Friday, September 30, 2011

Pastoral Perspective on The Fellowship of Presbyterians

www.fellowship-pres.org

 
 

On August 25 and 26 in the Twin Cities area at the conference hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota, what was initially anticipated in early spring to be attended by three hundred people instead showed to be nearly two thousand strong. The inaugural gathering of like-minded evangelicals in The Fellowship of Presbyterians signaled a significant movement of the Holy Spirit already underway among presbyters concerned with recent outcomes of voting by Presbyteries which has effected major changes in polity for the Presbyterian Church (USA).

 
 

Throughout the two days filled with several seminars, workshops, breakout sessions, table group discussions and stimulating conversations, I witnessed what I regard to be the incipient beginnings of monumental transformation yet to come and in some ways already in progress. We will likely be experiencing rapid, accelerated changes in structure and organization across the denomination in what I might now more emphatically refer to as the post-denominational landscape of the new millennium.

 
 

Nearly twenty-five years ago, I saw and had to participate in the radical re-ordering and massive restructuring of a major corporation. The company I worked for was part of a global conglomerate that at the time was much hindered in its businesses by outdated bureaucratic procedures and multiple levels of organizational hierarchies which impeded their ability to act nimbly and quickly in response to the demands of their various constituencies. The varied units across the multi-national corporation were streamlined from having in some cases thirteen different levels of management down to just five layers of supervision.

 
 

I believe that this is not unlike what is currently happening or about to happen in the PCUSA today. It is not just about theology per se, as important as that is, but also the reforms necessary to more practically effect the renewal of missional ministry in the church for the rapidly changing world around us.

 
 

On Sunday , October 23, I am envisioning a shortened morning service followed by an informational gathering of the congregation to provide a setting in which we may explore further in conversation these things which are currently happening among Presbyterians in and surrounding the PCUSA. Please keep the efforts of The Fellowship of Presbyterians in your prayers as we all seek the Lord's face together in pursuing the better future God has in mind for us to discover and realize anew.

 
 

As the prophet in Jeremiah (29:11-14a) proclaims, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord.

 
 

In the grip of God's amazing grace, with you, I remain and continue

 
 

Pastor Rex

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Peacemaking Offering – Litany of Thanksgiving (adapted for World Communion Sunday 2011)

Peacemaking Offering - Litany of Thanksgiving (adapted for World Communion Sunday 2011)

One: We give you thanks O God,

for you have made us in your image

female and male, black, brown, olive, and pale.

You created us and continue to shape us and teach us to love you,

to love our neighbors, and to love ourselves.

With gratitude we pray….

All: Bread of life, cup of peace, we give you thanks, O God.

One: You set us in this world to love and to serve you,

and to live in peace with your whole creation.

Although we have failed to do so,

you have not rejected us but continue to call us back to your way.

With gratitude we pray….

All: Bread of life, cup of peace, we give you thanks, O God.

One: In Jesus Christ you showed us your love for all,

especially those among us often rejected by others.

Those of us who are poor, immigrants, prostitutes, suffering from illness, those whom

society has deemed

unclear or impure.

You showed us the way to a new community, one in which the last would be first,

justice would be realized,

resources would be shared in common.

With gratitude we pray….

All: Bread of life, cup of peace, we give you thanks, O God.

One: Jesus proclaimed the good news of the reign of God, healing

the sick, feeding the hungry, calling for economic

justice from tax collectors and religious leaders,

preaching about faith guided by the heart, not law.

With gratitude we pray….

All: Bread of life, cup of peace, we give you thanks, O God.

One: Yet we rebelled against his message of compassion and justice,

and he was crucified because we feared such love.

But death cannot ultimately defeat life; many waters

cannot quench love. Jesus rose from the grave,

and in the resurrection we place our hope and

assurance. We joyfully celebrate Christ's life and

resurrection as we wait for the day that Christ is fully

present with us and in us and the world is at peace.

With gratitude we pray….

All: Bread of life, cup of peace, we give you thanks, O God.

One: Gracious God, we give you thanks for pouring out your Holy Spirit upon us. Fill us with compassion that we might be moved to action that your reign might be on earth as it is in heaven.

With gratitude all God's people say….

All: Amen.