Here were some thoughts I put down to say.
I got up to the microphone twice, but both times someone else called the question and I didn't get to speak at all. I didn't mind, too much, as many others articulated my position quite well.
How can we be part of a dialogue that is open to the option of endorsing sin? If you believe Scripture syas homosexual acts are sin, then you cannot reject this overture, because to do so tolerates something which Scripture does not. We say Jesus is Lord. If we believe that, and if our Lord tells us not to go down this road, we do not have the option to go, out of our feelings for others. What do we do when our feelings conflict with our Lord's commands?
With controversy roiling the church, the General Synod got together in Acts 15, talked it over, took a decision, and wrote to the churches, saying in Acts 15:28 that it "seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us." The controversy wasn't settled for years, but the Spirit had led them into truth, and the church knew the direction in which to minister to Gentiles (welcome them in, but teach them to refrain from certain things, sexual immorality being one). I would suggest we (RCA today) follow the Acts 15 pattern by carefully considering the issue, as we have done well for the past 30 years, and now taking a decision and then continuing discussion and ministry guided by that decision. Our dialogue is not currently guided by our past decisions, as the Acts 15 church's ministry to Gentiles was.
6.13.2006
General Synod - Day 4 - international day
Worship in Pella, Iowa in the morning.
Lunch with the other delegates from my classis. We update each other on what happened in committee, before it is discussed on the floor. I shared what happened in our committee. They shared my unhappiness, but noted that the committee often doesn't reflect the synod floor's opinion, and that it may be reversed.
Then on to synod business - on the Lord's Day! This is atrocious. First year they are doing it, they tell me, to come home a day early. The post title is my own, not official, by the way. Mostly there were reports from other committees with little major decision needed from the synod. Most interesting was an overture asking for an official letter from RCA to President Bush against USA's endorsement of the "One-China" policy. Overture came from Taiwanese members of the RCA, oppressed by China. This was defeated, as passing it may cause problems for RCA missionaries in China.
A Kurd Christian spoke well. Said they are basically an unreached people with no nation of their own. 5% fo USA missionaries go to Muslim countries. Suggested sending to Turkey, where most Kurds reside, and which is currently seeking EU relations, and so would be open to such western influence.
Words of Hope report - great organization! In Iran they fund and train house leaders who leave the country, ostensibly on vacation! A house leader they trained had been arrested for suspected worship. The next day of synod (June 12) it was announced that he was released!
Had a fancy ecumenical dinner at night, with a Latino speaking on the benefits of the Belhar, though it was more a survey of Christianity in Southern and Northern America. Quite interesting! Lots of stats on how South America is overwhelmingly charismatic. The conservative part of the RCA leans charismatic, too, or at least pietistic (where feelings of spirituality and guidance direct one more than the Word).
Lunch with the other delegates from my classis. We update each other on what happened in committee, before it is discussed on the floor. I shared what happened in our committee. They shared my unhappiness, but noted that the committee often doesn't reflect the synod floor's opinion, and that it may be reversed.
Then on to synod business - on the Lord's Day! This is atrocious. First year they are doing it, they tell me, to come home a day early. The post title is my own, not official, by the way. Mostly there were reports from other committees with little major decision needed from the synod. Most interesting was an overture asking for an official letter from RCA to President Bush against USA's endorsement of the "One-China" policy. Overture came from Taiwanese members of the RCA, oppressed by China. This was defeated, as passing it may cause problems for RCA missionaries in China.
A Kurd Christian spoke well. Said they are basically an unreached people with no nation of their own. 5% fo USA missionaries go to Muslim countries. Suggested sending to Turkey, where most Kurds reside, and which is currently seeking EU relations, and so would be open to such western influence.
Words of Hope report - great organization! In Iran they fund and train house leaders who leave the country, ostensibly on vacation! A house leader they trained had been arrested for suspected worship. The next day of synod (June 12) it was announced that he was released!
Had a fancy ecumenical dinner at night, with a Latino speaking on the benefits of the Belhar, though it was more a survey of Christianity in Southern and Northern America. Quite interesting! Lots of stats on how South America is overwhelmingly charismatic. The conservative part of the RCA leans charismatic, too, or at least pietistic (where feelings of spirituality and guidance direct one more than the Word).
