Breakaway Presbyterians have asked for forgiveness from fellow believers who have not voted to split from the national church for distancing themselves during a period of "realignment."
Congregations that disaffiliated from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) over the denomination’s liberal direction on Scripture and theology recently realigned with the newly inaugurated New Wineskins-Evangelical Presbyterian Church Presbytery. Amid preparation to exit the PC(USA) and property issues, the breakaway groups acknowledged possible neglect toward congregations that have decided to remain in the denomination.
"First, those of us in the New Wineskins who have left the PC(USA) want to ask your forgiveness if we have been short with you, less than encouraging in our conversations, or down right neglectful of your needs and feelings. It has been a busy time for us," stated Randy Jenkins, moderator of the New Wineskins EPC Presbytery, in a letter addressed to members of the New Wineskins Association of Churches, a network of Presbyterian churches discontent with the PC(USA).
The network claims nearly 200 Presbyterian churches, representing about 100,000 Presbyterians. Only 46 churches in the network have voted to leave the PC(USA) so far. Others have decided to remain in the PC(USA) while committing to reform the denomination and still others have not yet voted.
Speaking for those who have focused their energies on cutting ties, Jenkins highlighted the distance that might have been felt in recent years with churches that were not splitting.
"We probably haven’t been as encouraging to you, our friends who have not yet left, or who are committed to staying, as we should have been," he said. "We mean no disrespect, it’s just that our course was set and now we must take a moment and realize that others are just as, or sometimes more, faithful than we were; and that faithfulness may be lived out in staying in the PC(USA) and being a prophetic witness."
Although the process of leaving the PC(USA) was "draining" and took an emotional toll on breakaway congregations, Jenkins said it was worth it.
At the end of the process, "we were taken aback by the fact that everybody else was not out here with us," he noted.
"Doesn’t everybody see the necessity of this? Don’t all members find ministry frustrated by their ties to the PC(USA)? The process of leaving did tend to make us somewhat 'self-focused,'" Jenkins acknowledged. "We seek your forgiveness.
"We ask that you give us some time to 'get our heads back in the game' and get back on track with the ministry the Lord has called us to," he wrote to New Wineskins members.
Jenkins reminded New Wineskins members that the network is not about leaving the PC(USA). Rather, it's about the "new thing" and "new way of doing ministry" based on a solid biblical and Reformed foundation.
The New Wineskins Association of Churches was formed in 2001 after the General Assembly of the PC(USA) would not affirm the singular saving Lordship of Jesus Christ. Conservative Presbyterians began discussing what a church in the 21st century and faithful to Christ would look like as they tried to rediscover their Reformed and Presbyterian roots. Further controversy was stirred in the PC(USA) when the denomination adopted a resolution in 2006 that gave some leeway to churches for homosexual ordination.
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As I understand it, the point of the statement is not to ask for forgiveness for breaking away, but for ensuring that, in the midst of difficult times and strong emotions, amends are made for any toes that have been stepped on or for any perceived neglect. I applaud the New Wineskins association for their sensitivity, and for their determination to stay faithful to God's calling.
I am disturbed and saddened by this story. I am a member of a Presbyterian congregation that has left the PCUSA for the EPC. I strongly believe that we have done no wrong and have no reason to ask for forgiveness.
It might be reasonable to ask for understanding, but forgiveness is not in order. If anyone should request forgiveness, it should be the PCUSA which has veered into apostasy and violated its sacred trust.
We have adhered to Scripture as our guide for faith and practice. For that, I will never feel called to ask for forgiveness.