Guest commentary by Doug Kelly
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)
I love when our choir breaks out into 4 or even 8 part harmony. The mixture of different notes, vowels and meter brings a rich sound. Sometimes the harmony is a simple major chord blend. However, sometimes the harmonies are pushed, tense and don’t resolve so quickly. I appreciate these harmonies too, although it takes some practice to endure them; they’re harmonies that stretch you.
I feel that way about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), our denomination. We are unified in Christ and also in a theological and ecclesiastical tradition, but that unity is being tested by differences around same-sex marriage and ordination standards. Some churches and pastors have left the PC(USA). Some churches have left the denomination while their pastors have remained in the PC(USA). And there are many churches not talking about going anywhere. Some of my friends have even asked me if I am considering leaving the PC(USA). I am not – for three reasons.
- Humility. I don’t know all the answers. I am on the more conservative “side” of this denominational conversation. Yet I struggle. I could be wrong. I know I have not arrived to complete knowledge. I continue to learn from congregation members from all positions – and there are numerous positions out there in the pews every Sunday. I continue to study Scripture. I read articles and books. I engage voices different from my own. I heard a well-known evangelical pastor/writer say at a conference years ago that he was agnostic on the question of homosexual Christians and the church. In other words, he didn’t know it all. Do I?
- Schism is serious business. Even though I was not in favor of allowing same-sex marriage language into our Book or Order, I am not planning on exiting a denomination which now allows such marriages. A theologian once said that the only reason for schism is when a preacher is no longer permitted to preach the gospel. That encumbrance has not occurred and I don’t see it on the horizon.
- Freedom. Pastors and congregations in the PC(USA) have tremendous freedom from outside control. The leadership of Seattle Presbytery, where I serve, has been a tremendous support to my congregation in seasons of transition, but for the most part the presbytery gives local churches freedom to follow Christ as they discern him leading them. In some ways I feel like the church I serve has echoes of the same freedom in its own worship and fellowship life. We are not a single melody church. The root bass line of our music together is firm – Christ centered, Bible shaped, Holy Spirit led – but above this is a rich, thick, dense harmony of Christ followers paying attention to what God is doing in the world and in their own lives.
I can still follow my call to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ right where I am. Whether or not the PC(USA) is producing a “perfect harmony,” as Paul states, is up for debate. It is a pushed harmony, yet one with room in it for me to sing to God’s glory.
DOUG KELLY is pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Seattle. He enjoys reading, body surfing and backpacking. He’s been known to be a serious LA Lakers fan and still bleeds a little Dodger blue.
