DeVinci, LES, & a New Moderator!

Dinner
The afternoon was spent in the Word and reuniting with some old friends. I went to dinner at DeVinci’s. It was a great Italian restaurant. I had the spicy rope sausage and the best garlic loaf (not bread, it was a loaf. I asked the server if she knew why the spelled DeVinci with an "E" instead of an "A", she said she didn’t know but that she thinks it has to do with some different dialect in Italy that the owner belong to. However, since the Da Vinci Code movie she has been asked that question several times. I then asked if she had read the book. She said she had, but that she is reading Angels & Demons (the prequel) and says it is even better. Everyone says that–let’s be honest–I am not reading it. I then tried to engage her in a discussion of what she thought of the book. She didn’t understand the hoopla–it is fiction. Although when I pushed her, she still accepted some of the underline lies that Dan Brown sets forth in his book as historical fact. Anyway–it was a great dinner.

Right now, I am in the plenary session, the GA will be electing the moderator of church for the next 2 years.

Problems with LES
And LES strikes for the first time. LES is the computer program in which all assembly business is put on. There are no printed reports given to commissioners. The GA is dealing with the consent agenda which is a mass approval of many business items (which most people don’t read). Sometimes sneaky things pass through the consent agenda (I don’t know of any items this time). One commissioner complain that they couldn’t access LES. After taking a poll of whether commissioners could access LES 55% said they couldn’t. So half of the voters couldn’t access the information that was before the Assembly. This is a dangerous and a reason to call into question all actions that this GA takes unless the system is fixed. I love technology but this is a reckless use of technology with many commissioners who are not computer savvy. We should not sideline the collective judgment of our church because some people are not computer savvy.

15 minutes later--The second vote on ability to access LES is 22% cannot access but the consensus is that LES is slow and not responsive. I would concur with that assessment even when I use it during off-peak hours of the assembly. The consent agenda was just passed even though 1/5 of the assembly couldn’t assess the documents.

The beginning of disunity in regards to PUP
A overture was made by Presbytery of the James to deal with the PUP report (Peace, Unity, Purity) to deal with the recommendations independently of each other. The stated clerk and the committee of bills and overtures voted to not send the overture to any committees because this overture was not of a substantive matter, but a parliamentary procedure that the GA should do if it wished to deal with the report in such a manner. The motion is approved by an 80% margin (hope that is not a sign of things to come).

Another compliant about LES is made by a commissioner.

Rick Ufford-Chase just stated that we need to bear with LES, because, "it is important experiment." I wonder if the PUP report is an "important experiment" (experiment is the words that PUP members describe their proposals) as well.

Election of the Moderator
The good news is that the commissioners will not need LES for the election of the moderator. Because of delays the moderator just broke the assembly into singing a round of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot," and "I want to sing, I want to shout." Okay-dokee!

Tim Halverson: "Truly Reformed! Truly Evangelical! Truly catholic!" Halverson platform is based on a vision of discipleship, mission and growth (I am not sure what he means about growth). He talks the talk about evangelism and proclaim Jesus Christ. Halverson claims he is a centrists not with his views, but with because Jesus is the center. Halverson is liberal evangelical(?)

Joan Gray: "Polity is not to save us!" Joan stance is more about healing and learning to be a church amidst our differences. Learning to deal and live in conflict. Trusting in God and lifting up the role of elders. Her agenda is to lift up, empower and equip elders. Joan is an author of one the main polity books for our denomination. Joan is an conservative evangelical.

Kerry Carson: Status quo has lead us to status decline." Agenda is to focus on Great Commandment and Great Commission. Loving each other–going the extra mile for each other to experience renewal. The church compare to a roller coaster–hang on to Jesus when we fear. Believes that the best days of the PCUSA are ahead of us. Kerry is a conservative evangelical.

My money is Halverson at this point. Most energetic and unique presentation.

Deborah Block: Block is former moderator of the Covenant Network. Her platform takes about the day of Pentecost and being united by the Spirit. She tells a few stories about "experiencing" the spirit and it being unifying. (Experience is the post-modern foundation for truth) She has Pentecost vision of the church, diverse and focused on mission.

My money is still on Halverson.

Now for an hour of questions. I think it would be more interesting if the candidates had to answer in the form of a question.

Highlights of the Moderator Q&A:
-Carson(white guy) stated that he knows what it means to be a minority. Yikes!
-Block had a weak and blurred answered regarding upholding Jesus is the only path of salvation.
-Block stated that if a gay person meets the standard of ordination in the Book of Order then the presbytery must ordained them (unfortunately–they standards won’t allow them).
–Halverson stated that his dreams was to ordained homosexuals–but he feels that a biblical case hasn’t been made yet to ordained him and the church does not have an overwhelming consensus on this matter. Halverson stated the issues was about Biblical interpretation.
-Gray stated that she has learned to be uncomfortable with her position of not ordaining homosexuals.
-Carson stated that he can’t because the scripture doesn’t allow it.
-Halverson upset that only 2 overtures of 140 deal with Evangelism.
-Carson asked the assembly if we are ready to receive missionaries from other countries to help us to spread the good news in our neighbors. Are we ready? Are we willing (what a great question).
-Robert Gagnon (author of The Bible and Homosexuality Practice) asked the question about recommendation 5 of PUP report. His question was a better answer than the moderatoral candidates. All I have to say is Robert Gagnon for moderator.
-Halverson agrees with PUP only if is the overwhelming majority of the Assembly (no chance of this!)
-Carson doesn’t agree with it, but would be willing to accept it if the whole church were to vote on it (meaning if it wasn’t Authoritative nterpretation).
-Block doesn’t see how the Kenyon case (women’s ordination) is connected with the PUP report (really-it is pretty clear connection).
-The last question to the candidates was what picture would they draw to describe the PCUSA in 2-4 years.
-Gray stated that it would be a heart ablazed
-Carson stated that it would be hands holding it each up.
-Block said it would be diverse handprints
-Halverson said it would be a windmill because it has a strong foundation and does something (mission).

Why they wouldn’t say a cross?

1st Vote
Block-28%
Carson-22%
Gray-28%
Halverson-22%

2nd Vote
Block-32%
Carson-14%
Gray-41%
Halverson-14%

3rd Vote
Block-31%
Carson-4%
Gray- 62%
Halverson-4%

It is a good thing I am not a gambling man.

Joan Gray is new moderator and she is evangelical and conservative. She stated in the interviews that she doesn’t support ordination of homosexuals and she doesn’t support the PUP report. This is unbelievable. Although, the moderator doesn’t have much say and doesn’t always indicate the way the GA is leaning. However, this looks to be a good sign. My prayer during this process is that God would pick the most unlikely, that he would pick the candidate that would rise up and lead this denomination and God would show this Assembly and the world that He is working. Alleluia–God is amazing. Gray was that candidate. Most people that Block would win easily.

Well, it is midnight. Day 1 down, and I am official sleep deprived already.