Letter from Dave Thomas in Mexico
September 2011
Photo of Susan and me with the current directiva (executive committee) of the General Assembly of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico.
Greetings from the central highlands of México, from the municipality of Jiutepec, Morelos, on the southeastern edge of Cuernavaca, “The City of Eternal Spring.”
By now, most Presbyterians in the U.S. who are interested in the PC(USA) partnership with the National Presbyterian Church of México (INPM for its initials in Spanish) are already aware of what happened on August 19. Meeting in a special legislative session, the Mexican church’s General Assembly voted to immediately terminate the relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA). This came about due to INPM concerns about a recent change to the PC(USA) Book of Order, Amendment 10-A, which relates to ordination standards. In addition to voting to break relations with the PC(USA), the Mexican church’s G.A. said they will be open to considering a restoration of the partnership if and when Amendment 10-A is rescinded.
It now appears that partnerships that were in the works or already existing — between individual churches, presbyteries and synods of our two countries — are now in question. The directiva (executive committee of the Mexican G.A.) has made it clear that it truly wants to sever the relationship at the denominational level. And they have traditionally had more control over individual churches and presbyteries than we are accustomed to in the PC(USA). Our churches and presbyteries tend to be more autonomous compared to those in the Mexican church. The directiva wants all 11 of our mission personnel to leave the country as soon as possible. And it appears that they want U.S. churches to stop sending delegations to México, especially if the visiting group doesn’t agree with the INPM’s theological position on ordination standards.
We are saddened by the decision of the Mexican church and disappointed that a way could not be found to continue forward in ministry together despite our differences. The joint ministry we have done in partnership has blessed thousands of people in both countries. And the Mexican Presbyterian church has grown to nearly 2 million members. But, 116 men voted in favor of a motion from the floor and the 139-year relationship was terminated.
We know that many U.S. Presbyterians have planned future short-term mission trips in partnership with Mexican presbyteries or congregations, but at this point, because of the INPM’s decision, PC(USA) World Mission is unable to encourage these visits. Susan and I feel this is an appropriate position to take, not to be mean-spirited or vengeful, but as a way of respecting their decision to terminate the partnership.
Photo taken at the INPM General Assembly's special legislative meeting, held August 19 in Xonacatlán, state of México, where the vote was taken to sever the relationship with PC(USA).
Susan and I were told that we must leave Mexico as soon as possible. But I'm retiring at the end of the year and we were going to leave here at the end of the year anyway, even before this happened. So we are being allowed to stay here to wrap things up, and we can stay until mid-December, as planned. At least, that's what we were told last week. There are still many unresolved issues, so we're keeping quite busy. I’m also scheduled to participate in a month-long speaking tour, “Mission Connections LIVE!” for PC(USA) World Mission and will be traveling to three presbyteries in the U.S., plus Puerto Rico. I’ll be accompanied by Brenda Trinidad Espitia, an international peacemaker from México, from September 20 to October 19.
We encourage you to pray that we'll be able to handle all of the communications that are now flooding us ... from individual churches, presbyteries and individual Presbyterians in both countries, that we can find some answers to the many questions, and that we can prepare for our departure from here with integrity and grace. Sue and I are dealing with a wide range of emotions right now and need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to deal with everything we're feeling. We thank God for friends on both sides of the border who have reached out to support us and kept us in prayer.
We have truly enjoyed living and working in México and are apprehensive about returning to our home country that has become so polarized/divided. We've noticed it on every visit back to the States, so the transition back to U.S. culture is something that really concerns us.
As the director of PC(USA) World Mission, Rev. Hunter Farrell, said: “Over the past few days the hearts of many of our mission workers have been breaking over this decision. We have many close brothers and sisters in Christ in the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico. The words of Psalm 133, ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell in unity…,’ which have often been celebrated in our common life, are painful now in the absence of unity, but we dare to hope together for the day, when as Jesus prayed, we might be one.”
Dave Thomas
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 283
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Editor's note: The leadership of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM), Presbyterian World Mission and Presbyterian Border Ministry met on September 8, 2011, and reached an agreement that allows the INPM to keep faith with its recent Assembly's decision regarding its relationship to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and allows PC(USA) presbyteries and congregations to continue to respond to God's call to mission along the United States/Mexican border.
