What Presbyterians expect of one another

Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, and Donald Trump are Presbyterians. They proclaim membership in the Presbyterian Church USA.

Presbyterian congregations, “welcome all persons who trust in God’s grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the fellowship and mission of the Church.” Failure to do so is considered “a rejection of Christ himself” and “a scandal to the Gospel.”

Thus, Misters Trump, Enzi, and Barrasso were welcomed as brothers in the faith. 

Just as congregations have responsibilities to members, members have responsibilities to congregations. As with any denomination, those wishing to join are asked to enter into a covenant with God and those who are already members.

A covenant is a Divinely established relationship based on mutual commitments and promises among the followers of God.  These three gentlemen likely went through the sacred process of establishing a covenant with fellow Presbyterians. That ritual would have included a profession of faith and testimony of commitment to Christ under the terms and expectations of all who declare themselves part of the same fellowship.

Section G-1.0304 of our Book of Order reads, “Membership in the Church is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission.” As faithful Presbyterians, I’m sure they entered into the commitment freely and joyfully.

Each stood before a congregation that would have been proud to welcome new members of such renown. Like all aspiring congregants, they were asked by their pastor if they would make known to God their willingness to abide by the promises we Presbyterians make to one another. They would have been expected to respond, “With God’s help, I do.”

In that moment, the three committed themselves to a number of undertakings. They agreed to proclaim the good news in word and deed. The three swore to take part in the common life and worship of the community, to lift up others in prayer with mutual concern and active support. 

They agreed also to study scripture and the issues of Christian life and faith.

In addition, they would have promised to support the ministry of the church with time, money, and talent and to “demonstrate a new quality of life within and through the church.”

Then each also committed to respond to God’s activity in the world through service to others and by living responsibly in their personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships.

This is the point at which our stories converge with the story told in the Gospel of Luke of the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him he must follow the commandments. Don’t kill anybody, don’t steal from them, don’t lie, and honor your mother and father.

“Bingo,” said the young man. “I’ve complied with those since childhood.” Jesus said, “Oh yes, there’s one other thing. Sell everything you own and give the money to the poor.” When Jesus imposed that requirement, the man walked away sad, because he was very rich and had no intention of doing what was necessary to inherit eternal life.

This is the point at which the Presbyterian covenant is akin to Jesus saying, “There is one other thing.” In addition to all those other promises we make to each other and to God, Presbyterian membership demands another commitment. We commit ourselves to be “working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.”

I am proud the Presbyterian commitment includes those lofty promises. The world needs people who live up to them. As political leaders in positions of power, God uses those words to assign the President and Senators Enzi and Barrasso unique responsibilities and opportunities to abide by that sacred commitment.

Whether you be a Presbyterian or other form of Christian or a Muslim, Buddhist, or Unitarian Universalist, a Democrat or a Republican, we can all pray our elected officials fulfill God’s hope expressed in the covenant by “working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.”