Last Day of General Assembly

Last night the Assembly convened until about 1:30 in the morning. By the time I got back to the hotel it was right at 2am. A lot happened with the decisions and the deliberations.
The most controversial topics before us-divestment in products used in the middle east and same gender marrage were both defeated. However, in both cases the votes were painfully close. My heart has been very heavy in how deeply divided we are as a church. But to be divided does not mean we have to be divisive.
I have been encouraged about how people who are on opposite sides of issues and yet can embrace each other as brothers or sisters who are nevertheless united by the grace of Jesus Christ.
I dreaded being on the marriage and civil union committee because I hate anything that has the potential to fracture the church. But that is to deny, I suppose, that we are already fractured. One of the beliefs of the reformed faith is that we are completely tainted by our own sinfulness. All of us. But in the committee work I did, I experienced the sacred moments of being the fractured church together. I feel a deep affection for those who struggled with me, and a deep gratitude to the Presbytery, First Pres in Ashland, and my family who gave me up for a week so I could be here. I have experienced how divided people can still love each other. I see now that the blessing in serving on that committee was to experience how very broken we are so that there is nothing that possibly could hold us together but the grace which is ours through Christ.
It is time for me to finish the business of G.A. With love from your sister in Christ, Jennifer

Paul's joy

If you'd like to read someone else's blog on how we at Transylvania Presbytery are doing here, I invite you to look at Marilyn Daniel's blog. Marilyn is the ruling elder from Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington. She is also my roommate this week. http://maxpres.org/md-blog/
Marilyn's blogs are probably much more informative about the actual business and happenings. I'm theologizing mine. I don't mean to. It's just the lens through which I'm processing it, I think. I just read Marilyn's posts. Marilyn is a lawyer so her posts are more matter of fact.
Okay, now for mine.
Please take a moment before you read the rest of this and read Philippians 2: 1-11. I know it's inconvenient to go get your Bible and it's a lot easier just to keep reading this, but it will just take a couple more minutes of your time, and I think the passage really sets the context for this blog post so go ahead. Get your Bible. Find Philippians. And read Philippians 2: 1-11.
We're a divided people. Last night the assembly went on into the evening and the night talking about divestment of certain companies because of the use of their products in happenings between Israel and Palestine. I consider that the Israel/Palestine issue is a family problem. And everybody knows the family fights are the worst. Scripture records the splitting of families all the way back in Genesis when one brother was chosen as a child of the covenant, and one child was not.
Whether you want to choose as those brothers Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, or Jacob and Essau our Holy Scriptures describe a family which breaks up. And our story pretty much stays with the Israelites because that branch of the family is who Scripture continues with to tell their story.
I don't know a lot about all of the complex issues which lead us last night to talk about divesting of Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and a third company whose name escapes me just now, but I will tell you at one point last night on the floor of General Assembly, our vote was 333 for, 331 against, with 2 people abstaining.
We are clearly divided on how we think the PC(USA) should respond. Still. Through Parliamentary procedure and a lot of comments made for and against the motions, we kept going in our process. I want to stop for a moment and tell you when a person wants to speak, they go to one of 9 microphones which are on the floor. Then they hold up a badmitton racket. No lie. The racket has either a green paper on it or a red paper on it, depending on whether the person is speaking in favor of or against. The humorous irony isn't lost on me that we're using badmitton rackets to let the moderator know our intentions before one of us speaks.
Anyway, in the Philippians passage, Paul urges the people to be "like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." He appeals to them on a foundation of 'If' phrases which are pretty compelling, saying that it would make his joy complete if the Philippians would be "like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." But you know, as I have reflected on my work here at General Assembly and the divided state the PC(USA) is in over several issues, I realize that Paul's joy probably never was complete in a sense because the natural state of the church, then and now, is in conflict.
But then again maybe Paul's joy was complete because what I have seen in certain people here at the assembly is that even though they stand on opposite sides of a certain issue, they can still demonstrate deep affection for each other, and not be jerks just because they don't get their way.
Maybe the church can't ever be like-minded on a particular issue, but I have seen glimpses of us having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose because all of us are deeply passionate about living out our righteousness in the kingdom of God, but the tension has been and is how living out that righteousness looks like to each of us.
I hesitate to tell you how the assembly voted last night. Not because I'm afraid you'll get mad but because the recommendation of the committee (divestment) was substitued on the floor by the minority report (not to divest), and the recommendation of the committee included that their motion would speak for all of the overtures of divestment, and the minority report did not. So, basically when we go back into assembly in a couple of hours, we will still have to either vote up or down the other overtures on divestment.
So, keep praying that we could live out Paul's urging to be like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. And that when we are not like minded, that we could at least have the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Paul puts those characteristics in the context of who Jesus Christ was in one of the most beautiful passages in Scripture known as the 'Christ hymn' (Philippians 2:5-11).
Paul ties our willlingness to be of the same love, being one in spirit and purpose with the nature of Christ which was the same as God and yet he was willing to humble himself to take on the nature of a servant and the likeness of one of us and to even be obedient to his death on the cross. And somehow. In some incredible way, by God's exalted power, that ugliness was transformed into Jesus' name being a cosmic authority. Universal.
I feel your prayers. Ultimately, I am at peace with whatever General Assembly decides today. Because I believe that I am and we are the body of Christ. It's his church. He did the work of saving us through his death. I invoke his powerful name which shadows any bickering, any hard-hearted stance, any prideful opinion.
Jesus Christ is Lord.

