223rd General Assembly commended statement for study, comment and prayer
by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service
A new downloadable resource has analysis and theological reflection on the Reclaiming Jesus Statement, which the 223rd General Assembly commended to Presbyterians for study, comment and prayer.
LOUISVILLE — A new downloadable resource from the Office of Theology & Worship provides analysis and theological reflection on the Reclaiming Jesus Statement. Signed in 2018 by leaders of several denominations and organizations, the statement and ensuing movement calls on Christians in the United States to “reclaim Jesus” by focusing on what followers of Jesus are required to do.
The Theology & Worship resource is in response to a commissioners’ resolution approved at the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which commended to members, congregations and presbyteries the “Reclaiming Jesus” statement for study, comment and prayer.
“In reviewing the Reclaiming Jesus Statement we found commonality with basic affirmations in our Presbyterian understanding of the faith,” said Theology & Worship coordinator, the Rev. Dr. Barry Ensign-George.
The office of Theology & Worship document provides a brief outline of the Reclaiming Jesus Statement and points to theological ideas in the statement that are also affirmed by the PC(USA). It provides links to the text of the statement as well as study material for engaging the statement, including the recent book “Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus,” by Jim Wallis.
The Theology & Worship resource document acknowledges that “in our bitterly divided nation” some “might see (the Reclaiming Jesus statement) as one more ideologically partisan voice.” However, as the document states, “these Christian leaders intend to honestly question the state of the church and political situation in the U.S.”
“It’s not about the left or the right,” said associate for theology So Jung Kim. “But about how we as Christians — Jesus’ followers and disciples — can stay faithful in the current political situation.”
Download the new “Reclaiming Jesus” resource from the Office of Theology & Worship here.
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Categories: Advocacy & Social Justice, Faith & Worship
Tags: 223rd general assembly 2018, christ in crisis: why we need to reclaim jesus, jim wallis, office of theology and worship, reclaiming jesus movement, reclaiming jesus statement, rev. dr. barry ensign-george, so jung kim
Ministries: Theology and Worship, Theology, Formation & Evangelism