The disconnect between the PC(USA) leadership and the people in the pews
Greetings,
This is pure, unvarnished, and unapologetic commentary. It is my opinion based on my observations so take it for what it is worth.
You may have noticed that up to this point I have completely avoided reporting or commenting on the controversial book, "Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11" by David Ray Griffin and published by the PC(USA) publishing arm Westminster/John Knox Press. In the event you have been fortunate enough to avoid the controversy about this book it's thesis is that the current US administration is COMPLETELY responsible for the 9/11 attacks in a massive conspiracy and cover-up. While this involves the PC(USA) at the national level, it is not really a GA or polity topic and I have seen no reason to address it. That will probably change at the next GA, but if I am still blogging in San Jose I'll address it then.
What I want to use this as an example of is the institutional culture of the PC(USA) and how the values of the denomination's mind set have, not just now but for many years now, separated the denomination's leadership from the "average church attendee."
One of the things that American Presbyterians have always prided themselves on is the intellectualism of their faith. The Presbyterians were leaders at building schools, colleges, and seminaries. Presbyterians are know for their requirement that candidates for the ministry are well educated including learning both Greek and Hebrew. We are a well educated and well trained group in the leadership.
Many of the controversies in the PC(USA), including this one, have begun in this lofty, "ivy covered," environment. It is the attitude of "academic freedom" and the intellectual discussion of ideas. Some would say it is also a reflection of the "liberal" nature of colleges, universities, and seminaries today and can point to the fact that the book's author, Dr. Griffin, is on the faculty of the Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. (A United Methodist seminary for the record.)
I often sit and wonder, does the leadership of the PC(USA) realize that only a small minority of their 2-Million-ish members understands this academic culture? This is where the PC(USA) comes across looking irrelevant and out of touch. If your average person can not understand the corporate culture of "acadamania" then how will they react when they see something like the Trinity study or this book coming from the highest levels of their denomination. The leadership may understand Greek and Hebrew, but they do not understand how the average church member views their intellectual pursuits and they can not, or do not, find ways to properly communicate to the average member that these intellectual exercises come from a different culture. Until the lines of communication can be properly cleared so that the leadership and the average member can at least understand each other the denomination will continue to get controversial press coverage and looks of disbelief from most of their members.
This is pure, unvarnished, and unapologetic commentary. It is my opinion based on my observations so take it for what it is worth.
You may have noticed that up to this point I have completely avoided reporting or commenting on the controversial book, "Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11" by David Ray Griffin and published by the PC(USA) publishing arm Westminster/John Knox Press. In the event you have been fortunate enough to avoid the controversy about this book it's thesis is that the current US administration is COMPLETELY responsible for the 9/11 attacks in a massive conspiracy and cover-up. While this involves the PC(USA) at the national level, it is not really a GA or polity topic and I have seen no reason to address it. That will probably change at the next GA, but if I am still blogging in San Jose I'll address it then.
What I want to use this as an example of is the institutional culture of the PC(USA) and how the values of the denomination's mind set have, not just now but for many years now, separated the denomination's leadership from the "average church attendee."
One of the things that American Presbyterians have always prided themselves on is the intellectualism of their faith. The Presbyterians were leaders at building schools, colleges, and seminaries. Presbyterians are know for their requirement that candidates for the ministry are well educated including learning both Greek and Hebrew. We are a well educated and well trained group in the leadership.
Many of the controversies in the PC(USA), including this one, have begun in this lofty, "ivy covered," environment. It is the attitude of "academic freedom" and the intellectual discussion of ideas. Some would say it is also a reflection of the "liberal" nature of colleges, universities, and seminaries today and can point to the fact that the book's author, Dr. Griffin, is on the faculty of the Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. (A United Methodist seminary for the record.)
I often sit and wonder, does the leadership of the PC(USA) realize that only a small minority of their 2-Million-ish members understands this academic culture? This is where the PC(USA) comes across looking irrelevant and out of touch. If your average person can not understand the corporate culture of "acadamania" then how will they react when they see something like the Trinity study or this book coming from the highest levels of their denomination. The leadership may understand Greek and Hebrew, but they do not understand how the average church member views their intellectual pursuits and they can not, or do not, find ways to properly communicate to the average member that these intellectual exercises come from a different culture. Until the lines of communication can be properly cleared so that the leadership and the average member can at least understand each other the denomination will continue to get controversial press coverage and looks of disbelief from most of their members.
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