Our conscience speaking

Vernon Broyles’ “Until all are free” (Church in Society, May) could not be more insightful. Thankfully, the 19th-century tradition of voices thundering from pulpits on matters of social conscience has not wholly disappeared.

It grieves me as a human and especially as a Christian that this issue is no nearer a fair resolution. Palestinians are also children of Abraham. Until we live and love accordingly, the apartheid that Broyles condemns will worsen. For the Israelis to justify that horror by relying on their claim that the land is a gift from God ignores the other part of that deal — they are to be a blessing through that gift. I cannot see much “blessing” to the Palestinians in their actions.

The righteous roar from the pulpit is now mostly a whimper, yet there is one place where it can still be found. Broyles’ columns are our conscience speaking — if we are honest.

—Michael J. Vaughn, Flint, Texas

Apartheid is appropriate description

Thanks to Vernon Broyles for “Until all are free.” Presbyterians who have been to both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories know that his use of “apartheid” is an appropriate description of the reality on the ground. Some from South Africa have even said that Israel’s apartheid is worse than what they endured. As the outlook for a viable two-state solution becomes increasingly dim, given Israel’s continued illegal settlement expansion, our efforts to work for a just peace remain essential. Telling it like it is, is part of our call.        

—Leonard B. Bjorkman, Owego, N.Y.

Clarity, not prejudice

Seldom do we see letters to the editor so diametrically opposed as Craig Hunter and John Kapsaroff regarding Vernon Broyles’ May column (June, Readers Write). I personally side with Hunter, but wonder about Kapsaroff suggesting that Hunter and Broyles not use this forum for their political views. What did Mr. Kapsaroff just do?

We need to read these positions (both) and pray through them for clarity, not prejudice. My visit to Israel was eye-opening and life-changing in 2001.

—Jerry Dunn, DuQuoin, Ill.

Time to revisit parish ministry?

Many thanks for the thought-provoking June cover story  concerning small churches without pastors. I couldn’t help but reflect on what was done in a previous generation regarding this “problem.”

Small churches, especially in rural areas, were grouped into a larger parish, served by one pastor, frequently a recent seminary graduate who would cut his (no her then) eyeteeth on ministry in such a setting. (Some went on to become pastors of large churches and leaders in the denomination.) The elders of these small churches formed a common session and planned the most effective way for the churches to share their resources.

Should presbyteries be challenged to locate their small, pastorless churches, group them together in parishes and call pastors for service in such ministries?

—Jim Cogswell, Black Mountain, N.C.

Another fabulous issue

Thank you for another fabulous issue of Presbyterians Today (June), which I read from cover to cover! I was especially appreciative of your three feature stories.

I have known for as long as I can remember (82 years) that prayer changes us, but I never gave any thought that it changes God, too. Without prayers being lifted up to my Lord and Savior, I would not exist today.

We have an ordained pastor serving our church and have a retired pastor as well as commissioned lay pastors in our congregation. Our pastor has been on medical leave and many members have been using their God-given talents to keep us going with the help of guest ministers, CLPs and youth programs during our weekly worship services, visitations of sick and shut-ins and much more!

It’s nice to know that some churches will reach out to young people using their parking lots for skateboarding. Too many times we have become angry with them. I was happy to read of the Oklahoma congregation accepting them and helping them as Jesus Christ asked us to do.

—Patricia (Pat) Poland, Newburgh, Ind.

June issue a winner

The June issue was a winner. The new layout is breathtaking. I liked the insert of “2009 Mission Resources for Presbyterians.” It brought what we are doing front and center. Also I really liked the story about the skateboarders. How easy it would have been to try to shoo them away and how wonderful it was to bring them into the life of the church. Everybody won. Keep up the good work.

—Becky Proudfoot, Pueblo, Colo.

Shallowness is the problem

Re. Judy Hornell’s letter (Readers Write, May) — No Presbyterian church of which we’ve been members forbids anyone access to the Lord’s Table — it is the Lord’s table after all — or fails to welcome whoever comes. Christ accepted all people, but not all behavior. When he said, “Neither do I condemn you,” he also said, “Go, and sin no more.”

We are not losing members because we are not wide enough or deep enough, but because we are so shallow that we stand for nothing. How then is the church different from any secular organization? If everyone does what is right in his/her own eyes, we are conformed to the world and no longer the church.

—Edith Seaton, Penney Farms, Fla.