What the PCUSA "Big Kids" are Up To, and So What?

My September Newsletter piece on the General Assembly spoke of this year's theme for our denomination: the PCUSA: 

Grow the Church Deep & Wide,
Guided by Micah 6:8
[Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.]

With that theme in mind, a majority of the General Assembly [GA] voters chose a new moderator whom they felt could bring the kind of leadership that would invite God into the transformation process of Presbyterians from a clique of orderly, white, gentrified folks to a people of faith who embrace diversity and seek the spark of God within for strength and guidance. 

The Reverend Bruce Reyes-Chow is "Da Man"; the new Moderator of the 218th General Assembly.

He is a Latino & Chinese American who pastors the Mission Bay Community Church in San Francisco.  He is a 40-something "Techno-Presby" whose grasp of changing culture and love of God, as manifested in the church, invigorates all with whom he works.

Here is a clip from Bruce that tells you something about his spirit, his leadership, and desire for a transformed church that meets people where they are today:

"As I have listened to the voices that have shared, whispered, and shouted in my direction, it is clear that a great many realties exist in our church. A number of individuals and communities are filled with pain, frustration, anger, sadness, resignation, and righteous indignation over GA actions.
 
In the midst of all the many folks who are faithfully discerning their place in this denomination, we must remember that we are family, joined first by common belief in the salvitic nature of Jesus Christ, and then by affiliations - affinity and, yes, by denomination. For while there is great turmoil, make no mistake that there is also great hope and new life in our church - hope for who the PC(USA) might become, hope for followers of Christ to act as such, and hope that we as God's creation can come together to fully manifest God's hopes and intentions for the world and humanity.

Recently, I asked some folks about their greatest hopes for the church. Here is some of what they said: ?I can't fit my hopes for the church in a sentence. All I know is I'm drawn to words like just, hospitable, truth, dialogue, faith, Spirit, collaboration, home, and  youth finding their way into the fabric of their local church and move upward'  (Sarah Lamb, Des Moines, IA).

?My hope for the church is that we would pray together more to be in relationship with God. I think everyone in the church, could use some time together, being community with God' (Hannah Nutt, New Concord, OH).

Like any family, there will ebbs and flows in how we interact. Sometimes, it will berough and we will wish we were no longer related; other times, we will defend one another like only family members can. When we are at our most faithful, we will hope more than we could ever imagine that the other will grow fully into who God hopes that person to become.  I firmly believe that God hopes for us to be, above all, faithful. This is also my hope for each and every one of us. I hope it is yours as well."

Ashland friends, I wonder what you heard in this blurb about G.A. and the new moderator that resonates with you and our situation at Ashland?  Don't forget to discuss your thoughts with church friends who will have their own views to share.  Together, our thoughts and reflections form the church we are and who we wish to become. 

Blessings each day in this beautiful fall season,
Bonnie Clarke, Elder