Presbyterian Crossroads

This is a devotional written for one of the 12 Days of Christmas Prayer described in earlier posts. Come join us at Faith church 12/26-1/6!

The Mastercard Commercial I’d like to see:
(Jim Moss, Presbyterian minister, South Carolina)

Amount spent each year in Europe and the United
States on pet food: $17 billion

Cost per year to achieve basic
health and nutrition for the entire world: $13 billion

Amount spent
on perfumes each year: $12 billion

Clean water for all the world:
$9 billion

Amount spent on cosmetics in the US: $8
billion

Basic education for the world’s children: $6
billion

Total amount the US spends on Christmas each year: $450
billion (or 16 years worth of food, water, and education for the
world)

Initial cost of the US Government bailout of failing
financial institutions: $700 billion (or 25 years worth of food, water, and
education for the world)

Coming to grips with the alarming
disconnects of our consumerist society: Priceless

I don’t actually know a lot about the nuances of the Presbyterian Church and I haven’t really paid attention to its particular controversies. (All churches have their own set of controversies.) Two things have always struck me about the Presbyterian Church however. One, the Presbyterian Church prides itself on social justice issues. Two, the Presbyterian Church is a more cerebral church.

I guess at this point I need to start using “PCUSA” to be concise in meaning; and typing.

When you heard the statistics I used earlier I bet you were thinking a number of things. Like, “Why is this happening?” Or, “Why doesn’t someone do something?” Or, “How can I help?” But I bet you didn’t really think about why you should help? That, to me, is one of the things that puts the PCUSA at a unique crossroad in the diverse family of people and denominations that make up Christ’s church. PCUSA attracts folks that are socially conscious, altruistically want to help, and don’t understand why this world is so messed up. But PCUSA has the charter to usher those folks into the understanding that the world is messed up or “fallen” because of our separation from God. The understanding that God has a plan and that plan calls for involvement in social justice, not for social justice’s sake but as an expression of Christ’s compassion. Action that leads not only to mortal relief but more importantly to life everlasting!

I think its PCUSA’s cerebral nature that is one of those things that brings it closer to the doorway between the world and God’s Kingdom. It is a natural transition, a welcoming portal, and PCUSA has a 300 year history of doing it well. But PCUSA is at another crossroad. It, like so many other denominations in the US, is declining. In many ways I feel it’s the academic rigor that is causing internal scholastic debate and an inflexibility that is hurting the calling of the church. We aren’t fire & brimstone but we have our own versions of rigid thinking. PCUSA is at the crossroad of trying to figure out how to soften the barriers that keep folks from getting to the solid core; Christ.

The typical worldly response to trouble is to tighten up to regain control. But that can have negative effects. The internet is full of folks talking about splitting off of PCUSA. It’s also full of folks that are committed to the PCUSA but see the need for changes in focus. I believe much of the Missional church movement comes as a response to this. And we’ve seen this issue in our own congregation.

The most biblical response to being at a crossroad is to pray. Pray for discernment of God’s will for PCUSA and Faith church. Pray for the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit in these times of transition. Pray for a church that embraces action as an expression of Christ’s compassion.

Let us pray…