This letter is in response to the story first posted in The Aquila Report on April 23 http://bit.ly/cLAnLf

The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations’ report states that presbytery leaders were caught off guard by the level of distrust and discontentment found in leaving congregations.

Where have they been?

Congregations have been talking about leaving ever since the Louisville Assembly in 2001. Additionally, a number of evangelical congregations have called pastors only to learn that their progressive presbyteries have refused to affirm their calls because of theological incompatibility.

What choice does such a congregation really have? Where is the surprise?

The report fails to own the PCUSA’s role in this real and deep disaffection. The denomination cannot expect congregations to tolerate changing core theological positions. Our beliefs about Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture cannot be treated like a political football and controversial actions of the General Assembly do have serious consequences.

The “Louisville Papers” (link below) outline legal actions to be carried out by presbyteries against leaving congregations were developed and in print prior to New Wineskins response to them in New Wineskins: A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven.

The reality is that if the EPC had not accepted these congregations, yet another Presbyterian denomination would have been formed. My recommendation would be for the PCUSA General Assembly to encourage developing bridges that would improve our relations with the EPC rather than creating additional roadblocks.

Editor’s note: Renee Guth was an elder-commissioner to the Louisville GA in 2001 and is former executive director of New Wineskins Association of Churches. She lives in Tucson, AZ. This letter first appeared in the online version of The Layman on April 26, 2009 and is reprinted by permission of the author.

To read an article outlining the central features of the so-called ‘Louisville Papers’ which were developed in 2006 visit http://bit.ly/bdBvdg