Presbyterianism

In Canada, the largest Presbyterian Church is the Presbyterian Church in Canada; in 1925, about seventy percent of which, merged with the Methodist Church, Canada, and the Congregational Union of Canada to form the United Church of Canada. Also see List of current NBA players#Phoenix Suns. Other Presbyterian bodies in the United States include the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC (http://www.epc.org)), the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC), the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP Synod), the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States (RPCUS). Bench. The largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States is the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA). Starting Lineup. In North America, because of past doctrinal differences, Presbyterian churches often overlap, with congregations of many different Presbyterian groups in any one city. He even traveled to Japan in 1991, when the Suns kicked off the 1991-1992 NBA season there with 2 games against the Jazz.

Even before the Presbyterians left Scotland there were divisions in the larger Presbyterian family. It is worthy to note that every single Suns game in history has been covered both on local Phoenix TV and radio by the legendary broadcaster, Al McCoy, who has battled every kind of situation imaginable to keep doing his job every time his beloved Suns play. However, most Presbyterians generally exhibit their faith in action as well as words, including generosity, hospitality, and the constant pursuit of social justice and reform as well as proclaiming the gospel of Christ. The Suns looked to bolster their defense during the summer. References to the adoption of Calvin's theology of predestination and the typical member's predisposition to conduct themselves "decently and in order" have earned them the moniker of the "frozen chosen". The Spurs, twice holding the Suns to under 100 points, won the series 4-1, ending Phoenix's outstanding season. Presbyterians place great importance upon education and continuous study of the scriptures, theological writings, and understanding and interpretation of church doctrine embodied in several statements of faith and catechisms formally adopted by various branches of the church. In the Western Conference Finals, they played the San Antonio Spurs, who had the league's best defense.

The Church of Scotland has now abolished the Synod. The Suns swept the Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 and defeated the number four seeded Dallas Mavericks in the second round 4-2. This congregation / presbytery / synod / general assembly schema is based on the historical structure of the larger Presbyterian churches, like the Church of Scotland; some of the smaller bodies, like the Presbyterian Church in America or the Presbyterian Church in Ireland skip one of the steps between congregation and General Assembly, and usually the step skipped is the Synod. In the 2005 playoffs, Phoenix was seeded number one in the western conference, and because it owned the NBA's best record, was guarenteed home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Presbytery sends representatives to a broader regional assembly, generally known as the General Assembly, although an intermediate level of a synod sometimes exists. Shawn Marion, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, and former Suns player Dan Majerle won the Shooting Stars contest, Steve Nash won the Skills contest, Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson both competed in the 3-Point Contest (with Richardson winning), Amare Stoudemire came in second in the Slam Dunk contest, and Nash, Marion, and Stoudemire all played in the game itself. These are composed of ministers and elders from each of the constituent congregations. The Suns also had a very large contingency of players competing in the NBA All-Star Game and the events that go with it.

Above the Kirk Sessions exist Presbyteries, which have area responsibilities. The Suns ended the 04-05 season as the team with the most points per game (110.4), the most threes per game (9.7), and the best three point percentage to match (39.3). A congregation issues a call for the minister's service, but this call must be ratified by the Presbytery. The key to their success was their style of play, which heavily relied on the fast break, which is very uncommon in the current era of the NBA. Ministers are called by individual congregations. The team was not expected to do nearly as well at the beginning of the season. Teaching elders (ministers) have responsibility for teaching, worship and performing sacraments. Nash was voted the NBA MVP for the 2004-2005 season after the regular season ended.

Sometimes the practicalities of buildings and finance in the congregation are delegated to a distinct group (known variosly as a 'Board' or 'Deacons' Court'. The team was led by the MVP-caliber play of point guard Steve Nash, acquired in the offseason, as well as returning players Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion. Teaching and ruling elders, sitting as a 'Kirk Session', (commonly refered to as simply 'session') are responsible for the discipline, the nurture and the mission of the local congregation. This ties their franchise best record for the most wins, back when Barkley was first traded to the team. Presbyterian government is based on Elders. The 2004-05 season has been very successful, with the Suns finishing 62-20, the best record in the NBA. While these conservative Presbyterians are not in the majority, their numbers are significant. The sale also included the Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers.

