  member  denomination. 

The  money  has  been  collected  through  the  Mission  Treasury  Service  in  the  New  York 
office  of  the  denomination  and  through  the  Hunger  Fund  and  Crisis  Fund  administered  in 
the  Atlanta  office. 

New  York  Receipts 

Between  Nov.  15,  when  the  first  checks  began  arriving  in  the  New  York  office,  and 
last  Friday,  Jan.  11,  $1,189,400.26  has  b6en  collected  and  disbursed  through  Mission 
Treasury  Service  in  the  denomination's  Support  Agency,  according  to  Royal  Denny, 
associate  manager.  Mission  Treasury  Service. 

Of  that  total,  $1,023,883.32  has  been  collected  in  the  New  York  office  for  emergency 
disaster  relief  for  Ethiopia.  All  of  that  money  has  been  turned  over  to  the  World 
Relief,  Emergency  and  Resettlement  Services  office  in  the  denomination's  Program  Agency, 
which  transfers  the  money  to  Church  World  Service,  Denny  said. 

The  remainder  of  the  money  collected  through  the  New  York  office  was  designated  for 
either  Ethiopia— $70, 843. 66--or  Africa  in  general —$94,673.28.  That  money  is 
administered  through  the  Presbyterian  Hunger  Program,  a Program  Agency  program  conducted 
with  the  Presbyterian  Hunger  Program  of  the  General  Assembly  Mission  Board  in  Atlanta. 
Atlanta  Receipts 

In  Atlanta,  money  collected  for  Ethiopia  and  Africa  in  general  during  November  and 
December  amounts  to  "in  excess  of  $800,000,"  according  to  Jack  Bramer,  treasurer  of  the 
General  Assembly  Mission  Board. 

He  said  the  figure  of  more  than  $800,000  was  the  most  precise  figure  available.  The 
books  for  1984  close  on  Monday,  Jan.  21,  he  said,  adding  that  more  money  has  come  in 


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■January  1 8,  1 985,  Weekly  Wrap-uo,  5 

affairs  in  a just  and  legal  manner." 

"Disregard  for  Law" 

According  to  the  association,  "the  present  admini stration' s blatant  disregard  for 
Loth  domestic  law  and  international  treaties  has  forced  sanctuary  workers  to  enter  into 
direct  ministry  to  those  seeking  refuge." 

Rodney  T.  Martin,  associate  for  social  welfare  ministries  of  the  Program  Agency,  is 
staff  to  the  association. 

Other  Presbyterians  speaking  in  support  of  the  indicted  sanctuary  workers  were  the 
Rev.  Robert  Davidson,  pastor  of  West-Park  Presbyterian  Church,  New  York,  and  the  Rev. 
Donald  Shriver,  president  of  Union  Theological  Seminary,  flew  York. 

Also  speaking  in  support  were:  Ruth  Messinger,  a member  of  Mew  York's  city  council, 

and  the  Rev.  William  Wipfler,  director  of  human  rights  for  the  Division  of  Overseas 
Ministry  of  the  National  Council  of  Churches  of  Christ  in  the  U.S.A. 

Fife  is  scheduled  to  appear  at  a hearing  in  Phoenix  on  Jan.  23.  His  attorney.  Bates 
Butler  III,  of ‘Tucson,  said  today  that  Fife  planned  to  plead  not  guilty. 

# # # 


Release  #8510  PARTICIPANTS  LEAVE  DALLAS  "MOUNTA INTOP" 

"EXHAUSTED,"  "POSITIVE,"  "LIFTED  UP" 

DALLAS,  Jan.  10  --  As  worshipers  at  the  final  service  of  the  four-day  Presbyterian 
Congress  on  Renewal  streamed  from  the  Dallas  Convention  Center  this  evening,  they  called 
their  experience  an  uplifting  event  which  points  the  way  for  renewal  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A. ). 

"This  has  teen  a mountain-top  experience  for  me,"  said  Betty  Clark,  Dallas.  "I've 
teen  very  uplifted  and  impressed." 

Howard  Svotoda,  Sun  City,  FL,  said  he  could  describe  the  congress  in  one  word, 
overwhelming.  ^aid  Svoboda:  "I  think  the  theme  I saw  emerging  was  for  us  to  become 


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\ ' 4-  -4* 

• sv 

4$ 

January  1 8,  1 935 , Weekly  Wrap-up,  5 
one  again." 

Jetty  Denny,  Cincinnati,  said  the  sermon  this  morning  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Moffett,  a 
foraer  mission  worker  in  Korea,  was  the  highlight.  "I  just  felt  the  generations  of  the 

missionaries  coning  through.  The  message  was  so  powerful -power  which  we  need  in  the 
church. " 

3ot:  Denny,  Cincinnati,  said:  "The  congress  was  a building  experience  for  me.  The 

helpful  thing  about  it  was  that  you  kept  getting  lifted,  and  then  lifted  a little  more 

and  a little  more.  Cut  it  wasn't  so  high  that  you  go  out  empty.  There's  something  that 
will  abide." 

A1  GlLson»  0al1as»  said  he  saw  "more  exuberance,  receptiveness,  desire,  and  hope 
than  I've  seen  in  a long  time.  It's  wonderful." 

Jim  Miller,  Dallas,  said:  "I  think  it's  wonderful,  that  we  can  all  get  together  as 

fellow  Presbyteri ans. " 

Dick  Beidler,  Lancaster,  OH,  said  the  congress  "seems  to  have  a continuing  force 
about  it— it'll  probably  happen  again  sometime." 

Verne  Ardrey,  Lancaster,  OH,  said:  "As  a layman  I really  enjoyed  it.  I enjoyed  the 

fellowship.  The  group  that  set  this  up  did  a great  job.  In  the  Presbyterian  Church 
we  ve  got  to  have  something  like  this.  We  need  something  to  get  us  moving  a little." 

"Like  my  son  who  has  teen  eagerly  awaiting  my  return  home  with  some  present  for 
him,'  said  Jim  Rimner,  Amanda,  OH.  "I  came  here  to  get  a present,  and  I feel  that  God 
has  worked  to  a far  greater  degree  than  I expected.  I'm  coming  home  with  far  more  than 
I came  for.  This  is  church.  This  is  what  church  needs  to  be:" 

Commenting  on  the  worship,  Jenny  3yrne,  Orlando,  FL,  said:  "The  services  were  more 

high  church'  than  I was  used  to."  She  added  that  she  "loved  all  the  seminars." 

Also  reflecting  on  the  worship,  Murray  Russell,  Glendale,  CA,  said:  "I  would  like 

to  have  had  more  interaction  and  less  music  presentation. . .more  involvement."  Said 
Terrie  Stine  Tebordo,  Cohoes,  MY:  "I'm  exhausted.  I think  it  was  great.  We 


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January  18,  1985,  Weekly  Wrap-up,  7 


should  do  it  again." 

Tom  Bailey,  Seattle,  said  the  congress  featured  "a  good  selection  of  leaders,"  and 
although  it  was  "a  bit  crowded  for  time. ..it's  better  to  go  away  overloaded  than  not  fed 
enough. " 

Jim  Hills,  Buffalo,  NY,  said:  "It  was  terrific.  I think  it  was  the  beginning  of  a 

positive  movement  in  our  denomination  toward  renewal.  This  won't  be  the  last,  I hope." 

# # # 

— Roterta  and  Frank  Kinney 


Release  #8511  ORGANIZERS  HOLD  DOOR  OPEN 

FOR  ANOTHER  RENEWAL  CONGRESS 

DALLAS,  Jan.  9 - Organizers  of  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal  said  "there  are 
no  plans"  for  another  such  event,  "but  we  are  open  to  this  possibility." 

The  Rev.  Ernie  Lewis,  executive  director  of  the  four-day  conference,  made  the 
comment  at  the  hour-long  news  conference  Wednesday. 

The  Rev.  Matthew  Welde,  executive  director  of  Presbyterians  United  for  Biblical 
concerns,  one  of  the  four  sponsoring  organizations  of  the  congress,  said:  "My  own 
personal  hope  is  that  we  will  have  regional  conferences  or  symposia  on  renewal  issues. 

I believe  a lot  of  spiritual  energy  will  be  released  because  of  the  Congress." 

Follow-up  events  "will  spring  up  spontaneously,"  he  predicted. 

During  the  news  conference,  Lewis  gave  the  most  accurate  figures  yet  for 
registration.  About  4,800  persons  have  registered,  he  said. 

At  least  375  are  here  on  scholarships,  he  announced.  When  staff,  leaders,  and  the 
375  scholarship  recipients  are  added  in,  the  total  number  of  people  here  is  "right 
around  6,000,"  Lewis  said. 

Noting  that  this  was  lower  than  some  pre-Congress  estimates, — 1 0,000  was  often 
mentioned-Lewis  pointed  out  the  "tremendous  sacrifice"  people  had  made  to  come,  given 


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January  18,  1985,  Weekly  Wrap-up,  3 


the  costs  involved.  "I  am  happy  because  those  who  are  here  wanted  to  be 
"I  am  pleased  with  what  I think  Is  a great  beginning,  but  that's  all  it  i 


here,"  he  said, 
s. . . . I am  happy 


with  where  we  are  going." 

Lewis  said  a characterization  of  the  Congress  as  "a  majo 
conservatives  in  the  church  was  rather  extreme."  Said  Lews: 


show  of  force"  by  the 
"It  is  more  like  a family 


re uni  on. " 

"Broad  Spectrum" 

There  is  a "troad  spectrum  of  people  who  have  cone,"  Lewis  said  in  response  to 
questions  about  the  inclusiveness  of  the  congress.  His  "rough  guess"  was  that  25-30 
ethnic  minority  people  were  in  leadership  roles,  as  '.veil  as  60-80  women.  "This  is  the 
most  inclusive  group  of  Presbyterians  I have  ever  worked  with,"  Lewis  said. 

Lewis  was  asked  why  the  congress  refused  to  allow  Presbyterians  for  Lesbian  and  Gay 
Concerns,  a special  organization  related  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U. S. A. ),  to  have  exhibit  space  at  the  Congress  when  many  other  soecial 
organizations  did. 

Lewis  said  the  group  was  excluded  because  "it  has  become  an  advocacy  group  for 
homosexual  practice  as  a viable  lifestyle,"  which,  "in  the  opinion  of  many , viol ates  "the 
General  Assembly's  statement  as  well  as. the  congress'  view"  that  "homosexual  practice  is 
sin."  Lewis  pointed  out  that  "gay  and  lesbian  persons  were  not  excluded"  from  the 
congress  "but  rather  were  invited."  Both  the  General  Assembly  and  the  congress,  Lewis 
noted,  were  "careful  not  to  judge  homosexual  orientation,  but  to  make  a firm  judgment  on 
practice,  firmly  believing  that  practice  is  sin." 

Welde  added:  "In  my  judgment,  the  two  most  controversial  issues  that  continue  to 

convulse  the  church  at  this  time  are  homosexuality  and  abortion."  For  many  people  in 
the  church,  he  added,  "there  is  no  ambiguity  in  Scripture  that  homosexual  is  sin." 

Noting  that  the  church  is  currently  studying  the  abortion  issue,  he  said  "it  is  my 
belief  that  in  the  next  two  to  three  years  the  church  will  modify  its  position " 


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January  18,  1985,  Weekly  Wrap-up,  9 

Lewi s was  asked  if  the  fact  that  the  General  Assembly  did  not  endorse  the  congress 
had  had  any  effect  on  its  success.  Lewis  said  that  the  General  Assembly  was  never  asked 
to  endorse  the  congress,  and  that  many  governing  bodies  had  done  so  on  their  own.  He 
noted  that  the  General  Assembly  Council  had  responded  "very  positively"  to  the  congress. 

Welde  was  asked  what  had  been  accomplished  by  the  congress.  The  expectations  of 
Presbyterians  United  for  Biblical  Concerns  and  the  Covenant  Fellowship  of  Presbyerians, 
the  two  originating  organizations,  Welde  said,  "were  not  political  but  spiritual,  for 
those  who  want  to  make  that  kind  of  bifurcation."  They  hope  the  congress  will  lead 
"renewal  in  congregations"  and  "personal  spiritual  renewal,"  Welde  said,  as  well  as  a 
renewed  vision  of  world  mission. 

"Pull  Church  Together" 

Lewis  added  that  he  hoped  the  congress  "will  have  modeled  that  you  can  pull  the 
gifts  of  the  church  together  from  all  levels."  He  pointed  out  that  Word  Publishers  will 
print  a hardbound  edition  of  all  the  major  speeches,  as  well  as  a series  of  education 
packets  b&sed  on  the  workshops.  All  the  presentations,  including  the  workshops,  will 
also  be  available  on  videotape,  Lewis  noted. 

The  budget  for  the  congress  was  $1,096,000,  Lewis  reported.  Approximately  $200,000 
of  that  was  set  aside  for  scholarships.  The  congress  currently  has  a deficit  of  about 
$200,000.  At  one  point  the  deficit  was  nearly  $400,000,  which  led  to  the  cancellation 
of  47  workshops  and  other  efforts  to  reduce  expenses. 

Attempts  will  be  made  to  raise  the  needed  funds  from  individuals  and  churches  who 
have  b€en  supporting  the  congress,  Lewis  said.  More  thn  $12,000  of  the  needed  sum  was 
received  in  Tuesday  evening's  offering.  "This  is  not  an  attempt  to  divert  funds  from 
regular  mission  giving,"  Lewis  emphasized.  "We  believe  if  we  can  destroy  the  discontent 
[within  evangelical  elements  in  the  church]  we  will  increase  giving  to  the  whole  church." 

# # # 

— Peggy  Rounseville 


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January  18,  1985,  Weekly  Wrap-up,  10 


Release  #8512  AD  HOC  GROUP  SEEKS  SIGNATURES 

TO  PRESS  CHANGE  IN  MISSION  PATTERNS 

DALLAS,  Jan.  9-Signatures  are  Wing  sought  by  an  ad  hoc  task  force  on  Presbyterian 
Cross-Cultural  Mission.  The  group  is  seeking  signatures  for  the  "Towson  Statement," 
named  for  the  town  in  Maryland  where  the  group  held  its  most  recent  meeting,  Nov.  3-4. 

The  statement  is,  in  the  words  of  the  group,  "a  call  for  a clear  focus  on  the  apostolic 
mission  of  the  church." 

The  statement  lists  10  principles  "essential  for  the  framing  of  a new  structure  for 
the  Presbyterian  Churchh  (U.S.A.)  in  mission"  and  says  that  tHe  principles  "might  best 
be  implemented  through  a structure  that  provides  for  two  major  bOards-namely  a Board  of 
National  Mission  and  a Board  of  International  Mission. 

The  statement  asks  for  such  a Board  of  International  Mission  to  "provide  for  an 
identifiable  department  of  frontier  mission  which  shall  enable  the  church  to  fulfill  its 
responsibilities  for  reaching  peoples  and  groups  among  whom  there  is  no  indigenous, 
witnessing  Christian  community." 

Signatures  will  he  forwarded  to  the  Mission  Design  Committee  of  the  General  Assembly 
Council . 


Involved  in  Formulating  Statement 

Ih6  Dd  h0r  c°™ittee>  some  Of  those  involved  in  formulating  the  Towson 
Statement  were,  the  Rev.  G.  Thompson  Brown,  Decatur,  GA,  professor  at  Columbia 
Theological  Seminary  and  fonner  chairperson  of  the  General  Assembly  Mission  Board; 
Me^cent  Huneycutt  St.  Louis,  a member  of  the  Council  on  Theology  and  Culture;  the  Rev. 
d KUntZ’iw°Mtrand’  °?5  executl'[e  secretary  of  the  Presbyterian  Frontier  Fellowship; 
„ rna  ruUrry’  dlrec*>r  of  the  Samuel  Zwemer  Institute,  Altadena,  CA;  the  Rev. 

Matthew  McGowan,  Chattanooga,  TN,  executive  director  of  the  Covenant  Fellowship  of 
Presbyterians;  Eileen  Moffett,  Princeton,  NJ,  former  missionary  to  Korea;  the  Rev. 

Samuel  H.  Moffett,  Princeton,  NJ,  professor  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary;  the  Rev 
Paul  Pierson,  Pasadena  CA,  dean,  School  of  World  Mission,  Fuller  Theological  Seminary; 
the  Rev.  James  M.  Phillips,  Ventnor,  NJ,  associate  director.  Overseas  Study  Center;  the 
Rev.  Murray  Russell,  Glendale,  CA,  executive  director,  Presbyterians  United  for  Mission 
Advance;  the  Rev.  Walter  Shepherd,  Dallas,  staff,  Highland  Park  Presbyterian  Church;  the 
late  Rev.  John  Coventry  Smith,  Abington,  PA,  former  executive  secretary  of  the 
Commission  on  Mission  and  Ecumenical  Relations;  the  Rev.  Ralph  D.  Winter,  Pasadena,  CA 
general  director,  U.S.  Center  for  World  Mission;  Roberta  H.  Winter,  Pasadena,  CA,  chair 
mission  committee,  Presbyterians  United  for  Biblical  Concerns;  and  the  Rev  Dudley 
Woodt^rry,  Altadena,  CA,  staff  of  Samuel  Zwemer  Institute. 


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January  18,  1985,  Weekly  Wrap-up,  11 


At  its  meeting  here  Jan.  8,  the  group  elected  the  following  officers:  Chairman: 
Brown;  Vice-Chairmen:  Kurtz  and  Samuel  Moffett;  Secretary/Treasurer;  Roberta  Winter. 

Among  the  statement's  10  principles  are  beliefs  that:  "the  theological  and  cultural 

diversity  within  the  church's  constituency  should  be  reflected  in  the  planning,  program 
and  mission  structures,"  "the  integrity  of  overseas  churches  and  ecumenical  agencies 
should  b6  respected  and  their  input  sought  in  our  decision-making  process,"  "the 
promotion  of  total  mission  giving  should  be  encouraged  without  abridging  the  right  of 
donors  to  designate  their  contributions  to  specific  causes,"  "the  structure  should 
facilitate  interdependence  and  mutuality  in  mission,  recognizing  that  the  right  of 
initiative  of  all  participatns  must  be  exercised  in  the  spirit  of  Christ,"  and  "our 
church's  mission  must  always  be  conducted  with  a welcoming  awareness  of  emerging  mission 
initiatives  from  other  areas  of  the  world.” 

The  statement  proposes  that,  a Board  of  International  Mission  be  "accountable"  to  the 
General  Assembly,  have  "free  access  of  direct  communication  with  the  presbyteries  and 
congregations,"  and  relate  to  the  proposed  Board  of  National  Mission  and  other  boards 
and  agencies  of  the  church. 

# # # 

--  Allen  W.  Kratz,  News  Services  Manager 


Release  #8513  PARTICIPANTS  HOPEFUL  FOR  CONGRESS 

CHURCH,  FOLLOWING  OPENING  WORSHIP  SERVICE 

DALLAS,  Jan.  7— Randomly  selected  participants  in  Monday  night's  opening  worship  at 
the  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal  expressed  a general  atitude  of  hope  for  the 
remainder  of  the  congress  and  the  future  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  Some  added 
that  their  excitement  had  overcome  an  intial  feeling  of  apprehension. 

Mary  Bishop,  an  educator  from  Houston,  felt  a high  expectation  of  being  with 
committed  Christians  with  a renewed  experience  in  life.  She  added  that  she  hopes  to 


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January  18,  1985,  Weekly  Wrap-up,  12 


become  more  involved  in  her  church  and  more  able  to  relate  her  faith  to, and  express  it 
through,  her  church.  "It  could  have  been  livelier,"  she  commented.  "It  was  almost  as 
if  people  were  afraid  something  would  happen." 

"Family  Feud"  Causes  Apprehension 

Evelyn  and  Cary  McMullen  of  Hendersonville,  NC,  were  among  those  who  were 
apprehensive  when  they  arrived,  particularly  after  hearing  a reference  to  a?"feuding 
family  on  the  evening  news,  but  felt  that  the  opening  worship  and  keynote  address 
brought  them  back  to  a spirit  of  unity.  "We  were  apprehensive  that  we  would  be  called 
upon  for  sameness  and  uniformity,"  they  said,  "but  were  assured  tonight  that  it  was  OK 
to  b6  different."  They  added  that  they  hoped  to  discover  renewal  through  openness. 

Mary  Pate  of  Amarillo,  TX,  expessed  great  expectation  of  being  renewed  and  that 
participants  would  b6  able  to  take  bdth  love  and  leadership  bcick  to  their  churches. 

The  Rev.  Mark  Nazarian  of  Fair  Oaks,  CA,  found  it  a very  positive  experience  to 
realize  that  Presbyterians  seemed  strongly  in  favor  of  renewal  and  appreciated  the 
message  of  All  Things  New."  Although  fatigued  by  participation  in  another  recent 
event,  he  expressed  the  expectation  of  b£ing  renewed  and  his  excitement  that  the  church 
seemed  interested  in  being  part  of  the  kingdom. 

Ann  Rowley  of  Oregon  City,  OR,  described  her  mood  as  "anticipation!"  She  said  the 
Rev.  Bruce  Larson's  address  and  the  music  had  combined  to  "keep  us  moving." 


— Hal  Bray 


# # # 


Release  #8514  ABORTION  DISCUSSED 

AT  RENEWAL  CONGRESS 

DALLAS,  Jan.  10— Abortion  was  the  issue  in  an  intense  but  friendly  debate  between 
the  Rev.  John  Gal  breath  and  the  Rev.  Ben  Sheldon  at  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal 
on  Thursday  afternoon. 

Gal  breath,  who  articulated  the  pro-choice  position  and  defended  the  paper  on 


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A nationwide  weekly  serving  the  Pr 


VOLUME  167 


25910  EXPIRES  04/21/85 
Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 
31  Alexander  St 
Princeton*  NJ  08540 


r*-l 


1 I—  L-M  \ uni  \ I 


ok  Foundation,  Inc. 


A COVENANT  OF  RENEWAL 

Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal 

In  response  to  a fresh  call  to  obedience  and  service  to  Jesus  Christ  as  Lord  of 
all  life,  and  Head  of  his  Body,  the  Church,  of  which  we  as  Presbyterians  are  an 
historic  and  inseparable  part,  we  go  forth  together  from  Dallas,  Texas,  this  10th 
day  of  January,  1985,  filled  with  joy  and  power  in  the  Holy  Spirit  and  a renewed 
understanding  and  awareness  of  our  vocation,  ministry  and  mission  as  Christian 
believers. 

Desiring  to  express  our  faith,  and  our  love  toward  God,  the  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Spirit,  and  to  seal  our  commitment  to  each  other  in  Jesus  the  Lord,  we 
hereby  mutually  covenant: 

—To  seek  and  do  God’s  will  for  our  lives,  empowered  by  his  grace,  and  by 
faithful  study  of  the  Scriptures,  constancy  in  prayer,  and  loving  fellowship  with 
our  brothers  and  sisters  in  Christ,  knowing  that  God’s  love  enables  us  to  reach 
out  with  care  and  compassion,  not  only  to  fellow  Christians  within  the  parish 
churches  to  which  we  severally  belong,  but  beyond  them  to  serve  Christ  in  the 
darkness  and  despair  of  human  beings  everywhere. 

—To  seek  and  do  God’s  will  for  the  local  churches  of  which  we  are  a part  — 
and  beyond  them  to  the  presbyteries,  synods  and  General  Assembly  which  de- 
fine our  Presbyterian  family  within  the  whole  Body  of  Christ  - witnessing  to 
priorities  of  evangelical  renewal  by  corporate  fidelity  in  prayer,  biblical  and 
prophetic  preaching,  biblical  evangelism,  care  and  nurture  of  members  of  the 
Body,  loving  service  to  the  larger  communities  in  which  we  live;  and  by  cour- 
ageous witness  to  biblical  parameters  of  social  order,  justice  and  righteousness, 
and  of  policies  tending  toward  world  peace  and  democratic  freedoms,  insofar  as 
God  enables  us  to  discern  these  parameters  by  his  Word  and  Spirit. 

-In  everything,  personal  and  corporate,  to  be  faithful  witnesses  to  the  life 
changing  power  of  Jesus  Christ  and  God’s  love  for  the  world,  manifesting  our 
obedience  to  the  gospel  by  ever  seeking  to  reflect  the  holiness  and  love  of  Al- 
mighty God,  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit,  to  the  glory  of  his  Name.  Amen. 


J*bi  V<j»| 


The  Wrong  Premise 

"A  Procrustean  Bed."  by  David  Steele 
in  the  Jan.  7-14  Outlook,  was  interesting 
and  well-written,  but,  I believe,  based  on 
a premise  with  which  exception  should  be 
taken. 

Steele  seems  to  suggest  that  ordination 
has  to  do  with  affirmation  of  persons 
rather  than  being  a functional  definition. 
He  seems  to  want  ordination  to  be  a right 
of  anyone  who  jumps  the  necessary  hur- 
dles. personally  feels  called,  and  wants  it. 

I believe  that  this  leaves  out  two  im- 
portant facets  — one,  that  call  is  the  vali- 
dation of  one’s  personal  feelings  of  being 
called,  and,  two,  ordination  does  describe 
function  and  unless  one  is  to  preach  and 
perform  the  sacramental  functions  of  a 
parish  pastor,  ordination  is  not  necessary 
or  appropriate. 

Perhaps  Steele's  most  serious  problem 
is  his  failure  to  remember  that  all  Chris- 
tians are  called  by  God  — some  to  be 
pastors,  some  to  teach,  some  to  be 
plumbers,  some  to  do  all  sorts  of  honor- 
able tasks.  Calling  is  not  something  re- 
served for  the  theologically  savvy. 

The  author’s  “obvious  insights”  are  not 
obvious;  they  are  shortsighted.  Ordina- 
tion does  not  have  more  to  do  with  per- 
sons than  jobs;  it  has  to  do  with  function. 
If  we  are  only  ordained  to  function  and 
take  seriously  our  belief  about  the  priest- 
hood of  all  believers,  we  will  value  all 
people  as  Steele  would  have  us  value  all 
ordained  people. 

JAMES  L.  BROWNE 
Pastor,  Shiloh  church 
St.  Mary's,  Pa. 


Nine-tenths  of  wisdom  consist  of  being 
wise  in  time.  THEODORE  ROOSEVELT 


Renew  and  Retrain 

David  Steele,  in  his  article,  "A  Pro- 
crustean Bed"  ( Outlook , Jan.  7-14),  has 
given  us  a much-needed  focus  on  "the 
oversupply  clergy  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church." 

However,  this  complex  issue  cannot  be 
dealt  with  in  an  assumption  that  all 
20,000  Presbyterian  ministers  are  able, 
well-qualified  and  lacking  only  a call! 

Unfortunately,  this  is  unrealistic.  Thus, 
one  of  the  greatest  needs  of  the  church  is 
how  to  renew  and  retrain  many  of  our 
present  group  of  clergy. 

Steele  is  quite  right,  however,  in  plac- 
ing a whole  new  focus  on  the  ordination 
process,  beginning  with  candidacy.  Long 
before  a person  approaches  graduation  as 
a seminarian,  there  is  much  needed  work 
to  be  done  by  the  church  in  the  candidacy 
process. 

To  further  complicate  the  matter,  there 
are  some  opportunities  for  service  in  the 
church  which  seem  to  have  difficulty  get- 
ting enough  able  people.  Positions  in 
Christian  education  and  particularly  work 
with  young  people  are  more  difficult  to  fill 
than  positions  as  pastors.  Some  of  our 
churches  which  put  emphasis  on  high 
levels  of  quality  and  preaching  regularly 
complain  about  the  quality  of  preaching 
they  find. 

Thus,  it  behooves  us  all  — church, 
seminaries,  candidacy  committees  — to 
take  a fresh  look  at  what  it  means  to  be 
called  of  God  as  a Presbyterian  minister, 
and  what  is  required  of  such  persons  and 
how  suph  persons  are  to  be  nurtured  over 
a lifetime  of  ministry. 

Thank  you  for  the  fine  Jan.  7-14  issue 
on  the  minister. 

J.  DAVIDSON  PHILIPS 
President,  Columbia  Theological  Seminary 
Decatur,  Ga. 

What  Did  She  Say? 

That  lively  meeting  of  the  Advisory 
Council  on  Church  and  Society,  which  you 
reported  in  the  Dec.  17-24-31  Outlook, 
may  have  been  marred  by  a deadening 
thud. 

We,  the  readers,  need  to  know  the  con- 
text for  Anne  A.  Murphey’s  quoted  state- 
ment. At  face  value,  what  she  said  was 
fearsome.  She  wondered  aloud  about  the 
General  Assembly  nominating  commit- 
tee’s work.  She  expressed  concern  about 
what  she  called  “participatory  window 
dressing,"  afraid  that  “almost  anyone 
who  could  read  and  who  cared  about  the 
church  could  be  nominated"  because  she 
apparently  prefers  people  with  “a  tre- 
mendous sense  of  responsibility  for  the 
business  of  the  church." 


IN  THIS  ISSUE 

CONGRESS 

ON  RENEWAL  

.3-5 

BOWMAN: 

Righteous  Right 

6 

EDITORIALS:  Overload; 

Dialogue 

8-9 

KILLINGER:  Clay  Torso. 

9 

UNIFORM  LESSON  . . 

11 

WOMEN’S  BIBLE 

STUDY 

IP 

Come,  now,  I thought  that  one 

of  the 

was  that  leadership  was  going  to  be 
tuned  in  to  the  ordinary  Presbyterian  and 
that  the  flow  of  energy  would  be  from  the 
bottom  of  the  pyramid  to  the  top. 

Was  she  putting  down  the  simple 
Christian  who  reads  the  Bible  and  other 
news,  and  whose  basic  faith  expresses 
itself  in  caring  about  the  directions  the 
church  takes?  Was  she  saying  that  we 
better  let  “experts"  try  to  pull  us  along 
and  that  we  abdicate  control  of  the 
church  to  a self-perpetuating  cadre  of  in- 
dividuals lost  in  a labyrinth,  isolated  from 
plain  folks  v/ho  simply  love  Jesus? 

People  who  can  read  and  care  about 
the  church  may,  like  children,  have  the 
simplest  and  best  faith  and  can  move 
more  mountains  than  the  same  old  names 
that  keep  cropping  up. 

Was  she  saying  that  experts  do  a bet- 
ter job  of  leadership  if  they  channel  the 
church  rather  than  being  responsive  to 
the  church? 

What  was  she  actually  saying?  And 
whose  idea  was  it  for  the  Advisory  Coun- 
cil to  meet  in  Guadalajara?  Why?  Who 
paid  for  it?  What's  wrong  with  meeting  in 
Atlanta  or  Dallas  or  El  Paso? 

W.  WIRT  SKINNER 
Pastor,  Grace  church 
Little  Rock,  Ark. 


Ecumaniacs  Take  Heart 

Surely  all  of  us  “ecumaniacs”  can  take 
heart  in  the  recent  unanimous  approval 
by  the  Consultation  on  Church  Union  of 
the  historic  document  in  quest  of  a 
"Church  of  Christ  Uniting.” 

I’m  happy  to  note  that  COCU  also 
stands  for  Church  of  Christ  Uniting.  Is 
that  purely  acronymic  — or  excitingly 
prophetic? 

DUNCAN  MacBRYDE 

Mooresville,  N.C. 

Editor's  Note:  It  is  intentional. 

™ ^St^fhmond  v!L2^10  (pISSN  f°J32’7561(5|)  P°^ge  paid  at  Richmond.  Va  Published  weekly  on  Monday  by  The  Presbyterian  Outlook  Foundation  Inc , 

CS  i? SSj! 5 ' ? bl  weekly  the  two  we€ks  in  January  and  semi-monthly  in  July  and  December  and  monthly  ,n  August  50  cents  a copy.  *15  one  year 

128  two  years;  $41  three  years.  *5  per  year  for  postage  outs.de  US.A.  POSTMASTER  Send  addre~  changes  to  The  Presbyterian  Outlook.  512  E.  Ma.n  St.,  Richmond,  V.  W19 


News  of  the  Church  and  flip  World 


NEWS  BRIEFS 


Fife  Indicted  for  Role 
In  Sanctuary 


• “A.D.”  (ANNO  DOMINI),  a 12-hour 
miniseries,  is  scheduled  to  be  broadcast 
on  NBC-TV  during  Holy  Week  1985,  be- 
ginning Sunday,  March  31,  and  conclud- 
ing Thursday,  April  4.  The  series  tells 
the  story  of  events  between  30  A.D.  and 
68  A.D.  that  gave  birth  to  the  Christian 
movement.  It  is  an  attempt  to  present 
dramatically  the  biblical  and  historical 
events  surrounding  the  birth  of  the 
Church  as  experienced  by  apostles,  em- 
perors and  fictional  characters.  Richard 
Gilbert,  religious  consultant  to  NBC  and 
former  staff  member  of  the  UPC  Board  of 
National  Missions,  advised  on  the  film 
and  enlisted  four  Bible  scholars  to  check 
the  script:  Bruce  Metzger  of  Princeton 
Seminary,  John  Meier  of  St.  Joseph’s 
Seminary,  N.Y.,  Thomas  Robinson  of 
Union  Seminary.  N.Y.,  and  Burton  Visot- 
zky  of  Jewish  Theological  Seminary. 

• JAMES  ARMSTRONG,  a former 
United  Methodist  bishop  and  president  of 
the  National  Council  of  Churches,  is  now 
senior  consultant  for  the  International 
Business-Government  Counselors  Inc.,  a 
Washington-based  firm  that  does  "intelli- 
gence, research,  counseling  and  problem- 
solving"  for  corporate  clients.  Armstrong 
and  his  wife,  from  whom  he  was  es- 
tranged following  his  resignations,  are 
now  together  in  Alexandria,  Va.  He  is 
now  a layman,  having  surrendered  his 
ministerial  credentials  because  he  was  of- 
fered a position  in  Florida  by  the  United 
Church  of  Christ  and  Methodist  rules  re- 
quire this  step  before  transfer  to  another 
denomination.  Armstrong  decided  not  to 
take  the  UCC  position:  but  he  told  a 
Washington  Post  reporter  that  the  job  is 
still  open  "if  things  don’t  work  out"  in  his 
present  line  of  work.  (RNS) 

• ABOUT  50  black  Presbyterians  made 
up  of  leaders  from  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  and  the  Second  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  met  Dec.  13-15 
in  Atlanta  to  develop  an  evangelism 
strategy  and  program  for  congregations 
ministering  in  predominantly  black  com- 
munities across  the  nation.  Major  atten- 
tion was  given  to  such  issues  as  or- 
ganizing the  congregation  to  evangelize, 
the  study  of  black  theology  and  black 
church  history  and  impacting  the  struc- 
tures of  the  denominations  so  that  they 
may  be  infused  with  the  perspectives  and 
interests  of  black  Presbyterians. 


