2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh)

“Peace, Unity, and Purity” and Presbyterian Reality

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), GAPJC Decisions, Marriage Definition, PCUSA / By /

In this second post of a three-part series, I am exploring the dynamics of peace, unity, and purity and how, through church history, they have been achieved through ministry dynamics that included separation. Considerable pressure is exerted from time to time in our present context to maintain institutional “unity” (though our Present Troubles indicate that this is a condition in name only in the PCUSA). Usually, the Scripture passage referred to most often is John 17, Christ’s “high priestly prayer” in which he asks his Father “that they may be one . . .  completely one” (17:20-23). But I would […]

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A Presbytery Gone Rogue

15 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), GAPJC Decisions, Marriage Definition, PCUSA / By /

Today, the presbytery neighboring mine, Redwoods Presbytery, took an action that hit a new low in Presbyterian life. It officially refused the direct order of the GAPJC to rebuke Janie Spahr for conducting same-sex weddings. The following motion was passed by a 74 to 18 vote: The Presbytery opposes imposition of the rebuke as set forth in the decision of the Presbytery Permanent Judicial Commission, dated August 27, 2010 (which was stayed by its terms until the present day), by declaring and resolving as follows: WHEREAS, our primary ordination vow as Ruling and Teaching Elders is to be obedient to

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Rainbows and Floods

1 Comment / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), Leadership and Spirituality, PCUSA, Personal, Spiritual Disciplines, Theological Reflection / By /

The few fans of this blog have perhaps noted my silence the last few days. Can it be true that Mary Naegeli is speechless, or has nothing to say? Au contraire, mes amis, the problem is the opposite! There is so much to say, so much to digest, so much to ponder, that one hardly knows where to begin. On the other side of my mind is the desperate need for some perspective, some peace and quiet, some reflection on the meaning of this moment in the life of the PCUSA. And then the rainbow appeared. This morning, as I

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Speaking the Truth in Love

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), PCUSA / By /

The Apostle Paul’s picture of a church in trouble is a dinghy tossed back and forth by the waves of a stormy sea, blown off course by winds of false doctrine and deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14). The remedy involves “speaking the truth in love.” Out of compassion for those in peril, we are called to drop an anchor and orient ourselves to an immovable reference point. This is the essential step for getting back on course and for making progress toward our destination, who is Jesus Christ (to mix metaphors, see Hebrews 12:1–2). It grieves me to say this, but

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The MCC Report: What Limits to Our Freedom?

1 Comment / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), MCC Report, New Form of Government (nFOG), Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA, The Missional Church / By /

Over the last week, I have been reviewing elements and concepts embedded in the recommendations and rationale of the Commission on Mid-Councils Report. As a conversation starter, the Report is excellent and the Commission is to be commended for the thoroughness of its process and product. Not every topic therein has been addressed here. Upon reflection, some sections of the Report do not ring as true or indispensible to me as others. And there is still a matter of interpreting one particular sentence, the seventh of eight “guiding principles.” found on page 81. My inquiry of the MCC moderator as

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Understanding the Term “Missional”

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), MCC Report, The Missional Church / By /

Continuing an evaluation of the ideas and recommendations of the Commission on Mid-Councils Report, today’s exploration delves into the concept of “missional ministry.” Some care must be taken to define the term, because assumptions about its meaning (especially among Presbyterians I observe, including seminary students) can morph it into a new form unrecognizable to those who coined it. My sense is that the writers of the MCC Report had an adequate understanding of “missional,” and the bibliography certainly reflects wide reading on the subject. No complaints there. I am raising the yellow caution flag for all the interpreters of the

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The MCC Challenge to Presbyteries

3 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), GAPJC Decisions, MCC Report, PCUSA, The Missional Church, Theological Reflection / By /

The reinvigoration of presbyteries is a central vision within the Mid-Councils Commission Report. One does not even need to read between the lines to recognize that presbyteries are going to be required to step up to new realities, with less help coming from “above” and more responsibility for what happens “below.” But as the locus of support for congregations, presbyteries have the important calling of fostering creative ministry, facilitating networking, and otherwise fanning the flame of good ideas within its bounds. This will all work if presbyteries can be truly supportive of their congregations in a relational way. If, however,

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Flattened Bureaucracy without Synods: Necessary, Safe, Effective?

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), MCC Report, PCUSA, The Missional Church, Theological Reflection / By /

Oh, where to start? The Report of the Commission on Mid-Councils covers a lot of territory, theologically and practically. Since my calling is to “bring the Word to life,” it is interesting to me that little biblical study is reflected in the Report. I have no doubt that the Commission undertook study of the Scriptures, but its task was particularly focused on denominational concerns. With precious little in the Bible to offer direct guidance on matters of church structure, we are left only with allusions to exodus, exile, and the Kingdom of God. Nevertheless, the vision of the church promoted

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A Road Map of the Mid-Council Commission Report

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), PCUSA, The Missional Church / By /

The Report from the General Assembly Commission on Mid Councils (Report) is the product of eighteen months of labor, and it shows, in many respects. Unfortunately for the average presbyter, the report is too long for casual reading (103 pages including Appendices and End Notes). Yet, its potential as a game-changer for the PCUSA requires diligence in study and wisdom in application before it is considered at General Assembly. My aim in upcoming posts is to equip my readers for thoughtful discussion of its contents, to appreciate the richness of some of its background, and to alert all to the

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Has the PCUSA Ever Had Moral Authority?

2 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith, GAPJC Decisions, Marriage Definition, Moral Authority, New Form of Government (nFOG), Parnell v. San Francisco, PCUSA / By /

“Dr. Mike” commented this week: “Your article implies that the embattled PC(USA) actually had moral authority at some time in their history? When was this? As I look at its history, the PC(USA) has never had unity or harmony. Seems to me its entire history has been marked with one compromise with the world after another.” This question raises the issue of how one would perceive and measure the moral authority of a church. If a church is not experiencing unity or harmony, does that automatically mean that the church has lost its moral authority? Dr. Mike is quite right

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