Statement by Robert Benn, Moderator General 2008-10
Thanks to various groups and individuals for their welcome.
Growth across the church has been personally encouraging.
Support of the Church & Nation committee in composing statements on various social issues. The response of the wider church to various appeals to support those who have suffered natural disasters in Australia and overseas. Support has been given for the Moderator’s mercy appeal.
Time to visit Presbyterian churches abroad. Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Central Africa, England & Wales, East Timor and South Africa.
Various individuals have represented the PCA at the Assemblies and Synods of Presbyterian churches overseas.
Robert spoke about the changes in the circumstances of his family during the three years. It was a particularly bittersweet feeling when his own children and grand-children departed for cross-cultural service, a perspective that he had never had before.
In Ireland Robert heard a speech about walls being built in communities that seek to bring about barriers
Eight points:
1. That our church through the moderator general and others seek to develop and institute partnerships with other churches.
2. The oldest partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu must be nurtured. PCA representatives must attend.
3. Encourage the church to work to move away from any tradition that inhibits the free flow and expression of the Gospel.
4. It is imperative that the stronger states help the weaker states.
5. We are not a church that is radically divided theologically, but to paraphrase Schaeffer a lack of cooperation within us is ugly.
6. Catechism needs to be recovered as a means of nurturing our young.
7. Ministers, please stretch yourselves. We can be parochial, get on a plane and go and see what is happening in other places.
8. Our colleges. It grieves Benn to see people working against what is happening in our colleges. A generation ago there was no biblically trustworthy Presbyterian theological college in Australia. Now we have three. They should be affirmed and our people should be directed toward them. Criticism should be constructive and in house.
Looking forward to a rest, and then a new season of service.
The Assembly recorded its thanks to Robert Benn and his wife Laurel for service and leadership in this past three years with acclamation.
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