This story located at: http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2006/06302.htm
Montreat conference will assess hope, future of the PC(USA)
Seminary presidents, former GA moderators head participants list for early-July summit
by Toya Richards Hill
LOUISVILLE - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly moderators, seminary presidents and a host of others are expected to gather at Montreat Conference Center next month to dialogue and share visions for the future of the denomination.
The North Carolina-based center is hosting "The Hope of the Church: Celebrating Common Ground" July 5-8 as a consultation for church leaders and laity across the U.S. Fifteen GA moderators, the 11 PC(USA) seminary presidents or their representatives and various pastors, elders and lay leaders will address four key questions during the event in an effort to share ideas and network.
"This is an opportunity to sit across the table and discuss our visions and hopes and dreams for the church," said Merri Bass, Montreat's vice president for program development and marketing.
The four questions the conference will address are: How is the church being called to transform itself? How is the church being called to transform the world? What is God calling the next generation of pastors to do to faithfully serve the church in the future? What are the opportunities for ministering to a diverse and multicultural, 21st century church?
"This is a very pivotal time in the life of our denomination," said Bass. "My hope is for the Presbyterian Church to be energized and inspired *in answers to these questions that we lay forth."
The Montreat conference will come on the heels of the 217th General Assembly later this month in Birmingham, AL, where a number of key issues will be discussed. Among the items up for debate will be the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (TTF), which addresses issues of Christology, Biblical authority and interpretation, ordination standards and power.
The report, issued in September 2005, has particularly drawn debate around the issue of ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians.
"I don't think it's possible to calculate the institutional energy that we've expanded fighting each other," the Rev. John Buchanan, moderator of the 208th General Assembly (1996), said in a news release about the Montreat conference that he also will attend.
"My hope is that we'll find a way to live with one another graciously, and that it will liberate all this resource of energy and imagination and love that we've invested in contention - liberate it for proclamation and mission," said Buchanan, pastor at Chicago's Fourth Presbyterian Church.
Bass said between 200 and 250 people are expected to attend "The Hope of the Church" conference from as far away as Alaska and across all demographic and theological lines.
"My hope is that we will have voices from across the church," she said.
Registration materials are available online at Montreat's Web site: www.montreat.org. And, "we do have some scholarship money still available," particularly for racial/ethnic participants, Bass said.
Conference information also can be obtained by calling (800) 572-2257, ext 312.