General Synod - Day 3 - Worship and Theology committee
I'm posting this late because I got so busy. This came right before McLaren's speech.
Overture to allow close, live-in relatives to bring a child for baptism, in place of parents:
referred to theology commission (standing committee that meets throughout the year)for study, as this needed more time.
Overture to end dialogue over homosexuality:
I was the only delegate from the classis that sent this to synod, and so had to speak to it. Did the best I could to say the open-ended nature of the dialogue leaves open the possibility of our current biblical position being weakened, that such an official dialogue will drain resources and energy from other areas of ministry, and that we aren't suggesting gag orders for everyone (keep it hush hush; too embarrassing) - just no denomination-wide program.
Sent to synod floor recommending against, only 3 votes dissenting, of 23.
Overture to amend the stated purpose of the dialogue to make clear we aren't reconsidering the righteousness of homosexual practice:
More discussion. Winning argument was that this would tie the hands of the committee facilitating dialogue and certain voices would be intimidated if this passed. Dialogue has to stay neutral to be effective.
Sent to synod floor, recommending against, 13-10.
Marriage and sexuality paper, studying the broader theological context of marriage:
This was a good paper, relying heavily on Augustine's ideas on the purposes of marriage (procreation, fidelity, and sacramental bond). Relates this to possible homosexual marriage, noting that such marriage would weaken these purposes, not strengthen them, and that some of these purposes, maybe all, cannot be fulfilled by homosexual unions.
It was sent to the synod floor.
Overtures to write into our church order discipline against church officers teaching the moral acceptability of homosexual practice, or engaging in such.
Little discussion, as it had already been done.
Sent to synod recommending against.
This discussion was an eye opener for me. Sitting around my table were 2 advocates for homosexual practice, and 2 moderates who didn't want to offend unnecessarily. That's my interpretation, though they may not have seen their remarks that way. I tried to get across that this is not a minor issue over which we can agree to disagree, but no one wants to hear that when the alternative is division. I asked what we do when we each respect each other and think intentions are good to understand Scripture, but each think the other's interpretation is wrong. Basic response: just live together - we found a way to do so with women's ordination a while back. I didn't respond to that, but was thinking, "Precisely. And I don't want the same process to happen again."
Very exhausting, depressing time. Then off to Brian McLaren!
Overture to allow close, live-in relatives to bring a child for baptism, in place of parents:
referred to theology commission (standing committee that meets throughout the year)for study, as this needed more time.
Overture to end dialogue over homosexuality:
I was the only delegate from the classis that sent this to synod, and so had to speak to it. Did the best I could to say the open-ended nature of the dialogue leaves open the possibility of our current biblical position being weakened, that such an official dialogue will drain resources and energy from other areas of ministry, and that we aren't suggesting gag orders for everyone (keep it hush hush; too embarrassing) - just no denomination-wide program.
Sent to synod floor recommending against, only 3 votes dissenting, of 23.
Overture to amend the stated purpose of the dialogue to make clear we aren't reconsidering the righteousness of homosexual practice:
More discussion. Winning argument was that this would tie the hands of the committee facilitating dialogue and certain voices would be intimidated if this passed. Dialogue has to stay neutral to be effective.
Sent to synod floor, recommending against, 13-10.
Marriage and sexuality paper, studying the broader theological context of marriage:
This was a good paper, relying heavily on Augustine's ideas on the purposes of marriage (procreation, fidelity, and sacramental bond). Relates this to possible homosexual marriage, noting that such marriage would weaken these purposes, not strengthen them, and that some of these purposes, maybe all, cannot be fulfilled by homosexual unions.
It was sent to the synod floor.
Overtures to write into our church order discipline against church officers teaching the moral acceptability of homosexual practice, or engaging in such.
Little discussion, as it had already been done.
Sent to synod recommending against.
This discussion was an eye opener for me. Sitting around my table were 2 advocates for homosexual practice, and 2 moderates who didn't want to offend unnecessarily. That's my interpretation, though they may not have seen their remarks that way. I tried to get across that this is not a minor issue over which we can agree to disagree, but no one wants to hear that when the alternative is division. I asked what we do when we each respect each other and think intentions are good to understand Scripture, but each think the other's interpretation is wrong. Basic response: just live together - we found a way to do so with women's ordination a while back. I didn't respond to that, but was thinking, "Precisely. And I don't want the same process to happen again."
