Comments on: Why the “Groundswell” Within The General Assembly 218 is Going to Unsettle the PC(USA)…Hopefully! http://rhettsmith.com/2008/06/why-the-groundswell-within-the-general-assembly-218-is-going-to-unsettle-the-pcusa/ Thu, 10 May 2012 14:59:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Rhett Smith http://rhettsmith.com/2008/06/why-the-groundswell-within-the-general-assembly-218-is-going-to-unsettle-the-pcusa/comment-page-1/#comment-2494 Rhett Smith Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:17:50 +0000 http://www.rhettsmith.com/?p=951#comment-2494 Lars, I agree. The denomination for too long has been operating behind closed doors like a relic corporation. Bruce seems to be the first to actually want to communicate the issues, and not bury them with sidestepping, or backroom decisions. I think the ordination standards is sort of a "red herring" to distract everyone from the fact that the PCUSA is a mess in many other ways, and to keep them from going about the ministry that they have been avoiding. I feel like I have been hearing this issue every year for the last 7 years as if this was decision time. Yet, they still fail to make any decisions. We don't need more committees, but more bold leadership in a new direction, and I think Bruce is going to bring it. With him as well I think he is ushering in a whole slew of younger people who are going to demand that the denomination and local churches operate differently. They are also bringing social tools with them, and the churches and denominations are going to need to work with them, otherwise, there will be no denomination, and things that have long been hidden will be exposed. It's funny that you, Don and I used to work together, and are all now at other places blogging about it. rhett Lars,

I agree. The denomination for too long has been operating behind closed doors like a relic corporation. Bruce seems to be the first to actually want to communicate the issues, and not bury them with sidestepping, or backroom decisions.

I think the ordination standards is sort of a “red herring” to distract everyone from the fact that the PCUSA is a mess in many other ways, and to keep them from going about the ministry that they have been avoiding.

I feel like I have been hearing this issue every year for the last 7 years as if this was decision time. Yet, they still fail to make any decisions.

We don’t need more committees, but more bold leadership in a new direction, and I think Bruce is going to bring it. With him as well I think he is ushering in a whole slew of younger people who are going to demand that the denomination and local churches operate differently. They are also bringing social tools with them, and the churches and denominations are going to need to work with them, otherwise, there will be no denomination, and things that have long been hidden will be exposed.

It’s funny that you, Don and I used to work together, and are all now at other places blogging about it.

rhett

]]> By: Lars Rood http://rhettsmith.com/2008/06/why-the-groundswell-within-the-general-assembly-218-is-going-to-unsettle-the-pcusa/comment-page-1/#comment-2495 Lars Rood Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:01:58 +0000 http://www.rhettsmith.com/?p=951#comment-2495 Rhett---Thank you. I think too many people in their 20's (that we minister to) get bad information or no information about the PCUSA and leave the denomination when they hear about all the negative. I've followed Bruce on twitter and his blog for a while and I'm hopeful that he (along with many others) can lead the denomination into a new openness and transparency. I'll be honest and say that although he clearly calls the ordination standards as a big issue I am still not convinced the denomination is going to end up on what I would call the "right side" of the issue which for me is Biblical Authority and Holiness. I'm worried that "Personal Holiness" leaves too much interpretation and options. What I like about him so far is he is willing to be open and call out the "elephants" in the room and not hide from the discussion. Already I think he's brought a number of people to the table via blogging and technology that would not be willing to come close to the conversation. I guess the best stance I know is to pray for him and also hope for the best. Rhett—Thank you. I think too many people in their 20′s (that we minister to) get bad information or no information about the PCUSA and leave the denomination when they hear about all the negative. I’ve followed Bruce on twitter and his blog for a while and I’m hopeful that he (along with many others) can lead the denomination into a new openness and transparency. I’ll be honest and say that although he clearly calls the ordination standards as a big issue I am still not convinced the denomination is going to end up on what I would call the “right side” of the issue which for me is Biblical Authority and Holiness. I’m worried that “Personal Holiness” leaves too much interpretation and options. What I like about him so far is he is willing to be open and call out the “elephants” in the room and not hide from the discussion. Already I think he’s brought a number of people to the table via blogging and technology that would not be willing to come close to the conversation. I guess the best stance I know is to pray for him and also hope for the best.

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