Legal action is not the way forward and is forbidden under the current PCUSA constitution. If the current structure should make a legal challenge it is evidence that they are not the true church.

There have been a number of conversations and suggestions in recent weeks about how faithful congregations might respond to recent changes in denominational standards. I’ve decided which option I prefer – Reformation.

1.0 OPTIONS

1.1 Leaving has always troubled me. On a given day I may certainly be ready to chuck it all, but I dislike failure, I dislike being run off by the unrighteous, and I hate the idea of leaving the accumulated wealth of faithful generations behind to fund the church of Satan.

1.2 Joining another denomination seems a more responsible choice. It associates us with a structure and provides a more coherent rebuttal of the growing evil in the PCUSA, but all the available choices come with tradeoffs.

1.3 Defect in place has some attraction. I like the idea that I might stubbornly refuse to cooperate with the Leftist fringe and just dare them to put me out. But the fact is, they would. Having institutional control means that they would marginalize and systematically disassemble the pastors and/or congregations who choose this option.

1.4 REFORMATION. I think I prefer reformation. The original Reformation happened at a time very much like our own when the church was suffering under institutional corruption, theological heresy and personal immorality. Perhaps we need to learn, as many have pointed out, that there is a life cycle in institutions. If Reformation is our heritage, perhaps we need another.

2.0 Advantages of Reformation

2.1 We are a Reformed church, reformation is our heritage. The historical model supports the rightness of reformation as a method of restoring the church. No one can suggest that reformation is “un-Presbyterian.”

2.2 Holy Scripture leads us to the Reformed faith. I still remember the first day of the denominational standards course at seminary. The professor closed the door and said, “This ecumenical stuff is all very nice, but in this class we’re going to talk about why Presbyterians are right – and why we’re the only ones who are.”

2.3 The Confessions are Reformed documents. Honoring them in the day-to-day life of the church should be natural and expected.

2.4 Calvin, Knox and Zwingli did not leave, they did not withdraw. They named the sin and error of the church, proclaimed truth and moved the church forward toward righteousness – with its property.

2.5 Identifying the “True Church” is part of our heritage, and our natural right as children of the Reformation. It is a properly Presbyterian thing to do and is in not inherently schismatic.

3.0 Process of Reformation

3.1 A theological rationale is essential.

3.1.1 Sola Scriptura.

3.1.2 Confessions: Either a renewed commitment to the Book of Confessions, or a new confessional document.

3.1.3 An affirmation similar to An Evangelical Declaration would be useful. We might also use the “Essential Tenets” document produced by San Diego Presbytery.

3.2 A clarifying event would be required.

3.2.1 Declaring certain congregations to be the “true church” or voting on a motion that identifies the true church within each presbytery. A motion to dismiss a “more light” church and a roll call vote would serve the same purpose.

4.0 Effect of Reformation

4.1 Solidly identifies the faithful congregations that are the true church in the apostolic tradition.

4.2 Restores the Reformed character of the denomination.

4.3 Honors the intention of all those who have worshiped in and contributed to the church through the generations.

4.4 Identifies the false church and those who have corrupted the Word and work of God.

4.5 Deprives the apostate of the financial resources of God’s people.

4.6 Provides a platform for solidarity with the global church which is now renouncing the apostasy of the PCUSA.

4.7 Holds the promise of rapprochement with other Reformed churches.

4.8 Requires no further search for a receiving denomination for faithful congregations.

4.9 Allows congregations that departed earlier to return.

4.10 Allows ministers who departed to return.

5.0 The way forward

5.1 ACT. If this method is adopted, it should be implemented nation-wide at the same time. Choose the month or quarter in which all 173 presbyteries will take action.

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Rev. Michael Neubert is Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Herrin, Illinois (about 100 miles SE of St. Louis). He holds an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell. He is currently on leave from the church and serving active duty as a Navy Reserve Chaplain in Kuwait.

[Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced in this article is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]