The Missional Church

The Complications of Communication

Leave a Comment / PCUSA, Personal, Teaching, The Missional Church, Theological Reflection / By /

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day participating in an online discussion, trying to sort out what appeared to be a miscommunication through the halls of Facebook. A post appeared within a Facebook group, other members of the group reacted while others tried to ask helpful questions. The “conversation” escalated into paranoia at times, and without any more substantive information to feed it, speculation took over. I finally called the original poster (is that a word?) to clarify the genesis of the issue that had come to light, and by day’s end it appeared resolution was around the […]

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The Courage to Hold and Speak Our Convictions

Leave a Comment / Leadership and Spirituality, Marriage Definition, PCUSA, Spiritual Disciplines, Teaching, The Missional Church, Theological Reflection / By /

Yesterday, I pondered spiritual boldness and the need for Christians to pray for it in an increasingly pluralistic society. From a cultural point of view, uttering certain viewpoints is risky and costly, leading some Christ-followers to be circumspect if not silent about their faith. I found out yesterday that one of my former students, applying for a ministry internship, was challenged by the interviewer for having me as one of her references, “because [I am] against gay ordination.” The student, taken aback by that attitude in what was supposed to be an ecumenical environment, stood up for me. [For the

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Do We Want to Pray for Boldness?

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Had an interesting experience last night. I, along with three others, was asked to give feedback to a seminary intern on a sermon he is going to deliver at our church in a couple of weeks. The text was Acts 4:23-31: 23After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them [which was ‘not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus’].  24When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the

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Why Do People Do What They Do?

Leave a Comment / Current Events, Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith, It All Started in the Garden, Personal, The Missional Church, Theological Reflection / By /

A couple times a week I join a few fellow “gym rats” for coffee at the local Peet’s. This group of women frequents the fitness center and then gathers for a coffee klatch before heading home. They come from diverse backgrounds culturally and geographically and represent the gamut of religious views, from lapsed Christian to Sihk to Jewish to complete blank slate. Every once in awhile, one of them will turn to me for advice, knowing I am a pastor. Lately, however, there has been a communal handwringing over recent events. When the bombs went off in Boston, the questions

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Pope Francis and a New Reformation?

Leave a Comment / Current Events, Leadership and Spirituality, Personal, The Missional Church / By /

When a friend posted on Facebook “White smoke!” I turned on the television today and wrapped myself in the NBC coverage of the announcement of the new Catholic pope. As a cradle Catholic (who changed lanes into the Presbyterian church at age 22), I have witnessed the election of five popes in my lifetime. Experience as a Presbyterian pastor, leadership of a session, and organizational executive roles have given me only an inkling of the burden this man will bear as leader of over 1 billion souls worldwide. If that thought is staggering to lowly me, imagine how the question

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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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