Yes. I am Reading the PCUSA News

Some of you who read this blog are not Presbyterian, and I try to avoid boring you with too much PCUSA stuff. However, last week, a book called Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action. It is a conspiracy theory that says President Bush planned the events of 9/11 so he could make the case for war in the Middle East. It was published by the John Knox Press, which is part of the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC). The PPC is not under the direct authority of the denomination (about what it publishes) but operates as a partnership with other publishers and has our name. You can read about the story in Christianity Today.

Yesterday a new event emerged. Within our Presbyterian system, a congregation's real estate and assets are supposed to revert to the presbytery if a congregation should decide to leave the fold. Many more conservative and Evangelical congregations are very unhappy with the state of affairs in the denomination and have considered leaving. Denominational lawyers have selectively and confidentially released some recommendations to specific presbyteries about what to do if a congregation decides to go with its property. You can read that story at the Presbyterian Layman. I particularly like this profiling advice once you get the "schismatic" congregation in court.

Try to get the case before a judge whose religious affiliation (specifically, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist and Roman Catholic) would make him sympathetic to the property claims of hierarchical denominations. "For a judge from an Episcopal system (Catholic and Episcopalian), it is very helpful to say, 'The presbytery is the bishop.'" The recommendation warns against going before a Baptist judge.

So I want my Presbyterian friends to know I know what is happening. For reasons of my own, I choose not to say much about either story at this time. However, since I have your attention, I did want to draw your attention to my forthcoming book to be published by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. It is called The PCUSA and the Truth Behind the New Wineskins. It is an investigative book that reveals how New Wineskins is really a front organization of the Stated Clerk's office to identify schismatics.  :)

Comments

[will spotts]

ROTFL.

Yep the stated clerk woud equal the cia in other conspiracies . . .

You know they run the Lay Committee too . . .

[Kelly]

You crack me up!!!!

[Michael Kruse]

Will. Shhhhh!!! That is my sequel.

Glad I could bring a smile Kelly.

[kairos]

Can you put your liberty bible layouts on the cover, GOP front and Dem back...?

[Michael Kruse]

Now that would through them for a loop.

[neil]

I only wish that this was categorized under humor.

[Michael Kruse]

Actually, in the literal sense, I thought I had categorized this under PCUSA and Humor. That has been corrected. My humor is often a little too subtle for this medium. Best to give some clear indication before I get flamed.

[John Smith]

Actually, the PPC is an entity of the General Assembly and is accountable to the Assembly. Also the Assembly elects the directors of the Board of the PPC.

[Michael Kruse]

Their website says:

"The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) is a financially self-sustaining agency of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), governed by a board of directors."

My point about being under the authority of the denomination was unclear. I intended that to refer to having say over what is published. I have now made that clarification.

It has been my understanding that we give little if any financially and don't exercise review over what they publish. I think you are right that our accountability comes through the GA electing the Board of Directors. I haven't dealt with them much to date.

[Quotidian Grace]

Love the prospective book :-)

[Michael Kruse]

Thanks. For that you get a 25% discount.