0 God,  make  us  children  of  quietness, 
and  heirs  of  peace. 

- ST.  CLEMENT  OF  ALEXANDRIA 

FEBRUARY  4,  1985 


Movement 

John  Fife,  45,  pastor  of  Southside  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Tucson,  Ariz.,  was  one 
of  14  persons  indicted  Jan.  14  on  charges 
of  illegally  transporting  undocumented 
refugees  into  the  United  States  from 
Mexico  and  for  transporting  and  harbor- 
ing them  within  the  United  States. 

Southside  was  the  first  church  in  the 
United  States  to  vote  officially  to  provide 
sanctuary  to  those  fleeing  political  and 
economic  troubles  in  Central  America. 
The  church  did  this  March  24,  1982,  and 
has  received  the  commendation  of  the 
General  Assembly  for  its  action. 

All  indicted  persons  are  scheduled  to 
appear  at  a hearing  in  the  U.S.  District 
Court  for  the  Arizona  District,  Phoenix, 
at  10:30  a.m.  Jan.  23. 


Correspondent  for  The  Outlook 

The  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renew- 
al, held  Jan.  7-10  in  Dallas,  attracted 
5,000  Presbyterian  lay  people  and  minis- 
ters. They  came  from  every  state  In  the 
union  and  several  foreign  countries.  Par- 
ticipants spent  4 Vi  hours  daily  in  worship 
and  another  4V2  hours  in  workshops. 
More  than  200  workshops  centered  on 
personal  renewal,  congregational  renewal 
and  renewal  in  the  world. 

Ernest  J.  Lewis,  executive  director  of 
the  Congress,  described  the  meeting  as 
the  most  inclusive  Presbyterian  event  he 
had  ever  attended.  Of  about  200  leaders, 
Lewis  estimated  that  there  were  60  to  80 
women,  25  to  30  racial  ethnic  people  and 
20  or  more  from  the  church  bureaucracy. 

The  total  cost  of  the  Congress  was 
$1,096,000.  At  the  final  communion  ser- 
vice on  Thursday  evening,  Lewis  ex- 
plained to  the  crowd,  which  held  constant 
throughout  the  week,  that  there  was  an 
indebtedness  of  $180,000.  He  confidently 
asked  for  180  people  to  give  or  raise 
$1,000  each. 

At  that  service,  a telegram  of  en- 
couragement and  support  was  read  from 


JOHN  HENDRICK,  professor  of  mission 
and  evangelism  at  Austin  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary  and  an  OUTLOOK 
editor-at-large,  covered  the  Congress  on 
Renewal  at  our  request. 


The  indictments  in  Arizona  were  fol- 
lowed by  a nationwide  arrest  of  more 
than  60  refugees  and  people  who  have 
been  aiding  them.  It  will  be  a long  and 
expensive  legal  battle  for  the  people  in- 
volved and  those  supporting  them. 

Fifes  indictment  lists  seven  charges: 
aiding  and  abetting  illegal  aliens;  con 
spiracy;  bringing  in  illegal  aliens;  trans- 
porting them;  concealing,  harboring  or 
shielding  them;  encouraging  or  inducing 
or  attempting  to  encourage  them;  and  un 
lawful  eluding  examination  or  inspection. 
Conviction  of  conspiracy  to  harbor  carries 
a maximum  fine  of  $15,000  and  a 10-year 
prison  term. 

The  day  of  the  hearing  was  the  first 
full  day  of  a Jan.  22-24  ecumenical  sym- 
posium in  Tucson  which  discussed  the 
conflict  between  the  U.S.  government 
and  religious  communities  on  the  sanc- 


Harriet  Nelson,  moderator  of  General 
Assembly.  Her  greeting  was  received 
with  warm  applause. 

The  Congress  was  planned  by  a steer- 
ing committee  appointed  by  Presbyteri- 
ans United  for  Biblical  Concerns,  Pres- 
byterian and  Reformed  Renewal  Minis- 
tries International,  Presbyterian  Lay 
Committee  Inc.  and  the  Covenant  Fellow- 
ship of  Presbyterians.  These  organiza- 
tions usually  are  identified  as  espousing 
the  evangelical  tradition  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  (U.S.A.)  and  are  among 
the  special  organizations  related  to  the 
church  under  the  provisions  of  Ch.  9 of 
the  Book  of  Order. 

Observers  noted  that  those  attending 
were  not  the  more  liberal  or  the  more 
conservative,  but  moderate  people  seek- 
ing help  for  themselves  and  their 
churches. 

WORSHIP:  “ALL  THINGS  NEW” 

As  the  shofar  called  God’s  people  to- 
gether in  the  days  of  early  Hebrew  his- 
tory, the  sound  of  a ram’s  horn  opened 
the  first  worship  at  the  Congress.  The 
theme  of  the  gathering  was  “All  Things 
New." 

A 64-page  worship  book  was  prepared 
especially  for  the  services. 

A foundational  conviction  of  the  wor- 
ship team  which  compiled  the  book  was 
that  "Renewal  comes  as  the  people  of  God 
sing  praise  together,  confess  their  sins 
together,  study  the  word  of  God  together 

3 


tuary  issue.  (See  Jan.  28  Outlook. ) □ 

500  Attend  Congress  on  Renewal 
And  Stress  Unity  and  Inclusiveness 

By  JOHN  R.  HENDRICK 


and  commit  themselves  to  serve  Christ 
together."  The  worship  team  which 
planned  the  services  included  Arlo  Duba 
of  Dubuque  Seminary  and  Melva  Costen, 
wife  of  a former  moderator  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

On  Tuesday,  the  focus  of  worship  was 
God  the  Father;  on  Wednesday,  Jesus 
Christ.  God  the  Son;  and  on  Thursday, 
God  the  Holy  Spirit.  Evening  services 
used  the  order  of  the  new  “Service  for 
the  Lord's  Day"  of  the  Joint  Office  of 
Worship  for  the  denomination. 

Contemporary  English  was  used  for 
the  Lord’s  Prayer  and  the  Apostles’ 
Creed.  Language  was  inclusive  and  non- 
sexist. Throughout,  long-held  elements  of 
Presbyterian  worship  were  set  side  by 
side  with  more  contemporary  worship 
forms. 

Several  seminarians,  conversant  with 
recent  liturgical  renewal,  expressed  plea- 
sure with  the  services  and  stated  their 
intent  to  take  the  worship  book  home  as  a 
resource.  Two  executive  directors  of  the 
Ch.  9 sponsoring  organizations  found  the 
worship  "too  liturgical"  and  "too  struc- 
tured." Two  women,  regulars  at  presby- 
tery and  synod  level  meetings,  were  put 
off  by  the  freer,  charismatic  style  which 
occasionally  evidenced  itself  among  a 
handful  of  the  worshipers. 

But  perhaps  all  would  agree  with 
Curtis  Jones  of  St.  Luke's  Church  of 
Dallas,  who  said,  “The  music  and  preach- 
ing were  the  real  high  point  of  the  Con- 
gress for  me."  However,  all,  of  every 
persuasion,  agreed  that  472  to  five  hours 
of  worship  daily  is  a little  too  much  for 
Presbyterians! 

200  WORKSHOPS 

Alongside  the  worship  services,  the 
most  notable  feature  of  the  Presbyterian 
Congress  on  Renewal  was  the  smorgas- 
bord of  more  than  200  workshops.  A 
quick  count  showed  that  about  100  work- 
shops dealt  with  congregational  revitali- 
zation, 90  focused  on  church  outreach  to 
the  world  in  terms  of  social  ministry  and 
evangelism,  40  stressed  personal  and 
spiritual  renewal  and  10  explored  de- 
nominational renewal. 

Most  were  led  by  individuals  from  con- 
gregations. Some  leaders  were  drawn 
from  the  church’s  seminaries  and  boards, 
agencies  and  governing  bodies  — about 
30  or  40.  When  asked  about  this,  Robert 
T.  Henderson,  chairman  of  the  program 
committee,  stated  that  a prime  criterion 
for  the  selection  of  leaders  was  their  in- 
volvement in  creative  congregational 
ministries. 

A listing  of  some  of  the  workshops  with 
their  leaders  will  illustrate  why  so  many 
people  were  eager  tc  come  to  the  Con- 
gress and  went  away  feeling  well  fed: 

4 


"Contemplative  Prayer:  A Guide  for  the  Eighties," 
Dorothy  Freeman  Cross. 

"Bringing  New  Members  In  Alive"  lEvangelizing  new 
members),  Bryan  Jay  Cannon. 

"Essential  Tenets  in  the  Book  of  Confessions,"  Jack  B. 

Rogers. 

"Church  Renewal:  Past,  Present  and  Future,"  Richard 
Lovelace. 

"Understanding  the  New  Book  of  Order,"  M Douglas 
Harper  Jr. 

“Renewing  Our  Outreach  Through  Ethnic  Outreach," 
Lonnie  J.  Oliver. 

"An  Evangelical  Vision  for  Public  Life,"  Ronald  Sider. 

"Hope  and  Healing  for  the  Homosexual,"  Hal  Schell. 

^ “Changing  Patterns  in  Missions."  Samuel  H.  Moffett. 

"The  Servant  Society  — A Pastoral  Ministry  to  Institu 
lions,"  Howard  C.  Blake. 

"Synods  in  the  Emerging  PC(USA),"  William  J.  Fogle 
man. 

"Evangelism  and  Church  Growth,"  Robert  H.  Meneilly, 
Grady  N.  Allison  and  B.  Kong  Han. 

"Gaining  Perspective  on  Central  America."  Robert  E. 
White  and  Constantine  Menges. 

A thread  running  throughout  worship 
and  workshops  — perhaps  it  could  be 
called  the  underlying  assumption  of  the 
Congress  — was  that  personal  renewal  is 
the  necessary  and  prior  condition  for  re- 
newal in  church  and  world. 

UNITY  AND  INCLUSIVENESS 

Throughout  the  Congress,  the  issue  of 
unity  and  inclusiveness  surfaced  again 
and  again.  Harry  Adamson,  associate 
pastor  of  Memorial  Drive  church  in  Hous- 
ton, said,  “I  have  heard  more  preaching 
about  the  unity  of  the  Christian  family 
here  than  at  any  conference  or  church 
meeting  in  recent  years.  They  are 
making  a real  attempt  to  break  down 
barriers  in  the  local  church  and  through- 
out the  denomination." 

The  worst  fears  of  some  were  that  the 
denominational  establishment  would  be  a 
target  for  criticism  by  Congress  leaders. 
While  two  people  said  that  they  thought 
they  had  heard  some  remarks  that  were 
“caustic  and  insulting,"  others  did  not 
think  that  there  was  a negative  tenor  to 
the  meeting  at  all;  rather,  speakers  and 
leaders  uniformly  took  a high  and  posi- 
tive ground  in  regard  to  the  Presbyterian 
denomination. 

That  spirit  was  reflected  by  Samuel 
i Moffett  of  Princeton  when  he  urged  that 
' we  all  stop  criticizing  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  start  praying  for  it  and  work- 
ing through  it.  With  but  one  exception, 
the  emphasis  on  unity  and  diversity  re- 
flected a sophisticated  and  contemporary 
understanding  of  pluralism. 

From  the  perspective  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Congress,  emphasis  on  unity 
served  at  least  two  purposes.  First,  Hen- 
derson talked  frankly  about  his  desire 
and  that  of  others  in  the  sponsoring 
groups.  "We  want  to  head  off  any  more 
defections,  to  get  people  to  feel  good 
about  the  church  and  to  encourage  other 
evangelicals  to  stay  in  the  denomination." 

Second,  Matthew  McGowan,  executive 
director  of  the  Covenant  Fellowship  of 
Presbyterians,  stated  that  the  major  is- 


sue for  evangelicals  :n  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  is  whether  in  fact  our 
denominational  establishment  will  prac- 
tice the  inclusiveness  called  for  in  the 
Book  of  Order  (4.0403):  “Persons  of  all 
racial  ethnic  groups,  different  ages,  both 
sexes,  various  disabilities,  diverse  geo- 
graphical areas  and  different  theological 
positions  consistent  with  the  Reformed 
tradition  shall  be  guaranteed  full  partici- 
pation and  access  to  representation  in  the 
decision-making  of  the  church”  (emphasis 
added).  McGowan  indicated  that  over- 
tures concerning  the  practice  of  a genuine 
theological  pluralism  in  the  PC(USA)  will 
be  coming  to  the  1985  General  Assembly 
in  Indianapolis. 

A NEW  EVANGELICAL  FORCE 

At  a press  conference,  Matthew  Welde, 
executive  director  of  Presbyterians 
United  for  Biblical  Concerns,  was  asked 
about  the  Congress  being  a show  of  evan- 
gelical force.  He  responded  with  feeling, 
saying  that  the  planners’  purpose  was 
spiritual,  not  political. 

Any  objective  observer  would  have  to 
agree  that  the  Congress  did  not  operate 
in  an  overtly  political  way.  However, 
5,000  people  coming  to  a meeting  spon- 
sored with  an  avowed  evangelical  pur- 
pose is  clear  evidence  that  there  really  is 
a strong  evangelical  stream  within  our 
denomination. 

One  Dallas  churchman,  distinguished 
for  his  denominational  loyalty,  didn’t  like 
much  that  he  saw  at  the  Congress,  but  he 
was  impressed  by  the  obvious  vigor  and 
strength  of  the  evangelical  movement. 
He  grudgingly  admitted  that  we  must  en- 
deavor to  work  with  them.  A General  As- 
sembly executive  said,  “This  whole  ex- 
perience simply  reconfirms  for  me  how 
important  it  is  that  this  group  find  repre- 
sentation in  the  new  structure. 

The  voice  of  the  Congress  will  not  stop 
with  the  few  thousand  who  attended.  It  is 
likely  that  there  will  be  followup  meet- 
ings on  a regional  basis. 

Another  result  of  the  Congress  is  the 
establishment  and  strengthening  of  evan- 
gelical coalitions.  Presbyterian  Elders  in 
Prayer,  Presbyterians  Pro-Life,  Inter- 
national Order  of  Reformed  and  Presby- 
terian Evangelizers,  Midwest  Young 
Evangelical  Presbyterian  Pastors’  Fel- 
lowship, are  among  a number  of  which  I 
had  never  heard. 

During  the  Congress,  participants  were 
asked  to  consider  signing  the  Towson 
document  which  is  to  be  sent  to  the  Mis- 
sion Design  Consultation  at  MoRanch  in 
February;  it  stresses  the  need  for  the 
church  to  provide  more  adequate  struc- 
ture and  funding  for  the  international 
mission  program  of  the  church. 

At  the  closing  worship  service,  it  was 
announced  that  an  evangelical  group  de- 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  OUTLOOK 


signed  to  minister  to  homosexuals  was  in 
process  of  formation.  Most  important,  the 
four  sponsoring  groups  have  found  one 
another  and  are  discussing  a unified 
evangelical  front  within  the  denomina- 
tion. 

While  the  General  Assembly  failed  to 
concur  with  an  endorsement  of  the 
Congress  and  a number  of  presbyteries 
were  openly  reluctant  to  say  anything 
positive  in  regard  to  it,  some  denomina- 
tional leaders  did  sense  the  importance  of 
being  present  at  the  meeting.  Booths 
with  displays  of  denominational  wares 
were  staffed  by  most  of  the  groups  who 
are  at  General  Assemblies. 

The  General  Assembly  Mission  Board 
had  a large  space  to  represent  all  of  the 
various  Atlanta  units.  Ms.  Jo  Gallaher  of 
that  staff  was  pleased  that  they  had  made 
the  effort  to  come  and  spoke  of  the  num- 
ber of  people  who  discovered  to  their  sur- 
prise that  the  bureaucracy  has  outstand- 
ing resources  for  the  local  church. 

REFLECTIONS  ON  CONGRESS 
BY  PARTICIPANTS 

Matthew  Lynn,  former  moderator  of 
the  PCUS,  said  that  his  recent  travels  for 
the  MoRanch  Assembly  confirmed  his 
conviction  that  church  people  today  are 
not  only  looking  for  instruction,  they  also 
seek  inspiration.  However,  he  decried  the 
fact  that  a meeting  such  as  the  Congress 
was  conducted  by  para-church  groups. 
He  answered  in  the  affirmative  when 
asked  if  he  thought  that  the  General  As- 
sembly and  other  governing  bodies  of  the 
church  should  sponsor  such  meetings  as 
the  Congress. 

Another  minister,  in  a similar  vein, 
said,  "This,  like  the  Kirchentag,  has  its 
place.  A lot  of  people  need  encourage- 
ment." 

A complaint  about  the  theology  of  the 
Congress  was  voiced  by  a Presbyterian 
staff  member  of  Intervarsity  Christian 
Fellowship.  He  deplored  the  shallowness 
of  some  of  the  preaching  and  suggested 
there  was  a kind  of  sellout  to  relational 
theology  such  as  that  formerly  espoused 
by  Faith  at  Work. 

Richard  Lovelace,  professor  of  church 
history  at  Gordon  Conwell,  to  whom  the 
staff  member  was  speaking,  said.  “The 
planners  of  the  Congress  had  a chance  to 
do  better  We  need  now,  as  never  be- 
fore, a strong  emphasis  on  the  historic 
Reformed  faith." 

Perhaps  the  theological  high  points  of 
the  Congress  came  in  the  sermon  of  Sam 
Moffett  on  Acts  1:8  and  in  the  address  of 
Thomas  Gillespie,  president  of  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  in  his  exposition  of 
Hebrews.  (Gillespie  substituted  for 
James  I.  McCord,  whose  wife.  Hazel, 
died  Jan.  2.) 

How  did  the  Congress  differ  from  other 

FEBRUARY  4,  1985 


Presbyterian  meetings?  "Well,"  one  per 
son  said,  "there  certainly  is  more  open 
talk  about  the  Spirit  and  the  Lord  and 
less  about  social  issues." 

The  consensus  of  several  in  the  news 
room  was  that,  as  a group,  the  partici- 
pants were  perhaps  a decade  younger 
than  those  seen  at  General  Assembly  and 
presbytery  meetings.  A synod  modera- 
tor, well-traveled  in  Presbyterian  circles, 
said,  "I  like  the  looks  of  this  crowd.  They 
seem  happy  to  be  clean  and  neat  and 
don't  feel  an  obligation  to  dress  down.  I 
don’t  see  so  many  open-toed  sandals  and 
ponytails.”  Another,  hearing  the  com- 
ments, responded.  "We  probably  look 
pretty  much  like  the  Republicans  who 
were  in  convention  here  several  months 
ago!" 

Jack  Rogers,  professor  of  theology  at 
Fuller  Theological  Seminary,  when  asked 
to  characterize  the  gathering,  said  that 
he  told  his  class  beforehand  that  this 
Congress  would  be  like  a meeting  of  "new 
school"  Presbyterians  with  an  emphasis 
on  personal  religion  and  that  the  meeting 
in  February  at  MoRanch  by  the  General 
Assembly  Council  to  formulate  a mission 
design  statement  for  the  denomination  (in 
which  Rogers  will  participate)  would  be 
more  like  an  “old  school"  meeting  (shorn 
of  its  theology,  of  course),  with  an  em- 
phasis on  structure  and  order. 

A controversy  that  arose  prior  to  the 
Congress  came  up  again  during  the 
meeting.  Rodger  Wilson  of  Dallas,  co- 
moderator  of  Presbyterians  for  Lesbian 
and  Gay  Concerns,  another  Ch.  9 organi- 
zation, told  Congress  leaders,  "Your  bro- 
chure said  this  was  to  be  an  inclusive 
gathering.  If  it  is,  why  did  you  exclude 
the  Presbyterians  for  Lesbian  and  Gay 
Concerns  from  having  a booth  in  the 
exhibition?” 

Lewis  replied,  "No  gay  or  lesbian  per- 
son was  excluded  from  the  Congress.”  He 
went  on  to  say  that  the  Congress  adhered 
to  the  guidelines  set  by  the  General  As- 
sembly, that  on  the  basis  of  God’s  word, 
homosexual  practice  is  a sin  — no 
different  or  worse  than  other  sins.  He  in 
dicated  that  PLGC  encouraged  such  prac- 
tice. 

Two  workshops  were  conducted  at  the 
Congress  to  deal  with  pastoral  care  and 
healing  for  persons  of  homosexual  orien- 
tation. 

On  the  final  evening  of  the  Congress,  a 
former  homosexual  gave  his  testimony. 
At  the  end,  he  announced  the  beginning 
of  an  organization  entitled  “Presbyterians 
United  for  Sexual  Wholeness."  This  was 
followed  by  especially  sustained  and  loud 
applause. 

The  theme  of  the  Congress  was  "All 
Things  New."  However,  Robert  Miller  of 
the  General  Assembly  Mission  Board 
could  find  little  that  was  fresh,  innovative 


or  on  the  cutting  edge.  Paul  R.  Peirson 
dean  of  the  School  of  World  Missions  at 
Fuller,  speaking  of  one  of  the  sermons, 
noted.  “What  was  said  was  not  new.  but 
it  needed  to  be  said." 

Certainly,  evangelicals  at  the  Congress 
left  feeling  that  their  concerns  were  em- 
phasized and  that  their  way  of  addressing 
the  problems  of  church  and  world  was 
lifted  up  for  all  to  see. 

What  would  really  be  new  is  if,  as  a 
result  of  this  Congress,  those  who  identi- 
fy with  the  planners  of  this  meeting  and 
others  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  began  practicing  the  unity  and 
inclusiveness  which  both  espouse. 

(See  editorial,  p.  8.)  q 

Presbytery  Receives 
$5.8  Million  Legacy 

New  Castle  Presbytery,  which  covers 
the  Eastern  Shore  of  Delaware  and 
Maryland,  has  become  the  beneficiary  of 
the  income  of  a $5.8  million  trust  fund 
which  will  give  it  between  $400,000  and 
$500,000  annually. 

The  trust  fund  was  left  to  the  presby 
tery  in  the  will  of  George  I.  Speer,  who 
died  in  1965,  and  is  in  memory  of  his  par 
ents,  George  I.  and  Lizzie  F.  Speer.  It 
comes  to  the  presbytery  now  upon  the 
death  of  his  brother,  Robert  A.  Speer, 
who  died  Dec.  31. 

Aware  of  the  bequest,  the  presbytery 
in  1983  adopted  guidelines  for  the  use  of 
bequests  and  gifts  to  the  presbytery. 
These  guidelines  provide  that  30  percent 
of  the  income  will  go  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, 15  percent  to  the  Synod  of  the 
Piedmont  and  the  rest  to  the  presbytery. 

The  guidelines  also  stipulate  that  "be- 
quests shall  be  used  with  a primary  em- 
phasis on  impoverished  and  oppressed 
people  in  a manner  that  will  enhance  mis- 
sion of  the  local  Presbyterian  churches, 
the  presbytery  and  at  regional  and  na 
tional  levels  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.);  and  will  help  each  of  them  to 
expand  present  mission  programs  and 
will  enable  them  to  explore  new  avenues 
of  mission  within  the  presbytery  and 
throughout  the  world." 

George  Speer  was  a native  of  Wilming- 
ton, Del.,  a graduate  of  Princeton  Uni- 
versity, a teacher  and  an  advertising 
executive.  His  sister,  Alice  M.  Speer,  left 
a trust  to  Westminster  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Wilmington  for  support  of 
theological  students  and  for  major  reno- 
vations and  maintenance  of  that  church’s 
building. 

New  Castle  Presbytery,  in  whose 
bounds  are  churches  founded  by  Francis 
Makemie,  often  called  "the  father  of 
American  Presbyterianism,"  today  has  55 
congregations  from  Delaware  and  the 
nine  counties  of  Maryland  on  the  Delmar- 

5 


va  Peninsula.  It  is  150  miles  long.  The  55 
churches  range  in  membership  from  18  to 
1,705  and  in  1983  their  total  membership 
was  16,235. 

According  to  some  authorities,  this 
Speer  bequest  may  be  the  largest  ever 
given  to  a presbytery  of  the  denomina- 
tion. 

Church  and  Race 
Councils  Meet  in  Texas 

The  Councils  on  Church  and  Race  of 
the  former  PCUS  and  UPC  met  in  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  Jan.  5,  and  appointed  a 
design  team  for  a consolidated  Council  on 
Church  and  Race.  In  joint  and  separate 
meetings,  they  took  other  actions  related 
to  their  concerns. 

Both  will  ask  the  1985  General  Assem- 
bly to  seek  ways  of  curbing  “racially 
motivated  violence  toward  Asians  in 
America."  They  also  will  ask  the  Assem- 
bly to  endorse  legislation  in  the  U.S. 


Congress  curtailing  federal  aid  to  schools 
that  discriminate  on  the  basis  of  race, 
sex,  religion,  national  origin  and  physical 
disability. 

Such  legislation,  known  as  the  Civil 
Rights  Act  of  1984,  passed  in  the  House 
of  Representatives  last  year,  but  was 
scuttled  in  the  Senate.  This  act  was  in  re- 
sponse to  a Supreme  Court  ruling  in  a 
case  involving  Presbyterian-related 
Grove  City  College. 

The  two  councils  also  will  urge  the 
General  Assembly  to  instruct  the  stated 
clerk  to  represent  the  denomination  in 
any  litigation  that  challenges  a U.S.  Dis- 
trict Court  judge’s  ruling  that  "share- 
cropping"  is  legal.  (Sharecropping  is  a 
method  by  which  food  processors  con- 
tract with  growers  to  purchase  large 
quantities  of  crops.) 

Last  year,  U.S.  District  Court  Judge 
Benjamin  Gibson  of  Michigan  "ruled 
against  the  position  advocated  by  the 
U.S.  Department  of  Labor  that  growers 


were  using  sharecropper  contracts  as  a 
subterfuge  for  avoiding  Social  Security 
taxes,  minimum  wage  laws  and  other 
[worker]  protections,”  according  to  the 
councils’  resolution. 

The  two  councils  will  caucus  Feb.  11 
with  all  racial-ethnic  participants  in  the 
"Life  and  Mission  Event"  at  Mo-Ranch 
the  next  six  days.  This  "event"  is  draft- 
ing the  statement  which  will  be  the  basis 
for  organization  of  the  reunited  church. 
This  caucus  will  be  held  to  formulate  a 
common  strategy  for  raising  racial-ethnic 
concerns  in  the  new  church. 

At  its  own  meeting,  the  Council  on 
Church  and  Race,  based  in  Atlanta,  heard 
comments  critical  of  the  affirmative  ac- 
tion plan  for  the  whole  church  presently 
considered  by  the  General  Assembly 
Council.  While  it  is  "encouraging,"  it 
could  be  more  effective,  according  to 
some  who  had  studied  the  plan.  (Based  on 
a news  report  from  the  Communications 
Unit,  New  York.)  D 


A VISIT  FROM  THE  RIGHTEOUS  RIGHT 


Our  visit  from  the  religious  right  in 
Rocky  Mount.  N.C.,  Nov.  16-17,  is  symp- 
tomatic of  what  is  occurring  in  other  com- 
munities and  what  may  happen  in  your 
city. 

It  began  with  good  intentions.  A black 
church  and  a white  church  decided  to 
sponsor  a conference  on  “Unity."  In 
terms  of  income,  race  and  economic  de- 
velopment, the  town  was  becoming  two 
separate  and  distinct  communities.  The 
planning  committee  from  the  two 
churches  believed  that  our  "shared  val- 
ues” could  be  a useful  bridge  spanning 
the  social  schisms. 

We  obtained  some  funds  from  local  cor- 
porations and  a matching  grant  was 
awarded  by  the  National  Endowment  for 
the  Humanities.  Speakers  and  discussion 
group  leaders  were  recruited.  Local 
newspapers  and  radio  stations  extended 
an  invitation  to  the  public,  selected  mail- 
ing lists  were  used  and  bulletin  inserts 
were  distributed.  All  the  prerequisites 
for  a successful  conference  were  fulfilled 
and  the  future  looked  auspicious. 

THREE  DAYS  PRIOR  to  the  confer 
ence,  church  staff  began  receiving  calls: 
"What  is  this  conference  all  about?"  "Are 
you  part  of  the  secular  humanist  con- 
spiracy?" One  distressed  caller  was  ac- 
tually frightened  because  she  had  re- 
ceived an  invitation  in  the  mail.  A local 
radio  call-in  show  began  broadcasting 
calls  warning  against  the  “humanist  con- 
spiracy.” 


DAVID  BOWMAN,  an  OUTLOOK  editor- 
at-large,  is  pastor  of  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Rocky  Mount,  N.  C. 


By  DAVID  H.  BOWMAN 

It  became  obvious  that  some  persons 
were  intentionally  equating  our  funding 
from  the  National  Endowment  for  the 
Humanities  with  a strawman  called  “The 
Secular  Humanist  Conspiracy." 

During  the  two  days  of  the  conference, 
more  than  250  people  attended.  Most 
participants  came  from  the  commercial 
and  professional  leadership  of  the  black 
and  white  communities.  The  results  from 
an  evaluative  questionnaire  distributed 
during  the  conference  gave  the  event 
very  high  marks.  Local  and  statewide 
newspapers  reported  on  the  content  of 
the  various  speeches. 

However  you  look  on  it,  the  event  was 
a resounding  success.  And,  yet,  there 
was  a disconcerting,  if  not  threatening, 
footnote  to  the  gathering. 

After  the  first  address  on  the  nature  of 
values,  the  speaker  was  asked  if  he 
owned  an  asbestos  suit.  In  the  mind  of 
the  questioner,  the  eternal  destiny  of  the 
speaker  was  already  settled.  When  the 
second  speaker,  the  president  of  a 16- 
campus  state  university  system,  returned 
home,  he  found  a letter  from  a local 
minister  inquiring:  “Are  you  a Christian? 
What  is  your  stand  on  abortion?  Are  you 
part  of  a global  organization  that  is  trying 
to  undermine  traditional  values?"  Anoth- 
er of  the  speakers,  a history  professor  at 
one  of  our  denominational  seminaries, 
was  accused  of  being  a communist. 

The  speakers  were  not  the  only  ones  to 
receive  abuse.  In  six  out  of  10  discussion 
groups,  a small  number  of  participants 
tried  to  monopolize  the  conversation. 
Dialogue  became  monologue.  These  par- 


ticipants sought  to  warn  others  about  the 
"Humanist  Conspiracy,"  attack  the  char- 
acter of  various  speakers  and  abuse  the 
discussion  group  leaders. 

One  of  these  leaders,  a religion  profes- 
sor at  a nearby  college,  was  told:  “A  hun- 
dred years  ago,  we  knew  how  to  handle 
people  like  you.  We’d  take  you  out  and 
hang  you."  There  was  no  doubt  in  the 
teacher’s  mind  that  the  threat  was  real. 

Two  days  after  the  conference,  a local 
radio  call-in  program  gave  one  hour  of  air 
time  to  a local  minister  to  describe  the 
nature  and  intent  of  the  “Humanist  Con- 
spiracy." He  spoke  of  how  the  conspiracy 
was  undermining  family  values  and  sub- 
verting public  education.  During  the  hour 
program,  the  host  did  not  interrupt  the 
speaker  to  receive  a single  call  from  his 
audience. 

Later,  literature  was  given  to  church 
officers  and  members  were  warned  by 
neighbors  that  their  church  was  being 
used  by  an  unholy  conspiracy.  A neigh- 
boring church’s  minister,  who  distributed 
publicity  about  the  conference,  was 
warned  by  several  laymen  to  avoid  a re- 
peat. Meanwhile,  his  son  was  verbally 
abused  by  his  Sunday  school  teacher  for 
his  father’s  support  of  the  conference. 

THE  EXPERIENCE  prompts  several 
observations. 

First,  the  visit  of  the  righteous  right 
was  an  organized  effort  by  at  least  two 
other  churches  and  an  independent  reli- 
gious organization  to  subvert  the  minis- 
try of  two  mainline  churches.  While  they 
were  unable  either  to  block  the  con- 
ference from  occurring  or  to  undermine 
its  goals,  they  were  a disruptive  pres- 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  OUTLOOK 


6 


ence.  During  their  visit,  our  righteous 
questioners  acknowledged  neither  the 
integrity  nor  the  validity  of  the  mainline 
churches.  They  saw  the  conference  as  a 
platform. 

Second,  they  used  their  crusade 
against  “humanism"  as  a vehicle  for 
achieving  their  own  goals.  If  they  could 
convince  others  that  the  mainline 
churches  have  fallen  from  grace,  then 
their  position  would  gain  both  adherence 
and  moral  legitimacy.  The  particular  is- 
sue, whatever  it  may  be,  is  simply  the  oc- 
casion for  enhancing  their  position  in 
society.  In  this  type  of  contest,  truth  is 
the  first  victim. 

Third,  there  are  significant  numbers  of 
people  in  every  community  who  will  give 
credence  to  the  most  outlandish  charges. 
Several  people  came  to  the  conference  ac- 
tually believing  that  it  was  Satanic  and 
that  they  would  be  urged  to  commit  all 
types  of  abominations.  It  is  regrettable 
that  their  disappointment  did  not  detract 
from  the  credence  they  gave  their  or- 
ganizers or  their  accusations. 

Last,  the  mainline  churches  are  ill- 
equipped  to  deal  with  organized  efforts  to 
subvert  their  ministries.  Democratic  or- 
ganizations are  uniquely  vulnerable  to 
the  tactics  of  anti-democratic  forces. 

