Dear Editor:

News of the decision of Central Florida Presbytery regarding the Confessing Church resolution adopted by the First Presbyterian Church, Sebastian, Florida, reached the plenary of A National Celebration of Confessing Churches on Tuesday, February 26.

A briefing on the decision was held for all interested participants. During this information session, strong support was expressed for the pastor and session of this local congregation by numerous speakers. An elder from Sebastian received a standing ovation.

Later, a self-appointed panel of lawyers, seminary professors, and pastors invested nearly two hours in seeking to "bullet-proof" the Sebastian resolution (which is virtually identical to those passed by many CCM sessions).

When this ad hoc group reported back to the plenary, they affirmed the statement of the Sebastian leadership by proclaiming that it could not be improved upon. A declaration of solidarity with Sebastian was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

Whether intended or not, the release of this ruling by the Presbytery of Central Florida could have knocked the wind from the sails of the Celebration. Instead, it had a galvanizing effect. A genuine sense of all-for-one-and-one-for-all swept through the hall. A fresh wind of the Spirit?

This spirit of unity was sealed in prayer. As the Celebration moved toward adjournment, representatives of Sebastian, and any others who felt themselves weighed upon by the press of battle, were invited forward. The rest of the assembly then rose for laying on of hands and extended intercession on their behalf, confident that the prayers of the righteous avail much.

Those present at A National Celebration of Confessing Churches, indeed every pastor and elder who has affirmed this Movement, need to be keenly aware of the potential cost of the stand we have taken. If the decision of the Central Florida PJC is sustained upon appeal, pastors who refuse to recant the essential tenets of the CCM will lose their jobs. Sessions that stand firm on the convictions of the CCM will be replaced by Presbytery Commissions with all the powers of original jurisdiction. Congregations which join with their clergy and officers, in defying the order of our ecclesiastical courts, will lose their buildings and investments.

Any who have come into this movement without assessing the high price that may be demanded of them, need to reconsider their action. Any who still may be inclined to join the cause of the Confessing Church, need to look squarely at the bottom line. You may be called upon to sacrifice your job, your office, your buildings, and your corporate accounts all for the sake of declaring that the Lord Jesus Christ is the sole, singular Savior of humankind; the Bible is the final rule of faith and practice; and holy living is a necessary requirement of faithful discipleship.

As for me, I pray with my Lord Jesus in asking our Father in heaven to let this cup of sacrifice pass without my having to drink from it. Yet, not my will but God’s be done!

Let all who say, "Amen!" rally to the banner of the Confessing Church Movement - the cross of Christ Jesus our Lord - with a shout of "Victory in Jesus! Our Savior forever!"