Two Crazy Weeks

Hello All!

Well...we made it. Julie and I have been all over the map the past few weeks, but I am happy to say that all went well and is well. Julie's GFather's funeral and graveside went well, and we made it to Berthoud with at least some rest.

Things there went really well. The vote came down 69-1 (I didn't see Fawcett there, but I'm pretty sure cast the one vote absentee) and the church was really excited to meet us (and vice versa). I met with the Session, and they seem excited and open to change. The only thing that was a bit discouraging (to say the least) was looking at houses on Monday. Let's just say that you need a mortgage to sleep on a bench in the park.

All in all, though, we couldn't be more excited. Things in Minden have been good so far (the dial up connection has been a bit of a pill...thus the limited posting), and we are looking forward to having the Jewett Family Magical Mystery Summer Tour breeze through town on Thursday.

I found out that I am going to be the first candidate for ordination at Plains and Peaks after this summer's GA. I was told by the chair of COM to "expect a grilling" and that I can expect one question in particular: "Do you have any scruples?"

I have formulated my response: "Your Mom."

That will do it for me here....more to come. Hope you all are doing well. Congrats on the call, Chris. We miss you all very much...I keep telling my mom about Dave McCreery and calling myself the Pope....she just looks worried. That, and she isn't very good at Halo.

Talk to you all again soon,
SP

just to clarify...

Thanks Tony for your congrats on my call. But I do need to clarify something in order to clear my good name and keep peace among us...

I did not call any group "heretical." I agree with you dear brother, this should not be done (unless the group is!)

I said the GA made a "heretical decision." This does not place the whole GA, and certainly not the whole denomination in heresy! In stating that this decision is heretical I stand in good company of all the PCUSA renewal groups, entire presbyteries, hundreds of congregations & thousands of faithful within the PCUSA, the global evangelical Church, and historical, orthodox Christianity.

Grace & peace all!

checkin in & checkin out...

Greetings all,

It's official...Third Prez had their congregational meeting this past Sunday and formally voted me in as their next pastor! We are dancing with the Trinity!!!

So far I've heard from about 5 profs and a few peers, and my CPM chair, and—Praise our triune God— all have responded stating both sadness that I needed to separate from the PCUSA, but affirmed that this is a good call for us, and that our friendship & partnership in ministry will continue. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted in that regards.

Since the GA did go the heretical route of R5, and has now placed itself in schism from every major evangelical bodies and the majority church of the global south, I am in deep grief over this decision. I will continue to honor and pray for those of you who still feel called to fight the noble and needed fight for renewal!

As for me, I sat down and read through again the EPC's statements on abortion, divorce, homosexuality, Scripture, Christology, social justice, etc, I had tears in my eyes as I feel like I have come home to a group who stands where I stand and is focused solely on an evangelical mission!

I lose my seminary address and email here in few days. You can email me at roms1417@hotmail or keep in touch via this blog. We will move into a rental home while looking for a home to purchase here in Dubuque.

In amazement at God’s grace,
Chris

Guys on the Roof.

As I sit here this morning looking out the window I see the maintenance crew on top of the roof of Phillips old place. It is raining and they are apparently attempting to find the leak that is present in every middle unit. They have been walking, knocking on the building and shaking their heads. I am not sure if the shaking of the heads is in disbelief or frustration but I know this cannot be easy for them to come in a fix something they did not do.

Please pray for them as they work to fix this problem down here in the Village. Pray for safety, good humor, patience and success.