The Chicago Invitation

In his slim, but significant volume, Self-Talk, the French anthropologist John Lembo, wrote: “Every waking moment we talk to ourselves about the things we experience. Our self-talk, the thoughts we communicate to ourselves, in turn control the way we feel and act.”

Despite quite clear instructions of R-16, passed by last year’s General Synod, calling for a dialogue involving all RCA assemblies, the upcoming General Synod is about to engage in an exercise of self-talk.

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Joint Declaration

The Chicago Invitation and Wesley Granberg-Michaelson

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“Fear breeds panic, and it can lead people and nations to act in ways
inconsistent with their character.”

Charles C. Krulak and Joseph P. Hoar
Washington Post
Thursday, May 17, 2007; Page A17

Yesterday the General Synod ended. The final morning spent most of its energies on the Church Herald and the assessments (assessments are the only way the synod gets to the budget). The debate was spirited. The result was to cease denominational financial support of the every member reception of the Herald. Where then does that money go? The synod accepted the proposal from the GSC that would have some go to reduce assessments, and the rest to fund “Our Call.” Read more…

Yesterday was perhaps the most remarkable day in the memory of this long-time synod observer and participant. Read more…

The General Synod voted against recommendations 13 and 14 — the ones that proposed an “open space” and the preparation of order changes to create the new “middle assembly.” Instead the synod acted to continue the “denomination-wide dialogue.” Read more…

Now that I have some time and distance from Pella, let me share some observations about the atmospherics of GS 2007. Read more…

Next time you see Jim Reid, thank him. His report to the synod yesterday was dynamic, punchy, graphic — and on time. He got all the talking points and more in. This observer usually dies when power point comes on the screen, but Jim used it extremely well (an example of how this technology helps to condense a lot of information in a short time). Read more…

You know you are back in the Mid-west when the fruit salad has those tiny marshmallows in it. Besides which, they are fresh, not like the rocky pellets in my kitchen cabinet which are awaiting next winter’s cocoa. Read more…

General Synod convened last evening with worship (a bit odd having a Reformed worship with no reading of Scripture, but it was probably an oversight).

Several matters of interest, mostly of rumors on the ground.

1) Belhar may run into some trouble. Some folk are preparing to argue that acceptance of Belhar will open the door to acceptance of homosexual persons in the church — in all offices.

2) In a related matter, the anti-gay forces are planning an alternate worship in protest to Jacquie Lewis’ presence as preacher. This in response to her stance re GSTG folk in the church.

3) As to Missional Structures…. The stated clerks, to a person, angrily took the proposal, and its committee, apart. My read is that they were responding to what Dan Meeter pointed out as the violence of the report. Read it from the perspective of a stated clerk and the disrespect emerges pretty quickly.

My bet is that Missional Structures will be “sent back” or referred somewhere. There will be moves to save it in some form.

The other so-called big issue is the use of assessments that had gone to the Church Herald. Right now there’s no telling how this one will turn out.

Stay tuned.

Al Janssen