Paradoxically,  it  is  precisely  those 
values  we  cherish,  such  as  tolerance  and 
a positive  appreciation  for  diversity, 
which  make  us  susceptible  to  attack. 
While  only  10  percent  of  the  conference 
participants  were  from  the  extreme 
right,  they  were,  nevertheless,  able  to 
disrupt  six  of  the  10  discussion  groups. 
Our  visit  from  the  religious  right  is  symp- 
tomatic of  what  has  or  will  occur  in  other 
communties. 

WHEN  CONFRONTED  by  a similar 
challenge,  a church  body  has  at  least  four 
options.  Local  circumstances  will  deter- 
mine the  best  avenue  of  response. 

First,  the  agency  can  seek  a construc- 
tive engagement  with  the  extremists. 
For  example,  they  could  sponsor  a forum 
in  which  the  right  would  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  present  their  views  at  the  cost 
of  dialogue  with  wider  religious  and  secu- 
lar viewpoints.  Such  an  effort  would  be 
aimed  at  eventually  integrating  the  right 
into  the  religious  mainstream  while  fos- 
tering a positive  regard  for  religious  di- 
versity. 

Second,  the  agency  can  stand  over 
against  the  extremists.  Often,  the  best 
method  of  dealing  with  irresponsible  be- 
havior is  to  repudiate  it  publicly.  The 
righteous  who  visited  the  conference 
practiced  intolerance  and  exhibited  a 
mean  streak  of  rudness,  which  alienated 
them  from  other  participants. 

In  the  1950s,  the  General  Council  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America  issued  a pastoral  letter  re- 
pudiating the  tactics  of  McCarthyism.  A 
FEBRUARY  4.  1985 


similar  line  could  be  productively  used 
today.  For  example,  the  extremists  are 
peculiarly  vulnerable  on  the  specifics  of 
their  so-called  “Secular  Humanist  Con- 
spiracy." 

A third  approach  is  non-cooperation.  In 
some  situations,  the  extremists  cannot 
obtain  their  goals  without  the  assistance 
of  the  mainline  churches.  However,  if  the 
conference  leaders  had  acknowledged  the 
extremists’  presence  and  repudiated  their 
tactics,  then  the  media  would  have  re- 
focused their  stories  away  from  the  need 
of  racial  inclusiveness  and  more  equitable 
economic  development.  In  this  case,  the 
leadership  would  have  been  accessories 
to  the  attempt  to  subvert  the  conference. 

Last,  an  ecclesiastical  agency  can  adopt 
the  strategy  of  avoidance.  The  most  ef- 
fective way  of  avoiding  a visit  or  criticism 
from  the  extremists  is  to  avoid  the  issues 
of  the  day.  No  one  gets  into  trouble  by 
being  silent.  However,  if  responsible 
disciples  leave  the  field,  then  the  ex- 
tremists will  have  won  the  day. 

If  their  visit  prompts  this  church  to  let 
up  on  its  commitment  to  improved  race 
relations  or  to  mute  its  criticism  of  eco- 
nomic inequality,  then  the  right  will  have 
won  far  more  than  simply  the  disruption 
of  several  discussion  groups.  They  will 
have  sidetracked  us  from  our  traditional 
or  more  serious  obligations. 

THERE  ARE  NO  easy  or  painless  reso- 
lutions to  the  challenge  offered  by  the 
religious  right.  They  are  not  a temporary 
fad.  The  1984  elections  are  being  widely 
interpreted  by  the  extremists  as  a man- 
date for  an  even  more  vigorous  crusade. 
At  various  points,  their  campaign  will  im- 
pinge upon  the  witness  of  the  mainline 
community.  Our  commitment  to  peace, 
economic  justice,  racial  inclusiveness  and 
support  of  public  education  puts  us  on  a 
collision  course  with  the  righteous  right. 

Yet,  these  points  of  contact  serve  as 
opportunities  for  ministry.  The  religious 
right  has  come  to  symbolize  the  frustra- 


tion and  alienation  of  many  persons  from 
contemporary  America.  But  it  is  neces- 
sary to  draw  a distinction  between  their 
leaders,  who  will  use  unrest,  and  those 
who  are  restless. 

The  challenge  is  not  so  much  to  con- 
demn those  who  spout  nonsense  as  it  is  to 
reach  toward  those  who  are  prone  to  be- 
lieve nonsense.  Ironically,  attacks  from 
the  right  provide  us  with  an  occasion  for 
demonstrating  responsible  discipleship. 
Hence,  their  visit  in  our  churches  should 
not  be  avoided,  but  welcomed.  □ 


Renew  the 
Mystery  of 
your  Call 

For  a copy  of  our  1985  Advanced 
Pastoral  Studies  Bulletin  describing 
the  D.Min.  and  STD  degree  programs 
write  or  call 

Dr.  Walter  T.  Davis,  Jr.,  Director 
Advanced  Pastoral  Studies 
Box  P 

San  Francisco  Theological  Seminary 
San  Anselmo,  CA  94960 
415/453-2280 
1 v ‘dline  f<  >r  applit  at 


Fall  1985  is  June  1st. 


The  National  Urban  Presbyterian  Pastors  Conference 

BEYOND  SURVIVAL: 

FAITHFULNESS  IN  THE  CITY 

"a  grass-roots  conference  for  pastors  working 
in  metropolitan  areas" 

APRIL  15-19,  1985  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

BIBLE  STUDY  focusing  on  scriptural  foundations  for  urban  ministry  Rubin  Armendiriz,  Mc- 
Cormick Seminary. 

PANEL  DISCUSSIONS  AND  WORKSHOPS  m leadership  development,  congregational  develop- 
ment, and  coalition  building. 

WORSHIP  from  the  spectrum  of  urban  style  and  leadership  James  Forbes,  Union  Theological 
Seminary;  Joan  Salmon  Campbell.  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  Sang  Lee,  Princeton  Semi- 
nary; Sam  Mann,  St  Mark's  Presbyterian,  Kansas  City,  Mo 

For  a brochure  write: 

Urban  Presbyterian  Pastors  Conference 
5555  South  Woodlawn 
Chicago,  Illinois  60637 


7 


the  pResBytemAn  Outlook 

An  Independent  nationwide  weekly  committed  to  the  health  and  wholeness  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U  S A.) 

GEORGE  LAIRD  HUNT,  Editor 

JAMES  S.  BROWN,  Publisher 

• — 

Editor-Emeritus  - Aubrey  N Brown  Jr. 

• 

Published  by  the  Presbyterian  Outlook  Foundation  Inc 
ERNEST  TRICE  THOMPSON,  President 

• 

CONTRIBUTING  EDITORS:  H.C.  Donaldson,  Paul  A.  Corcoran,  John  Killinger,  R. 
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Robert  J.  Elder,  John  R.  Hendrick,  Gail  Buchwalter  King,  Mary  Kuhns,  Albert  G. 
Peery  Jr.,  Margaret  Barnes  Peery,  Kenneth  G.  Phifer,  Donald  W.  Shriver  Jr.,  Den- 
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White  Jr.,  Lewis  Wilkins. 

• 

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ISSN:  0032  7565 

Volume  167.  Number  4.  Issu<'  for  February  4.  168V 


editorials 

After  the  Overload 

We  would  like  to  make  a prediction: 
giving  to  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  in  1984  may  exceed  the  giving  of 
any  recent  year.  The  reason?  The  re- 
sponse of  Presbyterians  to  the  famine 
crisis  in  Ethiopia. 

Reports  are  coming  in  from  all  over  the 
church  that  our  people  have  responded  to 
this  need  through  their  churches  in  a re- 
markable way.  One  church  we  know  well 
raised  more  than  $4,000  in  one  offering, 
with  very  little  fanfare  and  announce- 
ment. Another  church  received  $7,000 
from  one  person  for  the  cause,  a third, 
$10,000. 

As  we  said  in  an  earlier  editorial,  it  is 
somewhat  disheartening  that  the  church 
had  been  told  about  the  crisis  in  Ethiopia 
through  the  Presbyterian  Hunger  Pro- 
gram for  more  than  two  years,  but  how 
much  attention  did  we  pay  to  it?  Outlook 
is  as  guilty  of  neglect  as  anyone  else.  We 

8 


ran  the  story  occasionally,  but  it  was  not 
priority  news  with  us. 

When  the  General  Assembly  last  June 
authorized  an  awareness  task  force, 
headed  by  the  moderator,  to  visit  Africa 
and  report  back  to  the  church,  how  many 
of  us  thought  it  was  just  another  junket? 
It  became  the  subject  of  a fine  Advent  in- 
sert; so  we  know  it  was  in  the  works  be- 
fore the  news  broke  on  television.  But 
was  TV  that  gave  startling  significance  to 
the  visit  of  the  task  force. 

The  story  of  how  it  got  on  television  in 
October  is  told  in  Washington  Journalism 
Review  for  January  under  the  heading 
“Famine  in  Ethiopia:  The  TV  Accident 
That  Exploded."  It  is  a telling  example  of 
how  a few  people  in  the  communications 
industry  can  influence  the  news  to  which 
we  respond. 

The  networks  had  known  the  story  for 
months.  Some  were  preparing  material 
for  a convenient  time;  but,  like  the  rest  of 
us  in  the  news  industry,  it  was  just  an- 
other story  of  human  tragedy  in  a far- 
away place. 

Then  Michael  Buerk,  BBC  correspon- 


dent in  Johannesburg,  South  Africa,  who 
had  provided  the  story  that  was  broad- 
cast in  Great  Britain  in  July  and  elicited 
$10  million  in  response,  went  back  to 
Ethiopia  Oct.  20-21.  developed  the  story 
of  the  famine  further,  and  his  account 
went  on  British  TV  Oct.  23. 

The  NBC  people  in  London  alerted  the 
New  York  office  of  the  network  to  the 
story.  They  were  not  excited  until  Paul 
Greenberg,  executive  producer  of  “Night- 
ly News,"  was  persuaded  to  see  the  film 
that  same  day  and  decided  it  had  to  get 
on  the  program  that  very  night,  Oct.  23. 
Other  stories  were  scrapped;  the  script 
was  still  being  edited  when  the  broadcast 
began;  and  it  became  the  last  3Vz  minutes 
of  "Nightly  News." 

The  impact  was  immediate  and  over- 
whelming and  for  days  after  NBC  fol- 
lowed up  on  the  story  and  the  other  net- 
works soon  followed  suit. 

The  story  will  not  soon  go  away,  as  we 
tried  to  indicate  with  the  article  from  The 
Washington  Post,  which  we  ran  in  our 
Dec.  17-24-31  issue.  Ethiopia’s  troubles 
are  bound  up  in  long-term  agricultural 
and  social  quandaries  which  will  not  be 
resolved  in  two  months. 

It  is  quite  likely  that  as  TV  and  the 
viewers  tire  of  a story  about  problems  to 
which  there  are  no  quick  and  easy  solu- 
tions, it  will  be  up  to  the  church  and 
other  religious  and  charitable  organiza- 
tions to  keep  it  before  us  and  to  work  to- 
ward solutions  of  the  long-term  prob- 
lems. 

We  church  people  are  always 
threatened  with  a compassion  overload. 
Just  because  of  who  we  are,  we  are  told 
over  and  over  again  about  human  prob- 
lems that  need  our  response  and  support. 
Being  human,  we  are  as  likely  as  anyone 
else  to  grow  weary  in  doing  what  we 
ought  to  do.  Then  something  like  TV 
awakens  us  again. 

The  challenge  and  the  problem  are  for 
us  to  be  on  the  alert  at  all  times  — even 
when  we  do  not  have  an  immediate  ally  in 
the  media. 

— G.L.H. 

The  Congress  Was 
A Call  to  Dialogue 

The  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal 
in  Dallas  was  not  held  for  the  benefit  of  a 
few  thousand  participants.  It  was  de- 
signed to  send  a message  to  the  entire 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.). 

By  means  of  video  and  audio  tape,  the 
printed  page  and  reports  of  participants, 
it  will  be  heard  throughout  our  denomi- 
nation. (Before  endeavoring  to  highlight 
the  main  points,  let  me  say  something 
about  the  evangelical  Presbyterians  who 
are  preaching  to  the  rest  of  us.) 

These  evangelicals  want  to  stay  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.).  For  more 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  OUTLOOK 


it 


than  50  years,  evangelical  Presbyterians 
of  one  stripe  or  another  have  split  off  to 
form  or  join  other  denominations.  The 
planners  of  the  Congress  have  had  nu- 
merous recent  opportunities  to  do  the 
same;  they  have  chosen  not  to  do  so. 

But  they  do  feel  alienated  from  the 
main  stream  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.).  They  sense  that  they  have  little 
voice,  that  their  contribution  is  not  val- 
ued and  that  they  lack  power  to  effect 
significant  change.  As  alienated  “work- 
ers" often  do,  these  church  workers  are 
organizing  against  many  of  the  policies 
and  management  practices  of  our  “corpo- 
ration." 

Because  they  continue  to  be  hopeful 
that  they  can  renew  our  denomination, 
they  are  trying  one  more  time  to  respond 
affirmatively  to  their  concerns. 

The  main  points  of  their  message,  as  I 
hear  it,  are  as  follows: 

1.  Let  the  church  affirm  the  historic 
Christian  faith:  They  are  convinced  that 
renewal  will  come  only  when  there  is  a 
personal  reappropriation  of  trinitarian 
faith  as  set  forth  in  Scripture.  They  are 
not,  by  and  large,  zealous  about  ortho- 
doxy in  the  old  way,  nor  are  they  funda- 
mentalists. 

2.  Let  the  church  call  everyone,  every- 
where to  faith  and  discipleship:  In  towns 
and  cities  across  this  land,  they  want  con- 
gregations to  commit  themselves  afresh 
to  the  work  of  evangelization.  At  the 
General  Assembly  level,  they  want  re- 
sources allocated  in  a way  that  demon- 
strates a new  commitment  to  share  the 
gospel  with  unreached  peoples  around 
the  globe. 

3.  Let  the  church  stress  personal  trans- 
formation as  much  as  social  transforma- 
tion: Many  of  them  are  endeavoring  to 
recover  the  evangelical  roots  of  social 
concern  and  to  learn  from  the  denomina- 
tion's emphasis  on  peace  and  justice. 
They  want  those  of  us  who  value  societal 
change  to  put  at  least  an  equal  emphasis 
on  personal  transformation. 

4.  Let  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(U.S.A.)  be  renewed:  They  are  convinced 
that  many  denominational  and  congrega- 
tional changes  are  needed.  Their  hope 
and  prayer  is  that  the  Presbyterian 
Church  (U.S.A.)  will  open  itself  to  the 
word  and  spirit  of  God  so  that  the 
Church  reformed,  may  always  be  reform- 
ing." They  believe  church  revitalization 
can  be  fostered  by  insights  from  organi- 
zational specialists,  but  they  remain  con- 
vinced that  the  renewal  of  the  church  will 
come  only  as  there  is  deep  personal  re- 
newal of  members  and  leaders. 

This  is  the  sermon,  as  I heard  it,  from 
the  Dallas  pulpit.  It  is  a refurbishing  for 
our  day  of  the  evangelical  tradition 
FEBRUARY  4,  1985 


within  American  Presbyterianism.  How 
should  the  church  respond  to  these 
brother  and  sister  Presbyterians  who  are 
trying  to  get  it  to  hear  and  heed  what 
they  have  to  say? 

If  outsiders  — Catholics,  Jews  or  Mus- 
lims — addressed  such  an  earnest  mes- 
sage to  us,  we  would  give  it  and  them  our 
close  attention.  Inside  the  family,  we  are 
not  always  so  attentive  or  respectful. 

In  recent  decades,  we  have  learned,  to 
our  benefit,  a great  deal  about  inter- 
religious  dialogue.  In  essence,  it  is  a gen 
erous  and  open  stance  toward  those  with 
whom  we  disagree  on  religious  matters. 
This  suggests  to  me  the  possibility  of  a 
similar  spirit  of  dialogue  with  Presby- 
terian evangelicals. 

In  dialogue  each  participant  comes  with 
honesty  and  sincerity,  and  each  partici- 
pant assumes  the  honesty  and  sincerity  of 
the  other  partner.  In  dialogue,  each  par 
ticipant  enters  without  hard  and  fast  as- 
sumptions as  to  where  the  points  of 
agreement  and  disagreement  are.  In  dia- 
logue, each  participant  is  granted  the 
privilege  of  defining  from  the  inside  what 
he  or  she  believes. 


Dialogue  goes  through  three  phases 
when  it  achieves  its  end: 

1.  We  unlearn  misinformation  about 
each  other  and  begin  to  know  each  other 
as  we  truly  are. 

2.  We  begin  to  discern  values  in  the 
viewpoint  of  the  other  and  think  how  we 
might  appropriate  them  into  our  own  po- 
sition. 

3.  Together,  we  discover  and  explore 
new  areas  of  reality  and  meaning  of 
which  neither  had  been  aware  before. 

Obviously,  dialogue  is  a costly  en 
deavor  and,  of  course,  the  end  product 
may  be  that  we  simply  disagree.  But 
even  if  we  do,  it  is  likely  that  the  dis- 
agreement will  be  on  the  basis  of  new  re 
spect  and  understanding. 

The  occasion  of  the  Congress  on  Re- 
newal provides  an  opportunity  for  all  to 
engage  over  an  extended  period  of  time 
in  intrareligious  dialogue.  We  will  learn 
from  each  other  and,  perhaps,  Gcd  will- 
ing, make  new  discoveries  of  his  truth  for 
our  church  in  this  day. 

JOHN  R.  HENDRICK 
Editor-at- Large 

Austin,  Texas 


A Torso  of  Clay 


By  JOHN  KILLINGER 


Like  most  Americans,  I’m  a sucker  for 
Horatio  Alger  stories.  Therefore,  I was  in 
Lee  Iacocca’s  corner  when  he  began  ap- 
pearing in  Chrysler  commercials  to  talk 
about  how  he  was  turning  things  around 
in  one  of  the  nation’s  biggest  car  com- 
panies. And  I cheered  out  loud  in  1983 
when  he  handed  over  to  the 
bankers  a check  for  almost  a 
billion  dollars  to  pay  back 
the  loan  the  U.S.  govern- 
ment had  guaranteed.  I was 
ready  to  agree  with  the  col- 
umnists and  pundits  who  said  he  ought  to 
be  president  of  the  United  States;  he  was 
clearly  the  kind  of  confident,  no-nonsense 
hero  to  revive  our  moribund  national 
spirit. 

With  this  background  of  admiration 
and  hero  worship,  I was  eager  to  read  the 
autobiographical  Iacocca  when  it  ap- 
peared in  October.  Highly  touted  as  a 
straightforward,  hard-hitting,  personal 
self-portrait,  it  quickly  soared  to  the 
best  seller  lists,  where  it  has  remained 
for  weeks.  “A  distillation  of  the  American 


THE 

STEEPLE 

CHASE 


BOWLIN(,  UNITED  INDUSTRIES.  INC 
Bo>  2250,  Danville.  VA  24541 
In  VA  (S04)  797  3277 


spirit,"  say  the  critics.  "The  quintessen- 
tial red,  white  and  blue  persona." 

Maybe  the  reviews  were  right,  but  I 
was  disappointed.  The  book  was  an  easy 
read.  The  language  was  pared  down, 
punchy  and  unequivocal  — in  fact,  it 
sounded  like  the  dialogue  out  of  a Cagney 
or  Bogart  filn_,  sprinkled  liberally  with 
the  kind  of  old-fashioned  cussing  that 
would  liven  up  a speech  to  businessmen. 
But  the  soul  of  Iacocca  — or  spirit,  if  soul 
is  too  generous  a word  — came  off  about 
as  thick  as  a fried  egg  — or  the  fender  of 
a Ford,  to  name  the  company  where  the 
biggest  drama  of  the  book  took  place. 

This  was  Iacocca's  firing  by  Henry 
Ford  n,  whom  Iacocca  lampoons  as  a 
meddling,  suspicious,  insulting  employer 
who  loved  to  play  God  in  and  out  of  the 
board  room.  The  firing  was  a great  blow 
to  Iacocca,  who  admits  to  liking  the  presi 


0 


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which  holds  the  mind's  sword"  (Goethe) 

SUMMER  LANGUAGE  PROGRAM 
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Princeton,  N.J.  08542 

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race  color  and  national  or  ethnic  orlxln.  without  retard  to 
tex  or  handicap  


h 

tl 

g 

ir 

is 

8 


dential  perks,  including  an  annual  income 
of  $970,000. 

We  can  almost  muster  up  a sympa- 
thetic tear  for  the  man  whose  environ- 
ment changed  precipitously  from  an  office 
“the  size  of  a grand  hotel  suite  to  a tem- 
porary office  that  was  "little  more  than  a 
cubicle  with  a small  desk  and  a tele- 
phone," where  his  secretary  pointed  to 
the  cracked  linoleum  on  the  floor  and  two 
plastic  coffee  cups. 

At  the  same  time  that  I was  reading 
this  self-pitying  bit  of  treacle,  I was  also 
reading  H.A.  Williams’  Some  Day  I'll 
Find  You,  an  autobiography  in  a different 
key.  Williams,  a well-known  Anglican 
preacher,  former  chaplain  at  Cambridge 
University  and  author  of  The  True  Wil- 
derness and  True  Resurrection,  is  now  a 
member  of  the  Community  of  the  Resur- 
rection at  Mirfield. 

In  his  book,  he  sensitively  describes  his 
childhood  with  a religiously  fanatic 
mother,  his  training  for  the  priesthood  at 
Oxford,  his  struggle  with  loneliness  and 
homosexuality,  a period  of  life  when  he 
was  incapacitated  by  a serious  mental  ill- 
ness, his  road  back  to  health  and  whole- 
ness and.  finally,  his  decision  to  abandon 
the  security  of  his  university  post  for  the 
stringent  life  of  a Mirfield  Father. 

Williams  writes  with  humor,  self- 
deprecation,  historical  and  theological 
awareness,  poetic  feeling  and  intensity. 
He  is  honest  about  the  difficulties  religion 
has  produced  in  his  life  (“religion,”  he 
says,  “is,  to  a large  extent,  what  people 
do  with  their  lunacy:  their  phobias,  their 
will  to  power,  their  sexual  frustrations") 
and  totally  uncompromising  in  narrating 
the  history  of  his  breakdown  and  even- 
tual recovery. 

For  my  money,  Williams  is  immeasur- 
ably tougher  and  more  heroic  than  Iacoc- 
ca.  The  one  has  risen  in  my  estimation  for 
writing  truly  about  his  faults,  while  the 
other  has  diminished  for  writing  self- 
servingly  about  his  virtues.  Someday  I'll 
Find  You  may  not  be  on  anybody’s  best- 
seller list,  but  it  ought  to  be. 

As  for  Iacocca  — well,  if  he  really  rep- 
resents the  quintessence  of  the  American 
spirit,  then  it  is  time  we  reassessed  that 
spirit  in  the  light  of  the  gospel. 


CLASSIFIED 


Loving  congregation  seeking  enthusiastic  spiritual 
leader  to  be  a catalyst  in  church  renewal  and 
growth.  Prefer  experienced  "people  person." 

Willing  to  venture  with  congregation  . player- 
coach  in  prayerful  relationship.  Much  challenge, 
much  reward. 

Located  in  "Amateur  Sports  Capital."  The  time  is 
NOW!  Inquire  immediately. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church 
565  Park  Avenue 
Johnstown,  Pa.  15902 
Phone:  (814)  536-1192 


RATES  - Up  to  10  words  for  $3.50  (minimum  per  inser 
tionl  Thirty-five  cents  for  each  additional  word  and 
initial.  Phone  numbers,  box  numbers  and  new  ZIP  codes 
count  as  two  words.  You  may  use  an  OUTLOOK  box 
number  for  an  extra  charge  of  $1.  All  ads  must  be  pre 
paid;  deadline  is  three  weeks  prior  to  issue  date.  Paper  is 
mailed  10  days  prior  to  issue  date.  Cash  discount  for 
three  consecutive  insertions,  5%;  six  insertions,  10%; 
twelve  insertions,  15%.  Billing  may  be  arranged  for  three 
or  more  consecutive  weekly  insertions.  Classified  display. 
$15  per  column  inch.  net.  Please  send  ads  to:  Classified 
Department,  c/o  Presbyterian  Outlook. 


TOURS 


ATTENTION  PASTORS  AND  GROUP  TRAVEL  OR 
GANIZERS:  Fully  escorted  group  tour  programs  being 
formed  for  1985  to  Holy  Land,  Heritage  Tour  of  Britain 
and  Scotland,  Footsteps  of  St.  Paul,  Scandinavia,  Alpine 
Adventure,  Ireland,  and  other  destinations.  Several  itin- 
eraries available.  Departures  from  your  home  town.  At- 
tractive incentives.  We  specialize  in  clergy-hosted  tours. 
Garlin  Travel  Service,  1700  WalDut  St.,  Philadelphia.  Pa. 
19102  Ph.:  215/732-0800. 

EMPLOYMENT  OPPORTUNITIES 

DIRECTOR  OF  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION.  Church  of 
450+  seeks  full-time  DCE.  Offering  competitive  com- 
pensation. Send  resume  to  DCE  Search  Committee,  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  P.O.  Box  666,  Paducah,  Kv.  42001 

Seeking  professionally  trained  DIRECTOR  OF  CHRIS- 
TIAN EDUCATION  for  growing  350-member  congre- 
gation in  beautiful  university  town.  Responsible  to  C.E. 
Committee  for  a comprehensive  C.E.  program  with  em- 
phasis on  children  and  youth.  Job  description  available. 
Competitive  salary.  Send  letter  of  application  and  three 
recommendations  with  resume  by  March  15  to  D.C.E. 
Search  Committee,  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Box  112, 
Boone,  N.C. 

ASSOCIATE  EXECUTIVE  PRESBYTER,  Presbytery  of 
Northern  Kansas  We  seek  an  Associate  Executive 
Presbyter  who  will  bring  innovative  program  and  pas- 
toral skills  to  an  80-church,  1,451  member,  380-mile-wide 
presbytery,  which  includes  urban  centers  and  a large 
rural  area.  This  person,  acting  out  of  a strong  commit- 
ment to  Christ  and  a working  knowledge  of  the  Presby 
tenan  Church  (U.S.A.).  will  be  a pastor  to  church  profes- 
sionals and  their  families  and  a resource  for  program  de 
velopment  in  a restructured  presbytery  that  offers  new 
challenges.  The  Presbytery  of  Northern  Kansas  is  an  af- 
firmative action,  equal  opportunity  employer.  Send  per 
sonal  information  forms  lo  Mike  Youngblood,  P.O.  Box 
5122,  Topeka.  Kan.  66605.  Deadline  for  receipt  of  dos- 
siers is  April  1 . 

PREACHING:  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  is  cur 

rently  seeking  a person  to  teach  preaching,  with  the 
ability  to  communicate  with  both  women  and  men  pre 
paring  for  ministry.  Candidates  must  possess  (or  be  near 
completion  of)  a Ph.D.  degree,  or  equivalent,  in  preaching 
or  a related  field  of  theological  study.  This  is  a non  tenured 
appointment.  For  additional  information,  including  a full 
position  description,  contact  Dr.  James  N.  Lapsley,  Aca- 
demic Dean,  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  CN821, 
Princeton,  N.J.  08542.  An  Affirmative  Action.  Equal 
Opportunity  Employer. 

DIRECTOR  OF  MUSIC  AND  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION 
Established  church  of  450  seeks  full-time  staff  person  to 
expand  and  strengthen  C.E.  program.  Resume  to:  Mr.  Jim 
Skillen,  615/247-8814;  Waverlv  Road  Presbyterian 
Church,  1415  Waverly  Road,  Kingsport.  Tenn.  37664. 

DIRECTOR  OF  MUSIC  AND  CHRISTIAN  EDUCA 
TION:  Established  church  of  450  seeks  full-time  staff 
person  to  expand  and  strengthen  existing  programs. 
Resume  to:  Mr  Jim  Skillen,  615/247-8814;  Waverly  Road 
Presbyterian  Church,  1415  Waverly  Road.  Kingsport. 
Tenn.  37664.  __ 

POSITION  OPENING.  The  Synod  of  Alaska  Northwest. 

an  AA/EEO  employer,  is  seeking  an  Interim  Associate 
Synod  Executive  to  serve  the  Presbytery  of  Olympia 
This  position  is  for  a minimum  of  one  year.  The  person 
serving  in  this  position  will  not  be  precluded  from  con 
sideration  for  the  permanent  position.  The  office  is  in 
Olympia,  Wash.  The  deadline  for  receiving  dossiers/ 
resumes  is  Feb.  15.  Applicants  should  write  to:  Dr.  Rich 
ard  I .eon.  720  Seneca.  Seattle,  Wash.  98101,  or  call:  Dr 
Richard  l,eon,  Chairperson,  509/838-8751. 

POSITION  OPENING.  The  Synod  of  Alaska  Northwest . 

an  AA/EEO  employer,  is  seeking  a person  to  be  Chief 
Financial  Officer  for  the  synod,  requiring  skills  in  finan 
rial  and  budget  management,  active  church  person.  Mini 


mum  qualifications:  5 years'  experience.  State  salary  his 
lory.  Send  resume/dossier  by  Feb.  15  to:  Dr  Richard 
Leon.  720  Seneca,  Seattle,  W ash.  98101,  or  call  Dr.  Rich- 
ard l.eon,  Chairperson,  509/838-8751. 

WANTED:  WOMAN  OR  MAN  PASTOR.  First  Presby 
terian  Church  of  Tuba  City,  Ariz..  inside  western  edge 
of  Navaho  Reservation.  Spiritually  renewing  high  desert. 
Small,  oulreaching  congregation  with  more  participants 
than  members.  Sound,  effective  community  programs  for 
those  in  need.  Only  mainline  Protestant  congregation. 
Mixture  of  traditional  and  contemporary  cultures.  Need 
enthusiastic,  motivated,  committed  leader.  Contact: 
James  Tucker.  Chair,  Pastor  Nominating  Committee, 
Box  702,  Tuba  City.  Ariz.  86045. 

ASSOCIATE  DEAN  OF  STUDENTS,  Columbia  Theo- 
logical Seminary  A Presbyterian  woman,  preferably 
ordained  clergy,  with  successful  parish  experience,  with 
pastoral  and  administrative  skills  is  being  sought  to  work 
generally  with  seminarians  and  particularly  as  ministerial 
adviser  to  women's  organizations  on  campus,  women  stu- 
dents and  wives  of  male  students.  She  will  coordinate 
"special"  events  for  the  nurture  and  support  of  women  and 
be  available  as  a resource  person,  counselor  and  advocate 
for  women's  concerns  on  campus.  A theological  degree  is 
a requirement.  The  position  is  non-tenured,  on  a three- 
year,  renewable  term,  with  faculty  status.  The  position  is 
part  time  on  a one-half  to  one-third  basis  with  a begin- 
ning date  of  no  later  than  July  1,  1985.  Inquiries  or  dos- 
siers should  be  directed  to  Dean  Peter  C.  Carruthers.  Co- 
lumbia Theological  Seminary.  P.O.  Box  520,  Decatur,  Ga. 
30031.  Prompt  response  is  urged.  Deadline,  March  15. 

SITUATION  WANTED 

EXPERIENCED  PCI  USA)  PASTOR.  Priorities  are: 
Worship  Leadership,  Proclamation  of  the  Word.  Hos- 
pital or  Emergency  Visitation,  Teaching.  Evangelism, 
and  Administrative  Leadership.  Able  to  teach  Bethel  and 
Kerygma.  Reply  to  Box  F-24,  c/o  Outlook. 

FOR  SALE 

One  AB  Dick  Model  310  Offset  Machine;  one  AB  Dick 
Model  111  Platemaker.  one  AB  Dick  Stripprinter  Com- 
poser. Very  good  condition.  Contact:  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  107  W.  Academy  St.,  Cherryville,  N.C.  28021. 
Ph  704/435-6064.  Negotiable 


OUTLOOK  WANT  ADS  GET  RESULTS 

YOUR  WELL-WORDED  AD  HERE 
WILL  GET  BEST  RESULTS 
AT  MINIMUM  COST 


l 


EACEtofACE 


Synod  of  the  Northeast,  Saturday, 
May  4,  1985,  Bloomfield  Presbyterian 
Church  on  the  Green,  Bloomfield,  N.J. 

A one-day  opportunity  for  Face  to 
Face  interviews  between  PNCs  and 
clergy  interested  in  relocating. 

For  information  contact:  Virginia  Tyler, 
Registrar,  Synod  of  the  Northeast, 
3049  E.  Genesee  St.,  Syracuse,  N.Y. 
13224.  1315  ) 446-5990.  Registration 
deadline:  Friday,  March  29,  1985. 


• DAVIDSON  COLLEGE  has  named 
its  newest  dormitory  in  honor  of  John 
McCorkle  Akers,  a trucking  executive 
who,  by  his  own  admission,  has  never 
driven  a truck.  He  is  retired  president  of 
Akers  Motor  Lines  Inc.  and  a graduate  of 
Davidson. 


10 


The  ultimate  proof  of  the  sinner  is  that 
he  does  not  know  his  own  sin. 

-MARTIN  LUTHER 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  OUTLOOK 


HELP  WITH  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION:  SHARED  APPROACHES 
KNOWING  THE  WORD  (Cooperative  Uniform  Lesson  Series! 

THE  LESSON  FOR  FEBRUARY  24,  1985 

Through  Death  to  Life 

By  JOHN  F.  JANSEN 


Background  Scripture:  John  12 
Lesson  Focus:  John  12:20-36 


INTRODUCING  THE  LESSON 

John  12:20  is  the  “hinge”  of  the  Gospel, 
closing  the  "Book  of  Signs"  (Jesus’  revela- 
tion to  the  world)  and  ushering  in  the 
“Book  of  the  Passion/Glory"  (Jesus'  reve- 
lation to  "his  own"). 

