With committee work well underway, conversation, diologue and debate abound! And that is a GOOD thing. People are talking with one another, and more importantly, listening to one another. And contrary to what some people may think, there is a great deal of respect on display. No one wants anyone to leave, for among most who are here there is the honest belief that God speaks most clearly when everyone is part of the discussion.
In Committee 17 – Theological Issues, Institutions, and Christian Education, one of our items of business was a panel discussion with Presbytery Seminary Presidents; and what I witnessed was four, relatively young men, excited and passionate about minsitry, genuinely respecting and honoring one another and the work of their respective institutions. They were approachable and authentic, with a deep love for the church and real commitment training men and women for leadership in the body.
We also celebrated the 200th anniversary of the founding of Princeton Seminary, an expereinced that brought back a flood of memories of times spent with dear friends, at the feet of great scholars with hearts after the things of God.
Overall, the day reminded me of why I do what I do. I really love the church, and particularly the portion of the body that we call Presbyterian. Yes, we have our issues! That is a given. But I still believe that the Church can be the hope of the world. We just need to remember why we’re here — to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly — to love God and neighbor — and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Notice, these are all active, life altering, and world changing activities. In the slightly modified words of Philip Gulley, from “The Evolution of Faith”, if we spend a little less time worshipping Christ the King, and little more time reflecting the servant spirit of Jesus of Nazareth, well, then just maybe, the commonwealth of God might become a little more of a reality for all of us.
Today we will worship and work once more, and continue to enjoy the Spirit’s presence in and among us. May we all have the eyes to see, and the ears to hear.
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