Very exhausting, depressing time. Then off to Brian McLaren!
6.10.2006
General Synod - Day 3 - Brian McLaren
MORE ADDED JUNE 13
Brian McLaren speaks at General Synod
Reading his notes off his Apple laptop, here's a synopsis of what he said.
A hurricane dropped 100 inches of rain in Honduras in 5 days, moving river beds. Picture shown of a bridge that was now useless - over dry land, into the water. World changes and our old structures no longer serve. Old maps don't describe the world. Cathedrals are visited by 1000s, but only 10 or 15 worship there. Chruch isn't keeping up with change.
1 Peter 3:15-16: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Always be prepared means you can't be prepared once for all. There are new questions. Sometimes we don't have answers right away. We reject and disdain those asking questions about faith that we don't like. Think of those you know who don't know Jesus or are asking questions.
Inquirer at his book-release party: "do you really believe all that stuff, or are you just making it sound good? You're the only one I think I can talk to about religion." This means she is looking for a conversation partner - someone she can talk to. World doesn't need a prepared spiel. We're afraid of being mistaken for this, so we don't talk much at all. We need to give people permission to talk naturally. Conversation is when you can disagree and and still be friends. Unhindered conversation. Most people feel frustrated and angry at religion. Need to feel safe, so she tests by saying, "Do you really believe it?" She wants to see if you're defensive or offended.
Christian college group moving his son into college, moves him in well, left an ad with jargon. Unbelievers have questions about our jargon we don't realize.
- Great Commission - is that what comes after a great sale?
- study the word - what's the word: abracadabra?
Unbelievers 10 years ago had a negative experience in church; today they have had little experience in church at all.
If you win an argument on religion today, you are judged argumentative. Forcefulness of making the point makes others nervous. Apologetics should not adopt a conquest mentality. Jesus defined it as news.
Unbelievers are looking for God, but don't want the church baggage - they think it'll make them worse people.
Ask a good question, then shut up and listen: "Tell me where you're at with God."
"My sister was always annoying, but when she got saved no one could stand her."
"So you don't want to be like her, but want to be saved?"
"Yeah."
They don't stay away because they love evil, but because they don't want hypocrisy.
Unbelievers wonder about genocide in the Bible, and how Christians treat other people.
What if unbelievers want to help others through the church? Many churches would stop them, for not believing. But today people want to belong someplace before they feel comfortable asking questions there. Some stay away from church so they can talk about God with someone! They need to see our weaknesses and see us acknowledge them.
Our churches unintentionally become ingrown country clubs.
Evangelism is not argument, conquest or sales, but a dance.
Belonging precedes believing.
These days, peopel have to find God in other places, like Alcoholics Anonymous; churches are exclusive cell groups.
Evangelism is part of the evangelizer's discipleship, too.
Contemporary evangelism is about self, then church, then the world. Instead it should be reversed. Start out in the world, then church, then self. God loves the world.
You are more ready than you realize to have conversations with seekers. Don't stay inside the church so long you forget what it is like outside.
Brian McLaren speaks at General Synod
Reading his notes off his Apple laptop, here's a synopsis of what he said.
A hurricane dropped 100 inches of rain in Honduras in 5 days, moving river beds. Picture shown of a bridge that was now useless - over dry land, into the water. World changes and our old structures no longer serve. Old maps don't describe the world. Cathedrals are visited by 1000s, but only 10 or 15 worship there. Chruch isn't keeping up with change.
1 Peter 3:15-16: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Always be prepared means you can't be prepared once for all. There are new questions. Sometimes we don't have answers right away. We reject and disdain those asking questions about faith that we don't like. Think of those you know who don't know Jesus or are asking questions.
Inquirer at his book-release party: "do you really believe all that stuff, or are you just making it sound good? You're the only one I think I can talk to about religion." This means she is looking for a conversation partner - someone she can talk to. World doesn't need a prepared spiel. We're afraid of being mistaken for this, so we don't talk much at all. We need to give people permission to talk naturally. Conversation is when you can disagree and and still be friends. Unhindered conversation. Most people feel frustrated and angry at religion. Need to feel safe, so she tests by saying, "Do you really believe it?" She wants to see if you're defensive or offended.
