The mission consultation, out of which came “An Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission,” is no longer just an event that took place in January. It’s become a movement of sorts as more and more Presbyterian groups, such as the Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship, the Medical Benevolence Foundation, and the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, have signed on. [See the full list at https://www.pcusa.org/ calltomission/weve-signed.htm.]
I have met recently in the Synods of the South Atlantic and the Sun, as well as at the Multicultural Conference, and have heard story after story of new churches and fellowships, of immigrant and multicultural ministries, of large churches joining with smaller ones to support and encourage each other. Many presbyteries are focusing efforts in church development and revitalization, and have wonderful stories to tell. Said one presbytery executive, “This is the most exciting thing I’ve experienced in my ministry. We’ve committed to stop giving excuses, and liberals and conservatives are joining in.” Elsewhere, a congregation has partnered with a Hispanic church that last year had 15 in worship. This Easter, 150 came to worship. Grace Presbytery worships in 11 languages, and has 10 new church developments, mostly immigrant, and more in the pipeline. Thriving Elmwood Church in New Jersey, an African-American congregation, has recently opened in a third church location, reaching out to a new neighborhood there. There are many such stories.
The General Assembly Council’s recommendation to the General Assembly to “Grow God’s Church Deep and Wide” captures the spirit of what is already happening in many places, by declaring a church-wide commitment to participate in God’s activity in transforming the PC(USA). “Rather than give in to a climate of decline, the GAC believes that a more faithful stance is to take affirmative steps that renew our commitment to advance Christ’s gospel in word and deed in our churches, our communities, and throughout the world.”
As I travel around the church, I repeatedly hear the question, “Why can’t we have good news? Why does only bad news get attention?” The church is not alone. Thomas Lynch raised this question in a The New York Times editorial published on April 6. He describes a remarkable tour and Carnegie Hall performance by the University of Michigan orchestra. He bemoans the fact that no mention was made in any newspaper, though stories abound about the poor economy and other bad news coming out of Michigan. “It is true: bad news gets halfway round the world before good news has its boots laced up. The easy litany of things gone wrong in Michigan gets more of a forum than what’s gone right.”
That’s true in our culture and too often true in the church. Yet, we are the church. We are called to tell the Good News. As we head into General Assembly, let’s remember who and whose we are.
And isn’t that the Good News we are called to tell?
Linda Bryant Valentine is executive director of the General Assembly Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville, Ky.
