Category Archives: Trinity #StayPCUSA

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

November 10, 2013

Posted under

Trinity #StayPCUSA

Comments

Leave a comment

Let’s Find A Better Way

My voice is advocating for staying in the PC(USA) but I move forward with this blog in the same spirit of open conversation, trust and transparency approved by the Presbytery of Los Ranchos.

The motion approved by the Presbytery of Los Ranchos on September 20, 2012

We, the Presbytery of Los Ranchos,

  • Authorize the Strategic Coordinating Team to develop initial recommendations for a process and guidelines for discernment of the heart of our congregations and our Presbytery in this time. These recommendations will be brought to Presbytery at the November 2012 meeting. The process will address how to equip congregations and the Presbytery:
  • To define and actively pursue our missional purpose
  • To develop theological clarity on the issues that both inspire and challenge our ministry together
  • To explore and define the nature of our connectionalism and ecumenical cooperation in new ways
  • To explore and clarify the purpose of presbytery in this new environment
  • To suggest ways that congregations can discern their call, including the possibilities of reaffirming their commitment to the PC(USA) or seeking alignment with other denominations.
  • Affirm that congregations and pastors in the Presbytery of Los Ranchos are encouraged to have these open conversations within and among themselves on all issues without fear of negative repercussions as we want to cultivate trust through transparency.

Update and recommendations from the Strategic Coordinating Team presented to Presbytery at the November 2012 meeting (see pages 4924 and following)

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

November 5, 2013

Posted under

Trinity #StayPCUSA

Comments

Leave a comment

Welcome to Trinity #StayPCUSA

Trinity #StayPCUSA is my voice advocating for staying in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  It is primarily addressed to Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, CA where I am a member but it is also addressed to anyone looking for more information as they discern their own future within our denomination.

In PC(USA) congregations where the session is recommending dismissal from the denomination those of us who believe otherwise can be left feeling alone and disconnected.  We are not alone though, it can just be hard to find each other.

Blogs like this, Twitter and other social media can help us connect across the denomination but also with members in our own congregations.  I encourage Twitter users to hashtag #StayPCUSA and to post your own thoughts or links to helpful resources.  There may be thunder but the sky is not falling in the PC(USA).

While I am sorting through ideas and outlining blog posts to come please visit the ABOUT page as well as the different RESOURCE pages available on this blog.

If you’re looking for a place to start let me offer two suggestions.  The first is a presentation made by our Presbytery Pastor Steve Yamaguchi to Trinity titled Is the PCUSA Burning Down?.  The video is short and gets right to he heart of some of the most troubling concerns being raised about the PC(USA).  If you have more time I also recommend Dr. Jerry Andrews’ scholarly video, Essential Tenets.  Dr. Andrews graciously articulates both the evangelical desire for clearly defined essential tenets as well as his own commitment to staying in the PC(USA).  These are great places to start.

Eric Christiansen