Church Issues Series

The Office of Theology and Worship has inaugurated a "Church Issues Series" that provides timely resources for considering pressing issues before the church. The publications in the series deal with unity and diversity, biblical authority and religious pluralism.

The Church and Its Unity

by Barbara Wheeler and P. Mark Achtemeier

Two significant perspectives on the unity of the church, offered by persons who have different views on some of the issues currently dividing the church. Both essays go beyond the preservation of institutional or sentimental ties to genuinely theological understandings of the unity of the church.

Church Issues Series, no. 1
This paper is available only as a download.

Committed Conversation

by Joseph D. Small

Three essays: "Church Fears", "Body Language" and "A Grammar of Committed Conversation." These offer an analysis of the current divisions in the church and an ecclesially faithful way to talk about these divisions.

Church Issues Series, no. 2
$3.00 • PDS# 7042099011

Biblical Authority for the Life of the Church

This important paper, number 3 in the Office of Theology and Worship's "Church Issues Series," was produced by the United Reformed Church in the United Kingdom. It is valuable to Presbyterians because it illuminates unity/diversity matters by providing fresh perspectives on the crucial question of the Bible's authority in the church and by providing scriptural insights into contentious sexuality issues.

Church Issues Series, no. 3
$3.00 • PDS# 7042000009

The Crucified One Is Lord

How shall Christians confess their faith in the midst of people whose beliefs are different? What is the shape of the faith that Christians confess? What should be the church's stance toward other faith traditions? The Office of Theology and Worship wishes to contribute to the church's consideration of the issue by making available to Presbyterians a superb theological paper from the Commission on Theology of the Reformed Church in America.

Church Issues Series, no. 4
$3.00 • PDS#7042000014

Bearing with One Another

by Sheldon W. Sorge

Sheldon Sorge goes to the sources, exploring impulses to unity within the reformed tradition. Dr. Sorge's reading of Calvin, set within the context of Ephesians 4, shows that concern for theological integrity and commitment to the church's unity are not at odds. To the contrary, it is theological integrity that is the ground for preserving the unity of the church.

Church Issues Series no.5
$3.00 • PDS #7042002001

Ordinary and Extraordinary Discipline

by Charles Wiley

A "Church Issues" paper by Charles Wiley exploring the restorative potential of discipline in the church. Wiley frames the use of formal, legal discipline in light of the everyday practice of Christians helping each other grow in Christ.

Church Issues Series, no. 6
$3.00 • PDS #7042002008

Ordination and Authority

As Presbyterians we find ourselves in a place of enduring contention as to who should be ordained without a clear conception of why we should be ordaining anyone. And if we are unsure of the nature of ordained ministry, we certainly will be unclear as to how the ordained exercise authority. Because we live in the midst of considerable confusion and contention around ordination, the Office of Theology and Worship is proud to present “Ordination and Authority,” two essays by Joseph D. Small, in hopes they will serve to push us to clarity around ordination.

Church Issues Series, no. 8
PDS #2116209003