General Assembly Business Update
The first day of GA is always a long one. With everything from getting checked in to orientation meetings to the first business meeting all the way to the opening worship service where the new Moderator is installed in the evening. It’s a proper 12 hour day. For people like Gabe and me who skew toward introvert (sometimes strongly) it can get overwhelming. With all the things to prep for, the places to be and the mass of people, both familiar and new, we were tired by the end!
The business meeting was notable for one main reason, its brevity. We opened with the moderator of the 194th GA (last year’s) Rev. Jhony Montaño from the Cauca Valley presbytery. We were brought to order and began. I should say here there are 2 things that must happen in the first meeting, Elect the new moderator and vice moderator, and have time for communications. The communication time is usually the one that gives us the most anxiety. Sure we have our preferences for the new moderator and must take the time to listen to some campaign speeches, but we know that’s coming. Communications time, on the other hand, is an open book and we never really know what will happen. Any commissioner can bring any resolution to the floor for anything they want or their presbytery wants. These can range widely. Anything from a proposed change to the Confession of Faith, to a resolution to decry gun violence, to a resolution asking presbyteries to remember to be faithful. It’s really anybody’s guess. However, what makes that time notable this year was it’s silence. There wasn’t a single new resolution submitted. Nothing! For those that have never been here, the silence seems to be more upsetting to the regulars than anything else. In some things silence is golden, here it. is. frightening. It feels like people are preparing something sneaky. I’m not sure that is the case this year though.
I’m not sure what it is about this year. I’m not sure if it’s the location, the host presbytery, or if everybody who normally comes to these to insert themselves just wanted a year off, but even the surrounding conversations during the breaks feel nice. I don’t think I’ve seen very many small cliques and cohorts sitting around talking in hushed tones like they’re planning a bank robbery. Hopefully, whatever the reason may be, we can take the extra time to renew our relationships to one another and remember our true goal. We are a church founded on sharing the gospel of Christ as wide as possible, and teaching our children the story of our God and his salvation. The central theme of this GA is found in Psalm 78:3-4, “things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might and the wonders that he has done.” Let us pray we live up to that standard.
We did choose a new Moderator. The nominations were Rev. Daniel Barclay from Grace Presbytery, and Rev. Kim Moore from Nashville Presbytery. These are both people I know. Daniel has been the pastor at Gardendale for a long time now and Kim has done many thing including missionary work in Guatemala and Haiti. After the vote, Rev. Daniel Barclay was named moderator and after a second vote Rev. Kim Moore was named the vice Moderator. May they remember the nature of the office is to deal fairly with all Cumberlands across the globe no matter their difference. Let us pray they remember that to be a Moderator is to lead in unity and not division. Let us pray their only agenda is to help further the cause of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, all Cumberland Presbyterians, not a subset they agree with. may we get back to sharing the good news, gospel of Christ.
More thoughts on “the gospel” tomorrow.
Grace and peace to you all,