See it live

Here's a cool thing. If General Assembly is worshiping or in plenary, you can see us on the web. http://www.pcusa.org/ Once there, look for the 'Watch GA2012 Worship and plenaries live'. It's on the right side of the screen. It's pretty neat, so go there and look for me. Jennifer

Stand up and pray

Our committee work is done, and so now we go to the plenary (gathered assembly) to vote and discuss what has been worked on by the committees.
I am both fascinated and disturbed by the process-how we can get bogged down so quickly by the wording of a certain motion or to vote on whether we should keep talking or vote.
In the midst of this business, we worship and we pray. Yesterday morning at worship, we were led in a physically moving prayer that I thought was pretty special. I asked the person who led the prayer if she would share it with me, and she did. Here is the link for it:
http://marciamountshoop.com/2912/07/03/embodied-prayers-of-the-people/
So, I share that with you to lift up a worship resource. And also to let you know that it isn't all about the controversial issues. We've sung songs out of the new hymnbook during worship. We've heard greetings and inspiring words from our sister churches from throughout the world. We've celebrated our seminaries and our missionaries who will go forth to minister to many places in the name of Christ. And you know what? Some of those missionaries are called to be right here in the USA.
Because more and more we are considered a mission field. Perhaps it is time for us to ask who we can bring the good news of Jesus Christ out into the world (which I think we do pretty well) and how we can make good disciples once we get out there (which I don't think we do that well).
Nikki MacMillan is an ordained minister. She and I went to college together. Her church is a coffee shop. It's a new church development, and I think it's a pretty amazing ministry.
check it out at http://barebulbcoffee.org
Blessings to you from Pittsburgh. And please keep praying for all of us at General Assembly. I am most humbly and thankfully, Your Sister in Christ and Commissioner Jennifer

"And I will show you still a more excellent way"

I'm blogging a little bit early today because I've got about a half an hour until my committee reconvenes, but I expect it's going to be a really late night.
I expected to be thinking a lot about marriage today since that is what my committee has been tasked with, but mostly we've been talking about Roberts Rules of Order and what is proper procedure.
But a couple of things have stood out to me, namely this from our Book of Order F-3.0101B, "We do not even wish to see any relgious constitution aided by the civil power, further than may be necessary for protection and security, and at the same time, be equal and common to all others."
So, I had considered that our forefathers came up with that language because they wanted to live in a land where they could be free to choose how to worship and who to worship. I love that we hold that freedom dear. But maybe it has to do with this issue of the definition of marriage.
As we are seeing some states make it legal for same gender couple to marry, then is that reason enough for the church to follow that trend? According to how we in the Reformed faith see ourselves and being informed with the words above, the answer is 'No'. It isn't enough that the states will find it legal. We as the church don't allow the state law to dictate our church law.
So, even though some would bring that forward as an argument, I don't think it applies. However, it brings up another interesting issue of ministers performing marriages as an agent of the state. We have the legal authority to sign a marriage license. But the Christian ceremony is separate than the legally binding agreement that the state recognizes. This is interesting,and really not something I've thought much about other than making sure I sign and mail in the papers to the courthouse after I performed the wedding ceremony.
So, I guess this discussion has really stretched me in some ways I hadn't thought of before-not only my authority and responsibility when I act as an agent of the state when I perform a wedding, but my identity as a wife. Marriage is a gift given to us by God to celebrate the love between a man and a woman. And I see in all of this how I have taken that for granted, how I haven't lived up to my vows to love and cherish, and specifically to live the words that are often read at the wedding ceremony-Paul's "Love Chapter" in 1 Cornithans 13.
Ironically, no. Providentially, Paul wrote those words of love to a church in deep conflict, in deep division.
Would it be that each of us as the church would read those words and be inspired by them, and most importantly, to live them out with our families-our families we are related to by blood, marriage, or faith.
My work is not done, so please keep praying for me to discern God's will. Also pray for all of the gathered assembly. Blessings, Jennifer Your commissioner and sister in Christ Jesus our Lord

Listening

We began this morning with a 7am breakfast and a speaker named Brian McLaren. His website is brianmclaren.net if you would like to see what he is about. He talked about the emergent church and what we need to be thinking about as Christians in the 21st century.
Then we were dismissed to our committee work.

