Drink Upstream

Re-interpretations of Old Standards

The stream ran dry again. No blogging for over a month. Time for a few more drips and drops in the hopes that our authors will return to Drink Upstream. Here is my contribution:

There is always excitement on and off Broadway when an older production returns with new numbers, a new cast, or (greatest of all) an entirely new interpretation. Fiddler on the Roof had a triumphal re-entry into the musical world in 2004, complete with a couple new songs written by the original lyricists. Perennially, new interpretations of Shakespeare will crop up wherein brass and chorus accompany Richard III, Lear has no fool to lampoon him, or Julius Caesar wears a coat and tie to his own assassination. All it takes is the word "Revival" or "Reinterpretation", and the critics start their buzz.

The old Should Gays and Lesbians Be Ordained? is finishing up its run this year with a clear defeat for Overture 08-B (which would amend G-6.0106b), but it is worth noting that some presbyteries have taken matters of re-interpretation into their own hands and tried something new. From the "Minutes in Brief" of the Presbytery of Philadelphia comes this description of a new attempt to enliven the weary and awaken the benumbed.

The Rev. Mr. Daniel Clark presented The Bills and Overtures report recommending that the Presbytery concur with all Overtures [except 08-B to be voted later in the docket]. After explaining each recommendation, the Presbytery voted to concur with all overtures from the 218th General Assembly. The vote was done by written ballot.

The Presbytery began Worship after which the Presbytery recessed for lunch. After lunch the Presbytery reconvened in the gymnasium in small groups to discuss outcomes of the possible votes on Overture 08-B. Following this opportunity for reflection, the Presbytery gathered in the sanctuary, heard the recommendation of Bills and Overtures to concur with 08-B, and had an hour of discussion and debate specifically regarding 08-B. The Rev. Spencer led the Presbytery in prayer and then called for the vote by written ballot. The Presbytery voted [152 to 139] to concur with Overture 08-B on Ordination Standards.

Small groups? Discussion? An hour given simply to 08-B? The critics should be abuzz.

Now, I am aware that many presbyteries have tried similar methods. However, it is notable that for the Presbytery of Philadelphia this vote represents a change from that of 2001 (Overture 01-A, defeated nationally and in Philly). Discussion, debate, and face-to-face interaction--did these things change minds? Maybe not. Could members of that Presbytery be galvanized into their opinions? Possibly. But from these notes, fear seems to have taken a backseat for just a little while. Whether they had approved or disapproved in the final vote, the Presbytery of Philadelphia is looking for new ways to listen--to each other and to the Holy Spirit. Other presbyteries, take note. If the nation's first presbytery can seek a new variation on an older theme, we all can. And should.

Point of Order! The Musical

Valentines 2009 was a great day to take your lover to the theatre in the Presbytery of the Pines. At the quadrennial meeting, the traveling company of Should Gays and Lesbians Be Ordained?, the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s longest running on- and off-GA spectacular, was in town for a quick twelve minute matinee followed by a show of hands vote. This incarnation--a revival that, as always, had the cast squaring off similar to a production of West Side Story--proposed to amend the infamous Amendment B, "Fidelity and Chastity," to a softer "those who are called to ordained service... pledge themselves to live lives obedient to Jesus Christ."

Over the years, the production has lost most of its charm. Like Cats and A Chorus Line (Broadway hits with similar tenures) it has its devotees, but the debate's persistence, its rotating cast and its tendency to evoke only archetypal characters who eschew nuance has led to performances packed only with weary audiences. And yet, the underlying genius of the text, its almost self-aware adaptation and malleability, continues to fill the seats. This year, two relatively new numbers were the highlight of the show. The strong, sombre tone of "Didn't We Settle This Thirty Years Ago? Speaking Against the Motion" sung to follow the brash, young and new Large Steeple Pastor with his "We've Been Fighting About This as Long as I've Been Alive--and Presbyterian. Speaking For the Motion". Pastors both, the vocalists let their baritone timbre deepen the mood of the room, and yet, one could feel the pair chafing under the limits of their roles, the simple duality of a generational conflict.

Inaugural Benediction

Because I thought this prayer wonderful and the utmost paean to God, I wanted to post the Benediction prayed by Joseph Lowery at yesterday's Inauguration.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h4SrWpZNd-yocKSO7_9FO51iLJowD95R4RTG0

"With your hands of power and your heart of love, help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid, when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream." Amen!!

Denominational Leadership in the PC(USA)

As I write this, Jared and I are in the middle of a discussion of denominational leadership in the PC(USA). And I want to invite others to join. Here's where we are:

Bill: I can't get behind the TSP thing, and it'll take a lot to convince me. I think of it as the same argument as Republicans kept throwing at Obama, "executive" experience proves leadership potential. I don't buy it.

Jared: When I think of excellent "executive" leadership in the church, I think of Rick Carus. He's a guy who can inspire, embolden, and empower people to get things done with a purpose. Rick is not Grace Presbytery's youth pastor - he is Grace Presbytery's Youth Executive. If you look at the list of ways that the programs he works on make the world more like God wants it to be, it's a huge list, with lots of impressive stuff on it.

Jared: And the list is much longer than anything Rick Carus himself could accomplish.

Jared: I am very willing to consider that TSP is not a good indicator of denominational leadership performance - you don't need to convince me. But we do need to figure out what might be.

Bill: What makes for good denominational leadership performance? How do we define that?

Jared: That would be controversial. I would say that a good denominational leader is one that can motivate, inspire, enable, and empower the church to make the world more like God wants it to be.

Choose your own adventure. If you want to help define denominational leadership, click Add Comment. If you want to continue the Beau Weston discussion, go to the previous entry. If you don't want to have anything to do with these church nerds, go read another blog.

