Posts from the Blog of an (un)Tamed Cynic
Yesterday I posted about embracing the pathos of current realities in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Ironically—or perhaps providentially—on the same day a group of Presbyterians, several of whom I know as friends, posted a letter and video about Hope for the PC(USA). I think that my message and theirs work well together. You can watch [...]
I’ve spent considerable time over the past year and a half reflecting on the challenges faced by Mainline Protestant denominations, especially the Presbyterian Church (USA). There are numerous conflicting assessments of the situation “on the ground”. Some have said that we are “deathly ill”. Others are quick to point out the numerous signs of life [...]
Last week, as part of his religion predictions for 2012, Tony Jones predicted that the Presbyterian Church (USA) will split at our upcoming General Assembly. Earlier in the month, in an open letter clarifying his involvement in the Fellowship of Presbyterians, Presbyterian theologian Joseph Small noted—and lamented—that a schism is “likely.” With the Fellowship folks [...]
A few weeks ago I wrote about my deep ambivalence regarding the current PC(USA) debate about non-geographic presbyteries. After the recent meeting of the Mid Councils Commission, I’m still ambivalent. But I am definitely leaning more and more toward giving this idea a chance. I’m sympathetic to the concept, primarily suggested by more conservative members [...]
I’m in the airport, heading home to Chicago after a meeting in Indianapolis of the PC(USA) Mid Councils Commission (formerly known in the pre-nFOG world as the Middle Governing Bodies Commission). This was the fourth meeting of the commission and the first at which we really debated two controversial matters of substance—non-geographic presbyteries and the [...]
