Susan Andrews, moderator of the 215th General Assembly, set the stage for 90 minutes of small group discussion surrounding marriage equality and divestment, two issues facing the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Andrews acknowledged that Presbyterians can be a bit like sandpipers – busy, busy, busy. “It is in our DNA. But today, I encourage us to pause, to feel instead of think, to listen instead of talk.” She continued by saying it is best to have these controversial issues out in the open.
“When serving our denomination, we were in the midst of ordaining GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) brothers and sisters. Year after year, the vote and speakers split right down the middle. Finally eight of us – four on each side – had enough. We formed a small group, studied Scripture, told stories and listened deeply to the feelings beneath the words. I have no idea if minds were changed, but ideological enemies became spiritual friends and it changed the tone.”
In the 90 minute conversation, commissioners were encourage to tell their stories to bear witness to God’s truth through their experiences and relationships in life. Andrews urged the commissioners to testify to one another. “Listen deeply, with hearts and not just our ears, listening to the uniqueness and passion of each individual. As followers of Jesus we proclaim that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life” – none of us can incarnate the truth of Jesus alone – only as the body of Christ can we express the truth of Jesus Christ. Like a diamond, it has many facets. We are called to uncover all the facets of the diamond. We are called to speak the truth in love so that world might be set free.”