The  "hour"  of  his  cross  and  resurrec- 
tion has  drawn  near.  After  the  raising  of 
Lazarus,  the  Council  in  Jerusalem  has  de- 
cided on  Jesus'  death.  After  a period  of 
incognito  (11:54),  Jesus  comes  to  Jeru- 
salem for  the  final  Passover. 

John  places  the  anointing  at  Bethany 
(12:1-8)  prior  to  Palm  Sunday  (whereas 
Mark  and  Matthew  place  it  after  the  en- 
try into  Jerusalem).  John  names  the  sis- 
ter of  Lazarus  as  the  woman  who  anoint- 
ed Jesus  (whereas  the  woman  is  unnamed 
in  Mark  and  Matthew).  In  John,  the  en- 
try into  Jerusalem  itself  is  linked  with 
the  raising  of  Lazarus  (12:10).  Amid  the 
acclaim,  those  who  have  determined 
Jesus’  death  (11:47-43)  look  on  helplessly 
and  say:  "Look,  the  world  has  gone  after 
him”  (12:19). 

This  sets  the  stage  for  the  crucial  pas- 
sage. 

It  is  a “hinge"  because  here,  for  the 
first  time,  Jesus  says  that  “ The  hour  has 
come  for  the  Son  of  man  to  be  glorified" 
(12:23).  The  clock  is  striking  — for  Jesus 
and  for  the  world.  With  this  passage, 
Jesus  has  said  all  he  has  to  say  to  the 
world.  "When  Jesus  had  said  this,  he  de- 
parted and  hid  himself  from  them" 
(12:36).  The  world  will  not  see  him  until 
Pilate  brings  him  out  to  the  crowd  with 
the  words,  “Behold  the  man!"  (19:5). 

The  chapters  that  follow  our  passage 
portray  Jesus’  last  evening  with  his  disci- 
ples. Accordingly,  v.  36  really  concludes 
ch.  12,  for  vv.  37-43  are  the  evangelist’s 
commentary  on  the  mystery  of  unbelief 
and  vv.  44-50  summarize  what  Jesus  has 
already  said. 

THE  COMING  OF  THE  GREEKS 
(12:20-22) 

“Now,  among  those  who  went  up  to 
worship  at  the  feast  were  some  Greeks." 
Doubtless,  they  are  gentile  “God-fearers" 
who  observe  so  far  as  they  can  Jewish 
feasts  and  worship.  They  want  “to  see 
Jesus."  Yet  John  tells  us  nothing  more 
about  them.  When  Philip  and  Andrew 
bring  their  request  to  Jesus,  he  address- 
es the  two  disciples  rather  than  the 
Greeks.  Why  does  John  bring  the  Greeks 
into  the  narrative,  and  how  are  they 
linked  to  Jesus’  “hour"? 

FEBRUARY  4,  1985 


John  sees  in  these  Greeks  a promise  of 
the  Gentile  church  that  is  to  be.  John  has 
reminded  us  already  that  Jesus  expresses 
God’s  love  for  the  world  (3:16).  Samari- 
tans have  hailed  Jesus  as  “the  Savior  of 
the  world"  (4:42).  The  Good  Shepherd 
has  said  that  he  has  other  sheep  not  of 
this  fold  whom  he  must  also  bring  (10:16). 
What  Caiaphas  intended  as  a prudential 
counsel,  John  has  taken  as  unwitting 
prophecy  — "that  Jesus  should  die  for 
the  nation,  and  not  for  the  nation  only, 
but  to  gather  unto  one  the  children  of 
God  who  are  scattered  abroad"  (11:510. 

And  John  has  just  noted  that  the  lead- 
ers of  Jerusalem  acknowledged  that  "the 
world  has  gone  after  him"  (12:19).  Jesus 
expresses  the  same  when  he  said:  I, 

when  I am  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will 
draw  all  to  myself’  (12:32).  But  the  Gen- 
tile mission  follows  the  hour  of  Jesus, 
i.e.,  his  passion  and  glory;  that  is  why 
nothing  more  is  said  about  the  Greeks. 

THE  HOUR  HAS  COME 

For  John,  the  passion  and  the  glory  are 
inseparable.  The  hour  of  the  passion  is 
the  hour  "for  the  Son  of  man  to  be  glori- 
fied" (12:23).  The  “lifting  up”  of  the  Son 
of  man  (3:14;  8:28;  12:32f)  is  both  cross 
and  glory. 

“Now  is  my  soul  troubled"  (12:27). 
Many  have  seen  this  as  a Johannine  paral- 
lel to  the  agony  in  Gethsemane.  If  we 
punctuate  as  does  the  KJV,  then  there  is 
a parallel  to  Jesus’  prayer  that  the  cup 
might  pass  from  him  (Matt.  26:39;  Mark 
14:35;  Luke  22:42),  for  then  we  would 
read,  “Father,  save  me  from  this  hour" 
with  a period  or  an  exclamation  point.  But 
the  RSV  is  surely  right  in  punctuating 
both  the  first  and  second  words  as  rhetori- 
cal questions  voiced  only  to  be  discarded: 
“What  shall  I say?  Father,  save  me  from 
this  hour?  No,  for  this  purpose  I have 
come  to  this  hour." 

John  does  not  mute  Jesus’  human  emo- 
tions. Jesus  can  be  deeply  troubled  (cf. 
also  13:21).  But  there  is  no  wavering.  As 
the  Suffering  Servant  “shall  be  exalted 
and  lifted  up"  (Isaiah  52:13),  so  for  Jesus 
the  hour  of  the  cross  is  the  hour  for  the 
Son  of  man  to  be  glorified.  "Father,  glori 
fy  thy  name."  Jesus  lived  the  prayer  he 
taught  us:  “Hallowed  be  thy  name.” 

A voice  came  from  heaven,  “I  have 
glorified  it  [my  name],  and  I will  glorify  it 
again"  (12:19). 

In  the  other  Gospels,  a voice  from  heav 
en  confirms  Jesus'  mission  at  his  baptism 
(Matt.  3:17;  Mark  1:11;  Luke  3:22)  and  at 
the  mountain  of  transfiguration  (Matt. 
17:5;  Mark  9:7;  Luke  9:35). 

People  need  to  hear  God’s  witness  to 


the  Son.  "This  voice  has  come  for  your 
sake,  not  for  mine"  (12:30).  The  same  is 
true  for  our  need  of  the  written  Word. 

GLORY 

From  the  opening  of  the  Gospel  “glory" 
is  a prominent  theme:  “The  Word  became 
flesh  we  have  beheld  his  glory,  glory 
as  of  the  only  Son  of  the  Father"  (1:14). 
John  uses  the  noun  glory  some  18  times, 
and  the  verb  glorify  over  20  times.  What 
is  this  “glory"? 

When  the  Old  Testament  was  trans- 
lated into  Greek,  the  translators  gave 
new  meaning  to  the  Greek  word  doxa  as 
the  way  to  render  a Hebrew  word, 
kabod,  to  express  the  radiance,  splendor, 
power  and  presence  of  God.  Indeed, 
"glory"  and  “light"  are  parallel  expres- 
sions for  God’s  presence  and  power: 
“Arise,  shine;  for  your  light  has  come, 
and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  has  risen  upon 
you”  (Isaiah  60:1). 

New  Testament  faith  sees  God’s  glory 
revealed  in  Jesus  Christ.  That  is  why 
John’s  Gospel  constantly  reminds  us  that 
Jesus  lives  for  God's  glory  and  reveels 
God's  glory  in  his  words  and  works  — 
and  God  glorifies  the  Son  who  glorifies 
God.  The  hour  has  come  "for  the  Son  of 
man  to  be  glorified"  — he  is  glorified  by 
glorifying  the  Father. 

God  affirms  that  God’s  Name  has  been 
glorified  in  the  ministry  of  Jesus,  and  will 
be  supremely  glorified  in  the  cross  and 
resurrection.  Glory  is  the  revelation  of 
God’s  power  and  presence  — and  Jesus  is 
the  revelation  of  God’s  power  and  pres- 
ence in  the  world. 

Doxa  as  "doxology"  is  expressed  in 
praise.  Jesus’  life  is  the  perfect  praise  of 
God. 

JUDGMENT 

John  reminds  us  again  that  the  coming 
of  Jesus  is  also  the  "crisis"  or  judgment 
of  the  world.  "Now  is  the  judgment  of 
this  world,  now  shall  the  ruler  of  this 
world  be  cast  out"  (12:31).  God’s  son 
overcomes  the  power  of  death  by  dying. 
The  power  of  evil  is  overthrown  in  the 
moment  of  its  apparent  triumph. 

Luther’s  hymn  says  it  well: 

The  prince  of  darkness  grim,  we 

tremble  not  for  him, 

His  rage  we  can  endure;  for  lo, 

his  doom  is  sure. 

“Now  is  the  judgment  of  this  world." 
When  people  want  to  debate  and  dispute, 
Jesus  reminds  them  that  the  light  is  with 
them  "for  a little  longer"  (12:35f).  The 
hour  of  Jesus  is  also  the  hour  of  “crisis" 
for  the  world. 

APPROPRIATING  THE  LESSON 

“If  any  one  serves  me,  that  one  must 
follow  me"  (12:26).  That  verse  ean  help  us 
understand  v.  32:  "and  I,  when  I am 
lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw  all  to 
myself." 

The  Danish  writer,  Kierkegaard,  wrote 
seven  discourses  on  the  text:  “From  on 

11 


high  he  will  withdraw  all  unto  himself." 
He  reminded  us  that  Christ  calls  for  fol- 
lowers, not  admirers.  The  follower  re- 
members that  the  One  who  said  that 
“from  on  high”  he  would  draw  all  to  him- 
self said  this  as  the  humiliated  and  lowly 
One.  Only  the  follower  of  the  lowly  One 
can  be  drawn  to  the  exalted  One.  Ad- 
mirers want  the  exalted  Lord,  but  not 
the  lowly  One. 

The  tragedy  of  Christendom,  according 
to  Kierkegaard,  is  that  it  lost  the  distinc- 
tion between  a follower  and  an  admirer 
— with  the  result  that  people  have 


• Aids  for  1984-1985  Bible  Study 


Haggai  and  Zechariah  spoke  on  the 
prophetic  word  of  God  to  Israel  in  the 
early  post-exilic  period.  A central  mes- 
sage in  their  preaching  is  the  rebuilding 
of  the  temple. 

Zechariah  associates  the  building  of  the 
temple  with  God’s  salvation  (Zechariah 
1:16);  while  Haggai  goes  so  far  as  to  sug- 
gest that  drought  and  lack  of  prosperity 
will  turn  into  blessing  if  the  people  will 
only  build  the  temple  (Haggai  1:1-11). 

This  emphasis  on  the  construction  of  a 
building  is  difficult  for  us  to  understand 
today,  since,  as  Presbyterians,  we  de- 
clare in  “The  Directory  for  the  Service  of 
God"  that  “it  is  possible  for  Christians  to 
worship  in  any  place,  for  God  is  not  con- 
fined to  temples  made  with  human 
hands”  (S-2.0200). 

Thus,  the  urgent  message  of  Haggai 
and  Zechariah  to  build  a temple  in  order 
to  secure  the  presence  of  God  appears  to 
us  to  be  a mechanical  view  of  religion  and 
even  manipulative  — if  the  people  will 
only  build  a temple,  they  will  acquire  God 
and  wealth.  This  sounds  more  like  a 
condominium  development  than  a re- 
sponse of  faith. 

Yet,  if  we  look  more  closely  at  what 
the  temple  symbolized  for  Israel  and  also 
at  the  historical  circumstances  of  the 
people  in  the  early  post-exilic  period, 
analogies  arise  to  our  present  situation, 
which  make  the  message  of  Haggai  and 
Zechariah  also  an  urgent  one  for  us 
today. 

TEMPLE  IN  DAVIDIC  THEOLOGY 

During  our  study  of  Micah,  we  looked 
at  the  theological  tradition  of  Judah  — 
the  southern  kingdom.  We  described  the 
particular  characteristics  of  Judah's  con- 

12 


wanted  to  be  drawn  to  the  exalted  One, 
but  not  to  follow  the  lowly  One. 

Kierkegaard's  last  discourse  is  a sus- 
tained prayer,  beginning:  "Yea,  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  whether  we  be  far  off  or 
near,  far  away  from  Thee  in  the  human 
swarm,  in  business,  in  earthly  cares,  in 
temporal  joys,  in  merely  human  high- 
ness, or  from  all  this,  forsaken,  unappre- 
ciated, in  lowliness,  and  with  this  the 
nearer  to  Thee,  do  Thou  draw  us,  draw 
us  entirely  to  Thyself." 

Lesson  theme  and  scripture  copyrighted  by  the  Division 
of  Education,  National  Council  of  Churches.  Scripture 
quotations  from  the  Revised  Standard  Version. 


fession  of  God  as  Davidic  theology. 

Davidic  theology  was  built  on  two  con- 
fessions of  divine  election.  (1)  God’s  elec- 
tion of  David  to  be  king  over  Israel,  with 
the  divine  promise  that  David’s  line 
would  rule  forever.  (2)  God's  election  of 
the  temple  in  Jerusalem  as  his  permanent 
home.  These  two  confessions  of  divine 
election  were  described  as  the  uncondi- 
tional covenant  — their  reality  rested  on 
God’s  guarantee. 

R.E.  Clements,  in  his  study  God  and 
Temple,  concluded  that  the  confession  of 
the  temple  as  the  dwelling  place  of  God 
did  not  restrict  the  divine  presence  to 
this  single  location;  rather,  the  temple 
became  the  center  of  a faith  that  asserted 
that  God  was  the  ruler  of  the  whole 
earth.  This  confession  that  God  was  es- 
pecially present  in  the  temple,  yet  also 
ruling  the  whole  world,  becomes  more 
understandable  if  we  look  at  our  own  con- 
fession of  the  presence  of  Christ  during 
Communion. 

We,  too,  confess  that  God  is  “dwelling 
in  our  midst”  in  a special  way  during  the 
Lord’s  Supper,  but  this  divine  presence  is 
not  limited  to  the  bread  and  wine  or  to 
the  Communion  service  itself.  Rather,  we 
believe  that  the  Lord’s  Supper  is  a wit- 
ness to  the  universal  rule  of  Christ  which, 
in  turn,  makes  our  salvation  in  Christ  se- 
cure. 

The  temple  symbolized  a similar  se- 
curity for  the  people  of  Judah.  The  un- 
interrupted presence  for  500  years  of  the 
Davidic  lineage,  ruling  the  kingdom  of 
Judah  in  the  shadow  of  the  temple,  pro- 
vided proof  for  the  people  of  God's  uni- 
versal power  to  fulfill  the  divine  promises 
of  the  unconditional  covenant.  They  con- 


fessed their  faith  in  God  through  temple 
worship  with  the  confidence  that, 

. . . the  Lord  has  chosen  Zion ; 
he  has  desired  it  for  his  habitation: 
"This  is  my  resting  place  for  ever; 
here  I will  dwell,  for  I have  desired  it. 
I will  abundantly  bless  her  provisions; 
I will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread. 
Her  priests  I wiU.  clothe  with  salvation, 
and  her  saints  will  shout  for  joy.  ” 

(Psalm  132:13-16) 

THE  EXILE 

The  Babylonian  exile  of  587  B.C.  in- 
volved the  southern  kingdom  of  Judah. 
(The  northern  kingdom  was  destroyed  al- 
ready in  722  B.C.)  Therefore,  it  is  the 
people  of  Judah  who  sang  the  lament. 

By  the  waters  of  Babylon, 
there  we  sat  down  and  wept 
when  we  remembered  Zion.  . . 

How  shall  we  sing  the  Lord's  song 
in  a foreign  land? 

(Psalm  137:1,  4) 

The  grief  expressed  in  this  lament 
arises  from  more  than  a sense  of  being 
homesick;  the  despair  of  the  people  of 
Judah  is  a religious  crisis.  The  exile 
called  into  question  their  central  confes- 
sions of  faith:  the  Davidic  king  was  de- 
posed by  the  Babylonians  and,  even  more 
shocking,  the  temple  — the  house  of  their 
God  — was  destroyed. 

Prophets  like  Micah  began  tc  address 
these  problems  before  the  exile,  by  em- 
phasizing that  the  unfaithfulness  of  the 
people  could  frustrate  the  presence  of 
God.  Yet,  the  fall  of  the  temple  still  left 
the  people  with  troubling  questions.  Was 
Marduk,  the  god  of  the  Babylonians,  the 
true  God,  since  the  Babylonians  over- 
powered Judah  and  their  God?  Even  for 
those  who  hung  onto  their  faith,  the 
question  still  remained  of  how  God  could 
possibly  dwell  in  their  midst  without  the 
temple  to  channel  the  divine  presence. 
How  could  the  people  sing  the  Lord’s 
song  in  a foreign  land? 

THE  MESSAGE  OF  HAGGAI 
AND  ZECHARIAH 

The  victory  of  the  Persians  over  the 
Babylonians  in  538  B.C.  was  interpreted 
by  Haggai  and  Zechariah  as  a sign  of 
God's  renewed  action  in  world  events, 
because  it  allowed  the  people  of  Judah  to 
return  to  their  homeland  and  provided  an 
answer  to  the  troubling  question  about 
the  presence  — or,  perhaps  more  ac- 
curately, the  absence  — of  God. 

The  return  of  the  people  to  Jerusalem 
would  once  again  provide  a channel  for 
God  to  dwell  in  the  midst  of  the  people  as 
had  been  the  case  before  the  exile. 

The  return  from  exile,  therefore,  was 
interpreted  as  the  dawn  of  a new  age  for 
Israel,  which  would  be  marked  by  a new 
level  of  divine  presence  and  blessing.  But 
the  realization  of  this  new  age  also  re- 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  OUTLOOK 


A Contemporary  Message  From  the  Past 
Judgment,  Hope  in  the  Minor  Prophets 

STUDY  HELPS  BY  THOMAS  B.  DOZEMAN 

7.  I Will  Dwell  in  the  Midst  of  You 
Haggai  and  Zechariah 


quired  increased  human  responsibility. 

Peter  R.  Ackroyd  in  his  book,  Exile 
and  Restoration,  writes,  “The  dawn  of 
the  new  age  must  not  be  hindered  by 
any  human  failure.  The  assurance  that 
God  is  at  work  must  evoke  response  from 
his  people.” 

The  return  from  exile  as  the  divine  in- 
auguration of  a new  age  provides  back- 
ground for  interpreting  the  urgent  proc- 
lamation of  Haggai  and  Zechariah  con- 
cerning the  building  of  the  temple. 

First,  the  building  of  the  temple  was 
urgent  because  the  prophets  saw  from 
world  events  that  God  was  already  on  the 
move  ushering  in  the  new  age.  There- 
fore, there  could  be  no  delay  in  recog- 
nizing the  activity  of  God  in  the  events 
around  them  and  in  responding  to  the  re- 
newed presence  of  God.  Zechariah  con- 
veys this  sense  of  urgency  in  the  verb 
tenses  of  Ch.  1:6. 

In  this  divine  oracle,  he  states  that  God 
has  already  returned  to  Jerusalem,  while 
the  building  of  the  temple  is  still  referred 
to  in  the  future  tense.  According  to 
Zechariah,  the  activity  of  God  was  al- 
ready far  ahead  of  any  response  by  the 
people. 

Haggai,  too,  encourages  and  urges  the 
people  to  build  the  temple,  because  God 
has  already  said  that, 

Once  again,  in  a little  while,  I 
will  shake  the  heavens  and  the 
earth  and  the  sea  and  the  dry  land ; 
and  I will  shake  all  nations,  so  that 
the  treasures  of  all  nations  shall 
come  in,  and  I will  fill  this  house 
with  splendor.  (Haggai  1:6-7) 

The  building  of  the  temple  is  urgent, 
therefore,  not  because  it  will  manipulate 
God  to  dwell  with  the  people  of  Judah, 
but  because  God  is  already  present. 

Second,  the  building  of  the  temple  is 
urgent  because  the  action  of  God  in  world 
events  does  not  guarantee  the  realization 
of  the  divine  presence  for  Judah;  the  peo- 
ple must  also  respond  to  the  divine  pres- 
ence and  show  that  they  are  fit  for  wor- 
ship. Haggai  and  Zechariah  interpret  the 
construction  of  the  temple  as  the  people’s 
response  to  the  presence  of  God,  which 
will  help  to  realize  the  new  age. 

The  prophets  call  for  a more  personal 
response  from  the  people  than  merely  a 
construction  project.  Haggai  makes  this 
clear  with  his  two  questions  concerning 
holiness  and  uncleanness  in  Haggai  2:11- 
14.  Here,  he  warns  that  holiness  cannot 
be  spread  by  touch  (v.  12);  but,  converse- 
ly, that  uncleanness  can  (v.  13). 

Ackroyd  interprets  “holy  flesh"  in  the 
first  question  of  v.  12  and  “unclean  body" 
in  the  second  question  of  v.  13  as  refer- 
ences to  the  temple.  In  this  case,  Haggai 
is  warning  the  people  that  the  mere  con- 
struction of  the  temple  does  not  guaran- 
tee that  they  will  realize  the  presence  of 
FEBRUARY  4,  1985 


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God  and  become  holy  themselves.  In  fact, 
he  concludes  in  the  second  question  that 
if  the  response  of  the  people  to  the  pres- 
ence of  God  is  limited  to  a building  proj- 
ect, they  will  make  the  temple  itself  un- 
clean. 

Zechariah  also  underscores  the  need 
for  the  community  to  be  fit  for  the  new 
age  when  he  encourages  them  to  return 
to  God  (Zechariah  1:2-6). 

In  summary,  Haggai  and  Zechariah 
urge  the  construction  of  the  temple  be- 
cause, on  the  one  hand,  God  is  already 
present  ushering  in  a new  age;  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  this  new  age  cannot  be 
realized  without  a proper  response  from 
the  people,  who  must  provide  a channel 
for  the  divine  presence. 

The  message  of  Haggai  and  Zechariah 
remains  an  urgent  one  for  us  today.  As 
Christians,  we  still  confess  that  our  time 
is  a new  age  that  has  been  ushered  in  by 
God  through  Christ.  Furthermore,  we  al- 
so believe  that  the  new  age  can  be  real- 
ized only  if  we  accept  our  responsibility 
by  responding  to  the  presence  of  God  in 
Christ. 

The  New  Testament  takes  the  analo- 
gies between  our  situation  and  the  time 
of  Haggai  and  Zechariah  much  further. 
Jesus,  first,  speaks  of  his  body  as  a tem- 
ple that  would  be  destroyed  (Mark  14:58; 
John  2:19);  but.  once  raised  from  the 
dead,  this  same  body  becomes  the 
cornerstone  of  yet  another  temple,  this 
time  made  up  of  living  stones  — our- 
selves (Ephesians  2:19-22;  1 Peter  2:4,  5). 

As  were  the  people  of  Israel  in  the 
post-exilic  period,  we.  too,  are  called  to 
build  a temple,  with  the  promise  that  we 
will  become  "a  dwelling  place  of  God  in 
the  Spirit."  Dl 


Marshall  McLuhan  claimed  that  print 
was  extinct,  and  wrote  more  than  a 
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-JOHN  W.  BACHMAN 


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Vacation  Church  School  planners  in  all 
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Now  with  the  all-new  material  in 
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“ I was  skeptical  at  first  and  thought 
the  material  might  be  extremist  or  un- 
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—Presbyterian  minister 

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Spokane,  Wash. 

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sponsible, enjoyable  curriculum!  Hur 
ray  for  your  promptness  in  sending  out 
materials.” 

—Congregational  Church 
New  York  State 

“ This  is  the  fourth  year  we've  used 
the  (Augsburg)  material  and  the  fourth 
year  we've  experienced  growth  in  num- 
bers as  well  as  growth  in  fa:th 
Thanks  again  for  providing  this  great 
material  for  us  and  for  your  usual 
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— Missouri 

“Fantastic  material  — but  appreciate 
YOUR  fast  service  most." 

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We  are  grateful  for  your  efficient  and 
cooperative  handling  of  our  VCS  mate- 
rials. Because  of  it,  our  teachers  were 
able  to  have  the  materials  they  needed 
to  pre-plan  and,  as  a result,  the  school 
was  a worthwhile  experience  for  the 
children.  Thanks!" 

— N.C.  minister 


HUGE  I INVENTORY 

Outlook  Book  Service  is  the 
largest  dealer  of  Augsburg  Vaca- 
tion Bible  School  material  in  the 
U.S.A.  You  can  be  sure  of  getting 
your  material  in  time  for  early 
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SHIPPING  POINTS 

Five  possible  shipping  points, 
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dates  — we’ll  have  it  there! ). 

SAME  DAY 
SHIPPING  SERVICE 

When  you  need  extra  speed,  cal! 
us  before  12  o’clock  noon  and  we’ll 
get  your  delivery  on  the  UPS  truck 
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“We  very  much  appreciate  your  prompt 
service  all  of  our  leaders  are  en- 
thusiastic, and  I have  found  your  di- 
rector’s book  to  be  especially  helpful,  as 
this  is  my  first  year  in  this  position." 

—Director 

"After  studying  three  different  VCS  cur- 
riculums,  we  decided  the  Agusburg 
series  was  the  best." 

— D.C.E. 

"We  had  a MARVELOUS  week!  The 
Augsburg  Vacation  Bible  School  mate- 
rial is  full  of  joy  and  inspiration  and 
meaningful  learning.  Several  of  our 
teachers  have  volunteered  to  teach 
again  next  year,  IF  we  use  the  Augs- 
burg material." 


We  used  your  Augsburg  material 
with  its  excellent  promotional  helps 
and  aids.  Our  attendance  jumped  50 
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More  than  2,650  churches  — from 
Maine  to  Oregon,  from  California  to 
Florida  — have  used  our  Augsburg  VCS 
materials  and  fast  service. 

Here  are  our  customers,  by  denomina- 
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Cong.  C.,  RCA,  Catholic,  Moravian, 
Brethren. 

Suggestions  for  promotion  with  bulletin 
inserts,  mailers,  posters  and  the  personal 
touch  are  in  the  kit. 


WE  LEARNED  about  this  fine  material 
from  an  experienced  DCE  who  was  serv- 
ing a presbytery  in  leadership  training 
events  for  several  churches.  She  wanted 
something  that  would  avoid  the  usual 
repetitions  and  duplications  (children 
facing  the  same  monotony  year  after 
year).  When  we  got  all  available  samples, 
she  liked  this,  we  liked  it,  and  the  thing 
began  to  spread.  So  here  we  go  again. 
Early! 

Every  church  will  want  an  examination 
kit.  but  time  is  of  the  essence  because 
plans  must  be  made  and  enough  material 
must  be  on  hand  before  the  starting  date 
(otherwise,  there  are  big  problems). 

This  great  material  can  make  the  dif- 
ference between  a monotonous,  slipshod 
school  where  nobody  is  very  happy  and 
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miss  it  THIS  YEAR  - or  any  year.  But 
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14 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  OUTLOOK 


The  significant  VBS  that  teaches  children 
the  importance  of  prayer  in  their  lives 


Exam  Kit  Includes 

Teacher  Orientation 
Cassette  • 40-page  Series 
Planning  Guide  • Teacher 
Guide  and  Student  Pak  or 
Book  for  each  grade  level 
Adult  Study  Book  • Family 
Devotion  Folder  • Songbook 
• Supplementary  items 


[95 

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Augsburg  VBS  1985 

including  the  All-school  PATHWAYS  OF  PRAYER  Center 


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with  challenging  studies  and  activities  ... 
created  and  produced  using  Augsburg’s 
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Learn  why  Augsburg’s  VBS  series  are  so 
popular  with  churches  across  the  country. 

Outlook  Book  Service 

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Please  send  me  1 Examination  Kit  (Code 
16-85011  at  $23.95  plus  postage  (limit:  1 kit 
per  congregation), 


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churches  from  coast  to  coast 
through  Outlook  Book  Service  Four 
possible  shipping  points  which  we 
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Charge  to  


Call  toll-free  1-800  446-6008.  In  VA  call  804  649  1371  collect. 


FEBRUARY  4.  1985 


ABOUT  PEOPLE  AND  CHURCHES 


of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (U.S.A.) 


CHANGES  IN  PASTORA  TES 

Patricia  L.  Lane,  from  First  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church.  San  Antonio. 
Texas,  to  Crestholme  church,  San  An- 
tonio. 

Thomas  K.  Spence  Jr.,  from  Peace 
church,  Fayetteville,  N.C.,  to  Second 
church,  Petersburg,  Va. 

Sue  Ellen  Westfall,  from  the  Griffin 
Mills  church,  West  Falls,  N.Y.,  to  asso- 
ciate pastor.  Central  church,  Denver, 
Colo. 

William  L.  Collen,  from  West  End 
church,  Albany,  N.Y.,  to  Faith  church, 
Tonawanda,  N.Y. 

Alan  Gilburg  has  been  released  from 
the  exercise  of  ordained  office  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Western  New  York. 

Alfred  E.  Drake,  from  Bethany  church, 
Vincennes,  Ind.,  to  First  church,  Edin- 
burgh, Ind. 

Ronald  Naylor,  from  First  church,  Port 
Huron,  Mich.,  to  First  church,  Muncie, 
Ind. 

Paul  Bousquette  is  now  serving  at  Sec- 
ond church,  Richmond,  Ind. 

Robert  Keefer,  Princeton,  N.J.,  has 
been  called  to  the  Globe/Miami  Tri  Par- 
ish in  Arizona. 

Fred  J.  Wood,  from  Community 
church,  Benson,  Ariz.,  to  Immanuel 
church,  Tucson,  Ariz. 

Steven  Harberts,  from  pastor,  Reid 
Memorial  church,  Richmond,  Ind.,  to  as- 
sociate pastor,  First  church.  Fort  Lauder- 
dale, Fla. 

ORDAINED 

Susan  Falls,  Princeton  (1983),  assistant 
pastor,  Trinity  church,  Cherry  Hill,  N.J. 

Vincent  Alig,  Fuller,  assistant  pastor, 
Irvington  church,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


RETIREMENTS 

Paul  David  Sholin,  St.  Mark’s  church, 
Tucson,  Ariz.  He  was  the  founding  pastor 
of  the  church  and  served  there  for  37 
years. 

Hugh  I.  Schuster,  Forty-Third  Avenue 
church,  Gary,  Ind.,  Jan.  31. 

Edward  C.  Fish,  First  church,  Missouri 
Valley,  Iowa. 

Richard  K.  Smith,  executive  of  the 
Synod  of  the  Southwest,  on  or  before 
August  1985. 

Charles  R.  Ford,  retiring  from  VA 
Medical  Center  to  Arvada,  Colo. 

STAFFS 

Estelle  Rountree  McCarthy,  from  asso- 
ciate for  nurture  and  parish  development, 
National  Capital  Presbytery,  to  associate 
professor  of  Christian  education,  Presby- 
terian School  of  Christian  Education, 
Richmond,  Va. 

Timothy  Hart-Andersen,  a recent  grad- 
uate of  McCormick  Seminary,  has  been 
called  to  be  associate  executive  presbyter 
for  stewardship  and  mission  development 
in  Los  Ranchos  Presbytery. 

INTERIMS  AND  STATED  SUPPLIES 

A.  Lorin  Ridings,  interim,  Morgan  Hill, 
Calif.,  church. 

Jon  Michael  Laidlaw,  member  of 
Orange  Presbytery,  interim  pastor,  St. 
John’s  United  Church  of  Christ,  Rich- 
mong,  Va. 

Bernard  V.  Munger,  stated  supply, 
First  church,  Corinth,  Miss. 

J.  Calvin  Rose  has  completed  his  inter- 
im at  First  church,  Midland,  Texas,  and 
returned  to  his  home  in  New  Wilmington, 
Pa. 

Donna  Prickett  is  interim  pastor, 
Stewart  Memorial  church,  Garden  City, 
Long  Island,  N.Y. 

H.  Richard  Ohden,  interim  at  Covenant 
church,  Bisbee,  Ariz. 

Edward  Wright,  interim  at  Community 
church,  Benson,  Ariz. 

David  B.  McCracken,  stated  supply, 
U.P.  church,  Brownsville,  Ore. 

John  D.  Burton,  interim,  First  church, 
Seattle,  Wash. 

Gordon  Ingram,  interim,  Norwood 
Park  church,  Chicago,  111. 

Howard  B.  Dukelow,  from  interim,  Im- 
manuel church,  Waterloo,  Iowa,  to  in- 
terim, First  church,  Grundy  Center, 
Iowa. 


Adoif  Unger,  interim,  Cincinnatus, 
N.Y.,  church. 

Robert  Goerlitz,  interim,  Masonville, 
N.Y.,  Federated  church. 

Steven  H.  Washburn,  from  interim  at 
Lees  Summit,  Mo.,  church,  to  interim  at 
the  Anna,  111.,  church. 

John  Muntz,  interim.  First  church, 
Fort  Thomas,  Ky. 

Ralph  Gwinn,  interim,  Overland  Park 
church,  Bellevue,  Wash. 

John  Kopp,  interim,  Black  Diamond, 
Wash.,  church. 

D.C.E. 

Harold  Johnson,  Bowling  Green,  Ky., 
church. 

DEATHS 

Walker  B.  Healy,  73,  Jan.  11,  in  Roa- 
noke, Va.  A graduate  of  Lynchburg  Col- 
lege and  Union  Seminary  (Va.),  he  served 
First  church,  Houston,  Texas;  First 
church,  Monticello,  Ark.;  First  church, 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.;  First  church,  Fayette- 
ville, N.C.;  and,  for  19  years,  First 
church,  Roanoke,  where  he  was  pastor 
emeritus  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  had 
been  on  the  boards  of  a number  of  col- 
leges and  was  moderator  of  the  Synod  of 
the  Virginias  in  1965.  He  had  an  honorary 
degree  from  Arkansas  College.  He  is  sur- 
vived by  his  wife,  Adrian  Croom  Healy, 
two  daughters,  a son,  a brother  and  four 
grandsons. 

Albert  E.  Brunt,  66,  Jan.  12.  He  was  a 
retired  member  of  Presbytery  de  Cristo. 
He  is  survived  by  his  wife.  Dorothy,  two 
sons,  two  daughters  and  seven  grandchil- 
dren. 

