wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Moderator envisions 'liquid' church

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Note #7950 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Moderator envisions 'liquid' church
03409
September 29, 2003

Moderator envisions 'liquid' church

Flexibility, creativity are keys to renewal, Andrews tells GAC

By Jerry L. Van Marter

MONTREAT, NC - In a culture that is changing and growing more diverse, the
church must respond by becoming more flexible and embracing change, General
Assembly Moderator Susan R. Andrews told the General Assembly Council as it
gathered here for its fall meeting.

"We're a solid church," Andrews told the council on Sept. 24. "We love rules
and processes and procedures and structures."

However, she said, alluding to a recent talk by Rodger Nishioka, a professor
at Columbia Theological Seminary, "the spirit of God is pouring out on us,
calling us to be a liquid church - more flexible, still accountable, but
recognizing the nuances that can make us more open to God's leading."

Andrews conceded that Presbyterians are "engaged with difficult and
contentious issues," adding: "Some of us are dealing with them in creative
ways, but most of us are not. We either want it to go away, or we want to
leave it to others."

She praised the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the
Church "for creating a community where they can face tough issues in a loving
context, and setting an example for how the rest of us have to do this."

Andrews encouraged theologically liberal and conservative churches to team up
on mission projects. "Don't talk about ordination standards or Biblical
interpretation," she advised. "Find the joy in serving Jesus Christ in the
world together. That might go a long way toward finding common ground and
reconciliation."

The moderator said she has seen in her travels around the church since May,
when she was elected moderator of the 215th General Assembly, great vitality,
faithfulness and creativity in Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations coast
to coast.

Renewal of congregational worship, growth of immigrant and multicultural
fellowships, the uniqueness and strength of small churches, the development
of leaders - especially lay leaders such as Commissioned Lay Pastors,
tentmakers and Christian educators - and a growing interest in disciplined
Bible study are signs, she said, "of lively, engaged, growing Christians
engaged in following Jesus Christ."

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