BlogPost: Faith Fight – Fountain Hills, Arizona

Posted on

7761324_G“Faith Fight”—that’s what the local news is calling it. Eight churches in Fountain Hills, Arizona, led by the Rev. Bill Good, pastor of Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), have posted banners announcing a sermon series called “‘Progressive’ Christianity: Fact or Fiction.” Their basic intent is to attack progressive Christianity as not being Christian.

Sadly, the primary target of their attack is their neighbor, The Fountains United Methodist Church and its pastor, the Rev. David Felten (you can find some local stories about it here; and here is some national coverage: Christianity Today, and The Huffington Post).

In response, a number of members of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon, the same presbytery in which Rev. Good is a member, felt that, due to the now national coverage of this event, we needed to respond in some fashion. Below is our response and we invite others to sign on to this statement if you feel so led. You can contact me directly through this website to add your name.

A RESPONSE TO REV. BILL GOOD AND THE CHURCHES OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
ATTACKING PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANS

Recently eight churches in Fountain Hills, Arizona, posted banners announcing a collective sermon series entitled “’Progressive’ Christianity: Fact or Fiction.” The Rev. Bill Good of Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, and president of the local clergy association, mischaracterized in his first sermon a distinction between “Progressive Christianity” and what he called “Biblical Christianity,” insinuating that Progressive Christianity is not Biblical nor a valid expression of Christian faith. We respectfully reject this false dichotomy and claim what is often labeled as Progressive Christianity to be a faithful expression of Christian faith in the spirit of Jesus Christ who crossed cultural boundaries and challenged traditional norms for the sake of God’s love, especially for the poor, oppressed, and socially marginalized. The entire spirit of this campaign is not in keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

As clergy members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the same denomination as Rev. Good, we, the undersigned of this statement, celebrate the vast diversity of expressions of Christian faith present in the Body of Christ—the Church universal—and further state that Rev. Good’s views do not represent our views, the views of the Christian congregations we serve, nor the views of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a Christian denomination and has been, and continues to be, a classically liberal denomination of Christian faith that attempts to honor diversity of opinion and faith, even protecting the voices of minority positions, while still keeping to the essentials of Christian faith. We are hesitant to define these essentials, understanding that we will make mistakes and are still growing in our understanding of God’s will. We tend to be cautious around any dogmatic statements or claims of absolute truth because God is infinite and cannot be contained by the limits of human understanding and language. Each statement that is made, however, combined with the many statements and understandings offered throughout our historical tradition, offer glimpses of truth that help us discern God’s will for our lives today and for the positive and faithful transformation of the world according to God’s creative love and grace, as revealed through Jesus Christ.

The Hebrew Scriptures teach us to “not bear false witness against our neighbor” (Exodus 20.16). We believe Rev. Good and his colleagues are preaching a distorted view of progressive Christianity to serve their own purposes rather than God’s. In our Gospels, Jesus teaches us to “do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7.12). A major thread that runs throughout the Bible, and summarized by Jesus, is that we are called to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. An important aspect of this love is the respect of self and others, especially those with whom we might disagree (Matthew 5.44). We believe Rev. Good’s intentions violate God’s standards of love and seek to tear down rather than build up the Body of Christ.

We celebrate and appreciate a healthy tension between conservative, progressive, and other understandings of God, Jesus, and the Bible, even though we may disagree on many things. We believe we are all better together than apart, and seek to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect. Each perspective presents opportunities and challenges that hold us all accountable to the Spirit of God and the central Biblical call to healthy, mutual and faithful relationships. But we cannot support, condone, nor keep silent about anyone who claims Christian identity and then openly attacks the peace, unity, and purity of the Body of Christ by calling some within it “not really Christian.”

We consider Rev. Good a colleague and a brother in Christ, along with the other clergy participating in this action. We are deeply saddened by the tone and language being used in this campaign, and are especially concerned as the campaign seems to be directed at one particular neighboring congregation: The Fountains United Methodist Church and its pastor, the Rev. David Felten. We believe Rev. Good’s actions are not in keeping with Jesus’ teachings, nor the teachings of our Scriptures. We implore Rev. Good and his colleagues to stop this divisive behavior. We stand in solidarity with Rev. Felten and our sisters and brothers at The Fountains, and hold them all in prayer. We also hold in prayer Rev. Good, our sisters and brothers in the congregation he serves, and the other clergy and congregations participating, trusting that somehow God’s love will win in the end for all of our sakes.

We implore Rev. Good and his colleagues to stop these attacks, take down their banners, and, in the spirit of Jesus Christ, seek to be in conversation and dialogue to seek deeper understanding and respect, rather than resorting to overly simplistic attacks that further drive a wedge into the heart of the Body of Christ—seeking understanding over division; seeking to love rather than hate; seeking to build up rather than tear down.

Sincerely, your sisters and brothers in Christ,

  1. The Rev. Eric O. Ledermann, University Presbyterian Church, Tempe, Arizona
  2. The Rev. Peggy Roberts, Presbytery of Grand Canyon at-large, Phoenix, Arizona
  3. The Rev. Linda Worsnop, Palo Christi Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, Arizona
  4. The Rev. Leslie Vogel, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Mission Co-worker, Phoenix, Arizona/Guatemala
  5. The Rev. José Olagues, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retried, Phoenix, Arizona
  6. The Rev. Cynthia A. Jennison, Memorial Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, Arizona
  7. The Rev. Sue Wintz, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Board Certified Chaplain, Mesa, Arizona
  8. The Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Campbell, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Chandler, Arizona
  9. The Rev. Larry Corbett, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, At-Large Interim, Estes Park, Colorado
  10. The Rev. Deanne Hodgson, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Phoenix, Arizona
  11. The Rev. Ken Moe, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Mesa, Arizona
  12. The Rev. Shelly Moe, Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church, Mesa, Arizona
  13. The Rev. Martha Sadongei, Central Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, Arizona
  14. The Rev. Doug Baer, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Phoenix, Arizona
  15. The Rev. Tully M. Fletcher IV, Orangewood Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, Arizona
  16. The Rev. Terry Palmer, Gilbert Presbyterian Church, Gilbert, Arizona
  17. The Rev. Richard Nielsen, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Scottsdale, Arizona
  18. The Rev. David Hicks, First Presbyterian Church, Yuma, Arizona
  19. The Rev. Janet Arbesman, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Member At-Large, Carefree, Arizona
  20. The Rev. Mae Hicks, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Phoenix, Arizona
  21. The Rev. Stan Martin, Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church, Tempe, Arizona
  22. The Rev. Joe Keesecker, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Phoenix, Arizona
  23. RE Isabella M. Wahl, Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church, Mesa, Arizona
  24. RE Jeff Chapman, Mountain View Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, AZ
  25. RE Polly Chapman, Mountain View Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, AZ
  26. The Rev. Harrell Davis, First Presbyterian Church, Sun City, AZ
  27. The Rev. Gary Kush, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired (Former Interim Pastor at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church), Peoria, AZ
  28. The Rev. David Van Arsdale, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Honorably Retired, Phoenix, AZ
  29. RE Teri Conrad, Crosswinds Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Phoenix, AZ
  30. RE John D. Reeber, Desert Palms Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Sun City West, AZ
  31. The Rev. Fred H. Anderson, Honorably Retired, Grand Canyon Presbytery

