The hard part is about to begin. Tonight, our session will meet to take action on the Wash Day Ministry proposal. While it has not been easy getting to this point, the most difficult part of our Presbyterian process is still ahead, seeking reconciliation.
No matter what decision our session makes, there will be people in our congregation who are frustrated, angry or hurt. Some of our sisters and brothers feel a strong sense of call for this ministry. Others do not. They have strong reservations. Some like the idea in spirit, but have questions about the logistics, especially locating the ministry in our facilities. Still others have any number of thoughts of their own, for, or against, the proposal. No decision will satisfy everyone.
Nevertheless, this is part of what it means to be Presbyterian. "People
of good faith may disagree on matters
of conscience." Those who strongly
favor the Wash Day ministry; those
who are strongly opposed to the Wash Day ministry; and, everyone else in between are, yet, sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ.
Like any family, each of us will have to decide what it means to live together in peace and unity in spite of our differences. This is another part of what it means to be Presbyterian. In all that we do, we strive for the peace and unity of Christ's church.
Some will say, it is a shame we had to go through this season of conflict. I understand their feelings. Few people, enjoy conflict. However, a question we must ask is this: Did the Wash Day ministry proposal create divisions among our members or simply cast light upon the divisions which already exist?
As Presbyterian congregations go, we are as diverse as most. We were born of four distinct congregations. We are women and men, rich and poor, old and young, single and married and everything in between. We have people who have been Presbyterian since birth. We have others who have experienced any number of other denominations. We have some whom Christ has called as adults.
We are white collar. We are blue collar. We are town and we are gown. We have white folk and we are people of color. We are hawks. We are doves. We are liberal. We are conservative. We are people who refuse to be bound by any label. We are about anything you can think of as Presbyterian. So we look at life and faith in a variety of ways. Sometimes we see eye to eye. Sometimes we don't.
I don't believe the Wash Day ministry proposal caused our divisions. We are a diverse people of faith. However, the Wash Day discussions have given us an opportunity to grow in our understanding of one another; acknowledge the divisions which exist; and, in most cases, deepen our appreciation for one another as people of faith, who may disagree on such important matters. As your pastor, I am grateful for each of the conversations I have had these past months. Few were easy, but all were worthwhile.
Now the hard work begins. Claiming, and reconciling, with each other as sisters and brothers in Christ who, though we are divided on many issues, are, yet, the people of Faith United.
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
P.S. As luck, or God's providence, would have it. This month's issue of Presbyterians Today has an excellent article by Vernon Broyles III on what it means to be "Truly Presbyterian" (the article's title). Mr. Broyles explores the Presbyterian process of decision making. While he is speaking of General Assembly commissioners, the spirit of his words applies at every level of decision making in our denomination. You may read his article at the following link:
