Back to the Real World

Here is a photo taken on our drive to Big Basin Redwood State Park.

Now that we are back home, it is time to begin to reflect on the General Assembly.  

My first observation is that there was so much happening on so many issues, overtures and resolutions that I don't think any one person can process enough information to really have a handle on all of it.  We pretty much focused, with Jenna, on the issues that were before her committee as we could deal with those issues in greater depth.  We also attended the meetings of her committee and saw how hard they had all worked on the issues.  Most Commissioners and Delegates had done many hours of advance preparation on the issues before their committee.  The committees went to great lengths to here from advocates for the overtures and to listen to all the differing views.  I know the people on Jenna's committee worked hard at trying to discern God's will through all that they heard.  In most cases, the Assembly respected the work of the committees and tried to affirm their decisions.  Many of the prolonged Plenary debates reflected the restatement of minority opinions from the committee.  This allowed the whole Assembly to hear opposing views.

As I have said before, I commend the Commissioners and Delegates for their patience and diligence in dealing with the heavy agenda.

All of that said, all of the dialogue, discussion and discernment means nothing unless we actually do something.  What will we do over the next two years to do justice?  To show love in kindness?  To truly walk humbly with our God?  While I know many of the Assembly issues will require further study, discussion and action, I hope we will be able to focus on the many things that we DO agree on.  There are way more things we agree on than not - can we come together on those things and do Christ's work in the world?  Can we become excited enough about what we accomplish together to share that enthusiasm with our neighbors and grow our church.  Can we reach those who are unchurched or profess faith but have no religious affiliation.  Can we be the dynamic, missional, evangelical, loving church God calls us to be?

Airport Note

These CA airports make you appreciate how easy IND is, even our old terminal!

We went to the closing worship this morning.  When we went to bed last night, about 11:45, the assembly will still working on Social Issues resolutions.  They were in session over 12 hours yesterday, but they did get it all done.

Time to head home

More reflections on GA later.

Big Basin Redwoods

On Thursday, Dawn and I drove to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, founded in 1902, California's first state park.  The drive was spectacular, through curvy mountain roads, often only one lane wide so it could pass between giant Redwoods.  Some of the trees in the park are over 2000 years old.  Many bear the scars of fires many years ago, but many of the trees heal themselves, often surviving multiple fires over the years. 

We took two hikes in the park.  The trees are truly beyond description and certainly beyond the ability of a cameral lens to do them justice.  

Big Sur Fire

Sadly, the forest fire in the Big Sur area of the California Coast continues to rage.  See article below.  Our prayers continue for those affected throughout the West by forest fires and for those who risk their lives to fight the fires.

Big Sur Fire

By TERENCE CHEA, Associated Press Writer

Many of the rustic inns, restaurants and art galleries that dot the rugged Central Coast are nearly deserted this weekend at the height of the tourist season as a huge wildfire threatens Big Sur.

The blaze had charred nearly 42 square miles as of Friday in the Los Padres National Forest and destroyed 16 homes in the Big Sur area, one week after it was started by a lightning storm that also ignited more than 1,000 wildfires from the Central Coast to the Oregon state line.

Firefighters braced for the possibility of more lightning in Northern California during the weekend.

The Big Sur fire was only 3 percent contained. Firefighters concentrated on protecting more than 500 homes and other buildings threatened by the blaze and let the wildfire rage virtually unchecked in remote mountain wildernesses.

A roughly 12-mile stretch of coastal Highway 1 was closed, shutting off access to several popular tourist spots. Thick smoke obscured iconic coastal vistas.

News Flash

The Assembly just adjourned for lunch after approving the two main resolutions from Jenna's committee, Church Orders and Ministry. 

The first resolution, quoted below, allows for scruples to be taken on all standards of ordination equally, none being elevated above another.