Other Signatories from outside the Presbytery of Grand Canyon:

  1. The Rev. Kristina Hine, Presbytery of Riverside, Member At-Large (serving in Ayr, Scotland)
  2. The Rev. Rob Smith, Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Twin Cities, Apple Valley, MN
  3. The Rev. Ben Daniel, Montclair Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of San Francisco, Oakland, CA
  4. The Rev. Beth Appel, Presbytery of Southern New England, Providence, RI
  5. The Rev. Dr. Antonio (Tony) Aja, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe Presbytery, Santa Fe, NM
  6. The Rev. Deborah Matthews, Presbytery of Chicago, Westmont, IL
  7. Sr. Therese Parkin, COS, Guardian of the Community of Solitude, Rotora, New Zealand
  8. The Rev. Dr. Tom Eggebeen, Presbytery the Pacific, Honorably Retired, Los Angeles, CA
  9. The Rev. Eliana Maxim, Presbytery of Seattle, Seattle, WA
  10. The Rev. David Choate, Presbytery of Cincinnati, Member At-Large, Cincinnati, OH
  11. The Rev. Pete Jones, Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Peaks, Versailles, KY
  12. The Rev. Dwain Lee, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse, Auburn, NY
  13. The Rev. Mark Sandlin, Presbytery of Salem, Greensboro, NC
  14. The Rev. Timothy Blodgett, Connecting Point Presbyterian Church, Indian Nations Presbytery, Oklahoma City, OK
  15. The Rev. Landon Whitsitt, Synod of Mid-America, Kansas City, MO
  16. Reed Miller, State College Presbyterian Church, State College, PA
  17. The Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church, Mission Presbytery, San Antonio, TX
  18. CRE John Harrison, Fairfield Highlands Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, Midfield, AL
  19. The Rev. Dr. Joanne C. Sizoo, Grace Presbyterian Church, Providence Presbytery, Fort Mill, SC
  20. RE Diana R. Sanderson, Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Western North Carolina, Swannanoa, NC
  21. RE Clancy Cherry, First Presbyterian Church, Albany Presbytery, Albany, NY
  22. The Rev. Tom Paine, Parkway Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of South Louisiana, Metairie, LA
  23. The Rev. Alice Geils Nord, New Hope Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Mebane, NC
  24. The Rev. Benie Nord, New Hope Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Mebane, NC
  25. The Rev. Dr. Paul Alcorn, Bedford Presbyterian Church, Hudson River Presbytery, Bedford, NY
  26. The Rev. Adam Walker Cleaveland, Winnetka Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Chicago, Winnetka, IL
  27. The Rev. John Edward Harris, Presbyterian Church of Cadiz, Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery, Cadiz, OH
  28. Michael Demeule, Seriously considering joining the PC(USA), Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  29. The Rev. Julie A. Jensen, Cherokee Presbytery, Cartersville, GA
  30. The Rev. Elizabeth Kanerva, Glendale Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, St. Louis, MO
  31. Commissioned Ruling Elder Barbara Vaughan, Berkley-Hillside Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Chicago, Hillside, IL
  32. The Rev. Kim Trimboli, West Berlin Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Scioto Valley, Hillard, OH
  33. The Rev. Dr. Sydney V. ‘Skip’ Jackson, Indianola Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Scioto Valley, Columbus, OH
  34. The Rev. Zachary Morton, New Church Development, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Suwanee, GA
  35. Charles Toy, co-found of “The Christian Left,” Portland, OR
  36. The Rev. Brian Shivers, Second Presbyterian Church, White Water Valley Presbytery, Indianapolis, IN
  37. The Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer Oget, PhD, Assoc. Professor of New Testament, The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA, soon to be at Austin Theological Seminary, Austin, TX
  38. The Rev. Frances Hayes, Littlefield Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Detroit, Dearborn, MI
  39. The Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Ancho and Corona Presbyterian Churches, Presbytery of Sierra Blanca, Corona, NM
  40. RE Keith Barber, First Presbyterian Church, Albany Presbytery, Albany, NY
  41. The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Traylor, Transitional Executive Pastor, Presbytery of Central Nebraska, Kearney, NE
  42. Matt Bowman, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky, Louisville, KY
  43. RE John Hannan, Presbytery of West Virginia, Winfield, WV
  44. RE Ken Whitehurst, Moderator-elect, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
  45. RE Brenda Crespo, First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy, Presbytery of Elizabeth, Metuchen, NJ
  46. The Rev. Dr. Judye Pistole, First Presbyterian Church, Cimarron Presbytery, Alva, OK
  47. The Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Luoma, First Presbyterian Church, Vice Moderator of Presbytery of Scioto Valley, Gallipolis, OH
  48. David Silcox, The Southeast Project, Indianapolis, IN
  49. The Rev. Dr. Donald Blosser, PhD, Professor of New Testament (retired), Goshen College, Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN
  50. The Rev. Alisa Secrest, First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield, Chicago Presbytery, Deerfield, IL
  51. The Rev. Sam Hamilton-Poore, Collegiate Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of North Central Iowa, Ames, IA
  52. Mary Beth Buffum, Cedar Hills United Church of Christ, Portland, OR
  53. The Rev. Tricia Dykers Koenig, National Organizer, Covenant Network of Presbyterians, Presbytery of the Western Reserve, Cleveland Heights, OH
  54. RE Myra Joyce, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of New York City, Bronx, NY
  55. The Rev. Eslianne Adkins Braunstein, Western Presbyterian Church, National Capitol Presbytery, Washington, DC
  56. CRE Gary Smith, Presbytery of Central Nebraska, Kearny, NE
  57. The Rev. Constance McIntosh, First Presbyterian Church of Welsh, Presbytery of South Louisiana, Welsh, LA
  58. The Rev. C. Michael Kuner, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, presbytery of Northern Kansas, Topeka, KS
  59. The Rev. Bill Schram, Albany Presbytery, Northville, NY
  60. The Rev. Matt Curry, Central Presbyterian Church, Grace Presbytery, Waxahachie, TX
  61. The Rev. Rachael Whaley Pate, Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Decatur, GA
  62. The Rev. Susan Joseph Rack, Christ Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Elizabeth, Martinsville, NJ
  63. The Rev. Bart Smith, St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of de Cristo, Tucson, AZ
  64. The Rev. W. Scott Harbison, St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of New Covenant, Houston, TX
  65. The Rev. Sarah Ross, First Presbyterian Church, Maumee Valley Presbytery, Adiran, MI
  66. The Rev. Loretta F. Ross, The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer, Presbytery of Northern Kansas, Topeka, KS
  67. The Rev. Kimberly P. Chastain, United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton, Susquehanna Valley Presbytery, Binghamton, NY
  68. The Rev. Paul F. Rack, Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Elizabeth, Plainfield, NJ
  69. The Rev. Dr. Kyle M. Walker, Faith Presbyterian Church, Mission Presbytery, Austin, TX
