"Essentials" and "Covenants:" Learning a New Way of Life
by Jim Singleton, President of The Fellowship of Presbyterians
A persistent question for both PC(USA) and ECO congregations in The Fellowship of Presbyterians is our relationship to the Essential Tenets document – the centerpiece of The Fellowship’s Theology Project. Many of us believe the problems with which Presbyterians now struggle have developed as a result of embracing theological pluralism within the PC(USA). We threaten our very identity as followers of Jesus when contradictory theological affirmations and biblical interpretations are embraced without question or critique. A significant role of The Fellowship as a covenanted order is to provide theological reorientation to a fragmenting church. We created the Theology Project to ignite a robust, ongoing discussion: what beliefs are “essential” to a Reformed expression of the Faith? As we study and use this document, it is critically important to understand what it is and what it was never intended to be.
PC(USA) ordination vows require that we “…sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as reliable and authentic expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do,” and that we will be “instructed and led by these confessions as [we] lead the people of God.” The Fellowship’s Essential Tenets document reflects a synopsis of the ten confessions currently affirmed by both the PC(USA) and ECO, and through them drawing us deep into the Word of God. The Essential Tenets document is not a “new confession.” It is designed to spark ongoing study of our confessions and catechisms, offering us a renewed experience of the richness of our heritage.
As PC(USA) congregations consider joining The Fellowship or moving into ECO, questions about the Essential Tenets document arise: what if some elders find it hard to accept a phrase or doctrine highlighted in the Essential Tenets document? Does that disqualify them from serving a PC(USA) congregation that joins The Fellowship or moves to ECO? In a few instances, elders have felt the need to resign for reasons of conscience. Neither The Fellowship or ECO requests or requires resignation in these situations. If the session as a whole affirms the Essential Tenets document as a reliable doorway into the Confessions, the session should determine how to minister to individuals who do not agree with aspects of that decision. Sessions act on many important matters. When particular elders disagree, the question becomes whether or not they can submit to the decision. One historic Presbyterian principle for opposition is passive submission while still disagreeing. That being said, if a large minority of the session disagree about the Essential Tenets, it might be prudent to reconsider joining The Fellowship, and it would not be prudent to join ECO.
Another question involves human sexuality. Fellowship congregations in both the PC(USA) and ECO are committed to teach and demonstrate God’s design for human sexuality as it is revealed in Scripture and our confessions. Competing views on sexuality, even among theological conservatives, are indicative of the pluralism that is ripping the PC(USA) apart. As we have said from the beginning, the debate over human sexuality is not the catalyst for creating The Fellowship or forming ECO. That said, we do not want a repeat of the PC(USA) fracture within these organizations. If an elder agrees with the Essential Tenets yet privately understands this particular issue differently, we believe that person may continue to serve while “passively submitting” to the will of the session, provided they are also willing to live in accordance with traditional biblical standards. A session largely divided over this issue is probably not ready to join The Fellowship or consider a move to ECO.
PC(USA) and ECO congregations in The Fellowship are also studying The Fellowship’s Covenant. This is an aspirational document that may be signed by the session as a whole on behalf of the congregation,
and/or may be signed by individuals. It outlines a pattern for the Christian life – a journey we all are making and on which we will always find ourselves at different points. The intent of The Covenant is to aspire together to live more fully into God’s design and claim God’s promise revealed in Scripture.
Two questions frequently emerge as sessions study The Covenant. One involves “tithing” – is that something to be accomplished prior to signing The Covenant? No. Tithing is intended to be an aim of our life as we discover the abundance of God’s provision and the joy of giving. Other questions have been asked about the sanctity of life – does signing The Covenant prohibit certain views of abortion or euthanasia? Through The Covenant, we affirm the teaching of Scripture that everything, including life itself, belongs to God. We are called by God to be faithful stewards. Exercising faithful stewardship is the aim of The Covenant. Understanding what biblical faithfulness entails amid the complexities of contemporary life is a task we should not undertake alone. We need the support and accountability of a covenanted community of like-minded believers. That is the goal of The Fellowship.
We recognize that we are in a long season of discovery. Many of us have developed unhealthy patterns and latitude in our theological study and application of biblical teaching. Becoming people who hold to the teaching of Scripture and conform to a covenanted life will not happen quickly, but we are committed to walking a narrow ridge – holding firmly onto Jesus Christ as he is revealed in Scripture, and having a generous spirit toward each other because of the grace we experience through him. This is not an easy way of life, but we believe it is the way of Jesus.
