The First Piece: Ah… youth…
I have been reading a book that I would commend to anyone who is interested in vibrant faith, young people, or the health and vitality of the church. The book is Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church.
The book is disturbing, exciting, challenging and equipping all at the same time. The author, Kenda Creasy Dean (faculty at Princeton Seminary), reviews the data gathered by the national Study of Youth and Religion that was done between 2003 and 2005 and offers us some assessment of the findings. Briefly, she says that the apathy that most teenagers feel toward religion (not necessarily spirituality) holds up a mirror to the American church. In that mirror, we come to see that we have watered down Christianity so that it is “nice” and “civil” … but not worth living or dying for.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to read the book, the following interview will provide a good insight to the book and its findings (but not the helpful recommendations and action items): www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Almost-Christian-Kenda-Creasy-Dean. Those attending the February meeting of Cherokee Presbytery in Dalton will have the option to meet and discuss the book at 9am, so plan to join us if you can. It is sure to be a stimulating discussion!
The Second Piece: “Mind your phraseology.”
I don’t know the source of the recent interest in Pastor John Shuck of First Presbyterian in Elizabethton, Tennessee but he has been referenced by a number of my colleagues, with the implication that his views on theology, polity and doctrine are somehow wide-spread in the PC(USA). While I can’t pretend to have made an exhaustive survey of all Presbyterian Clergy, I do want to say that Rev. Shuck’s views are definitely not representative of the majority of pastors I have encountered in the four presbyteries where I have served — nor are his views representative of the majority of clergy I’ve encountered in my wider travels throughout the denomination. In fact, his views are not even representative of mine – and I’m admittedly left of center.
Certainly Rev. Shuck expresses views that may give us pause, and we may certainly wonder how he remains a minister in good standing in his Presbytery, but he is hardly the face of the entire denomination.
I know that we are in a stressful and conflicted time in our denomination and in such times, we are tempted to state our case and persuade others by using rhetoric that is less than 100% truthful. We exaggerate, minimize, sensationalize, or even fabricate the things we choose to present. We present half-truths as fact. In anxious or stressful times, this type of rhetoric serves only to further fan the flames of discontent, distrust and dismay among our members. While it is important to explore issues and differences, I pray that we would do so in a way that serves to build up the Body of Christ, rather than to tear it down.
How can we can help one another to engage in rhetoric and conversations that are not inflammatory? Can we speak the truth without presenting an extreme case as the norm or an exception as the rule. If we are going to cite someone’s words or actions as an example, can we be careful to put them in their full and proper context so that we are not engaged in misleading people by “proof texting.” The book of James reminds us about the importance of taming our tongue:
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,* and is itself set on fire by hell.* 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,* this ought not to be so. James 3:5b-10
May God help us to speak in ways that bless more than curse; and that and build up more than destroy the Body of Christ. Amen? Amen!
Thoughts & Images from the Heart 
Rebecca, While the main point of your article is very important and is graciously accepted. I would like to hear why you think pastors like Rev Shuck are allowed to remain in our denomination. Where is the presbytery that provides oversight to his church? where is the synod?
If our denomination would discipline even ONE person that shares those views, I would be encouraged. (I sort of feel like Abraham as he begged God to spare Lot) Show me one time where our denomination took a conservative stand…upheld the scriptures and the Lordship of Jesus. I remain hopeful for a while longer.
Jane;
You asked about why I think people like Pastor Shuck are allowed to remain in the denomination. I cannot speak for his Presbytery or for his Synod on the matter. I can say however, that some people have been challenged by their presbyteries for their beliefs (in fact, one of my former pastors was brought up on charges because he believes that God can heal people today!).
If I were to hazard a guess about why we don’t see more challenges, I would suspect that it might have to do with not wanting to be guilty of ‘casting the first stone’ or ‘judging.’ The scripture says, ‘… no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (I Corinthians 12.3) So calling someone a heretic when they claim Christ as Lord (even/especially if they understand Lordship differently than I do) would seem to be a pretty dicey proposition. Rather than engage in making allegations, filing charges or engaging in debate with someone, I would prefer to be in conversation with them about HOW they understand the Lordship of Christ – and about if/how Christ IS their Lord. I guess I would prefer to be relational and respectful instead of bureaucratic and litigious.
That said, I do think that even though one may be a Christian, it does not necessarily mean that they are a Presbyterian Christian. Denominational distinctions certainly seem to be in flux across the church in this season and that poses a difficulty. However, I dare to believe that God is in the mix with us and our confusions, and that He will help us to emerge from this season with a clearer sense of who we are called to be and how we are to live that out in the world.
Sorry for the rather long reply, but you clearly got me thinking! Thanks for the opportunity!
Rebecca
When referencing those like Rev. Shuck, I am always careful not to paint him as representative of “all pastors” or a “majority view” (and am quick to point that out to others). He does however pastor a church of others who share many of his views and is part of a larger “progressive church network” of like-minded folks whose positions seem to becoming more prevalent in our denomination. Rev. Shuck is going to be a commissioner to the upcoming General Assembly, so his viewpoints must have found some acceptance within his Presbytery (no need for Jesus’ resurrection, no heaven or hell, no eternal life, etc). Today his blog included, “The Bible contains no truth outside of what we can discover through public means of inquiry. Don’t misunderstand. I enjoy the Bible. It is a marvelous human book. I read it and study it with all the critical means at my disposal. In so doing, I will do my part to undermine its Authority which I think is the next important step for religious freedom.” I find these views quite heretical… and he agrees and even takes joy in referring to himself as a heretic (and must feel there is no worry about being held accountable… but being a part of a “connectional” body, shouldn’t there be?).
I wholeheartedly agree that we cannot point to people like Rev. Shuck (and jive) as a majority within our denomination but I don’t believe we can say that he is an isolated example either… Thank you for your thoughts, leadership in this difficult time and a forum for an exchange of ideas. I have many friends and colleagues (and I certainly consider you in that list) within our Presbytery and denomination (and as a pastor within the PCUSA I write with love and concern for our denomination, not anger or judgement…). I write not out of certainty but great struggle and I continue to ask for your (and our brothers and sisters in Christ) prayers…
Blessings,
Bryant
Bryant;
Thanks for your contributions to this conversation. I am sorry I’ve taken so long to reply, but somehow LIFE got in the way! (Imagine that!)
It feels like we are struggling for clarity about our identity as Presbyterian Christians. I think that we may be in the midst of shifting from an identity that is boundary defined ( a bounded set) to an identity that is defined by the center (a centered set), but even a centered set requires some clarity or definition if it is to function.
No answers here, just observations and continuing fodder for prayer and discernment….
Thanks for your friendship,
Rebecca