  70. The Rev. Norma Prina Murphy, Hammond Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Northern New York, Hammond, NY
  71. RE Kathryn Quickert, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of San Francisco, San Bruno, CA
  72. RE Kelly M. Godfrey, Trinity Presbyterian Church, John Calvin Presbytery, Shell Knob, MO
  73. The Rev. Charles Freeman, Grace Presbyterian Church, St. Augustine Presbytery, Gainesville, FL
  74. The Rev. Betsy Turner, Luther Hays Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Mansfield, GA
  75. The Rev. Reford B. Nash, Eastminster Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Mineral Ridge, OH
  76. The Rev. John Caster, Presbytery of Cincinnati, Honorably Retired, Cincinnati, OH
  77. The Rev. Karen G. Bear Ride, Presbytery of the Pacific, Claremont, CA
  78. The Rev. Dr. Kim L. Nelson, First Presbyterian Church, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery, Cape Girardeau, MO
  79. The Rev. Jennifer McCann Spivey, Chaplain, Presbytery of Eastern Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA
  80. Jeanne Lowrey, Connecting Point Presbyterian Church, Indian Nations Presbytery, Oklahoma City, OK
  81. The Rev. René Brandt, Presbytery of Chicago, Chicago, IL
  82. The Rev. Tom Barnicott, First Bethel United Methodist Church, Bethel Park, PA
  83. Steven Gilbert, Calvary Presbyterian Church, West Jersey Presbytery, Riverton, NJ
  84. The Rev. Michael Moore, First Presbyterian Church, Florida Presbytery, DeFuniak Springs, FL
  85. The Rev. Susan Carter Wiggins, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, AR
  86. The Rev. Ruth Billington, Presbytery of Plains and Peaks, Honorably Retired, Fort Collins, CO
  87. The Rev. Michael Hafele, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of New York City, Bronx, NY
  88. The Rev. Kate McGee, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Grace Presbytery, Arlington, TX
  89. RE Kathy Randall, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Southern Kansas, Newton, KS
  90. The Rev. Dennie Carcelli, Presbytery of Seattle, Honorably Retired, Seattle, WA
  91. RE Pete H. Wells, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Eastern Oregon, Pendleton, OR
  92. RE Stacy Clopton Yates, St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Palo Duro Presbytery, Amarillo, TX
  93. The Rev. Dr. Marsha Cutting, PhD, Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church, Seattle Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Seattle, WA
  94. Sharon Dowling, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Northern New England, Antrim, NH
  95. The Rev. Dr. Andrew L. Cullen, Heartland Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Kansas City, MO
  96. Roberta Henry, Bethany Presbyterian Church, San Francisco Presbytery, San Bruno, CA
  97. The Rev. Dr. Deana J. Reed, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Redwoods, Napa, CA
  98. The Rev. William Norman, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Presbytery of Sacramento, Woodland, CA
  99. The Rev. Marsha McFadden Quick, United Church of Christ, Southern California Nevada Conference, Los Angeles, CA
  100. The Rev. Mari Lyn Jones, Butler Presbyterian Church, Heartland Presbytery, Butler, MO
  101. The Rev. Carla Libby Gentry, Belton Presbyterian Church, Heartland Presbytery, Belton, MO
  102. The Rev. Lorelei Kay, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe Presbytery, Gallup, NM
  103. The Rev. Dr. Ralph Garlin Clingan, PhD, Newark Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Newark, NJ
  104. The Rev. Frank LeBlanc, Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR
  105. The Rev. Dennis Maher, Albany Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Lake Luzerne, NY
  106. The Rev. John Leedy, University Presbyterian Church, Mission Presbytery, Austin, TX
  107. The Rev. Edward D. Slusser, Winnebago Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Venice, FL
  108. Marl J. Murphy, III, Roman Catholic Diocese of East Tennessee, TN
  109. The Rev. Dr. J. Mark Lewis, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Moderator of the 128th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (2002-2003), Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
  110. The Rev. Martha P. Campbell, Scioto Valley Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Columbus, OH
  111. The Rev. Rick Behrens, Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, Heartland Presbytery, Kansas City, KS
  112. The Rev. Laurie Anne Fields, Presbytery of Southeaster Illinois, Member At-large, Marion, IL
  113. The Rev. Susan Phillips, First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago Presbytery, Shawano, WI
  114. The Rev. John Dillon Ridgefield, Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Blackhawk, Crystal Lake, IL
  115. RE Ralph Clements, Roswell Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Roswell, GA
  116. The Rev. Jane S. Winters, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Geneva, Elmira, NY
  117. The Rev. Carol Rahn, First Presbyterian Church, Mission Presbytery, Karnes City, TX
  118. The Rev. Chad Andrew Herring, The John Knox Kirk, Heartland Presbytery, Kansas City, MO
  119. The Rev. William D. Westmoreland, Wilson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Cincinnati, OH
  120. RE Elizabeth Marsh, Dublin Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Scioto Valley, Dublin, OH
  121. The Rev. Jeanne Gay, Havenwood Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Baltimore, Lutherville, MD
  122. The Rev. Alan L. Griffin, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Wabash Valley, Goshen, IN
  123. RE Patti J. Shelton, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Pines, Shreveport, LA
  124. The Rev. Laura C. Kelsey, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Detroit, Pontiac, MI
  125. The Rev. Beth Wagner, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Wabash Valley, Valparaiso, IN
  126. RE Rhonda Griffin, First Presbyterian, Presbtyery of Wabash Valley, Goshen, IN
  127. The Rev. Dr. Patricia Pickett, Mt. Denson Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Nashville CP Presbytery, Nashville, TN
  128. RE Sheri Dittman, First Presbyterian Church, Mission Presbytery, Mission, TX
  129. The Rev. Matthew Glasgow, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Northern Kansas, Junction City, KS and Westminster, MD
  130. The Rev. Dr. Jody McKewen, Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church, Tampa Bay Presbytery, Lutz, FL
  131. The Rev. Paul D. Frazier, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, Hardin, IL
  132. RE June Severino Feldman, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, New York City Presbytery, New York, NY
  133. The Rev. Joseph Connolly, First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Susquehanna Association, New York Conference, Norwich, NY
  134. The Rev. Becky Ardell Downs, John Knox Presbyterian Church, New Covenant Presbytery, Houston, TX
  135. RE Jan Hubbell, New Life Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Twin Cities, Roseville, MN
  136. The Rev. Bonnie S. Boyce, Spring Valley Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of West Virginia, Huntington, WV
