Hanna on GA

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 203^rd 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 213^th 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