Each of the four statements on reconciliation in society closes with a formal religious sanction. "Congregations, individuals, or groups of Christians who exclude, dominate, or patronize their fellowmen, however subtly, resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith which they profess...Although nations may serve God's purposes in history, the church which identifies the sovereignty of any one nation or any one way of life with the cause of God denies the Lordship of Christ and betrays its calling...A church that is indifferent to poverty, or evades responsibility in economic affairs, or is open to one social class only, or expects gratitude for its beneficence makes a mockery of reconciliation and offers no acceptable worship to God...The church comes under the judgment of God and invites rejection by man when it fails to lead men and women into the full meaning of life together, or withholds the compassion of Christ from those caught in the moral confusion of our time."

The church has used strong language: "...resist the Spirit of God and bring contempt on the faith...denies the Lordship of Christ and betrays its calling...makes a mockery of reconciliation and offers no acceptable worship to God..."

Is the church serious? Does it expect its members to begin now to amend their lives, do justly, and love mercy? Does it expect people who hold power in corporations, universities, and governments to listen to its witnesses and respond?

There have been signs that the church, or parts of it, mean what they say. Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense, is a Presbyterian elder. Churchmen have gone to him privately and appeared against him publicly to the nation's policy of escalation. Presbyterians have been in Buffalo, Rochester, Louisville, Chicago, Cleveland, Watts, Delano, Port Chicago, Mississippi...

A few years ago a prominent Presbyterian layman stated publicly that if Presbyterian ministers didn't stop what he called their "socialism," that laymen would stop contributing funds. The layman was reported to have given one million dollars to a right wing organization to make his point. But printed was a public note to the gentleman saying "The Presbyterian Church is not for sale."

I do not know how it will all turn out. There is a ferment in the church--tragic conflict and a crisis of both faith and trust. There is anger within the church. But there is determination also. I have a feeling that ministers and laymen who are commtited to the call of the Confession will continue to give their witness and that the church's contributions and membership will decline a bit.

I do not know whether America can be turned aside from its pride and its madness soon enough. There are increasing numbers, both in and out of the church, who declaring a manifesto for humanity by speaking and acting and organizing. Many of them are young, some are wealthy and are giving generously for the movement for peace, many are poor, some are politicians. As they make their witness against war, poverty, and racism they are confessing my faith. They are my church. I hope my other church's formal declaration of conscience will encourage them and increase the movement