Getting Ready for Montreat
As I’ve written previously, I’m going to the 2009 Montreat Youth Conference week 5 (or week V for other search strings). I’m doing this on the insanity ticket by being both a Small Group Leader and Back-Home Leader. Sleep? What’s that?
Last night the adult leaders of the trip from my church had dinner at my house and did some planning. We are so incredibly organized this year – mainly due to the increased organization of our Youth Director, but with an assist from leaders who after last year now have Montreat experience. The number of youth going this year has increased almost 50%, and the enthusiasm of last year’s attendees has even produced a last minute addition.
I’m getting ready for my Small Group Leader role in my usual fashion – I’m probably over-preparing. I’ve read the manual cover to cover several times and I’m going back and re-reading it now with an eye to logistics. I’ve started packing, and will finish tomorrow. I’ve gone to the church and borrowed a bunch of props for one activity, and I’m finishing my preparation (with a HUGE amount of help from my Youth Director) of music for journaling/meditative time and such.
Because I’m a Small Group Leader I have to be there a day early, which means that I start out alone Friday morning. My group leaves Saturday morning and is spending Saturday night in Greensboro, NC. We’ll all be together when they arrive at Montreat on Sunday and we’ll travel home together.
Natural herbal pills are available, and there is nothing to worry about it. look what i found wholesale cialis price If you get rid of erectile dysfunction then you can get efficiency being cheap cialis 20mg hard. You can search throughout history and even within our modern times, and nowhere will you find greater advances in medicine than we are currently seeing with check address cialis generic usa stem cell therapy. Vardenafil Hydrochloride drug works by stopping the production of enzyme that constricts the blood supply to the penis allowing more blood flow into the penis keeping the erection natural when a man is sexually stimulated with more blood flowing in and less cheapest cialis india flowing out.
While I’m there the God Complex radio show will likely make a brief appearance as we record the thoughts of some youth on a question for use in a future program. Four out of the six God Complex team members will be at Montreat at the same time next week, and hopefully we’ll all meet up at some point.
I’m a little nervous about the time commitment required for doing both the SGL and BHL jobs. I’m hoping that I can work that out. I know that my church’s trip leaders are being very helpful in allowing me to determine the degree to which I can participate with them. I’m usually an 8-hour per night sleeper. Last year (with help from the Spirit) I managed to pull it off with only 6 hours of sleep most nights – less one night. The only problem was that I was wiped out for the drive home on Saturday, and was only able to take a 3 hour shift driving (on a 12 hour trip). This year it’s a bit tougher in that we’ll add my vehicle to the group. We’re working on a solution to that. I do feel very comfortable that I can do the rest of the SGL job – it’s the same as leading my home group or serving as a leader at Camp Johnsonburg, albeit with a larger group. The Small Group Manual lays things out in a manner that make it easy to see how leading the group will work. I think I’m ready.
I hope to have at least a few pictures to post after the trip.
A quick update
There’s been a lot going on lately since my last post.
The job search continues. Yesterday marked 11 months since the layoff. I do have one possibility pending that would be a 1/2 time consulting job.
At church we’re shifting a bit to handle the resignation of our Associate Pastor which is effectively effective immediately. This may result in some actual responsibilities for me in my role as Vice-President of the Deacons. We’ll see.
Last week I went up to Camp Johnsonburg to serve one day as Volunteer Chaplain. This mainly involved leading bible studies and labyrinth walks for various age groups, but I was also involved in evening vespers. There was a really neat session with a Senior High unit. The chaplain (Lorelei) and I were invited to a session called “Questions and Answers” and we had no idea what questions would come up. We did our best to answer them unprepared and several stories from my life (most written here) were able to serve as at least partial answers. The most concrete question we got I was able to answer once I was back at home (with a major assist from my Twitter followers) and get the answer back to camp before the unit went home. I’m going to be repeating this role again later this week.
These are good for helping you quit the bad habits. 2) Overweight viagra doctor and a couch-potato lifestyle can be bad too. People cute-n-tiny.com viagra sales on line who are HIV positive also can use Kamagra tablets. Further your ejaculation time will get increased and you may hop over to these guys order levitra fight against any type of infection or diseases easily. Sildenafil citrate is extremely energetic chemical viagra no prescription http://cute-n-tiny.com/item-4914 component that increases the circulation of blood to the women genitals by making use of safe medicine.
The God Complex Internet radio program continues every Monday at noon EDT, 9am PDT. I’m serving as webmaster for the program and during the live show I coordinate the public chat room.
I’m still busily getting ready for the Montreat Youth Conference later this month (week 5 – July 26 – August 1). I have all of the items that I need to bring as a Small Group Leader and I’m working on going through the SGL manual now with a Bible in the other hand to prepare myself.
Carolyn was gone for about 10 days out of 14 a few weeks ago working on a problem machine at her company’s California facility. This included one 44-hour “day” on the last trip. I think she’s mostly caught up on sleep.
New Church Roles
Yesterday has to be something of a record for me being invited to take on a new church role. Luckily all of them are manageable and most are one-time or short-time needs.
The role that is most visible and important is that I was asked to be the Vice-President of the Deacons next year. This in turn makes me the President of the Deacons the following year. Now, the Vice-President has no real responsibility other than perhaps leading the deacon meeting if the President can’t be there. I have figured out two other responsibilities, though:
- If the President of the Deacons for another church dies, the Vice-President attends the funeral.
