Presbyterians Pro-Life NEWS
Winter 2004

"Revival" is the bringing of new life to an individual or a congregation, but in the "Bible Belt" it usually refers to a week of special services, no matter what happens.

"Renewal" is important to many of us, and it focuses on evangelical ministries where Christians and their churches make new commitments to Christ and new resolve to be faithful to God where He has placed us.

"Restructure" is the Presbyterian pastime that recognizes polity and organizational issues as the key task in being the church.

"Renaissance" is a call to a new way of thinking, often in a humanistic manner. There is a desire to move into new thought, but not everyone is enlightened yet. So, for change to take place, a change of thinking must first take place.

"Repentance" is the turning from our sins, personal and corporate, that is at the core of every activity in the church, but it starts with each individual heart and life.

"Revitalization" is the appeal to do church in new ways. The old ways will not work any longer. New wine skins are necessary. We live in a new time and the church must adjust.

"Restoration" is the fine-tuning of the church. There are really no major problems, just the need for some mid-course corrections. We are going in the right direction; we just need to stay together through this difficult time.

"Retreat" is the leaving of the current battle. It might be separation or isolation; but there is the deep belief that the current denominational situation is hopeless.

But, I believe, the "R" word that stands out above the rest is REFORMATION. I know that we who are reformed feel almost obligated to say this, but it is not what I hear in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) today. All of the other "R" words seem to dominate. It is as if we have relegated REFORMATION to one period in the 16th century, to one group of men named Luther, Calvin and Knox, and to one event that included a hammer and nail, the front door of a German church, and a large number of "theses."

What about reformation now? I am not talking about reformation with a capital "R". I am talking about a movement by God, in his church, to the world, and for his glory. It is a movement that begins and ends with God. It is all about him, and not about us. It is a movement that calls us to stand in faithfulness in the church where God has placed us, and we are to believe, repent and obey. It is a movement that does not stop in the church, but proceeds to the world with the gospel in mission. It is a movement that ends up, no matter the way it looks, giving all praise, honor and glory to the triune God.

Is reformation now a pipe dream? It feels like it in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)! Look around. Political infighting. Membership plummeting. Separation glamorized. Immorality propounded. Heresy defended. Blame placed. It is enough to make anyone cry out for something--anything--other than what we now have.

Many of us in the church tend to be activist before we are prayerful. We are more focused on what we are to do where it is impossible, than on what only God can do where it is possible. No wonder many of us are frustrated. We really do rely in ourselves rather than God. We are not willing to suffer anything for righteousness sake. We want to be right, and we want others to know that we are right. (There are "r" words everywhere!)

We in PPL long for "reformation." Our mission statement propounds:

PPL does not believe that the "R" word is a pipe dream. We believe it is the call of God, the work of God, and it will bring great glory to God. Therefore, reformation is more than a mission statement to us. It is our prayer.

We in PPL happen to believe that when reformation comes, it will be comprehensive in its scope and scale. But we also are convinced that it will be evident in a most striking way in the reversal of the church’s current pro-choice position on abortion and a restoration of the church’s ministry that will stand with women and men for the sanctity of human life. We know that this life-affirming reformation will be on all fronts. It will be political, but much more than political. It will be personal, but much more than personal. It will be a priority, and God will be glorified.

But we don’t see it right now.

So….we pray, work and trust.

We long for the "R" word – "reformation." How about you?

• Dr. Donald A. Elliott is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Corinth, MS and President of the PPL Board of Directors