The Last Word

by Terry Newland, Synod Executive

First, a word about “Last Word”. Writers, especially rookie writers, are rarely trusted with the burden of crafting headlines. The editor usually has the last word on such things as is the case here. Jane Hines decided to feature my column as the last words on the last page. “Feature” is her word for what initially felt like being buried on the last page. She quickly announced the title to counter any writer’s ego issues that might have surfaced.

I’ve never enjoyed the last word on anything. Growing up, mother always proclaimed the last word. In school, teachers and professors declared the last word. At home, Diane hands down the last, and final, word. As a Presbyter, the Governing Body rules on the last word. Even in this column I know that the Editor will always pen the last word. As a person of faith I cherish the sure and certain hope in the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ as the one, true last Word. Thus, the so called “Last Word” will simply be the rambling thoughts of one who is grateful for the “Alpha and the Omega”.

I do have some first words as early reflections on my new Call in the Synod of Living Waters. You people are amazing! Or at least, God is working amazing things through you. Too often we get bogged down in the rhetoric of our conflicts, our differences. For some, perceptions are quick to cloud and spirits become overcast as each struggles for the last word on the issues which seem to dominate the dockets of our governing bodies. Yet your daily witness seems to be in drastic contradiction to any perception of doom and despair in the church as we Presbyterians experience it.

In my early journeys around the synod I have seen God at work in you in ways that bring joy to my heart and renewed faith in the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Everywhere I turn I see you united in mission and ministry that is a powerful witness to the faith you taught me. Yes, you who passionately defend such different theological positions are standing together in so many mission fields. One minute I see you in bitter battle with each other and the next I experience days and weeks of you thriving together in the particular ministries God calls us all to be about.

Try as I may, there is no hint of theological differences when I see you feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned. I can’t tell the conservative from the liberal when you’re building a house, installing a pure water system, or staffing a homeless shelter. When disaster hits you are at your best. One people united in service to all of God’s people.

This synod gig is going to be a lot more fun than I ever dreamed. The Synod of Living Waters has already ministered to me. In future issues of “The Voice” I will share some of the stories of your witness, our witness together, as we proclaim the Good News which is the Last Word. The peace of Christ be with you.

Terry Newland gets the first word during orientation at the First Call
event for new pastors in the Synod, held at Laws Lodge on the Louisville
Seminary campus, February 3-8, 2005. This is the second annual First Call
event co-sponsored by the Synod of Living Waters, Louisville Seminary and the
Presbyterian Board of Pensions. First Call in 2006 will be February 2-7,
again at the seminary.