MTW's "Original Vision Network"

[Romans922]

This seems like it will be a big story in the coming years. MTW has set up what they call the "Original Vision Network". Please read and discuss here/there about what this is all about. Anyone know anything more about this?

What is Mission to the World’s PCA Original Vision Network? « Johannes Weslianus

As we noted on April 12, Dr. Paul Kooistra and Mission to the World are forming the PCA Original Vision Network to form a network of people in the PCA to promote what they are calling the “original vision” of the PCA as we find ourselves at a time which they consider to be a crucial “crossroads.” We have obtained more information on this project. According to a recent newsletter, you can contribute to the support of TE Larry Hoop (who is coordinating the network, pictured above on left) by contacting MTW:

Please make checks payable to and mail to (please include project # in memo line):
Mission to the World. P.O. Box 116284. Atlanta, GA 30368-6284 (donations address)

​

The Mission to the World Project # is 98310. You can also contact them here for more information.

Here is more information on MTW’s PCA Original Vision Network network from a newsletter article sent out by TE Larry Hoop:

As I indicated in the February “Pastor’s Desk” column, my “retirement” (or, as Dr. Charles McGowan would say, “redeployment”) plans call for me to undertake a new challenge placed before me by Dr. Paul Kooistra, Coordinator of the PCA’s foreign mission agency, Mission to the World. Since my initial acceptance of this challenge, we have refined our vision for this endeavor. We are calling it the Original Vision Network because it is an attempt to rally our denomination around its original vision. We have prepared a description of the Original Vision Network which I have reproduced below. One final note: in the last paragraph of the description, I mention the need of sponsors. I am looking for people who will pray for my work at least weekly, and/or provide financial support. I need to raise $25,000 for the Network to be fully funded. Of course, Colfax Center should be your first priority in giving, but if you are able and would be so led, I’d appreciate your help. I have reproduced a sponsor card below, which you could mail to me. I will also place a quantity of the sponsor cards on the literature table in the fellowship hall with a box in which you may deposit them. — Pastor Hoop

The torch is being passed. The generation that founded the PCA is passing from the scene and as a result we are at a crossroads. At this key moment in our denomination’s history it is vital that we renew our commitment to the original vision our founders established nearly 40 years ago. This vision is embodied in our long-time motto: “Loyal to Scripture, Faithful to the Reformed Faith, Obedient to the Great Commission.” Our founders envisioned:

• a denomination firmly based on the inerrant Word of God, in contrast to the rampant liberalism they had contended with so long;
• a denomination committed to a broadly Reformed theological position, steering clear of both a formless evangelicalism with sketchy theological commitments and a narrow sectarianism that could consume our energies building a theological fortress;
• above all, a denomination aggressively pursuing the mission our Lord gave His church of making disciples of all nations.

This original vision has attracted many to the PCA throughout her history. It has fueled the evangelistic zeal that has resulted in scores of churches planted in the United States and Canada, and the development of the largest Presbyterian mission force in history. It can unite us today as it did at our founding nearly 40 years ago.

The Original Vision Network, which is being developed through the initiative of Mission to the World, consists of both fathers of the PCA and younger leaders who want to see our denomination rally around this vision once again. The Original Vision Network will promote this vision through a website, through seminars at the General Assembly, and through the individual influence of its members. Dr. Larry Hoop, who has served 24 years as pastor of the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, will coordinate this network, with the advice of a Steering Committee of well respected PCA leaders.

We invite you to join the Original Vision Network. We need both active participants who will seek to promote the original vision personally in their circles of influence, and sponsors who will support the network with their prayer and financial support.

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You can download this letter here.

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[jwithnell]

I saw this via other sources and was quite confused, so I'm glad you posted. If they are trying to reinstate solid, reformed doctrine and practice then such a move is welcome. With the incursion of doctrine such as New Perspectives and Federal vision, perhaps a return to roots is a good thing. Or if a reinstatement of the RPW is in mind, then great! However, I'm not sure why this is coming out of MTW. To address these issues only in foreign missions? What does this mean here in the states? Will MTW embrace fully reformed worship abroad? (I know of at least one Presbyterian mission work they rejected unless the services be made more broadly evangelical.)

 

[Romans922]

I saw this via other sources and was quite confused, so I'm glad you posted. If they are trying to reinstate solid, reformed doctrine and practice then such a move is welcome. With the incursion of doctrine such as New Perspectives and Federal vision, perhaps a return to roots is a good thing. Or if a reinstatement of the RPW is in mind, then great! However, I'm not sure why this is coming out of MTW. To address these issues only in foreign missions? What does this mean here in the states? Will MTW embrace fully reformed worship abroad? (I know of at least one Presbyterian mission work they rejected unless the services be made more broadly evangelical.)

Which mission work was rejected? Any documentation on that?

