The Presbytery of East Iowa (PEIA) 217th General Assembly commissioners have issued a call to the churches of our presbytery to engage in discussions, education and prayer before accepting the conclusions of others as to the meaning and implications of the Peace, Unity and Purity task force report.
The PEIA commissioners, Ron Lewis, Rose Taul, Nancy Olthoff, and myself, who represent a diversity of understandings on this issue, are united in our commitment to lead the presbytery in an intentional and timely process to fully understand the implications of this decision in the life of our churches and presbytery.
The PEIA commissioners, Ron Lewis, Rose Taul, Nancy Olthoff, and myself, who represent a diversity of understandings on this issue, are united in our commitment to lead the presbytery in an intentional and timely process to fully understand the implications of this decision in the life of our churches and presbytery.
We will begin this process at the September 12th Presbytery meeting and will insure that all voices in our churches have an opportunity to be involved in understanding the recommendations and seeking God's leading. At that meeting a recommendation for a continuing process and timeline will presented.
Many groups within the Presbyterian Church (USA) have made strong statements for and against the actions that were taken by the commissioners at the 217th General Assembly. Some are even beginning a time of discernment as to how they should move forward. There have been many things that have caused conflict in the church over the past 2000 years and while the reasons have varied there is one thing that has not. God is still God and it is only by His grace through the death of His Son Jesus Christ that we can know Him. We need to come together regardless of personal views and let God will make a way where there is no way.
Because of Him,
Terry
