Theological Issues and Institutions Part 2: Evolving on Evolution

In addition to the new Directory of Worship, the Theological Issues and Institutions committee brought a few items related to science and theology.  More specifically the recommendations concerned the relationship between our theology of creation and the scientific theory of evolution.

Due to some technological issues, commissioners wound up voting on one issue four times.  The first time the motion to support a theological statement on the foundational place of evolution in our understanding of creation was defeated by a handful of votes.  Then it passed by a handful of votes.  Then it passed by a bigger handful.  Then it finally passed by a couple of handfuls.  Over the course of four votes we actually evolved on the question of evolution.

Putting aside the humor of the votes.  The fact that we had to vote and that it was so close speaks to a troubling trend in the culture both inside and outside of the church; namely, the idea that we are all entitled to our own facts. 

Thankfully, the General Assembly voted to affirm that though science and faith often live in tension, they do not present us with a simple A vs. B choice.  What the vote reveals is that we have a lot of work left to do in the church to articulate a theology that is strong enough to stand up to debate and living enough to learn from the God-given curiosity which leads us to explore the mysteries and truth of creation. 

Belhar: Being Here in This Moment

There are not many times when you get to be part of something truly historic. Today everyone at the Oregon Convention Center got that chance. 

The 222^nd General Assembly voted tonight to take the final step to include the Belhar Confession in the Book of Confessions.  It has been more than 2 decades since the PC(USA) has amended the confessions.  There are few more tangible ways we demonstrate our Reformed heritage than by, from time to time, memorializing how the Holy Sprit is at work in our midst.

Belhar is an especially strong theological step because it is the first confession from the Global South in our Book of Confessions.  It is a bold statement affirming God’s work in the world to tear down the walls we so diligently build.

The confession says, in part, “We believe that, in obedience to Jesus Christ, its only head, the church is called to confess and do all these things, even though the authorities and human laws might forbid them and punishment and suffering be the consequence.”

These are the words of a church reclaiming its prophetic voice in the world.  They are the words of a church that stands for Christ and all of God’s children.

There is not much I can say about Belhar that Belhar cannot say much better.  So I will just say, that I am deeply proud of our church and spiritually energized by the chance to be here today to celebrate with my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

“To the one and only God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be the honor and the glory for ever and ever.”

Theological Issues Part 1: Putting Words to Work in Worship

Now that we are in the actual business sessions of the assembly, it is time to start blogging again.

So far we have heard from the Theological Issues and Institutions committee.  Two items of interest came out of their report in addition to several tributes to individuals who have served the church.

First, we have a new Directory for Worship on the way to presbyteries for approval.  Given how little most Presbyterians know about the theology of our worship, a simpler more user-friendly directory is a good step in the right direction.  But there is something more important about this change.

As a church, we embrace our call to be guided by the Holy Spirit and reformed in our living based on the Spirit’s work in our midst.  Over the last three decades we have seen the church move forward on numerous theological and social issues.  Could anyone imagine in 1989 (the year the current directory was adopted) that in less than three decades love between two people would be recognized as just that- love.  We have two women as our co-Moderators just 60 years after the first women pioneer  Teaching Elders started to chip away at the stained glass ceiling (which still needs some work).

We are a changed church.  Yet our theology and liturgical guidance in our constitution are from a vastly different era in the life of the church.  The new Directory for Worship is a chance for the church to reform the way we proclaim our faith when we are together even as we reform the theological witness beyond the walls.  As we grow the church of Jesus Christ and work to broaden the reach of the church as we share God’s love, our worship lives must reflect the same liveliness as our social witness hopes to do. 

That the new directory was adopted by a strong majority speaks to the desire of the church to continually reform who we are in the light of Christ and work of the Spirit. 

However, just as our new Governance is only as effective as our willingness to put it to work in the creative ministry of the church, the new Directory of Worship will be a dead letter if our churches are not willing to put these words to work in the life of the church.

As the directory says, “We are gathered in worship to glorify the God who is PRESENT AND ACTIVE among us…”

Family Reunions

GK Chesterton compared birth to climbing down a random chimney and trying to get along with the people you found living in that house.

Coming to General Assembly is like climbing down a random chimney and find out you have landed at home.

From year to year, the players change, the business evolves, the disputes cycle through the life of the church, and the city is a different one every time.  However one thing, one important thing, always stays the same.  GA is a moment in time when hundreds and, in some years, thousands of people come together for one reason; love for that part of the body of Christ that is the Presbyterian Church (USA). 

We are a family.  An occasionally fussy, often divided, and frequently exhausted family, but a family nonetheless.  And this morning, that is what we celebrated together as we started the week with worship in the Oregon Convention Center. 

For all the “signs” so often and easily bandied around about the demise of the mainline church and the PC(USA) in particular, this morning we all encountered a countersign- a counter-witness- to the despair of  so many.  We saw men and women, young and old, hipsters and boring middle-aged men with thinning hair (we are people too!) singing, praying, reaffirming our baptism, and sharing the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation.  We saw that there is yet life in that valley of bones and the truth of resurrection alive in the church. 

This is a family with generations yet to come.

I, for one, look forward to what the Spirit has in store for our family this week in Portland. 

#ga222

This is a test.  This is only a test.

Actually, it is a quick "I love GA but I hate plane travel" mini-rant to make sure the old dusty blog still works.

Looking forward to seeing friends old and new in Portland and spending a week celebrating the work of the Holy Spirit in the PC(USA).

If there is a particular GA issue or topic you think I should seek out, let me know here or on Facebook, or Twitter @presrevrob

Let the polity nerdfest begin!