Day 1 at General Assembly

Well, I made it safely and easily to San Jose, CA for the General Assembly meeting of the Presbyterian Church (USA) this afternoon (Fri.). It's a 9-day marathon of meetings that comes around every two years. This is my first experience with it, so you'll get a rookie's eye view at the event.

My first "event" (after checking in to the hotel, finding the light rail line and going downtown, and hitting the conference registration desk) was the "Meet the Candidates for Moderator" time that was planned to last from 6-8 p.m. I anticipated some kind of town hall meeting, presentation, or debate followed by a meet and greet. Don't know where that expectation came from, I just imagined it that way. Here's what I found, though. Each candidate was within about 10 feet of the next and in front of a small display. They all had something to hand out--a flyer, a button, a t-shirt--but none of them had spent much on such campaign kitch. Each candidate had a small group of 2-7 people around them. They visited, showed interest in the ministries of each person I overheard them talk to, and that was it.

On the plane, I did a lot of reflecting. I'm going to save most of that for later because despite it only being 10:45 p.m. in San Jose, my body and brain are well into Saturday on Central Time and I'm wiped out. I brainstormed, though, some of the ways in which our denomination is not like our country's democracy. As a point of context, I routinely tell officers and newcomers about how much our church's government is like our country's govt. I'm not changing my tune on that, but it is important, I think, to also point out the differences. Most of that for later, but for now, the moderator's "campaigning" was a good reminder of a difference between govt. in our church and in our country: in the church, it doesn't pay to show too much interest in attaining a position of leadership or power. People don't campaign to become elders, presbytery commissioners, or pastors. Even moderators of the General Assembly do little more than respond to some questions in advance for the "voter's guide"-type articles produced in a few publications and stand in front of a small booth. The folks in the exhibit hall are a lot more energetic in trying to get one's attention than the moderatorial candidates.

Anyway, I met each one and talked with them briefly. I've got a favorite candidate in terms of first impressions from my conversations with them and a brief article/interview in the Presbyterian Outlook http://www.pres-outlook.com/reports-a-resources/presbyterian-heritage-articles/2-presbyterian-heritage-articles/7421-moderator-candidates-discuss-their-plans-visions-for-church.html, but I want to learn more about them before naming my "horse." It just fascinated me that there is so little promotion of them.

Next came a first run at the exhibit hall. Looks like the granddaddy exhibitor is Cokesbury, with enough books to sink a ship. We pastors have a weakness for books...I resisted temptation on Day 1, though I did write down some titles for consideration...

Then I went to the Form of Government (FOG) Task Force Presentation. There were some very bright and eloquent folks on the task force. That was only the beginning of my education on the "FOG." I have to wonder how much the actual commissioners have studied it. I'll probably try to attend the committee meetings that deal with it so that I can learn more.

I closed out the meeting by going to the Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) Welcome Reception. Nicely done. I hoped to see some folks I know from years past (o.k. mostly 10 years and more in the past) who have been involved with PFR. I didn't see anyone I knew so I didn't last long.

More to come tomorrow (meaning Saturday: looks like the posting time on this will be in Central Time rather than Pacific).

Peace,

Dan