wfn.org | Feeling the Heat in Albuqeerque

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

09-July-1996 
 
GA96123          Feeling the Heat in Albuquerque 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--from 93 degree days to 103 degree salsa, the 208th GA lived up 
to all expectations.  We Presbyterians felt the heat in Albuquerque.  
 
     The highest temperatures came from within the convention center from 
two Presbyterian heat sources: an angry heat reacting to divisiveness and a 
visionary heat determining to surge ahead in mission. 
 
     The heat of anger was most concentrated in the Assembly's  response to 
national staff conflicts.   
 
     "Peace agreements" were adopted between conflicting entities, but the 
Assembly went further.  It adopted most of the proposals offered by the 
Quadrennial Review Committee, tackling the abysmal morale felt among 
national staff and the widespread perception of the lack of accountability 
by the national entities to the church at large.   
 
     The heat of peace-seeking anger reached scalding levels when the 
Assembly addressed its top program leader.  Widely perceived as the common 
denominator in many of the church's conflicts, James Brown's confirmation 
as GAC chair still seemed inevitable.  But when the results of the vote 
were broadcast on the monitors, the gasp of stunned silence said it all. 
The Assembly had said "No" to confirmation of his call.  A sad chill 
immediately filled the hall. 
 
     Then again, a pervasive warmth filled the Assembly as it elected John 
"The Church Matters" Buchanan as its moderator, reflecting the common 
desire to hold together as a family. That warmth intensified as Clifton 
"Communication Matters" Kirkpatrick garnered an overwhelming 71 percent 
vote, bringing to the office of stated clerk his wide wing-spread--one long 
proven effective at reaching and embracing the whole breadth of the church. 
 
     The Assembly's response to COCU warmed in unconceived ways.  A diehard 
resistance to the creation of bishops stood its ground. But a surprising 
possibility emerged: reclaiming each presbytery's role of being our 
collective bishop and continuing to utilize commissions to act on the 
presbytery's behalf in ordaining.  If the other COCU denominations buy it, 
and if the presbyteries approve it, the covenanting can go forward without 
our presbyterian polity being compromised. 
 
     Everyone knew sexuality would generate heat.  On the positive side, 
the presentations before the committee were much less incendiary than in 
previous years.  While numerous homosexuals and relatives of homosexuals 
pleaded for acceptance, a dozen others testified of their freedom from 
homosexuality.   On the negative side, it soon became clear that the task 
before them offered no options that could bring consensus, no less 
unanimity.   
 
     However, the "Ordination and Human Sexuality" committee determined to 
face the heat. They eschewed any thought of being a "do nothing" Assembly. 
The time had come to deal with the issues and move on. 
 
     In fact, after exhausting all alternative possibilities, they 
formulated their proposal to amend the Book of Order by requiring 
repentance not just from homosexual behavior but from any self-acknowledged 
practice which the confessions call sin.  Echoed by the whole Assembly's 
vote, it now falls upon the presbyteries to bring closure to this 
protracted debate.  Of course, nobody holds forth the illusion that the 
issues surrounding homosexual orientation and practice will go away.  The 
Nicean Creed did not do away with debates about the divinity and humanity 
of Christ either.  But a cooling of the heated volatility of these years' 
arguments and skirmishes was offered as the possible outcome was held forth 
 
     No victory parade followed the vote.  First came prayer, then came 
hundreds of demonstrators marching through the assembly hall to express 
their dismay, while the others sat in respectful silence.  
 
     Fueling the heat dealing with the controversial issues was a yearning 
to turn the church's attention to the real task before us.  Marj 
Carpenter's words, "Mission, mission, mission" still echoed through the 
halls.  And those words came to life in the adoption of a new emphasis upon 
evangelism for the whole church.  Specific plans were adopted to surge 
ahead in racial-ethnic evangelism.  New impetus was given toward campus and 
military evangelism.  The commissioned lay pastor program was empowered to 
raise up a whole new cadre of leadership for ministry in the years ahead. 
 
     Yes, a lot of heat was generated in Albuquerque.  But from this 
vantage point, at appears that a lot of light was shed, too. 
 
Jack Haberer 

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