GA Day 4 - Get to Know the Belhar Confession

After our perfunctory approval of the minutes and a brief disussion to disapprove designating a Sunday for Presbyterians celebrating the gift of evolution, the rest of our time together 9:30-5:00, was spent on learning about and debating the Belhar Confession.

The Belhar Confession was written in South Africa in 1982 and adopted into the church in Belhar, South Africa in 1986. In the context of apartheid and racism, this confession boldly stood up to discrimination and spoke about unity, reconciliation, and justice. It talks about the sin of segregation, prejudism, and hatred. You can read it and find out more about it at pcusa.org/belhar.

The question before us was whether or not this confession belongs in our Book of Confessions. Now that's a BIG DEAL. The last time a confession was added was in the mid 1980's. Before then it was in the late 1960's. Before then it was the time in Nazi Germany in the 1940's and before then it was the Westminster Confession in the 1600's. All that is to say, adding something to the book of Confessions is a once in a generation, if not lifetime, opportunity.

Clifton Kirkpatrick led our discussion. So what makes a confession worthy of inclusion? We ask questions like, does it speak to our time? Is it a prophetic or needed word to include to our historical documents? The overwhelming answer is YES. Racism still exists in our country. The church hour is still the most segregated hour of the week. The church needs to speak up against this injustice where people are still judged by the color of their skin instead of the content of their character. 

Christians in South Africa stood up against their racial injustice. We are asked to the same in our country. Of almost 60 people on our committee, only 1 person was against the Belhar. Now it goes to the entire General Assembly and if it passes it goes to Presbyteries throughout the next year to get a 2/3 majority vote. We will see what happens.

After our business, I engaged in another important part of GA: socializing and networking. First the entire Presbytery of Charlotte went out to dinner. It was a time to share our experiences, check in with each other, and talk with people we might not see too often. As you can see, we all had a great time led by our positive and uplifting Transitional Presbytery Executive Rev. Betty Meadows. 

Princeton Theological Seminary had a reunion and it was good to meet new people and catch up with long time friends. I met the former moderator Neal Presa who did such a great job representing our denomination the past two years.

I also had the chance to meet the current Vice Moderator Larissa Kwong Abazia, pastor of a thriving multi-cultural church in New York. So glad she will help represent our denomination in the next two years. Here she is with my room mate for the week, Nancy Wilson.

Finally, I ran into the former chaplain at Princeton Theological Seminary with whom I worked as the chapel assistant. Michael Livingston is one of the saints of the church and I was glad to see him again.

While we come here to do ministry, we also strengthen our connections around the denomination as we get to know new people and reconnect with past friends. Tuesday was a great day. We finished our business and strengthened our connections with those in the church. 

GA Day 3 - Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Committee Work I Go

Yes, today was a full day of committee work. Morning and afternoon we met...and met...and met. I was assigned to committee #13: Theological Issues and Institutions. Our business fell into three categories. This was my view for the day...

Some of our business was perfunctory: approving the seminaries to celebrate communion, approving the new president of Princeton Seminary (even though he has been there a year), approving an award to be given to long time faithful saints of the church Cynthia Campbell and Jack Rogers, approving the trustess of all the seminaries, approving the list of PC(USA) related schools, and celebrating 100 years of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. 

Then there was debate on word smithing the 500th birthday of John Knox. As often happens in committee meetings, we got caught up in the minutia of wording instead of celebrating the main idea which was to set aside a Sunday in October to recognize and celebrate the legacy of John Knox in our denomination. After an hour or more debate, we passed it unanimously.

Oh yeah, and you know when minutes are approved it usually takes 10 seconds. Well we actually had to table approving the minutes and send them back to be rewritten because there were so many spelling and grammar mistakes in them. They will be approved tomorrow. Nothing is ever a given, even approving minutes.

Finally, we had some important discussions about a new proposed Directory of Worship. Just like the Form of Government was rewritten a few years ago, the General Assembly two years ago asked a special committee to come with proposed changes to our Directory of Worship which guides our worship services. For now, we are recommending this new directory to congregations to read over and give feedback before it is sent for approval at the 2016 General Assembly. It will be fine tuned over the next two years and then put up for adoption at the next Assembly.

