Why a Discernment Process?

• Not all churches who feel disenfranchised in the PC(USA) will feel called to leave

• Discernment involves each congregation seeking God’s call for them

Prayer - Community - Conversation

Discernment: Why Now?

• Changing landscape in PCUSA• Trend of churches asking for dismissal

from PCUSA• Presbyterian Outlook survey: Projected

loss of 800 PCUSA churches• Things will change, even if we choose to

do nothing – we need to be informed

Trends in the PCUSA

• Increasing conflict/division, rather than increasing unity•Conflict growing since the inception

of the PCUSA in 1983• Factions at cross purposes within the

PCUSA result in increasing divisions and political arguing

Trends in the PCUSA (cont)

• Energy spent on conflicts detracts from ability to engage in common missions

• Government structure increasingly cumbersome: G.A. decisions about middle governing bodies

What Makes a Presbyterian?

1. Lordship of Jesus

2. Authority of Scripture

Worship, Membership &

Leadership

Political Activism

Past Actions by Session• Joined Confessing Church Movement, 2001– Jesus Christ alone is Lord of all and the way of

salvation– Holy Scripture is triune God’s revealed Word, the

Church’s only infallible rule of faith and life– God’s people are called to holiness in all aspects of

life. This includes honoring the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, the only relationship within which sexual activity is appropriate

Past Actions by Session

• Affirmed Amendment B in Book of Order, 2011“those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture…among which are the requirements to life in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.”

How Does This Affect Us?

• Conflicts at national and Presbytery levels affect how people perceive our local congregation

• Our pastors and leaders must spend considerable time dealing with conflicts and bureaucracy

• Voting power at Presbytery will change significantly as churches leave

SPC Discernment TimelineSPC Discernment Timeline

June 2Presbytery approved

updated Gracious Dismissal policy

June 2Presbytery approved

updated Gracious Dismissal policy

June 30 – July 7General Assembly considers several

proposals that bear on the issues

June 30 – July 7General Assembly considers several

proposals that bear on the issues

January 2012Evangelical Covenant

Order of Presbyterians (ECO) launched in

Orlando

January 2012Evangelical Covenant

Order of Presbyterians (ECO) launched in

Orlando

July 8 & 106:30-8:00pm

SPC Town Hall meeting (identical content)

July 8 & 106:30-8:00pm

SPC Town Hall meeting (identical content)

August 5 & 76:30-8:00pm

SPC Town Hall meeting (identical content)

August 5 & 76:30-8:00pm

SPC Town Hall meeting (identical content)

Key EventsKey Events

If Session determines SPC is a congregation disaffected with the PC(USA), then Presbytery and SPC will begin a process described in the Book of Order and Presbytery of San Jose’s Gracious Dismissal policy to see if differences can be resolved. No change can be made without SPC member approval by vote.

Revised 6/8/2012

Estimated Timeframes: ___

SPC’s Mission Statement

Inspiring all generations to make Jesus Christ central in every part of our lives

† Relationship with Jesus† Community centered in Christ† Compassion in response to Christ

What Should You Do?

• Pray for our church• Attend both Town Hall meetings• Ask lots of questions; do your own research• Give pastors and Discernment Team feedback

– DTeam@saratogapres.org• Stay focused on our mission

Inspiring all generations to makeJesus Christ central in every part of our lives

What Do You Believe?

?Authority of ScriptureLordship of JesusWorship, Membership & LeadershipPolitical Activism in SPC

INTERMISSION

Q & A

WHAT DID YOU HEAR TONIGHT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO

KNOW MORE ABOUT?