wfn.org | Churchwide 1 Corinthians Bible Study

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

4-Jan-96

96001         Churchwide  1 Corinthians Bible Study 
               Is Scheduled for Mid-January Release 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Commissioned by the General Assembly Council (GAC) in 
September, an eight-part study of 1 Corinthians will be mailed to all 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations in mid-January. 
 
     The proposed study, "In One Spirit," was approved by the GAC in 
response to the General Assembly's call for sustained attention to matters 
of theology, practical faith, and spiritual formation, particularly as they 
are informed by the scriptures and the "Book of Confessions." 
  
     "In One Spirit" was produced by the denomination's Congregational 
Ministries Division (CMD) for use in both personal Bible study and group 
study, according to the Rev. Lynn  Penny, CMD's associate for curriculum 
development. Penny said the study may be used at any time during the year 
but is intended particularly for use during Lent, or the season of Easter. 
 
     The complete text of the eight-session study became available 
electronically through both PresbyNet and the PC(USA) World Wide Web home 
page the first week in January. Penny said it was the first Presbyterian 
study resource to be distributed electronically. Discussion meetings to 
assist pastors, educators and others in planning ways to use the study will 
also be available on PresbyNet. 
 
     GAC members voted 26-23 last September to call for the churchwide 
study in the hope that it would further reconciliation within the 
denomination. Proponents of the study cited parallels between contemporary 
forces and issues and those that confronted the church in Corinth. 
Opponents felt that such a study should not be limited to 1 Corinthians. 
Penny said additional resources that address themes found in 1 Corinthians 
are expected to be available later this year. 
 
     "In the One Spirit" is intended to "nurture the reading and praying of 
Scripture as a spiritual practice," according to a preface to the study. 
Lessons will incorporate both scholarly and devotional elements but do not 
attempt to present detailed academic material or resolve questions about 
the precise meaning of 1 Corinthians. 
 
     Each session will follow a liturgical format and will include an 
opening and closing prayer, a reflection on the scripture passage and a 
suggested hymn. An initial copy of "In the One Spirit" will be mailed to 
each congregation free of charge. Additional copies are $2.50 each or $2 
each for orders of 10 or more to the same address. Orders may be placed by 
calling Presbyterian Distribution Service at (800) 524-2612 and asking for 
"In One Spirit," PDS #70-400-95-002. 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
  phone 502-569-5504            fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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