“Where Have All The Presbyterians Gone?” could be the title of a denominational funeral hymn for the 2.3 millionmember PCUSA, but is actually the title of a recent Wall Street Journal article by Russell Moore. Moore (pictured at left) is a Southern Baptist minister who currently serves as the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice-President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and as a preaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church.
Jack Haberer, a Presbyterian minister who currently serves as editor of The Presbyterian Outlook, recently wrote an article
to introduce a letter and a white paper both written by PCUSA clergy suggesting that radical change is a must. Haberer (pictured at right) explains:
A group of 45 mostly large church pastors have published a letter to the whole Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) declaring the denomination to be “deathly ill” and declaring that the church needs to be “radically transformed.” . . . They spelled out their assessments in a white paper titled, “Time for Something New,” which was published on Feb. 2 along with the letter to the denomination . . . The letter is signed by a steering committee of seven pastors, most of whom are founding leaders of the Presbyterian Global Fellowship, and 38 concurring pastors.
So What?
Clearly, there is no such thing as business as usual for those in the PCUSA nor can there be for any group that was ever construed as being a mainline Protestant tradition. I read these words as one who blogs often about the topic of denominational demise (especially if denominations are defined in thoroughly modern terms and functioning largely as they did two generations ago), as one who has seen what is happening from within (serving in Presbyterian, Lutheran and Disciples of Christ congregations in lay and pastoral roles), and as one who is deeply committed to a ministry of helping move all followers of Jesus toward the goal of unity. As such a reader, I am encouraged and cautiously optimistic that many key leaders are moving not only to generate conversation but to bring about significant change.
In the Feb. 2 letter the group lists four values:
- A minimalist structure, replacing bureaucracy and most rules with relational networks of common purpose;
- Property and assets under stewardship of the local Session. Dues/Gifts for common administration should only allow and enable continued affiliation among these congregations;
- Rather than large institutions, joint ventures with specialized ministries as congregations deem helpful [PC(USA) World Mission may be a source of joint support, aspects of the Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Global Fellowship, Presbyterians for Renewal conferences, Outreach Foundation, etc.];
- An atmosphere of support for congregations both within and outside of the PC(USA).
Do you believe these values are both adequate and appropriate to begin the important work of moving the denomination from its death bed to new life? Why or why not?
For more on the demise of denominations, consider reading “Could the End Be Near for Denominational Universities,” which includes links to multiple other posts I have written on the more general topic of denominational decline and the need for radical change, especially in the mainline.