wfn.org | Pastor/Theologian Reunion in Long Beach

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Note #5958 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

24-June-2000
GA00013

	Pastor/Theologian Reunion in Long Beach

	Pastoral Letters Written by Participants

	by Nancy Rodman

LONG BEACH, June 24 - Participants in the Lilly Endowment-funded program,
"The Pastor/Theologian in the Congregation" held a reunion consultation this
week before the start of the 212th General Assembly to reflect on issues
facing the church and to answer the question, "What would we say to
pastor/theologians in the church?"

	Participants in the reunion consultation, some of whom were veterans of the
program, were asked to brainstorm theological issues in the church.  These
issues were consolidated into four areas and the reunion participants,
divided into four groups, were asked to develop pastoral letters on the
issues.  When the groups came together to share their letters, there was,
according to participant the Rev. Carlos Wilton, remarkable similarity
despite the diversity of the participants who came from different size
churches and all parts of the country.

	 "The message," Wilton said, "is that while the church is under siege in
many senses, it is in no way about to die.  There is still water in the font
and bread and wine on the Communion table."

	First-time participant the Rev. Richard Smith added, "Part of the
prevailing sense of the participants is that the church is ultimately in the
hands of God and that there's a concern that we not let our anxieties about
current issues and problems cause us to forget that."

	The group was clear that the letters are not answers to problems but
vehicles for theological discussion.  "Sometimes in conflict in the church,
we can't see the forest for the trees, but when you get a group together,
you can get the big picture," Wilton said.

	The four letters written by the participants in the reunion consultation
will be available on request from the Office of Theology and Worship and,
after the General Assembly, will be on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) web
site.

	"The Pastor/Theologian in the Congregation Program" was begun about ten
years ago to encourage pastors in their theological vocation and to provide
them with the space to do their theological work.

	 "Theology," according to Robert Johnson of the Office of Theology and
Worship, "is the one thing we are supposed to do best.  Our field is
theology -- that's what we're supposed to be specialists in.  Theology and
Worship is delighted to do this program.  We want to help the church to be
true to its calling."

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