“The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider the matter” (Acts 15:6). Brazilian pastor and theologian Rubem Alves understood that new life and a preferred future would emerge for individuals, the church, and society with one word- "No!" (A Theology of Human Hope, 1969). Consultant Peter Block agrees, even suggesting that responding in a conversation with a "No" is not an end to the conversation but a hopeful conversation starter, the beginning of something new that is emerging (Community, 2010).
This may appear a bit counter-intuitive, and maybe it is. When engaged in a mutual conversation, it is important to be able to say "No!" to the current state of affairs, and "No!" to its continuation. Repentance at its core is the grace-inspired self-awareness that we live by our choices, and that we can choose differently. The flip-side of saying "No!" to what is no longer working is saying "Yes" to what can emerge within the community. This No-Yes context describes the opportunity now facing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
On July 10, 2011, we will be operating under a new form of government (nFoG). Though the majority have approved this new way forward, real change will be initiated in those presbyteries that embrace the new reality given to them, and choose a different and better way of being the church, demonstrating the possibilities that enable all individuals and communities to hope, as well.
Presbyteries, to many of us, have always had the responsibility to release and empower local session and congregational ministry. Now in nFoG, presbyteries, along with sessions, synods, and the general assembly, will no longer be called by the term, governing body. Instead, our new form of government captures an ancient term from within the Christian tradition. Presbyteries, sessions, synods, and the general assembly will now be called councils.
Like the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), councils of the church are representative assemblies that seek to preserve, interpret, and proclaim the faith and to order the life and mission of the church.
Transformation has linguistic components. This renaming can increase the capacity of our church to be conciliar rather than a managerial. Conversational, not regulatory. Presbytery as Council sets us as a community us to be authentic, transparent, and intentional disciples of Jesus Christ in our neighborhoods and around the world.
Recapturing the Reformed concept of the ordered ministries of the church, the terms Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder now replace what were previously called officers of the church. With the noun "elder" in common, the Council of elders (teaching and ruling, formerly referred to as the Presbytery) are now linked together as a unified ministry team. Every voice and every gift has the responsibility to listen, discern, and shape the common ministry.
By removing numerous pages of regulations, councils are now free to discern the substance and scope of their life together. Instead of the "Let's Make a Rule," aspect of our recent governance experience in the church, we are invited to a collegial affirmation and debate reframed more like, "Let's Discern a Decision." Though this puts full responsibility on the council, it is a shared responsibility between its constituents that promises to evoke a more faithful, healthy, and effective ministry.
Newark Presbytery, like other presbyteries in our region, is working hard to discern what resources and support its sessions and congregations require to be the church.
What is the best way to convene the spiritual energy and gifts of our leadership of elders?
How can we build inter-personal relationships that sustain theological life, worship, and mutual accountability?
In what ways can we become the possibility for new, emerging ministries?
As Christ's ambassadors for a reconciled world, we are all agents for an alternative future in which the audience co-creates performance, the congregation co-creates the pastor, and the Elders, both Teaching and Ruling, humbly pray with and for each other.
The new form of government will take getting used to, and its promise and implementation will be imperfect at best. We have a lot of work to do and the staff is ready to resource our journey together.
Re-living the past, life-resistant practices and behaviors often hindered the Spirit's new life-generating energy. On July 10th, we do not embark with a nFoG map, as much as with a nFoG compass. Our transforming together will depend on how welcoming our Council's conversational spaces actually become.
As an elder among elders, I can't wait to leave the corner of earlier governance models and follow Jesus Christ, taking the Good News outside to the world.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Yoho
General Presbyter
Council For Transformative Congregational Mission, excerpted from GP Report- June 2011 in the presbytery meeting packet.