That the 218th General Assembly (2008) to approve the following authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 of the Book of Order:

“[The 218th General Assembly (2008) affirms the authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 approved by the 217th General Assembly (2006). Further, the 218th General Assembly (2008), pursuant to G-13.0112, interprets]the requirements of G-6.0108 [to] apply equally to all ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Section G-6.0108 requires examining bodies to give prayerful and careful consideration, on an individual, case-by-case basis, to any departure from an ordination standard in matters of belief or practice that a candidate may declare during examination. However, the examining body is not required to accept a departure from standards, and cannot excuse a candidate’s inability to perform the constitutional functions unique to his or her office (such as administration of the sacraments).”

The second resolution asks presbyteries to remove G-6.0106b from the book of order and issues an Authoritative Interpretation setting aside the 1978 and 1979.  This will definitely force Presbyteries and congregations to seriously consider sexuality/ordination issues.  Full text below. 

The Presbytery of Boston respectfully overtures the 218th General Assembly (2008) to do the following:

1.   Direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:

a.         Strike the current text of G-6.0106b and insert new text to read as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.] 

“b. Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate’s sincere efforts to adhere to these standards.

b.         Amend G-14.0240 as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“Preparation and Examination for Office

“When persons have been elected to the office of elder or deacon, the session shall confer with them as to their willingness to undertake the office. The session shall provide for a period of study and preparation, after which the session shall examine the officers-elect as to their personal faith; knowledge of the doctrine, government, and discipline contained in the Constitution of the church; and the duties of the office; and readiness to assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation. If the examination is approved, the session shall appoint a day for the service of ordination and installation (see W-4.4000). If the examination is not approved for one or more elected officers, the session shall report its action to the congregation’s nominating committee, which shall bring nomination(s) to a meeting of the congregation for any office(s) not filled.”

c.         Amend G-14.0450 by inserting a new paragraph “b.” and by re-lettering current paragraphs “b.” through “d.” as “c.” through “f.” The text shall read as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“Final Assessment of Readiness to Begin Ordained Ministry

“In the final year of theological education or when a candidate has satisfied all of the requirements of this section, and before the candidate has received a call, the committee on preparation for ministry of the candidate’s presbytery shall conduct a final assessment of the candidate’s readiness to begin ordained ministry. A summary of this assessment shall be reported to the presbytery and shall be transmitted to a calling presbytery when requested. The committee on preparation for ministry shall report to the presbytery when it has certified a candidate ready for examination for ordination, pending a call. This consultation shall focus on the outcomes of inquiry and candidacy and shall include each of the following requirements of certification: 

“a. demonstration of readiness to begin ministry of the Word and Sacrament as required to fulfill the candidacy phase of preparation;

“b. demonstration of readiness to assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation;

“b. c.          presentation of a transcript showing satisfactory grades at a regionally accredited college or university, together with a diploma;

“c. d.          presentation of a transcript from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools acceptable to the presbytery, the transcript showing satisfactory grades, and presentation of a plan to complete the theological degree including Hebrew and Greek and exegesis of the Old and New Testaments using Hebrew and Greek texts;

“d. e.          presentation of satisfactory grades together with the examination papers in the five areas covered by the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates.”

2.   Provide the following authoritative interpretation:

Interpretive statements concerning ordained service of homosexual church members by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and all subsequent affirmations thereof, have no further force or effect.

Assembly Action

Commissioners and advisory delegates lined up behind the Rev. Daniel Moore, a commissioner from Donegal Presbytery, to speak during discussion of the Form of Government revision on Thursday. Photo by Danny Bolin

The Assembly voted to send the proposed new Form of Government to the Presbyteries for review, study and recommendation.  Most felt there is more time needed to study the proposal and evaluate its potential impact.

The Assembly also referred for more study, recommended changes to the Heidelberg Catechism, which is part of our Book of Confessions.  The issue involves some parts of the catechism that were added and not included in the original German catechism.  The question is whether we want to restore the original language or keep the current language which many believe still reflects our current beliefs.  One of the key statements in question is one singling out homosexuality as sin, which was not in the original form of the catechism.  I think there are about ten other variances as well.

