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| Reflections on the 2001 General
Assembly:
A space where civility and the
Spirit could work
by Jane Hanna, Witherspoon Society president
[posted here on 8-4-01]
There was something different about this year's
General Assembly. I refer not so much to the decisions, although most of
them were in accordance with the theology of the Witherspoon Society,
but to an atmosphere that prevailed all week. I have attended General
Assemblies for the past 25 years and this is one in which civility
seemed a priority among the several thousand people who gathered to
attend the business of the PCUSA.
I cannot speak from firsthand observation about all 15 of the committee
hearings. I sat in on portions of a few and was impressed by several
things, frequently verified by those who observed other committees. In
contrast to recent years there appeared to be a sincere attempt to
listen, to hear one another. The comments, pros and cons, were given in
temperate and reasoned tones. Questions were perceptive and thoughtful.
The deliberations I heard, dealing with issues that have been extremely
contentious in the past, were conducted without arrogance, anger, or
confrontation. I sensed a genuine concern that the theme of the General
Assembly, "Rooted and Grounded in Love," be honored and put
into practice.
I believe commissioners were better prepared than in some previous
years. They had "done their homework." Indeed, those
commissioners with whom I spoke mentioned how diligently they had worked
to become familiar with all the overtures and other items they knew
would be before them. Quite a few also credited good preparation offered
by their presbyteries.
Every year there is frequent reference to "sensing the Holy
Spirit" in the midst of Assembly decisions. It felt this year that
people were striving sincerely to put aside preconceived positions and
honestly endeavor to experience that Spirit. I noted less of the
polarizing win/lose atmosphere of past years, a little more open
attitude toward consideration of diverse opinions, to new information
and revelation.
Credit should be given those who planned and conducted the worship
services. They were inclusive, challenging, stimulating, and thoughtful.
Bible study, prayer, singing, reading the confessions in unison all
played a part in bringing people at the Assembly together in the
struggle to discern God's will. Moderator Rogers set a tone for
consideration of everyone's feelings and convictions while stating his
own honestly held positions. He and Vice Moderator Arbesman ably handled
parliamentary procedure, smoothly conducting the business of the
Assembly, yet giving each topic the time it needed for consensus during
plenary sessions.
Two decisions made by Commissioners continue to be a source of
controversy in the denomination: the description of the Lordship of
Christ and the "fidelity and chastity" interpretation added
five years ago to the Book of Order. Asking the presbyteries to vote
once more on ordination of homosexual persons in relationships continues
to keep this topic on the front burner. It is unfortunate that this
25-year old disagreement about God's intent for human intimacy will
again dominate the time, energy, and passion of a church wanting to
follow Christ faithfully. I'd like to think the Commissioners recognized
there are other, weightier issues that require our moral concern rather
than persecuting and excluding people who love someone of the same
gender.
Those who oppose ordination of homosexual persons call for more study
and dialogue. Supposedly, that has been happening since a 1972 report on
Human Sexuality became available for congregational use. That was the
beginning of a number of extensive and comprehensive publications
prepared by various task forces that were meant to give guidance to just
such study and dialogue. Unfortunately, study and dialogue have not
happened very often, despite the years this issue has dominated the
attention of the church. When a vote was taken to reject the report of
the Special Committee on Human Sexuality, presented to the 203rd
General Assembly (1991), I read in a Lake Charles, Louisiana newspaper
about a pastor quoted as saying, "It's not the first time we've
voted on something we haven't read." That pattern has been
operative in far too many corners of the church.
When congregations and presbyteries conscientiously planned study and
dialogue, too often homosexual persons were excluded from those
gatherings. They were talked about but not with. A
careful analysis of biblical, scientific, medical, psychological, and
social information about gender orientation reveals exclusion to be a
form of bigotry. Informed congregations have overcome the fear, mystery,
and mistrust that have denied God's call to those whose gender
orientation differs from that of the majority. Congregations that have
included homosexuals in their dialogue have learned that difference is
not deviance.
Commissioners modeled a spirit of trust, openness to one another,
informed discussion, and careful discernment of God's will during the
213th General Assembly. If the attitude that prevailed during
that week in June can infuse our presbytery deliberations, it will be a
new day for the PCUSA.
-Jane Hanna
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