General Assembly- Days 5 and 6

PFR has a fine update about Wednesday here. I believe the summary of today's (Thursday's) actions will be found here once it is updated.

I attended a luncheon for Fuller Seminary alumni, where I saw some old friends. Clark Cowden is now EP for the San Joaquin presbytery. Clark and I played softball together at Fuller, and had several classes together.

Dr. Rich Mouw spoke about Fuller's commitment to scholarship and mission, and how Fuller is in a unique place in the world scene. He is always inspiring, and a great man. In my classes with him at Fuller, he always started class with a hymn, usually one no one had ever sung before. But he would lead the singing, with great gusto and enjoyment. Sung theology is the best kind, I suppose.

Around the GA, I also saw some more people I knew, Mark Smutney from Pasadena Pres. I saw Randy Lee, a neighbor from South Pasadena. And I kept running into Ken Working, EP from Santa Barbara presbytery.

After lunch, I attended a seminar held by the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE) here in Richmond. The presentation was on "The Future of Protestant Worship". He emphasized that in Reformed theology, Word and Sacrament were supposed to be together, like two wings of a plane. When one is removed, then other things in the worship service, like music, try to carry the weight of the missing piece. It was intriguing to think about, and made me want to study some more about worship. Unfortunately, I did not make me want to worship more. Still, it was a good presentation. Except for the fact that he contrasted traditional and contemporary worship styles, and used those almost exclusively. Some of us have found a more blended approach far more helpful.

After that, I wandered around the Assembly Hall, looking at the various booths. Then it was time for dinner, so I went across the street to the Marriott for the Presbyterian Men's Dinner. Presbyterian Men is a staunch supporter of the denomination, and a pretty conservative bunch. I went just to check it out, and was neither turned off nor intrigued. It seemed like a style of men's ministry from 40 years ago, when these guys were young. Things, as they say, have changed. But the need to reach men remains the same. And to that end, I was challenged. The former Moderator of the General Assembly, Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel, spoke. He had a unique perspective on the Israel-Palestinian situation. He seemed very passionate about leading people to a relationship with Christ.

Today, Thursday, began with worship, followed by business. I met with San Gabriel Presbytery EP, Tom Rennard, to download some GA documents to his computer. This morning, the preliminary report of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church was approved by the assembly.

An overture for the Board of Pensions to study the possibility of providing benefits for Domestic Partnerships was approved, with a report due back at the 2006 GA. Some of the more controversial issues will be tonight and Friday morning, including the recommendation that the Authoritative Interpretation of 1978 on Homosexuality be dropped. The proposal for the Local Option of ordination standards will come up, as will the possible deletion of G6.0106b.

The peacemaking report will most likely condemn Israel for its policies, but say virtually nothing about the Palestinian suicide bombers. I find that the height of hypocrisy. I also find the peacemaking committee's hatred of the current administration a bit incongruous with their goals. Disagree? Sure. Criticize? Sure. But the hate speech that flows so easily towards the current administration is not Christian, nor a way of making peace.

I have been struck by the civility of the people in this GA. I guess I had expected a lot of ranting and raving. I have also been struck by how energetic the new moderator is. I will pray that he holds up over the next two years. He reminds me a lot of my friend, Rene Padilla, professor at Creighton University in Nebraska. Rene was young and idealistic and moved to action by scripture, and always pushing the envelope of what could happen.

I have also been a bit overwhelmed by how large and diverse the denomination is, and how many people are here for a business meeting! If I ever go to another GA, I will have to pace myself much better. And I will absolutely NOT sign up for any more $40 dinners. Simply not worth it. Better and cheaper to have Subway!

More tomorrow. I leave after lunch for Jacksonville, Florida, and my friends, Adam and Amy Donner. Adam was a former intern at Faith United, and now Associate Pastor in J-Ville.