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Note #6671 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Moderator backs away from criticism of 
Confessing Church Movement supporters
13-June-2001
GA01112

Moderator backs away from criticism of 
Confessing Church Movement supporters

Rogers says some backers are affirming confessions and promoting unity

by Jerry Van Marter 

LOUISVILLE, June 13 - General Assembly Moderator Jack Rogers backed away
somewhat from his harsh criticism of the Confessing Church Movement today,
telling some 325 people at the Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) breakfast
that conversations with supporters of the movement have convinced him that
he had misunderstood some of them.

	"I spent all day (Tuesday) with conservative evangelical leaders in the
church," Rogers told the Presbyterian News Service (PNS), "and I heard a lot
of hard stuff. We prayed together and they assured me they are willing to
work with me."

	The Confessing Church Movement, which has enlisted more than 300 churches,
promotes three "affirmations": Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation,
the infallibility of the Bible, and marriage as the only appropriate context
for sexual relations. Its primary promoter is The Presbyterian Layman.

	In his remarks at the breakfast, Rogers termed his statement "a
clarification, a correction and an apology."  He told PNS he felt he owed
PFR "a public apology to those I've hurt inadvertently. If the purpose of
supporters of the Confessing Church Movement is to affirm the confessions of
the church and to promote the unity of the church, then I'm all for them."
He said he believes PFR's intent is "not to substitute a narrow confession
for the church's rich confessional documents, but rather to connect
themselves with that very heritage." Rogers told the PFR breakfast gathering
"it was not my intention to criticize people wanting to help the church move
forward."

	Rogers told PNS, however, that "some behind the Confessing Church
Movement…are sowing discord and disunity." He declined to name those whom he
believes are doing that.

	Rogers also said that he intended to use the creeds and confessions of the
church "liturgically in worship at this Assembly." He made good on that
promise, leading the first plenary session in a recitation of the Apostles'
Creed. "I want to engage the Assembly in  utilizing the confessions as an
act of affirmation and worship," he told PNS.

	As he called the Assembly to the Apostles' Creed recital, Rogers told
commissioners he wanted to be known as "the confessing moderator."

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