The Last Word

by Terry Newland, Synod Executive

I’m tempted to use this space to tell you once again that the 217^th General Assembly was a more conservative acting body than we've had in a while. I'm tempted to point out to you that on issue after issue the conservatives gained ground and the liberals lost ground. I'm tempted because I read about angry conservatives claiming that the PCUSA has turned too liberal and hear nothing from the liberals. I'm tempted but I won't, because neither the liberals nor the conservatives are listening to anyone but themselves.

I'm tempted to use this space reminding you that we profess our only hope to be in Jesus Christ.

Just 4 years ago the 214^th General Assembly articulated that hope by affirming the paper entitled "Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ" by a vote of 497 to 11. I think that's close to an incredible 98% agreement. In contrast, it seems we actually place our hope just about everywhere you can imagine except in our Lord Jesus Christ. We hope in the Book of Order, demanding adherence to some parts while violating other parts. We hope in the power of money, withholding it to bring the other side to its knees and spending it on propaganda campaigns. We hope the civil courts will rule as we wish on property matters. We hope that fear and anger will win the day. I'm tempted but I won't, because no one is listening.

I recently read a statement approved by a presbytery in another synod that made four statements, each of which were declared in order "To promote the peace, unity and purity of our presbytery." Two of the statements declared that every officer in the presbytery and its churches would adhere to the Constitution of the PCUSA. The other two statements declared that the presbytery would not adhere to the Constitution of the PCUSA. I'm tempted, but I won't, to use this space pointing out how that sounds more like a declaration of war rather than peace, more a desire to separate rather than unite, and more human centered than spiritual.

As you can see, I have a hard time resisting temptation. Yet, I yearn for the strength to resist the diversions that want to hold us and our ministries hostage. My real temptation is to cave in to the fear and anxiety that is trying to dominate our church. Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments, urges us to "fear not". It is one of my favorite utterances of Jesus and he tells his followers over and over to resist fear. People who exhibit fear are most often described in scripture as having week or no faith.

Sisters and brothers, we have no need to fear. The victory has already been assured. We live in the sure and certain hope of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing can separate us from God's love. Our Lord calls us not to fear and anger and internal battle, but to the proclamation of the Gospel, ministering to both the spiritual and human needs of those to whom we are sent.

The Peace of Christ be with you.