Trust the Process

As many readers of this blog know (all five or six of you), I continue to travel a long road through the Presbyterian ordination process. The Committee on Perspective Ministry in Grace Presbytery has many candidates before them, and through the four years of seminary and three years after, I have wandered weak and weary, while their only request has been that my paperwork be done on time and that my meetings occur at the appropriate intervals. Four assigned liaisons have worked with me in the past six years, although, I use the word "worked" very casually; I only speak with or hear from my liaison when it is time for another Annual Consultation, when my paperwork is delayed, or when their time on the committee has ended.

I hunger for a process of discernment, where paperwork and review meetings are not the signposts on this journey. I hunger for a process of nurture and support, of discussion and debate and new understandings. This committee will recommend my ordination by the wider church, so why shouldn't there be a give and take and mutual development? Why can't there be an exploration on both our parts, discovering what it means for individuals to be called to ministry and for Presbyteries, not local congregations, to ordain them? Shouldn't we grow together--meaning both closer and concurrently?

Bruce Reyes-Chow recently posted an interview with a San Francisco Seminary student named Jenny Warner, who, when asked to describe her own journey with San Francisco Presbytery, called the process, "better than I thought... And, um, very discerning, and very caring, and nurturing." Almost to the word what I feel has been missing from my own journey. Bruce then presses her on to the future of the Presbyterian Church, and you can hear the rhythms of hope in what follows.

The Church vs. Web 2.0

I'm trying to encourage further development of the website at the church where I work, Old Pine Street Presbyterian. Hoping to encourage healthy discussion, I would like to offer the committee some examples of churches that are using the Web well. So, if there's a church's website that you are impressed by, one that reveals the flavor of a congregation and then connects people to them, please leave a comment listing that church's website. Thanks.

Today's Random Linkage

A Note from David Lamotte's sister, entitled Now What?  A Note to my Co-Liberals is worth reading.

(I wonder if the Lamotte family is adopting?  If you could have more than one family, I think I'd want to join theirs, too.)

Sermon Crafting, Ordinary 32

Once again, the pulpit beckons. November 9, the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, I will be in front of the congregation of Old Pine, preaching, proclaiming, heralding and calling. The road from here to there, though, is long and crowded. I thought I should get a head start.

I invite our regular and irregular readers to join me on this journey again. The texts for this sermon are:

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• I Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read 'em. Pray 'em. Think about 'em. Get back to me. Comment, email or Facebook message your thoughts (you can phone it in, too, if you need another option).

I will ask the standard questions. What stands out to you? What do you see and hear in these words of Scripture? And what are the implications for the Church (capitalized or not, however you understand it) in this time and this nation/world?

Let me add also two bits of context. First, Old Pine is currently between pastors. The Pastor/Head of Staff recently left and no interim has been selected (though the search committee is hard at work finding one). Second, that Sunday will be Stewardship Commitment Sunday. People will come forward for the offering and deliver enveloped pledges for their weekly offering next year. There is a theme to this year's stewardship campaign, and I believe it is "Thankfulness", but I am not certain.

Ok, that's it. Thank you to all who take the time to walk this journey with me.

Update: The stewardship campaign uses the metaphor of music to express thankfulness. Here is a line from the congregational letter: "The melodies of thanksgiving and praise remind us of the certainty of God's steadfast love for us, and drown out those ghosts of fear and doubt." May that add a new harmonic theme to your thoughtful reflection.

Broad Street Geneva

Rather than dwelling in ever expanding comments, I thought I would keep our recent discussion going by creating a new post. However, Bill (G or #2, however we should refer to you), Bruce, and Jared please consider this post a response to your insightful words.

My respect for the work of newborn communities such as Broad Street Ministry and Mission Bay Community Church cannot be measured. They are places where the Gospel is rightly preached, heard, and practiced, I'm sure of it, though I've never worshiped at either place. Why be so sure? Because people who have been on the margins of church for too long are participating in leadership. They who climbed a tree to see or raised a roof to hear the Gospel have seen and heard and responded. I need no other proof.

Such communities are the exemplars of the teaching that filled the classrooms of Columbia Seminary. Carlos Cardoz-Orlandi talked about a vision of the church where the center heard the Gospel from the periphery. Chuck Campbell spoke about the foolish Word overthrowing the destructiveness of principalities and powers. Kathleen O'Conner urged us to stop shielding ourselves from the power of Bible texts. BSM, MBCC and a host of others are bringing this conversation to real, tangible fruition, and I do not want to denigrate their work, their journeys, their life together.

That said, I yearn for a new conversation. The next conversation. The one that stops asking if the Church or denomination can survive, stops showing us what a new Church and new communities would look like, and instead starts an earnest reformation in every church community.

Broad Street Moderator

Tuesday night, dinner and discussion.

Place: Broad Street Ministry, a not quite church, not quite non-profit, not quite compartmentalizable... [I don't have a noun for the description, so we'll call it a...] ministry in Center City Philadelphia.

The discussion featured a panel with the Revs. Bruce Reyes-Chow (PCUSA Moderator), Byron Wade (PCUSA Vice-Moderator), Bill Golderer (Broad Street Convening Minister), and Erika Funk (Broad Street Youth Initiative Minister). A powerhouse of a panel.

But the discussion was not powerhouse. There was much talk about "living into a new way of church" and "new ways of being community". There were some good lines. "People don't expect much from us [--the church--] anymore." "We are in a posture of yearning, and there is the chance that we will wander into oblivion." (These aren't exact quotes, but phrases that rang true with me.) However, if ever there was a lost cul-de-sac in the neighborhood of theological, ecclesial, or even pastoral insight, this was it.