  137. Zac Talbott, New Providence Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of East Tennessee, Maryville, TN
  138. The Rev. Dr. Bobbie G. McGarey, New Life Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe Presbytery, Albuquerque, NM
  139. The Rev. Dr. Richard O. Wyatt, Executive of Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Homestead Presbytery, Lincoln, NE
  140. The Rev. Cynthia Wunder, First Presbyterian Church, New Covenant Presbytery, Jasper, TX
  141. RE Cathy Saunders, Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, National Capitol Presbytery, McLean, VA
  142. The Rev. Elena Lilliana Stahlberg, Highlands Lutheran Church, Denver, CO
  143. The Rev. Steve Tyykila, First Presbyterian Church, Minnesota Valleys Presbytery, Canby, MN
  144. RE Jody Mask, Park Lake Presbyterian Church, Central Florida Presbytery, Orlando, FL
  145. The Rev. John Milne, Presbytery of Monmouth, Honorably Retired, Plainsboro, NJ
  146. The Rev. Mark E. Diehl, New Hope Presbytery, Member At-Large, Tarboro, NC
  147. The Rev. Mary S. Harris, Presbytery de Cristo, Honorably Retired, Tucson, AZ
  148. Brian Breeding, Director of Music, First United Methodist Church, Rogers, AR
  149. The Rev. Louis Lehman, Tampa Bay Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Gulfport, FL
  150. The Rev. Jim Howland, First United Presbyterian Church, Des Moines Presbytery, Wintetset, IA
  151. The Rev. Alex Hendrickson, Lafayette College, Lehigh Presbytery, Easton, PA
  152. The Rev. Lib McGregor Simmons, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Charlotte, Davidson, NC
  153. Kelly Kahlstrom, Member in Discernment, Rebel & Divine United Church of Christ, Southwest Conference, Phoenix, AZ
  154. RE Megan Hansen, Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, New Covenant Presbytery, The Woodlands, TX
  155. The Rev. Jeffrey O’Neill, Presbytery of Lake Michigan, Honorably Retired, First Lansing, MI
  156. The Rev. Janice Altenburger, Lutheran Church of Our Savior, North Huntingdon, IA
  157. The Rev. Stan Gockel, First Presbyterian Church, Whitewater Valley Presbytery, Portland, IN
  158. The Rev. Christopher P. Harris, Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church, Des Moines Presbytery, Carlisle, IA
  159. RE John A. Bolt, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV
  160. The Rev. Dr. Lawrence A. Jones, Mercersburg Acadamy, Presbytery of Carlisle, Mercersburg, PA
  161. The Rev. Deborah London Wright, Presbytery of San Francisco, Honorably Retired, Sausalito, CA
  162. The Rev. Nancy L. Rowland, New Castle Presbyterian Church, New Castle Presbytery, New Castle, DE
  163. The Rev. Dr. Stephen McKinney Whitaker, United Presbyterian Church of Peoria, Presbytery of Great Rivers, Peoria, IL
  164. The Rev. Doris (Katja) Gruening, Sandusky and Yale Presbyterian Churches, Lake Huron Presbytery, Sandusky and Yale, MI
  165. The Rev. Charles S. (Chuck) Goodman, Hope Presbyterian Church, Great Rivers Presbytery, Springfield, IL
  166. The Rev. Karen Sapio, Claremont Presbyterian Church, San Gabriel Presbytery, Claremont, CA
  167. The Rev. Patricia Campbell-Schmitt, Cascades Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Portland, OR
  168. The Rev. Sally L. Campbell, Middlesex Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth Presbytery, Middlesex, NJ
  169. Suzanne Hammond, formerly with Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, Lake Grove, OR
  170. The Rev. Matthew Sauer, First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago Presbytery, Manitowoc, WI
  171. The Rev. Thomas A. Snyder, East Ohio Conference, United Methodist Church, Honorably Retired, Ashland, OH
  172. Laura M. Fleming, First Presbyterian Church, Palisades Presbytery, Ridgewood, NJ
  173. The Rev. Terry Williams, Orchard Hills United Church of Christ, Central Southeast Ohio Association, Ohio Conference, Chillicothe, OH
  174. RE Barbara Kellam-Scott, Writer in Residence, Presbytery of the Palisades, Vernon, NJ
  175. RE Kirk Ergang, Committee on Ministry, Presbytery of Chicago, Chicago, IL
  176. RU Susan Herring, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Pines, Homer, IA
  177. CRE Nathan Sobers, Lake City Presbyterian Church, Seattle Presbytery, Seattle, WA
  178. The Rev. Nan I. Jenkins, Mission Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Round Rock, TX
  179. RE Larry Pease, First Presbyterian Church, Grace Presbytery, Dallas, TX
  180. The Rev. Dr. Sarah Reyes, Bethel Community Presbyterian Church, San Francisco Presbytery, San Leandro, CA
  181. RE Mavis Grant-Lilley, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV
  182. The Rev. Dr. Allan Foster, Glacier Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Whitefish, MT
  183. The Rev. Dr. Carl vom Eigen, Presbytery of Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs, FL
  184. The Rev. Terri Engle, Board Certified Chaplain, Salem Presbytery, Clemmons, NC
  185. The Rev. Daniel M. Davis, Westminster United Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Central Nebraska, Minden, NE
  186. The Rev. Sallie Watson, Stated Clerk and Missional Presbyter, Presbytery of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, NM
  187. RE Eloise Gilland, Montclair Presbyteiran Church, San Francisco Presbytery, Oakland, CA
  188. RE Raul Santiago, Iglesia Presbiteriana Rosa Gonzalez Memorial, Presbiterio de San Juan, Guaynabo, PR
  189. The Rev. Todd Freeman, College Hill Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Eastern Oaklahoma, Tulsa, OK
  190. The Rev. Kristine Haig, Presbytery of West Virginia, Honorably Retired, Morgantown, WV
  191. The Rev. Tricia Tedrow, First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca, Mission Presbytery, Port Lavaca, TX
  192. The Rev. Jane Wilson, First Congregational Church of Milford, Presbytery of Boston, Uxbridge, MA
  193. RE Kevin Kirking, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Inland Northwest, Coeur d’Alene, ID
  194. The Rev. Donald Buck, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Peace River, Port Charlotte, FL
  195. The Rev. Dr. Matthew L. Camlin, Trinity Parish Presbyterian Church, Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery (Moderator), Chester, WV
  196. The Rev. Rebecca F. Harrison, Presbytery of Western North Carolina, Honorably Retired, Asheville, NC
  197. The Rev. Kenneth L. Cuthbertson, Las Placitas Presbyterian Church (Parish Associate), Presbytery of Santa Fe, Placitas, NM
  198. The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Alloway, Presbytery Church of the Roses, Presbytery of the Redwoods, Santa Rosa, CA
  199. The Rev. Robert H. Fernandez, Sacramento Presbytery, Honorably Retired, Fair Oaks, CA
  200. The Rev. W. Robert Martin, III, First Presbyterian Church, San Jose Presbytery, Palo Alto, CA
  201. The Rev. Pat Slentz, United Church of Los Alamos, Chaplain, Presbytery of Santa Fe, Los Alamos, NM
  202. The Rev. Roger Wolsey, Wesley Foundation at Colorado University, United Methodist Church, Boulder, CO
  203. The Rev. Dr. Stu Smith, Presbytery of Chicago, Member At-Large, Chicago, IL
  204. The Rev. John Shuck, Southminster Presbyterian Church, Cascades Presbytery, Beaverton, OR
  205. The Rev. Lisa Lani Easterling, Presbytery of Santa Fe, Member At-Large, Albuquerque, NM
  206. The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Tucson, AZ

