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Archive for September, 2008

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The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 10

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Part 10 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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In my last post in this series I suggested that if a congregation has engaged in an appropriate process to consider leaving the PC(USA), and if the vote was at least two-thirds in favor of leaving, then the presbytery […]

Preachers Challenge IRS by Endorsing Candidates

Monday, September 29th, 2008

Yesterday, preachers throughout the country specifically endorsed candidates for President, thus challenging the IRS ruling that prohibits churches from such endorsements if they want to preserve their nonprofit status. (See, for example, this article from the Los Angeles Times.) The preachers were participating in “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” which was initiated by the Alliance Defense Fund, […]

Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

Eager to Do What Is Right
READ Isaiah 16:1-14
 [T]hen God will establish one of David’s descendants as king.
He will rule with mercy and truth.
He will always do what is just
and be eager to do what is right.
Isaiah 16:5
In the middle of a prophecy of doom upon Moab, we find unexpected words of hope. After the […]

Mo Ranch . . . Only in Texas

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

Last week my church enjoyed a retreat at Mo Ranch in the Hill Country of Texas (about 90 minutes from San Antonio; 30 minutes from Laity Lodge). Mo Ranch was not named for Moe of Three Stooges fame, but for Daniel J. Moran, who owned the ranch before selling it to the Presbyterian church. Mr. […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 9

Friday, September 26th, 2008

Part 9 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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In my last several posts I’ve been proposing a basic process for a congregation that believes God might be calling it to leave the PC(USA). This process includes the following steps:
1. Put on the whole armor of God.
2. […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 8

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

Part 8 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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In my last few posts I’ve been suggesting a process for a congregation that thinks God might be leading it to leave the PC(USA). So far the steps are
1. Put on the whole armor of God.
2. Congregation leaders […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 7

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Part 7 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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In my last post I began to consider what a congregation should do if it begins to think that God might be leading it to leave the PC(USA). On the basis of Ephesians 6:10-20, my proposed first step is:
1. […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 6

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

Part 6 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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If a congregation in the PC(USA) begins to consider leaving the denomination, what should it do? (When I say “congregation,” I mean especially the leaders of the congregation, including elders, deacons, and pastors.)
I’m going to sketch out some contours […]

Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

A Reminder of Justice
READ Isaiah 10:1-14
“What sorrow awaits the unjust judges
and those who issue unfair laws.
They deprive the poor of justice
and deny the rights of the needy among my people.
They prey on widows
and take advantage of orphans.”
Isaiah 10:1-2
Throughout the Scriptures, God cares profoundly about justice. As it says in Psalm 99:4, he is the […]

My Son’s New High School

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

My son began 10th grade this year at a brand new high school: Boerne Samuel V. Champion High School in, you guessed it, Boerne, Texas. The school was named after a beloved, lifelong resident of Boerne who was also a school principal. Sam Champion died a few years ago, and the school is named in […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 5

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Part 5 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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In my last post I offered a theological critique of the Book of Order’s statement that all church property “is held in trust . . . for the use and benefit of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).” This statement is […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 4

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

Part 4 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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In my last post I began to lay out my objections to the notion, as stated in the PC(USA) Book of Order, that all church property is “for the use and benefit” of the denomination. I believe that denominations […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 3

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

Part 3 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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Friends: Thanks for your many helpful comments. I’m glad this can be a place where people can interact freely and respectfully. I hope we can continue to discuss and even disagree in Christian love. Please understand that, though I […]

The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 2

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Part 2 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
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In my last post in this series, I offered some reasons why it is hard for a church, and therefore church members and pastors, to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA). One of the main problems for churches that might […]

Why Not Just Leave the PC(USA)? Part 6

Monday, September 15th, 2008

Part 6 of series: Why Not Just Leave the PC(USA)?
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This post is Part 6 of the series Why Not Just Leave the PC(USA)? It is also Part 1 of a new series called The PC(USA) and Church Property.
So far in this series I have given five reasons […]
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