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LCOP Position on the Current Affairs of the PC(USA)
As many of you know and have heard, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is undergoing major changes. In particular is its stance on the ordination standards.
Within Olympia Presbytery, eight congregations have already begun the process of leaving the PC(USA) for another reformed denomination due to the change in ordination standards.
There are many congregations who oppose the changes in ordination standards, but do not see the joining of another denomination as neither helpful nor the only faithful option. Such congregations gathered in Minneapolis, MN in August of 2011.
About 2,000 Presbyterian leaders from evangelical churches like The Little Church met to discuss best ways forward. Alan Macpherson, Ted Wier, and Pastor James Kim attended the gathering from LCOP.
There were four suggested ways that congregations could respond to the ordination standard changes:
1. Tier 1 - Stay and do ministry right where we are because the changes in the denominations do not directly impact the ministry of our local church.
2. Tier 2 - Work to move our presbytery membership to a different evangelical presbytery that continues to uphold previous ordination standards.
3. Tier 3 - Work at establishing dual Committees on Ministry, Committees on Preparation for Ministry, etc. in our home presbyteries.
4. Tier 4 - Join a New Reformed Body.
After having spent some time in discussion, it was determined that the response that best describes the current ministry realities for the Little Church on the Prairie is the Tier 1 option, while working with other denominational leaders in the Tier 4 option in shaping and creating the New Reformed Body. The rationale for this conclusion is as follows:
• There is nothing in our presbytery that prevents the LCOP from doing its ministry right where we are.
• The main task before LCOP is to get healthy, get younger, and grow.
• We need to get better at presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to our neighbors, and to spend our time and energy to pursue options in Tier 2 and 3 seem counterproductive.
We recognize that God is continuing to reform and renew his church. We will work with other denominational leaders in the formation of a New Reformed Body. And in the mean time, we will focus our energy and resources in getting LCOP healthy, younger, and growing.
Should any of you have any further questions or desire more clarification, please feel free to contact pastors or the clerk of session, Alice Amblad.
October 31, 2011
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