RE=Ruling Elder in the PC(USA)
CRE=Commissioned Ruling Elder in the PC(USA)
Updated as of June 6, 2014 at 9:49 a.m. MST.

Since this first posted, we have received the above signatories. The response has been overwhelming. What’s even more exciting and makes me proud to be a Presbyterian, the signatories are a mix of self-described progressive/liberal and conservative folks. This is not a liberal-conservative issue, but an issue of civility and grace; how we engage and seek to be in relationship with each other.

Our hope was to respond directly to the allegations made by the churches in Fountain Hills, stand in solidarity with Rev. Felten and his congregation, and, at the same time, express our deep hope for true dialogue and seeking understanding. These divisive tactics only tear us apart. God, in Christ, has sought to pull us together. I pray that may still be possible.

If you would like to be added to the list, whether or not you are a member of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon, add a comment below with: [Title] [Full Name], [Church, Organization, and/or Presbytery], [City where you work or live].

246 thoughts on “BlogPost: Faith Fight – Fountain Hills, Arizona”

  1. Please add my name in support of your letter!

    Rev. Fred H. Anderson, Honorably Retired, member of Grand Canyon Presbytery, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.HHHK

  2. Am I too late to say that there are people in the United Kingdom who pray for a loving and discerning Church. I did almost two years at theological college in 1962/3, had to leave, but was able to serve in many church functions including as lay-chair of two different Deanery Synods. My religious reading has not stopped. I was for years on the council of an Anglican theological society (Modern Church). As a committed lay person, I hope that you may all continue to feed the spiritually hungry with the teaching of Jesus and his call to love and forgive, so that the true “Kingdom/Sovereignty of God” may be the salt for society that too often is not prepared to open hearts to all. Bless you all in discerning the Way of Jesus for today. David

  3. The Rev. Dr. T. Ewen Holmes, Plymouth Presbyterian Church, Plymouth, MN, Presbytery of the Twin Cities (PCUSA) says:

    This does not reflect the congregation I once knew! It was willing to listen, disagree, and try to grow in faith. It certainly didn’t want to be “spoon-fed” a message of exclusion.

    1. Pastor Holmes, thanks for your comment. It certainly isn’t the church my husband Bill and I knew when we first moved out to Arizona 20 some years ago either. When The Rev. Gary Kush was interim pastor we had some very lively but civil discussions. Our daughter was married in that church. Now we go to the progressive UMC church in town which is under attack. In our opinion Pastor Good is leading the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church in the wrong direction. It is very sad that they seem to be choosing exclusion and judgement over inclusion and love.

    2. Rev. Holmes, thank you for your comment. I know of many people who admire you & miss you in our community. It saddens me that Pastor Good, is leading his flock & our community off focus from doing good works. Heart breaking. The Jesus I know, would be disappointed.

  5. It’s a shame that churches and pastors demonize other churches and pastors that try to interpret their faith in today’s world with new eyes and ears rather than idolize yesterday’s world with harangues and bullying . I’d be pleased to add my name:

    Rev. Jill Schaeffer, Ph.D., Presbytery of New York City, New York Theological Seminary

  6. Please add me to your list. I am a follower of Progressive Christianity…from BC, Canada. Almost lost all faith until I read many of Bishop Spong’s essays. Nice to be “open minded and progressive” and to find others of like minds….

  7. Thank you to the organizers of this petition, and thank you to the good people of Fountains United Methodist Church. I am deeply saddened that members of the PCUSA have been involved in these ridiculous attacks on you. May God give you strength and joy in your struggle. – Rev. Dr. Louis L. Knowles, member at large, Presbytery of New York City, PCUSA

  8. Please add my name.
    Rev. Deborah A. Packard, The First Presbyterian Church, Potsdam, NY (PCUSA), Presbytery of Northern NY

  9. Brother Kris Hebble, O.S.F. St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Elyria Oh

  13. Laurel Fiore as a Presbyterian I am saddened by this critical, polarizing,judgemental stance, I pray for those who seem to have a need to be divisive.

    1. Laurel,

      I share your sadness. If you would like to add your name to the list as a signatory, we are inviting teaching and ruling elders of the PC(USA), as well as folks from other denominations, to sign. Let me know if you are a ruling or teaching elder, what church you attend, presbytery, city, and state. Thank you.

      Eric

      1. Yes please put my name on, I am from mountain view church in the grand canyon presbytery, Scottsdale az

  14. The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Rector, Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Tucson Arizona

    This is the best free advertising we can get! See our responses by searching Christianity 3.0 on our website gsp.tucson.org.

  15. Please add my name

    The Reverend Lisa Lani Easterling
    Member-at-Large/Chaplain
    Presbytery of Santa Fe
    Albuquerque New Mexico

    1. Hi Lynne,

      Thank you for adding your name. I wonder if you might be able to give us some biographical info: church, do you serve in an official capacity (pastor, ruling elder, deacon, etc.), city, presbytery?

  19. A correction to number 39 – I belong to the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca, not Sierra Lanca.

  21. John D. Reeber
    Retired Ruling Elder
    Desert Palms Presbyterian Church
    Sun City West, Arizona
    Grand Canyon Presbytery

  22. Pat Slentz, Chaplain, United Church of Los Alamos, Presbytery of Santa Fe

  23. The Rev. W. Robert Martin, III
    Senior Pastor
    First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto
    San Jose Presbytery
    Palo Alto, CA

  25. Reverend Dr Cynthia Alloway, Presbyterian Church of the Roses in Santa Rosa, CA, supports Progressive Christianity and and Reverend David Felten. Bill Goode does not represent the whole of PCUSA and is not following Christ’s command to Love his Neighbor!

