wfn.org | Denominational Leaders seek Focus

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

22-January-1997 
 
 
97033         DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS SEEK FOCUS ON 
                  "THE GREAT ENDS OF THE CHURCH" 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
TAMPA, Fla.--Six leading entities of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have 
joined to recommend to the 209th General Assembly (1997) that it "declare 
for the PC(USA) a six-year emphasis from 1998 through 2003 on the Great 
Ends of the Church as God's calling" to the denomination. 
 
     As set forth in the "Book of Order" (G-1.0200), the great ends of the 
church are 
 
     *    "the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind" 
     *    "the shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of 
           God" 
     *    "the maintenance of divine worship" 
     *    "the preservation of the truth" 
     *    "the promotion of social righteousness" 
     *    "and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world." 
 
     The focus on the great ends of the church was first proposed by the 
Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick shortly after he was elected General Assembly 
stated clerk last summer.  The idea was immediately endorsed by the Rev. 
Frank Diaz, interim executive director of the General Assembly Council, and 
the proposal, ratified by the GAC executive committee at its Jan. 10-11 
meeting here, was submitted to the committee by the Office of the General 
Assembly, the GAC, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, the Board of 
Pensions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation and the Presbyterian 
Investment and Loan Program. 
 
     Kirkpatrick noted that "there has never been a joint report by all the 
General Assembly agencies on one subject -- it's about time to start."  He 
reiterated the belief he expressed often in his run for stated clerk that 
"there is great strength in the  Book of Order'" and that a denominational 
focus on the great ends of the church "can be extraordinarily unifying and 
helpful at this time." 
 
     Kirkpatrick said the beauty of the great ends of the church is that 
"they are not the lowest common denominator but an expression of our core 
values as Presbyterians and Reformed Christians." 
 
     The Rev. John Buchanan, moderator of the General Assembly, said he 
considered the proposal "a great idea" and that he has begun to implement 
it by organizing daily worship at the upcoming General Assembly in Syracuse 
around the great ends of the church. 
 
     The proposal recommends that the overarching theme of the next six 
General Assemblies be the great ends of the church, with "one end being 
highlighted each year through worship, preaching, educational opportunities 
and special events." 
 
     The proposal also instructs the agencies of the General Assembly "to 
shape their mission and programs in accord with the Great Ends of the 
Church" and to "offer special resources to the church where possible." 
 
     And it encourages all congregations and governing bodies to join in 
the emphasis. 

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