News from Faith United Presbyterian Church

How Do Presbyterians Disagree?

How do Presbyterian disagree? "Let me count the ways." Mind you, they don't call us Protestants for nothing. Our church history, as a denomination and, at one time or another, in most of our congregations, is rife with conflict. I like to tell people, "If you ask twelve Presbyterians a question, you will get a dozen answers, maybe more."

The truth be told, we don't always handle conflict well, even as people of faith. In spite of our history as Protestants, I find this somewhat of a surprise. For, as Presbyterians, we have a wonderful process for making decisions, a process that may bring spiritual growth, even in times of conflict, if people are willing to abide by it. What is that process?

We understand the church and its ministry belongs to Jesus Christ, not those of us who are called to serve him through a particular congregation. Since Christ is the head of the church, we elect elders to discern the mind of Christ for our congregation. We have no pope or bishops. We don't hold a congregational vote except for a few specific decisions, such as calling a pastor. We don't even look to the minister. He or she is but one of the elders called to seek the mind of Christ on behalf of our congregation. How then does the session go about making decisions on our behalf?

Most of the time, the business of the session is pretty straight forward. From time to time, issues arise where people of faith may in good conscience disagree on the mind of Christ. In all cases, the members of the session are charged to look to Christ as an example. In his life and ministry, what did he say and do? What did he teach? Who were the people he reached out too? How did he serve? Who does he call us to be?

In order to answer questions such as these, our elders are charged to worship regularly on the Lord's Day; read and reflect upon their own reading of scripture, as well as the pastor's preaching; pray with open hearts and minds; and, speak freely and openly, with other elders and members within our congregation, regarding issues that arise, in ways that are uplifting of Christ and his ministry in our time and place. When a vote is taken and a decision is made, regardless of their personal feelings, they are to work for the peace and unity of the church by supporting the decision made.

Since we don't have an opportunity to vote, how may the rest of us participate in this decision making process? Do everything that our elders are being charged to do. While in most decisions you do not have a vote in the Presbyterian process of decision, you are important to the process.

Your regular participation in worship; your faithful reading of the scriptures; your sincere prayers; your speaking in ways that are uplifting to the work of Christ through our congregation; and, your striving for the peace and unity of our congregation, regardless of your personal feelings about the decisions made, are vital for our life together. For, regardless of the positions we take and the decisions we make, we are first and foremost, sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus.

See you in church!