Perspectives offers an exploration of issues facing the church as well as some reflective analysis of our life together as a denomination through the lens of scripture, our Reformed theology, and a constitutional and confessional framework.

We begin this issue with "United Across War Fields?" by the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, a pastor in Bethlehem and currently a guest professor at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the Mission Partner in Residence on the Worldwide Ministries Division staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This article is a reflection that Dr. Raheb shared with the Worldwide Ministries Division staff during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In his reflection, he writes, "Is unity between those who favor a war and those who are against it something that is not possible? Does it mean that no place exists for toleration, that there is no other way but to draw a line? Does it mean that any compromise is nothing but cheap unity that compromises the gospel and the truth?"

We follow Dr. Raheb's reflection with a timely prayer of thanksgiving and intercession by James G. Kirk, pastor of Harundale Presbyterian Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and author of When We Gather: A Book of Prayers for Worship (Louisville, Kentucky: Geneva Press, 2001). The prayer is among the liturgy for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which is Sunday, February 9, 2003, but it has a much longer life than one Sunday, especially in these present days with the increasing possibility of war with Iraq.

"Undivided Plural Ministry" is an article by Joseph D. Small, Associate Director, Office of Theology Worship and Discipleship. It first appeared in the January 2003 issue of Ecumenical Trends and is reprinted here by permission. Rev. Small begins with the following: "The 18th Plenary of the Consultation on Church Union was convened in January 1999 to inaugurate a new relationship among nine churches. Together, the churches were to affirm "visible marks of Churches Uniting in Christ," including the reconciliation of ministries. The Plenary came close to failing, in part because the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) could not resolve their differing convictions regarding ordered ministry. The Episcopal Church's commitment to the historic episcopate and the Presbyterian Church's understanding of corporate episcopé, together with the Presbyterian Church's commitment to the ordained elder and the Episcopal Church's understanding of the "three-fold ministry," made it clear that reconciliation of ministries was impossible. Even mutual recognition of ministries seemed problematic. Yet the Plenary found a way forward." This article provides a historical perspective on the Reformed tradition of ordered ministry and discusses some of the problems and prospects surrounding the current bilateral discussions between Presbyterians and Episcopalians.

At the beginning of each year, Cliff Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly shares what he thinks, as of mid-January, will be the top ten issues for the upcoming General Assembly. We feature the Stated Clerk's "Top Ten List for the 215th General Assembly" that will convene in Denver on May 24, 2003.

Finally, we provide a brief glimpse of the resource material forthcoming from the Presbyterian Historical Society for the celebration of Presbyterian Heritage Sunday, May 18, 2003.

We are always eager to know your comments about and suggestions for Perspectives.
Contact us at OGA_Communications@ctr.pcusa.org.

As James Kirk writes in his prayer, "Your love does indeed work wonders. Work now in us, so that others may behold your love."

May it be so.

- Sharon K. Youngs, Editor