This is no nursery rhyme but rather the cast of characters lining up to appear at the 2012 Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly meeting in Pittsburgh.
The chameleon: This character will attempt to lead commissioners to see marriage differently than the Church has historically defined it. Separating marriage from the Biblical narrative of creation and the Biblical witness of Jesus' affirmation between one man and one woman, the assembly will be asked to see a "new normal" that is inclusive of gay marriage.
The Cheshire cat: Riding a wave of victories from the Peace, Unity and Purity report in 2006 to the stripping of sexual standards for ordained officers in 2010-2011, there will be those who perceive themselves as sitting in the cat-bird seat at this assembly. We will hear invitations to mutual forbearance, gracious hospitality and full inclusion even as a claim is staked to the "new normal," which not insignificantly, is still considered an aberration if you take God at His Word.
Canaries: There will be canaries as well. The kind that live in coal mines to alert miners when the quality of the environment has become toxic and for preservation of life, immediate exit is necessary. The canaries will appear as:
· An overture seeking to restore the "fidelity and chastity" requirement for ordained officers.
· Overtures seeking a national approach to departing congregations and a national gracious dismissal policy.
· Overtures seeking to amend or eliminate the property trust clause.
· Overtures seeking to allow for non-geographic presbyteries or an altogether new Reformed body into which PCUSA congregations might easily migrate with their property, pensions and pastors intact
The Caterpillar: Cast by the GA's Mission Responsibility through Investment (MRTI) committee as the consummate villain, Caterpillar, Inc. will reappear on the chopping block at the 2012 GA, for allowing its products to be used in Israel for "non-peaceful" pursuits. But Cat won't be alone....Along with divestment from Caterpillar stock, MRTI is also recommending that Presbyterians divest of Hewlett-Packard and Motorola stocks. Both companies have technologies that are used by the state of Israel in its attempts to protect its people and property from attacks and insurgency.
The gospel and the Holy Spirit left the PCUSA nearly a century ago.
They’re just a leftist social club for post-menopausal women in sweaters and polyester pants and eunuchs who look like men on the outside.
With the direction the PCUSA is going in, I wouldn’t be surprised if they elect Jerry Sandusky as the moderator of their next General Assembly.