The blood pressure issue of the day is ordination standards. As I have said before, I am not sure I understand the passion this issue raises. Why are people more passionate about this issue more then anything else? People should have as much passion for fixing world hunger, speaking out against human trafficking or striving for world peace. We waste so much emotional energy on this issue. WWJD? We don’t agree here.
There was a young man driving down the highway one night. He notices a car broken down on the side of the road. Being fairly mechanical, he stops his car to see if he can help the stranded motorist. He quickly discovers that the stranded motorist is Hispanic and speaks no English. Through sign language, the young man convinces the motorist to open the hood and to let him inspect the car from outside and inside the car. The young man finds out there is a clutch problem. A car without a clutch is drivable (starting and stopping is difficult but you can do it if you know how). The young man tries to explain in sign language what the motorist has to do to get home. Explaining such a complicated issue was not possible without speaking the same language. The young man realizes he has a friend who is bi-lingual. He tracks his friend down on the phone after several calls and uses his friend as in interpreter and explains to the motorist how to drive his car and get home. Through the instruction, the motorist gets in the car and starts it up in gear – the car bounces down the highway. That’s what Jesus would do!
That young man was my son. My son is gay. He is in a monogamous relationship and I think I have lost him from the church forever because he gave up on the organization that he grew up in. Now he feels the church thinks he is a sinner that is not equal to others. The ordination issue and support of equality for LGBT is not about words & standards, it’s more personal then that. It is about people.
The final vote to remove the wording in ordination standards passed 53% to 46%. Dozens of people spoke for and against the issue. What surprised me during the discussion is not one person made it personal by saying ‘my, son, daughter, brother, neighbor is gay”. They were definitely out there, I guess they are still in the closet. One of the final speakers, a Hispanic minister angrily stated that he would leave the church if it passed. It breaks my heart that he feels this way and I pray that he finds peace and can let go of his anger.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thursday lunch –Science and Religion
Went to a seminar on Science and Religion, we had a great speaker. Highlight of the discussion was the following quote:
“I am not religious because I am ignorant; I am religious because I am in awe!”
Howard Smith, Harvard Smithsonian, Center for Astrophysicists
“I am not religious because I am ignorant; I am religious because I am in awe!”
Howard Smith, Harvard Smithsonian, Center for Astrophysicists
Thursday morning – Evangelism breakfast
Steve Hayner, professor of Evangelism and new president of Columbia Seminary spoke at an Evangelism breakfast I attended Thursday morning at 7:00 am. After Plenary session ended Wednesday night at 10, I did determine that Evangelism is always difficult and even more so at 7am – at least we had coffee.
The thing I learned is that Evangelism is not about Church Growth. It is not about member management, “buildings, budgets and butts”. Getting people into your church is “Not the point”. Evangelism is only about Christ, letting people know how Christ has a positive affect in your life.
I realize that thinking only about getting people to our church (congregation or denomination) is selfish and self serving. Our church, our exact form or worship may not be for everybody but Christ is for everybody. Evangelize Christ, not just the church. Tell someone of Christ first and then invite them to church but if they don’t want to go to your church, encourage them to seek growth in Christ by attending other churches, bible studies, mission projects or other forms of Christian fellowship
The thing I learned is that Evangelism is not about Church Growth. It is not about member management, “buildings, budgets and butts”. Getting people into your church is “Not the point”. Evangelism is only about Christ, letting people know how Christ has a positive affect in your life.
I realize that thinking only about getting people to our church (congregation or denomination) is selfish and self serving. Our church, our exact form or worship may not be for everybody but Christ is for everybody. Evangelize Christ, not just the church. Tell someone of Christ first and then invite them to church but if they don’t want to go to your church, encourage them to seek growth in Christ by attending other churches, bible studies, mission projects or other forms of Christian fellowship
Wednesday – despite deer in headlights - revised FOG passes
The committee work ended on Tuesday. After the work ended for each of the committees, the committee leaders scramble to put together a presentation and proposal to present to the plenary session (to all of the GA commissioners) on Wednesday. We began our plenary session on Wednesday afternoon in the large venue at the convention center.
