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?