Allan  T.  Cowan,  51,  Jan.  15  in  Charles- 
ton, W.Va.  He  was  executive  presbyter 
of  Greenbrier  Presbytery  and  died  fol- 
lowing a heart  attack.  He  was  a graduate 
of  East  Tennessee  State  University  and 
Columbia  Seminary,  with  a doctor  of 
ministry  degree  from  McCormick  Semi- 
nary. He  held  pastorates  in  Tennessee 
and  Georgia  before  taking  his  presbytery 
post  in  1974.  In  recent  years,  he  helped 
establish  West  Virginia  Homes  Inc.,  a 
project  sponsored  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church  to  provide  housing  for  the  elderly 
and  low-income  families  in  West  Virginia. 
He  had  honorary  degrees  from  John  Mar- 
shall University,  Stillman  College  and 
Davis  and  Elkins  College.  He  is  survived 
by  his  wife,  Nancy,  two  sons,  two  broth- 
ers and  a sister.  Services  were  held  Jan. 
17  at  First  church,  Charleston. 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  OUTLOOK 


RENEWAL 

THROUGH  SMALL  GROUPS 
CONFERENCE 
March  15-16,  1985 
First  Presbyterian  Church 
2344  Center  Street 
Bethlehem,  Pa.  18017 

Training  leaders  to  enable 
and  resource  small  groups 
Write  Pastor  Al  Timm 
for  information 


16 


Keynote  Speakers  at  Congress  on  Renewal 


Loyd  Ogilvie 


Our  group  grew  very  close  during 
that  week.  We  returned  home  with  a 
true  sense  of  personal  renewal  and  a 
vision  of  great  possibilities  for  our 
congregation.  This  enthusiasm  must 
go  beyond  our  denomination  to  the 
world  and  the  people  who  need  to 
know  the  love  and  message  of  Jesus 
Christ " 


Sam  Moffett 


James  Forbes 


Dale  Bruner 


/Me ncent  Honeycutt 


Congress  Tapes  Available 

Sir*  a"!  *«"  P"™*  sessions 

^-*ssais  actc-  ,nc-  t° 

P-  I o THE  PRESBYTERIAN  COMMUNIQUE 


^ 'n 


ESSENTIAL  TENETS  OF  THE  REFORMED  FATIH 

as  expressed  in  the  confessions  of  our  church 


Confession 

Date/Country 

Historical  Context 

Contrasting  View 

Central  Doctrine 

Theologian 

Symbol 

Nicene 

Creed 

4th  C. 
Middle  East 

Unifying  Constan- 
tine's Empire 

Arians 

The  Person  of 
Jesus  Christ 
The  Reality  of  H.S. 

Athanasius 

4 

P 

Apostles 

Creed 

2nd  to  9th  C. 
France 

Baptism  of  new 
Christians 

Greek  gods  and 
Roman  Emperor 
worship 

One  God  in 
Three  Persons. 
Creator  of 
Heaven  and  Earth 

Unknown 

XO 

Scots 

Confession 

1560 

Scotland 

Scottish  Civil  War 

Medieval 

Catholicism 

Election 
The  Church 

Knox 

4 

h 

Heidelberg 

1563 

Germany 

Breaking  the 

Lutherans 

Stewardship 

Ursinus  & 

Augsberg 

The  Lord  s Supper 

Olevianus 

Second  Hel- 
vetic Con- 
fession 

1566 

Switzerland 

Black  Plague  6 
help  for 
Heidelberg 

Anabaptists 

Covenant 

Baptism 

Bullinger 

Westminster  1646  English  Civil  High  Church  The  Sovereignty  Reynolds 

Confession  & England  War  Anglicans  of  God. 

Catechisms  The  Authority  & 


Interpretation 
of  Scripture 


What  are  the  essential  doctrines  of 
our  Reformed  faith?  In  his  new  book, 
Presbyterian  Creeds:  A Guide  to  the 
Book  of  Confessions,  Jack  Rogers 
examines  the  Book  of  Confessions 
and  chapter  2 of  the  Book  of  Order 
(G-2.0000-2.0500)  which  deals  with 
the  church  and  its  confessions.  There 
he  finds  10  doctrines  which  form  the 
core  of  our  faith. 

With  clarity  of  thought  & style, 
Rogers  analyzes  and  explains  the  his- 
torical situations  in  which  each  of 
these  creeds  originated,  the  key 
theologians  involved  in  their  genesis, 
and  the  contemporary  relevance  of 
the  core  beliefs.  He  helps  the  reader  to 
discover  that  in  order  to  live  as 
informed  Christians  and  move  for- 
ward in  mission,  Presbyterians  must 
understand  what  is  essential  and 
necessary  to  believe,  and  where  there 
is  room  for  freedom  and  individual 
conscience. 

Every  pastor  and  elder  will  want  to 
read  this  very  important  work  to  better 
fulfill  the  ordination  vow  "to  receive  & 
adopt  the  essential  tenets  of  the 
Reformed  faith  as  expressed  in  the 


confessions  of  our  church  . . . and  to 
be  instructed  and  lead  by  those 
confessions  . . (Book  of  Order 
1 4.0405). -KAG 


Reprinted  from  Presbyterian  Creeds:  A Guide  to  the 
Book  of  Confessions,  by  Jack  Rogers,  pp.  14  15 
Copyright  **  1985.  Jack  Rogers  reprinted  and 
used  by  permission  of  The  Westminster  Press, 
Philadelphia.  PA. 


HAVE  YOG  EVER  WONDERED??? 

Presbyterian  Church  (U.SA)  Statistics  for  1983 

Commissioners  to  the 

692 

Membership 

3,131,228 

General  Assembly 

Churches 

11,662 

Total  Congregational 

1,244,708,506 

Ministers 

18,969 

Receipts 

Clergy  (Male) 

17,932 

Total  Gift  Per 

397.51 

Clergy  (Female) 

1,037 

Communicant  Member 

Candidates  for  Ministry 

2,050 

Local  Program,  Local 

1,016,427,935 

Ruling  Elders  (Male) 

76,864 

Mission  and  Capital  Expense 

Ruling  Elders  (Female) 

44,781 

Total  General 

43,970,251 

Deacons  (Male) 

35,804 

Assembly  Mission 

Deacons  (Female) 

44,469 

Total  Synod  Mission 

19,887,030 

Total  Church  School 

1,163,967 

Total  Presbytery  Mission 

40,112,671 

Pupils,  Teachers,  and  Officers 

Other  Mission 

24,426,559 

Infant  Baptisms 

50,785 

(non-Presbyterian  related) 

Adult  Baptisms 

16,996 

Other  Mission 

23,526,104 

Presbyteries 

196 

(Presbyterian  related) 

Synods 

20 

Allocated  to  Investments 

60,449,111 

WINTER  p.  9 


Looking  For  Some  Real,  Good  News? 


Greetings  to  you  in  the  name  and  love  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
If  you  have  been  one,  like  most  of  us,  who  wish  and  pray  for 
some  good  news  with  some  hope  in  it,  I wish  you  could  have  the 
rewarding  experience  of  reading  our  daily  mail  at  the  office  of 
the  Congress  or  talk  to  the  people  who  calL 

Literally  hundreds  of  letters  have  already  come  with  notes  of 
hope,  expectation  and  even  joy!  I am  more  convinced  every  day 
that  this  is  God’s  “KAIROS"  time  for  us  in  the  Presbyterian  family. 
The  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal  is  being  used  by  God  not 
only  as  a great  celebrative,  equipping  event  but,  as  a model  for  a 
continuing  renewal  process  in  our  beloved  church. 

Highlights  of  what  is  happening  include  many  truly  exciting 
things.  We  are  mailing  out  additional  hundreds  of  our  last 
newsletter  at  people's  request  every  day.  Pre- registrations  are 
pouring  in  from  all  over  the  country  and  dozens  of  people  who 
cannot  come  personally  are  sending  the  $350.  to  $500.  gift  to 
provide  a scholarship  for  some  young  pastor,  seminary  student  or 
anyone  else  in  need  who  really  wants  to  be  with  us. 

Beyond  the  hundreds  of  details  that  are  going  on  to  make  this  a 
truly  renewing  experience,  the  past  weeks  have  concentrated  on 
defining  workshops  and  seminars  and  their  leadership.  Over  100 
letters  were  sent  out  soliciting  input  from  the  broad  spectrum  of 
our  church  and  additional  dozens  have  come  in  from  people  who 
are  interested. 

Over  40  people  have  worked  prayerfully  for  weeks  on  this  area 
above  and  have  now  assembled  an  incredible  proposed  list  We 
remind  you  of  our  double  theme.  Overall  is  the  glorious  promise  of 


scripture  “All  Things  New."  Tuesday  through  Thursday  will 
feature  a theological  center  each  day  in  word  and  worship  of  the 
Person  and  Work  of  God  - The  Father,  The  Son  and  The  Holy 
Spirit  The  Workshops  will  follow  the  triple  theme  of  Personal, 
Congregational  and  Institutional  RenewaL 

Workshops  to  be  varied: 

There  will  be  a core  curriculum  at  the  center  clearly  visible 
called  FOUNDATIONAL  workshops.  Around  the  core  will  be 
FOCUS  workshops  for  more  specialized  equipping  and  emphasis. 
Third,  there  will  be  FRONTIER  workshops  that  will  probe  the 
whole  range  of  human  needs  and  concerns  that  confront  our  age. 
Examples  might  be  as  follows: 

FOUNDATIONAL  - Learning  to  Pray,  or  Sharing  Your 
Faith 

FOCUS  - Could  be  Lay  Leadership  in  Renewal  or  Women  in 
Ministry 

FRONTIER  * Could  include  - Feeding  a Hungry  World, 
Peace  Making,  or  Pro-Life  and  Abortion 

Watch  for  our  special  enlarged  May  Newsletter  with  all  the  good 
things  in  clear  prospective  with  necessary  forms  and  information. 
In  the  meantime  all  Praise  and  Glory  be  to  God  and  to  you  we  send 
our  love  and  prayer  for  peace  in  your  heart  and  our  world  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Ernest  J.  Lewis 


Welcome  to  the 
Presbyterian  Congress 
on  Renewal  at  the 
Convention  Center  in 
Beautiful  Dallas,  Texas 
January  7-10,  1985 


Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal 

Speakers  and  Leaders: 


W.  R.  Yinger 

• Serving  as  chairman  of  the 
Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal 

• Former  chairman  of  Nationally 
televised  Oklahoma  Billy  Graham 
Crusade  October,  1983 

• Member  of  the  National  Board  of 
Young  Life 

• Independent  Oil  and  Gas 
Producer,  Chairman  of  the  Board 
for  Jay  Petroleum  Inc 

• Past  President  of  the  Oklahoma 
Independent  Petroleum 
Association 


Ernest  J.  Lewis 

• Executive  Director  of  Presbyterian 
Congress  on  Renewal 

• Awarded  1984  National  Preacher 
of  the  Year  by  the  General 
Assembly 

• Religious  Emphasis  speaker  at  over 
40  Universities  and  Colleges 

• Experienced  Television  and  Radio 
Communicator 


Cecil io  Arrastia 

• Founder  and  Editor  of  “Dialogue” 
(Spanish  magazine  sponsored  by 
Presbyterian  pastors  in  N.Y.C.) 

• President  Cuban  Council  of 
Churches,  Moderator  Presbytery 
of  N.Y.C.  Radio  Preacher  National 
Network  Havana,  Cuba 

• Pastor,  Sancti-Spiritus  Presbyterian 
Church,  Cuba 

• University  of  Havana,  Campus 
Ministry 


F.  Dale  Bruner 

• Professor  of  Religious  Studies  of 
Whitworth  College 

• Served  in  the  Philippines  as 
professor  of  systematic  Theology  at 
Union  Theological  Seminary 

• Author  of  A Theology  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  The  Pentecostal  Experience, 
and  The  New  Testament  Wimess 


Gary  W.  Demarest 

• Senior  Pastor  of  the  La  Canada 
Presbyterian  Church  near 
Pasadena,  California 

• Trustee  of  Whitworth  College  in 
Spokane,  Washington,  and  of 
Fuller  Theological  Seminary  in 
Pasadena,  California 

• Member  of  the  U.S.A  Board  and 
the  International  Council  of 
African  Enterprise  providing 
evangelistic  and  relief  ministries 

• Author  of  three  books,  the  latest 
The  Communicators  Commentary 


Arlo  D.  Duba 

• Dean  and  Professor  of  Worship, 
University  of  Dubuque 
Theological  Seminary 

• PH.D.  — Princeton  Theological 
Seminary 

• Ordained  Presbyterian  Minister 

• Frequent  Lecturer  and  author  of 
Liturgical  books  and  articles 

• Serves  on  Joint  Office  of  Worship 
Committee  of  General  Assembly 


James  Alexander  Forbes,  Jr. 

• Associate  Professor  of  Worship 
and  Homiletics,  Union  Theological 
Seminary  of  New  York 

• Author  of  1 1 Publications 

• A conference  leader,  worship 
organization,  lecturer,  and  teacher 
recognized  around  the  natioa 
Fellow,  The  Martin  Luther  King, 

Jr.  Block  Church  Studies  Program- 
Colgate- Rochester  Divinity. 


Leighton  Ford 

• Ordained  Presbyterian  minister 
working  as  Vice  President  of  the 
Billy  Graham  Evangelistic 
Association. 

• President  of  Lausanne 
Evangelistic  Association 

• Has  led  crusades  around  the 
world. 


Roberta  Flestenes 

• Ordained  Presbyterian  Minister 

• Associate  Professor  of  Spiritual 
Formation  and  Discipleship  — 
Fuller  Theological  Seminary 

• D.  Mia  Fuller  Theological 
Seminary 

• Frequent  Lecturer  and  author 
especially  in  areas  of  Spiritual 
Formation  and  Women  in  Ministry 


Melicent  Huneycutt 

• Director  of  Christian  Growth  on 
Nurture  at  Central  Presbyterian 
Church  in  St.  Louis 

• A Lilly  Scholar  at  Duke  University, 
Adjunct  Professor  of  English  at 
King  College  in  Tennessee 

• Served  as  PCUS  missionary 
1955-1965  in  Korea 


Bruce  Larson 

• Senior  Pastor  of  the  University 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Seattle 

• Seminary  training  from  Princeton 
and  Master  in  Psychology  from 
Boston  University 

• 1 3 years  with  Faith  at  Work  as 
Field  Representative,  Executive 
Director  and  President 

• Hosted  National  Television  series 
“Search",  and  lectured  nationwide 


James  I.  McCord 

• Chancellor  of  the  post-doctoral 
Center  of  Theological  Inquiry  at 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary 

• Instructor  of  Philosophy  at  the 
University  of  Texas,  Dean  and 
Professor  of  Systematic  Theology 
at  the  Austin  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary 

• President  of  Princeton  Seminary 
for  24  years 


Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 

• Presently  Henry  Winters  Luce, 
Professor  of  Ecumenics  and 
Mission  at  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary 

• Author  of  six  major  books  and 
numerous  articles  and  book  reviews 

• From  well  known  missionary 
family 

• Father,  brother  and  Sam  served 
most  of  their  lives  as  missionaries 
in  Korea. 


Lloyd  John  Ogilvie 

• Pastor  to  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Hollywood,  California 

• Weekly  Communication  TV 
Ministry.  “Let  God  Love  You" 

• Prolific  writer  of  more  than  a dozen 
highly  recognized  books 

• Editor  of  The  New  Communica- 
tors Commentary 


_£> 


■ 


>o 


You’ll  Want  to  Know! 


rv 

■ How  about  fare  discounts? 

A-  American  Airlines  has  been  named  our  official  Congress  air- 
■ carrier  and  is  generously  providing  discounts  of  30%  off  the 
lowest  economy  fare  for  individuals  and  groups  Be  sure  and 
watch  for  particulars  in  the  next  issue  regarding  the  “Star'1 800 
number  you  will  be  able  to  call  to  reserve  for  Congress 
attenders.  If  any  city,  church  or  area  has  a sufficient  number  of 
registrants  to  warrant  it,  American  Airlines  will  put  extra 
planes  on  for  the  Congress. 


Q: 

A: 


Q: 

A: 


How  much  will  it  cost? 

Many  have  asked  concerning  the  cost  of  the  Congress.  A word 
concerning  this  may  prove  helpful  in  your  planning.  The 
hotels  (10  of  them)  will  range  from  $50.  per  night  to  a high  of 
$65.  with  most  rooms  at  $60.  or  below  for  both  singles  and 
doubles.  Extra  people  may  sleep  in  a room  on  a roll- away  cot 
or  sleeping  bag  at  an  additional  nominal  cost  3800  rooms  are 
presently  under  contract  to  us  from  10  of  the  finest  hotels  in 
downtown  Dallas,  close  to  the  Convention  Center. 

A minimum  of  500  homes  will  be  available  at  no  cost  and 
scholarship  aid  will  be  available  also.  Every  person  will  be 
asked  to  pay  the  registration  fee  ($40.  before  May  1st,  and 
$50.  thereafter).  Our  estimate  of  registration,  hotels  and  food 
for  the  4 days  of  Monday  through  Thursday,  January  7-  10th, 
is  $400.  per  persoa  The  real  differential  will  be  in  your  choice 
of  food.  A wide  variety  of  choices  will  be  available  to  each 
participant 


Q: 

A: 


Q: 

A: 


■ Can  we  register  in  groups  in  the  same  hotel? 

■ For  your  planning  ahead,  all  hotel  reservations  will  be  made 

■ through  the  CONVENTION  BUREAU  and  you  will  receive 
specific  details  in  the  next  issue.  In  the  meantime  they  have 
agreed  to  an  exception  for  our  Congress.  If  you  desire  a block 
of  rooms  of  20  (minimum)  or  more  to  be  reserved  for  you  in  a 
particular  hotel  you  may  do  so  until  August  30,  without 
individual  names  required,  only  the  registration  fees  will  be 
required  at  the  time  of  your  initial  request  Watch  for  further 
details. 


Are  we  tax  deductible? 

In  February,  we  received  official  notification  that  the 
Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal  had  been  approved  as  a 
501(C)  (3)  tax  deductible,  religious,  non-profit  organization. 

The  approval  was  retro- active  to  February  10,  1983. 
Therefore,  all  those  who  made  a gift  or  contribution  to  the 
Presbytenan  Congress  since  February  10,  1983,  are  eligible 
to  claim  those  gifts  or  contributions  as  a deductible  item  on 
their  1983  tax  return. 


How  about  housing? 

The  May-June  Newsletter  will  be  an  enlarged  edition  carrying 
full  forms  and  instructions  regarding  all  the  details  you  want 
and  need  to  know  concerning  housing  — hotels,  location, 
prices,  etc,  scholarship  application  forms,  transportation 
details,  etc,  etc.  Some  key  information  is  shared  for  now  in 
other  parts  of  this  issue. 


What  about  the  workshops? 

Over  150  workshops,  and  seminars — their  subject  matter  - 
leaders,  etc,  will  be  featured  in  the  May-June  Newsletter  with 
forms  to  pre- register  for  your  choice.  A truly  exciting  wealth 
of  possibilities  has  now  been  decided  and  an  excellent  group 
of  leaders  are  currently  being  contacted  to  commit  to  lead. 


Partners  in  Purpose 

Contributions  continue  to  be  urgently  needed  Our  purpose  is  Christ  centered  and 
God  glorifying.  We  increasingly  sense  the  Holy  Spirits’  power  at  work  and  sincerely  believe 
this  Congress  will  impact  lives  and  Congregations  in  our  church  with  historic  significance  as 
one  of  God’s  special  times  of  revival.  A scholarship  is  $350.  Registrations  are  $40.  until  May 
1st  With  all  the  commitment  we  have  and  the  expectations  and  enthusiasm  spreading 
joyfully  across  our  Church,  we  still  need  you  and  your  contributioa  With  very  special 
thanks  to  so  many  of  you  who  have  already  become  a Partner  in  Purpose  for  the  cause  of 
Christ  and  the  Renewal  of  His  Church.  Please  continue  to  pray  with  and  for  us  and 
contribute  as  God  gives  you  ability  to  do  so. 


All  Things  New 

Presbyterian  Congress 
on  Renewal 


Dr.  Ernest  J.  Lewis,  Executive  Director 


Wrap-Up  Issue.  “All  Things  New”  Newsletter  Spring  1985 


Dallas,  Texas,  January  7-10,  1985 


QUOTES  FROM  THE  CONGRESS 


Menlo  Park,  California 


“Wrap  Up  From  The  Director” 


How  do  you  describe  a “happening”?!  A happy  “HAPPENING”  it  was! 
We  can  now  report  some  factual  data  concerning  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on 
Renewal,  January  7-10,  1985  in  this  our  last  "wrap-up"  issue.  We  averaged  7000  in 
attendance,  with  just  under  6000  paid  registrants.  232  workshops  were  offered 
with  over  Va  of  the  registrants  taking  the  maximum  of  9 opportunities.  All  50  states 
were  represented  and  9 foreign  countries.  $135,000  was  spent  on  scholarships. 

Both  the  leadership  and  the  workshops  represented  a breadth  and  depth 
seldom  seen.  Many  have  observed  that  this  event  may  well  have  involved  the 
broadest  array  of  Christian  talent  and  expertise  ever  assembled.  The  workshop 
range  covered  personal  piety  to  hunger  and  social  righteousness  - from  poverty  to 
preaching  - from  Biblical  theology  and  study  to  burnout  - from  marriage  and 
family  crisis  to  mission  - from  evangelism  to  ecology  - from  personal  pain  to 
peace,  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 

The  worship  was  glorious  and  Spirit-filled,  though  many  have  commented 
the  services  should  have  been  shorter,  at  times  less  formal,  and  that  more  free  time 
for  prayer  and  fellowship  should  have  been  built  in.  Most  of  us  missed  more 
minorities  present  and  acknowledge  that  although  we  accomplished  a direction, 
much  more  can  and  must  be  done. 


As  Director,  I would  summarize  two  significant  observations  I make  after  nearly  V/i  years  of  working  towards  the 
Congress  and  the  event  itself.  The  first  is  that  the  Congress  was  a statement.  It  revealed  at  least  two  very  important  facts 
thar  can  only  be  ignored  at  our  peril. 

1.  There  is  a great,  deep  spiritual  hunger  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  spiritual  formation  and  growth 
based  on  Biblical  study  and  preaching  and  empowered  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  This,  simply  put,  must  be 
the  foundation  from  which  our  obedience  to  God  in  the  area  of  social  righteousness  will  be  instructed 
and  motivated. 


2.  The  Congress  demonstrated  dramatically  the  awesome  quality  of  leadership  that  exists  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  U.S.A.  in  both  laity  and  clergy  that  simply  must  be  utilized  in  the  emerging  church. 

The  Congress  “showcased”  what  and  who  we  are  and  pointed  a direction.  Both  worship  and  workshops  proclaimed 
a saving,  loving,  empowering  God  who  desires  unity  in  Mission  in  every  area  of  human  need  and  in  every  place  on  earth. 

All  those  who  worked  on  the  Congress  recognized  repeatedly  the  continuing  need  for  repentance  and  prayer. 
We  also  recognized  the  power  potential  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  heal  and  shape  us  all  into  the  Likeness  and  the  Mission 
of  our  Lord.  It  was  designed  and  lovingly  given  as  a gift  to  the  whole  Church.  The  Congress  and  its  results  now  belong 
to  you  and  to  Him. 


Warmly  in  Christ, 


Ernie  Lewis 


WHAT  HAPPENS  NOW?! 

ORGANIZATIONALLY  SPEAKING,  the  Congress  is  over.  The  National  Steering  Committee  has  already 
referred  all  necessary  concluding  matters  to  the  Executive  Committee.  Though  the  Congress  will  officially  close  its  office 
June  30,  1985,  all  records  and  results  will  he  in  safekeeping  for  what  God  will  reveal  as  to  the  future.  There  has  already 
been  a strong  call  for  a follow-up.  Many  would  like  to  see  a repeated  event  every  three  years,  such  as  the  Urbana, 
Illinois  Missionary  Conference  of  Inter-Varsity. 

SPIRITUALLY  SPEAKING,  the  Holy  Spirit’s  work  will  go  on.  Lives  have  been  changed  - thousands  of  them  - 
and  they  are  influencing  thousands  more.  God’s  renewing  work  is  a reality  that  transcends  time  and  has  been  at  work 
since  Eden.  It  will  only  be  fully  known  in  eternity.  What  happened  in  Dallas  through  the  Congress  on  Renewal  was  but 
a very  small  touch  of  joy  and  hope  and  vision  of  both  what  we  are  as  a Presbyterian  family  and  more  - what  we  can  be  in 
Christ  - one  family  - diverse  in  so  many  ways,  but  one  which  at  its  heart  loves  its  Lord  and  His  Word  and  needs  desperately 
to  be  better  recipients  of  His  power  and  gifts  and  more  responsible  stewards  of  His  grace  in  a very  real  and  very  broken 
and  needy  world. 


Quotations  Continued 


Kokomo,  Indiana  . . . 

I intentionally  went  to  Dallas  with  an  open  heart  and  mind 
for  the  Spirit  of  God  to  lead  wherever  he  wished  to  take  me. 
I found  myself  being  refreshed  daily  and  1 believe  that  the 
Congress  will  have  a lasting  effect  on  our  denomination. 

Sevvickley,  Pennsylvania  . . . 

After  12  years  of  serving  as  an  ordained  pastor  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  USA,  I finally  discovered  The  Church 
that  I had  hoped  I belonged  to.  Last  week’s  Congress  on 
Renewal  was  inspiring,  uplifting  and  life-changing  for 
thousands  of  people.  Speaking  personally,  1 have  needed  that 
kind  of  “ spiritual  shot”  in  the  arm  for  a long  time  now. 

New  York,  New  York  . . . 

What  a thrill  it  was  to  be  a partner  in  the  Congress  on 
Renewal.  1 wish  you  could  have  heard  the  enthusiastic  report 
given  to  our  large  congregation  by  the  Clerk  of  Session,  who 
was  there  with  me.  John  Howard  Sanden,  the  noted  portrait 
painter  who  was  associated  actively  with  Billy  Graham,  stood 
up  and  reported  about  the  Congress  to  our  congregation 
with  great  enthusiasm.  As  a result,  the  congregation  burst 
into  applause. 

. . . North  Carolina  . . . 

This  is  a letter  from  a pastor  who  was  about  to  leave  our 
denomination  already  burned  out  on  anger  at  thirty  years  old. 
This  is  a letter  from  a pastor  who  is  so  convinced  that  God  is  at 
work  that  he  no  longer  has  any  plans  to  be  a part  of  any 
other  denomination.  Your  vision  has  made  that  possible. 
Words  could  never  express  my  thankfulness  for  you  and  the 
other  men  of  God  who  had  the  vision  and  the  guts  and  the 
untiring  spirit  to  give  to  our  church  the  Presbyterian  Congress 
on  Renewal. 


San  Antonio,  Texas  . . . 

Over  the  past  several  weeks  I have  had  several  occasions 
to  be  with  synod  executives  and  agency  heads  for  some 
reporting  times.  I have  been  gratified  to  find  a very  positive 
feeling  about  the  Dallas  experience  from  almost  everyone  with 
whom  1 have  spoken.  The  question  that  is  now  before  all  of  us 
is  how  we  can  help  to  keep  the  spirit  and  enthusiasm  that 
was  evidenced  in  Dallas  at  such  a point  that  it  will  prove  a 
healing,  renewing  and  strengthening  of  all  of  us  in  our 
endeavors  to  serve  Christ  and  to  witness  together  to  God's 
grace  and  glory. 

Ocean  City,  New  Jersey  . . . 

The  Congress  was  a challenging  and  life-changing  experience 
for  me.  Before  I arrived  in  Dallas  1 had  seriously  entertained 
leaving  the  denomination.  When  the  week  was  over  I knew 
l was  in  the  PCUSA  for  the  duration. 

Pascagoula,  Mississippi  . . . 

I give  thanks  to  God  for  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal. 
It  was  a time  of  great  spiritual  enrichment  for  almost  all  of  us 
who  attended,  l am  certain.  1 do  pray  that  the  fruit  for  your 
labors  is  rewarding  for  you.  I write  now  to  encourage  you  to 
lead  the  Executive  Committee  to  have  another  congress 
like  this  one  in  about  two  more  years. 

Hayward,  California  . . . 

We  were  all  moved  and  inspired  by  the  music,  plenary 
and  Bible  study  speakers,  lay  witnessing  and  prayer  during 
the  worship  services  each  morning  and  evening.  It  was  truly 
a beautiful  sight  and  sound  to  see  and  hear  6000  Christians 
praising  God.  I think  we  all  amazed  ourselves  to  find  that 
we  could  sit  through  2-2Vz  hour  services  and  wish  they  could 
go  on  longer!  We  are  grateful  for  the  valuable  information 
and  spiritual  growth  received  from  the  seminar  sessions. 
Having  speakers  share  their  ideas,  opinions  and  experiences 
made  us  all  aware  of  the  importance  of  being  personally 
involved  in  our  areas  of  ministry. 


Urgent  Call  For  Your  Help 

This  will  be  our  last  mailing.  The  impact  of  the 
Congress  is  proving  to  be  overwhelmingly  spiritually 
significant  in  the  life  of  our  Presbyterian  Church.  Two 
Synods  and  five  Presbyteries  have  already  contacted  us 
for  planning  a regional  follow-up  and  hundreds  of  letters 
of  encouragement  have  come. 

The  Congress  is  continuing  its  incorporated  status 
and  reorganizing  a national  Executive  Committee  of  5 
to  be  in  place  to  follow  God’s  leading  as  to  the  future. 

Now  we  need  your  help  to  responsibly  close 
this  chapter  of  our  “Adventure  In  Faith.”  We  need 
approximately  $90,000  to  pay  all  remaining  bills, 
including  the  office,  staff,  mailing,  etc.  through  the  closing 
of  the  office  June  30,  1985.  All  records,  etc.  will  be  in 
the  safekeeping  of  the  Highland  Park  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Dallas. 

Will  you  please  give  whatever  you  can  to  help? 

So  many  of  you  have  been  so  much  a partner  with  us  in 
prayer  and  giving  already.  We  especially  need  your  prayers 
and  support  in  order  that  our  witness  be  clear  and 
complete  as  we  close  this  chapter  of  God’s  Renewal 
through  the  Congress. 

Any  monies  received  over  and  above  expenses 
will  be  used  to  extend  the  influence  of  the  Congress  and 
to  make  plans  for  a possible  follow-up  in  the  future. 


Presbyterian  Congress 

On  Renewal 

BALANCE  SHEET 

February  28,  1985 

ASSETS 

Bank  Balance 

$ 32.851.48 

Outstanding  Pledges 

51.682.00 

Total  Assets 

$ 84.533.48 

LIABILITIES  AND  FUND  BALANCE 

Accounts  Payable 

$ 78.406.62 

Loans  Payable  — Interfirst  Bank 

50.000.000 

Total  Liabilities 

$128,406.62 

Fund  Balance 

-43.873.14 

Total  Liabilities  and  Fund  Balance 

$ 84,533  48 

FUNDS  ANALYSIS 

Budget  Deficit 

$ 43.873.14 

Office  Expense  (March  1 thru  June  30) 

49.453.00 

Total  Funds  Needed 

$ 93.326.14 

Resources  Available 


>=<>OOOOCCCCCOOOMCOCOCCCCCOCCOOCCCOCCCJJ 

36  COLOR  SLIDES  - $1 5.00  set  - Postpaid 
SEND  CHECK  AND  ORDER  TO. 


The  Reverend  Ron  Rice 
First  Presbyterian  Church 
501  W.  Pine  Street 
Centralia,  WA  98531 

CCOOOOCOCOCOOOPOOOOOOOOPOCOOOOCOi 


We  have  just  reviewed  the  30-minute  video  cassette 
on  the  Congress  and  it  is  terrific!  You  can  order  either 
Beta  or  VHS.  Please  note  the  instructions  for  ordering. 

VIDEO  - either  Beta  or  VHS  - 29  minutes 

$59.50  - Postpaid 

SEND  CHECK  AND  ORDER  TO: 

Burt  Martin  Associates,  Inc. 

P.O.  Box  6337 
Burbank,  CA  91510 


— 16  MM 


FILM  - in  Process  — 


For  further  information,  write: 


Burt  Martin  Associates,  Inc. 
P.O.  Box  6337 
Burbank,  CA  91520 


Aia  AvaKaivd)cr8(b(;  IIv£[i|LiaTO<; 

Dia  Ai\akainpseos  Pt\eun\atos 

^rougl^^e  cHeqewing  of  Spirit 


oA  WoY^hip  ^BooJ^ 

for 

cF(er(ewal 


Is.  11:1 


cPtesbyteriai\  Congress  oiyT^enewal 
Jaquary  7 through  10, 1985 
The  oAteT\a 

Dallas  Coiyveqtioiy  Cer\ter 
Dallas,  Te^s 


. Id  , /^5if 


oA  Qatl\ering  for  5N(urturing 

Thursday,  January  10,  1985 
Eight-thirty  o’clock  ii\,tl\e  morqing. 

We  Qather  ii\  c/4i\ticipatioi\ 


The  Introit 

"Come  Holy  Ghost,  Our  Souls  Inspire” 

The  Voluntary  for  Meditation 

“Adagio  on  Veni  Creator  Spiritus” 

The  Pentecost  Experience 

“Monologue  from  Act5” 

James  Cuva,  Peter 

“Listen  to  the  Rustle  of  A Mighty  Wind”  (Acts) 

Revelation 


The  Men  of  the  Congress  Choir 
Veni  Creator 

The  Organist 
Maurice  Durufld 


Ragan  Courtney  /Buryi  Red 
Buryi  Red 


cIl\,e  Spirit  of  Ttaise 


The  Apostolic  Greeting  and  Scripture  Sentences 

Response:  Con\e  ‘Tfoly  Spirit. 

