Dear Editor,

It is no surprise to see Michael Walker's announcement that he and Presbyterians For Renewal have signed on to the "Statement of Presbyterian Renewal Ministries on the Peace, Unity, and Purity Report." Some of our organizations' decision making processes take longer than others. Michael was an active participant in the development of the statement at a recent meeting in Chicago and no one doubted his agreement with the statement. Nevertheless, the decision by PFR to make their assent public is a cause for rejoicing.

And it is more. It is further witness to the unity of the renewal leaders who signed the statement. And it is far more than that. The statement itself is a reflection of the unity of our presbyteries in their approval of "fidelity and chastity," along with our current authoritative interpretation. The statement represents the whole church's opposition to the PUP report's recommendation that would permit what Scripture and our Confessions do not permit and to creating a situation in which what the church regards as essential may be declared by some to be not essential (The PUP's Recommendation 5). The statement from the Chicago meeting is aligned with the majority in the church who have united repeatedly to maintain our ordination standards in G-6.0106b and the current AI. And the statement is aligned with the Church throughout the ages and around the world in its affirmation of the purity required from those who lead the Christian Church.

The unity of the twenty-plus people on the Theological Task Force is insignificant in the face of this larger unity. We in the renewal movement see that the larger unity cannot yield to this lesser unity without a gravely negative effect on the church.

We stand together with all those faithful Presbyterians who placed G-6.0106b in the constitution and then voted by increasing majorities to keep it there.