Why a “Covenanting” Conference in Orlando?
A paragraph from the soon-to-be released theology group includes this beautiful explanation:
“We are elect in Christ to become members of the community of the new covenant. This covenant, which God himself guarantees, unites us to God and to one another. Already in the creation, we discover that we are made to live in relationships to others, male and female, created together in God’s image. In Christ, we are adopted into the family of God and find our new identity as brothers and sisters of one another, since we now share one Father. Our faith requires our active participation in that covenant community.”
In the declining days of Christendom, it seemed easy to relate to one another as “fellow Presbyterians,” assuming shared beliefs, heritage, and mission derived from a common worldview. Such assumptions were sufficient to maintain a tacit sense of “unity.”
One by one, these assumptions have been proven wrong. The PC(USA), as it exists today, is at best a collection of diverse expressions of faith, witness, and mission held together by a bureaucratic structure. Increasingly we are invited to “celebrate our diversity” and not ask the embarrassing questions of like-mindedness with Christ or with one another.
At the heart of The Fellowship of Presbyterians is the desire to reclaim a covenanted biblical community. This begins with a clear expression of our core theological identity and, for those creating a new Reformed entity, carries through to a new polity structure that embodies those beliefs.
In this time of deepening divisions, “active participation in Christ’s covenant community” requires us to be clear on who we are, what we believe, and why, and invites us to realize that our unity is derived from common faith, not structural affiliation.
The “umbrella” of The Fellowship of Presbyterians is intended to reach across lines of structural affiliation, drawing into a covenanted relationship of mutual support and accountability those who, in various ways, are remaining as missionaries in the PC(USA), those who are seeking union relationships, and those who are forming a new Reformed entity. This is one of the goals of the Orlando conference.
10 Responses
I love the phrase, “Already in the creation, we discover that we are made to live in relationships to others…” God was here first. We aren’t Holy or All-Powerful, but He is. This statement places God where he should be placed, beyond all of our measures of worth. And we are rightfully located in the world, in need of salvation and a relationship with God and creation.
This is both brilliant and inspired. Looking forward to more.
The explicit and direct character of this language is refreshing and encouraging. I look forward to reading more.
This is excellent, thank you so much. I am looking forward to reading the rest.
Excellent statement. Thank you for your hard and careful work. Time has put a great deal of pressure on us all and can push us toward carelessness. Obviously that is not the case here. I am very eager to read the rest of the document especially now having seen this excellent start. Again, thanks and well done!
Applause, Applause, Applause!!! I am eager to read the total document and if it as concise and simple as this paragraph, your team gets an A+ for outstanding work. I do have one concern that if the words ” live in relationship to one another, male and female” are intended to reflect Scripture indicating that marriage is between a man and a woman, some people will seek to misinterpret and may believe it also could condone GLBT behavior. A few added words to this statement would clarify and make it rock solid.
Thank you, Jay.
“Covenant” is a pretty significant word for all of us; and those of us who are not planning to depart the PC(USA) are already covenantally committed to her – far from spotless (I’m trying to be charitable) bride though she be. I’m wondering how to construe this new covenant, and its force relative to the old one? Any thought about that? And what sort of instrument is being envisioned in and through which we will “cut covenant” together in Orlando? Thanks for the great theological work.
Many folks in The Fellowship of Presbyterians have no intention of leaving the PC(USA). The point of the Fellowship is drawing like minded people together to strengthen one another in the various ministries to which we have been called irrespective of context. Just as someone may have a covenanted relationship with prayer partners that does not impinge on their covenanted relationship with their spouse (or their denomination for that matter), so this calling us to a new level of commitment that supersedes identification with the PC(USA) or the NRB or…
Okay, good answer…I think. But you didn’t say what was being envisioned as the instrument – something to sign? for us to sign personally? for us to sign for our churches? – by and through which we’ll “cut covenant.” Has there been some thought and conversation about that, some plan for that? Surely there has?
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