The whole process is cool. The committee moderators make motions from the front of the room. Then discussion is opened up to the commissioners. Any commissioner that wants to speak to a motion goes to one of the 9 microphones in the huge room and holds up a color coated placard:
Green – speaking for the motion
Red – speaking against the motion
Yellow – questions about the motion or procedures or
Blue – making a motion which can be an alternate motion or a suggested modification to the existing motion. It gets a bit complicated when you get suggested modifications on top of modifications on top of modified motions but the moderator keeps things straight.
Orange – Call to vote on the motion
The GA tries to spread out the high blood pressure, high anxiety issues throughout the plenary. The first high blood pressure to be scheduled was Wednesday night at 8:30. This was my committees new Form of Government (nFOG). It represents a big change to the way things are done and I think it is natural for a percentage to fear large change so it was a contentious issue to many. One commissioner recommended an alternate motion that would postpone the decision, post the report on the web and allow the presbyteries and congregations to have ANOTHER two years to digest, review and ask additional questions. I felt moved to speak against this motion (against our committee recommendation). I went to the microphone without anything prepared figureing I would have a couple of minutes to collect my thoughts before I was called upon. I was called upon about 4 seconds after I got to the microphone. I’m usually pretty good on my feet and comfortable talking to crowds but with the surprisingly quick time frame being called upon, the thousands of people in the room and my face on two huge screens at the front of the room, I was like a deer in headlights. UHMMMMM, UHHHH,…. I think at one point in time I started speaking and believe I communicated my point but I’m not really sure.
The whole process is cool. The committee moderators make motions from the front of the room. Then discussion is opened up to the commissioners. Any commissioner that wants to speak to a motion goes to one of the 9 microphones in the huge room and holds up a color coated placard:
Green – speaking for the motion
Red – speaking against the motion
Yellow – questions about the motion or procedures or
Blue – making a motion which can be an alternate motion or a suggested modification to the existing motion. It gets a bit complicated when you get suggested modifications on top of modifications on top of modified motions but the moderator keeps things straight.
Orange – Call to vote on the motion
The GA tries to spread out the high blood pressure, high anxiety issues throughout the plenary. The first high blood pressure to be scheduled was Wednesday night at 8:30. This was my committees new Form of Government (nFOG). It represents a big change to the way things are done and I think it is natural for a percentage to fear large change so it was a contentious issue to many. One commissioner recommended an alternate motion that would postpone the decision, post the report on the web and allow the presbyteries and congregations to have ANOTHER two years to digest, review and ask additional questions. I felt moved to speak against this motion (against our committee recommendation). I went to the microphone without anything prepared figureing I would have a couple of minutes to collect my thoughts before I was called upon. I was called upon about 4 seconds after I got to the microphone. I’m usually pretty good on my feet and comfortable talking to crowds but with the surprisingly quick time frame being called upon, the thousands of people in the room and my face on two huge screens at the front of the room, I was like a deer in headlights. UHMMMMM, UHHHH,…. I think at one point in time I started speaking and believe I communicated my point but I’m not really sure.
Tuesday – Jesus Loves Me in Hells kitchen
On Tuesday evening, the members from our Cincinnati Presbytery went out to dinner at a restaurant called Hell’s Kitchen. It was great to get to talk and socialize with my colleagues from the Presbytery, we are virtual strangers having only met briefly with some and not at all with some of the others. The restaurant had a jazz band that was pretty good, although it was so loud that talking to each other was a bit difficult and I hope I get another chance to meet with this group again to share more details of our experiences.
The band had two girls get up on stage (I assume children of some of the Minneapolis Presbyterian invasion), they proceeded to sing Jesus Love’s me. So we got to hear Jesus Love’s me in Hell’s kitchen. The band thanked the children because by letting the kids do this, they received some generous tips.
