The four candidates for Moderator were together for the first time on Friday (April 25) for Forums in New Jersey at Bloomfield College and “Meet-and-Greet” event at Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church. It was a spectacular day for us!
We each shared vision of what the Church could and should be, answered questions, and had discussion. It was satisfying and uplifting to feel the sense of commitment to each other and to the health of the faith community that we hold together. The Spirit guided our conversations and our fellowship. I felt it strongly.
The Presbyterians gathered at both events were thoughtful, hopeful, expectant, and challenging! There were GA commissioners, seminary advisory delegates, youth advisory delegates, and other folks who were just plain interested! Questions ranged from our opinion of including the Belhar Confession into the Book of Order, to our definition of the most important issue on which the Assembly will deliberate – covering issues of inclusion, the future of the Church, and potential solutions to the problems that beset us as a denomination.
At Lawrenceville we candidates had the opportunity to sit together over supper, and get to know each other informally and more personally. Bill Teng and I went to the same college years ago, so it was good to renew the friendship. Bill, Roger, and I had the opportunity to drive to the events together earlier that day. Bruce flew in directly, and Roger and I met him for the first time. We came together as names, photographs, and emails to each other: we left supper as brothers in Christ.
I love this stand for Moderator. It’s an energizing, uplifting, and a soulful experience. Only one among us will be elected, or perhaps a candidate yet unknown who may be nominated from the floor of the Assembly, but whatever the outcome, we can say most happily that Christ is beside us, among us, and with us: The head of our Church, the body we share as One.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Same Forever
On Sunday I preached at Elkton Presbyterian Church. It’s the first time I’ve been back to preach for many months, though I’m in that church every Friday for Community Kitchen. I led both services, traditional and the new contemporary. It was a deeply moving experience for me. The church is changing and, like always, I am astonished to see God’s creative grace in the midst of a renewed and growing community.
I remember the church over the years... very traditional, mainstream Presbyterian. Recently, though, a quiet revolution has been taking place: a compelling move to reach out in mission, and, even more significantly, the church itself has become a place of doing mission.
I saw it in the mix of people... not just long time members and staunch defenders of the traditional faith, but folks from our community at Meeting Ground and Kitchen who have been homeless, and one woman experiencing homelessness who felt warmly welcome to come to church just like an old-timer. Pastor Laurie Loveless has been a gentle, determined leader.
The contemporary service was crowded, and there was an atmosphere of Spirit... worship leaders were not afraid of making a blunder, but free to praise God and share the warmth of being present. Just outside the sanctuary, small round tables were set up. People were enjoying fellowship with refreshments, but unlike a rigid after-church coffee hour, it had the informality and relaxed ambiance of a sidewalk café.
I preach in a lot of churches, and I see this movement emerging. Not just among Presbyterians, but in other denominations too. There is the sense that an old order is being laid to rest, although I am certain there is much in the tradition that will always stay rooted in our common heart. But it is the warmth, the Spirit of relationship, a new way of being “church” together. And it’s humbling to realize that the Lord God is not limited to denominational boundaries. God is at work in the world for sure, and maybe now, at long last, in our churches as well.
Most remarkable of all, there is a sense that church political issues are not so important. The people are centered in Jesus, present and alive, and focused on right-relationships with God, themselves, and all others. They are eager to make a difference, in the Church certainly, but more especially in the world. The Spirit is moving among us in a dynamic new way.
I kept thinking all day: God help us Presbyterians if we fail to grasp this and to follow its tide. It’s not a fad, that’s for sure. Forward looking, yes. But it is moving toward our roots – it’s a radical movement... a return to the day as when Paul was passionate to say, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified... “ 1Corinthians 2:2 Fancy that. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever our future.
I remember the church over the years... very traditional, mainstream Presbyterian. Recently, though, a quiet revolution has been taking place: a compelling move to reach out in mission, and, even more significantly, the church itself has become a place of doing mission.
I saw it in the mix of people... not just long time members and staunch defenders of the traditional faith, but folks from our community at Meeting Ground and Kitchen who have been homeless, and one woman experiencing homelessness who felt warmly welcome to come to church just like an old-timer. Pastor Laurie Loveless has been a gentle, determined leader.
The contemporary service was crowded, and there was an atmosphere of Spirit... worship leaders were not afraid of making a blunder, but free to praise God and share the warmth of being present. Just outside the sanctuary, small round tables were set up. People were enjoying fellowship with refreshments, but unlike a rigid after-church coffee hour, it had the informality and relaxed ambiance of a sidewalk café.
I preach in a lot of churches, and I see this movement emerging. Not just among Presbyterians, but in other denominations too. There is the sense that an old order is being laid to rest, although I am certain there is much in the tradition that will always stay rooted in our common heart. But it is the warmth, the Spirit of relationship, a new way of being “church” together. And it’s humbling to realize that the Lord God is not limited to denominational boundaries. God is at work in the world for sure, and maybe now, at long last, in our churches as well.
Most remarkable of all, there is a sense that church political issues are not so important. The people are centered in Jesus, present and alive, and focused on right-relationships with God, themselves, and all others. They are eager to make a difference, in the Church certainly, but more especially in the world. The Spirit is moving among us in a dynamic new way.
I kept thinking all day: God help us Presbyterians if we fail to grasp this and to follow its tide. It’s not a fad, that’s for sure. Forward looking, yes. But it is moving toward our roots – it’s a radical movement... a return to the day as when Paul was passionate to say, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified... “ 1Corinthians 2:2 Fancy that. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever our future.
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