So those were our accomplishments on Monday. Committee work is not always flashy or exciting. But we dealt with those issues assigned to us that are important to the larger denomination. We were honest in our discussions. We were "faithful in a few things." We are not one of the more controversial comittees. Nevertheless, each one is doing important work. I was glad to be a small part of the work and ministry that needed to be done at the 2014 General Assembly.

GA Day 2 - Filled and Poured Out

Sunday morning and over 40 churches in the Detroit area hosted GA commissioners for worship. I had the great honor of worshipping at Broadstreet Presbyterian Church, an African American congregation. I think we tripled the worship attendance that day but it was an inspiring, moving, exhilirating experience (can you say that about your worship last Sunday?). Lo and behold there is a guest preacher who is none other than the Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon, a pastor only a few miles from the church I serve in Charlotte. I can't believe I had to go all the way to Detroit to hear Jerry preach, but it was well worth it.

With humor, energy, memorable illustrations, and calling out people's names during the sermon (including mine), one couldn't help but leave worship 10 feet off the ground, ready to show hospitality and love to our neighbor. The choir had a special welcome song for all of the visitors, we took at least 15 minutes to share the peace, we had an altar call (yes you can do that in the Presbyterian church), and we had a delicious lunch afterward. The one hour and forty five minute worship service flew by. What a blessing to be a recipient of Rev. Cannon's preaching.

Well, after worship like that, we came back to sit in a hard, sterile seat and listen to an hour's worth of four special committees make their pitch to support their recommendations. Of course they will do it again when we actually vote on these issues on Thursday or Friday, but I guess they wanted to get a head start persuading us. After a worship service like I had in the morning, it was sure hard to focus on the dry, boring presentations.

On a more hopeful note, we commissioned the Young Adult Volunteers and Mission Workers to overseas service which brought tears to my eyes.  It was in 1998 in Charlotte that I was standing where they were, commissioned to embark on my year in Ghana, West Africa. In fact, the entire Young Adult Volunteer program was lifted up for its 20 year anniversary. My time as a YAV was life changing and continues to influence me today. I am grateful to be a recipient of this amazing program.

Then it was time to go to our individual committees. There are 15 standing committees and commissioners are randomly assigned to one of the fifteen. Mine is Theological Issues and Institutions, but we would not get into any business today. Instead we worshipped and participated in ice breakers meant to get us to mingle and get to know each other. It was actually fun to get to know some more people and what we have in common.

We ended at 9:30 pm but since I had volunteered to read some minutes I stayed to talk with the moderator and parlamentarian about my edits. Somehow I was then asked to be the spokesperson for the group and to type up the edits and recommendations for tomorrow's meeting. I then spent until 11:30 pm creating that document. 

I went to bed exhausted but filled. Glad to be filled by the Spirit in the morning and glad to pour out my gifts to the committee at night.  Tomorrow we start the real committee work. We will see what God has in store!

GA Day 1 - Celebrations and Tribulations

Today is the first official day of the 221st General Assembly. Here is the view from my seat. Is it a coincidence that I am in the second row from the BACK? Thank goodness for the big screens up front or I wouldn't be able to see a thing.

There are about 650 voting commissioners at the GA. Well, 650 commissioners at least. The voting part could be debated. But we'll get to that in a minute.

The highlights for today begin with worship. It started with bagpipes, liturgical dance, and singing. We reaffirmed our baptism during the prayer of confession around the baptismal font (oh yes, that liturgy will show up at Alex's baptism on July 6). The sermon was on one of my favorite texts: the Road to Emmaus. We then celebrated communion together with pottery made especially for this assembly (and yes you can bet I bought one of these fabulous communion sets). We closed with more singing. It's amazing to be a part of 1,000 Presbyterians all worshipping together. I'm also excited to share that communion will be served each day that plenary meets. No matter our viewpoints we will all gather together at the table. I love that worship will daily bring us together to remind us what we have in common in an atmosphere that often reminds us what our differences are.

The second highlight was a video that blew me away, well if you are a diehard presbyterian that is. You gotta see this! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M0iYniL2WKg  It is HILARIOUS!! It was a great way to laugh at ourselves with the most influential leaders of our denomination. This video showed we can have fun even as we do the ministry of the church. Plus, I just love Les Miserables!