The band had two girls get up on stage (I assume children of some of the Minneapolis Presbyterian invasion), they proceeded to sing Jesus Love’s me. So we got to hear Jesus Love’s me in Hell’s kitchen. The band thanked the children because by letting the kids do this, they received some generous tips.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday - I finally understand FOG
Monday – I finally understand -
The committee work began in earnest on Monday. Hearings continued and we heard from advocates and dissenters about the new (revised) form of government (nFOG). I was truly surprised by the ratio of people that wanted the nFOG to be approved. Before the Assembly, I received a lot of information about why we should not approve but very little information about why we should approve it.
Explanation:
This may initially sound boring but if you are brave and not to sleepy, try to read the following. A revised form of government is the biggest change that has come to the Presbyterian church in 30 years. I have come to believe that the new form of government is essential and extremely important for us to grow our ministry through creativity and imagination.
The way the Presbyterian Church governs is mainly though the Book of Order (BOO). We also look at our Book of Confessions as well as the Bible for how to rule, govern and discern issues that come up. The BOO has become the regulations book that has rules on just about everything we do as a church (i.e. how many people need to be on a pastoral search committee, how many people of diverse racial back grounds need to be on the committee for representation, ordination standards, rules for calling pastors, church property rules, rules of order for meetings, session rules and a million others). A book was written that mentions our BOO to be a book with blood on every page. What this means it every time the Presbyterian Church has had conflict in the past, they wrote a new rule and put in the book of order. Since inception, the BOO has been modified more then 300 times to put in new rules. The number and complexity of the rules has become unwieldy and unrealistic for a large number of Presbyteries and congregations. Currently, there are a large number of Presbyteries and churches who ignore parts of the BOO because they are situationally unable to conform to the BOO.
Examples:
A Spanish Presbyterian church in Texas needs a new pastor. They find a pastor from Mexico that can be called but our BOO states that our pastors need Hebrew and Greek. Sorry, can’t do it without begging for an exception.
A church or 20 people need to look for a pastor. They need 7 people on the nominating committee. What if they can’t get 7?
A Presbytery covers an area that is predominantly white with virtually no racial diversity. This Presbytery has to have a Committee On Representation (COR)with racial diversification. You have very few racially diverse people willing to serve and if they do, you have to tell them to service on the COR committee.
All churches are supposed to have a financial audit once a year. I heard that up to 50% of the congregations don’t do it. Maybe because of cost or effort but they are supposed to because of the BOO. Again the current BOO (form of government is failing to enforce the rules).
The revised (new) form of government is designed to be a constitutional rather then regulatory form of Government. Like the US constitution, it is to provide guidelines on how to regulate but it provides some flexibility in interpretation and execution. There will still be rules but they will be broader in scope. The nFOG is designed not to handcuff churches, sessions and presbyteries into regulatory rules that don’t always make contextual sense.
This new Form of Government is sometimes called missional because the belief is that the church can focus more of the efforts on creative mission activities rather then worrying about compliance with regulatory rules.
This does not mean anarchy or there are no rules. There are boundaries, rules and guidelines. The revised form of government purposefully stays away from specifics but writes the constitution in such a way that any situation can be interpreted in the context of the constitutional guidelines.
The committee work began in earnest on Monday. Hearings continued and we heard from advocates and dissenters about the new (revised) form of government (nFOG). I was truly surprised by the ratio of people that wanted the nFOG to be approved. Before the Assembly, I received a lot of information about why we should not approve but very little information about why we should approve it.
Explanation:
This may initially sound boring but if you are brave and not to sleepy, try to read the following. A revised form of government is the biggest change that has come to the Presbyterian church in 30 years. I have come to believe that the new form of government is essential and extremely important for us to grow our ministry through creativity and imagination.