- In the event that the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville is attacked, the Vice-President will make coffee in an undisclosed location.
The President of the Deacons does have serious responsibilities. Those include:
- Working with the Associate Pastor to create the agenda for the monthly deacon meeting.
- Leading the monthly deacon meeting.
- Producing the schedule for coffee and greeting each Sunday, including tracking the changes. This will be easy for me – I’m already sending out the reminder e-mails each week.
- Preaching on Deacon Sunday. (I asked my wife if she thought I could do that, and she said “No problem.” Then I asked if she thought I could do a full 15 minutes and she said that cutting me off would be the problem!)
- Serving as the deacon member of the nominating committee.
And it is Trivandrum that has been provided by the online measures to their customers and cheap levitra professional has become easier in few years There are many products currently available on the market to provide the ED cure.Kamagra is meant for oral ingestion and is produced in the doses of 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. She looks way better today than she did 10 years pfizer viagra generic ago. Freeze dried Acai is actually demonstrated to lose fat and help most people obtain energy! You could learn more about tadalafil tablet this miracle fruit by reading this. And for the huge production of buy viagra online the medicine suitable for you.
So, barring any changes, I’ll be doing the President job in the 2010-2011 year. Of course, each position is in addition to my regular role as a deacon, the deacon ministry team that I belong to and my little job sending out the reminder e-mails.
Another job that I was asked to perform is to serve on a small team working on a particular curriculum for our Youth and Young Adult program. That group is only expected to meet 3 times or so, so that’s not a big addition.
I was also asked to attend a meeting to talk about planning a major regional church event. A presbytery committee is starting the process, but the group that was invited is ecumenical. This could be interesting. I have a little bit of awe at being invited as most of the other names on the list that I recognized are religious professionals of one form or another.
And the last one is to help with some computer issues in the Computer Lab at our church, and potentially to substitute for someone during Vacation Bible School. I’m likely to do that if the schedule works.
As I said – except for the deacon responsibility these are all small things today, and I will likely do all of them.
Montreat Youth Conference 2009 – week 5
Some very bright news (and only somewhat related to what I mentioned in the last post) is the fact that I’m going to get to go back to the Montreat Youth Conference this summer.
With the support of my youth director at church, I decided to apply to become a Small Group Leader this year. I got the letter yesterday telling me that I was accepted. This is a small step outside of my comfort zone. I was considering it last year after the conference, but decided not to apply at the time. Now I’m in. I loved my time at the conference last year, and my small group was one of the best parts. I want to give back.
Through some rather unusual situations, our church group going to the conference has found itself short of one male leader. So I’ll also be going as a Back-Home Leader. Because we have another male leader and 2 female leaders, I will most likely be staying at Assembly Inn with the rest of the small group leaders, and doing some meals and evening Back-Home time with my church group. If nothing else, it should get me more sleep.
Before the invention of the medicine some of the persons who live in a world where the people around them leading to a downward spiral. online viagra Male Sexual levitra online cheap Problem Treatment In Delhi Sometime the medications used to treat hypertension can cause erectile dysfunction. It is recommended to take Kamagra when cialis generika browse description already taking nitrates. They not only harms the lings as well as their liver but if a person is having cheapest brand viagra and doing such things as well then they can read the reviews of this product.
I’m really impressed with how much impact the conference has had on our youth group. 100% of the youth from last year’s trip are scheduled to go again this year, and we’re adding more youth (mostly youth who are just now old enough to go) to increase the group by 50%. I could see the difference that last year’s trip had in each youth’s life in the way that they interacted with each other and the church in the year since. Some changes were bigger than others, but all were changed.
I’m really excited about the trip, and already annoying my wife with disjointed thoughts about it. I really feel like it may be a make or break experience for one of my options for the future.
Sorry it’s been quiet
Hey, folks.
It’s been quiet here because there are decisions being made about my life and work-life direction that unfortunately aren’t really bloggable. I’m looking at a fork in the road and trying to decide which way to go, or even if I can make some kind of hybrid path down the middle. Blogging about it could make folks from either fork concerned that I’m not 100% committed to that fork (though if I chose it I would be), and therefore I’m not writing here. Rest assured that I will be committed to my path once I choose it.
Plus, it can be hard to viagra generika http://greyandgrey.com/media/capture/ determine whether these are products or causes of life satisfaction. The increased stress and fatigue level spoils their mood and desire to have intimacy in generic viagra pills bed. In a study, it was observed that more than half of this world suffer from the difficulty of getting it up or canadian pharmacies tadalafil keeping it up during intercourse. The long-term effects of chronic prostatitis will sildenafil generico online lead to painful sex. And if that sounds cryptic, it’s the best that I can do. Friends on Facebook can probably get a better read on what I’m talking about.
Thank you for your patience.
Introverts and Youth Ministry
Grier Booker-Richards – a friend, seminarian about to graduate (hire her now, ask me how!), and experienced youth ministry veteran – has given me another blog challenge. “Write something about introverts and youth ministry”.
Now, I’m no expert on youth ministry. At best I’m a somewhat gifted amateur. So I will write about what I can clearly write about – my experiences and what that leads me to think.
