The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s General Assembly (GA) begins June 20th, and during that time, I’ll be blogging over at The Presbyterian Outlook’s website. The way I initially pitched the idea to the Outlook’s Editor was that I would be bringing some fresh eyes to writing about GA. I grew up Presbyterian, but would not consider myself a “hard-core Presbyterian” by any means (perhaps I’m more of a reluctant Presbyterian). However, I have worked at Presbyterian church camps and churches, gone to a Presbyterian university as well as a theological seminary, and am a candidate for ministry in the PC(USA) ordination process. But this will be my first GA experience.
A friend of mine described GA as a “family reunion” - and I generally like my family reunions. Sure, there are members of your family that you’d rather not be stuck talking to for an entire afternoon, and everyone has their own quirks, but I enjoy getting back together with family. However, I’m afraid that I may leave GA more cynical than I already am about our denomination, particularly the bureaucracy that exists within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In addition to blogging for The Presbyterian Outlook, I’m also going to try and get over to man the presbymergent booth in the Exhibit Hall, and hopefully participate in the Face-to-Face “job fair” that happens at GA. I’m still looking for a ministry position in the Bay area. Anyway - when I have more information about the blogging, I will let you know. In the time being, I think you can look for my posts here, and I’ll be live-blogging (if I can find wireless) the General Assembly from June 20 - 28th.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck Adam! i quite enjoyed the GA’s i’ve been to back home, but then i do quite like sytems and stuff. We also have a much smaller ‘family’ with no lobbying or really exciting fights.
BTW - what’s with the “New 2.0 Connectionalism Pres Outlook” site? I don’t know what the old one was like, but this smacks too much of 40 year olds trying to be ‘with it’, and failing desperately. You should send them a quote for a redesign!
Just a little rant. I’ve been cooped up alone at home the whole day!
i was thinking the same thing about outlooks “new” site - it is awful!
have fun at GA. seriously!
Good luck at General Assembly. Like any bureaucracy, the wheels of progress grind slowly. The 40 year olds trying to act “hip” are a good thing - at least they will listen. In general, many members of “upscale” denominations view the emerging movement as “something okay for a kid with tattoos and piercings, into alternative music; not really college-track with 950 SAT’s.”
But what about the kid scoring 1350, on his way to Stanford, and a career in corporate America? The Presbyterians and Episcopalians are in the best position to craft something relevant to them. They are not uncomfortable with either the worship style, or the bureaucracy. Although they are wary
As far as finding a ministry position, there are a few points around the bay that would be considered a “locus of Spirituality”. Pleasanton, Fremont, Palo Alto/Menlo Park/Mountain View, and (fuzzily) Marin County. Unlike East Coast cities, San Francisco has no equivalent of, say, Boston’s Park Street Church.
Looking forward to hearing about your observations. Wish I could be there too.
Embrace the craziness! I, too, have followed a similar track of education and ordination. I would consider myself a “hardcore presbyterian” but the reason I would is because of my experience in Birmingham at the last GA.
I hope you have an enjoyable time, I will be there for the first weekend and would hope to run into you somewhere other than the frisbee field (Ultimate Frisbee Revival 2005).
I hope that you feel the spirit moving and if you don’t I would love to talk to you about it.
Just in case…my wife (a Presbyterian pastor) and I are going to the A’s game on Friday night with a couple of others. If you and your wife would like to meet up let me know. email me.
Blessings,
Greg
I have a request for content of coverage: how about a summary of things theological. For example, is anyone giving any presentation on a particular strategy for educating churches in Reformed theology? If so, what are they, who are they, of what caliber are they, etc.?
Another related issue: how are theological priorities and positions (e.g., an assumption about the trustworthiness of Scripture and its inspiration as a truly Holy book), stated or assumed, motivating particular speeches, events, etc., at GA? Are there traceable patterns and correlations?
It would also be helpful, if pedestrian, simply to summarize for us non-goers what is happening.
Cheers,
kp