I Love Meetings

I just got home from my first session meeting at Arcadia Presbyterian Church. It was a long one. We had many things to discuss, and I am quite sure the discussion deteriorated towards the end of our time together. And yet, I came away with several impressions.

The first is that the session leaders clearly love the Lord Jesus, and they love this church.

The second, is that the session was wonderfully moderated by Senior Pastor, Jim Conner. With so many controversial issues at the table, he toed the fine line between allowing discussion to occur, and steering the discussion away from dangerous shoals. And he did it with a sense of humor.

Third, there are a LOT of things happening at APC. They are beginning to rethink everything, and they are in the midst of a building renovation, and they are thinking of restructuring, and they are discussing budget, etc.

Fourth, the San Gabriel Presbytery's Executive Presbyter, Ruth Santana-Grace, did a fine job of presenting her own vision, and the work of the presbytery. She also did a good job of answering questions that were gently put, but with real teeth in them. I am not sure how the more strident session members felt, but Ruth acquitted herself well, I thought.

Fifth, I came away somewhat disturbed at the general lack of the knowledge of the Presbyterian Book of Order. One session member wanted "the Presbytery" to do something about the property trust clause in the Book of Order. Well, who is "the presbytery" but its members: namely pastors and elected elders? The representatives from APC can make that motion to clarify that position at the presbytery meeting, as is their right.

In addition, there is palpable fear that "the presbytery" will come and seize their property. Well, as the moderator of Administration and Finance at the presbytery, I am not inclined to make such a radical move. Nor am I sure that the presbytery has the will, nor the inclination, nor the desire to make a preemptive strike like that.

There are some legitimate concerns in these days of distrust between local congregations and the national denomination. However, the big bad denomination is going to come take away their property without at least first going through the Synod and the Presbytery.

Sixth, a lot of time and energy was spent talking about "us", and very little time and energy was spent talking about how to reach the area with the gospel. Though we took time out to pray twice, we were entirely APC-focused. Granted, with the huge building and restructuring issues facing APC, it is only natural. And yet, the underlying vision of reaching people for Christ was by and large unspoken. Perhaps, as a newcomer, I missed the signals of this, or was not part of earlier discussions where this was a topic of concern. I believe the session recognizes its need for a clean, clear, concise vision statement.

I am grateful to be on board, and hope that the next session meeting will be shorter.