More Than Semantics

This is part three of my response to the formation of a new ‘denominational entity’ called the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECOP).  The first two posts are below

For my money, the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership (ZMP) is a terrific example of what happens when churches gather around a common mission. If this project stopped there, it would still be an inspiring story of what happens when churches respond to God’s Spirit.

But this story doesn’t end there.

  As the ZMP progressed in its work, connections were made with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. Conversations began about establishing an official connection between the Presbytery of Denver and the Presbytery of Zimbabwe.  In 2005, that became a reality. I was privileged to be part of a delegation that went to Zimbabwe to ratify a new, missional relationship between the two presbyteries.

It is called the Partnership of the Zimbabwe and Denver Presbyteries (PZDP). I know, the name is hard to remember and the initials are awkward and it is easy to confuse it with the ZMP- people do it all the time. If this was just about good semantics, we would have failed. The ECOP (they suggest, ECO-Presbyterians) have done a much better job on this front. Thank God it is more than just about good branding!  Some of the things that have happened since 2005 include:

• A large part of the effort has been to understand each other’s country and culture. More than 60 people have gone back and forth. Delegates live in each other’s homes, participate in each other’s worship and experience each other’s culture. More than 80% of the Denver Presbytery churches have had Zimbabwe delegates participate in their worship.  New Hope has been one of the many churches that have been blessed by visits from our brothers and sisters from Zimbabwe.
• Three ministers and their spouses have come from Zimbabwe to take a ‘long leave’ (sabbatical). These have been times of renewal and refreshment for pastors who are stretched very thin with little relief in Zimbabwe.  Tom Sheffield (our Presbytery Pastor) is heading to Zimbabwe next month to explore ways for ministers from Denver to take their sabbaticals in Zimbabwe.
• When the economy in Zimbabwe was in free fall, we were able to provide some assistance to help stabilize the Presbytery of Zimbabwe and it’s critical work
• Paul & Lydia Neshangwe are here because of this partnership. Lydia is getting her MDiv. Training at Denver Seminary and Paul is on staff of the Denver Presbytery during this time. This was more than just a convenient exchange. If you recall, Paul’s life was in danger from the Mugabe government. Getting him out of the country for a while was an answer to prayer on many levels. Paul is a great friend of New Hope and if this were the only outcome of this partnership, I would count it a success.  Of course, there has been much more.
• One of our ministers, Derek Forbes, is now working as a PCUSA Mission Co-Worker in Harare for three years.
• A new Mission Partnership has been formed around a medical clinic in Lomagundi.  Five churches are part of the Lomagundi Clinic Mission Partnership (LCMP).
• In 2009 the Denver Presbytery hosted a 'Zimbabwe Summit', with represntatives from Zimbabwe, Denver, South Africa, England and Scotland.  All had vital mission efforts in Zimbabwe and over three days, we were able to share experiences, pool resources and strategize future efforts.

So, why am I telling you all this?

One of the charges made against the PCUSA is that it is ‘deathly ill’. The reason for founding a new ‘denominational entity’, we are told, is to create an environment and structure that  encourages missional partnership between churches.  I love that passion and that intention. I just question why a new entity has to be formed in order to get there. I’m already a part of one.  It is called the Denver Presbytery, and I would challenge anyone to find a more missionally-oriented and strategically nimble denominational entity.   

My question throughout has been,

How is ECOP and what they claim to want, different than anything that could be done within our current denomination?

So far, I haven’t heard any answer compelling enough to make me think this is a step forward.  In fact, I it seems to me the formation of such a group, and the inevitable division and siphoning of resources would be harmful to some very powerful mission that is already taking place.  In my next (and final) post on this subject, I’ll go into this further.

The PCUSA is “deathly ill”?  Of course it is. It is a human institution run by a lot of fallen human beings.  What else could it be?  That said, God is still at work.  This “deathly ill” denomination is somehow still able to do some pretty amazing things in mission and ministry. The PZDP, LCMP and the ZMP are just a few examples.

 The churches that have come together in the ZMP, LCMP and the PZDP represent a wide spectrum of theological diversity.  That diversity has not hurt or hindered the work that has been done. Indeed, it seems to have enhanced it. Here is why: We don’t come as churches with diverse viewpoints who are considering doing mission together. We come together as churches who want to do mission together and happen to have diverse viewpoints. 

That is more than semantics; it’s the Spirit of God.