by
Sylvia Dooling
I can’t tell you how often I hear elders say, “I can’t speak in presbytery.
I’m only an elder. The pastors have all the power anyway.”
*WRONG!*
G-6.0302 of our Book of Order states that ‘when elected commissioners to
higher governing bodies, elders participate and vote with the same authority
as ministers of the Word and Sacrament.” It is clear. We elders bear
responsibility along with pastors to govern and minister within the PC(USA).
Thus, there is no reason why pastors should dominate the floor of
presbytery.
So if you have the opportunity this year to be a commissioner from your
session to presbytery, *ACCEPT THE OFFER!* Lay aside any other plans, unless
you’re sick or someone close to you has died, and make every effort to get
active in the work of your presbytery.
Right now, and over the next several months, presbyteries are voting on
amendments to the Constitution that were brought forward by the 213th
General Assembly. These amendments are important. You need to understand
them, and to be present in order to speak and vote on them.
Here are some tips to help you as you accept the challenge and join the
elder’s fellowship of the sweaty palms.
1. Begin with prayer. Being a commissioner to presbytery is work that
God has placed before you as an ordained officer of the church. Ask for
wisdom, understanding, and the ability to complete the work God and your
session have set before you.
2. Do your homework. Before presbytery meets, each commissioner should
receive a packet of material that will include a booklet entitled
Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A). Read the material, and if you have questions, call your pastor.
If s/he is unable to answer your questions, ask around there may be a
network of pastors and elders meeting together within the bounds of your
presbytery who share your concerns. A network is a wonderful way to
connect with others, and to discuss common concerns. They would love to
include you. These networks are a rich resource.
3. Decide on one amendment that you would like to speak about. This
year, there are eight.
4. Think about one point that you would like to make about the amendment
to which you have chosen to speak. Making a single point allows the
other commissioners to remember what you’ve said.
5. Most presbyteries allow 2 minutes per speech, alternating pro and
con.
6. Write down exactly what you’d like to say. Allow yourself the freedom
to say what you believe is the focus of your concern. Don’t be afraid to
make it personal. Speak about what you know.
7. Time yourself with a stopwatch.
8. Now be brutal. Your speech is probably too long. Begin to edit all
that is extraneous. Read it until you are comfortable that you can make
your point in 2 minutes or less. If it’s exactly 2 minutes long, do some
more editing. You want to be sure that you will not be interrupted and
told that your time is up. After all the effort that you’ve put into
this project, you want to make sure you are able to make your point.
9. Make sure that within the 2-minute time period you include,
‘Mr./Madame Moderator, my name is _____, and I’m an elder from ________
church.” The last thing you should say before you sit down is, ‘please
vote no/yes on Amendment __________.”
10. Now, put your speech aside for a while. This means starting your
preparations long before the date of the presbytery meeting. Let it sit
for a couple of days, then go back and make sure you have said exactly
what you intend to say.
11. Practice, practice, practice. It’s fine to read your speech. But
practice it enough be able to read it in a natural, clear, and
unaffected tone.
12. Read your speech to a friend or a family member who you trust and
who will be helpful with their feedback.
13. Leave some time before you travel to presbytery for prayer. God has
promised to supply all your needs including the strength to stand and
speak.
14. Make every effort to arrive at presbytery on time, and plan to stay
until the gavel drops at the conclusion of business. It is important to
experience every part of the meeting and to commit yourself to all the
presbytery’s business even those parts that you aren’t too interested
in.
15. When it is time for speeches on the issue to which you’ve chosen to
speak, move immediately to the appropriate microphone. Do not hesitate.
You’ve put time and effort into preparing your speech. Now, you want to
be able to present it.
16. When it’s your turn to speak, take a deep breath, speak into the
microphone, and address your remarks directly to the Moderator.
When the vote has been taken and the ballots have been tallied, your
argument may have won or lost. But remember, God has not called you to
‘win.” God has called you to be obedient and faithful. Your brothers and
sisters in presbytery feel just as strongly as you do about the position
they have taken. So, it is important to find honest ways to be loving and
kind to one another, because we all stand together at the foot of the cross,
in humility, asking for God’s will to be accomplished in every matter. And
with the apostle Paul, ‘we know that all things work together for good for
those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” We can be
confident, therefore, that God has used us and that he will continue to use
us in the up building of His church.
Now that you’ve had the experience of speaking before presbytery, commit
yourself to becoming involved in other ways in the life of the church beyond
your congregation. Make it known to your presbytery’s Nominating Committee
that you’re willing to serve on a committee, or ask your session or pastor
to submit your name. Be willing to serve as a commissioner for a year.
There’s much to learn. And perhaps one day, God willing, you will have the
opportunity to serve your presbytery as a commissioner to the General
Assembly.
But for now, work on writing that speech!