How true yet how sad. Denominationally we continue on our merry way, “fiddling while Rome burns,” either ignoring or oblivious to such critical statistical fact. Instead of intelligently taking such information to heart and strategically adjusting our strategies to meet these obvious challenges we proceed to endeavor to “retread” our aging, sagging congregations where numbers and dollars are a diminishing resource.

Is it any wonder that our problems persist or that we continue on our downward slide?

Jim Babcock

Bozeman, Mont.

Dr. Wardlaw writes, “’Wise ones still seek Him.’ They go these days to midnight candlelit services and sing beloved, grateful hymns. Or they stare, open-mouthed, into the mysteries of space from which, by the grace of God, all of us were spawned.” I don’t know whether he intended to issue a call to humility, but I hear in Dr. Wardlaw’s words an affirmation that God’s grace is infinitely grander than we can perceive — and that God’s purposes won’t begin to fit in the paltry little boxes that we construct for them.

In an age that craves black-and-white certainty, in which culture and church alike place the loudest know-it-alls on the highest pedestals, Dr. Wardlaw’s essay is a welcome reminder: It’s awfully hard to be wise without also being humble.

Dwight Christenbury

Hendersonville, N.C.

It seems to me we begin at the wrong end of things when we want to create ... Only God, through the Holy Spirit, can create.

Consider the revival of the Korean Presbyterian Church way back when. It began in a General Assembly worship with a mutual confession of opposing parties, after a time of deep prayer. Read about it.

Maybe we could lay aside the GA agenda and pray for the church and pray for ourselves. Confession is good for the soul and spreading the gospel is still our individual and collective responsibility.

I learned this in the UPCNA.

Robert Woodworth

Harrisonburg, Va

G-2.0501 clearly states that Teaching Elder is “(also called Minister of Word and Sacrament).” The changes brought about by the new Book of Order merely seek to lean our emphasis toward the meaning of teaching elder. I believe this is to get us to remember the priesthood of all believers and the parity of our lay/clergy leadership, which is often forgotten by lay and clergy alike.

In no way does the term “teaching elder” supplant or negate the terminology of “minister of word and sacrament.” If that language is customary and helpful, it may still be used (such as in a military chaplaincy situation).

To make this a substitution rather than an emphasis completely misses the point of the reform and overreaches the Book of Order.

Kyle Walker

Bryan, Texas