Day One Report

Connections

I’m writing this blog—my first ever—from the back row of seats in a room that could fit a Costco, a Sam’s Club, and a strip mall of video rental stores. I’m assuming that the speakers I see on the screen are actually speaking from the front of the room, but I can’t be sure.

I’m one of a couple thousand people who have gathered in San Jose for the 218th meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. In the front of the room sit the commissioners, those individuals elected by each presbytery (entities consisting of geographically related congregations). They are the ones who have the power to vote and make decisions. Then come the advisory delegates, who don’t have a vote but still have cool name badges with zippered pockets on the back of them. Next are the specially seated folks, like denominational big wigs. Then comes the fence. Outside the fence are the rest of us. We’re distinguished by our non-cool, vinyl name badges. Mine reads Observer. I wear it with pride.

Flying out of Indianapolis yesterday, I had little or no idea of what to expect at General Assembly (GA). My only experience of the event in the past was one short afternoon a number of years ago when it was held in Cincinnati. I’m here this year for the entire week—a strategic tactic in ZPC’s commitment to remain in the Presbyterian Church (USA) stay and make a difference for Christ.

Walking into the Mercury Convention Center yesterday to register, it was easy to spot a familiar name, Bill Teng. He’s a fellow pastor and a brother to me in the covenant group I joined this past year. His name was on a large poster, prominently displayed across from the registration booths. Bill is running for the Moderator of the General Assembly, and it’s been fun standing with him at his booth, introducing commissioners to him and to his platform. I pray and hope that the election tonight will place him in office.

I was actually surprised by how well things went yesterday. After signing in, I got my own tote bag with a really neat logo! By far the best thing, however, was connecting with friends and getting to know others and their stories in our denomination:

There was Jodi Schmidt. She had come to Bill’s campaign table to meet him. While she was waiting for Bill to finish up a conversation, I introduced myself and offered her a brochure. She saw “Zionsville” on my nametag and asked if I happened to know Elizabeth Bail. Jodi mentioned what a huge, positive impact Elizabeth had on her life at a previous church before Elizabeth joined the ZPC staff as our Director of Children’s Ministries.

Mark Hunt pastors a small church in South Carolina, where under his leadership the congregation is experiencing God-honoring transformation. He empowers his members to gather routinely in groups of two to three to confess sins, read and study the Bible without relying on study guides, and to pray for those who don’t yet know Christ.

I schmoozed with a senior denominational executive, who admitted that this meeting of GA doesn’t really matter in the big scheme of things. He acknowledged that the significant work happens in and through congregations.

Jack Sharpe is an attorney in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, who cares so much about the unborn that he serves on the board of Presbyterians Pro Life and is currently helping churches demonstratively show the forgiveness and restoration found in Christ to women who have aborted children in the past.

I sipped a tasty punch while meeting an elder from a church outside of Seattle, who is hear because, in his words, he “opened his big mouth at presbytery” when he spoke in favor of Christ and Scripture. His church recently opened a community center for the homeless.

The list goes on. It was a good day. Fellow followers are following our Lord well. I’m encouraged.

Tonight’s the big vote for Moderator. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow.