Bob's Blog

In many ways, Sunday at GA really was a sabbath for me.  Other than a few meetings here and there, I worshipping along the banks of the Allegheny River, met a few more faitful Presbyterian followers of Jesus, and got to know the folks on my committee — Theological Issues, Institutions, and Christian Education.  It was a good day, but I was looking forward to Monday morning worship, and so I was in bed by 10:30.

This morning, the sun woke me bright and early and I took another long walk.  Along the way I stopped for a chai and . . . for some reason, it seemed to taste better than usual.  Brian McLaren spoke at our Commissioner Breakfast/Worship, and as always he challenged and inspired me.  Most significantly, he reminded me how important the diversity of the Body really is.  Yes, I’ve read Corinthians, and I know that to be true — but for some reason, in a place like this, with the kind of business that is before us, that is really important to hear.  Many of you have perhaps seen my quote on Facebook, but for those who haven’t, Brian spoke of conservatives and liberals as the yin and yang of life, culture, and faith.  Conversatives tend to hang on to those things that were achieved by social movements of the past, and liberals are about creating those social movements.  It’s a big circle, and we all need one another.  And if followers of Jesus can’t affirm that — if the church can’t model and exhibit that — who can?  Who will?

So to any of my conservative brothers and sisters who may be reading this, please know . . . that I know . . . I need you!   I need you to keep me grounded, and to make sure that I never forget my roots — for they are what keep me strong as I seek to bend in the winds of life.  I need you to remind me that the box from which I am sometimes so eager to escape, contains things that I am going to need for tomorrow.  And I need you to remind me that sometimes I move too quickly, and that on occasion, I would do well to practice the art of graceful waiting.

I’m tempted now to offer a . . . “but”.  However I’ll resist that urge, and simply close with words that we all know well — we ARE, one in Christ.  At least for the rest of today, I’m going to try and live that.