Welcome!
Welcome to Forward Together with Courage!
It has become standard practice for those standing for the office of Moderator of the General Assembly in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to create a place in cyberspace where the church can get to know who we are, what we have done and what moves us to stand for Moderator, this year, of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Thank you so much for coming here to discover those things.
As I have pondered this notion of “standing for moderator,” another meaning of the phrase has emerged for me: that the whole church stand for the office of the moderator.
That means, for me, that we all embody the leadership, unity, and hope that are so central to our church family and our Presbyterian tradition.
The Standing Rules of the General Assembly specify three jobs for the moderator after presiding with a steady and kind hand during the General Assembly:
- Upholding the people of God through prayer
- Telling the story of the church’s life
- Being a sign of the bond of unity, community, and mission in the life of the church and being an ambassador of the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
You will see that sections of this blog correspond to this work of the moderator.
My hope is to engage us all in moving forward, together, into the future God is preparing for us, by doing this work together here and now. And if we all can stand together in this way, just imagine what power we will have to proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed!
If you have prayers, stories, or a vision for our unity, please share them with me. You can submit them here, or email them to me at inkok@outlook.com. I look forward to your thoughts and insights.
May the peace of Christ be always with you.
15 Responses
If I were a Commissioner, I would vote for you.
Dear John Edward Harris,
THANKS!! Your well-wishing means the world to me. I count it as a prayer on my behalf and treasure it.
And I hope you will share your thoughts here often.
Peace, Janet
Dear John Edward Harris,
Thanks! Your well-wishing means the world to me. I take it as a prayer on my behalf and treasure it.
And I hope you will come often to comment and share here.
Peace, Janet
If I were a commissioner, I’d vote for anyone but you
Dear Calvin,
I’m guessing that Rev Edwards and I disagree on some pretty significant issues, but we are called to live and speak in a manner worthy of the gospel. As the pcusa heads down its current path, as churches like mine and others prayerfully contemplate leaving the denomination, we MUST honor Christ with our words and actions.
Dear Calvin,
From what I know of you, your vote does not surprise me, Calvin.
I hope you see that this site is about us all standing for the spirit and unity of the PCUSA and that you will join in this.
I know it would fulfill Jesus’ prayer that we may be one.
Peace, Janet
I am so encouraged for our church that you have decided to stand for GA Moderator. I love what you said about proclaiming our unity in 1 Lord, 1 faith, and 1 baptism, that the righteous are as bold as a lion, and inviting us to move forward with courage together.. This is what our church needs. I think you would bring so much rich spiritual insight and understanding about the issues that divide us to our church today if elected. I pray the commissioners will listen to you carefully and prayerfully, and elect you!
My prayers are with you.
Janet
You are divisive and schismatic. Quit pretending that you know anything about unity. You dismiss Jesus and make a god in your own image. It is little wonder your own presbytery turned you down. Hopefully the challenge to your even being a commissioner is successful.
I am so pleased you are called to run for moderator. I pray you will be elected as I think you will bring a depth of love and spirituality to the position that will be healing for our church.
Janet Bohren
Dear Calvin,
For me, your words here are not conducive to dialogue, which, you know, is my passion.
I hope you will share your faith and vision for the PCUSA when you join us here so that together we can serve Christ with joy and power.
Peace, Janet
Dear Janet,
Deepest thanks for your kind words.
And I look with joy to your participation in the stand for Moderator of sharing prayers, stories of the church and exploration of our unity.
Peace, Janet
Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards, you would be an outstanding moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA)! You are level-headed yet bold and your leadership has already added to your notable reformed family heritage that stretches back to Jonathan Edwards. More importantly, Janet, your service to remove all barriers to leadership for LGBT people was profound. Thank you for being unafraid to go the extra mile to assure that the Presbyterian Church (USA) opened the doors to becoming the church it is meant to be. Janet, you do so with faithfulness and a loving spirit that inspires those around you.
Dear Ann,
You are very welcome but the thanks really go your way from me for your kind words. May I live up to them.
Peace, Janet
Sholom!.
I am embraced with your teaching through the website and in connection to that i am so much happy and blessed indeed i am ready if you can accept me to Partner and work together under your leadership directives . i am a pastor married with one wife and two kids , i start ministering when i was 15 year old through gospel music but now God has blessed me the ministry of about 40 members and these is our six month old, i need your prays and teachings to enable us to grow spiritually strong so that we may be able to reach to many unsaved people . THANKS MAY THE GOD BLESS YOU WITH YOUR MINISTRY AMEN.
your faithful Pastor Isaac.
Dear Isaac,
Thank you for your confidence in me and your kind words.
May God continue to bless your call, your ministry and your family.
I will hold you and your desire to serve Christ in my prayers.
Peace be with you, Janet