  27. Please add my name to the list. I am a ruling elder from Crosswinds Presbyterian Church, although I am not serving in that capacity right now. I had the opportunity to visit the Fountains Methodist Church on Sunday. I was impressed with their gracious and courageous response.
    Teri Conrad, Grand Canyon Presbytery.

  28. Rev. Kenneth L. Cuthbertson, Parish Associate, Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, Placitas, NM, Presbytery of Santa Fe.

  29. The Rev. Rebecca F. Harrison, Honorably Retired, Presbytery if Western North Carolina, Asheville, NC

  31. RE Kevin Kirking, First Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Inland Northwest, Coeur d’Alene Idaho.

  32. Rev. Jane Wilson, First Congregational Church of Milford, Presbytery of Boston, Uxbridge, MA

  33. Rev. Tricia Tedrow, First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca, Mission Presbytery, Port Lavaca TX

  34. Rev. Harrell Davis, First Presbyterian Church, Sun City AZ Grand Canyon Presbytery
    Harrell requested his name be added

  35. Rev. Dr. David L. Van Arsdale, HR, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Phoenix, AZ.

  38. RE Raul Santiago, Pastor, Iglesia Presbiteriana Rosa Gonzalez Memorial, Presbiterio de San Juan, Guaynabo, PR

  39. Ruling Elder Eloise Gilland, Montclair Presbyterian Church, Oakland, CA, San Francisco Presbytery

  40. Teaching Elder Sallie Watson
    Missional Presbyter/Stated Clerk
    Presbytery of Santa Fe

  41. The Rev. Daniel M. Davis, Westminster United Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Central Nebraska

  42. The Rev. Terri Engle, Salem Presbytery, Board Certified Chaplain, Clemmons, NC

  44. Rev. Dr. Allen Foster, retired Presbyterian pastor, Glacier Presbytery, Whitefish, MT

  45. RE Mavis Grant-Lilley, FPC, Morgantown ,WV,Presbytery of West Virginia

  46. The Rev. Dr. Sarah Reyes, Bethel Community PCUSA,San Leandro,CA

  47. Rev. Gary Kush, PhD (Presbyterian)
    Honorably Retired, Presbytery of Grand Canyon
    Former Interim Pastor, Fountain Hills PC
    I support the document written in response to Bill Good.

    1. Gary, Things certainly appear to have changed a bit since you were there at FHPC! And not for the better it would seem. Thanks for your support! Ann & Bill

  48. Larry Pease, ruling elder, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas

  50. CRE Nathan Sobers, Lake City Presbyterian Church, Seattle Presbytery, Seattle, WA

  52. Kirk Ergang, Ruling Elder and Member of Committee on Ministry, Presbytery of Chicago, Chicago, Il

    1. Oops; just realized how the comments are sorting, and that my earlier attempt to sign had, indeed, appeared below. Apologies for the duplicate.

  54. RE Barbara Kellam-Scott, validated ministry as Writer in Residence, Presbytery of the Palisades, NJ (living in Vernon NJ)

  55. The Rev. Terry Williams, Orchard Hill United Church of Christ, Central Southeast Ohio Association of the Ohio Conference, Chillicothe, OH.

  57. The Rev. Thomas A Snyder, retired, East Ohio Conference,UMC, Ashland, Ohio

  58. Rev Matthew Sauer, First Presbyterian Church, Manitowoc, WI, Winnebago Presbytery

  59. Suzanne Hammond, formerly Lake Grove Presbyterian Church of Lake Grove, OR, currently without congregation.

  60. The Rev. Sally L. Campbell, Temporary Pastor, Middlesex Presbyterian Church , Middlesex, NJ in Elizabeth Presbytery

  62. Rev. Patricia Campbell-Schmitt, Honorably Retired, Cascades Presbytery, Portland, Oregon. Please sign me in. Great Letter.

  63. Rev. Karen Sapio, Claremont Presbyterian Church, Claremont, CA

  64. The Rev. Charles S. (Chuck) Goodman, Hope Presbyterian Church, Springfield, IL, Great Rivers Presbytery

  65. Rev. Doris (Katja) Gruening, Sandusky and Yale Presbyterian Churches, Lake Huron Presbytery, Sandusky and Yale, Michigan

  67. Rev. Nancy L. Rowland, New Castle Presbyterian Church, New Castle Presbytery, New Castle, DE

  68. The Rev. Deborah London Wright, Presbytery of San Francisco (PCUSA), Sausalito, CA

  69. The Rev. Dr. Lawrence A. Jones, Mercersburg Academy, Presbytery of Carlisle, Mercersburg, PA

  72. Rev. Stan Gockel, Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Portland, Indiana, Whitewater Valley Presbytery.

  74. Rev. Jeffrey O’Neill, Presbytery of Lake Michigan, retired.

  75. RE Megan Hansen, Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, The Woodlands, TX, New Covenant Presbytery

  76. Kelly Kahlstrom, Rebel&Divine United Church of Christ, Southwest Conference

  77. The Rev. Lib McGregor Simmons, Pastor, Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Charlotte, Davidson, NC,
    Many thanks to the authors of the response!

  78. Rev. Alex Hendrickson, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, Lehigh Presbytery

  79. Rev Jim Howland, First United Presbyterian Church, Wintetset, IA, Des Moines Presbytery

  80. Lois Lehman
    Rev. Lois Lehman, Tampa Bay Presbytery (pcusa)

  81. Brian Breeding, Director of Music, First United Methodist Church, Rogers, Arkansas

  82. Jeff and Polly Chapman, Elders, Mountain View Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, AZ.

  83. Rev. Mary S Harris, retired (PCUSA), Presbytery de Cristo, Tucson, AZ.
    I am both honored and humbled to add my name to this compassionate and fervent response to the actions being taken against a fellow congregation in Christ in Fountain Hills, AZ.

  84. Please add my name to the signatories: Rev. Mark E. Diehl, member at large, New Hope Presbytery, Tarboro, NC

  86. RE Isabella M. Wahl, Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church

  87. Ruling Elder Jody Mask, Park Lake Presbyterian Church, Orlando, Florida

    Teaching Elder Candidate and Staff Member, Central Florida Presbytery

  88. Rev. Steve Tyykila First Presbyterian Church of Canby, Minnesota Valleys Presbytery

    1. Hi Elena, Thanks for adding your name. I just thought I should comment on the fact that not everyone signing this statement is a self-identified progressive or liberal. In fact, there are a few who I know would put themselves on the moderately conservative side of this spectrum. The intent of the statement was not to lift up liberal/progressive perspectives over or superior to conservative, but to lift up the need for all voices to be heard and denouncing one, particularly in the way that is being done by the churches in Fountain Hills, is not who we are as Presbyterians, let alone as followers of Jesus Christ.