Because of this diversity of belief, more conservative Presbyterians are likely to attend the smaller denominations that have chosen to split from a larger body. In April 2004, the Phoenix Suns were sold to an investment group headed by tycoon Robert Sarver for $401 million dollars. Those groups that adhere to the document most strictly are typified by baptism of the infant children of believers, the exclusive use of Psalms (modified for metrical singing), singing unaccompanied by instruments, a common communion cup, only men are eligible for ordination to any church office, and a fully Calvinist doctrine of salvation. After the trade, the Suns continued to struggle, but the trade opened up opportunities for some of the Sun's young rising stars. These splits have been caused by disagreement concerning the degree to which those ordained to church office should be required to agree with the Calvinist Westminster Confession of Faith, which historically serves as the main constitutional document of Presbyterian churches. Convinced that the team was going nowhere, the Suns made a blockbuster mid-season trade involving Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway. Many of the branches of Presbyterianism are remnants of previous splits from larger groups. Following one of the worst preseasons in Suns franchise history, the Suns got off to a rocky start in the regular season.

The origins of the Presbyterian churches were in Calvinism, which is no longer emphasized in some of the contemporary branches. In the 2003-2004 season, the Suns again found themselves out of the playoffs. Presbyterians distinguish themselves from other denominations by both doctrine and institutional organization, or as they prefer to call it 'church order'. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2002-2003 season, during which the Suns posted a record of 44-38 and returned to the playoffs. Main article: Presbyterian church governance. His size and athleticism, along with a strong work ethic, have many anticipating him to join the ranks of Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett as the best NBA players to have jumped from high school to the pro ranks. Because of an emphasis on equal education for all people, Presbyterians have 'planted' and encouraged schools across the US as the country grew and the missionaries were sent out to the people. The 2002-2003 saw the emergence of Amare Stoudemire, who many have likened to future Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone.

The Presbyterian church in England and Wales is the United Reformed Church, whilst the tradition also influenced the Methodist church, established in 1736. Lottery-bound, however, the Suns were able to draft Amare Stoudemire. All three, very diverse branches of Presbyterianism, as well as independents, and some Dutch, German, and French Reformed denominations, combined in America to form what would eventually become the Presbyterian Church USA (1705). That season marked the trade of Jason Kidd, partly due to a publicized domestic violence account where he slapped his wife, to the New Jersey Nets for Stephon Marbury. Presbyterians, as well as Roman Catholics in Ulster and the rest of Ireland suffered under the discriminatory Penal Laws until they were revoked in the early 19th century. The Suns kept making the playoffs until the 2001-2002 campaign, when they fell short for the first time in 14 years. The Presbytery of Ulster was formed separately from the established church, in 1642. While this was going on, Johnson retired, but he attempted a comeback to try to help the Suns during the 2000 playoffs.

In Ireland, Presbyterianism was established by Scottish immigrants and missionaries to Ulster. Barkley was traded and the Suns began a downward spiral. The re-establishment of the monarchy in 1660 brought the re-establishment of episcopalian government in England (and in Scotland for a short time); but the Presbyterian church in England continued in non-conformity, outside of the established church. He was also present to see his number retired in 2004. In 1647, by an act of the Long Parliament under the control of Puritans, the Church of England embraced Presbyterianism . Their feud has since been repaired, however, and Barkley appeared at a Suns home game in 2003. In Ireland the Presbyterian Church was formed from the Church of Scotland and later became The Presbyterian Church In Ireland.In England, Presbyterianism was established in secret in 1572, toward the end of the reign of Elizabeth I of England. In 1996, Barkley's relationship with Colangelo grew sour and they trashed each other publicly.

The existing Church of Scotland was thus reformed along Presbyterian lines. The next couple of years saw the Suns waste 3 to 1 leads against the Houston Rockets and get eliminated by them both years. In Scotland, John Knox (1505-1572), who had studied under Calvin in Geneva, returned to Scotland and led the Parliament of Scotland to embrace the Reformation in 1560. They won 62 games that year, advancing to the NBA finals for the second time ever, where they lost in 6 games to the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen-led Bulls. In England, Scotland and Ireland, the Reformed churches that adopted a presbyterian instead of episcopalian government, became known naturally enough, as the Presbyterian Church. Former Boston Celtics member Danny Ainge was added to the mix and the Suns had a dynamic team that would be hard to stop. These denominations derive their name from the Greek word presbyteros, which means "elder." Presbyterian church governance is common to the Protestant churches that were most closely modelled after the Reformation in Switzerland. Hornacek was traded to Philadelphia in 1992 along with Andrew Lang for the flamboyant but productive Charles Barkley, probably a future Hall of Famer himself.

Besides national distinctions, Presbyterians also have divided from one another for doctrinal reasons, especially in the wake of the Enlightenment. Kurt Rambis was added from the Charlotte Hornets in 1989, and the team caused a shocking upset by beating the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games that season before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in the western conference finals. There are many separate Presbyterian Churches in different nations around the world. In 1988, Tom Chambers came over from Seattle, Jeff Hornacek was signed, Dan Majerle was drafted with the 14th pick in the draft, which they obtained from Cleveland in the Kevin Johnson trade, and the team began a 13 year playoff streak. Presbyterianism traces its institutional roots back to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. It was in this trade that the Suns gave up popular power forward Larry Nance. Presbyterianism is a form of church government, practiced by many (although not all) of those Protestant churches (known as Reformed churches), which historically subscribed to the teachings of John Calvin. That all began to change in 1987, though, with the acquisition through a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers of Kevin Johnson and Mark West.

