open letter to my fellow conservatives

Dear fellow conservatives in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);

I’m writing to those who, with me, affirm Scripture’s teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, who affirm the historic teachings of our Book of Confessions that marriage is between a man and a woman, who affirm the historic principle of church order that “truth is in order of goodness” and “who are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty” (F-3.0104), and who are deeply troubled by Thursday’s actions of the 221^st General Assembly.

While I wholly support those commissioners who are filing protests against the Assembly’s actions regarding the Authoritative Interpretation and the proposed amendment to our Book of Order, I will not be filing. I will not be protesting.

We have a decisive, and perhaps brief, window of opportunity to choose how we will be in this new denominational landscape – a landscape where we clearly find ourselves in the minority.  What will we stand for? How will we use our voice? What will our voice sound like when we use it? What will our opponents see when they look at us?

Yesterday’s vote was offensive. It felt like a slap in the face. But the same Jesus who clearly defines marriage in Matthew 19 also tells me in Matthew 5 to turn the other cheek. He tells me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. He warns me about the poison of retaliation and the rottenness of contempt. He calls me to a new kind of righteousness that is beyond the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. What will our righteousness look like in this new denominational landscape? Let us consider this carefully.

Yours brother in Christ,

Steve Oglesbee

221st General Assembly Day #2

Just wrote a blog post and accidentally erased it. Too tired to go back and recreate it. Nothing profound to report. Good first committee meeting tonight. Worshipped together, agreed on some ground rules, reviewed the agenda for tomorrow (mostly hearings - some time for deliberation without motions is scheduled for the evening).

Keeping you posted so you can keep praying...

Steve

General Assembly Day #1

Just wrapped up the first day of General Assembly. We elected a moderator, but only after dozens of attempts to use the electronic contraptions. Plan A was to vote using web browser or smart phones. That fizzeled when no one could get connected to the internet. Plan B, after we came back from dinner, was to use an electronic voting system where each person had their own remote voting device. After that didn't work either, we finally resorted to Plan C. Paper ballots. It took a while to gather up all 680+ commissioners ballots and hand count them. Thankfully, on the first vote Heath Rada garnered more than 50% of the total votes (there were three candidates running).  I wasn't super excited about any of the candidates, but as the three spoke this evening and asnwered questions I became more impressed with Rada. I think he best represents the new theological 'center' of this changing denomination. 

The two big issues everyone is talking about are civil unions and israel/palenstine.

Worship in the morning then it's back to work tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. I'll meet with my committee for the first time tomorrow evening. 

Half past midnight. Time for bed.

Good night!