Open Letter to Sproul, Horton and Begg

Dear Brothers,

On the west coast we just received your conference announcement for the fall teaching ministry in Seattle on September 25-26, 2009. God has used you greatly and you have taught us well for two or three decades on the doctrine of the church. What happened to your sound doctrine and life when it came to planning worship on Sunday the 27th? We look to you to call the theological and practical shots for us on a number of counts. You straighten us out on any number of things including holiness, a Christ-less Christianity and in being a practical model for us for expository preaching. High fives. But planning and hosting worship on the Lord's Day?

I see that your cruise is taking off on the 28th. Sounds relaxing and super fun. B.C. is almost God's country. I think I follow your thinking, the Lord's Day falls right before the 28th. Something needs to be provided for worship.

Why not put a check box on the registration form for those that need help for getting to worship that Sunday AM, contact the area NAPARC churches in the Seattle area for making transportation arrangements, and encourage your attendees to participate at a local historic and confessional church? Would making such arrangements be a hassle and bother? Probably. But your staff knows how to host events with a capital H. Do hard things.

Your sea cruise heading out of Seattle is going to feature teaching on the church. Why not start the cruise one day earlier by cruising over to a local church on the 27th?

The Pacific Northwest desperately needs your teaching. You know us. We're the tree-huggers, boaters, hikers, hunters and recreationalists in the USA. We'll be found anywhere in worship on Sundays except in house of the Lord with His people gathered in Jesus' name. We're praying for the I-5 Corridor from Sacramento to Seattle. Help put feet to our prayers, won't you?

Blessings in Christ Jesus, Mark Sumpter
Faith OPC/Grants Pass, Oregon


G. Mark Sumpter