A third highlight was actually a lowlight. Despite our efforts to enter the 21st century, the online voting system was a complete catastrophe. After it became clear this system was not working, we went to plan B as clickers (like remote controls) were handed out. We then spent even more time practicing our voting procedures. After OVER AN HOUR we finally decided to move on, even considering Plan C, using paper votes for the 650 commissioners.  So much for technology! One of the more frustrating moments of the first day of GA, for sure.

Finally, our most important task for the day was to choose a new moderator for not only the General Assembly, but for the next two years until the next assembly meets. The moderator is the face of the PC(USA), the spokeperson for our denomination. There were three candidates: John Wilkinson, a pastor in New York; Heath Rada, an elder who is the former President of Presbyterian School of Christian Education; and Kelly Allen, a pastor in Texas. There was about an hour of debate before the first vote was cast. And yes...we used good ole paper ballots. Because a candidate needs 51% of the vote it was very likely that we would have to vote two times. But Heath Rada received over 50% of the vote on the first ballot.

I voted for Heath also. He brings a sensitivity to diversity that I appreciate. He intentionally chose a young, female, Chinese American pastor as his running mate because he knew his face needed a different partner to complete the image of the church. He is very inclusive of all people and will make all feel welcome in the PC(USA). He describes himself as a bridge builder, a needed gift in our denomination in these times. A picture of what he believes is below as well as him being installed as the new moderator. That's him secon from the right and Larissa is on the left holding her young child.

It was a long but fulfilling day at the General Assembly. The Spirit was present in a number of ways (except in the technology). May the Spirit continue to move among us and within us in the days to come.

GA Day 0 - Pregame Rituals

Get on flight to Detroit. Check. Get luggage and find the GA Welcome Table complete with colored plaquard. Check. Get to hotel, check in, and arrange items. Check. Find convention center, register, get blue commissioner badge. Check. Peruse Exhibit Hall and pick up lots of free pens, chocolate, tape measure, sunglasses, rulers, post it notes, water bottles, frisbees, iphone stands, and keychain lights (as well as literature at said booths). Check. Get the lay of the land: where are the convention rooms, restaurants, hotels, bathrooms. Check. 

The General Assembly starts tomorrow officially at 11:00 am with opening worship. Today was about the pregame rituals. Preparing for this experience called GA. Getting settled in for the marathon of meetings, conversations, worship, and ministry that comes with GA. 

One pregame ritual I have is to find the prayer spaces. I need to know where to go when I am tired, spiritually and physically. When I am confused. When I am disappointed. When I am overjoyed. Where is the safe space, the sacred space to commune with God. After all, we say we are seeking God's will. Where can I hear that will clearest?

I am proud to report there are 5 such prayer spaces at the General Assembly, all with different sacred space. There is a silent contemplative room. An interactive prayer room with art and mandalas and origami. Another place to post prayer concerns on a board. An art exhibit depicting an immigrants perspective on the stations of the cross. And finally, my favorite, the labyrinth. 

There is something about movement and pray that attracts me. Maybe because I can never sit still or because my body is so used to being in motion from the time my feet hit the floor to the time my head hits the pillow. I seek God best when I am walking, intentionally following a path of twists and turns that inevitably leads to the center, my center.

My pregame rituals for these wonderfully busy, crazy, exhausting events is walking the labyrinth...every day. Taking a time out to re-center myself on the One whom alone I follow, the only one whose opinion really matters on these many divisive issues.

My hope is that each commissioner intentionally finds time each day to be with God, commune with God, hang out with God, listen to God. I believe the General Assembly will be better for it. I believe the PC(USA) will be better for it. I believe our individual churches will be better for it. I believe each person will be better for it.  After all, isn't that why we are here? To listen to the One who called us to be here in the first place?

This makes it official. I am a GA junkie and a PC(USA) nerd.

The Presbyterian Family Reunion

General Assembly. Some people love it. Others run away from it like the plague. I happen to be someone who loves General Assemblies having attended five of them (although my last one was ten years ago). The pulse of the denomination runs through each assembly. Every other year thousands of Presbyterians gather to worship, pray, make connections, discuss, argue, and make decisions together. There's an energy like no other. And I feel the Holy Spirit at work in my denomination.