Christian college group moving his son into college, moves him in well, left an ad with jargon. Unbelievers have questions about our jargon we don't realize.
- Great Commission - is that what comes after a great sale?
- study the word - what's the word: abracadabra?
Unbelievers 10 years ago had a negative experience in church; today they have had little experience in church at all.
If you win an argument on religion today, you are judged argumentative. Forcefulness of making the point makes others nervous. Apologetics should not adopt a conquest mentality. Jesus defined it as news.
Unbelievers are looking for God, but don't want the church baggage - they think it'll make them worse people.
Ask a good question, then shut up and listen: "Tell me where you're at with God."
"My sister was always annoying, but when she got saved no one could stand her."
"So you don't want to be like her, but want to be saved?"
"Yeah."
They don't stay away because they love evil, but because they don't want hypocrisy.
Unbelievers wonder about genocide in the Bible, and how Christians treat other people.
What if unbelievers want to help others through the church? Many churches would stop them, for not believing. But today people want to belong someplace before they feel comfortable asking questions there. Some stay away from church so they can talk about God with someone! They need to see our weaknesses and see us acknowledge them.
Our churches unintentionally become ingrown country clubs.
Evangelism is not argument, conquest or sales, but a dance.
Belonging precedes believing.
These days, peopel have to find God in other places, like Alcoholics Anonymous; churches are exclusive cell groups.
Evangelism is part of the evangelizer's discipleship, too.
Contemporary evangelism is about self, then church, then the world. Instead it should be reversed. Start out in the world, then church, then self. God loves the world.
You are more ready than you realize to have conversations with seekers. Don't stay inside the church so long you forget what it is like outside.
Steve gets Press coverage!
Click on this link to read how the Grand Rapids Press reports the activity at the RCA General Synod.
Our very own Steve was interviewed and is quoted in it.
I'm still trying to figure out the "red herring" thing - if anyone has a clue, please fill me in.
-Sara
Our very own Steve was interviewed and is quoted in it.
I'm still trying to figure out the "red herring" thing - if anyone has a clue, please fill me in.
-Sara
6.09.2006
General Synod - Day 2 - General-Secretary report
A conversation with Wes, our General Secretary.
Actually it's a selection from his report tonight with a few [responses of mine] thrown in...
Where are we going as the RCA? Commitment to follow Jesus can change everything. When the church gets settled and seeks to preserve the status quo, vitality is lost and life is boring.
Our confessions are dated.
[WRONG - we just won't listen to them.]
Election often produces closed communities that don't evangelize.
[This is an unnecessary distortion of good doctrine].
But positively, relationships are revelatory.
[what does THAT mean? In a secondary sense, yes, we can learn things from others about God's will, but never over the revelation of Scripture].
We must be reformed and missional. This is the vision; we need the strategy of Our Call (10-year plan for growth: 2003-2013). Pastor networks are the best denominational development of Wes' 12 years as general secretary. Congregational revival begins with ministerial revival. Are our structures impeding our mission?
[Does this include presbyterian polity? Already we are moving to table discussions as more missional and cooperative than Robert's Rules of Order (too debate/decide/argue oriented). I don't like this direction.]
Rejecting racism isn't a politically correct agenda, but faithfulness to Jesus' Lordship.
[Why can't he see that declaring homosexual behavior sinful, with Scripture, also is faithful to Jesus' Lordship?]
Congregations are focusing on local mission to the detriment of global connectedness and mission.
[Amen to that.]
There is a new reformed presence in Myanmar (Burma) after they visited our website and then our seminaries. Global links are fragile, due to many options for mission dollars. RCA congregations give twice as much to non-RCA missions as to RCA missions.
[This is likely due to a suspicion that the liberal leadership is producing an equally liberal social gospel mission identity. Whether it is or not I'm not very qualified to say. Not in some cases, like Words of Hope.]
Congregations get easily wrapped up in themselves: their vision is bigger and better parking, better choir or better church dinners.
[Again, Amen to this! He who seeks to save his life/congregation/denomination will lose it.]
We are not about the institutional survival of the RCA. We are about meeting needs outside our walls.
[Then why did the homosexual dialogue facilitator say that the goal is to keep us together? This doesn't jive.]
God has given each of us unique gifts and skills, but also purposes in our hearts that line up with His mission. Line up your skills and purpose with God's mission.
Neal Plantinga (Calvin Seminary president): God's mission is about affections of the heart more than ideas of the head.
[This is dangerous ground: putting feelings above truth.]
Well, that's my conversation. More tomorrow.
Actually it's a selection from his report tonight with a few [responses of mine] thrown in...
Where are we going as the RCA? Commitment to follow Jesus can change everything. When the church gets settled and seeks to preserve the status quo, vitality is lost and life is boring.
Our confessions are dated.
[WRONG - we just won't listen to them.]
Election often produces closed communities that don't evangelize.
[This is an unnecessary distortion of good doctrine].
But positively, relationships are revelatory.
[what does THAT mean? In a secondary sense, yes, we can learn things from others about God's will, but never over the revelation of Scripture].
We must be reformed and missional. This is the vision; we need the strategy of Our Call (10-year plan for growth: 2003-2013). Pastor networks are the best denominational development of Wes' 12 years as general secretary. Congregational revival begins with ministerial revival. Are our structures impeding our mission?
[Does this include presbyterian polity? Already we are moving to table discussions as more missional and cooperative than Robert's Rules of Order (too debate/decide/argue oriented). I don't like this direction.]
Rejecting racism isn't a politically correct agenda, but faithfulness to Jesus' Lordship.
[Why can't he see that declaring homosexual behavior sinful, with Scripture, also is faithful to Jesus' Lordship?]
Congregations are focusing on local mission to the detriment of global connectedness and mission.
[Amen to that.]
There is a new reformed presence in Myanmar (Burma) after they visited our website and then our seminaries. Global links are fragile, due to many options for mission dollars. RCA congregations give twice as much to non-RCA missions as to RCA missions.
[This is likely due to a suspicion that the liberal leadership is producing an equally liberal social gospel mission identity. Whether it is or not I'm not very qualified to say. Not in some cases, like Words of Hope.]
Congregations get easily wrapped up in themselves: their vision is bigger and better parking, better choir or better church dinners.
[Again, Amen to this! He who seeks to save his life/congregation/denomination will lose it.]
We are not about the institutional survival of the RCA. We are about meeting needs outside our walls.
[Then why did the homosexual dialogue facilitator say that the goal is to keep us together? This doesn't jive.]
God has given each of us unique gifts and skills, but also purposes in our hearts that line up with His mission. Line up your skills and purpose with God's mission.
Neal Plantinga (Calvin Seminary president): God's mission is about affections of the heart more than ideas of the head.
[This is dangerous ground: putting feelings above truth.]
Well, that's my conversation. More tomorrow.
General Synod - Day 2 - homosexual dialogue forum
Just back from the forum on the homosexual dialogue. I am deflated, and not because I'm exhausted. My roommate, says he's crawling out of his skin, and it was hard for him to remain seated and in the room. This post is co-written with him.
The dialogue facilitator is a licensed psychologist. He is designing the process with the perspective of conflict mediation, where the goal is that two parties disagreeing on this issue co-exist, neither coming to agreement and both finding a way to minister to the homosexual out of their own perspective. He said the goal of the process is to create a language that can keep us together. This makes unity a higher value than truth (interpreting Scripture rightly).
We have two opposing views. One brings the Gospel (good news) of being free to act on homosexual tendencies, the other brings the Gospel of freedom from homosexual behavior. How can we be united in mission, when the missions are diametrically oppoosed?
There was no presence of Scripture as a guiding force. They confined the Spirit's work to guiding us in our conflict and emotions, ignoring His message in the Word which convicts of sin. Indeed, sin was entirely absent from the discussion.
Our only hope then is for a course correction to this process, which will assume the sinfulness of homosexual behavior as revealed in Scripture. There are overtures heading this way. We'll keep you informed!
Our reverend General-Secretary gives his report tonight.
The dialogue facilitator is a licensed psychologist. He is designing the process with the perspective of conflict mediation, where the goal is that two parties disagreeing on this issue co-exist, neither coming to agreement and both finding a way to minister to the homosexual out of their own perspective. He said the goal of the process is to create a language that can keep us together. This makes unity a higher value than truth (interpreting Scripture rightly).
We have two opposing views. One brings the Gospel (good news) of being free to act on homosexual tendencies, the other brings the Gospel of freedom from homosexual behavior. How can we be united in mission, when the missions are diametrically oppoosed?
There was no presence of Scripture as a guiding force. They confined the Spirit's work to guiding us in our conflict and emotions, ignoring His message in the Word which convicts of sin. Indeed, sin was entirely absent from the discussion.
Our only hope then is for a course correction to this process, which will assume the sinfulness of homosexual behavior as revealed in Scripture. There are overtures heading this way. We'll keep you informed!
Our reverend General-Secretary gives his report tonight.
General Synod - Day 2 - President's report
President Irving Rivera - synopsis of his "report." It was actually a sermon.
I'm a preacher. Church is experiencing exciting times. Churchill: "This was their finest hour." Yes, we have conflicts, but so did NT church, and they grew during and through it. We are declining, but also transforming. Planting and revitalizing churches isn't the most important thing; the presence of God is. Exodus 33-34. God says, "I'm not going with you." Moses says, "No deal. We aren't going either, then." God says, "Okay, I'll go, but if they continue in sin, I'll kill them all." And He did! 2 Chronicles 7:11; Isaiah 57:15. Don't find yourself resisting God. God dwells with the obedient. And with worshippers. Both of these must be defined and conformed to the Word of God. Worship sets us free - Acts 16:25. When you have God's presence, you don't need "special gimmicks." Worship brings fruitfulness - Isa 54:1. No worship brings barrenness. Spurgeon: a church without the Spirit is a curse, not a blessing, standing in someone else's way."
Those are the best highlights.
Afternoon was devoted to a report for our 10-year goal to start x number of churches and revitilize x number of churches by 2013.
Now off to a forum on the homosexuality dialogue. Yay!
I'm a preacher. Church is experiencing exciting times. Churchill: "This was their finest hour." Yes, we have conflicts, but so did NT church, and they grew during and through it. We are declining, but also transforming. Planting and revitalizing churches isn't the most important thing; the presence of God is. Exodus 33-34. God says, "I'm not going with you." Moses says, "No deal. We aren't going either, then." God says, "Okay, I'll go, but if they continue in sin, I'll kill them all." And He did! 2 Chronicles 7:11; Isaiah 57:15. Don't find yourself resisting God. God dwells with the obedient. And with worshippers. Both of these must be defined and conformed to the Word of God. Worship sets us free - Acts 16:25. When you have God's presence, you don't need "special gimmicks." Worship brings fruitfulness - Isa 54:1. No worship brings barrenness. Spurgeon: a church without the Spirit is a curse, not a blessing, standing in someone else's way."
Those are the best highlights.
Afternoon was devoted to a report for our 10-year goal to start x number of churches and revitilize x number of churches by 2013.
Now off to a forum on the homosexuality dialogue. Yay!
General Synod - Day 2 - Getting started
An interesting morning.
Prayer at 6am for Synod, with 5 guys, including the RCA's Minister of Prayer Jonathan Brownson.
Breakfast at 7
Synod at 8:15. About 2 hours of introductions, welcomes and orientation. Yikes, that's gotta change. Too much administration not needed. I didn't need the orientation, and I'm a first time delegate!
2 items of new business reported.
1 - commending a military chaplain for his service - he was promoted to Rear Admiral (Lower Half).
2 - a statement was presented to be read, but deferred to later in the proceedings, probably Monday. This is a statement on the homosexuality issue, and can be found here. There are over 800 names now!
Then Synod President Irving Rivera spoke. Quite good! I'll post the details of that later tonight. Lunch is now over and I'm almost late back.
Prayer at 6am for Synod, with 5 guys, including the RCA's Minister of Prayer Jonathan Brownson.
Breakfast at 7
Synod at 8:15. About 2 hours of introductions, welcomes and orientation. Yikes, that's gotta change. Too much administration not needed. I didn't need the orientation, and I'm a first time delegate!
