Why am I late with this column?

Well, at the end of Day 2, with the full agenda causing the final Sederunt to go overtime, I was then invited to join a group of ministers in a conversation back at the residence which also included some smoked east coast salmon (which as you know, is not really a salmon but a trout — although it is a salmonid!!). I don’t think the last of us left until almost 1:00 a.m. It was a great opportunity to re-connect with people from earlier eras as well as make some new acquaintances. But I shall leave it at that for the moment and perhaps come back to the conversation later in GA.

It is interesting to note that all around the GA this year is the letter Q. Not so much because of my Epistles, but because we are at Queen’s University (which has grown significantly since my earlier days on Model UN Assemblies and dating a Queen’s undergrad). The actual facility being used by GA is a large gym which is filled with round tables, a couple of large video screens, many display booths and a refreshments corner. Everyone on the floor has a ID tag which indicates what status they have at the GA — commissioner, member of HQ, or some other designation. I should have brought one of my many conference tags — might have allowed me to wander the floor and maybe even sneak a cookie or piece of fruit. But on the other hand, I like the fact that there is a balcony-type area where I have been able to set up my notebook and other stuff. This locale gives me a unique perspective on GA. While the live streaming that you can view on the PCC web-site looks at the front of the room, the moderator and the various speakers and presenters, I get to look around, watch the actions at the various commissioner tables, observe the body language of those not directly on camera. It is a very convenient perch.

Sederunt 2 opened with a worship service. I was a little late in arriving due to traffic congestion. When I arrived, the worship leader was in the midst of her sermon. Not sure when she started but she was talking about hope & joy as well as wisdom & justice. We were exhorted to have courage to run our own lap in life. I must have missed something at the beginning, because the person kept repeating this exhortation — and she did so for quite a while — too long from my perspective (turned out this person was the retiring Principal of Knox College — so maybe it was more a lecture that a sermon!!).

There was also a contemporary musical group. They led with a guitar although occasionally I could hear an electric piano. I wonder how many new members have we gained with this new music Are the young more engaged in the church? Are we all more inspired? I ask this because the first hymn was not overly melodic and I’m not sure many knew it. The singing was rather lacklustre. However, when an old favourite came on, the whole gathering picked up enthusiasm and the gym was filled with wondering sound.

Another intriguing fact: it appears only 15 Presbyteries have designated youth delegates at the GA. I’m going to have to ask someone why. I think that in spite of some boring moments, this is an excellent educational moment for young people. It would do well for more Presbyteries to pony-up some cash and send a young person to GA.

The actual sederunt started with the arrival of the Moderator — all stand in respect for the office. Then he lights the Christ Candle to remind every one that GA is a worshipful meeting not a business one. He then gave a mini-historical moment, and a reminder of the benefits of dressing for decorum. There was also mention of a Chaplain being at the ready to give pastoral advice to the Moderator. There were then instructions on how the commissioners are to speak:
a) with humility — including the right to change one’s mind;
b) in solidarity — even though people might disagree, do not dismiss anyone;
c) no dismissive words or phrases — keep out polarization or anything that might lead towards a divisive course;
d) all are leaders in Christ’s church

There was then an Orientation of Commissioners. I wonder why this wasn’t done in advance — perhaps Sunday afternoon or maybe even by tele/conferences some two weeks prior to GA? It might even be useful to provide tablets at each table — maybe each Presbytery should supply their delegation with one before they leave for GA.

By the way, the entire GA is being live streamed if you want to watch. I am glad I am in person though as I get the opportunity to observe the movement of participants throughout the hall, the side conversations, the small group meetings before the occasional votes.

The top issue already is shaping up to be “human sexuality”. There was reference to divorce — even though scriptures are strict we accept a much broader range of the state of relationship (although it would be interesting to do a study whether the church’s current position has made life better or even the home and family better). There also was a reference to slavery, the ordination of women and then there was a switch to a more pastoral theme. There was talk about blessing in same-sex marriages but not conducting.

As I listened I wondered if there was even a common definition about committed relationships. And why is the number two the only one being talked about? What is the fine line that prevents discussions about three people being in love? Or group liaisons, polygamy, etc.? And if people only have to state they love another person to gain church blessing, why not then impromptu affairs being loving persons? There were far too few questions being raised and then there were suggestions that it was best to table. So the conversations in the early going were inconclusive. Some saying there should be a ten year moratorium as there was no clear consensus at all. Others wanted more time to seek the peace and unity of Christ…discern the mind of Christ.

At the same time there are Overtures seeking the right of “gracious dismissal” of congregations from the PCC. These are growing in number and I’m not sure there is enough time allocated to GA to adequately discuss this pressing problem as well.

Initial votes were close but most central questions were pushed to later in the GA. It is obvious there does need to be more conversation, particularly at the local and Presbytery level — and this request is itself stirring concern. I’m not sure but I wonder if there may not be an emerging division between big urban centres and all the rest — or, maybe the greater Toronto area (including HQ) and the rest of the church. Certainly some of the more ethnic-based congregations and Presbyteries are signalling their unhappiness with the pace some seem to be trying to speed up.

We also heard from the Church History committee which is the longest “Standing Committee” in PCC. It is always an interesting group as there are reminders of where we have been and how we got to where we are now.

The request of the Assembly Council to set aside 10% of all property dispersal monies for the establishment of a specific Nation Ministries fund doesn’t seem to be clearly articulated. In earlier times when a church closed and the properties were dispersed 70% stayed in the Presbytery to assist other congregations. Recently it was altered so that 50% went to HQ. Now it seems that only 40% will remain within the Presbytery; the PCC will receive 50% and Native Ministries 10%. There is a cap of $400,000 for the contribution to Native Ministries but it does come at the expense of local work. I can see this entire allocation issue coming back to the fore should we see a number of congregations leave the denomination over the sexuality issue.

By the end of the second Sederunt there was a sense that like so many senior/central bureaucracies, the Church offices are not so in touch with the front lines — except maybe in the above mentioned GTA. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I’ll be back.

g.w.