wfn.org | Commentary: "Arranging For Joy"

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

21-June-1997 
 
 
                 Commentary: "Arranging For Joy" 
 
                     by the Rev. Virgil Cruz 
 
(Editor's note: This commentary was commissioned by the General Assembly 
Newsroom as a companion piece to a commentary by the Rev. Robert Browne. 
The two commentaries were intended to be released simultaneously, but due 
to a computer glitch in the newsroom, the posting of this commentary was 
delayed.  The General Assembly Newsroom apologies for any mistaken 
impression this delay may have created.) 
 
SYRACUSE--In the Reformed Church in America, with whom we Presbyterians 
enjoy excellent relations, the Christian life is sometimes characterized as 
"righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."  A minister in that 
communion once characterized their own General Assembly (General Synod) as 
a time of "arranging for joy."  (Dr. James Cook) And in typical Dutch 
Calvinist fashion, he proceeded to draw parallels between the Incarnation, 
the body of Jesus Christ, the gospel of God in human form, and the 
machinery and structure of the church.  And he concludes that "a 
structureless Christianity is as unthinkable as a bodiless Christ," even 
though both realities possess limitation and weakness. 
     Perhaps this high view of G.A. provides a clue as to why so many of us 
Presbyterians - it is not sufficient to dismiss us as G.A. Junkies - 
receive some special nourishment from being here, nourishment which may 
even be tethered to Great End no.  2,  The shelter, nurture and spiritual 
fellowship of the children of God. 
     Additional specific contributions to this "end" come from such 
elements as the opening worship of G.A., the daily devotional services, the 
witness of the International partners in mission, the perception of the 
certain conviction that a particular bit of work under focus rightfully 
belongs to the ministry of the church, and especially from the communion of 
the saints, i.e., serial reunions with old and valued friends, and the 
excitement of initiating promising new relationships.  In light of these 
optimistic even wonderful perceptions of G.A., the prospect of possible 
deep disagreement, rancor, and even rupture of ties that bind, casts a 
fore-boding shadow. 
      
     I find myself in a rather peculiar position; I will be departing from 
Syracuse and actually leaving the country before this Assembly closes.  I 
will not play the prophet but rather have decided to mention a resolution 
or two I chose to follow in my church life during the next year or so. 
     Just a brief word of rationale.  Of course, the issue in our church 
which has the greatest potential for setting off a fire-fight is Overture 
B.  Many had expressed their firm wish to hear from the presbyteries on the 
point of ordination of gays and lesbians.  It has also become an unwritten 
but widely held conclusion, I believe, that after this happenes, the entire 
matter will be laid to rest for a time.  As a result of this past year's 
actions, I find myself fervently hoping that our church will responsibly 
move forward.  This does not commit proponents of any position to perpetual 
silence.  However, instead of continuing in confrontational stances on 
opposite sides of a regrettable, very destructive chasm, we can try 
another, more promising approach. 
     For one personal resolution, I do intend to make work of studying The 
Great Ends of the Church.  Some presbyteries, thankfully, have conducted 
responsible and very helpful investigations of the sexuality issue.  The 
attempts of others, in all honesty, do not really merit the term "fair 
study."  But it is my sincere and passionate hope that studying now the 
"Ends" will move us away from those polemic strategies of looking for the 
weak points in the other side, all the while searching for the most 
forceful way of presenting ours. 
     Instead, we can focus in a clear and disciplined way upon this 
stimulating statement of the reasons for the existence of the church and 
the nature of its mission.  Obtaining a fuller grasp of our faith 
traditions will be enormously empowering, I am totally convinced. For those 
who have come to the Presbyterian Church from elsewhere, and for those who, 
frankly, have never acquired such orientation, this study will constitute a 
long-awaited introduction to several dimensions of Reformed Christianity! 
     As a child of the old UPNA, I'm pleased that this important portion of 
our tradition still lives and may have an increasingly important impact on 
our reunited church today.  My study will be significantly enhanced by the 
volume written by national staffer, Dr. Joseph Small, coordinator for 
theology. 
     I have also secured a copy of pertinent material assembled and 
annotated by Dr.  Joseph Keesecker.  The former leads us through a fresh 
and helpful exposition of the document.  The latter removes its 
Melchizedekian character by including a bit of background and history of 
the statement. 
     Another personal resolution concerns the matter of Christian decorum. 
In Baltimore, in 1991, following that Assembly's action on the Human 
Sexuality Report, this prayer was offered: 
     Gracious God, as we meet here, we stand firmly in the tradition which 
stretches back to the first Council of the Church in Jerusalem.  Gathered 
in that assembly and led by the Spirit, your people confronted and overcame 
divisions which then threatened the community of faith with disintegration. 
     We thank you, Lord, that your Spirit still leads and guides and heals 
today! We ask that your Holy Spirit will now hover over us and bring 
healing and reconciliation to us Help us to see each other as family; help 
us to continue to talk and study and learn, 
     And may we never forget: that which unites us is far, far greater than 
anything that threatens to separate us!  We gratefully share one Lord, one 
faith, one baptism, and one God.  There is no place for strife and hurtful 
words.  You call us to love and forbearance and mutual respect.  During the 
months ahead, empower us, Great God, to work for peace, unity, justice, and 
purity in our church.  In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. 
     Regarding the crucial importance of seeing each other as family, Rev. 
Dr. Jane Sparr has helped me personally immensely.  At the Milwaukee 
Assembly, I impulsively attended the worship service at which she was 
scheduled to preach.  The sanctuary was nicely filled and the congregation 
was comprised, I hastily judged, of gays and lesbians I knew along with 
recognized supporters. 
     I was not prepared, however, for what came next.  From all sectors of 
the church, smiles and nods were directed toward me.  And after the 
service, Rev. Jane gave me a firm, accepting hug.  I said, "Don't forget, I 
am president of Presbyterians for Renewal and know clearly my position on 
this issue which is so vital for you."  She answered without a second's 
hesitation: "You are Virgil Cruz, my brother in Christ." 
     That moment has determined the nature of our subsequent contact.  And 
I hope that in the course of my upcoming analysis of the Great Ends, my 
sister Jane and I will have opportunity to dialogue about their 
interpretation and implication, even though we are fully aware of the 
profound and far-reaching differences of opinions we respectively possess 
regarding human sexuality. 
     Finally, I want to paraphrase my RCA colleague again on the Assembly 
as a means of arranging for joy.  Who knows from which part of this church 
gathering, from which report, from which plenary, will emerge new things 
which will move the commissioners and staff (and the whole church 
ultimately) to sing with the writer Auden's shepherds: 
     Music and sudden light 
     Have interrupted our routine tonight. 
 
     It is my hope that when this Assembly ends, all commissioners and 
attendees will return to their churches and presbyteries determined to 
worship and debate and study and live in light of that Baltimore prayer. 
With God's help, may it be so.  Dr. Virgil Cruz, Professor of New 
Testament, Emeritus, Louisville Seminary 

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