Conservative group reacts to new liberal ordination standards
http://www.pres-outlook.com/component/content/article/44-breaking-news/…
The PC(USA) representatives asked their Mexican partners to agree to a time of discernment, in part to see how they could continue to work together in mission despite differing views over issues such as ordaining gays and lesbians, or women’s ordination… . The PC(USA) representatives were hopeful that the Mexican Presbyterians might give the relationship more time – but that was not to be. The Mexican delegates also voted not to re-establish any relationship with the PC(USA) until 10-A is rescinded.
I’ve had lunch with John Crosby on two occasions (with his church staff, and our deacons - our church rents space from his…long story), and he is not a conservative or an evangelical. His church’s conception of missions is purely social work. Their conception of the gospel is a very MacLarenesque conception of getting people plugged in to the kingdom and story of God (their philosophy of ministry is essentially mega-church emerging). Yes, they’ve taken a conservative position on homosexual ordination. However, I would not at all label their group as conservative. When I ask Crosby about the example of Machen (who would eventually be forced to separate), he criticized Machen for having too little influence on others who would follow after him. He sees the best result as staying in and helping those who stay. His idea of a doctrinal test for the PCUSA is that elders and churches adopt the statement “Jesus is the unique savior of the world,” a very ambiguous statement . In other words, don’t look forward to this group becoming anything close to conservative evangelical, or fundamentalist separatist - because they simply are not as liberal as some others within the denomination.
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