The only thing written in stone for Presbyterians is “nothing is written in stone.” Although the business we do is important for the church at this moment, the next GA can, after living with this GA’s decisions for two years, come back to the subject and go a different direction.Some are refreshed by the possibility changing policies to their view point, while others tire of having to learn another new way. One thing for sure: we can’t let policy changes and personnel agendas get in the way of
our service to Christ and his church. If we wait until we all agree on what we believe about everything, the church will have missed its calling.In the end we will go all go back home and we will be a little encouraged and a little disappointed. How long do we have to live to learn that the church by its very nature must be somewhat flexible and somewhat fixed in its beliefs or it cannot survive? Each generation’s challenge is to do its best to strike a balance. Those who think it has gone too far one way or another are called to work to bring back that balance.
The church, yes, even the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is not the best nor the worst of Christ’s body. We, like the body, must constantly take on nourishment, and rebuild cells. There are many worship and prayer opportunities at GA to feed its commissioners and we are in invited to grow from our common faith in Christ.Can the body grow from being challenged? Is part of the blessing of the process to help us to sort out what is and what is not bringing people to a personal relationship to Jesus Christ? In the midst of it all, do we get it?
The main thing is and always will be the same. Christ is Lord; not forms of government, polices or procedures. The Church of Jesus Christ will continue and this PC(USA) branch, so long as we remember he is the vine, our true connection to the Eternal God. ~Colossians 1:15-20
Rev. Dennis Morey, Clergy Commissioner
First Presbyterian Church, Oskaloosa, IA
Presbytery of Des Moines
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