“Live in harmony…be sympathetic, love…, be compassionate and
humble.” 1 Peter 3:8-9
As
many of you have heard, in the last two weeks our stated clerk received letters
from six Sessions requesting to enter into the discernment process toward
dismissal: Christ Goodyear, Fountain Hills, First Scottsdale, Horizon, First
Wickenburg and Community Lake Havasu (in the order in which we received the
letters). These churches bring to nine the number of
congregations that may be dismissed from the PCUSA either this year or next.
The other three are Northminster, who is currently in dialogue with an
Administrative Commission, and Springerville and Alpine, both of whose
dismissal terms will be acted upon at our stated meeting in Pinetop, November
6-7.
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18
It
is with sadness that the presbytery staff received these letters. Others may
feel different emotions, but speaking personally I grieve that any of our
brother and sister Presbyterians feel the need to seek fellowship in another
Reformed denomination. Yet I also recognize that such actions are being taken
by congregations throughout the country; this is neither new, nor particular to
the Presbytery of Grand Canyon. That we have been thrust into such a time as
this only heightens our responsibility to “get it right” in Pinetop, by which I
mean prepare the way to perfect, if necessary, and then pass a dismissal policy
that will guide us forward with grace as best as is possible given the
difficulties inherent in the process.
“…Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up
into…Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
As
the Presbytery Pastor I call for a week of prayer: that all would come to
Pinetop with a spirit a humility; that all might find a tender spot in their
heart for brothers and sisters with whom we may disagree; that all may allow
their grief at our communal brokenness yet in such ways that our grief does not
turn outward into anger; that we may begin in Pinetop to live into the values
affirmed in the proposed policy:
·
Charitable
·
Viable
·
Responsible
·
Missional
·
Relational
Dear friends, let us love
one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7
Someone
wondered why, two weeks ago, I interspersed Scripture amidst my missive in
reflecting upon the Gracious Dismissal Policy that will come before presbytery.
Let me make explicit what was for me implicit: the interspersing of Scripture
verse is a reminder, first to myself and then to others, that in the midst of
difficult relationships the Word calls us to pay special attention to the law
of love. We are living in just such a time, none of us blameless, no not one,
but all of us of us overshadowed by the mercy of Christ Jesus our Savior. May
this truth bring us enough comfort and peace that we dare to walk as Jesus
walked, with an uncommon integrity, an unflinching willingness to love friend
and enemy alike, and an uncompromising desire to reconcile people to God and to
one another.
“…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then
you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's
eye.” Matthew 7:5
Grace to you today and always,
Brad Munroe
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