By KATHIE HUNT
kathie@newsroom.byu.edu
The annual U.S. general assembly of the Presbyterian Church, which met June 19-26 in Fort Worth, TX, approved the Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) document to be distributed for endorsement by other denominations.
Three essential points are listed in CUIC. The document affirms the common faith found in nine denominations, contains a dialogue on ordained church officials and church orders and condemns racism.
'It sounds like a new and hopeful approach for our ecumenical (universal) endeavors,' said David Henry, senior pastor of Wasatch Presbyterian.
The common faith principles in the document are taken from the apostle and Nicene Creeds. The Nicene Creed is the oldest creed of the church.
Though some churches have different positions and titles for ordained leaders, CUIC states that all ordained officers in the various denominations should be respected.
'Given that the form of government in several churches is different, it needs to be worked out for unification,' said Al Cline, a lay elder of the Community Presbyterian Church of Cedar City. 'Now there is a stronger willingness to come together.'
CUIC has been sent to nine denominations for subscription and endorsement. Some of the churches receiving copies of the document include the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Reform Church of America, the United Church of Christ, the Methodist church and the Episcopal church.
'Entering the 2nd century, churches were fragmenting. Entering the 3rd century, Christiandom is reuniting,' said Reverend Martin Geisel, president of the Utah Valley Ministerial Association. 'CUIC will help bring the churches together; that's what makes it so thrilling.'
Other decisions made at the general assembly include approval for modern translation of the Nicene creed and rejection of a document that would have allowed certain presbyteries to ordain homosexuals.
International guests were invited to attend the assembly. Representatives came from the Korean Presbyterian Church, the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church and the equivalent churches in Australia and Madagascar. A brother from the Czechoslovakia Reformed Tradition also came.
The Council on Church Union (COCU) generated CUIC for referral at the general assembly.
The general assembly is attended by three delegates from each presbytery. A presbytery is a group of congregations in a geographical area.
A clergy and a lay person from each presbytery are elected by local members to represent them. The Utah presbytery sent Geisel to the general assembly as their clergy delegate. Lay people are also sent so the assembly is not run by clergy.
Each presbytery also sends a youth advisory delegate. The youth delegates are high school or college age and are allowed to participate in the discussions.