      Again, thank you so much for your support!

  92. Richardwyattnhatyahoodotcom
    The Rev. Dr. Richard O. Wyatt
    Homestead Presbytery Executive

  95. The Rev. Bonnie S. Boyce, Spring Valley Presbyterian (PCUSA), Presbytery of WV, Huntington, WV.

  96. RE Jan Hubbell, New Life Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, Roseville, MN

  97. Rev. Becky Ardell Downs, John Knox Presbyterian Church, New Covenant Presbytery, Houston, TX

  98. Rev. Mr. Joseph Connolly, United Church of Christ, First Congregational, Norwich, NY; Susquehanna Association, New York Conference, United Church of Christ.

  99. June Severino Feldman, Retired Elder, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, New York City, NYC Presbytery

  102. Rev. Matthew Glasgow, First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) Presbytery of Northern KS, Junction City, KS and Westminster, MD

  103. RE Sheri Dittman First Presbyterian Church Mission, Tx ( Mission Presbytery)

  104. The Rev. Dr. Patricia Pickett, Mt. Denson Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Nashville CP Presbytery, Nashville, TN

  106. Rev.Beth Wagner, 1st Presbyterian, Valparaiso, IN, Presbytery of Wabash Valley

  108. RE Patti J. Shelton, Presbytery of the Pines, First Presbyterian, Shreveport, LA

  111. Ruling Elder Elizabeth Marsh, Dublin Presbyterian Church, Dublin, Ohio, Presbytery of Scioto Valley

  112. Rev. William D. Westmoreland, Teaching Elder, Wilson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Cincinnati.

  114. Carol Rahn
    rev. Carol Rahn, Karnes City First Presbyterian, Mission Presbytery

  115. Rev. Jane S. Winters, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Elmira, NY, Presbytery of Geneva

  116. Ruling Elder Ralph Clements, Roswell Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta

  119. Rev. Laurie Anne Fields, Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois, Member at Large.

  121. Rev. Martha P. Campbell Scioto Valley Presbytery Honorably Retired Columbus OH

  123. Marl J Murphy III, Roman Catholic Diocese of East Tennessee.

  124. Amen! The Rev. Edward D. (Ed) Slusser, HR, Winnebago Presbytery, Venice, Florida

  125. Rev. John Leedy, University Presbyterian Church, Mission Presbytery, Austin TX

  127. Rev. Frank LeBlanc, Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR

  128. Rev. Ralph Garlin Clingan, PhD, HR, Newark Presbytery, UPCUSA.

  129. Rev. Carla Libby Gentry, Belton Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Belton, MO, Heartland Presbytery

  131. Rev. Mari Lyn Jones, Butler Presbyterian Church, Butler, MO; Heartland Presbytery

  132. Rev Marsha McFadden Quick, Southern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ, Los Angeles CA

  134. Rev. Dr. Deana j Reed
    Pastor – Covenant Presbyterian Church
    Napa, CA
    Presbytery of the Redwoods

  135. Roberta Henry, secretary of Bethany Presbyterian Church, San Bruno, CA

  136. The Rev. Dr. Andrew L. Cullen, HR, Heartland Presbytery, Kansas City, MO

  137. Sharon Dowling, Music Director, First Presbyterian Church, Antrim, NH.

  138. The Rev. Marsha Cutting, Ph.D., Honorably Retired, Seattle Presbytery, And Parish Associate, Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church, Seattle, WA

  141. The Rev. Dennie Carcelli, honorably retired, Presbytery of Seattle , Washington.

  142. Elder Kathy Randall, First Presbyterian Church, Newton, Kansas.

  144. Rev. Michael Hafele, Riverdae Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of NYC, Bronx, NY

    1. Rev. Michael Hafele, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of NYC, Bronx, NY

  145. Please add me to the list: Rev. Ruth Billington, Honorably Retired, Presbytery of Plains and Peaks, Fort Collins, CO

  146. Rev. Susan Carter Wiggins, Teaching Elder PCUSA; Pastor, First Presbyterian, Pine Bluff, AR, Presbytery of Arkansas, Synod of the Sun.

  148. Steven Gilbert, member Calvary Presbyterian Church PC( USA) West Jersey Presbytery Riverton NJ

  149. Rev. Tom Barnicott First Bethel United Methodist Church. 5901 Library Road. Bethel Park, PA. 15102

  151. Jeanne Lowrey, member, Connecting Point Presbyterian Church, (USA), Oklahoma City, OK Indian Nations Presbytery

  152. Rev. Jennifer McCann Spivey, Chaplain, Virginia Beach, VA, Presbytery of Eastern Virginia

  153. Rev. Dr. Kim L. Nelson
    First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau
    235 Broadway
    PO Box 477
    Cape Girardeau, MO 63702-0477

  156. I was a member of the Presbytery of Grand Canyon, 1988-1996, while pastor of Federated Community Church in Flagstaff. Currently I am an honorably retired member of Eastminster Presbytery.

  157. Rev. Betsy Turner – pastor, Luther Hays Presbyterian Church, Mansfield, GA – Presbytery of Greater Atlanta

  159. Kelly M. Godfrey, Elder
    Trinity Presbyterian Church
    Shell Knob, Missouri
    John Calvin Presbytery

  162. Rev Dr Kyle M Walker, Faith Presbyterian Church, AustIn, TX 78758

  166. Rev. Sarah Ross, First Presbyterian Church, Adrian, MI, Maumee Valley Presbytery

  167. Rev. W Scott Harbison
    St Luke’s Presbyterian Church
    Houston, Tx

  168. Rev. Bart Smith, pastor, St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, Tucson, AZ (Presbytery de Cristo)

  170. Rev. Rachael Whaley Pate, Pastor, Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, Decatur, GA, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

  171. Rev. Matt Curry
    Central Presbyterian Church
    Waxahachie, Texas

  173. Rev. C. Michael Kuner, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Topeka, Kansas

  174. Rev. Constance McIntosh,
    First Presbyterian Church of Welsh, Louisiana
    (formerly of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Chinle, AZ)

  176. Rev. Leslianne Adkins Braunstein, National Capital Presbytery, Washington, D.C.

  178. Rev. Tricia Dykers Koenig, Cleveland Heights, OH; National Organizer, Covenant Network of Presbyterians

  179. Mary Beth Buffum, member, Cedar Hills United Church of Christ, Portland Oregon.

  180. Rev. Sam Hamilton-Poore, Collegiate Presbyterian Church, Ames IA

  182. Sorry, I missed identifying myself above.
    Rev. Don Blosser, PHD — ordained minister (retired) in Mennonite Church
    Professor of New Testament (also retired) at Goshen College, Goshen, IN. 46526

    I invite you to check out “Newperspectivesgoshen.org for a progressive group in Northern IN that has been going for 10 years now with a very faithful following of 125-130 people meeting each month. It is not without its stressful moments and some criticism, but it is exciting to get together and be challenged to think about what we believe, and how we can change the world because we believe !!!

