Grace That Is Greater

I invite you to attend a recap of the 221^st General Assembly of the PC(USA) after the 10:50am worship service on July 6^th. I will provide a brief overview of the General Assembly’s actions, and as time allows, I will address the hot topics. The two most divisive issues are regarding same-sex marriage and divesting from three U.S. companies whose products are used in non-peaceful pursuits in Israel/Palestine.

I know that there are people within this church who disagree with these decisions and also those who agree with them. It is important to me as your pastor that we handle our disagreements in a healthy and graceful way. Just because someone views homosexuality different than you do does not mean they are not Christian or that their church is not really a church. People on opposing sides of the issues are both trying to be faithful and take their faith and the Bible seriously. As our new national moderator Dr. Heath Rada said during the assembly: “We must disagree, for that is what Presbyterians do, but let us never stop loving each other.”

I believe if you read the actual language of these actions you will see how carefully worded they are. I encourage you to be informed—read reports directly from our denomination, rather than someone’s opinion. The denomination has also created helpful FAQ sheets that are online or available from me.

If you have concerns which you would like to express you may either talk to me or to the session about them. There are also people who may simply want more information; if enough interest exists, I can also facilitate additional small group discussions. Let me know how I can be your pastor around these issues. My door is open.

The session and I recognize that while these issues are of concern, they should not distract us from our mission. God has placed us here together to worship, disciple and serve. And God’s sovereign grace is more important that our opinions. And that is good news indeed.

David

Let's Stick Together

Last week several members of the congregation drove to Hurst to attend the ordination and installation service for Alissa who was baptized in this church and grew up here. We were blessed by a meaningful and joyful service. Perhaps the highlight for me was the opportunity to hear John Williams preach. John is the chaplain at Austin College and in his capacity he has been a friend to countless young college people. He is a well-loved pastor and friend to many, and deservedly so.

John’s sermon focused on the Pentecost texts given to us from the book of Numbers in the Old Testament and the book of Acts in the New. He reminded us that the Spirit is a gift that works in individual lives such as Alissa’s. He reminded us also that the Spirit is a gift that works in the lives us communities such as St. Philip Church as they discerned Alissa to be Associate Pastor. But he didn’t stop there. He reminded us that the Spirit is a gift which also works within the church at large such as Grace Presbytery. [This three part call is also the approach we are following here at FPC Garland in the search for your next pastor.]

Our individual experiences are personal but never private. They are to be confirmed in the context of a community. And individual churches only realize the full power of God’s Spirit when outside guidance and wisdom are received. This is a basic principle of Presbyterian polity. It is what we call “connectionalism.” And we have connectionalism because we take sin seriously. On our own, our capacity to stray is magnified. Together in discernment with others, we are more likely to hear the voice of the Spirit and the effect of sin is reduced.

One of the important implications for this is the realization that not one entity can say “we know better” or “we are better on our own.” As tough as it is to remain connected, especially when we disagree or experience conflict or encounter people behaving badly, this is precisely where God would have us. This is why I attend presbytery meetings. This is why I am attending the General Assembly. This is why I keep up with the details of our national church. Because it reminds me that I can’t be a Christian growing in love for God and for neighbor on my own. In short, remaining connected makes me a better Christian.

Engaged, David

Confirmation Class & GA Preview

This newsletter has two corners. The first corner is my excitement over the confirmation class. This class, organized by Lee Campbell, has been meeting since the fall to learn more about faith. In May they met with the session and were received into membership. They will be recognized on Confirmation Sunday (also Pentecost) on Sunday June 8. There they will stand before you and make public their profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They will also commit to being faithful participants in the worship and mission of Christ’s church. In this way they are adopting for themselves the faith in which you (representing the church-at-large) nurtured them. They will express their desire to continue in the covenant God made with them when they were baptized.

Confirmation is not graduation. Confirmation is a commissioning, whereby they are enabled to assume greater responsibility. Being a disciple of Jesus is a life-long journey, sometimes difficult, but always leading to life. Please join me in congratulating these 9 students, the newest members of this church: Sarah, Chandler, Cody, Jordan, Sam, Anita, Junior, Jason, Dylan.

My second corner is my excitement over the 221^st General Assembly to be held in Detroit June 14-June 21. I will be attending for the first time as an “Alternate Commissioner” from Grace Presbytery. This means I will observe and learn in preparation for being a “real” voting commissioner at the next GA in 2016, held in Portland. The General Assembly will conduct routine business like electing the next Moderator. We will also worship and serve together. Hot topics which have been on the agenda in the past will again make for interesting times. Issues related to Israel/Palestine, Marriage/Human Sexuality, the Belhar Confession and what to do with Synods are among a very crowded docket. The General Assembly is an instance of the church-at-large—people like you and me meeting together to discern the will of Christ for the PC(USA). Please pray that discernment occurs so that God’s will is done. I will be providing a GA preview on June 8 after the 10:50 worship service. If you want to learn a bit more, please meet me in the sanctuary. See you then.  David