What a blur the last two weeks have been for me. It seems 2012 has become the Year of the Meeting for my ministry at the moment. My attendance at some of these meetings has caused some of you to scratch your head and get a little confused, too!
A week and a half ago I was on a panel of four people who spoke to the Presbytery of Olympia on the topic of "Why I am choosing to stay in the PCUSA." Those of you who are concerned about recent GA actions with regards to ordination standards wonder, "What's the Preacher doing? He's planning to stay!?" This last week I attended the Fellowship of Presbyterians at the launch of a new Reformed entity entitled the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians which is a group trying to look at ways of staying both in the PCUSA as well as provide a mechanism for those who wish to join a new post-denominational Reformed group. My presence in Orlando at this conference has jostled the nerves of those who were delighted I spoke to the Presbytery on staying. My intention is not to confuse anyone, but to take my calling as your pastor
seriously as shepherd of this congregation.
Throughout all these meetings, I have come to the conclusion that our making our way slowly through all this denominational kerfuffle is the right decision. Proactive leadership trumps reactivate leadership on any given day. Strategic leadership is better than hasty decisions. I for one am grateful UPPC has a Session that understands this and is acting in measured proactive, strategic ways. The reality is, the Presbyterian Church as we know it will be an entirely different animal in five years; for some, that's a positive thing. For others in the church, this is not a great thing. For all of us, that is the reality in front of us. Personally, I do not think that is a bad thing, per se. We are a Church that believes in being reformed. Polity and confessions get changed but one thing does not: Jesus Christ is Lord and Head of the Church and is the Source of our salvation!
Along these lines, I have spoken with members of our Nominating Committee who tell me that some of you are telling them you are reluctant to serve as Elder because you "do not know where the church will be in three years." Brothers and sisters, the fact is all churches are dynamic and evolving! Your church needs you to be a part of the discernment of where we are headed and it's your responsibility to prayerfully contemplate stepping up and leading if you are asked to consider it. Leadership in the church is not for the faint of heart; it is for those who are called during 'such a time as this.' Please pray for the Nominating Committee and your place of leadership in the church.
Beloved, remember who you are (You are a child of God!). Pray hard. Read the Scriptures daily. Be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken and hurting world. I am...
Your pastor and friend,
Patrick
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