*The  Hymn  of  Praise  to  the  Spirit 

‘ ‘See  Hoiv  Great  a Flame  Aspires ' ’ Arfon  (Major) 


See  How  Great  A Flame  Aspires 


ARFON  (MAJOR)  77.77.D. 
Wel*h  Hymn  Melody 

Charlu  Wesisv.  1707-1788  Harm,  by  C.  R Y 


1.  See  how  great  a flame  as  - pires,  Kin -died  by  a spark  of  grace! 

2.  When  he  first  ' the  work  be  - gun.  Small  and  fee  - ble  was  his  day. 

3.  Sons  of  God  your  Sav-ior  praise,  He  the  door  hath  o-pened wide; 

4.  Saw  ye  not  the  cloud  a - rise,  Lit  - lie  as  a hu-man  hand? 


Je 

No 

He 

No 

r r 

■ sus'  love  the  n 
w the  Word  doth  sw 
hath  given  the  wc 
w it  spreads  a * lo 

a - lions  fires,  S 
ift-ly  run;  N 
>rd  of  grace; 
ng  the  skies,  Ha 

— .-,J 

ets  the  kingdoms 
ow  it  wins  its 
Je  - sus’  word  is 
ngs  o'er  all  the  t 

r r 

t r 3 

on  a blaze. 
vid*ening  way; 
flo  - ri  - tied, 
lirst-y  land; 

\r~r  g 

36 


J 


^ 1 — 1 

To  bring  fire  c 
More  and  more 
Jc  - sus  might  - 
Lo!  the  prom-i 

m m 

cr 

n e 

t spt 

y 

se 

m. 

irth  he  ca 
eadsandgi 
to  re  - dt 
of  a sh 

► 

me;  1< 

ows, 

em, 

ower  D 
a 

Cn 

Lin  - dl 
Ev  - e 
He 

rops  a 
ft- 

ed 

r m 
- Ic 
1 - n 

m. 

n so 
ght  - 
ne  t 
ea-  ( 

fL 

me  h 

y 

he  w 

y f 

1 '==m — 1 

earn  it  is: 
to  pre  - vail ; 
ork  hath  wrought; 
rom  a - bove; 

- - r 

9 

• # 

• — 

O that  all  might  catch  the  dame.  All  par-take  the  glo-rious  bliss! 

Sin’s  strong-holds  it  now  o’erthrows.  Shakes  the  irem-bling  gates  of  hell. 

Wor-thy  is  the  work  of  him.  Him  who  spake  a world  from  naught. 

But  the  Lord  will  short-ly  pour  All  the  spir-  it  of  his  love.  A-men. 


Harm,  copyright  © 1964  by  Abingdon  Press.  Reproduced  by  permission. 


The  Opening  Prayer 


The  Spirit  of  Sharing 


The  Scripture  Reading 
The  Bible  Study 

“The  Spirit  Renewing  the  Body  of  Christ” 
*The  Affirmation 
*The  Praise  of  t he  Holy  Spirit 


John  14:25, 26;  15:26, 27 
John  16:7-15,  17:16-23 

Dr.  Melicent  Huneycutt 


Led  by  Revelation 


Rain  Song 


37 


Where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Is 


Hfr-  kj-. 

r+ 

r-* 

INTERLUDE 

# 

— J e 

— fra 

— i 

— # — e • 

M 

— # 



Where  the  Spir  - it  of  the  Lord  is, 


there  is 


peace;  Where  the  Spir  - it  of  the  Lord  is, 


there  is  love.  There  is 


com  - fort  in  life’s  dark  - est  ho  - ur,  there  is  light  and  life,  there  is 


help  and  pow-er  in  the  Spir  - it,  in  the  Spir  - it 

When  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Moves 


• 1973,  1983  Sieve  Adams  Music  / ASCAP 
International  Copyrights  Secured  All  Rights  Reserved 


Lord. 


38 


J 


— fn — 

^-I  — . — j — 

k 

J'1  J i- 

—f — t r r 

1 — 

sing,  I will 

jp.  (pray) 

sing  as  Da  - vid 
(pray) 

— 1 — LJ— 

sang.  I will 

prayed). 

u y-i 

sing,  I will 

(pray) 

sing,  I will 

(pray) 

sing  as  Da  - vid 
(pray) 

sang. 

(prayed). 

INTERLUDE 

Spirit  of  the  Living  God 


39 


Come  To  Us,  Mighty  King 

Anonymous  Italian  Hymn  Felice  de  Giardini 


h* 

- Li j 

i-i «U Mi 

i i i 

Kk 3 \ m a i 

» w 

c# 

from  us  part, 

ter  ni  - ty 

_ Ml ^ * 

ty~- 

Spir  - it  of  power. 

Love  and  a - dore. 

t /-  ♦ 

i vjl 

l: m y 

rr- 

)•* 

t 

/ 

k! ! 

^ r 

Music  copyright  1972  by  the  Westminster  Press;  from  The  Worshipbook  — Services  and  Hymns  Used  by  permission 


The  Spirit  ofTfayef- 

The  Call  to  Prayer  The  Congress  Choir 

“Come  Gentle  Spirit,  Come  ” Marion  Wood  Chaplin 

Come,  gentle  Spirit,  come; 

I have  need  of  thy  healing  grace. 

Come,  make  me  pure  within;  all  my  sins  erase. 

Let  them,  like  bonds  set  free, 
nevermore  my  captors  be. 

Humbly  to  thee  I bow; 

Come,  gentle  Spirit,  now. 


40 


L 


j 


r 


Come,  gentle  Jesus,  come, 

I have  need  of  thy  perfect  peace. 

May  calm  repose  begin,  all  my  fears  release; 
Let  them  on  wings  take  flight, 
nevermore  to  cloud  my  sight. 

Not  only  for  this  day 
Come,  gentle  Jesus,  stay. 

(Mahon  Wood  Chaplin) 

The  Prayers  of  the  Morning 

The  Lord’s  Prayer  (sung) 


cft\e  Spirit  of  SMissioi\ 


The  Old  Testament  Lesson 

The  Anthem 

“Come,  Gracious  Spirit ” 

Come,  gracious  Spirit,  heavenly  Dove, 

With  light  and  comfort  from  above; 

Be  thou  our  guardian,  thou  our  guide, 

O’er  every  thought  and  step  preside. 

The  light  of  truth  to  us  display, 

And  make  us  know  and  choose  thy  way; 

Plant  holy  fear  in  every  heart, 

That  we  from  God  may  ne’er  depart. 

Lead  us  to  Christ  the  living  way, 

Nor  let  us  from  his  pastures  stray; 

Lead  us  to  holiness,  the  road  that  we  must  take 
to  dwell  with  God. 

Lead  us  to  heav’n,  that  we  may  share 
A fuller  joy  forever  there; 

Lead  us  to  God  our  final  rest, 

To  be  with  him  forever  blest. 

The  New  Testament  Lessons 

The  Proclamation 

“Power  for  Mission  Renewal” 

*The  Affirmation 

‘ 'The  Spirit  of  the  Lord 


Psalm  46 

The  Congress  Choir 
Dale  Wood 


Acts  13:  M 
Acts^  1:6-11 

The  Reverend  Dr.  Sam  Moffet 


Carlton  Young 


41 


Luke  4:18,  19 


The  Spirit  of  the  Lord 

Congregational  Antiphon 


Carlton  Young 


ANTIPHON 
All  sing  twice  (in  D major),  as  above 


© 1981  by  Hop«  Publishing  Company.  Carol  Stream.  Illlnoli  60187 
£ ImarnadonalCopyilBhlSacuiad  All  Righo  Ru«rv«d 

ThU  paga  may  ba  raproducad  for  con^agalkMial  uaa. 

*The  Benediction 

The  Closing  Voluntary  The  Organist 

"Toccata  in  Seven"  John  Rutter 

(The  congregation  is  asked  to  remain  in  place  for  the  closing  voluntary  as  it  is  the  final  "Alleluia"  to  our  celebration  of  worship.) 

*The  Dismissal 

Leader:  Go  in  peace  to  love  and  serve  the  Lord! 

“People:  be  to  Qod! 


42 


An  Improbable  Model 
John  11:11-16,  14:1-5,  20:24-29 

Today  belongs  to  the  Class  of  1985.  Your  program  says  this  is 
the  173rd  Annual  Commencement.  That's  true.  But  in  fact  the  tradition 
goes  back  farther  than  that,  back  to  before  the  college  and  seminary 
were  separated,  as  the  figure  of  John  Witherspoon  up  there  in  the 
stained  glass  window  on  my  left  reminds  us.  He's  in  the  lower  corner, 
black  gown  and  white  Geneva  tabs.  It  was  as  president  of  the  college 
that  Witherspoon  signed  my  great-great-grandfather's  diploma  in  the 
class  of  1774  and  sent  him  out  into  the  ministry  211  years  ago.  The 
next  year,  1775,  Witherspoon's  baccalaureate  address  was  so  good,  he 
thought,  that  he  repeated  the  same  address  for  the  next  ten  graduations 
running,  accord-  ing  to  his  biographer.  Every  ministry  has  its  flaws. 
The  next  year,  1776,  he  redeemed  himself.  He  became  the  only  member  of 
the  clergy  to  sign  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 


\ 


But  you  will  need  something  more  than  the  Princeton  tradition 
to  sustain  you  in  your  ministry,  and  John  Witherspoon  is  not  my  subject. 
I'm  afraid  I've  made  a reckless  move,  and  picked  an  unusually  improbable 
model  for  ministry  to  propose  to  you.  I've  chosen  the  Apostle  Thomas, 
and  Thomas  is  a little  hard  to  defend  as  a model  of  anything — except 
perhaps  doubt,  or  pessimism  or  dissent,  and,  if  an  older  tradition  than 
ours  can  be  believed,  of  foot  dragging  and  embezzlement.  So  why  Thomas? 
Why  not  John?  So  much  more  pious.  Or  Peter  the  Rock?  Or  Andrew  the 
evangelist?  Or  James  the  letter-writer,  who  may  not  have  been  an 
apostle  but  who  could  be  a great  model  for  praxis  ministry. 

Why  St.  Thomas?  Thomas  is  about  as  unlikely  an  example  of 
sainthood  as  the  Bible  gives  us.  Perhaps  that  is  why  three  of  the 
gospel  writers,  Matthew,  Mark  and  Luke,  tell  us  nothing  about  him  but 
his  name,  as  if  they  thought  it  better  to  maintain  a discreet  silence 
about  this  unpredictable  colleague  of  theirs  who  was  anything  but  a 
blameless  pattern  for  devout  Christians. 


Only  John  dares  to  tell  it  like  it  is.  Take  the  day  Jesus 
decided  to  go  back  into  Judaea  because  his  friend  Lazarus  was  sick. 

John  says  the  disciples  begged  him  not  to  go.  He  would  be  killed.  But 
Jesus  insisted.  You'd  think  that  then  they  would  lay  aside  their  fears 
and  follow  him  gladly?  Real  disciples  are  supposed  to  bubble  over  with 
courage  and  confidence  and  commitment.  Like  Paul,  "If  God  be  for  us, 
who  can  be  against  us!"  But  not  Thomas.  He  sees  his  Lord  heading  for 
certain  death  and  thinks  to  himself,  this  is  the  end.  "All  right,  let's 
all  go  and  die  with  him",  he  says.  (Jn.  11).  The  complete  pessimist. 

Another  time,  Jesus  is  talking  with  his  disciples:  "In  my 

father's  house  are  many  mansions...  I go  to  prepare  a place  for  you..- 
and  where  I go  ye  know  and  the  way  you  know".  Those  are  among 
the  most  beautiful  words  in  the  whole  Bible.  We  read  them  at  funerals. 
They're  sacred.  But  not  to  Thomas.  Nothing  is  sacred  to  that  unrecon- 
structed rebel.  He  rudely  interrupts  the  sermon;  flatly  contradicts  the 
master  to  his  face.  "We  do  not  know  where  you  are  going.  How  can  we 
know  the  way?."  (Jn.  14)  Why  did  Jesus  -pick  him  as  a minister?  What 
happened  to  the  screening  process?  The  dossiers? 

Well,  I have  some  things^to  suggest  you  might  remember  y 

about  Thomas  as  you  enter  your  own  ministry-some  lessons  he  learned 
that  made  him  fit  at  last  to  be  called  a minister  and  apostle  of  Jesus 
Christ. 


I.  Belief.  /Hv*w 

The  first  lesson  belief.  His  ministry  was  paralyzed  until 
he  learned  to  believe.  In  the  school  of  the  apostles,  i-n-  senwrary  as  i-fe 
were,  Thomas  was  a doubter.  You  know  the  story.  "Unless  I see  in  his 
hands  the  print  of  the  nails,  ...and  place  my  hands  in  his  side,  I will 
not  believe."  (Jn.  20:25).  His  ministry  was  big  enough  for  a human 
Jesus,  but  too  small  for  a Risen  Lord.  Yet  it  is  basic  to  the  gospel  in 
the  New  Testament  that  the  good  news  without  the  resurrection  is  no  good 
news  at  all. 


3 


We  are  all  of  us  at  times,  I think,  followers  of  Thomas  the 
doubter.  Doubts  come  and  doubts  will  go.  We  need  not  be  ashamed  of 
them.  Doubt  is  not  the  opposite  of  faith.  The  opposite  of  faith  is 
rejection,  which  is  very  different.  In  fact,  as  many  have  pointed  out, 
doubt  can  lead  an  honest  doubter  to  the  truth.  That  is  precisely  how 
Jesus  used  Thomas's  doubt.  We  need  not  hide  our  doubts.  But  neither 
should  we  glamourize  them.  Academic  circles  tend  to  idealize  doubt  as  a 
sign  of  intellectual  maturity.  It  is  not.  Held  too  long  in  the  Christ- 
ian life  doubt  is  more  often  a mark  of  spiritual  impotence. 

It  was  not  doubt  that  finally  made  Thomas  an  apostle.  It  was 
faith,  a faith  founded  on  the  stunning  discovery  that  it  was  reasonable 
to  believe.  ,He  broke  through  out  of  the  tight,  paralyzing  world  of  his 
very  human  doubts  into  God's  real,  large  world  of  faith  and  resurrection 
power.  He  broke  through  rather  clumsily,  by  touch.  Jesus  himself  said 
there  are  better  ways.  Christian  faith  is  reasonable,  but  it  comes  more 
naturally  by  trust  and  r£££eo,  than  by  doubt  and  touch.  But  Thomas 
needed  the  touch,  and  the  turning  point  in  his  life  was  when  he  saw  in 
the  body  of  the  Risen  Lord  the  marks  of  the  suffering  Jesus  he  thought 
he  had  lost.  "My  Lord  and  my  God".  It  was  a cry  of  confession  that 
changed  more  than  his  ministry.  It  changed  Thomas. 


II.  Obedience. 

But  not  everything  changed.  According  to  the  legend,  Thomas 
hadn't  changed  enough.  He  believed,  but  he  was  not  yet  ready  to  obey.  (W  bl.cj 
What  we  know  about  him  in  this  respect  traces  back  to  a delightfully  °ry[  l'  ' 

apocryphal  but  very  ancient  document  called  The  Acts  of  Thomas.  As  ; * 

history  it  is  painfully  unreliable.  I have  used  it  in  classes,  but  t-t*  cUM  IT, 

always  with  a warning  about  the  difference  between  history  and  tradi- 
tion.  This  is  tradition,  a story  from  the  early  church  of  the  east, 
about  200  AD  perhaps.  It's  full  of  fantasy,  yet  is  remarkably  faithful 
in  its  picture  of  Thomas's  character,  to  what  we  know  of  him  in  the  New 
Testament.  Besides,  ancient  traditions  often  contain  kernels  of  truth, 
even  more  history  sometimes,  than  we  can  presently  prove. 


Anyway , the  Acts  of  Thomas  opens  with  the  eleven  disciples 
trying  to  decide  how  to  obey  the  Lord's  last  command,  "Go  ye  into  all 
the  world  and  preach  the  gospel."  Sensibly,  they  began  by  dividing  up 
the  world  into  eleven  parts,  one  for  each  disciple,  and  then,  as  their 
custom  was,  they  cast  lots  for  the  assignments.  India  fell  to  Thomas. 
And  Thomas  said  (if  you  will  allow  me  to  paraphrase),  "I  won't  go..  I 
can't  travel  that  far."  Then,  thinking  of  a better  excuse,  he  added. 
Besides,  I don't  speak  Indian."  Thomas  had  found  he  could  iwist *Jesus, 
but  he  was  not  yet  ready  to  follow  him.  He  was  still  Thomas,  and  a 
large  part  of  the  old  Thomas  was  still  in  him. 

Even  when  the  Lord  appeared  to  him  in  a vision,  and  said, 
according  to  the  legend,  "Go  to  India,  Thomas,  for  my  grace  is  with 
you  , Thomas  dug  in  his  heels  and  said,  "Anywhere  else,  Lord,  but  I'm 
not  going  to  India." 


No  India  for  Thomas.  But  the  point  is  not  really  India.  The 
point  is  obedience.  If  the  call  had  been  to  stay  and  preach  in  Jeru- 
salem, and  Thomas  had  insisted  on  going  to  India,  the  lesson  would  have 
been  the  same.  "Faith  without  works  is  dead,"  and  in  tll'nnftstry  the 
first  work  requirement  of  a disciple  is  the  discipline  of  obedience. 

"If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandments."  (John  14:15). 


But  stubborn  Thomas  wouldn't  obey.  Even  when  as  a last  resort 
and  as  the  only  way  to  get  him  to  go  to  India,  he  was  sold  as  a slave— 
a slave  and  a carpenter  for  an  Indian  King  named  Gundaphar,  so  the  story 
goes-  he  brooded  rebelliously  and  wrestled  in  his  soul  all  night,  until 
he  found  peace,  not  so  much  as  a slave  of  Gundaphar,  but  as  a slave  of 
Christ,  and  so  the  servant  of  everyone.  Then  at  last  he  was  able  to 
say,  "Not  my  will  but  Thine  be  done".  It  was  a hard  way  to  learn 
obedience,  and  it  was  only  as  a very  reluctant  volunteer  that  he  went 
without  triumph  into  his  ministry,  a slave. 

'tWyl  tUw\A  -fe  HAJUjvJy  IWyk  tT  o\c^u  ' “tUv 

Strangely  enough,  it  is  often  the^most  reluctant  disciples  who 
make  the  best  tffSTOs . the  decision,  but  once 

n <7  iv.  _ 


t^t'f  to*  IviJJ  I fcf  'flu*? 

bi  ft/ 

d U/ 

X lt/CAw  'T . 


they  decide  to  follow,  they  obey.  If  it  is  to  be  India,  that's  it.  If 
closer  to  home,  that  is  all  right  too. 

These  days  I find  some  of  the  nearer  places  almost  as 
untouched  by  Christian  faith  as  the  traditional  "unreached  fields".  In 
a talk  here  in  Princeton  a few  weeks  ago  George  Gallup  mentioned  some 
surprising  facts  that  had  turned  up  in  one  of  his  polls  on  religion  in 
America.  "8  in  10  [Americans]  say  they  are  Christians  but  only  half 
that  number  know  who  delivered  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount.  Most  Americans 
think  the  Ten  Commandments  are  valid  rules  for  living,  but  many  have  a 
tough  time  recalling  exactly  what  those  rules  are.  And  for  [American] 
teenagers,  of  the  greatest  persons  in  history,  Jesus  ranks  [a  poor], 
fifth!" 


We  talk  about  a revival  of  religion  in  America  but  the  statis- 
tics tell  a different  story.  North  America  and  Europe  were  more  Christ- 
ian in  your  grandparent's  day  than  ours.  Since  1900,  says  the  World 
Christian  Encyclopedia,  "massive  defections  from  Christianity",  of 
secularists  in  Western  Europe,  communists  in  Russia  and  Eastern  Europe, 
and  materialists  in  the  Americas,  have  made  the  fastest  growing  religion 
in  the  west  not  Christianity,  and  not  one  of  the  other  great  world 
religions,  but  no  religion.  Professed  non-religion  in  America  is 
growing  6£  times  faster  than  Christianity;  in  Europe  12  times  faster. 
"Every  year  some  2,765,000  church  attenders  in  Europe  and  North  America 
cease  to  be  practising  Christians..,  an  average  loss  of  7,600  every 
day."  (pp.  3,  7,  783  f.)  Suddenly  America  is  a mission  field.  It  has 
been  all  along,  of  course,  and  we  were  wise  enough  once  to  have  a Board 
of  National  Missions  which  could  remind  us  of  that  fact. 

Some  years  ago  I was  thrown  into  an  international  working 
group  on  "The  Missionary  Obligation  of  the  Church".  It  was  an  unset- 
tling experience.  I was  a missionary  in  Korea  then,  and  what  the  other 
members  of  the  group  wanted  to  know  was  why  I should  be  labelled  a 
missionary  and  not  the  man  sitting  next  to  me  who  happened  to  be  a 
Christian  and  a professor  in  a state  university,  as  if  by  not  going  to 
Tibet  he  had  somehow  miserably  failed  to  answer  God's  call.  They 


needled  me  with  remarks  like  the  saying,  "To  be  a Christian  carpenter  is 
good;  to  be  a Christian  minister  is  holy;  to  be  a foreign  missionary  is 
holier  than  thou." 

Now  I do  not  want  to  abandon  useful  functional  distinctions 
in  Christian  vocation,  such  as  the  difference  between  a lay  ministry  and 
the  ordained  pastorate,  and  between  pastoral  ministry  and  missionary 
outreach.  When  everything  is  called  the  ministry,  and  when  everything 
the  church  does  is  called  mission,  soon  there  are  no  ministers,  and  no 
missionaries.  But  can't  we  admit  that  the  work  group  was  absolutely 
right  in  insisting  that  the  whole  world,  not  just  the  third  world,  is  an 
open  field  for  all  kinds  of  Christian  service.  Where  in  the  world  that 
service  will  be  for  any  individual  is  another  matter.  God  has  a way  of 
making  that  matter  clear  only  after  the  question  of  obedience  is  set- 
tled. Go  where  you  feel  God  wants  you,  and  if  it  is  to  Trenton,  when 
you  wanted  Tibet.,  go  to  Trenton.  You  may  find  it  harder  than  Tibet. 

On  the  other  hand,  there  j_s  more  to  the  world  than  Trenton. 
Some,  like  Thomas  need  to  be  pushed  out  to  "the  uttermost  parts".  In 
sheer,  tragic  mass,  that  is  where  the  greater  weight  of  the  world's  need 
lies—  hunger,  poverty,  oppression,  fear  and  despair,  both  physical  and 
spiritual.  Only  6%  of  the  world's  people  live  in  North  America.  But 
choose  almost  any  category  you  can  think  of— food,  freedom,  factories  or 
access  to  the  good  news  of  the  gospel --and  we  here  in  America  have 
squirreled  away  more  than  our  fair  share.  6%  of  the  world  lives  in 
North  America;  60%  in  Asia.  Three-fifths  of  the  world's  teen- 
agers are  Asian.  That  means  that  three-fifths  of  the  world's  future 
lies  in  Asia.  Most  of  them  still  have  not  heard  an  effective  presenta- 
tion of  the  Christian  faith.  And  most  of  them  live  in  house-holds  with 
a cash  income  of  less  than  $7  a week.  Isn't  there  something  wrong  with 
the  way  we  keep  for  ourselves  most  of  the  good  things  of  life,  both  good 
food,  and  the  good  news  of  the  gospel? 

III.  Common  Sense  and  Compassion. 

So  let  me  add  two  more  ingredients  to  the  mix  that  I hope  will 
make  your  ministry.  One  was  suggested  to  me  by  something  Dr.  Kyung-Chik 


Han  of  Korea  (Class  of  ’29)  said  to  us  yesterday  before  he  was  named 
Distinguished  Alumnus  of  the  year.  We  honored  him  for  the  way  he  built 
a church  of  27  refugees  thirty-eight  years  ago  into  a congregation  today 
of  more  than  60,000.  We  were  asking  him  what  kind  of  qualifications  the 
Korean  church  expected  of  its  elders.  "Oh,"  he  said,  "We  give  them 

examinations:  Bible,  theology,  church  history,  and I think  there 

was  a fourth.."  He  couldn't  remember.  Then  it  came  to  him.  "Oh  yes, 
common  sense."  An  examination  in  common  sense.  Not  a bad  idea  for  the 
ministry. 

But  that's  not  enough.  Add  one  more:  compassion.  To  faith 
and  obedience  and  common  sense,  add  compassion.  The  example  again  is 
from  the  Thomas  tradition,  for  it  was  only  after  he  reached  India, 
according  to  the  legend,  that  Thomas  learned  compassion, and  picked  up  a 
lesson  in  common  senseT]  \\e  -ji#  - vvoi  rb\cdj  % . 


Arriving  as  a carpenter-slave,  he  was  sent  down  country  to 
build  the  king's  palace.  But  as  he  looked  about  he  saw  more  poor 
people  and  more  hungry  people  than  he  had  ever  seen  in  his  life  before. 
He  forgot  the  king's  orders;  ^he  forgot  his  career  ;>e  was  so  moved  with 
distress  at  the  injustice  of  building  a luxury  palace  for  a king  in  the 
midst  of  the  poverty  round  about  him,  that  he  dipped  into  the  construct- 
ion funds  which  he  had  been  given  and  began  to  feed  the  poor.  It  is  a 
beautiful  early  Christian  illustration  of  compassion  and  advocacy  for 
the  poor,  but  why  didn't  he  have  the  common  sense  to  realize  that  steal- 
ing from  the  construction  funds  would  only  get  him  into  trouble?  A 
royal  inspector  came;  the  funds  were  gone;  and  the  palace  had  not  been 
built.  Thomas  was  thrown  into  prison  as  an  embezzler  to  be  executed  in 
the  morning. 


I suppose  I should  finish  the  story,  though  here  the  Acts  of 
Thomas  gets  a little  wild.  That  night,  t^adVtton  says,  the  king's 
brother  died  and  his  soul  was  caught  up  to  the  abode  of  the  dead.  On 
the  way  he  saw  a great  mansion.  "Whose  is  that?"  he  asks  his  escorting 
angels.  "That,"  they  say,  "is  a palace  being  built  in  heaven  for  King 
Gundaphar  by  a slave  named  Thomas."  T.he  prince  is  horrified.  "But  my 


a 


brother  is  going  to  execute  that  slave;  let  me  go  stop  him".  So  the 
angels  allow  him  to  appear  to  the  king  in  a vision,  and  he  tells  him, 
"Don't  kill  the  Jewish  slave.  He  really  is  building  you  a palace,  not 
wooden  one  but  an  eternal  one  in  heaven."  (That,  presumably,  makes  the 
embezzlement  moral).  In  any  case,  Thomas  is  brought  out  of  prison  to 
explain  the  vision,  and  stands  up  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  king.  And 
that  part  of  the  story  ends  happily  and  romantically  with  the  king 
believing  and  all  his  people  with  him. 

But  my  model  is  not  strange  visions,  instant  success,  and 
embezzlement.  I told  you  the  Acts  of  Thomas  was  apocryphal.  The 
ministry  is  not  given  to  be  used  for  achieving  sudden  success  by  dubious 
means.  Even  in  the  tradition  the  story  does  not  end  there;  it  ends  with 
martyrdom. 

You  have  probably  gathered  by  now  that  I don't  want  you  to 
follow  Thomas  in  everything.  We  don't  need  the  Thomas  tradition  as  our 
model  of  faith  and  obedience,  common  sense  and  compassion  in  the  min- 
is try.  We  have  Thomas's  Lord. 

I doubt  if  Mary  Slessor  had  ever  heard  of  the  Acts  of  Thomas. 
But  she  knew  the  Lord,  and  with  good  Scottish  common  sense  she  built  her 
ministry  around  three  simple  propositions:  Only  Christ  saves;  never 

compromise  with  truth;  and  never  withhold  love.  When  she  went  to 
Africa  with  so  bluntly  Christian  a philosophy  she  stirred  things  up 
faster  than  she  had  anticipated.  The  Africans  called  her  "the  tornado"- 
-she  was  red-headed,  strong-willed  and  had  a temper— but  because  they 
knew  she  loved  them,  they  also  called  her  "the  white  African".  "She 
came  to  live  like  an  African,  and  a poor  African  at  that",  wrote  one  of 
her  biographers  (Buchan). 

And  I doubt  that  William  Mackenzie  had  ever  heard  of  the  Acts 
of  Thomas.  But  he  knew  the  Lord.  Mackenzie  was  one  of  the  pioneers  we 
are  celebrating  this  year  as  Korea  observes  its  100th  anniversary  of 
Protestant  missions.  He  went  out  in  1893.  You  might  say  his  story  is 
the  story  of  a failure.  When  he  told  his  fiancee  he  was  going  to  Korea 


she  broke  the  engagement.  But  he  felt  the  Lord  had  told  him  to  go  and 
he  went  anyway.  He  went  out  alone,  far  into  the  country  to  live  in  a 
mud-walled,  straw-roofed  house  with  a Korean  family  in  a little  village 
by  the  sea.  Some  thought  Mackenzie  had  gone  mad.  And  perhaps  they 
were  right,  partly.  The  isolation,  the  steaming  heat,  the  disease  all 
around  him  proved  too  much,  and  one  day,  delirious  with  a fever  and  out 
of  his  head  with  pain,  he  put  a gun  to  his  head  and  shot  himself.  He 
didn't  know  what  he  was  doing.  He  had  been  in  Korea  just  £ year  and  a 
half.  Another  small,  flawed  ministry.  A failure. 

But  when  Mackenzie's  fellow  missionaries  came  to  claim  the 
body  the  villagers  refused  to  let  them  take  it.  He  belongs  to  us^  now, 
they  said.  And  they  buried  him  where  he  belonged  in  their  Christian 
village.  For  years  — I remember  it  myself  as  a boy—those  faithful 
country  people  saw  to  it  that  his  grave  was  kept  spotless.  A failure? 

A small  ministry?  Flawed,  perhaps,  but  there  was  nothing  small  about 
it,  and  it  was  no  failure. 

Class  of  1985,  my  prayer  today  is  that  not  one  of 
you  will  leave  Princeton  for  too  small  a ministry.  Remember  Mackenzie, 
and  Mary  Slessor,  and  Thomas.  But  don't  follow  them.  Follow  their 
Lord.  FoTlow  Jesus  Christ.  And  power  to  you  through  all  the  years 
ahead. 

--Samuel  H.  Moffett 
Princeton,  N.J. 

June  4,  1985 


THE 

PRINCETON 

SEMINARY 

BULLETIN 


An  Improbable  Model  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 

Commencement  Address,  1985 

The  Paradox  of  the  Ministry  Thomas  W.  Gillespie 

Farewell  Remarks  to  the  Class  of  1985 

Eutychus — or  the  Perils  of  Preaching  David  H.  C.  Read 

South  Africa:  Reflections  of  a Visitor  Charles  C.  West 

No  Longer  Strangers:  The  Church  and 

Its  Educational  Ministry  Craig  R.  Dykstra 

Inaugural  Address 


Beyond  Cynicism  and  Credulity: 

On  the  Meaning  of  Christian  Hope  Douglas  John  Hall 

Miller  and  the  Eldership:  A Knickerbocker 

Goes  to  Nassau  Belden  C.  Lane 

Princetoniana 


VOLUME  VI,  NUMBER  3 


/ 


NEW  SERIES  1985 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


Thomas  W,  Gillespie 

James  I.  McCord 

President 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

President  Emeritus 

David  B.  Watermuldcr,  President  Johannes  R.  Krahmer,  Vice-President 

Robert  M.  Adams,  Secretary 
William  E.  Lawder,  Treasurer 

James  F.  Anderson 

Earl  F.  Palmer 

Robert  W.  Bohl 

George  T.  Piercy 

John  H.  Donclik 

William  A.  Pollard 

Peter  E.  B.  Erdman 

Clifford  G.  Pollock 

Rosemary  H.  Evans 

Norman  D.  Pott 

Milton  A.  Galamison 

William  H.  Scheide 

Sarah  B.  Gambrell 

Laird  H.  Simons,  Jr. 

Francisco  O.  Garcia-Treto 

Frederick  B.  Speakman 

Helen  H.  Gemmill 

William  P.  Thompson 

C.  Thomas  Hilton 

Karen  L.  Turner 

J.  Roger  Hull,  Jr. 

Jeffrey  R.  Wampler 

Bryant  M.  Kirkland 

Samuel  G.  Warr 

Henry  Luce  III 

Charles  Wright 

Donald  C.  McFerren 
James  A.  Mitcham,  Jr. 

TRUSTEES  EMERITI 

Ralph  M.  Wyman 

Clem  E.  Bininger 

Harry  G.  Kuch 

J.  Douglas  Brown 

Raymond  I.  Lindquist 

John  Grier  Buchanan 

John  S.  Linen 

Frederick  E.  Christian 

J.  Keith  Louden 

Allan  M.  Frew 

Dale  W.  McMillen,  Jr. 

Margaret  W.  Harmon 

James  M.  Tunnell,  Jr. 

Weir  C.  Ketler 

Irving  A.  West 

The  Princeton  Seminary  Bulletin 


VOL.  VI 


NEW  SERIES  1985  NUMBER  3 


Ronald  C.  White,  Jr.,  Editor  Daniel  L.  Migliore,  Book  Revtew  Editor 

Lynn  S.  Halverson,  Assistant  to  the  Editor 


CONTENTS 


An  Improbable  Model  Samue,  Hugh  Moffm 

Commencement  Address,  1985 

The  Paradox  of  the  Ministry  Thomas  W.  G.lUsp.e 

Farewell  Remarks  to  the  Class  of  198 5 

Eutychus — or  the  Perils  of  Preaching  David  H.  C.  Read 

South  Africa:  Reflections  of  a Visitor  Charles  C.  West 

No  Longer  Strangers:  The  Church  and 

Its  Educational  Ministry  Craig  R.  Dykstra 

Inaugural  Address 


Beyond  Cynicism  and  Credulity: 

On  the  Meaning  of  Christian  Hope  Douglas  John  Hall 

Miller  and  the  Eldership:  A Knickerbocker 

Goes  to  Nassau  Belden  C.  Lane 

Princetoniana 


Sermons 

Princeton  Seminary  and  South  Africa  Daniel  L.  Migliore 

The  Community  of  the  Resurrected  Christ  Marf^  Kline  Taylor 


Book  Reviews 

Review  Article  of  P.  T.  Forsyth— The  Man,  The  Preachers' 
Theologian.  Prophet  for  the  20th  Century,  by  Donald  G.  Miller 
Genesis  1-11:  A Commentary,  by  Claus  Westermann 

Origcn:  The  Bible  and  Philosophy  in  the  Third  Century  Church, 
by  Joseph  W.  Trigg 

The  Church,  by  Wallace  M.  Alston,  Jr. 