This year I will have a different perspective on General Assembly since it is my first year as a commissioner. As a commissioner I am assigned a committee: Theological Issues and Institutions. I work with all the business that relates to our Presbyterian Seminaries as well as the Book of Confessions and the Directory of Worship. Some of the items are a bit mundane (although still important) such as approving seminaries to serve communion, approving the new president at Princeton Theological Seminary, and approving the trustees of our theological institutions. Other items are much more controversial such as a proposal to revise the Directory for Worship and adding the Belhar Confession to our Book of Confessions, something which hasn't been done since the 1980's. I look forward to discerning God's will on these issues and adding my voice to the discussion.

Of course, there are hot button issues: whether or not to redefine marriage as between two people instead of a man and a woman, allowing Presbyterian clergy to perform same sex marriages in states where it is legal, and whether or not to divest our investments from American companies that are making a profit from the violence in Israel and Palestine. These will be discussed on the floor of our plenary sessions after the appropriate committee brings its recommendation to the body.

The General Assembly is the Presbyterian family reunion. Like all family reunions, there will be parts of the family that don't see eye to eye and get into heated arguments. There will be parts of the family that try to bring peace and compromise. There will be parts of the family that bring humor and laughter. There will be parts of the family that remind us God is in charge, not us. Maybe that's why I love General Assemblies. It reminds me that I am part of a family and while we are not perfect, or always in agreement, or even make the "right" decisions, we are family nevertheless.

I look forward to blogging everyday from the General Assembly starting June 13 to share my perspective on each day's events. I know our Transitional General Presbyter Rev. Betty Meadows will be as well. I'm sure many other people will be sharing their insights. If you want to keep up with all that's going on, you will want to visit www.pc-biz.org.

For now I ask for your prayers as thousands of Presbyterians descend upon Detroit for one week to discern God's will for the future of our denomination and the various issues we face. We need a Pentecost moment. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us and bring us together. We need God's presence to be palpable as we gather. Please join me in prayer. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer...

The World's Uncertainty vs. God's Vision

The last few weeks I have noticed more than ever that life is full of uncertainty. Actually life IS uncertainty. We never know what each day will bring, what will happen, who we will meet. Have you ever gone to bed, taken a few moments to reflect on the day and thought, "Well, I never expected THAT to happen"? We don't know what the future holds: health, family, employment, plans. Everything always seems "up in the air" and some days and weeks more than others.

It's a helpless feeling really. Not being able to prepare or know what lies ahead. It's the same with churches. When a pastor leaves the future seems so uncertain. When the deficit budget is adopted the future seems so uncertain. When significant changes are made the future seems so uncertain.

And with uncertainty comes fear. We face our illusion of control. We confront our need to know. We realize that many times we can't see what is down the road for our individual lives or our churches, and so we can't prepare. And then the thought creeps in like a disease, "What if...?" What if the test result is positive? What if I only have a few more months to live? What if I lose my house? What if I can't provide for my family? What if I have to move to a nursing home? What if the church doesn't grow? What if we run out of money? What if the church dies? Our minds wander down the rabbit trail of "What if..." and anxiety, worry and fear start to overwhelm us.

Fear is powerful. It changes how you act and think. To some extent it even changes YOU. We think more about our needs and go into a "fight or flight" mode. We enter into a survival mentality. We cling and hold on and try to maintain what little control we have in life.

I was reminded last night that God doesn't want us to live with a survival mentality. While meeting with the Vision Team, we encouraged each other to live in a way that advances God's vision for your life and your church. That vision is full of hope and joy and love. It's not easy when your gut tells you to live in fear, to "fight or flight", to have a survival mentality; to worry about money, or health, or the "what ifs..."

Jesus says, "Do not worry about tomorrow..." In an uncertain world, it's hard to do. There's a lot of things we could worry about. But no matter what happens, God is still God. No matter what happens, God will never leave us. No matter what happens, God's will will prevail some way, somehow. 

Do not let an uncertain future cause you to be overwhelmed with fear. Don't get caught up in the "What ifs..." of life. Don't live with a survival mentality. Take a deep breath. Be still and know that God is still God. Focus on God's vision for your life and your church. A vision of abundant hope, joy, love, peace. Live into that vision each and every day because it is far more than we can ask or even imagine. 

Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen."