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Saturday, April 19, 2008 Come to Presbyweb first it is the quick and easy way to miss nothing of All the National PC(USA) news Something we may have overlooked? Please, tell us

PC(USA), NCC leaders to join in Earth Day ceremony Presbyterians are first denomination to consider new Social Creed By Jerry L. Van Marter / PNS
	LOUISVILLE – Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, the new general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC) will share leadership of a worship service at the Presbyterian Center here April 22 to mark Earth Day and celebrate the ecological vision contained in the new ecumenical Social Creed for the 21st Century. The Social Creed is a one-page statement of social ethics modeled on and recalling the “Social Creed of the Churches” of 1908. The new Social Creed not only celebrates that earlier influential statement — which focused primarily on working conditions and workers rights in the wake of the industrial revolution — but broadens its economic concerns to include a major concern for environmental sustainability. Related: • Text of A Social Creed for the 21st Century • License to speak for me – Commentary by Bob Davis

Christian Middle East peace advocates to gather CMEP annual conference to continue push for ‘two-state’ solution By Jerry L. Van Marter / PNS
	The push for a two-state solution to the protracted Israel-Palestine conflict continues April 20-22 when representatives of 22 U.S. church and church-related organizations – including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – gather here for the annual advocacy conference sponsored by Christians for Middle East Peace (CMEP).

Bare essentials Basic services, especially education, critical to Sudan’s recovery from civil war By Leanne Larmondin / PNS
	RUMBEK, Sudan — Sudan appears to be a country in waiting. Waiting for a crucial census that will clarify for the first time since 1993 the population figures in the north and the semi-autonomous south Sudan. Waiting for elections in 2009. Waiting for a critical referendum in 2011 that will allow the people of the 10 states of South Sudan to vote on the question of self-determination from the Khartoum-based north. But, after a 21-year civil war that crippled much of the nation’s infrastructure, and an increasingly shaky peace agreement signed in 2005, Sudanese people, especially those in the south, are also waiting for more basic, essential things: water, healthcare, roads, schools.

Presbyterian Church leader cites challenges By David Zeeck / TheNewsTribune.com [Wa.]
	“We’re addressing several things surrounding our missions work with a real sense of urgency,” said the Rev. Joan Gray... En route to Alaska, she preached and held a question-and-answer session at University Place Presbyterian Church on Sunday. "She said other nations need less help in evangelism, and more partnering on their terms – often on health issues and education, including supporting indigenous seminaries. She cited Africa, where “the church is exploding with new members.” "She said mission work also needs to be refocused in the U.S., through more outreach to recent immigrants, through more emphasis and autonomy on local mission efforts and through denomination support to growing church-to-church networks that exist to serve regions like the Baltic states and Africa..."

To stay or to leave the PCUSA: Two pastors tell their stories From The Presbyterian Layman
•	What we believe does matter – by Russ Stevenson "It never ceases to amaze me that so many people who have not left explain why the New Wineskins folks are leaving, but none of those explanations speaks for me. I am one of those who has left (officially dismissed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and its New Wineskins non-geographic presbytery)... "The PCUSA, by its adoption of the PUP authoritative interpretation, has said that we have no “essential standards” any more. According to the AI, each ordaining or installing body decides on a case-by-case basis what standards are essential in each case. It doesn’t matter what you believe, you can be a leader as long as you can find a congregation or a presbytery willing to ordain you. In one word, the PCUSA has embraced pluralism... "Yes, we still have standards. But those standards no longer matter. The anchor is still there, but we’ve thrown the anchor rope overboard..."
•	An aging mainline Jesus freak – by Robert R. Kopp "It’s been years since Paul Swedlund died, but it seems like only a few hours ago. Maybe that’s because his last words to me make more sense now than then... "About a week before [he went] home to Jesus, we talked about the increasing dysfunctions in our corner of the Kingdom. "When I said I didn’t know how much longer I could take it, he yelled, “Listen, pal, you got me back into this. So you better not run away now.” "After a very pregnant pause, Paul concluded with cautionary counsel that continues to compel denominational stability despite accelerating assaults on our Biblical heritage...: “If you leave the church which birthed you, you may never grow up – not to mention failing to pay your debt to it. You’ve got to stay where you’ve been planted. Jesus never abandoned His people. I can’t imagine His pleasure if you do.”... "God knows it ain’t easy. Calvary Road, not Easy Street, is the path to victory – and take another glance at Matthew 16:24-28 if you’ve lost your trip’s itinerary..."

On being a church Blog by Peter de Vries, candidate for GA vice-moderator
	"The book of Acts suggests three models for what a church should look like, particularly when it comes to disagreements... "Here’s the bottom line: joyful harmony is our goal, but we need to figure out what to do when we don’t have it. Parting company with each other, even on good terms, leads to disintegration. Prayerful and respectful deliberation and decision-making helps us move forward, even if it doesn’t make everyone happy."

Kirkpatrick included in delegation welcoming Pope Benedict By Toya Richards Hill / PNS
	LOUISVILLE – An ecumenical delegation including the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly, will greet Pope Benedict XVI on Friday, April 18, as part of the pontiff’s visit to the United States. Representatives from the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, the National Baptist Convention USA, the Armenian Church of America and the National Association of Evangelicals all are included among those taking part in the Friday gathering.

Professor who shuns Reformed orthodoxy hired to teach it at Davidson College – by John H. Adams / The Layman
	"...Dr. Douglas Ottati, a Presbyterian elder (not minister)... came to Davidson this academic year as part of a deal cut by the college's trustees in 2006. In exchange for abandoning Davidson's requirement that all trustees of the 1,700-student, Presbyterian college be Christians, the board sought to assuage the traditionalists by seeking money for a professor who would specialize in Reformed theology. They got the cash and hired Ottati away from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. Their new specialist is a self-described "progressive" theologian, which essentially means believing anything and adhering to nothing..."

Letters from PC(USA) missionaries and YAVs
•	YAV Ali Sutton in Guatemala
•	Judy & Tom Harvey in Singapore
•	Chris McReynolds on the U.S.-Mexico border
•	Don & Martha Wehmeyer in Mexico
•	Tom Johnson in Niger
•	Bob & Stacy Bronkema in Russia
•	Art & Sue Kinsler in Korea

Scripture lessons for today – from the Lectionary
	"...the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory..." "...if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel at each stage of their journey." "Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more..." "...I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous..."

Today in the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study Australia and New Zealand
	Deep in the interior, the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), through its twenty-three patrol ministers, celebrates the presence of Christ. In New Zealand’s 2006 census Presbyterians ranked the third highest in religious affiliation, with 385,347 members.

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In U.N. Speech, pope urges promotion of human rights "...recognition of the transcendent value of every man and woman favors conversion of heart..." By Warren Hoge and Ian Fisher / The New York Times
	"...he made no explicit reference to a nation or conflict in particular, and he laid no specific blame in a the half-hour speech, which was densely packed with philosophy and theology. But he did mention briefly some specific priorities for the Vatican, like protecting the environment, and making sure that poor nations, especially in Africa, also reap the benefits of globalization. "And in a passage that will have particular resonance for the current United Nations leadership, which is trying to establish the right of the outside world to intervene in situations where nations fail to shield their own citizens from atrocities, the pope said that “every state has the primary duty to protect its own population from grave and sustained violations of human rights.” "The concept, known as “responsibility to protect,” is one that Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, has championed as a way for international institutions to take action in regions like Darfur. “If states are unable to guarantee such protection,” the pope said, “the international community must intervene with the juridical means provided in the United Nations charter and in other international instruments.” Related: Full text of Pope Benedict XVI's UN speech

Pope celebrates Mass for clergy in New York / CNN
	NEW YORK – On the third anniversary of his election to the papacy, Pope Benedict XVI was celebrating Mass Saturday morning at St. Patrick's Cathedral – viewed as the most prominent Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in the United States. The Mass is for priests, deacons and members of religious orders. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who greeted Benedict upon his arrival, is scheduled to address the clergy. Related: • Benedict becomes first pope to visit American synagogue / AP Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope to visit an American synagogue Friday, bringing greetings for the Passover holiday and accepting gifts of matzo and a seder plate. Benedict, 81, stopped briefly at Park East Synagogue on Manhattan's Upper East Side, near the Vatican residence. At a Roman Catholic church in Manhattan, the pope later warned other Christian leaders against "so-called prophetic actions" that conflict with traditional views of the Bible, a reference to the debate over Scripture that is fracturing churches in America and around the world. • Pope calls on Christians to work for unity By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "...Pope Benedict XVI issued a ringing call to other Christian leaders to uphold scripture and the ancient creeds as the foundation of Christian doctrine. "Only by holding fast to sound teaching will we be able to respond to the challenges that confront us in an evolving world. Only in this way will we give unambiguous testimony to the truth of the gospel and its moral teaching," he told 250 national and local Eastern Orthodox and Protestant leaders at St. Joseph Church on Manhattan's Upper East Side..."

Pope speaks on academic freedom, Catholic identity
	(CWNews.com) – Pope Benedict XVI asked American Catholic educators to "reflect on what is particular to our Catholic institutions," during an April 17 address to the leaders of Catholic colleges and universities. About 600 educators attended the papal address, which he delivered at Catholic University. Also on hand were 195 directors of diocesan education programs. The speech to Catholic university leaders was generally regarded as one of the more delicate tasks on the Holy Father's schedule during his American visit... most Catholic institutions of higher education in the US have adamantly resisted compliance with the standards set in 1990 governing Catholic universities.

New rules considered for abuse cases, Vatican says By Laurie Goodstein and Katie Zezima / The New York Times
	A top Vatican official said on Friday that the Roman Catholic Church is considering changes to the canon laws that govern how the church handles cases of sexual abuse by priests. The official, Cardinal William Levada, suggested that this was not something that the Vatican planned to make public just yet, but the revelation came one day after Pope Benedict XVI held a private meeting with survivors of clergy abuse during his first trip to the United States.

Pope admonishes US bishops to oppose homosexual marriage By Pete Winn / CNSNews.com
	"It is your task to proclaim boldly the arguments from faith and reason in favor of the institution of marriage, understood as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, open to the transmission of life," the pope told the gathering of more than 300 bishops.

Unrealistic to live as if one religion, Vatican cardinal says By Fredrick NZwili / ENI
	Nairobi – Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, has said religions should be prepared to ask difficult questions and he asserts it is unrealistic to live as if there was only one global faith. "Partners in the dialogue must be open to talk about those issues not often put on the table: religious liberty, freedom of conscience, reciprocity, conversion, religious extremism," said Tauran on 16 April in Nairobi, where he was attending a four-day interreligious meeting. The cardinal said that religion should be used as a tool for peace and not war, and he also said that the Roman Catholic Church recognised partners in the dialogue as equals, but this did not mean all religions were more or less equal.

Where worship is black and white Racially diverse congregations are becoming more widespread By Yonat Shimron / The News & Observer [Raleigh, NC]
	The 10 a.m. service at Calvary Chapel in Apex is mobbed. People sit in folding chairs at the edges of the aisles, on the floor and in the lobby where they watch the service on a TV feed. But what makes this church unique is not its apparent popularity. Instead, it breaks many of the unspoken conventions of church life across the country, and especially in the South. Its pastor, Rodney Finch, is black. The congregation is about 70 percent white. The Christian evangelical network of Calvary Chapels, consisting of 1,000 churches across the United States, is especially diverse, but it's not alone.

Deepak Chopra shares new view of Jesus New Age author says the Christian Messiah is a state of consciousness By Tania Fuentez / AP
	In The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore (Harmony Books). Chopra challenges Christian doctrine while presenting an alternative: Jesus as a state of mind, rather than the historical rabbi of Nazareth or son of God. ''I said to myself, 'Why not write a book that takes Jesus' teachings — and it doesn't matter if you're Christian or not — and learn from this and improve your life,' '' he told the Associated Press.

When the polygamists came to town / TIME
	"When a new neighbor moves into Eldorado in Schleicher County, Texas (pop. 2,800), the customary welcome from the locals is a cake and an invitation to church or a community event. But residents found the newcomers distant and unresponsive to their gestures of friendship. Four years ago, posing as Utah businessmen, David Allred and a small group of companions said they had come to Eldorado to build a hunting and game preserve in what was once the Red Cheek Ranch. That wasn't surprising... "We flushed them out in six weeks," says Randy Mankin, editor and publisher of the weekly El Dorado Success, circulation 1,200..."... he says the massive construction at the Red Cheek site sparked suspicions... When the paper checked Allred's Utah connections, it discovered that the men were in Eldorado to set up a large gated compound for the Fundamentalist Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), a religious group that believes in "celestial marriage" – polygamy. The FLDS admitted to town leaders they had lied and townsfolk became wary.

Indiana judge dismisses ACLU challenge, upholds 'God' license plate / AP
	INDIANAPOLIS – A judge has upheld the issuance of Indiana license plates bearing the message "In God We Trust," dismissing a constitutional challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. The ACLU will appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

A Jesus for real men What the new masculinity movement gets right and wrong. By Brandon O'Brien / Christianity Today
	"The stallions hang out in bars; the geldings hang out in church." This observation from David Murrow strikes a little close to home for someone like me. I always thrived in my congregation but was never certain I fit the mold of masculinity I saw modeled around me. So as much as I resent Murrow's sentiment, it nevertheless rings true: In many churches, a certain type of man is conspicuously absent. "The disparity in men's and women's attendance in American churches has made men the target of specialized ministry over the last two decades... "Today a growing body of literature is... suggesting that men are uninvolved in church life because the church doesn't encourage authentic masculine participation... The first writer to popularize this concern was John Eldredge, who, in his three-million-selling Wild at Heart (Thomas Nelson, 2001), lamented that the masculine spirit was at risk because "most men believe God put them on the earth to be good boys."

All systems go – Why we shouldn't devalue systematic theology. By Collin Hansen / Christianity Today
	"This year's Together for the Gospel conference felt markedly more defensive than the inaugural 2006 event. The speakers each zeroed in on the topic of theological error. Mark Dever ranged widely as he argued that evangelicals must not confuse implications of the gospel with its essence, the salvation of souls. Al Mohler capped the second evening with a relentless defense of substitutionary Atonement. The schedule was exhausting, the content hard-hitting. "Ligon Duncan, president of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, set the tone with his opening talk on Tuesday night. Speaking on "Sound Doctrine: Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry," Duncan bemoaned our anti-theological age..."

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