Black  and  Reformed:  Apartheid,  Liberation,  and  the  Calvinist 
Tradition,  by  Allan  Boesak 


David  G.  Buttnck, 
J.J.M.  Roberts 

Brian  /.  Kutcher 
Robert  S.  Paul 

Preston  N.  Williams 


*59 

166 

168 

179 

188 

201 
21 1 

225 

228 

23* 

234 

236 

237 

238 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 

Theology  for  a Nuclear  Age,  by  Gordon  D.  Kaufman  Darnel  L.  Migliore 

Worship  Is  A Verb,  by  Robert  E.  Webber  Donald  Macleod 

The  Sacraments  in  Religious  Education  and  Liturgy,  by  Robert  L. 

Browning  and  Roy  A.  Reed 

Abingdon  Funeral  Manual,  by  Perry  H.  Biddle,  Jr. 


D.  Campbell  Wyckpff 
Donald  Macleod 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 

P^bI,shed  three  times  annually  by  the  Theological  Seminary 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey  o8<542. 

Each  issue  is  mailed  free  of  charge  to  all  alumni/ae  and  on  exchange 
basis  with  various  institutions.  Back  issues  are  not  available  g 

Ronald  C.  White,  Jr.  Daniel  L.  Migliore 

Editor  Boo!{  Review  Editor 

Lynn  S.  Halverson 
Assistant  to  the  Editor 

adtLess°rreSP°ndenCe  sh°U,d  be  addressed  to  the  Editor  at  the  following 

* Princeton  Seminary  Bulletin 

CN  821 

Princeton,  NJ  08542 

The  policy  of  the  Bulletin  is  to  publish  lectures  and  sermons  by  Princeton 
eminary  faculty  and  administration,  and  presentations  by  guests  on  the 
Seminary  Campus;  therefore  we  cannot  accept  unsolicited  material. 

Second  Class  postage  pending  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey  08542 


At  this  time  I wish  to  thank  Dr.  J.J.M.  Roberts  for  his  partnership  in 
serving  as  Book  Review  Editor  of  The  Princeton  Seminary  Bulletin  from 
1 983-85.  He  was  always  ready  with  his  own  reviews  in  the  biblical  field, 
and  under  his  leadership  we  have  been  able  to  expand  the  list  of  able 
reviewers. 

It  is  a pleasure  to  announce  that  Dr.  Daniel  L.  Migliore  has  accepted 
the  appointment  to  be  the  new  Book  Review  Editor.  He  has  been  a member 
of  the  faculty  for  more  than  two  decades,  and  together  we  hope  to  expand 
the  range  and  style  of  book  reviews  in  future  issues. 


The  Editor 


An  Improbable  Model 

by  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett 


B°m  in  Pyongyang,  in  what  is  now  North 
Korea,  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett  is  an  alum- 
nus of  Wheaton  College,  Princeton  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  Yale  University.  He 
served  as  a missionary  to  China.  1947-19$!, 
and  to  Korea,  19$$- 198 1 . He  is  presently 
the  Henry  Winters  Luce  Professor  of  Ec- 
umenics  and  Mission  at  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary. 


Commencement  Address,  1985 

Text:  “Let  not  your  hearts  be  troubled:  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me.  In 
my  t other  s house  are  many  rooms;  if  it  were  not  so,  would  I have  told 
you  that  I go  to  prepare  a place  for  you?  And  when  / go  and  prepare  a 
place  for  you,  / will  come  again  and  will  ta\e  you  to  myself,  that  where 
l am  you  may  be  also.  And  you  k now  the  way  where  1 am  going.” 
Thomas  said  to  him,  "Lord,  we  do  not  know  where  you  are  going;  how 
can  we  know  the  way?"  . . . Now  Thomas,  one  of  the  twelve,  called  the 
I win.  was  not  with  them  when  Jesus  came.  So  the  other  disciples  told 
him  H e have  seen  the  Lord. " But  he  said  to  them.  “ Unless  I see  in  his 
hands  the  print  of  the  nails,  and  place  my  finger  in  the  mark  of  the  nails 
and  place  my  hand  in  his  side,  I will  not  believe."  Eight  days  later,  his 
disciples  were  again  in  the  house,  and  Thomas  was  with  them.  The  doors 
were  shut ^ but  Jesus  came  and  stood  among  them,  and  said,  “ Peace  be 
with  you Then  he  said  to  Thomas,  “Put  your  finger  here,  and  see  my 
nnnds,  and  put  out  your  hand,  and  place  it  in  my  side;  do  not  be  faithless 
but  believing.^  Thomas  answered  him,  “My  Lord  and  my  God!"  Jesus 
said  to  him  'Have  you  believed  because  you  have  seen  me?  Blessed  are 
those  who  have  not  seen  and  yet  believe."  (John  11:11-16,  14:, -S  20-24- 
29)  ' ^ ' 


This  day  belongs  to  the  Class  of 
1985.  Your  program  says  this  is 
the  173rd  Annual  Commencement. 
That  is  true.  But  in  fact  the  tradition 
goes  back  farther  than  that,  back  to 
before  the  college  and  seminary  were 
separated,  as  the  figure  of  John 
Witherspoon  up  there  in  the  stained 
glass  window  on  my  left  reminds  us. 
He  is  in  the  lower  corner,  black  gown 
and  white  Geneva  tabs.  It  was  as 
president  of  the  college  that  With- 
erspoon signed  my  great-great- 
grandfather’s  diploma  in  the  class  of 


J774  and  sent  him  out  into  the  min- 
istry 211  years  ago.  The  next  year, 
1 775»  Witherspoon’s  baccalaureate 
address  was  so  good,  he  thought,  that 
he  repeated  the  same  address  for  the 
next  ten  graduations  running,  ac- 
cording to  his  biographer.  Every 
ministry  has  its  flaws.  The  next  year, 
1776,  he  redeemed  himself  in  a larger 
sense.  He  became  the  only  member 
of  the  clergy  to  sign  the  Declaration 
of  Independence. 

But  you  will  need  something  more 
than  the  Princeton  tradition  to  sus- 


,6°  THE  PRINCETON  S 

SnLyou  ,n  y°ur  ministry,  and  John 
Witherspoon  is  not  my  subject.  I have 
made  a reckless  choice,  and  I’ve 
picked  an  unusually  improbable 
model  for  ministry  to  propose  to  you: 
the  Apostle  Thomas,  though  Thomas 
is  a little  hard  to  defend  as  a model 
of  anything — except  perhaps  doubt, 
or  pessimism,  or  dissent,  and,  if  an 
older  tradition  than  ours  can  be  be- 
lieved, of  foot  dragging  and  embez- 
zlement. So  why  Thomas?  Why  not 
John?  So  much  more  pious.  Or  Peter 
the  Rock?  Or  Andrew  the  evangel- 
ist? Or  James  the  letter-writer,  who 
may  not  have  been  an  apostle  but 
who  could  be  a great  model  for  praxis 
ministry. 

Why  St.  Thomas?  Thomas  is  about 
as  unlikely  an  example  of  sainthood 
as  the  Bible  gives  us.  Perhaps  that  is 
why  three  of  the  gospel  writers,  Mat- 
thew, Mark,  and  Luke,  tell  us  noth- 
ing about  him  but  his  name,  as  if 
they  thought  it  better  to  maintain  a 
discreet  silence  about  this  unpre- 
dictable colleague  of  theirs  who  was 
anything  but  a blameless  pattern  for 
devout  Christians. 

Only  John  dares  to  tell  it  like  it 
is.  Take  the  day  Jesus  decided  to  go 
back  into  Judaea  because  his  friend 
Lazarus  was  sick.  John  says  the  dis- 
ciples begged  him  not  to  go.  He  would 
be  killed.  But  Jesus  insisted.  You 
would  think  that  then  they  would 
lay  aside  their  fears  and  follow  him 
gladly.  Real  disciples  are  supposed 
to  bubble  over  with  courage  and 
confidence  and  commitment.  Like 
Paul,  "If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be 
against  us!"  But  not  Thomas.  He 
sees  his  Lord  heading  for  certain 
death  and  thinks  to  himself,  this  is 
the  end.  “All  right,  let’s  all  go  and 


IMINARY  BULLETIN 

die  with  him,"  he  says  (John  1 1).  The 
complete  pessimist. 

Another  time,  Jesus  is  talking  with 
his  disciples:  In  my  father’s  house 
are  many  mansions.  ...  I go  to  pre- 
pare a place  for  you  . . . and  where 
I go  ye  know  and  the  way  you  know." 
Those  are  among  the  most  beautiful 
words  in  the  whole  Bible.  We  read 
them  at  funerals.  They  are  sacred. 
But  not  to  Thomas.  Nothing  is  sa- 
cred to  that  unreconstructed  rebel. 
He  rudely  interrupts  the  sermon; 
flatly  ^contradicts  the  master  to  his 
face.  We  do  not  know  where  you 
are  going.  How  can  we  know  the 
way?  (lohn  14).  Why  did  Jesus  pick 
hint  as  a minister?  What  happened 
to  the  screening  process?  The  dos- 
siers? 

Well,  I still  have  some  things  to 
suggest  you  might  remember  about 
Thomas  as  you  enter  your  own  min- 
istry— some  lessons  he  learned  that 
made  him  fit  at  last  to  be  called  a 
minister  and  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ. 

I 

Belief 

The  first  lesson  was  belief.  His 
ministry  was  paralyzed  until  he 
learned  to  believe.  In  the  school  of 
the  apostles,  in  seminary  as  it  were, 
Thomas  was  a doubter.  You  know 
the  story.  Unless  I see  in  his  hands 
the  print  of  the  nails  ...  and  place 
my  hands  in  his  side,  I will  not  be- 
lieve (John  20:25).  His  ministry  was 
big  enough  for  a human  Jesus,  but 
too  small  for  a Risen  Lord.  Yet  it  is 
basic  to  the  gospel  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament that  a good  news  without  the 
resurrection  is  no  good  news  at  all. 

We  are  all  of  us  at  times,  I think, 
followers  of  Thomas  the  doubter. 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


161 


Doubts  come  and  doubts  will  go.  We 
need  not  be  ashamed  ot  them.  Doubt 
is  not  the  opposite  of  faith.  The  op- 
posite of  faith  is  rejection,  which  is 
very  different.  In  fact,  as  many  have 
pointed  out,  doubt  can  lead  an  hon- 
est doubter  to  the  truth.  That  is  pre- 
cisely how  Jesus  used  Thomas’  doubt. 
We  need  not  hide  our  doubts.  But 
neither  should  we  glamorize  them. 
Academic  circles  tend  to  idealize 
doubt  as  a sign  of  intellectual  ma- 
turity. It  is  not.  Held  too  long  in  the 
Christian  life,  doubt  is  more  often  a 
mark  of  spiritual  impotence. 

It  was  not  doubt  that  finally  made 
Thomas  an  apostle.  It  was  faith,  a 
faith  founded  on  the  stunning  dis- 
covery that  it  was  reasonable  to  be- 
lieve. He  broke  through  out  of  the 
tight,  paralyzing  world  of  his  very 
human  doubts  into  God’s  real,  large 
world  of  faith  and  resurrection  power. 
He  broke  through  rather  clumsily, 
by  touch.  Jesus  himself  said  there  are 
better  ways.  Christian  faith  is  rea- 
sonable, but  it  comes  more  naturally 
by  trust  and  reason,  than  by  doubt 
and  touch.  But  Thomas  needed  the 
touch,  and  the  turning  point  in  his 
life  was  when  he  saw  in  the  body  of 
the  Risen  Lord  the  marks  of  the  suf- 
fering Jesus  he  thought  he  had  lost. 
“My  Lord  and  my  God.”  It  was  a 
cry  of  confession  that  changed  more 
than  his  ministry.  It  changed  Thomas. 

II 

Obedience 

But  not  everything  changed.  Ac- 
cording to  the  legend,  Thomas  had 
not  changed  enough.  He  believed, 
but  he  was  not  yet  ready  to  obey. 
What  we  know  about  him  in  this 
respect  traces  back  to  a delightfully 


apocryphal  but  very  ancient  docu- 
ment called  The  Acts  of  Thomas.  As 
history  it  is  painfully  unreliable.  I 
have  used  it  in  classes,  but  always 
with  a warning  about  the  difference 
between  history  and  tradition.  This 
is  tradition,  a story  from  the  early 
church  of  the  east,  about  200  a.d. 
perhaps.  It  is  full  of  fantasy,  yet  is 
remarkably  faithful  in  its  picture  ot 
Thomas’  character,  to  what  we  know 
of  him  in  the  New  Testament.  Be- 
sides, ancient  traditions  often  con- 
tain kernels  of  truth,  even  more  his- 
tory, sometimes,  than  we  can 
presently  prove. 

Anyway,  The  Acts  of  Thomas  opens 
with  the  eleven  disciples  trying  to 
decide  how  to  obey  the  Lord’s  last 
command,  “Go  ye  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  gospel.”  Sensibly,  they 
began  by  dividing  up  the  world  into 
eleven  parts,  one  for  each  disciple, 
and  then,  as  their  custom  was,  they 
cast  lots  for  the  assignments.  India 
fell  to  Thomas.  And  Thomas  said 
(if  you  will  allow  me  to  paraphrase), 
“I  won’t  go.  ...  I can’t  travel  that 
far."  Then,  thinking  of  a better  ex- 
cuse, he  added,  “Besides,  I don’t  speak 
Indian.”  Thomas  had  found  he  could 
trust  Jesus,  but  he  was  not  yet  ready 
to  follow  him.  He  was  still  Thomas, 
and  a large  part  of  the  old  Thomas 
was  still  in  him. 

Even  when  the  Lord  appeared  to 
him  in  a vision,  and  said,  according 
to  the  legend,  “Go  to  India,  Thomas, 
for  my  grace  is  with  you,"  Thomas 
dug  in  his  heels  and  said,  “Any- 
where else,  Lord,  but  I’m  not  going 
to  India.” 

No  India  for  Thomas.  But  the 
point  is  not  really  India.  The  point 
is  obedience.  If  the  call  had  been  to 


1 62 


THE  PRINCETON  S 

stay  and  preach  in  Jerusalem,  and 
Thomas  had  insisted  on  going  to  In- 
dia, the  lesson  would  have  been  the 
same.  “Faith  without  works  is  dead,” 
and  in  the  ministry  the  first  work 
requirement  of  a disciple  is  the  dis- 
cipline of  obedience.  “If  ye  love  me, 
keep  my  commandments”  (John 
J4:i5)- 

But  stubborn  Thomas  would  not 
obey.  Even  when  as  a last  resort  and 
as  the  only  way  to  get  him  to  go  to 
India,  he  was  sold  as  a slave — a slave 
and  a carpenter  lor  an  Indian  King 
named  Gundaphar,  so  the  story 
goes — he  brooded  rebelliously  and 
wrestled  in  his  soul  all  night,  until 
he  found  peace,  not  so  much  as  a 
slave  ol  Gundaphar,  but  as  a slave 
of  Christ,  and  so  the  servant  of 
everyone.  Then  at  last  he  was  able 
to  say,  “Not  my  will  but  Thine  be 
done.”  It  was  a hard  way  to  learn 
obedience,  and  it  was  only  as  a very 
reluctant  volunteer  that  he  went 
without  triumph  into  his  ministry,  a 
slave. 

Strangely  enough,  it  is  often  the 
most  reluctant  disciples  who  make 
the  best  ministers.  They  may  come 
hard  to  the  decision,  but  once  they 
decide  to  follow,  they  obey.  If  it  is 
to  be  India,  that’s  it.  If  closer  to  home, 
that  is  all  right  too. 

These  days  I find  some  of  the 
nearer  places  almost  as  untouched  by 
Christian  faith  as  the  traditional 
“unreached  fields."  In  a talk  here  in 
Princeton  a few  weeks  ago  George 
Gallup  mentioned  some  surprising 
facts  that  had  turned  up  in  one  of 
his  polls  on  religion  in  America. 
“Eight  in  ten  [Americans]  say  they 
are  Christians  but  only  half  that 
number  know  who  delivered  the 
Sermon  on  the  Mount.  Most  Amer- 


MINARY  BULLETIN 

icans  think  the  Ten  Command- 
ments are  valid  rules  for  living,  but 
many  have  a tough  time  recalling 
exactly  what  those  rules  are.  And  for 
[American]  teenagers,  of  the  greatest 
persons  in  history,  Jesus  ranks  [a  poor] 
fifth!” 

We  talk  about  a revival  of  religion 
in  America  but  the  statistics  tell  a 
different  story.  North  America  and 
Europe  were  more  Christian  in  your 
grandparent’s  day  than  ours.  Since 
1900,  says  the  World  Christian  En- 
cyclopedia■,  “massive  defections  from 
Christianity,”  of  secularists  in  West- 
ern Europe,  communists  in  Russia 
and  Eastern  Europe,  and  material- 
ists in  the  Americas,  have  made  the 
fastest  growing  religion  in  the  West 
not  Christianity,  and  not  one  of  the 
other  great  world  religions,  but  no 
religion.  Professed  non-religion  in 
America  is  growing  six  and  a half 
times  faster  than  Christianity;  in  Eu- 
rope twelve  times  faster.  “Every  year 
some  2,765,000  church  attenders  in 
Europe  and  North  America  cease  to 
be  practicing  Christians  ...  an  av- 
erage loss  of  7,600  every  day”  (pp.  3, 
7,  783f.).  Suddenly  America  is  a mis- 
sion field.  It  has  been  all  along,  of 
course,  and  we  were  wise  enough 
once  to  have  a Board  of  National 
Missions  which  could  remind  us  of 
that  fact. 

Some  years  ago  I was  thrown  into 
an  international  working  group  on 
“The  Missionary  Obligation  of  the 
Church.”  It  was  an  unsettling  ex- 
perience. I was  a missionary  in  Ko- 
rea then,  and  what  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  group  wanted  to  know 
was  why  I should  be  labelled  a mis- 
sionary and  not  the  man  sitting  next 
to  me  who  happened  to  be  a Chris- 
tian and  a professor  in  a state  uni- 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


versity,  as  if  by  not  going  to  Tibet 
he  had  somehow  miserably  failed  to 
answer  God’s  call.  They  needled  me 
with  remarks  like  the  saying,  "To 
be  a Christian  carpenter  is  good;  to 
be  a Christian  minister  is  holy;  to  be 
a foreign  missionary  is  holier  than 
thou.” 

Now  I do  not  want  to  abandon 
useful  functional  distinctions  in 
Christian  vocation,  such  as  the  dif- 
ference between  a lay  ministry  and 
the  ordained  pastorate,  and  between 
pastoral  ministry  and  missionary 
outreach.  When  everything  is  called 
the  ministry,  and  when  everything 
the  church  does  is  called  mission, 
soon  there  are  no  ministers,  and  no 
missionaries.  But  can’t  we  admit  that 
the  work  group  was  absolutely  right 
in  insisting  that  the  whole  world,  not 
just  the  third  world,  is  an  open  field 
for  all  kinds  of  Christian  service. 
Where  in  the  world  that  service  will 
be  for  any  individual  is  another  mat- 
ter. God  has  a way  of  making  that 
matter  clear  only  after  the  question 
of  obedience  is  settled.  Go  where  you 
feel  God  wants  you,  and  if  it  is  to 
Trenton,  when  you  wanted  Tibet — 
go  to  Trenton.  You  may  find  it  harder 
than  Tibet. 

On  the  other  hand,  there  is  more 
to  the  world  than  Trenton.  Some, 
like  Thomas,  need  to  be  pushed  out 
to  "the  uttermost  parts.”  In  sheer, 
tragic  mass,  that  is  where  the  greater 
weight  of  the  world’s  need  lies — 
hunger,  poverty,  oppression,  fear,  and 
despair,  both  physical  and  spiritual. 
Only  six  percent  of  the  world’s  peo- 
ple live  in  North  America.  But  choose 
almost  any  category  you  can  think 
of — food,  freedom,  factories,  or  ac- 
cess to  the  good  news  of  the  gospel — 
and  we  here  in  America  have  squir- 


163 

reled  away  more  than  our  fair  share. 
Six  percent  of  the  world  lives  in  North 
America;  sixty  percent  in  Asia.  Three- 
fifths  of  the  world’s  teenagers  are 
Asian.  That  means  that  three-fifths 
of  the  world’s  future  lies  in  Asia. 
Most  of  them  still  have  not  heard  an 
effective  presentation  of  the  Chris- 
tian faith.  And  most  of  them  live  in 
households  with  a cash  income  of 
less  than  $7  a week.  Isn’t  there  some- 
thing wrong  with  the  way  we  keep 
for  ourselves  most  of  the  good  things 
of  life,  both  good  food  and  the  good 
news  of  the  gospel? 

Ill 

Common  Sense  and  Compassion 

So  let  me  add  two  more  ingre- 
dients to  the  mix  that  I hope  will 
make  your  ministry.  One  was  sug- 
gested to  me  by  something  Dr. 
Kyung-Chik  Han  of  Korea  (Class  of 
’29)  said  to  us  yesterday  before  he 
was  named  Distinguished  Alumnus 
of  the  year.  We  honored  him  for  the 
way  he  built  a church  of  twenty- 
seven  refugees  thirty-eight  years  ago 
into  a congregation  today  of  more 
than  sixty  thousand.  We  were  asking 
him  what  kind  of  qualifications  the 
Korean  church  expected  of  its  elders. 
“Oh,”  he  said,  “We  give  them  ex- 
aminations: Bible,  theology,  church 
history,  and.  ...  I think  there  was  a 
fourth.”  He  couldn’t  remember.  Then 
it  came  to  him.  “Oh  yes,  common 
sense."  An  examination  in  common 
sense.  Not  a bad  idea  for  the  min- 
istry. 

But  that  is  not  enough.  Add  one 
more:  compassion.  To  faith  and  obe- 
dience and  common  sense,  add  com- 
passion. The  example  again  is  from 
the  Thomas  tradition,  for  it  was  only 
after  he  reached  India,  according  to 


,64  THE  PRINCETON  S 

the  legend,  that  Thomas  learned 
compassion  and  picked  up  a lesson 
in  common  sense. 

Arriving  as  a carpenter-slave,  he 
was  sent  down  country  to  build  the 
king  s palace.  But  as  he  looked  about 
he  saw  more  poor  people  and  more 
hungry  people  than  he  had  ever  seen 
in  his  life  before.  He  forgot  the  king’s 
orders;  he  forgot  his  career;  he  was 
so  moved  with  distress  at  the  injus- 
tice of  building  a luxury  palace  for 
a king  in  the  midst  of  the  poverty 
around  him,  that  he  dipped  into  the 
construction  funds  which  he  had  been 
given  and  began  to  feed  the  poor.  It 
is  a beautiful  early  Christian  illus- 
tration of  compassion  and  advocacy 
for  the  poor,  but  why  didn’t  he  have 
the  common  sense  to  realize  that 
stealing  from  the  construction  funds 
would  only  get  him  into  trouble.  A 
royal  inspector  came;  the  funds  were 
gone;  and  the  palace  had  not  been 
built.  Thomas  was  thrown  into  prison 
as  an  embezzler  to  be  executed  in 
the  morning. 

I suppose  I should  finish  the  story, 
though  here  The  Acts  of  Thomas  gets 
a little  wild.  That  night,  tradition 
says,  the  king’s  brother  died  and  his 
soul  was  caught  up  to  the  abode  of 
the  dead.  On  the  way  he  saw  a great 
mansion.  "Whose  is  that!3”  he  asks 
his  escorting  angels.  “That,”  they  say, 
is  a palace  being  built  in  heaven  for 
King  Gundaphar  by  a slave  named 
Thomas.”  The  prince  is  horrified. 

But  my  brother  is  going  to  execute 
that  slave;  let  me  go  stop  him.”  So 
the  angels  allow  him  to  appear  to 
the  king  in  a vision,  and  he  tells  him, 
Don  t kill  the  Jewish  slave.  He  really 
is  building  you  a palace,  not  a wooden 
one  but  an  eternal  one  in  heaven.” 


EMINARY  BULLETIN 

(That  I guess  is  supposed  to  make 
the  embezzlement  moral.)  In  any  case, 
Thomas  is  brought  out  of  prison  to 
explain  the  vision,  and  stands  up  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  king.  And 
that  part  of  the  story  ends  happily 
and  romantically  with  the  king  be- 
lieving and  all  his  people  with  him. 

But  my  model  is  not  strange  vi- 
sions, instant  success,  and  embezzle- 
ment. I told  you  The  Acts  of  Thomas 
was  apocryphal.  The  ministry  is  not 
given  to  be  used  for  achieving  sud- 
den success  by  dubious  means.  Even 
in  the  tradition  the  story  does  not 
end  there;  it  ends  with  martyrdom. 

You  have  probably  gathered  by 
now  that  I don’t  want  you  to  follow 
Thomas  in  everything.  We  do  not 
need  the  Thomas  tradition  as  our 
model  of  faith  and  obedience,  com- 
mon sense,  and  compassion  in  the 
ministry.  We  have  Thomas’  Lord. 

I doubt  if  Mary  Slessor  had  ever 
heard  of  The  Acts  of  Thomas.  But  she 
knew  the  Lord,  and  with  good  Scot- 
tish common  sense  she  built  her 
ministry  around  three  simple  prop- 
ositions: Only  Christ  saves;  never 
compromise  with  truth;  and  never 
withhold  love.  When  she  went  to 
Africa  with  so  bluntly  Christian  a 
philosophy  she  stirred  things  up  faster 
than  she  had  anticipated.  The  Af- 
ricans called  her  “the  tornado” — she 
was  red-headed,  strong-willed,  and 
had  a temper — but  because  they  knew 
she  loved  them,  they  also  called  her 
“the  white  African.”  “She  came  to 
live  like  an  African,  and  a poor  Af- 
rican at  that,  wrote  one  of  her  biog- 
raphers (Buchan). 

And  I doubt  that  William  Mac- 
kenzie had  ever  heard  of  The  Acts 
of  Thomas.  But  he  knew  the  Lord. 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


Mackenzie  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
we  are  celebrating  this  year  as  Korea 
observes  its  iooth  anniversary  of 
Protestant  missions.  He  went  out  in 
1893.  You  might  say  his  story  is  the 
story  of  a failure.  When  he  told  his 
fiancee  he  was  going  to  Korea  she 
broke  the  engagement.  But  he  felt 
the  Lord  had  told  him  to  go  and  he 
went  anyway.  He  went  out  alone, 
far  into  the  country,  to  live  in  a mud- 
walled,  straw-roofed  house  with  a 
Korean  family  in  a little  village  by 
the  sea.  Some  thought  Mackenzie  had 
gone  mad.  And  perhaps  they  were 
right,  partly.  The  isolation,  the 
steaming  heat,  the  disease  all  around 
him  proved  too  much,  and  one  day, 
delirious  with  a fever  and  out  of  his 
head  with  pain,  he  put  a gun  to  his 
head  and  shot  himself.  He  didn't 
know  what  he  was  doing.  He  had 
been  in  Korea  just  a year  and  a half. 


Another  small,  flawed  ministry.  A 
failure. 

But  when  Mackenzie’s  fellow 
missionaries  came  to  claim  the  body 
the  villagers  refused  to  let  them  take 
it.  He  belongs  to  us  now,  they  said. 
And  they  buried  him  where  he  be- 
longed in  their  Christian  village.  For 
years — I remember  it  myself  as  a 
boy — those  faithful  country  people 
saw  to  it  that  his  grave  was  kept 
spotless.  A failure?  A small  minis- 
try? Flawed,  perhaps,  but  there  was 
nothing  small  about  it,  and  it  was 
no  failure. 

Class  of  1985,  my  prayer  today  is 
that  not  one  of  you  will  leave  Prince- 
ton for  too  small  a ministry.  Re- 
member Mackenzie,  and  Mary  Sles- 
sor,  and  Thomas.  But  don’t  follow 
them.  Follow  their  Lord.  Follow  Je- 
sus Christ.  And  power  to  you  through 
all  the  years  ahead. 


THE 

PRINCETON 

SEMINARY 

BULLETIN 


Where’s  the  Power?  Samuel  H.  Moffett 

Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal 

Barmen:  The  Church  Between  Arthur  C.  Cochrane 

Temptation  and  Grace 

“The  Majesty  of  Truth”:  Daniel  L.  Migliore 

Meditation  on  “A  Letter  to 
Presbyterians,”  1954 

The  Human  Sabbath:  A Study  in  Patrick  D.  Miller,  Jr. 

Deuteronomic  Theology 

Inaugural  Address 


Research  on  the  Historical  Jesus  Today:  James  H.  Charlesworth 

Jesus  and  the  Pseudepigrapha, 

The  Dead  Sea  Scrolls,  the  Nag  Hammadi 
Codices,  Josephus,  and  Archaeology 

Inaugural  Address 


The  Seminary  and  the  College: 

The  First  Twenty-Five  Years 

Princeton  iana 


Hugh  T.  Kerr 


VOLUME  VI,  NUMBER  2 


NEW  SERIES  1985 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


Thomas  W.  Gillespie 
President 


James  I.  McCord 
President  Emeritus 


BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

John  M.  Templeton,  President  David  B.  Watermulder,  Vice-President 

Robert  M.  Adams,  Secretary 
William  E.  Lawder,  Treasurer 


James  F.  Anderson 

Donald  C.  McFerren 

Clem  E.  Bininger 

Earl  F.  Palmer 

Robert  W.  Bohl 

George  T.  Piercy 

John  H.  Donelik 

William  A.  Pollard 

Peter  E.  B.  Erdman 

Clifford  G.  Pollock 

Rosemary  H.  Evans 

Norman  D.  Pott 

Milton  A.  Galamison 

William  H.  Scheide 

Sarah  B.  Gambrell 

Laird  H.  Simons,  Jr. 

Francisco  O.  Garcia-Treto 

Frederick  B.  Speakman 

Helen  H.  Gemmill 

William  P.  Thompson 

Margaret  L.  Harmon 

Karen  L.  Turner 

C.  Thomas  Hilton 

Jeffrey  R.  Wampler 

J.  Roger  Hull,  Jr. 

Samuel  G.  Warr 

Bryant  M.  Kirkland 

Charles  Wright 

Johannes  R.  Krahmer 
Henry  Luce  III 

TRUSTEES  EMERITI 

Ralph  M.  Wyman 

Eugene  C.  Blake 

Raymond  I.  Lindquist 

J.  Douglas  Brown 

John  S.  Linen 

John  G.  Buchanan 

J.  Keith  Louden 

Frederick  E.  Christian 

Dale  W.  McMillen,  Jr. 

Allan  M.  Frew 

James  M.  Tunnell,  Jr. 

Weir  C.  Ketler 
Harry  G.  Kuch 

Irving  A.  West 

The  Princeton  Seminary  Bulletin 

NEW  SERIES  1985  NUMBER  2 


Ronald  C.  White,  Jr.,  Editor  Lynn  S.  Halverson,  Assistant  to  the  Editor 


CONTENTS 


Where's  the  Power?  SiW  H.  Moffeu  59 

Presbyterian  Congress  on  Renewal 

Barmen:  The  Church  Between  Arthur  C.  Cochrane  68 

Temptation  and  Grace 


“The  Majesty  of  Truth":  Dame,  L Miglim  g 

Meditation  on  “A  Letter  to 
Presbyterians,”  1954 

The  Human  Sabbath:  A Study  in  patnc(,  M&r,  Jr.  81 

Deuteronomic  Theology 

Inaugural  Address 

Research  on  the  Historical  Jesus  Today:  James  H.  Charlesworth  98 

Jesus  and  the  Pseudepigrapha, 

The  Dead  Sea  Scrolls,  the  Nag  Hammadi 
Codices,  Josephus,  and  Archaeology 

Inaugural  Address 

The  Seminary  and  the  College:  Hugh  T.  Kerr  ,,6 

The  First  Twenty-Five  Years 

Princetoniana 


Memorial  Tributes 

David  Hugh  Jones  (1900-1983) 

Edna  Hatfield  (1891-1984)  I2C_ 

Bibliography  of  Publications  by  Members  of  the  Faculty  for  1984  126 

Sermons 

The  Parable  of  Responsibility  paul  W_  Meyer 

Preaching  the  Hard  Word  Dorts  Donnelly  ,35 

On  Confronting  the  Past  Martinus  C.  de  Boer  138 


the  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BVL 

Book  Reviews 



by  Hans  Urs  von  Balthasar 
The  Power  of  God,  by  Daniel  L.  Mighore 
This  Grace  Given,  by  David  H.  C.  Read 
The  Eucharist  in  Bible  and  Liturgy,  b,  G.  D.  Kdpatnck 
Worship,  by  Hughes  Oliphant  Old 

li  narv  The  Word  of  God  for  the  Church 
Preaching  the  Lectionary.  I 

Today,  by  Reginald  H.  Fuller 

Fundamentals  of  Preach, ng,  by  lohn  Kilbnger 


letin 


Donald  Macleod 

142 

Margaret  A.  Schatkfn 

>47 

Donald  K.  McKtm 

148 

Donald  Macleod 

>49 

Horton  Davies 

150 

Fred  R.  Anderson 

150 

Thomas  G.  Long 

152 

Horton  Davies 

152 

Thomas  G.  Long 

>53 

THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 

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Ronald  C.  White,  Jr. 
Editor 


Lynn  S.  Halverson 
.Assistant  to  the  Editor 


All  correspondence  should  be  addressed  to  the  Editor  at  the  following 
address: 

Princeton  Seminary  Bulletin 
CN  821 

Princeton,  NJ  08542 

The  policy  of  the  Bulletin  is  to  publish  lectures  and  sermons  by  Princeton 
Seminary  faculty  and  administration,  and  presentations  by  guests  on  the 
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Where’s  the  Power?1 

by  Samuel  H.  Moffett 


Bom  in  Pyongyang,  in  what  is  now  North 
Korea,  Samuel  Hugh  Moffett  is  an  alum- 
nus of  Wheaton  College,  Princeton  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  Yale  University.  He 
served  as  a missionary  to  China,  7947-/95/, 
and  to  Korea,  1955-1981.  He  is  presently 
the  Henry  Winters  Luce  Professor  of  Ec- 
umenics  and  Mission  at  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  This  address  was  deliv- 
ered at  the  Presbyterian  Congress  on 
Renewal,  held  in  Dallas,  Texas,  in  January 
1985. 