Today the committee work began in earnest. We spent most of the day listening to people talk. These were individuals who wanted to speak about marriage and how they think the church should define it, representatives from the Presbyteries who presented overtures for our committee to look at to decide what move on to the gathered assembly, and agencies of the PC(USA) to advise on issues related to marriage and civil union.
In all of this our moderator and vice moderator have been very prayerful and respectful, and have created a worshipful atmosphere for us to listen and reflect on what we were hearing.
All of us, I believe, realize whether to allow same sex marriage is a hot button issue, an extremely divisive one. Every person has a definite opinion on it, a very passionate opinion. And there is a large chasm between one side and the next. We heard interpretation of the same Scriptures yet coming down on different viewpoints of the issue. We heard personal stories of people who have been hurt in the name of Christ and healed in that same name. But there are some things we agree on as a committee: this is a hard job, and there is not a consensus on the marriage issue.
The picture above is a table set up where our committee meets. On it perhaps you recognize the cross, a chalice representing The Lord's Cup, and a bowl of water representing our baptisms. In front of the bowl is a basket with many folded up papers in it. Included on one of those papers is my greatest fear and my greatest desire. Each of us on the committee had to write down what our greatest fear was in all of this and what our greatest desire was in all of this.
Then we prayed over what was on our papers. And we gave it up. We gave it up,and we gave it over to God. Then we handed the paper to the person next to us so they could pray over our greatest fear and our greatest desire-that we would truly give those over to the Lord.
After that we placed the papers on the table, and we prayed again.
God is working here in the midst of our committee, this General Assembly, and the Church. God has been laying a foundation for a long time for the work we do. That's pretty amazing, and here's something else amazing.
There is no fear that God cannot overcome. So, though this feels like a pretty heavy job I'm doing, I realize that God is working through us, all of us-and you too-for what is happening next with the church.
This time has caused me to reflect on what happens next for our shared ministry at First Presbyterian Church. As I've seen God at work in our midst as we are gathered here, I would like to see that sort of movement once I get back to Ashland and gather our faith family together.
As you can tell I am excited about what I've experienced here, but one lesson I am learning is that in discerning the Spirit, we first have to listen.

Worshipful

Hello,
Please feel free to read this blog on our church's website at http://ashlandpresbyterian.net
We'd love to get some traffic over that way. If you are a member of First Presbyterian in Ashland, you should go over there, create an account, and then you will be able to comment or post information on what we are doing as the church.

Here we go:

This morning I planned to go to First Presbyterian to worship. The church's address was listed at Sixth which is the same street as the hotel. How convenient! All I have to do is walk three blocks, and I'm there.
Well, I walked two blocks, and the name of the street changed. Uh-oh. What to do? I called our Youth Advisory Delegate Brittany Bentine so she could advise me. She looked at a map and did so. Go up a block and turn left, she said. But I still didn't see the church, but I did hear something.


Bagpipes.

Now, Presbyterians love bagpipes. I guess this is because we can trace our roots to Scotland where the bagpipes were used in battle. If you've ever heard the bagpipes play, you know that they are pretty loud, and the sound can really carry. Perhaps it was that those pipes were played to intimidate the foes of the clan. They were so ferocious that they announced their intention to come forth boldly and fight.
I like that image for who we are as the church. Not that we want to fight people so much as fight the good fight, fight against the foes of injustice, apathy, and evil.
Anyway, I followed the sound of the bagpipes, and wouldn't you know it? It led me straight to the church. And wow! What a church it is. The architecture was truly inspiring. It's one of those kind of buildings that when you see it, you already feel you are witnessing greatness.

Reverend Tom Hall preached. This was really special since he is the dad of one of our elders at First in Ashland. Reverend Hall preached on the resurrection passage in John where Jesus comes and stands in the middle of his apostles in the locked room. So, here is a meeting where the people are anxious. Jesus comes to stand among them and he takes away their guilt. He offers them forgiveness, and he offers them peace. Reverend Hall's message and his blessing to us was this: in our meeting may we recognize Jesus right in the middle of us. May we know Jesus' forgiveness and his peace. Then we can go about doing what he has called us to do. It was a very appropriate sermon for those of us gathered this day.

There is a lot more I want to tell you, but it's been a long day, and it's late. And tomorrow we have to be somewhere at 7 am-eek.
But I will end with this. Our committee work began tonight. We began with worship. We ended with worship. Please read this carefully as I tell you that all of the work we are doing is being done prayerfully. We are seeking to discern the will of God. I believe that we will do this. As a gathered comittee we are seeking to know the mind of God not just as individuals, but as this gathered group. The Spirit of God is in our midst, and so please pray that all of us-not just the seventy or so of us on my specific committee-but also the over 600 commissioners-that all of us will recognize the Spirit of God in our midst and that we all will hear God's voice louder than any others which are competing for our loyalty and attention.
Good night from your sister in Christ and your commissioner,
Jennifer