John Witherspoon, only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. The next few years for the Suns weren't as good, as a drug scandal rocked the organization in 1987, and the franchise was having a hard time putting wins together. The Rev. Game 5 was a triple-overtime classic that is considered by many to be the greatest game in NBA history. Woodrow Wilson, 28th President. They finished the season with 42 wins and 40 losses, but shockingly they beat the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the playoffs and went on to play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, giving the Celtics a tough battle before falling in 6 games. Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey. In 1976, the year the movie Rocky was released, the Suns proved to be a real-life, basketball version of Rocky.

Vice-President under Hayes. The brainchild of former Chicago Bulls assistant coach and Arizona sports magnate Jerry Colangelo, the Suns in the 1970s had mild success, combining the talents of such players like Dick Van Arsdale (The Original Sun), his twin brother Tom Van Arsdale, Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, Len "Truck" Robinson, Alvan Adams, and center Neal Walk, who sadly, in 1974 had a car accident that left him paralyzed. Wheeler, U.S. The Suns came to the Valley of the Sun in 1968, but they have yet to win an NBA Title. They began with a victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on opening night. William A. The Phoenix Suns are a National Basketball Association team based in Phoenix, Arizona. Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, Princeton Seminary professor. Amare Stoudemire.

Roosevelt. Quentin Richardson. Vice-President under F.D. Steve Nash. Wallace, U.S. Shawn Marion. Henry A. Joe Johnson.

Mark Twain, American author. Cotton Fitzsimmons (coach). Vice-President under Monroe. Joe Proski (trainer). Tompkins, U.S. 44 Paul Westphal. Daniel D. 42 Connie Hawkins.

Norman Thomas runs for President as the Socialist Party candidate in 1928. 34 Charles Barkley. Jimmy Stewart, actor. 33 Alvan Adams. Fred Rogers, also known as the famous Mister Rogers, was an ordained Presbyterian Minister up until his death. 24 Tom Chambers. The Rev. 9 Dan Majerle.

Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State (2005- ). 7 Kevin Johnson. President. 6 Walter Davis. Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. 5 Dick Van Arsdale. President (converted from Presbyterianism to Methodism). Stephon Marbury.

James Knox Polk, 11th U.S. Danny Ainge. Norman Maclean, author and academic. Cedric Ceballos. Stonewall Jackson, General in the Confederate Army. Larry Nance. President. Kevin Johnson.

Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. Jason Kidd. Charles Hodge, seminary professor. Neal Walk. Hodge, seminary professor. Jeff Hornacek. A. Anfernee Hardaway.

A. Rex Chapman. President. Charles Barkley. Benjamin Harrison, 23rd U.S. Dan Majerle. Katherine Harris, Florida Secretary of State during the 2000 election crisis and current congresswoman (R). Jerry Colangelo.

John Glenn, Astronaut, United States Senator. Connie Hawkins. Mel Watt, Congressman from North Carolina and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. C - #43 Jake Voskuhl (UConn). Jay Rockefeller, junior United States Senator from West Virginia. SF - #17 Paul Shirley (Iowa State). Lamar Alexander, junior United States Senator from Tennessee. F - #46 Bo Outlaw (Houston).

Bill Frist, current Senate Majority Leader. PF - #0 Walter McCarty (Kentucky). Eisenhower, 34th President. SG - #21 Jim Jackson (Ohio State). Dwight D. C - #45 Steven Hunter (DePaul). Secretary of State in the Eisenhower Administration. PG - #10 Leandro Barbosa (Brazil).

John Foster Dulles, U.S. PF - #32 Amare Stoudemire (Cypress Creek HS, Orlando, Florida). Brian DePalma, film director; raised as a Presbyterian. SF - #31 Shawn Marion (UNLV). President. SG - #2 Joe Johnson (Arkansas). Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th U.S. SG - #3 Quentin Richardson (DePaul).

Vice-President under Adams and Jackson. PG - #13 Steve Nash (Santa Clara). Calhoun, U.S. John C. Aaron Burr, co-founder of Princeton University.

The Rev. Vice-President under Jefferson. Aaron Burr, U.S. Frederick Buechner, author of fantasy novels and non-fiction religious books.

President. James Buchanan, 15th U.S. Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. William Jennings Bryan of the famous Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Tennessee 1925 and three times U.S.

Vice-President under Buchanan. Breckinridge, U.S. John C. Representative; conservative Republican from Texas.

Dick Armey, U.S.