Text:  You  shall  receive  power  when  the  Holy  Spirit  has  come  upon  you ; and 
you  shall  be  my  witnesses  in  Jerusalem  and  m all  Judea  and  Samaria 
and  to  the  end  of  the  earth.  (Acts  1:8;  2:1-8,  12-21) 


My  text  is  from  the  first  chapter 
of  the  Book  of  Acts.  Jesus  is 
saying  g;oodbye  to  his  disciples  be- 
fore he  is  taken  up  from  them  into 
heaven.  And  he  says  to  them  (in  vs. 
8),  “You  shall  receive  power  when 
the  Holy  Spirit  has  come  upon  you; 
and  you  shall  be  my  witnesses  in 
Jerusalem  and  in  all  Judea  and  Sa- 
maria and  to  the  end  of  the  earth." 

That  is  the  greatest  of  all  the  great 
promises  of  God.  “You  shall  receive 
power.  . . .”  Now  I know,  strictly 
speaking  one  of  God’s  promises  is 
not  greater  than  any  other  of  God’s 
promises.  But  to  me  this  is  the  great- 
est because  it  is  what  I need  most. 
You  see.  I’m  a Presbyterian.  I have 
order  and  decency  up  to  here.  But 
where’s  the  power? 

And  this  is  the  greatest  of  the  five 
forms  in  which  the  Great  Commis- 
sion comes  to  us.  “You  shall  be  my 
witnesses  ...  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.” 
There  is  a form  of  this  commission- 
ing in  each  of  the  four  gospels,  Mat- 
thew, Mark,  Luke,  and  John.  But 
this  one  in  the  book  of  Acts  is  the 

1 Used  by  permission  of  Word  Books, 
Publisher,  Waco,  Texas. 


greatest.  Now  I know  again  that 
strictly  speaking  no  one  form  of  God’s 
commissioning  is  greater  than  any 
other.  But  to  me  this  is  the  greatest 
because  it  is  the  one  I need  most. 
You  see,  I'm  a Presbyterian.  I have 
sentimental,  upper-middle-class  vir- 
tues up  to  here.  But  where’s  the 
power?  Where’s  the  power  to  propel 
us  out  of  our  comfortable,  encap- 
sulated churches  and  across  the 
world?  Our  members  are  leaving; 
our  missions  declining.  Where’s  the 
power  ? If  power  is  what  God  prom- 
ises, isn’t  that  just  what  we  all  need 
most? 

So  let’s  begin  with  the  PROMISE 

“You  shall  receive  power. . . I’m 
not  so  sure  that  the  disciples  really 
believed  that  promise.  They  were  too 
much  like  us.  They  were  about  as 
unrenewed,  and  powerless,  and  un- 
focused, and  puzzled  a little  group 
as  most  of  us  American  Christians. 
And  like  us  Presbyterians  they  were 
losing  members.  A few  days  before 
they  had  been  twelve.  Now  there 
were  only  eleven  in  the  inner  circle. 
That’s  even  worse  than  Presbyte- 


6o 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


nans.  About  forty  thousand  a year, 
isn’t  it  that  we’re  losing?  One  out  of 
every  eighty  or  so.  The  disciples  lost 
one  out  of  twelve! 

So,  disturbed  and  anxious,  they 
turned  to  lesus.  But  the  first  question 
they  asked  was  the  wrong  question. 
All  they  wanted  to  know  was,  “When 
does  the  revolution  begin?”  “When 
will  you  bring  in  the  Kingdom?” 
And  they  were  still  thinking  in  po- 
litical terms,  which  is  all  right  in  its 
place,  but  this  was  neither  the  place 
nor  the  time  for  that  question  and 
Jesus  turned  them  away.  “That  is 
not  for  you  to  know,”  he  said.  But 
because  he  loved  them,  he  gave  them 
a promise,  a promise  centered  in  a 
different  kind  of  kingdom.  "You  will 
receive  power  . . . when  the  Holy 
Spirit  comes,  and  you  will  be  my 
witnesses  ...  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.” 
Then  he  left  them. 

He  left  them  with  many  questions 
unanswered.  He  left  them  still  un- 
renewed, still  puzzled,  still  power- 
less. But  isn’t  that  how  renewal  al- 
ways begins,  not  with  power  for  the 
ambitious  and  powerful,  but  with  a 
promise  of  power  for  those  who  have 
never  had  power,  or  have  lost  it? 

That  is  how  it  began  in  Korea 
about  a hundred  years  ago.  The  Ko- 
rean church  is  now  celebrating  a 
hundred  years  of  Protestant  Chris- 
tianity. But  in  some  ways  those  first 
Korean  Christians  weren’t  much  to 
celebrate.  One  of  the  best  of  them 
was  a converted  saloon  keeper,  only 
half-converted,  or  only  partly  re- 
newed. Another  was  a twenty-seven- 
year-old  student  of  the  Chinese  clas- 
sics who  fancied  himself  a philoso- 
pher and  whose  greatest  religious 
experience  had  been  a dream  of  the 
moon  rising  in  his  stomach.  Still  an- 


other was  wrestling  with  the  awful 
secret  that  he  had  taken  a second 
wife  before  he  was  converted,  and 
could  not  bear  to  leave  her.  They 
were  like  the  disciples.  They  weren’t 
much  to  boast  about. 

But  the  gospel  is  good  news.  It  is 
grace  for  the  sinful,  not  for  those 
who  think  they  have  no  sin.  It  is 
healing  for  the  sick,  release  for  the 
captives,  sight  for  the  blind,  peace 
for  the  troubled,  justice  for  the  down- 
trodden, renewal  for  empty  hearts. 
And  as  at  Jerusalem,  it  is  power  for 
the  powerless. 

Whether  or  not  at  that  moment 
when  Jesus  was  just  about  to  leave 
them  the  disappointed  little  group 
of  disciples  believed  the  promise  or 
not,  they  did  the  right  thing.  They 
trudged  back  down  the  hill  into  the 
city  and  "with  the  women,  with  one 
accord  devoted  themselves  to  prayer." 

Gave  themselves  to  prayer? 
Weren’t  there  more  important  things 
to  engage  the  attention  of  serious  men 
and  women  that  day.  There  were 
rumors  of  a conspiracy  against  the 
life  of  the  emperor  Tiberias  in 
Rome — a good  time  for  a revolu- 
tion— and  of  a threatened  famine 
spreading  in  North  Africa,  and  news 
that  the  German  barbarians  were 
raiding  again  across  the  Rhine.  Most 
people  still  think  that  those  are  the 
kinds  of  issues  that  matter.  And  they 
do  matter.  But  all  the  disciples  did 
was  go  home  and  pray! 

Prayer,  says  this  secular  world,  is 
the  Christian’s  escape  from  reality. 
It's  a “cop-out.”  That  is  what  my 
wife  was  told  at  a Presbyterian  meet- 
ing not  long  after  we  came  back  from 
Korea  to  America.  She  was  speaking 
about  the  vitality  and  enthusiasm  of 
the  Korean  Christians  in  prayer  and 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


61 


singing  and  personal  witness,  and  one 
woman  asked  her,  “What  did  you 
do  for  the  people  imprisoned  by  the 
government  over  there?”  It  was  a 
good  question.  It  needed  to  be  asked, 
and  it  was  not  asked  unkindly.  But 
when  Eileen  paused  and  answered, 
“Well,  there  wasn’t  too  much  we 
could  do.  We  thought  many  had  been 
imprisoned  unjustly,  and  we  visited 
them  when  we  could.  And  we  prayed 
for  them  regularly.”  That  was  when 
someone  whispered  audibly,  “Cop- 
out!” 

Well,  there  are  times  when  I,  too, 
have  been  more  tempted  to  revolu- 
tion than  to  prayer.  And  apparently 
it  was  revolution  the  disciples  were 
thinking  about  when  they  asked  Je- 
sus, “Lord  will  you  at  this  time  re- 
store the  kingdom  to  Israel?”  But, 
remembering  how  Jesus  had  an- 
swered them,  instead  of  revolution 
they  prayed.  If  you  will  forgive  a 
personal  word,  when  I was  arrested 
in  China  during  the  revolution,  and 
wondered  what  was  going  to  happen 
to  me,  the  knowledge  that  Christians 
were  praying  for  me  encouraged  and 
sustained  me  far  more  than  any  hope 
I might  have  had  that  another  rev- 
olution would  come,  a counter- 
revolution, and  make  everything  all 
right. 

Here  is  the  paradox.  Revolutions 
make  the  headlines.  Prayer  doesn’t. 
But  the  world  has  forgotten  about 
the  plot  against  Tiberias  that  set 
tongues  wagging  in  Jerusalem  while 
the  disciples  prayed.  It  has  forgotten 
the  border  raids  across  the  Rhine. 
But  it  has  never  forgotten  that  cred- 
ulous, leaderless,  outcast  little  band 
that  trudged  down  the  hill  into  Je- 
rusalem— and  took  the  time  to  pray. 

There  was  a time  in  Korea  back 


about  eighty  years  ago  that  mission- 
aries and  Korean  Christians  were  so 
discouraged  about  the  prospects  for 
the  future  of  the  church  there  that 
they  began  to  wonder  if  their  twenty 
years  of  pioneering  since  1884  had 
been  all  in  vain.  The  country  was 
losing  its  independence  to  the  Jap- 
anese. The  missionaries  were  tired. 
The  Korean  Christians,  like  the 
Laodiceans,  seemed  to  have  “lost  the 
love  they  had  at  first.”  Then  it  was 
that  a Canadian  medical  doctor  called 
them  not  to  give  up  but  to  pray.  And 
the  little  prayer  meetings  and  Bible 
studies  he  started  were  the  begin- 
nings of  the  great  Korean  Revival  of 
1904-08.  What  happened? 

What  happened  was  POWER 

This  is  my  second  point.  What 
happens  is  that  God  keeps  his  prom- 
ises. God  promised  power  to  the 
powerless  disciples  on  the  hill  out- 
side Jerusalem.  They  went  back  into 
the  city  and  prayed,  and  the  power 
came.  Suddenly,  at  Pentecost,  “a 
sound  came  from  heaven  like  the 
rush  of  a mighty  wind,  and  fire.  . . .” 
The  Spirit  came,  and  life  flamed  again 
within  them,  as  in  coals  dropped  from 
a fireplace,  apparently  dead  but 
breaking  open  in  a shower  of  sparks. 
The  Spirit  brought  flame  back  into 
the  blue,  bleak  hearts  of  the  disciples. 
It  lilted  a dispirited  little  group  of 
ordinary  men  and  women  and  sent 
them  out  to  begin  to  change  the 
world — to  Jerusalem,  Judea,  Sa- 
maria, and  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

But  I must  confess  that  the  record 
of  that  first  Pentecost — all  wind  and 
fire  and  many  tongues — is  a discon- 
certing passage  to  read  today  in  a 
group  of  Presbyterians  like  this.  It 
smacks  too  much  of  hot  gospellers 


62 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


and  holy  rollers  and  quakers  and 
shakers  and  enthusiasts.  It  doesn’t 
describe  all  that  is  best  and  most 
beautiful  in  Christian  worship,  does 
it?  And  yet  the  more  I read  of  the 
history  of  the  church,  the  more  I am 
impressed  with  the  fact  that  some  of 
the  most  creative  and  effective  pe- 
riods in  the  church  have  been  pre- 
cisely those  periods  when  the  gospel 
was  “hot"  and  not  when  it  was  most 
respectable. 

If  I were  to  pick  my  favorite  spot 
in  medieval  Romanism  I would 
choose  the  days  of  that  gentle  mad- 
man St.  Francis  of  Assisi.  And  some 
of  the  greatest  moments  ol  Protes- 
tantism were  in  the  times  of  Puritan 
enthusiasts  and  "great  awakeners" 
like  Jonathan  Edwards.  Too  hot  for 
Yale;  I’m  glad  Presbyterian  Prince- 
ton took  him  in.  Quakers  really 
quaked  once,  in  the  days  of  their 
intense  beginnings;  and  when  Meth- 
odism burned  its  way  into  the  his- 
tory of  England  and  America,  strong 
men  and  women  roared  and  shook 
under  the  power  of  preachers  like 
Wesley  and  Whitefield  and  Peter 
Cartwright.  Long-haired  dandies 
would  come  to  Cartwright’s  camp- 
meetings.  “They  came  to  scoff,"  he 
wrote,  “but  they  stayed  to  pray,”  and 
suddenly  seized  by  the  power  their 
backs  would  bend  almost  to  the 
breaking,  then,  the  tension  suddenly 
released  by  the  peace  of  the  Spirit, 
they  would  straighten  up  with  such 
force  that  their  long  hair  cracked  like 
whips.  Strange,  bizarre,  and  to  me, 
a little  frightening. 

But  as  someone  has  said,  “The 
church  of  Christ  has  had  more  power 
when  the  world  thought  it  was  drunk, 
as  at  Pentecost,  than  when  the  world 
thought  it  was  dead.”  And  before 


we  condemn  the  outer  extravagances 
of  those  meetings  it  might  be  well 
to  ask  two  questions.  First,  is  all  that 
excitement  necessary  for  a renewal? 
And  second,  when  it  does  occur  what 
is  the  inward,  quickening  power  that 
produces  it? 

The  answer  to  the  first  question 
is  No.  Not  all  revivals  are  fiery,  and 
renewal  can  be  as  quiet  as  an  inner 
thought.  Almost  always  revival  and 
renewal  begin  with  prayer,  and  the 
best  prayers  are  usually  quiet.  The 
revival  of  1857  in  New  York,  for 
example,  was  just  a prayer  meeting. 
No  fire.  No  shouting.  As  J.  Edwin 
Orr  described  it,  Jeremiah  Lanphier, 
a city  missionary  in  lower  Manhat- 
tan “passed  out  handbills  inviting 
anyone  interested  to  join  him  from 
12  to  1 on  Wednesdays  for  a prayer 
meeting.  [They  could]  come  for  an 
hour  or  just  five  minutes.  The  first 
day  six  people  came,  the  next  day 
forty.  Then  [they  made]  it  a daily 
instead  of  weekly  meeting  and  within 
six  months  ten  thousand  business  men 
were  gathering  [every  day]  for  prayer 
in  New  York  City.  Within  two  years 
a million  converts  had  joined  Amer- 
ican churches"  (Orr  1965:  104,  cited 
by  Hazel  Watson,  p.  126).  Just  a 
prayer  meeting,  but  what  a prayer 
meeting! 

The  Great  Revival  in  Korea  was 
another  matter.  There  was  nothing 
low-key  about  that.  It  began  with 
quiet  prayer  meetings,  yes,  but  when 
it  exploded  into  waves  of  wailing  and 
weeping  and  writhing  in  agonies  of 
confession,  the  missionaries  were 
terrified.  They  stopped  the  meeting. 
They  were  “frightened  by  the  pres- 
ence of  a Power  which  could  work 
. . . wonders,"  as  one  of  my  father’s 
colleagues  described  it  (Blair,  Gold 


IHE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


in  Korea , p.  64).  But  the  meetings 
could  not  be  stopped,  they  went  on 
and  on  and  gradually  even  the  most 
traditional-minded  missionaries  rec- 
ognized that  however  disturbing  its 
manifestations  might  appear,  the 
power  was  not  to  be  feared,  and  could 
not  be  resisted.  It  came  from  God. 

The  fire  was  not  the  power.  It  was 
only  an  outward  sign  of  the  power. 
Shouting  and  weeping  are  not  the 
power.  Sometimes  the  Bible  uses 
quieter  words  to  describe  the  mighty 
power  of  God.  Elijah  is  on  the  mount 
and  the  Lord  passes  by.  “And  a great 
and  strong  wind”  shook  the  mount 
and  broke  the  rocks,  "but  God  was 
not  in  the  wind;  and  after  the  wind 
an  earthquake,  but  God  was  not  in 
the  earthquake;  ...  a fire,  but  God 
was  not  in  the  fire;  and  after  the  fire, 
a still  small  voice,  and  when  he  heard 
it,  Elijah  hid  his  face  in  his  mantle" 
for  the  still  small  voice  was  the  voice 
of  God  (I  Kings  19:11-14^).  There 
is  no  one  way  to  describe  the  power. 
Sometimes  it  shakes  and  shouts. 
Sometimes  the  quiet  words  describe 
it  best,  words  like  cleansing  and  joy 
and  love. 

It  is  a cleansing  power.  Pentecost 
is  rightly  described  as  a filling  of  the 
Spirit,  but  before  the  filling  there 
was  an  emptying.  Peter  knew.  On  a 
dark  night  not  long  before,  he  had 
felt  the  pain  ot  the  emptying.  He 
heard  a cock  crow  twice,  and  struck 
by  the  enormity  of  his  sin,  he  "broke 
down  and  wept,”  says  Mark.  No 
cleansing;  no  power.  So  when  the 
crowd,  cut  to  the  quick  by  his 
preaching,  cried,  “What  shall  we  do?" 
Peter  said,  "Repent.”  Power  without 
repentance  is  the  wrong  kind  of 
power.  “Repent,”  said  Peter,  “and  be 
baptized  ...  in  the  name  of  Jesus  for 


the  forgiveness  of  your  sins;  and  you 
shall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Spirit"  (Acts  2:37-38). 

That  is  how  it  happened  in  Korea, 
too.  Here  is  how  a Korean  minister 
who  was  there  described  it:  “It  was 
a great  sign  and  wonder.  ...  I saw 
some  struggling  to  get  up,  then  fall- 
ing back  in  agony.  Others  again 
bounded  to  their  feet  to  rid  their 
souls  of  some  long-covered  sin.  It 
seemed  unwise  that  such  confessions 
be  made.  . . . But  there  was  no  help 
for  it.  We  were  under  an  awful  and 
mysterious  power,  helpless — mis- 
sionaries as  well  as  Koreans"  (J.  S. 
Gale,  Korea  in  Transition , p.  2o6f.). 

Those  were  Presbyterians  he  was 
describing.  That  is  surprising,  per- 
haps, but  no  less  surprising  than  a 
fact  which  is  closely  related  to  it,  the 
fact  that  now  only  eighty  years  later, 
by  some  accounts  there  are  more 
Presbyterians  in  Korea  than  in  the 
United  States.  First  the  repentance, 
then  the  cleansing,  then  the  power. 

The  power  of  the  Spirit  is  also  the 
power  of  a great  joy.  One  of  the 
historians  of  the  early  days  of  Chris- 
tianity has  written,  “Unless  [you]  can 
understand  the  constant  mood  of 
victorious,  jubilant  happiness  . . . [you] 
simply  will  not  understand  primitive 
[New  Testament]  Christianity” 
(Weiss).  The  crowds  watching  the 
disciples  at  Pentecost  thought  they 
were  drunk.  They  were  not.  They 
were  not  intoxicated  with  wine;  they 
were  God-intoxicated.  The  Spirit  had 
come  to  dwell  with  them,  and  it  is 
no  light  thing  to  be  the  dwelling  place 
of  the  living  God.  They  were  over- 
come; they  were  “surprised  by  joy.” 

The  power  of  the  Spirit  is  also  the 
power  of  a great  love.  First,  God’s 
love:  “In  this  is  love,”  wrote  John, 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


64 

“not  that  we  loved  God  but  that  God 
loved  us.”  It  is  not  a love  we  man- 
ufacture; it  is  given  by  the  Spirit  to 
all  who  will  receive  it.  “The  fruit  of 
the  Spirit  is  love."  Even  the  enemies 
of  those  early  Christians  noticed  this. 
“Oh  how  they  love  one  another,” 
they  said.  It  was  not  a separating 
stroke  of  lightning,  but  a warm, 
uniting  love.  In  Korea,  alter  the  Great 
Revival,  the  Koreans  said  to  the  mis- 
sionaries, “Some  of  you  go  back  to 
John  Calvin,  and  some  to  John  Wes- 
ley, but  we  can  go  back  no  further 
than  1907  [and  the  Revival]  when 
we  first  really  knew  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ”  (J.  Fowler-Willing,  p.  21). 

But  there  was  more  to  the  love 
than  Christians  loving  each  other.  It 
was  a love  that  broke  out  beyond  the 
bounds  of  the  church,  particularly  to 
the  poor  and  the  sick  and  the  op- 
pressed. The  greatest  single  tribute 
paid  to  those  early  Christians  was  a 
remark  attributed  to  one  of  their  most 
implacable  enemies,  Julian,  the  apos- 
tate emperor.  He  is  said  to  have  com- 
plained, as  if  the  Christians  were 
taking  unfair  advantage  of  him, 
“These  Christians  feed  not  only  their 
own  poor,  but  ours  as  well.” 

So  there  was  cleansing,  and  joy 
and  love  in  the  power  that  came  at 
Pentecost.  The  power  was  not  the 
wind  and  not  the  fire.  The  power  is 
the  Spirit  who,  with  the  Father  and 
the  Son,  is  the  One  God  who  creates, 
sustains,  and  energizes  all  that  ever 
was  or  is  and  will  be.  The  Spirit  is 
the  promised  Power,  and  is  always 
there.  But  an  important  practical 
question  remains:  What  is  the  power 
for? 

The  Power  is  for  WITNESS 

That  is  my  third  point.  What  hap- 
pened when  the  power  came  that 


first  day  of  Pentecost  in  Jerusalem? 
Peter  went  out  to  preach.  Pentecost 
was  more  than  an  experience  of  re- 
newal. It  was  more  than  a season  of 
rejoicing.  It  was  a call  to  mission. 

Tradition  tells  us  that  every  one 
of  the  inner  circle  of  the  eleven  dis- 
ciples at  Pentecost  became  a mis- 
sionary. John  went  to  Asia  Minor, 
James  to  the  Arabs,  Andrew  to  the 
Goths,  Peter  to  Rome,  and  so  on. 
Even  doubting  Thomas,  somewhat 
reluctantly  as  usual,  went  to  far-off 
India  according  to  the  tradition. 
That's  why  they  were  called  apos- 
tles, which  means  missionaries,  “ones 
who  were  sent  out.”  Had  not  the 
Lord  said,  “You  shall  receive  power 
. . . and  you  shall  be  my  witnesses 
...  to  the  end  of  the  earth.”  Power 
is  for  witness,  and  witness  is  for  the 
whole  world. 

What  happened  when  the  power 
came  in  Korea  back  in  1907?  They 
organized  a presbytery.  I suppose, 
that  sounds  like  an  anticlimax.  If  so, 
think  again.  It  was  no  accident  that 
along  with  the  power  of  the  great 
Korean  revival  came  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  first  presbytery  of  a Ko- 
rean Presbyterian  Church.  The  two 
are  not  in  tension.  They  belong  to- 
gether. Listen  to  John  R.  Mott,  who 
was  not  only  a great  evangelist  but 
a great  churchman  and  organizer  and 
ecumenical  leader.  "Pray  as  it  there 
were  no  such  thing  as  organization,” 
he  once  said,  “and  organize  as  if  there 
were  no  such  thing  as  prayer." 

The  Koreans  did  both  in  that  great 
revival  year  of  1907.  They  prayed 
and  they  organized.  They  prayed, 
and  the  power  came.  They  organ- 
ized— organized  the  first  self-gov- 
erning, autonomous  Korean  pres- 
bytery— and  the  presbytery  sent  out 
its  first  missionary,  a Korean. 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


<>5 


Let  me  tell  you  that  story  in  a little 
more  detail.  It  was  at  that  first  pres- 
bytery meeting  that  the  first  seven 
graduates  of  the  little  theological 
seminary  which  had  been  founded  a 
few  years  earlier  were  ordained.  They 
were  awed  and  a little  daunted  by 
thoughts  of  what  this  would  mean 
in  terms  of  the  spiritual  responsibil- 
ities this  would  bring  to  each  of  them. 
Then  another  thought  occurred  to 
them.  Just  as  they  were  about  to  come 
into  the  meeting,  one  of  them  said, 
"We  will  be  the  first  Korean  min- 
isters of  the  Korean  church.  But  a 
real  church  has  more  than  ministers. 
It  has  missionaries."  And  they  looked 
hard  at  a burly  young  man  who  had 
come  a little  late  into  their  class  at 
the  seminary.  “You  stoned  the  first 
missionary  you  ever  saw,  didn't  you," 
they  said.  And  he  hung  his  head.  It 
was  true.  “Then  you  are  going  to  be 
our  first  missionary,”  they  said,  and 
walked  in  to  be  ordained.  And  the 
moderator  of  the  presbytery,  my  fa- 
ther, who  happened  to  be  the  mis- 
sionary that  man  had  stoned  sixteen 
years  before,  ordained  the  man  who 
had  stoned  him,  and  the  church  sent 
him  off  as  their  own  first  missionary, 
to  a strange  island  off  the  southern 
coast  where  he  in  turn  was  stoned 
when  he  first  stood  up  to  preach  the 
gospel. 

Power  is  for  witness,  and  if  we 
are  skeptical  about  associating  Pres- 
byterian ecclesiastical  structures  with 
spiritual  power  and  missionary  wit- 
ness, we  are  either  underestimating 
or  underemploying  one  of  the  Spir- 
it’s gifts  to  us  as  Presbyterians,  the 
gift  of  organization. 

But  where  is  the  power?  I love 
the  Church  and  I believe  in  it.  I love 
our  own  Presbyterian  segment  of  the 
Body  of  Christ  most  of  all.  But  where 


is  the  power  ? At  Pentecost,  the  power 
in  a little  group  of  about  120  men 
and  women  swept  three  thousand 
people  into  the  fellowship  in  one  day. 
In  the  American  church,  according 
to  statistics  I saw  some  years  ago,  it 
takes  fifty-four  Christians  working 
a whole  year  to  bring  just  one  new 
member  into  the  church.  And  among 
Presbyterians  we  lose  more  than  we 
win.  Has  the  power  gone?  Since 
coming  back  from  Korea  I have  found 
more  life  in  this  old  church  than  some 
give  it  credit  for,  but  I must  admit 
that  our  statistical  record  is  utterly 
appalling.  Now  I do  not  worship  sta- 
tistics of  church  growth.  I know  they 
are  often  wrong.  I know  that  there 
are  tares  as  well  as  wheat  in  rapid 
growth.  And  I know  that  numerical 
growth  can  come  from  other  factors 
than  spiritual  power  in  the  church. 
Nevertheless,  compare  the  Presby- 
terian record  in  America  with  Ko- 
rea. In  1974  there  were  1,500,000 
Presbyterians  in  Korea.  Ten  years 
later,  in  1984,  there  were  between 
four  and  five  million.  Doesn’t  it  say 
something  about  the  distribution  of 
spiritual  power  in  the  two  churches, 
here  and  there,  that  while  Korean 
Presbyterians  were  tripling  their 
membership,  American  United 
Presbyterians,  as  some  of  us  were 
then,  were  losing  about  a third  of 
ours,  and  cutting  back  on  the  num- 
ber of  our  overseas  missionaries  at 
the  same  time. 

Has  the  power  gone?  Forty  years 
ago  I was  so  discouraged  about  the 
Presbyterian  church  that  I wrote  im- 
pulsively to  my  father,  “1  don’t  think 
I’ll  go  to  Princeton.  I’m  not  sure  I 
want  to  be  a Presbyterian.”  My  wise 
father  wrote  back.  He  said,  “Sam, 
you’ll  find  a lot  of  good  Christians 
outside  the  Presbyterian  church  and 


66 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


a lot  of  good  missionaries,  but  before 
you  make  your  decision,  why  don’t 
you  look  around  and  see  if  you  can’t 
find  some  places  where  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  working  through  the  Pres- 
byterians. And  if  the  Holy  Spirit  can 
work  through  the  Presbyterian 
church,  perhaps  you  can.” 

There  is  still  power  in  our  church. 
There  is  power  because  our  Lord  has 
promised  it  power  and  the  Spirit  still 
works  in  the  church.  There  comes  a 
time  to  stop  criticizing  the  church, 
and  to  try  praying  for  it.  Not  for 
numbers,  for  more  Presbyterians,  but 
for  the  power  Jesus  promised  which 
is  power  for  witness,  power  for  mis- 
sion. And  when  the  power  comes 
don’t  keep  it  for  Presbyterians.  Take 
it  out  across  the  world  in  mission. 
Two-thirds  of  this  world  does  not 
have  enough  to  eat.  It  goes  to  bed 
hungry  every  night.  Mission  is  feed- 
ing. Most  of  the  world  suffers  and 
lies  in  pain.  Mission  is  healing.  More 
than  half  of  the  adult  world  is  blind. 
It  doesn't  know  how  to  read.  Mis- 
sion is  opening  the  eyes,  and  teach- 
ing to  read.  Most  of  the  world  is 
oppressed  by  unjust  powers.  Mission 
is  liberation.  So  go  forth  and  heal 
and  feed  and  liberate.  We  can  and 
must  join  in  the  struggle  against  all 
the  world’s  ills — hunger,  sickness, 
suffering,  slavery — but  that  will  not 
complete  the  mission.  The  greatest 
need  will  still  be  unmet.  When  the 
power  comes,  we  must  also  go  forth 
and  preach  the  good  news.  Two- 
thirds  of  the  world  is  still  without 
effectual  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and 
Savior  Jesus  Christ. 

The  power  is  already  here.  The 
trouble  is  with  us.  We  do  not  call 
for  the  power;  we  don't  get  it.  And 
then  we  complain  that  we  don’t  have 


it.  We  are  more  naive  even  than  the 
Arab  chieftains  Lawrence  of  Arabia 
brought  with  him  to  the  Paris  Peace 
Conference.  Perhaps  you  have  read 
the  story.  These  men  of  the  desert 
were  amazed  at  many  things,  but 
nothing  astonished  them  half  so  much 
as  the  running  water  in  their  hotel 
rooms.  They  knew  the  scarcity  of 
water  and  its  value,  yet  here  it  was 
to  be  had  by  the  turning  of  a tap, 
free  and  seemingly  exhaustless.  When 
they  prepared  to  leave  Paris,  Law- 
rence found  them  trying  to  detach 
the  faucets  so  that  out  in  their  dry 
deserts  they  might  always  have  water. 
He  tried  to  explain  that  behind  the 
flowing  taps  were  huge  reservoirs, 
and  that  without  this  supply  the  fau- 
cets were  useless.  But  the  Arabs  in- 
sisted. They  were  sure  that  the  magic 
instruments  would  give  them  water 
forever. 

Are  we  not  even  more  credulous 
in  our  Christian  lives?  They  ex- 
pected water  from  unattached  fau- 
cets. We  look  for  water  to  run  from 
a closed  tap.  In  the  Holy  Spirit  are 
deep  reservoirs  of  power,  wells  of 
water  springing  up  into  everlasting 
life.  But  the  Holy  Spirit  cannot  flow 
through  a closed  tap,  he  cannot  work 
through  an  unyielded  life. 

So  open  up  the  taps.  But  watch 
out.  The  promise  is  for  any  who  will 
believe  and  receive.  And  when  by 
faith  and  by  grace  we  turn  the  taps 
and  the  power  flows,  watch  out!  The 
Spirit  works  when,  where,  and  how 
He  pleases.  When  the  power  comes, 
it  is  not  you  but  the  Spirit  who  con- 
trols the  temperature.  You  may  pray 
for  the  fire,  and  the  Spirit  may  choose 
to  send  a cool,  refreshing  rain  and  a 
still  small  voice.  Or  you  may  think 
you  will  be  more  comfortable  with 


THE  PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 


67 


the  still,  small  voice,  and  sometimes, 
as  in  Korea,  there  comes  the  fire  and 
the  earthquake. 

But  don’t  ask  me  again,  Where’s 
the  power?  It  is  already  here.  It  is 
the  same  Spirit,  the  same  promise, 
and  the  same  power  that  has  always 
been  here.  For  Jesus  is  still  saying  to 
his  disciples: 


“You  shall  receive  power  . . . 
when  the  Spirit  comes . . . and  you 
shall  be  my  witnesses." 

Witnesses  to  the  ends  of  this  dry  and 
thirsty,  this  sick  and  hungry,  this  op- 
pressed, frightened,  lost  world.  You 
shall  be  witnesses  that  the  Savior  has 
come,  and  will  come  again,  and  that 
the  Spirit  is  already  here. 


PRINCETON  SEMINARY  BULLETIN 
PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 
CN-821 

PRINCETON.  NEW  JERSEY  08540 
609-921-8198 


RONALD  C.  WHITE,  JR. 
EDITOR 


TO:  Members  of  the  Faculty/Administration 


FROM:  Ronald  C.  White,  Jr. 

DATE:  May  27,  1986 

RE:  Faculty  Publications  for  1985 


HELP! ! We  recently  sent  you  a request  for  a list  of  your  1985  pub- 
lications, and  haven't  received  your  reply  yet. 

Since  this  list  is  a service  to  our  readers — mostly  alumni/ae — the  more 
complete  it  is,  the  more  useful  it  is  to  them. 

We're  interested  in  books,  chapters  in  books,  articles,  book  reviews, 
anything  you've  written  that  was  published  during  1985 — up  to  6 entries 
in  each  category.  PLEASE  SUPPLY  AS  COMPLETE  INFORMATION  AS  POSSIBLE. 

Thanks  again  for  your  help. 


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