  184. It is truly sad when persons take the approach that says “unless you believe exactly like I believe, it is obvious that you don’t believe. One honestly tries to be understanding, but it can be difficult. As a “progressive” in a pretty traditional denomination one does need to find colleagues who share a thinking person’s faith. I forget who told me — “a faith that does not challenge you to think is not worth thinking about”. One of the tragedies in contemporary faith is that we have moved from a faith that calls us to follow Jesus— to have created a faith that calls us to “believe in Jesus”. This mistaken emphasis has removed the discipleship approach of being the living presence of God’s love (as seen in Jesus) to a focus on checking out whether you are sound in doctrine and orthodox in your beliefs. Thus, in traditional evangelical faith you can ignore the teachings of Jesus (or project them off into the future) because the focus now upon holding right doctrinal beliefs about Jesus.
    It might be important here to go back to the Bible and read Matthew 25:31-46 again…and give some very careful thought about who is who in this text !!!

    1. First of all, we are not pastors. However, my husband Bill and I would like to thank all those who signed the letter in support of our progressive congregation, The Fountains UMC, here in Fountain Hills and our Pastor Davd Felten.. It has been so heartwarming to see.

      It was also wonderful to read your comments, Rev. Blosser to the goings on in Fountain Hills as well as to the “tragedies in contemporary faith …that we have moved from a faith that calls us to follow Jesus–to have created a faith that calls us to ‘believe in Jesus'”. This is exactly what we are concerned about. If we Christians lose sight of the fact that we are called to follow Jesus and just put all our emphasis on believing in Jesus as God and determining who is or is not holy enough or who is or is not “following right doctrinal beliefs” and therefore able to be called Christians, then it leads to single verses being taken out of the Bible out of context and literally interpreted that cause harm to whole groups of people. They pick and choose which verses to give emphasis to and which to ignore–an exclusionary process. We believe these actions to be contrary to Jesus’ teachings which seem to no longer be consulted by some church leaders. For example,Jesus never said a word about homosexuals but he said a great deal in support of the poor and the outcasts and in opposition to greed and great wealth. But we have a pastor just over the hill in Tempe, AZ who has called for the execution of gays. And our town of Fountain Hills can not come to a decision that allows equal rights to LGBTQ folks in regards to hiring,firing, and access to public services due to a belief that these people are an abomination. We can’t picture Jesus shunning or stoning homosexuals. He hung out with those who were oppressed or excluded and has asked us to follow his example. At the same time, many fundamentalist churches are even pushing to add laws to the books which will allow people to refuse public service to gays if that offends their lifestyle. It is past all of our understanding how anyone who believes that Jesus is God could arrive at this place if they are following his words and teachings at all. There seems to be a Christian movement in this country these days that opposes helping the poor and supports legislation to grant more tax breaks to the very rich. This is totally the opposite of Jesus’ teachings.

      We think everyone has freedom to believe as they wish but that belief should not creep into government and laws and, if that belief is centered on Jesus as God, then you would think religious leaders would be more careful about reflecting Jesus’ will instead of their own personal likes and dislikes.

      Thank you so much for your comments. We agree with you that this is the tragedy in contemporary faith.

  185. Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Luoma, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, and Vice Moderator of Presbytery of Scioto Valley, Gallipolis, OH.

  186. I would like my signature added to the letter. Rev. Dr. Judye Pistole, Pastor
    First Presbyterian Church, Alva, OK
    Cimarron Presbytery

  187. Elder Brenda Crespo, First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy (PCUSA), Presbytery of Elizabeth, Metuchen, NJ

  190. Matt Bowman, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky

  192. Rev. Sarah Hegar, Member at large, East Iowa Presbytery, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

  193. Please add me to the list of signators.
    Elder Keith Barber, First Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY

  194. Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Ancho + Corona Presbyterian Churches, Presbytery of Sierra Blanca, Corona, NM.

  195. Rev. Frances Hayes, Pastor. Littlefield Presbyterian Church, Dearborn, MI.

  197. Rev. Brian Shivers, Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN

  199. Rev. Zachary Morton – Associate for New Church Development – Presbytery of Greater Atlanta – Suwanee, GA

  201. Rev. Kim Trimboli, West Berlin Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Scioto Valley, Hilliard, Ohio.

  205. Michael Demeule Ft. Lauderdale..seriously considering joining presbyterian church..feeling a renewal in the air. Your healing words speak so much louder that the feeble voice of hate being directed on one church by the gang of 8.

    1. Progressives betray their cause when they stoop to implying that those who have differing opinions than theirs are haters or bigots etc. It is like spitting in the wind. It really upsets me because it becomes a way , in many cases, of their elevating their own opinions above the biblical word of God. They may just be fooling themselves and leading others down a sinful path. Perhaps they should welcome the debates to thoroughly cover the issues rather than silence the other side using cheap name branding techniques.

  207. Rev. Adam Walker Cleaveland
    Winnetka Presbyterian Church
    Presbytery of Chicago
    Winnetka, IL

  209. We’re in too:

    Alice Geils Nord & Bernie Nord, New Hope Presbytery, HR

    Thanks, AZ friends!

  211. I’m sending my prayers of support for the path that lies ahead.
    An Elder at First Presbyterian, Albany Presbytery, Albany, NY

  212. Diana R Sanderson, Elder
    Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church
    Swannanoa, NC
    Presbytery of Western North Carolina

  213. The Rev Dr. Joanne C. Sizoo, Grace Presbyterian Church, Providence Presbytery, Ft. Mill, SC

  214. John Harrison CRE, Fairfield Highlands Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, Midfield, AL

  215. Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Canyon Lake Presbyterian Church, Mission Presbytery, San Antonio, TX

  216. Reed Miller
    State College Presbyterian Church
    State College, PA

  218. Rev. Timothy Blodgett, Connecting Point Presbyterian Church, Indian Nations Presbytery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  220. Eric, on the Happy to Be Presbyterian site the following requested to add their name: The Rev. David Choate, Member at Large, Presbytery of Cincinnati; Pete Jones, Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Versailles, KY; Rev. Dwain Lee, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Auburn, NY

  222. The Rev. Dr. Tom Eggebeen, Honorably Retired, Pacific Presbytery.

  223. Sr Therese Parkin COS, Guardian of the Community of Solitude, Rotorua, New Zealand

  225. Rev. Dr. Antonio (Tony) Aja, Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe, NM; Santa Fe Presbytery

  226. Please add me to the list. Rev. Beth Appel, PCUSA pastor, Providence, RI

  227. Rev. Ben Daniel, Montclair Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of San Francisco, Oakland, CA

Comments are closed.