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06415 August 17, 2006
New Wineskins seeks disciplinary 'moratorium'
Churches need freedom to have stay-or-go talks, group says
by Toya Hill
LOUISVILLE * The New Wineskins Association of Churches has followed through on action it voted to take by sending correspondence to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leadership calling for a moratorium on disciplining churches seeking to leave the denomination.
A letter written by the Rev. Dean Weaver, moderator of the New Wineskins Association of Churches, and a copy of action taken by delegates to the group's 2006 convocation held in late July, was sent to PC(USA) Stated Clerk the Rev. Cliff Kirkpatrick, Moderator the Rev. Joan Gray and all synods and presbytery executives.
Kirkpatrick, who was traveling, told the Presbyterian News Service Aug. 17 that he had not seen Weaver's letter and wouldn't comment on it until early next week, when he's had a chance to read it.
The association is comprised of 128 PC(USA) congregations that have organized because of their displeasure with the current state of the denomination, particularly the 217th General Assembly's approval of the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity (PUP) of the Church.
The moratorium action, approved at the New Wineskins recent convocation July 19-22 in Tulsa, OK, calls on the moderator, stated clerk and all general presbyters of synods and presbyteries to adopt a moratorium on:
taking disciplinary action against ordained officers or governing bodies engaged in such discernment discussions regarding the issues of theology and polity which confront our denomination, including discussions which may lead to consideration of a congregation requesting dismissal from its presbytery; and
taking administrative or legal actions to encumber or to seize property, or to interfere with the exercise of authority by duly elected session members, or otherwise to restrain ordained officers or members of the congregation from engaging in such discussions or for advocating any position in the discernment process.
"As I am sure you are aware, the actions of the 217th General Assembly in approving the Peace, Unity and Purity Task Force report (specifically recommendation #5) has brought confusion and grief to many faithful members of our collective fellowship," Weaver said is his letter. "This is a difficult time that calls for grace and mutual forbearance."
The GA approved an "authoritative interpretation" of the church's Constitution that maintains current ordination standards for church officers, but allows a candidate for ordination to state a conscientious objection to a part of the ordination standards. Presbyteries and sessions are then called to determine if the exception is allowable or violates an essential of the Reformed faith and polity.
Weaver said that at the New Wineskins convocation there were "numerous stories" of congregations who have experienced fear and intimidation by their presbyteries for going against the grain.
"For daring to think certain thoughts or worse yet, consider openly actions that are permitted within our polity, member congregations are facing threats and what appear to be vindictive actions," Weaver said. "We are asking that you and all the elected leaders of the lower governing judicatories work with us to help create an environment of real peace, during these troubling times."
Weaver said in an interview Thursday he would welcome a meeting with Kirkpatrick, Gray or anyone else "who could talk about moving forward in a way that would bring glory to God."
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