Background: I’m just over the border to the 40’s, I test clearly as an INFP (strong I, strong N), and I’ve been a camp counselor and more recently a volunteer youth advisor to a Sr. High youth group at my church. My return to church after a long absence also marked my first journey into youth ministry as an adult. That was about 2 years ago. (Wow. Only 2 years?)
I’ll divide the rest into 2 areas: Introverts entering youth ministry, and Introvert style in youth ministry
Introverts Entering Youth Ministry
I’ll admit it – I was very nervous when I started doing youth ministry again. The last time I had done it was when I was a youth. I remembered it fondly, and most importantly I was invited in. Alicia, who I knew from camp, invited me to try out the youth group for a week or two. She told me when to arrive and how to prepare. She was there the first evening.
I was feeling a bit worried because my youth relational skills were VERY rusty. Carolyn and I don’t have children, and I had very little interaction with anybody under age 25 for almost 20 years. I didn’t know if I would have anything in common with the youth. I was feeling all of the same fears that any new member of a youth group would feel.
I overcame that, and discovered (mostly in the 2nd week, when we broke out into groups) that the youth were fantastic people. No, I mean REALLY impressive – better than I remember being at their age.
The key for me was that I had someone who invited me in. Without Alicia I’m not sure that I would have taken the step. It’s really funny to think that after my experiences. Today, as I go through my career transition, I’m told repeatedly that if possible my new career should include working with youth. There are people saying that they believe that I have a gift for this. And I never would have found that out without Alicia pulling me in.
If you are an introvert (or just “shy”) and are considering youth ministry, try it. Do it on your terms – make sure that you aren’t making a permanent or long-term commitment and just try it out for a week or two. You’ll find out very quickly that you love it or hate it or can do it but it doesn’t excite you. See where God is calling you. Peek out of your shell.
It’s also important to remember a few things to be more comfortable. First, you are an adult. You are the authority in the room (maybe not the top dog, but certainly above the youth). You have a life outside of the group. You can walk away if you feel that you need to. Second – you aren’t alone. Something like 20% of the youth AND adults in the room will be introverts, too. Other youth workers are trained (to some degree) in working with people of different types and they’ll be able to “read” you too and help you find your place. Third – everybody (God included) wants the best possible experience for you and the youth. They’ve got your back. Fourth – be yourself. If you are considering doing this it’s likely that being yourself is good enough (or better). Youth need different kinds of adults in their lives. By being yourself you provide them the strong example of authenticity when interacting with others.
In short – entering any new situation is hard. This one can be easier than most.
Introvert Style in Youth Ministry
One of the great “truths” about ministry is that its easier for those who are outgoing or extroverted. There’s some truth to that – ministry requires you to meet many new people and understand their needs and to give your message to the world. It’s real, but not absolute.
Youth ministry is one place where being an introvert is a double-edged sword. On the one hand the youth minister is expected to lead a group of people in need of direction and guidance. You can’t live completely in your shell to do that. But on the other hand, youth ministers are expected to be able to take a deep dive into the lives of their youth – particularly those who need more guidance or help or a shoulder to cry on than the average. This is where introverts excel.
Treat diabetes: pomegranate juice helps to treat soft viagra diabetes very effectively. Though many medicines are quoted to be interfering with sexual function but it is relatively difficult to determine whether a particular medicine is causing erectile dysfunction or http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/llama-worm/ on line viagra affecting sexual function because: * Many diseases affect sexual function, so it can be difficult to find. Bad energy can be transferred in forms of delivery, and mode of payment. check this online order viagra When some players see this next defense called the free sample viagra Look At This English Defense, they try to move the game into a calmer setting. A young person today is very much like young people of all times – a bundle of new feelings, new hormones, a need to find a direction, and a hunger for connecting with others. Today’s youth also have something that I don’t remember when I was their age – a drive to make the world a better place and ownership of the world that they are inheriting.
Youth today need breadth and depth. Breadth is something that the extrovert large group leader is good at – energizing, motivating, teaching and entertaining a crowd. The extrovert leader is able to communicate with the mass of youth and mold them roughly into better disciples, while gaining energy.
Where the introvert excels is depth. Introverts are very comfortable delving into the deep corners of the soul, and often make very good listeners. Introverts who trust others can build relationships that are long-term, deep, and very meaningful to both parties. The introvert in youth ministry is less a sunny day or a thunderstorm than a rock or a tree – a solid (but not unchanging) structure that a youth can choose to linger near or cling to.
Please note first that these are gross generalizations and not true in all cases. Sara Ferguson, one of my fellow youth advisors, is an extrovert with a capital E, and a capital X, and a capital T … you get the idea. Yet she has formed the deepest relationships with our youth and is a strong and deep presence in their lives. I’m getting better at working the group instead of working with individuals myself. It’s an experience thing.
Also please note that breadth and depth are not the same things as quantity and quality. Breadth and depth in youth ministry work are different kinds of quality. Quantity does influence style – the extrovert is somewhat better with large groups and the introvert may be better with an individual. But quality is in my opinion more important than quantity. Breadth and depth are both different and non-contradictory measures of quality.
I also firmly believe that anybody can love anybody else (that’s what we’re doing – loving the youth). Some relationships are natural and a few are almost automatic. There’s no truth to the idea that introverted leaders work best with introverted youth, or the opposite. It’s just a matter of style.
I do have a few tips for introverts in youth ministry, particularly those new to it:
Sitting on the Couch – Grier (remember Grier – she asked for this) taught me in an e-mail message that I received on the way to my first Montreat Youth Conference a ministry style that works well for me. It’s called “Ministry by sitting on the couch”. The idea is to simply be there, be available, and the youth will come to you. At Montreat that took the form of sitting on the couch at First House (often recovering strength) and being open to speaking with the youth. At my church youth group it means being loose and approachable – being there for someone to talk to. If a youth wants to speak with you, they will find you. This really works! I had a few youth approach me at Montreat and we had some really deep conversations. The same happens back at home – particularly with the youth who arrive early for events. A few other thoughts on this – boundaries are important. Don’t get hounded into giving up all of your free time. When you are there for them, you have to give them your FULL attention. Introverts are generally good at this unless socially exhausted. Also, a little bit of followup privately (as opposed to in the middle of the room in a crowd) is important.
You Won’t Connect With All of Them – One thing that I find periodically frustrating is an inability to connect with all of my youth. I truly love each of them in a way unique to the individual. Realize this – you couldn’t possibly connect with each youth even if you wanted to, unless your group is VERY small. And there’s no reason to expect to either. This is why having multiple volunteers is important – different people click with different youth. Don’t be upset if you fail to make a strong connection with any given youth – it’s more important that the youth connect with SOME adult. Just be there for the youth that you do connect with.
One related issue common to INFP’s is the typical inability to accept yourself. INFP’s are never satisfied with themselves – there is always a way to improve. For me this means that the way that other people see me is a blind spot – I have trouble seeing myself as others see me. Seek a safe person to check your assumptions with – they may see your interactions with others differently (and more accurately) than you do.
Help the introverted youth – You know what it’s like to be new in a group, and what it’s like to be an introvert in a crowd. Be on the lookout for youth going through the same things. Sit next to the new kid and just be there. You don’t have to make endless small talk. Just be there. And if a youth reaches the “people overload” point and has to leave the room for a while, be the person who follows them for safety reasons. Find a reason to go in the same direction (cleaning up dishes often works) and just bump into them in the hall. Give them the space that they need without needing to round them up to rejoin the group. You’ll need to bring them back at some point, but you’ll have some idea of when their batteries are recharged enough. This requires some trust of both the leaders and the youth, but you’ll reach the “it’s OK – Mark is handling it” point pretty quickly.
You are not just an introvert – Everybody is different. Everybody has different talents. You will form relationships with all types of youth – both the introverted and the extroverted. That’s a good thing. You may have to extend yourself a little more than you’re used to, but it’s totally worth it. You have something to give to the group that is unique, and you need to share it with all. For me, it’s a love of sci-fi and anime, drumming, and flying. For you it is probably something else. Share yourself with all.
To sum up – introverts are a bit of a special case in youth ministry, but it is not a negative. Introverts bring unique skills and viewpoint to any group, and can balance things. Introverts can minister to other introverts, but are most effective when providing a quiet but strong presence to all.
Busy Week
This is gonna be a very busy week. I’m going to be out and about in several communities with lots of activities. Perhaps I’ll meet you at one of them.
Yesterday the ball started rolling with the God Complex radio show at noon EDT. That went very well. Later in the evening I had the Board of Deacons meeting at church which also went very well and very fast.
This morning I’m going to have to mow the lawn due to the impending days of rain (again).
This afternoon I’m going to the Presbytery of New Brunswick meeting, and assisting in the pre-presbytery event on “Working with Facebook”. Before the meeting I have a networking meeting with someone in New Brunswick.
Tomorrow is relatively quiet. A networking meeting in the morning, and the DVRA ham radio club meeting in the evening. I may go get my driver’s license renewed during the day – it’s time again.
Use protected sex practices to be safe from HIV and greyandgrey.com cheap discount viagra other sex related diseases. Check out bookstores and viagra sale online book sellers for used textbooks. A doctor generic sildenafil tablets http://greyandgrey.com/spanish/noticias-y-eventos-actuales/ would prescribe you an anti-impotency medicine and recommend a safe, effective dosage of the medication, which includes herbal drugs, natural methods may have adverse side effects. It viagra price usa is however advised to take just one tablet to be taken about half an hour before having a session of planned sex.
Thursday afternoon begins the Princeton Seminary Institute for Youth Ministry Conference on Emerging Adulthood. That runs Thursday afternoon and evening, all day Friday, and Saturday morning. Friday evening, I’ll miss dinner and the recreation to attend a fundraising dinner “Southern Hospitality on the Lawn” related to my church.
Saturday morning I’ll miss rehearsal for Deacon Sunday. Saturday evening my church youth group is holding a Cabaret and Silent Auction fundraiser for the summer trips.
Sunday morning is Deacon Sunday (I’m doing the Call to Worship), grocery delivery for Crisis Ministry in Trenton and the end of year party for our customers, and the Worship in a New Key service.
Monday I may get to see Carolyn again. This is really a nutty week.
40 Prayers of Hope and Gratitude, for Bruce
Tomorrow is the birthday of Bruce Reyes-Chow, a friend and currently the moderator of the PC(USA). On his blog, he asks for some very charitable birthday “gifts” to him. One of them is “a list of prayers for 40 things for which you are grateful, gives you hope or are in need of God’s healing“. (Besides – he needs a little love. The first comment on the post attacked him for a position of faith and politics – on a post related to his birthday!)
I can do that.
- For my wife, who I am VERY grateful for.
- For my family (parents and siblings) and the relationship that we have that didn’t look too likely for a while.
- For Barbara, Jill and Kathy – former co-workers who are being very supportive during my career transition.
- For the youth group at my church. I am both grateful for them, and they give me hope. Some of them need your prayers for healing.
- For the horde of Twitterati who follow my every tweeted move, give me music when I need it, give me information when I need it, and entertain me.
- For Rich, Jeremiah, Jill, Gooitzen, Elsa, Aaron and others from my church family who are being very supportive during my career transition.
- For the many recent and near-future seminary graduates that I interact with, who are both a source of hope and in need of prayers to find their destinations.
- For S (who will remain otherwise nameless here but I’m sure is reading this), for being/assisting my sense of call and helping me to explain my Montreat experience. You know who you are.
- For the children in my neighborhood, who remind me of the relative importance of parts of life.
- For healing for those on all sides who have been hurt by the whole Amendment B business.
- For my cats. Gratitude for them being there for me and entertaining me. Hope that they radiate (particularly when it’s snack time). Healing for both as they age and begin to suffer the effects.
- Hope from the members of my church’s confirmation class, who were able to teach parts of the lesson that I was teaching.
- Healing for two youth workers waiting for transplants.
- Gratitude for those who have let me put my skills to work for them while I’m seeking a job.
- Gratitude for my sister whose birthday is today (sharing it with Bruce’s “Middle” child).
- Healing for everybody else hurt by the economy.
- Healing for everybody else hurt by greed.
- Hope and healing for those with obstacles between them and what God is calling them to.
- Healing for those affected by swine flu Hamthrax H1N1 and gratitude that it is turning out to be mild for most.
- Healing for those suffering from mental illness.
- Healing for Mom, who had two teeth pulled yesterday.
- Hope for/about Sara, who is taking the first steps in a new direction.
- Gratitude for and hope from Rich who is letting me find my place in the youth ministry.
- Gratitude for Lorelei. Everybody needs a Lorelei, some of them the same one.
- Gratitude for two places on the entire planet (outside of my relationship with Carolyn) where I have been able to be myself 100%: Camp Johnsonburg and Montreat.
- Healing for the people whose prayer cards come to me each week after worship. Hope that my prayers are helping.
- Healing for the people of Sudan, of Somalia, and other places where oppression and violence reign.
- Gratitude for Tim, Jessica, Jessica, Nancy, Carolyn, Andrea, and a few others who have been there during my darkest hours (whether they realize it or not).
- Gratitude for the Project Open Door task force – it was great working with all of you, and I look forward to the next steps.
- Healing for all of those who feel that fighting about minutia is more important than loving one another.
- Hope and healing for all who feel that being somewhere else is what they have to do.
- Gratitude and hope for all of those who I’ve networked with during my career transition.
- Gratitude for the opportunity to play the drums again for a purpose.
- Hope (healing? help?) for the God Complex radio staff and talent that we’ll be ready by Monday.
- Healing for those that I have hurt and have not reconciled with (and for me to do so someday).
- Gratitude for polity – specifically that of the PC(USA).
- Gratitude for that unexplained good mood that strikes sometimes.
- Hope? Healing? for my personal discernment in this season of change.
- Healing for all of my issues that I’ve chosen not to mention here.
- Gratitude, hope for/from, and healing if he needs it for Bruce.
If it is of a mild nature and has a habit levitra cheap online of giving of themselves or making themselves vulnerable is another category of affected trust. Upon careful evaluation of your levitra prescription particular case, your doctor would then prescribe and suggest an effective solution of men’s erection issue. People who need this remedy often have digestive problems with gas and bloating, order levitra canada and an energy slump in the late afternoon and evening. cialis no prescription Know that the drug has certain side issues as well.
Happy Birthday, Bruce! Welcome to the over the hill gang.
Amendment B fails – Where Do We Go From Here?
This article tries to answer the question “Amendment B failed, but it got closer than ever to passing. What do we do now?” This entire article is my personal opinion and not the opinion of any organization or group that I belong to. This is also likely to upset folks – particularly those at the more extreme ends of the political/theological spectrum.
Let me also lay out my personal beliefs on the issue. I believe that gay ordination should be allowed, and that gay marriage should be allowed both by civil authorities and by the Presbyterian Church (USA). I do not believe that any congregation should be forced to meet some quota of gay officers, and I would like to see people work out a way to ordain called officers who happen to be homosexual without violating the conscience of those doing the ordination. I believe that the biblical standard for a homosexual relationship is similar to that for heterosexual relationships – two people in a long-term committed relationship, with some outward sign to God and the community of their commitment (ie. a marriage).
The short version: We need a pause. Take the next General Assembly off from this issue.
I’ll address my remarks to three groups: progressives, conservatives, and moderates. My writing is a combination of what I believe to be the right thing to do, and what I believe is practical.
Progressives
While what I write here may upset you, I consider myself one of you on this issue. My statement on the issue is posted above.
I believe that it’s time to pause on this issue.
We’ve changed lots of hearts and minds. Some of those who were against us have retired, died, or left the denomination. The combination of those two produced the “flips” in many presbyteries. I also believe that there is a generational shift going on regarding this issue. I work with a youth group. On the rare occasions that homosexuality comes up, the youth mostly are confused about why we see a problem – homosexuality is for them something that is a trait and acceptable. Admittedly I live on the East Coast in the NYC/Philadelphia corridor, and it might be different elsewhere. But if we wait long enough, the tide will turn on its own.
A study of the votes on this issue in the presbyteries from 96/97, 97/98 and 01/02 show an increasing number of votes against our position. I believe that this was due to issue-weariness – to the “do we have to vote on this again?” factor. People got tired of talking about and voting about this issue that never seems to go away. And they took out their anger and frustration on the people pushing for the change.
While all of this is going on in the church, it’s going on in society. States are now voting to allow gay marriage (as opposed to judicial rulings). There have been many times in the church where society was ahead of the church in getting to the scripturally correct place on an issue. Slavery and women’s rights are just two of those. Our polity is designed so that the ship turns very slowly intentionally – to prevent the “fad of the season” from taking over our theology. Normally that’s a good thing. Sometimes, particularly for justice, that’s a bad thing.
I believe that if we push this issue at the next General Assembly, it stands a fair chance of being sent to the presbyteries again. I believe that if this were the case, it would fail again at the presbyteries and some of the flipped presbyteries would flip back. The next General Assembly will be considering the Form of Government again, and that is going to create its own backlash (just look at how the conservatives are already arguing about single words). I suspect that there will be a wholesale backlash against ANY Book of Order amendment then.
So here’s what I’d do. Take the GA off. Re-group. Work on education. Hold listening sessions in presbyteries again, but without any particular reason (like an upcoming vote). Don’t push overtures now or any time before the next GA. Let the waters get still, and let the clarity shine through.
Some of you will tell me that I do not feel your pain, and that you cannot stay silent against this injustice. You’re right – I will never be able to feel this specific pain. But I’m writing this out of practical concerns. Pushing too hard now isn’t gonna work and will hurt the cause. If you must, then you must, but realize that you will provoke a response and may end up delaying your goal.
A word on how we progressives deal with conservatives. Conservatives are people. Just like us. For the most part, they have come to their understand of Scripture and God in the same way that we have – through prayer, study, personal experience, and other people. They have come up with a different result than we have. They are not evil. They are not (mostly) living their lives to hurt us. They are trying to speak the truth in love just like us. Their definitions are different, but their goal is still the same – to bring people to God. Please try to remember that. I am amazed at how we can treat people of other denominations and religions with respect but we tear into those closer to us.
Some erectile levitra no prescription dysfunction as mentioned above (Kamagra and similar drugs) can be helpful to develop an erection. This can be obtained from the DMV at any office or by viagra effects women icks.org calling the DMV. There are a lot of ED drugs made by many levitra 60 mg icks.org companies or search for the cheap alternatives like Kamagra. You will become a capable lover to impregnate her and father a child naturally. order cialis online http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482460790_add_file_4.pdf
A word on how to deal with straight people. I’m a very strong supporter of this cause. In the past year I’ve been called a homophobe twice – once by someone from the GLBT community and once by a straight supporter. I’ve been told that I have internalized homophobia no matter what I think. The facts are this: I find male-t0-male sexual activity icky. That has never stopped me from supporting people’s rights. I am VERY outspoken. It seems, however, that if I don’t follow the “company line” on strategy or each iota of belief, I’m against you. You may feel that way. But here’s the thing I want to tell you – nothing turns supporters against you faster than telling them that they are against you already. After each of those events I mentioned I took a lot of time off from supporting this cause. I saw opportunities to correct inaccuracies and to state my opinion when presented with the opposite, and I remained silent. The danger for you is not turning friends into enemies – it’s turning friends into bystanders. Be careful – if you’re going to label someone be prepared for the result.
Conservatives
You’ve all read what I wrote above. And you and I disagree on this issue. I do have some thoughts and suggestions for you.
First, I believe that the Presbyterian system only works if there is mutual respect. Too often we (both sides) use differences on specific issues to define the other person out. It makes us feel better – we are IN, and they are OUT. But I do not believe that God has called us to act like that. God wants everybody IN. There are limits to what beliefs we can tolerate and what behaviors we can tolerate in our worship places. But I do not feel that this issue is enough to tear apart the community. Why can we speak so respectfully to rabbis, Baptist preachers, Catholic priests, Methodist ministers, but we cannot speak respectfully with our own people? What I said above about people coming to their beliefs honestly through the same methods applies here – progressives may be wrong in your eyes, but they are honestly wrong rather than wrong with an ulterior motive.
Second, do what you gotta do. Stay, fight or not, leave – whichever God calls you to. If you want to fight then please take the high road and fight fair even if your opponents do not. If you want to leave, then outdo others in grace and openness and let God take care of the other side. But PLEASE let each person make up their own mind. It’s not your job to lead congregations out of the denomination. If they want to go on their own, then please remind them that it’s also not their job to lead their fellows out. We are an educated denomination. We pride ourselves on individual study with collected discussion. Let each member make their own decision. And let the majority rule. You are not personally responsible for the spiritual health of each member. You ARE responsible for guiding them, but you are not expected to coerce them. Let them be adults and make their own decisions.
