Bible Text: Isaiah 11:1-9, Mark 4: 21-32 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
Upon my return people have asked me, did you have a good holiday? My response is yes, I had a great holiday two weeks ago while my parents were visiting. But one would not describe attending the 141st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, a holiday which is where I was last week. General Assembly is the highest court of the Presbyterian Church. It gathers every year for five days and it is here that decisions regarding doctrine, mission, and action are made. It is the place where arguments about our pensions, budgets, and policies occur. It is the place where we gather for prayer and discernment about our future. It is the place where recommendations are passed or defeated, where amendments and amendments to the amendments are debated and voted on. Meetings occur throughout the entire day from 8:30 in the morning to 8:30 at night with only breaks in between for meals. It sounds fun doesn’t it! Each year approximately one in six ordained clergy are present as well as an equal representation of teaching elders so that hopefully it is a healthy balance of ministers and lay leaders. This year there were about 300 people gathering in the great hall of the new Student Union Building at the University of British Columbia. Just picture it for a moment, at least 150 ministers all gathered in a room, wanting to have their say. Even simple decisions can, well, take a long time. But General Assembly is vital to us as a church and can have very important ripples throughout our congregations, including this one. While topics big and small are always discussed and debated this year was slightly different. Namely because the first discussion regarding full inclusion of the LGBT community was discussed since 1996. I will of course get into that in a moment. But first I want to share with you the theme for this year’s General Assembly.
The local arrangements committee decided that the theme should be, “Imagining the Kingdom…the Kingdom of God is like”. I could not have thought of a better theme myself since many would argue that the west coast of Canada is the kingdom of God with all its vistas, views, and beauty. I also believe that there are times at General Assembly in which we do actually catch a glimpse of what the kingdom is like. One of my favourite moments each day was the presentations by our interfaith, ecumenical and international visitors. We had a Theravada Buddhist, an Orthodox Armenian Archpriest and the the Deputy Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. Each expressed their realities and concerns, particularly for their people across the globe.
Timing wise many members of the Assembly Office, including our former moderator, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Farris, had just the day before General Assembly returned from the Closing ceremonies of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Ottawa and as a result it was at top of mind. They shared videos, pictures and thoughts on their experiences including a commitment to address the recommendations found in the final report from the commission.
As I mentioned important items where discussed and some where even passed. For example, one recommendation that I had a hand in preparing was from the Church Doctrine committee. It was passed “That the General Assembly affirm that ordained ministers of churches which are members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches are permitted to preside at the Lord’s Table at the discretion of the moderator or interim moderator of the relevant session” which basically means I could ask Roy or Wally or anyone ordained in the Christian Reformed church to lead us in Communion if need be. There are also recommendations regarding justice and environmental concerns for example it was passed that “Presbyterians write to and meet with their Members of Parliament prior to the Conference of the Parties 21 (COP21) meeting in December to express their support for the development of an internationally negotiated and binding agreement that sets reductions targets in greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the increase in the globally averaged combined land and ocean surface temperature to two degrees Celsius.”
One other vital aspect of General Assembly is our worship services. Each day is started by worship with singing, prayers, Scripture readings and of course a sermon. On the first full day the Rev. Cheol Soon Park was our preacher and he chose to use the passage from Isaiah to help us imagine the kingdom. By relating it to some of the challenges that churches face when there are disagreements. He pointed out that the kingdom of heaven is actually full of differences. In heaven there are many creatures, the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the goat, the cow and the bear, a infant and an asp or viper. The point being that, heaven is not a place where everyone agrees with one another but rather a place where there are enemies and foes together. But although there are many differences of opinion, heaven is a place that is unified in God’s name.
Rev. Park said, “We are all different, from different backgrounds, different ideas and understandings. We will talk about many complicated matters this week [and I would add this year]. As we continue our journey together it doesn’t really matter whether your opinion will be carried or defeated. Let us remember this, there is no winner or loser in heaven. Especially when we ask for God’s wisdom. If we are mature enough to thank God for our differences but also remain one in Christ. It will be the place where God resides and we can call it God’s kingdom.” The overlying theme is that no matter what our different opinions we belong together in Christ.
The kingdom of heaven is like a national assembly discussing overtures regarding the inclusion of the LGBT community. There were many who supported our church becoming fully inclusive, meaning removing the vows of celibacy for those wishing to become clergy and meaning allowing for same sex marriage. There were many who did not support our church becoming fully inclusive but all were unified in a desire to talk. On the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning the General Assembly participated in an unprecedented event. We moved into a committee of the whole and were put together in table groups and we discussed and prayed about that very topic. However, before we could begin we were given some guidelines. I thought they were so fantastic I wanted to share them with you but there are 14 guidelines and so you can look forward to finding them all in detail in the upcoming newsletter. However, some of the guidelines included, “Listen Generously: Listen intently to what is said, listen to the feelings beneath the words. We come as equals: We don’t have the same gifts, limits or experiences, but no person’s gifts, limits or experiences are more or less important than another’s. Turn to wonder: If you find yourself becoming judgemental or cynical, try turning to wonder and ask. I wonder why she shared that story or made those choices? I wonder what he is feeling right now? Welcome discomfort and dislocation: In the midst of new and uncomfortable places and the company of strangers, move against an instinct to construct a mental space of safety or to check out.” I can think of no better guidelines for the diversity that is found amongst friends, strangers and foes in the kingdom of heaven. All that was discussed, including the prayers, at these circle groups was noted and collected and will be given to the two committees in charge of studying this question for the coming year. They are Church Doctrine and the Life and Mission Agency, Justice Ministries Department. Those committees will work together to create some resources and a study guide for congregations. One recommendation has asked the congregations to also discuss and share their thoughts regarding inclusion of the LGBT community and as a result we will spend time at a few points through this year having our own circle groups and studying the resources that will come from the committees. And yes, that is an intimidating task.
But our Gospel passage advocates for patience and confidence in the God who will make all things known and happen in God’s own time. First people plant seeds and wait for them to grow. God is then responsible for the growth of the kingdom and seeds do not instantly transform into mature plants. They grow over time, a lot of time. But when the time for harvest arrives, that is the time for sudden response. As any farmer knows the need to begin and complete the harvest is essential or else produce will be wasted.
Following my week at General Assembly a few things have been affirmed. Some ministers’ like the sound of their own voice, there will always be debate over pensions, that the church is at a cross roads, that the kingdom of God is wonderful, mysterious, and worth seeking out in ways we may not expect. And that the Presbyterian Church in Canada loves God, cherishes Christ’s call, and is guided by the Holy Spirit. Amen.