November 2011

 

A personal letter to CPC from your Senior Pastor,

 

As your pastor I would like to address my role in the denominational events that are occurring within CPC at this time. A few months ago when our Presbytery voted to change the biblical standards for ordination of officers, I was torn as to whether we as a Session, (15 elders and your two pastors), should share with you the upcoming vote on “amendment 10 A” and then its result. After much prayer, and the counsel of many whom I trust, and the agreement of your Session, we shared the resulting vote. The removing of “faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman, and celibacy in singleness” and replacing it with “living under the joyful Lordship of Jesus Christ,” was very difficult for some and yet very affirming for others.

 

Over the ensuing months this change in the ordination standards became the tipping point for many congregations within the PC(USA) denomination. The passage of “10 A”         marked a continuing trend within our denomination of moving away from the orthodox theology of our reformed faith. I experienced this struggle as a pastor and felt it personally. Specifically of concern were the issues of Christ’s Lordship, salvation through Jesus Christ alone, the authority of Scripture, and now changes in biblical standards for ordination. Again, I struggled. Should I pursue these issues to clarify their truthfulness and viability? After much prayer I brought my concerns before the Session and the Session voted to send four of us to an August gathering of Presbyterians within the PC(USA) in Minneapolis in order to gain clarity on issues within our denomination and possible responses.                       

           

Over 1900 Presbyterians representing 860 churches and 48 states attended the event. We listened, we learned, and upon returning the four of us, Anne Cowburn, Denny Finnegan, Gerry Mello and I, communicated back to the Session the issues and concerns we gleaned from this “Gathering of Presbyterians.”

 

Again, I struggled. Should we share these issues with the congregation or should we not? I realized for many, “ignorance is bliss” and “please do not stir up the waters.” However, the Session and your pastors felt a responsibility to share these issues with the congregation. To do otherwise, the Session thought, would be irresponsible. These sharings were done at two Town Meetings in early October. The Town Meetings were not perfect, in fact they probably could have been done differently, or better, but they were our best attempt to convey issues and concerns within the PC(USA) at this time.

 

As your pastor, one of my responsibilities is to be open and transparent in all my dealings with you as a congregation. I am not a person to hide or keep information from anyone, especially you whom I love and cherish. I believe that sharing openness and honesty are the best process, even when that honesty is painful and open for misunderstanding.

 

I struggle with the pain and the difficulty this process has brought into so many lives here at CPC. I weep when I hear people attributing motives to others and vilifying third parties in emails and conversations. Yet as painful and difficult as these issues are I would still choose to share honestly and openly the issues and realties confronting the PC(USA). I do not believe “ignorance is bliss!” I do believe that grace and truth are both equally relevant and are to be kept as a constant and biblical tension in our lives.

 

Although my heart is burdened with the anxiety and tension that these issues create, I stand firm in the knowledge that “God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called for his purposes.” Romans 8:28

 

May we all, through the power of the Holy Spirit, recognize God’s purposes for CPC and may we be united in Him as we seek His will.

 

 

In Christ’s Love and Service Together,

 

Your Pastor Pat