The assembly also discussed and approved several measures to increase and fun efforts to grow the church.

This morning the Assembly is electing a new Stated Clerk.  

While the Assembly action is often time-consuming and laborious, I have learned to value the fact that we take time to listen to those who disagree and consider their concerns; that we have a process that seeks to discern God's will and not just our own.  I commend the commissioners and delegates who have patiently and tirelessly given their attention to this process.  Yesterday and today, the Commissioners and Delegates have spent over 10 hours each day in session.

Plenary Continued

The plenary sessions continued until after 10 PM last night.  Most discussion was over wording of some ecumenical resolutions relating to how our church relates to the Muslim faith.  There were several resolutions pertaining to involving more youth and young people in church life.  One resolution approved was to change the YAD to YAAD, Youth Advisory Delegate to Young Adult Advisor Delegates.  Most of the YADS, oops, YAADS, are college students.

Jenna is doing well, but looks tired; as do most of the commissioners.  They have two more long days today and tomorrow.  We pray for their strength, stamina and energy.

Plenary Sessions

Today the plenary sessions began.  The Assembly approved development of new adolescent sex education materials - a controversial issue.  Most of the work this afternoon was not too controversial.   

As I write this on a sidewalk table outside Starbucks, three obnoxious itinerant preachers are yelling and confronting people on the sidewalk.  They are particularly blasting Presbyterians as blasphemists.  Another man in weird attire is walking around with a birdcage with a canary in it.  

It is a little different out here on the left coast!

More photos of the Pacific Coast

Here are a couple more photos taken on our drive down the Pacific Coast Highway.  

Dawn and one of the other Commissioner's wife are shopping at the Mall this afternoon - glad its them and not me!

Photo of the Commissioners from our Presbytery

This photo was taken by Felipe Martinez.  Left to right, Frank Mansell, Bill Johnson, Steve Matthies, Mark Moore, Linda Philabon, Kristy Quinn and Jenna Gunnoe.  They are seated at their seats for the plenary sessions.

COM Conversation

This morning I attended a Committee on Ministry (COM) conversation.  Most of the attendees were Presbytery executives, COM moderators and COM members.  We discussed and shared ideas about a number of issues facing COMs across the USA.  I picked up some ideas I hope to share with our own COM.

I'm planning to intersperse some of our travel photos with the more mundane church stuff.  So far, I've been able to experience God's presence in both places.

Tuesday Meetings

Jenna Gunnoe, a youth advisory delegate from Whitewater Valley Presbytery in Indiana, spoke during the Committee on Church Orders and Ministry meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Joseph Williams

Tuesday morning we attended the Worship service - more great music and a dynamic, and somewhat controversial, sermon.

We then went to three sessions of Jenna's Committee on Church Orders and Ministry.  The morning session was hearing from more supporters of overtures.  The afternoon session began consideration and voting on the various overtures.  The committee work was scheduled to be done by 5 PM, but they did not get done by 6 PM, so scheduled to return at 7 PM to try to finish.  There was a lot of inspirational debate about the issue amongst the committee members.  Jenna spoke very eloquently several times and represented our Presbytery well.

I am very proud of the Youth Advisory Delegates (YADs).  There are about 6 to 8 YADs on this committee.  The YADs had a trip to Santa Cruz for an evening of fun scheduled to begin at 6 PM and all of the YADs elected to skip the trip and stay to finish the committee business.  One spoke for all of them and said "We have done all this preparation and work for this committee, we will stay and see it through."  I should mention that YADs have full voting privileges in the committees.  In the Assembly, their votes are only advisory.

It became clear as the committee's work progressed that the majority of the committee was in favor making some changes to the ordination standards and sending that recommendation to the General Assembly for consideration.  The committee felt that the Assembly should approve their proposal and send it to the Presbyteries, who must approve the change before it becomes official in the Book of Order. 

In the end, the committee sent two overtures to the Assembly.  One requires equal weight and consideration be given to all standards of ordination, not allowing one to be given more weight than another; thus allowing for a candidate to declare a scruple relative to a standard and still be considered for ordination.  The other overture replaces G6.106b with substitute language that removes the fidelity/chastity/marriage language and allows for ordination of homosexuals.

Please see the following link for the news article - note whose picture is there!

http://www.pcusa.org/ga218/news/ga08069.htm

Monday Committee work

Jenna's committee met three times Monday, I think a total of around nine hours, and heard from 64 supporters of the 18 different overtures.  They also spent a lot of time discussing the issues amongst themselves.

The attached photo shows Jenna's committee in session.  They have about 58 members on the committee (seated at the round tables in the front of the room).  There were probably up to 200 observers at any point in time during their sessions.  Jenna is not visible in the picture; she is behind the man standing to speak.

Sightseeing

Monday, Dawn and I took the day to do some sightseeing.  We drove to Monterey and took the famous 17-mile drive around the Monterey Peninsula.  It travels the coastline and includes many exotic homes and golf courses, including Pebble Beach.  We are neither one golfers, so we didn't play, but the courses along the coastline were beautiful.  We ate lunch at the cafe at Pebble Beach.

We then headed South along the Pacific Coast Highway.  The scenes were beyond description.  The road travels along the coast, often with mountains rising on the left and the ocean on the right - stunning.  When we made it to Big Sur, we found out the road was closed 3 miles ahead due to one of the 800 forest fires currently burning in California.  Actually there were two separate fires further down the highway.  The fires were started by lightning.

We had made reservations in Cayucas, a small town near San Luis Obispo, at a bed and breakfast and had planned to stay the night and drive back Tuesday.  Since there is no road to detour from the PCH, we had to cancel our stay and backtrack back to Monterey.  While it was disappointing not to be able to drive the rest of the highway, it was still and thrilling trip.

Committees

Sunday evening the Committees held their first meetings.  These were primarily organizational meetings to establish procedures for completing their work and define rules for speakers, debate, etc.

Jenna is on the Church Orders and Ministry Committee.  This committee deals with overtures relating to standards of ordination.  It is usually the highest profile committee in the news because it is the committee dealing with the issue of whether homosexuals can be ordained.

Attached is a photo of the Convention Center

Photos continued

Photos

Here are some photos.  They include the opening of the Assembly, where you can see some of the 750 commissioners and 150 or so advisory delegates.  Each person accesses documents and materials on a laptop to reduce paper use.  The person at the podium is Joan Gray, Moderator of the previous Assembly. 

The Winchester Mystery House, see previous post.  

Sea Lions and light house from Santa Cruz.

Fountain in small park in downtown San Jose.  Temperature was unusually warm, almost 100 degrees that day.  Kids love to play in this fountain.

Opening Worship

Yesterday morning we went to opening worship.  It was held simultaneously in two venues to support the number of attendees.  We attended one in the arena at San Jose State University, which is a few blocks from the convention center.  There was a 200 voice choir, orchestra and organ.  We also shared communion.  It was a wonderful service.  The highlight for me was the music, both the performed music and the singing of hymns together in that size an assembly.

See attached photo.

Santa Cruz

Being an observer at the GA is great.  We can attend the fun & interesting stuff and skip the boring grunt work.  That is what we did yesterday.

Last night Dawn and I drove to Santa Cruz on the coast to eat dinner and watch the sunset.  Santa Cruz (at least the part we saw) was very touristy and pretty crowded.  But we had a great time seeing the area and having dinner.  The drive over the mountain was a winding, up and down 4-lane mountain road with lots of traffic, driving faster than I was always comfortable with.  I think I now have a sense of what a NASCAR road course must feel like.  But it was a pretty drive.

Opening & Issues

Dawn and I went to the opening session Saturday morning.  The Commissioners and Delegates were commissioned and welcomed with a brief worship service.  The afternoon session was mostly orientation to the assembly processes.  Last night's session was to elect a Moderator for the Assembly - Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow was elected on the second ballot.

There are a variety of issues being considered at the Assembly.  The top ten are listed and summarized on the page linked below.  In Presbyterian speak, proposals are submitted as "overtures" to the General Assembly and referred to a committee for recommendation.  The committee weighs all the pros and cons and recommends action to the Assembly, which then votes on the overture.  There are 17 committees.  

Jenna is assigned to committee 05, Church Orders and Ministry.  This committee's main work at this assembly will be dealing with overtures related to ordination standards and overtures relative to the Peace, Unity and Purity report that was approved at the last assembly.  The key issue is ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered members (GLBT). 

In the Presbyterian Church, when we speak of ordination, we are talking about ordination of Elders and Deacons, as well as ministers.  Currently our Book of Order has the following requirement for ordination "to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.  Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament."

Most of the overtures before Jenna's committee deal with either affirming this statement or proposing to strike it or modify it in such a way as to allow for ordination regardless of sexual orientation.  The Presbyterian Church currently welcomes GLBTs into membership, but does not allow them to be ordained.  

Over the past several months, Jenna has worked really hard at reading materials and books relative to this issue.  I'm especially proud of her for reading materials from the side opposite her point of view to try to understand all views.  She has also worked hard at trying to accept that Christians can disagree on certain issues, still be committed Christians, love each other and work together for all those things we do agree on.  She has also learned a lot about what it means to try to discern God's calling and not just rely on our own opinions.

Jenna's committee will meet for the first time today.

Opening of GA

Today the General Assembly officially opens.  Yesterday the commissioners and advisory delegates all arrived.  They also had orientation and anti-racism training.  Most were probably very tired by day end after a long day of travel to get here.

At 10 AM the Assembly opens with worship and the commissioning service.  Dawn and I are planning to attend and observe.  There will be three sessions today, ending at 9:30 PM.

Please continue to keep Jenna and all the commissioners and YADs in our prayers.

Getting Down to Business

One of the issues before the General Assembly is consideration of our proposed New Form of Government (nFOG).  In case you haven't noticed, Presbyterians love acronyms.

For you non-Presbyterians reading this, Presbyterians take great pride in their church polity.  It is the way we work together in a democratic way to unite our churches in Mission.  In the PC-USA, all governing is done by equal representation of Elders and Ministers.  Great care is taken to allow for the discussion and hearing of everyone's views - everyone's sense of where the Spirit is leading.  When a vote is taken, majority rules.

Over the years our Book of Order (constitution) has been added to, amended, revised, etc. to where it has sometimes become a hindrance to getting things done.  The nFOG is the proposed re-writing of the part of the Book of Order that deals with our denominational government.  It's purpose is to give more autonomy back to the Presbyteries and Sessions (church boards) to govern themselves.  The proposal is controversial because it grants a lot more freedom of interpretation to the local Presbyteries and congregations, allowing them each to develop their own structures and rules to achieve the goals of the church.  The arguments for and against the nFOG are akin to the arguments between the Federal Government and States rights in the USA.  Good arguments can be made for both, how do you find the right balance?

I attended a presentation by the committee who spent the past two years writing the new Form of Government.  They explained the reasons why it is needed at this time, the rational of its design and encouraged its adoption.  While I understand the concern of many about the changes, I think we do need to change.  The nFOG as written today may not be perfect, but I think the vision and goals of nFog deserve our support.  We'll see how it goes.

We're Here!

We arrived in San Jose Thursday afternoon after about 8 hours of flying and airport navigation. When we arrived at the San Jose airport we were met by a group of four Presbyterians from the COLA (committee on local arrangements).  They welcomed us and helped us with our travel to our hotels.  Since Jenna is staying at the Crowne Plaza with the other Youth Delegates and Dawn and I are staying at the Wyndham (3 miles north of the convention center), we said goodbye to Jenna as she left for her shuttle.  

Jenna had a dinner for all the YADs.  We heard from her later that evening that she was settling in and doing fine.  Dawn and I had dinner at our hotel and rested a little.  Since we are planning to do some sightseeing while here, we had rented a convertible.  The evening was nice and the temperature a little cooler so we put the top down and took a drive down to see where the convention center is, Jenna's hotel, etc.  After exploring downtown for a bit, we headed east toward some big hills that skirt the edge of town.  We had a nice drive, a beautiful view of this place and were ready for a good night's rest.

Thursday morning we headed to the convention center to pick up our registration materials.  Their is a light rail system in San Jose and a stop right in front of our hotel.  It is about a 15 minute ride between our hotel and the convention center.  We got our official bag, badges and materials and headed to the exhibit hall.  All of the agencies and groups affiliated with PC-USA have exhibits there - a good way to learn about all the various mission and work that is being done.  There are also exhibitors selling religious jewelry, etc.  Several Christian book publishers have exhibits of their latest books and Cokesbury has a large bookstore set up.  We only had time to see part of the exhibits before it was lunch time.  We'll spend more time in the exhibit hall later.

Dawn and I decided to spend the afternoon sightseeing, so we went back to our hotel to get the car (way too hot to flop the top!).  We had chosen to visit the Winchester Mystery House, probably the most famous tourist attraction in San Jose.  Sara Winchester, heir to the Winchester firearms company built this house.  She was both extremely intelligent and extremely eccentric.  When her husband and child both died of illnesses, she sought help from a spiritual medium who convinced her she was being punished for deaths caused by the firearms her husband's company had produced.  Her only hope was to do what the spiritualist told her, then she could rid herself of the ghosts of the dead and ultimately live forever herself.  One of the requirements was to build a house but never finish it.  The end result is a huge, complex house that was constantly being added onto until the day she died.  The house was designed by her and had all the latest modern technology of the day, included ten thousand stained glass or cut glass windows, woods and decor from all over the world, all in a Victorian style.  She also had all kinds of secret passages, doors leading to nowhere and very unusual winding staircases, on of which just led up to the ceiling!  In 1906, she became trapped in one of the rooms of the house during the great earthquake.  She took it as a sign that she had spent too much time and money on the front part of the house, so she had it all boarded up and started working on the back part of the house.  Amazing.  The house also was a working farm and had beautiful gardens.  I highly recommend it if you ever visit this area.

Getting Ready

My wife, Dawn, and I will be attending the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in San Jose, June 20-28, 2008.  We will be attending as observers.  Our daughter, Jenna, is a Youth Advisory Delegate for our Presbytery.  Jenna has her own blog, see the link below.  We've made our reservations and will be staying at the Wyndham Hotel, about 3 miles from the Convention Center - hope we have good transportation.  Jenna is staying with the rest of the YAD's in another hotel - and we will be trying to give her space to be as 'on her own' as she likes. Besides observing and participating in some of the Assembly events, we also hope to do some sight-seeing.

I will share my observations (and some photos) of the Assembly and the sight-seeing ventures. I welcome your comments.

Besides the usual travel arrangements, we have been busy helping Jenna prepare for the business aspects of her role at GA.  She has gotten a lot of materials, letters, newletters, brochures, books, CD's, DVD's, etc. lobbying her to take positions on certain issues.  She has been very diligent in reading books, web info and mailings.  She has discussed issues not only with Dawn and I, but with other church people.  She has certainly already gained a lot of knowledge about how the Church works, current issues, discernment, Presbyterian Ways, and perhaps most importantly, how to interpret Scripture for living today.  We are very proud of her.

Dawn and I are particularly looking forward to sharing in worship at the Assembly, seeing the exhibits and learning more about all the different ministries that take place in Presbyterian Churches.  While we know there will be some controversial issues that will capture all of the media attention, we are particularly excited about the things that unite us and make us the unique brand of Christians we call Presbyterian.  We are also looking forward to exploring that unique part of God's great creation known as California. 

I hope those of you reading this will be able to experience some of what we experience at GA.