Also, I agree with you if what you said is their goal, but I am hesitations about it because you see the second bullet point above (in the letter) says,

a denomination committed to a broadly Reformed theological position, steering clear of both a formless evangelicalism with sketchy theological commitments and a narrow sectarianism that could consume our energies building a theological fortress;​

 

[Jack K]

I am hesitations about it because you see the second bullet point above (in the letter) says,

a denomination committed to a broadly Reformed theological position, steering clear of both a formless evangelicalism with sketchy theological commitments and a narrow sectarianism that could consume our energies building a theological fortress;​

Like it or not, though, that part of the statement seems to be a pretty accurate summary of what the PCA wanted to be at its founding. Certainly, it's the sense I got of the PCA a few years later. It was about neither (1) being loose and copying whatever you see in evangelicalism nor (2) some version of a "TR" agenda. Both of those are developments that came later. It's also fair to say that both of those later developments have resulted in a measure of internal squabbling in the PCA that may have distracted from the work of proclaiming the gospel to the unchurched.

Just guessing, but it sounds to me like that's the point of this thing.

 

[Wayne]

Jack:

I would counter that the PCA then was no different than it is today, with groups all along the spectrum.

See for one, "The TR Debates" : The “TR” Debates (1977) « - The Continuing Story -
The public airing of those debates only rose some years after the origin of the term or movement, which can be traced to the RTS Jackson campus circa 1972-74.

Morton Smith has stated publicly that he thought he was joining an Old School denomination. On the other end of the spectrum, Dr. Ben Haden had a different view entirely. Dr. G. Aiken Taylor was somewhere in between, though perhaps a bit closer to Haden than to Smith.

In short, we were always all over the map. [i.e., within the bounds of "faithful ..., true ..., obedient ..." (thanks for the reminder to add that proviso, Scott)]

 

[Scott1]

In short, we were always all over the map.

As long as that is "Faithful to Scripture, true to the reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission," it's a work in progress commended for its faithfulness by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

[Romans922]

I am hesitations about it because you see the second bullet point above (in the letter) says,

a denomination committed to a broadly Reformed theological position, steering clear of both a formless evangelicalism with sketchy theological commitments and a narrow sectarianism that could consume our energies building a theological fortress;​

Like it or not, though, that part of the statement seems to be a pretty accurate summary of what the PCA wanted to be at its founding. Certainly, it's the sense I got of the PCA a few years later. It was about neither (1) being loose and copying whatever you see in evangelicalism nor (2) some version of a "TR" agenda. Both of those are developments that came later. It's also fair to say that both of those later developments have resulted in a measure of internal squabbling in the PCA that may have distracted from the work of proclaiming the gospel to the unchurched.

Just guessing, but it sounds to me like that's the point of this thing.

I'm going to have to disagree Jack. From 1970-73 (outside of RTS and their students), with the founding fathers, at least in wording, you never saw anything about 'broadly reformed' or 'broad' anything (at least to my knowledge). In fact, the language used was 'thoroughly reformed'. See here: The PCA’s Original Vision: Thoroughly Reformed or Broadly Reformed? « Johannes Weslianus

Now whether people disagreed with the phrase is irrelevant, more than 600 people signed the declaration of intent that states what they wanted was 'thoroughly reformed' including (interestingly enough) Paul Kooistra.

 

[Jack K]

Jack:

I would counter that the PCA then was no different than it is today, with groups all along the spectrum.

See for one, "The TR Debates" : The “TR” Debates (1977) « - The Continuing Story -
The public airing of those debates only rose some years after the origin of the term or movement, which can be traced to the RTS Jackson campus circa 1972-74.

Morton Smith has stated publicly that he thought he was joining an Old School denomination. On the other end of the spectrum, Dr. Ben Haden had a different view entirely. Dr. G. Aiken Taylor was somewhere in between, though perhaps a bit closer to Haden than to Smith.

In short, we were always all over the map. [i.e., within the bounds of "faithful ..., true ..., obedient ..." (thanks for the reminder to add that proviso, Scott)]

Thanks. I certainly consider you more expert than I am on these matters.

 

[Romans922]

Also to add to what Scott brings up, The Reaffirmations of 1973 that were unanimously agreed upon by the Steering Committee of a Continuing Presbyterian Church, the very last part of it is neat,

COMMITMENT
We pledge our love and fellowship as brothers in Christ with all those who know Jesus Christ as Savior' and Lord but may, in this present time and situation, follow a different course of action, thus committing ourselves to continued fellowship in love with all men of good will and like conviction of the truth - all for the glory of God and the unity of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Believing that unless two be agreed they cannot walk together, the Steering Committee, with profound sorrow and many tears, has concluded that there is a separation of those holding different idealogies within the PCUS. We commit ourselves to the rebirth and continuation of a Presbyterian Church in the United States in accord with these reaffirmations, praying our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit to be our leader and helper. We believe that acknowledgement of the separation and the inevitable rebirth cannot and should not be delayed, and therefore call for the establishment during 1973 of a Continuing Presbyterian Church, loyal to Scripture, the Reformed Faith, and committed to the spiritual mission of the Church as Christ commanded in the Great Commission.
To God be the glory. Amen.