The lone person without a nametag in the crowded elevator looked around and asked with exasperation, “What are you doing here?” He added, “This used to be my favorite hotel.” I told him we were in St. Louis for the biennial national meeting of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) making decisions for the church. I don’t believe my answer made him feel any better. But, really, what were we doing there in St. Louis at the 223rd General Assembly?  We spent many hours in committee meetings. We spent many hours in plenary. We debated a plethora of issues from fossil fuels to funding. We had a lot of breakfasts, lunches and dinners where awards were given, speeches made and information shared. But really, what were we doing there? We marched to the St. Louis justice center with a check for $47,000 to be used to bail people out of jail, a tangible expression of our belief that being poor is not a crime. We rallied in a park to be explicit in our stance that no human is illegal and that … [Read more...]

If a vote takes place in a convention center and no one notices, was a vote cast? Several times in recent months I have visited churches to present a preview of coming attractions to the 223rd General Assembly. I dutifully present with my journalist hat firmly placed on my head, attempting to have a poker face and give the facts and only the facts. But inevitably the first question I am asked is: So what?  Usually the query comes in slightly more polite terms. Something like: How will this impact local congregations? Or: What difference will it make if the General Assembly makes a statement on X, Y or Z? Or, more pointedly: Where is Jesus in all of this? Occasionally, the blunt one in the room asks rhetorically: Who cares? Then my journalist hat must be set aside for other less “objective” accessories. I first go for my editor hat. According to our website analytics data, people do care. The headlines on these matters get clicks. The amount of time spent on the pages indicates … [Read more...]

As I have traveled to churches, presbyteries and conferences since the last General Assembly, I have shared news of the denomination, telling about the various groups meeting to discern our structure and vision. I have quipped that my suggestion to the 2020 Vision Team for a tagline for our denomination is: “Presbyterians: We’re big on sin, come join us!” That usually gets a laugh, and I mean it to be lighthearted. Yet I also believe it to be a rock-bottom truth for us. While not as aspirational as one of the Great Ends of the Church, it gets to the heart of a doctrine to which we hold fast. I understand that the word “sin” rings antiquated and judgmental. However, I’m bringing sin back, so to speak. We Presbyterians are big on sin. We understand that not one of us is righteous — no, not one. We understand that we do the very things we hate, even when we desperately try to do better. We understand that nothing we do is pure, untainted by selfishness, self-interest … sin. We … [Read more...]