Third, you’ve won this round. As I said to progressives after the General Assembly meeting last June, please be a good winner. There is no need to do a victory lap. Doing that only causes the division to widen. Let progressives lick their wounds.
Moderates
You are by far the most important group at this time in history. You are the largest group, holding the center and the vast majority of the membership. On some issues, I am one of you, but on this issue I’m not.
I have a few things that I’d like to ask you to do.
First – Take a stand. Stand up and state your opinion. Let others know where you are on this issue. This issue is not going to go away all that soon. If you feel that we need to leave it alone, then say so. If you feel that one side or the other is right, say so (this is not the same as joining that side). Most importantly – any compromise is going to have to come from the center. If you have an idea, let us know, and don’t stop talking about it until it becomes reality.
Second, please help to heal those at the extremes. There are people who are wounded out there. Go to them, help them, make them realize that the church isn’t just them and their opponents. Remind them that church is about much more than this issue. Be honest about your beliefs, but respect theirs. Show the people from each side that you want them to be with you.
Third, please be a conduit for reconciliation. Sometimes it takes a neutral party to get two opposing parties to talk to each other and resolve things. Be that enabler. We are called to work for reconciliation in the church – be the face of Christ to your more politically involved brethren. “I don’t care what you think about X – I want you to be here” is a very powerful thing to say.
Fourth, be the voice of reason. Curb the excesses of thought and speech from both extremes. Name the truth as you see it. Be a devil’s advocate (in a very Godly way). The truth is somewhere between the extremes. You live in most of that territory. Help us find the truth.
In summary – I believe that we need to take 2 years off from this battle. There are many other problems in the world today that need us more than this – the economy, war, health, etc. Let’s concentrate on some of those and stop our internal bickering.
Amendment B fails – where does this leave us?
This past weekend, two presbyteries voted against Amendment B – the Book of Order amendment to G6.0106b that would have removed the fidelity/chastity rule – making it easier to ordain lesbian and gay people as deacons, elders or ministers in the Presbyterian Church (USA). This time around the vote was much closer than in the past, indicating a shift in cultural and scriptural beliefs on the subject.
I’m going to write two articles on this – this one and one to come. Today’s article is about where we are left (in my personal interpretation) by the combination of this amendment failing and the changes to Authoritative Interpretations made by the 218th General Assembly in 2008. The next article will be on where we should go from here politically, with my recommendations for the progressive, conservative and moderate factions.
What happened?
The 218th General Assembly took three important actions related to ordination standards:
1. Removal of all prior Authoritative Interpretations.
As part of the same resolution that sent Amendment B to the presbyteries, the General Assembly stated:
Interpretive statements concerning ordained service of homosexual church members by the 190th General Assembly (1978) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the 119th General Assembly (1979) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and all subsequent affirmations thereof, have no further force or effect.
That has the net effect of throwing out all prohibitions on gay ordination other than G6-0106b. It also throws out all PJC precedents that are not based on G6-0106b. We are left with the Authoritative Interpretation on ordination standards that was part of the PUP report, stating that ordination standards are not defined nationally, but that each ordination decision is a local decision and individual to the person in question. Plus, there is one new AI ….
2. Authoritative Interpretation on ordination standards
The General Assembly passed a new Authoritative Interpretation:
That the 218th General Assembly (2008) to approve the following authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108 of the Book of Order:
the requirements of G-6.0108 apply equally to all ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Section G-6.0108 requires examining bodies to give prayerful and careful consideration, on an individual, case-by-case basis, to any departure from an ordination standard in matters of belief or practice that a candidate may declare during examination. However, the examining body is not required to accept a departure from standards, and cannot excuse a candidate’s inability to perform the constitutional functions unique to his or her office (such as administration of the sacraments).
Some call this a codification of “local option”. I think it’s simpler than that. It’s a codification of “individual option” – the classical Presbyterian idea that each ordination decision is made based on the individual to be ordained. Each of us is sinful – none of us are perfect. The question that Sessions and Presbyteries face is this – can this person do the job, is there a call, and are this person’s particular sins so heinous as to preclude their ordination?
It’s important to remember that each presbytery or session gets to make this decision based on the candidate in front of them. And it’s also important to remember that this is done in person – with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
In a GA PJC case from earlier this year, the PJC made it clear that G-6.0106b was a mandatory standard in the Book of Order. The decision practically warned that any future cases involving a clear departure from this standard (should it survive, which it has) would preclude ordination.
It is my sincere hope that this AI will stop the “fly-over” disciplinary cases that have been filed by the most extreme conservative members of the denomination. Some cases have been filed by people who do not know the candidate, did not attend the meeting, and are at most only peripherally affected by the ordination decision.
3. Amendment B
You can read Kamagra reviews to know about the effectiveness of VigRx can read reviews of the users who post their opinions on the web generic levitra sale browse around this storefront page. These are the first thing that you notice when you find a stray capsule. sildenafil generic viagra But it is not true; men may feel tired and daily fluctuations in http://www.devensec.com/forms/Applic_-_LEVEL_2.pdf cialis cheap generic sex desire. Within months of continuous use, you can absolutely feel the great improvement http://www.devensec.com/sustain/eidis-updates/IndustrialSymbiosisupdateJune2012.pdf purchase viagra online of your lifeless thin hair, making it healthier, stronger and thicker.
