{"id":543,"date":"2008-09-22T01:01:59","date_gmt":"2008-09-22T01:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2008\/09\/the-pcusa-and-church-property-part-6.html"},"modified":"2008-09-22T01:01:59","modified_gmt":"2008-09-22T01:01:59","slug":"the-pcusa-and-church-property-part-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2008\/09\/the-pcusa-and-church-property-part-6.html","title":{"rendered":"The PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 6 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property
\n<\/em>Permalink for this post<\/a> \/ Permalink for this series<\/a>
\nIf a congregation in the PC(USA) begins to consider leaving the denomination, what should it do?<\/em> (When I say \u201ccongregation,\u201d I mean especially the leaders of the congregation, including elders, deacons, and pastors.)
\nI\u2019m going to sketch out some contours of an ideal process. I fully recognize that what I\u2019m describing may not work in many, many cases. It requires that church leaders and denominational leaders be mature and gracious in seeking, not their own will, but God\u2019s will. Sometimes this happens. Often it does not. In far too many cases, the hearts of church leaders on all levels, from local to national, are captured by some demonic power, perhaps unrighteous anger, spite, vengeance, or Mammon.
\nWhen the issue of church property arises, Mammon gets especially busy, and often prevails, at least in the moment. I\u2019m not simply waxing poetic here. Scripture teaches that our true battle as Christians \u201cis not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places\u201d (Eph 6:12). Mammon is one of these powers specifically named by Jesus himself (Matt 6:24). Church property fights are not fundamentally battles between churches and presbyteries, though they might seem so. They are, more deeply, spiritual battles that engage all sorts of cosmic powers.
\nI say this not simply to be theological or dramatic. It seems to me that, if a church believes God might be leading it to leave a denomination, the very first step is to take seriously the spiritual dimensions of what lies ahead. If it\u2019s true that the church\u2019s leaving will strengthen its mission, then you can be sure that the hosts of Hell will do what they can to derail the process. Besides, Satan and his minions rejoice when Christians sue each other, when they drain away kingdom resources in court battles, and when they look like enemies before the eyes of the world.
\nSo what should a church do if it begins to consider leaving the PC(USA)? The starting point, given the reality of Ephesians 6:12, is to follow Ephesians 6:13-18:
\nTherefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.\u00a0 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.\u00a0 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.\u00a0 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.\u00a0 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.\u00a0 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
\nSo, then, here is the first thing a church should do if it thinks God might be leading it to leave the PC(USA):<\/p>\n

1. Put on the whole armor of God. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Specifically, this means a congregation should ask itself questions like:<\/p>\n

Belt of Truth<\/em>
\n\u2022 Are we being faithful to the whole of God\u2019s truth, including biblical passages that make us uncomfortable?
\n\u2022 Are we being truthful in all of our communications with members, with presbytery, etc.? (Photo: A mosaic of two Roman gladiators found in Kourion, Cyprus)
\nBreastplate of Righteousness<\/em>
\n\u2022 Are our motivations truly righteous and honoring to God?
\n\u2022 How much are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of God\u2019s righteousness?
\n\u2022 Are we committed to treating all people rightly, even and especially those who disagree with us?
\n\u2022 If we are in a presbytery that may not be supportive of us, will we always do the right thing in relationship with the presbytery? Are we willing to turn the other cheek and walk the second mile?
\nShoes of the Gospel of Peace<\/em>
\n\u2022 Have we made a legitimate effort to make peace with the denomination?
\n\u2022 Are we committed to being peacemakers in this process?
\nShield of Faith<\/em>
\n\u2022 Will be put our trust in God first and foremost? Or will we put our trust primarily in ourselves? Or in our lawyers?
\n\u2022 Will we offer all that we are to the Lord, including our property?
\nHelmet of Salvation<\/em>
\n\u2022 Will we rest secure in the knowledge that we belong to Christ our Savior?
\nSword of the Spirit<\/em>
\n\u2022 Will see be guided by Scripture in all of our deliberations?
\n\u2022 Will we allow Scripture to challenge us as well as to encourage us?
\n\u2022 Will we obey biblical passages that govern relationships within the church? Will we avoid gossip? Will we be quick to reconcile and forgive?
\nPray at All Times for all the Saints<\/em>
\n\u2022 Will we pray faithfully throughout our process of deliberation?
\n\u2022 Will we pray for wisdom for ourselves, for presbytery officials, and for all others involved in this process?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you\u2019re a practically-minded person, you may find what I\u2019ve just said to be distraction from what really needs to be done. But, given biblical teaching on what is most real, I believe that the most practical thing any church can do when it begins to consider leaving the PC(USA) is to put on the armor of God in tangible ways.
\nIn my next post in this series I\u2019ll consider what comes next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 6 of series: The PC(USA) and Church Property Permalink for this post \/ Permalink for this series If a congregation in the PC(USA) begins to consider leaving the denomination, what should it do? (When I say \u201ccongregation,\u201d I mean especially the leaders of the congregation, including elders, deacons, and pastors.) I\u2019m going to sketch…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pcusa-church-property"],"yoast_head":"\nThe PC(USA) and Church Property, Part 6 - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}