Desert Hills Presbyterian Church

1
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church

• Period of Discernment
• Recent Actions GA 2008

2
History of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

• We came to this continent in the 17th century
  (Puritans).
• Presbyterians have split and reunited several
  times.
• Constitution
• Book of Confessions
• Book of Order

3
Where is the Denomination Going?

• There has been a debate about issues
• Divinity of Christ
• Ordination Standards
• Gods will for our sexuality
• Individual Conscience vs. denomination standards
• Teaching and Authority of Scripture
• The Nature of Christian Life

4
Voices of Sophia

• Re-Imagining Conference 1993
• PC(USA) Group Voices of Sophia-1994
• Promotes Feminine Images of God
• Promote Reproductive Freedom- Abortion
• Call to Ministry Persons of all Sexual
  Orientations
• Denies Deity and Uniqueness of Jesus

5
2001 GA Statement on Christ

• Overture submitted to GA stating salvation is
  found in Christ alone.
• GA unable to affirm the overture.
• Compromise proposal Jesus is unique.
• Compromise approved.
• In response, Desert Hills published its own
  Summary of Beliefs.

6
2002 Summary of Our Beliefs

• The reality of God who is self-revealed as
  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• The Deity of Jesus Christ, Gods Son.
• The integrity and authority of the Bible as Gods
  Word.
• Jesus Christs atoning death on the Cross.

7
2002 Summary of Our Beliefs (Cont.)

• The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Salvation comes only by Gods grace through
  Faith, not through human efforts.
• The necessity for moral behavior.
• The coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world at
  the end of human history.

8
2006 GA Trinity Paper

• Non-Traditional Statements about Trinity
• Metaphorical in Character
• Report received for study not approved
• Again Introduced to the 2008 GA
• Report and Study Materials were approved in 218th
  GA.

9
2006 2008 AI Scruples

• 2006 GA approved PUP Authoritative Interpretation
  candidates can Scruple.
• GAPJC Overruled Interpretation 2/2008.
• 2008 GA reaffirmed PUP Authoritative
  Interpretation.
• Now applies to all Ordination Standards.

10
2008 GA Changes to Heidelberg Catechism

• Reduces confessions from authoritative statements
  to historical documents.
• Delete language Christ alone is Gods own
  eternal son to read natural son.
• Rejection of the Deity of Christ

11
2008 GA Changes to Heidelberg Catechism

• Certainly not! Scripture says, Surely you know
  that the unjust will never come into possession
  of the kingdom of God. Make no mistake no
  fornicator or idolater, none who are guilty
  either of adultery or of homosexual perversion,
  no thieves or grabbers or drunkards or slanderers
  or swindlers, will possess the kingdom of God.
• Based on I Corinthians 69-10.

12
2008 GA Changes to Heidelberg Catechism

• Certainly not for as Scripture says no unchaste
  person, idolater, adulterer, thief, greedy
  person, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or anyone
  like that shall inherit the kingdom of God.
• A portion of I Corinthians 69-10 was omitted, as
  catechism was written for children.
• Advocates wish to return to catechism as
  originally written.

13
2008 GA Adopted Social Creed

• Promotes quality public education and universal
  healthcare
• Tax and budget policies Equalize wealth
• Immigration policies to protect family unity
• Multilateral diplomacy over unilateral force
• Nuclear disarmament and redirect military
  spending to peaceful uses

14
2008 GA Equality for Homosexuals

• GA Approved Resolutions supporting
• Same-sex marriages in Civil Court.
• Against definitions of marriage as between man
  and woman.
• Support legal cases furthering equal civil rights
  for homosexuals.
• Recommended removing chastity in singleness or
  fidelity in marriage clause.

15
2008 GA Interfaith Statement

• Unqualified support for Muslim document, A
  Common Word between Us and You
• Participation in Sacred and Holy observances in
  each others traditions
• Celebrate religious holidays together, setting
  aside days of worship
• Contradicts our Summary of Beliefs

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The Issues that Confront Us

• Passed a resolution that Jesus is unique
• Allow candidates to scruple any standard
• Confessions become historical documents
• Redirects us to pursue social justice
• Participate in sacred observances of other faiths
  that do not recognize Christs Deity
• Diminished importance of Christianity

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Summary Period of Discernment

• Please contact the Connectional Committee
• Please talk to us.