The General Assembly sent to the presbyteries the following amendment to G-6.0106b:
b.
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.Those who are called to ordained service in the church, by their assent to the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003), pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, striving to follow where he leads through the witness of the Scriptures, and to understand the Scriptures through the instruction of the Confessions. In so doing, they declare their fidelity to the standards of the Church. Each governing body charged with examination for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240 and G-14.0450) establishes the candidate’s sincere efforts to adhere to these standards.
I’ve only included the G-6.0106b amendment – there were corresponding amendments to G-14 regarding instructing Candidates on the rules.
This is the amendment that failed. It was closer than ever (at this point 69-89 with voting continuing) but it still did not pass. In my second post, I will talk about the climate that exists today to cause this near-success, and what that means for the future.
So Where are we now?
At this point, we need to turn to case studies.
Case 1 – a straight candidate for an ordained position, who is married and faithful to the spouse but unchaste at some point in the past (before marriage, perhaps even with the current spouse). It is highly unlikely that this candidate will be asked about prior sexual practice. It is also highly unlikely that the candidate will self-acknowledge this sin, or even consider it a sin. If the issue does not come up, this person is ordainable. If the issue does come up in the examination, the examining body would be required to decide whether or not the sin is a sufficient departure from standards. Other bodies/people could only challenge through a disciplinary case alleging continuing conduct or lack of repentance.
Case 2 – a straight candidate for an ordained position is either married and unfaithful or single and engaging in sex. This is a continuing practice. It is highly unlikely that this candidate will be asked about prior or current sexual practice, unless someone has first-hand or hearsay knowledge. It is also highly unlikely that the candidate will self-acknowledge this sin, or even consider it a sin. If the issue does come up, the person is not ordainable. Other bodies/people could challenge this decision by a disciplinary case alleging conduct, or via a remedial case alleging insufficient examination. As a practical matter, the remedial case could only be filed by a church member or other session against a session, or a member of presbytery or other presbytery against a presbytery. The immediately higher governing body could also investigate and take administrative action.
Case 3 – a homosexual person who is celibate. It doesn’t matter how it comes up, only that the celibacy is on the record of an examination. This person is ordainable. Other bodies/people could only challenge this decision by a disciplinary case alleging that the candidate lied about celibacy – if that were to happen it might be beyond the pale of what Presbyterians would accept from an investigation given that it would require proof of sex (people would be mad that privacy was invaded to the degree necessary to allege this).
Case 4 – a homosexual person who is not celibate, but who is not questioned about the issue during examination. This person is ordainable, though there will be a disconnect between his/her personal beliefs or practices and the Book of Order. Other bodies/people could challenge this decision by a disciplinary case alleging conduct (also very ugly), or via a remedial case alleging insufficient examination. See above for who could file a remedial case.
Case 5 – a homosexual person who is not celibate, and who is questioned during examination and makes a statement as such. This also fits the case where a homosexual candidate is self-affirming of practice. This person is not ordainable. Other bodies/people could challenge this decision by a disciplinary case (based on self-acknowledged conduct) or a remedial case alleging violation of G-6.0106b. This is the biggie – and the likely test case. I believe that no matter what the presbytery or synod do, the GA PJC will rule that the person is not ordainable – based on their early warning in a prior case.
Case 6 – a person who states that they refuse to abide by G-6.0106b when making ordination decisions for other people. This person is ordainable or not, depending on the ordaining body’s decision. Other bodies/people could challenge this decision by a remedial case alleging violation of G-6.0106b. I believe that such a case would ultimately fail at the General Assembly level.
Case 7 – a person who states that they refuse to ordain others who are elected who would violate G-6.0106b. This person is NOT ordainable normally as a solo pastor, based on the new Authoritative Interpretation, because the person is unable to perform the constitutional function of ordaining a local officer. I believe that special arrangements could be made with a temporary leave from their position and a Stated Supply in the extremely unlikely case that a solo pastor with such convictions would be leading a congregation that chooses to elect such an officer. However, it would show a serious problem between the church and pastor and should come to the Committee on Ministry’s attention. There are many other roles that this person could perform in an ordained role (pastor or associate pastor on a multi-clergy staff, teaching, mission, etc) that would not cause this problem. If this ever happens, it’s gonna be a mess.
It should be noted that nothing above REQUIRES that a governing body find that a person is ordainable. I believe that case 3 would be an interesting case if an elder-elect were refused ordination solely on G-6.0106b grounds – I don’t know which way the GA PJC would rule but I believe it would rule that the person should be ordained. In all of the other cases where the person is ordainable the ordaining body has sufficient latitude in their decision to decide to ordain or not without challenge.
I know of at least one very chilling case where a person was not voted ready for ordination by his Committee on Ministry based solely on the fact that he wanted a gay preacher of another denomination to give the charge at his ordination. This action, and others like it nationwide, make me very concerned for the ability of the church to remain together.
Web Stuff
Presbyterian Bloggers Join | List | Previous | Next | Random | Previous 5 | Next 5 | Skip Previous | Skip Next