2 items of new business reported.
1 - commending a military chaplain for his service - he was promoted to Rear Admiral (Lower Half).
2 - a statement was presented to be read, but deferred to later in the proceedings, probably Monday. This is a statement on the homosexuality issue, and can be found here. There are over 800 names now!
Then Synod President Irving Rivera spoke. Quite good! I'll post the details of that later tonight. Lunch is now over and I'm almost late back.
General Synod - Day 1 - Opening worship
We had worship last night at 1st Reformed Pella, Iowa. A good time.
Organ prelude. The Church's One Foundation with hundreds of voices, mostly male, was powerful. Message from Mark 1:1-14 - "The Ripped Church" - We are ripped together as a church, just as the heavens were ripped when the Spirit came upon Jesus at His baptism. We are united in the ripping and descending of the Spirit upon us, and invited into the Trinitarian fellowship dance (into fellowship with God because of Christ's work). Communion followed.
Organ prelude. The Church's One Foundation with hundreds of voices, mostly male, was powerful. Message from Mark 1:1-14 - "The Ripped Church" - We are ripped together as a church, just as the heavens were ripped when the Spirit came upon Jesus at His baptism. We are united in the ripping and descending of the Spirit upon us, and invited into the Trinitarian fellowship dance (into fellowship with God because of Christ's work). Communion followed.
6.08.2006
General Synod - sightings of a first-time delegate
I'm flying out in 2 hours, and blogger is back up in time for me to say that I will have blogging capabilities at General Synod, so stay tuned.
This is the Reformed Church in America's highest assembly, akin to the presbyterian "General Assembly," or in legal parlance, the Supreme Court. There are something like 200 delegates total, some from each classis (prebytery) in the denomination across the country. We are meeting in Pella, Iowa, at the RCA's Central College.
I am on a committee examining a 15-page paper on marriage and sexuality, and that will be fun to be in on that discussion.
Anyway, more tonight, maybe.
This is the Reformed Church in America's highest assembly, akin to the presbyterian "General Assembly," or in legal parlance, the Supreme Court. There are something like 200 delegates total, some from each classis (prebytery) in the denomination across the country. We are meeting in Pella, Iowa, at the RCA's Central College.
I am on a committee examining a 15-page paper on marriage and sexuality, and that will be fun to be in on that discussion.
Anyway, more tonight, maybe.
6.06.2006
6.02.2006
Vacation pictures
Here is what we found on the road on our vacation up north! First, here's your basic scenery...
Yes, this is a real road, and we actually drove on it, with our little Toyota Corolla!
Then some wildlife, literally ON the road!We'll inflict more pictures on you later....
Been Farmin' Long?
Here's some of the Hemmeke men replanting corn on Memorial Day in mid-80 degree heat. We found Steve's brother Cal in the field and *had* to get tractor rides for the kids.
Owen contemplating farm life.
Grace learned about "field potties." Cal learned not to start planting with no water or food along. I learned that if you stand looking at a tractor passing farmers will stop and assume you know everything about the ongoing field work.
-Sara
6.01.2006
Trip Recap
We're back from our jaunt "up north" - 2 nights in a lovely cabin set in the woods of northern Michigan. We enjoyed many adventures together:
- camera-hunting: captured on film (up close!) sandhill cranes, a whitetail deer, and several rare and protected wildflowers
- book stores (many books were brought home)
- antique shops (more books found their way into our car)
- Steve bought his first pair of sandals. Ever. It was like giving a kid his first piece of candy. His verdict: he felt very "first century"
- Sara found the northernmost yarn shop in the lower penninsula - and brought home a nice souvenir
- Sara scrambling up an 80-degree slope covered in wet leaves while wearing flip flops and a skirt... all to get a close up photo of a rare lady's slipper flower in bloom!
- a strange phenomemon: several places of business closed on Wednesdays
It was a great time of relaxation and rejuvenation for the two of us - and the kids really enjoyed their time with the grandparents.
I will try to restrain Steve from posting more doodles of mine - perhaps I can coax him to post one of his own! THAT would be something (Steve is the only person on the planet I know of who designed and built an entire staircase on our deck without making one single diagram... all numbers and words... so left brained)
-Sara
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