Who we are
History
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, originally called the Peacemaking Project, at the 192nd General Assembly (1980) of the United Presbyterian Church (UPC) adopted its founding document, Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling, as did the Presbyterian Church of the United States (PCUS) in 1981. It was poignant that in 1983 when reuniting the two branches of Presbyterianism resolving and transforming two entities into one church, recommended that the session of each congregation adopt a Commitment to Peacemaking. To this day, there are over 4,300 congregations and 170 mid-councils that have adopted the Commitment to Peacemaking.
Peacemaking: The Believers' Calling an affirmation of policy and direction
THE CHURCH IS FAITHFUL TO CHRIST WHEN IT IS ENGAGED IN PEACEMAKING.
Our insensitivity to patterns of injustice, inequality, and oppression —indeed our participation in them —denies the gospel. Christ alone is our peace. As part of his body, we experience the brokenness of this world in our own life. Our structures of military might, economic relations, political institutions, and cultural pattern fail to meet the need of our time. At stake is our future and our integrity as God’s people.
THE CHURCH IS OBEDIENT TO CHRIST WHEN IT NURTURES AND EQUIPS GOD’S PEOPLE AS PEACEMAKERS.
Proclamation of God’s word, frees us from guilt and paralyzing fear; Lord’s Table we discover our brothers and sisters around the world; Baptism unites the whole body in solidarity; Prayer we lift our concern for the victims of injustice, oppression and warfare; Praise we celebrate the gifts of life, the Prince of Peace; Study we focus on foreign policy subjects in light of biblical and theological considerations. The General Assembly has established positions on many subjects related to peace and justice, facilitating study and action to equip God’s people for the ordering of the church’s life and establishment of public polices in peacemaking.
THE CHURCH BEARS WITNESS TO CHRIST WHEN IT NOURISHES THE MORAL LIFE OF THE NATION FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE IN THE WORLD.
The church’s faithful obedience means active participation in the formation of the values and beliefs of our society. It means seeking peace in personal and social relationships of our culture, exercise our citizenship to shape foreign policy, nurture changes in public attitude and raise public consciousness.