The way the Presbyterian Church governs is mainly though the Book of Order (BOO). We also look at our Book of Confessions as well as the Bible for how to rule, govern and discern issues that come up. The BOO has become the regulations book that has rules on just about everything we do as a church (i.e. how many people need to be on a pastoral search committee, how many people of diverse racial back grounds need to be on the committee for representation, ordination standards, rules for calling pastors, church property rules, rules of order for meetings, session rules and a million others). A book was written that mentions our BOO to be a book with blood on every page. What this means it every time the Presbyterian Church has had conflict in the past, they wrote a new rule and put in the book of order. Since inception, the BOO has been modified more then 300 times to put in new rules. The number and complexity of the rules has become unwieldy and unrealistic for a large number of Presbyteries and congregations. Currently, there are a large number of Presbyteries and churches who ignore parts of the BOO because they are situationally unable to conform to the BOO.
Examples:
A Spanish Presbyterian church in Texas needs a new pastor. They find a pastor from Mexico that can be called but our BOO states that our pastors need Hebrew and Greek. Sorry, can’t do it without begging for an exception.
A church or 20 people need to look for a pastor. They need 7 people on the nominating committee. What if they can’t get 7?
A Presbytery covers an area that is predominantly white with virtually no racial diversity. This Presbytery has to have a Committee On Representation (COR)with racial diversification. You have very few racially diverse people willing to serve and if they do, you have to tell them to service on the COR committee.
All churches are supposed to have a financial audit once a year. I heard that up to 50% of the congregations don’t do it. Maybe because of cost or effort but they are supposed to because of the BOO. Again the current BOO (form of government is failing to enforce the rules).
The revised (new) form of government is designed to be a constitutional rather then regulatory form of Government. Like the US constitution, it is to provide guidelines on how to regulate but it provides some flexibility in interpretation and execution. There will still be rules but they will be broader in scope. The nFOG is designed not to handcuff churches, sessions and presbyteries into regulatory rules that don’t always make contextual sense.
This new Form of Government is sometimes called missional because the belief is that the church can focus more of the efforts on creative mission activities rather then worrying about compliance with regulatory rules.
This does not mean anarchy or there are no rules. There are boundaries, rules and guidelines. The revised form of government purposefully stays away from specifics but writes the constitution in such a way that any situation can be interpreted in the context of the constitutional guidelines.
Sunday – Part 2 – the attacks & fireworks and begin
Our committee conducted hearings on our new Form Of Government proposal on Sunday. There were a few Overtures proposing an alternative point of view. Some of the arguments were civil, some were not. One Presbytery put together a little comedy video to express their objections to the new form of government that was to be proposed. The video (from the Presbytery that contains Hollywood) depicted boxers slugging it out, and a referee that allowed the boxers to get away with fighting dirty. Although, very creative, the tone of the video was disrespectful of the task force that spent 2 years on the proposal and hit below the belt like their boxers in the video. A new friend of mine from the committee stood up after the video and called them out. He stated that the video was in poor taste and did not reflect mutual respect or brotherly love in Christ. Several on the committee voiced agreement and an apology followed. This incident set the tone for our committee to work together in mutual respect even in disagreement over the next couple of days. The leaders of our committee commended us over the next couple of days in how we worked together.
Sunday night there was a dinner on Nicolet Island, an island on the Mississippi with some entertainment and fireworks. We had to take buses to get to Nicolet Island and it takes long lines and a lot of buses to get 2000 people anywhere. I went for dinner and as usual sat with a bunch of people I had never met before but found the conversation easy and fun. I ended up leaving before the fireworks for fear that I wouldn’t get back to the hotel till after mid-night and our committee was scheduled to start early. It is sometimes a bit of a trial to be hanging out in crowds of 2000.
Sunday night there was a dinner on Nicolet Island, an island on the Mississippi with some entertainment and fireworks. We had to take buses to get to Nicolet Island and it takes long lines and a lot of buses to get 2000 people anywhere. I went for dinner and as usual sat with a bunch of people I had never met before but found the conversation easy and fun. I ended up leaving before the fireworks for fear that I wouldn’t get back to the hotel till after mid-night and our committee was scheduled to start early. It is sometimes a bit of a trial to be hanging out in crowds of 2000.
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