There are nearly 2,000 Presbyterian pastors and elders present, including 68 executive presbyters and 30 GA staffers from Louisville.
My day started with a flight from Dallas to Minneapolis via St. Louis. God set to work right away: I was seated in the middle between a woman about my age, an agnostic who was into karma and New Age and a man about 35-ish who was (I thought) sleeping. The woman asked why I was going to MN and I told her and then the questions about spirituality started. The man woke up and started asking questions, too - he was a physicist who was an atheist. The conversation was complicated, but in the end, I learned these things that they believed:
The concept of sin is offensive to them because they are "good" people. They believe they do not act on their bad impulses. They don't hate anyone. They are in control of their lives and are managing well. The Bible is made up and meaningless, as is the concept of God. From what they know of God, they think we're pieces being moved around on a game board. Their source is themselves and their faith is in their own abilities. Personal testimony made little impression on them because they viewed it as the Christian "mis-labeling" as God's intervention what was really coincidence or just finally getting one's act together.
They like the idea of karma because it is "fair" to make people "pay" for their mistakes - but disliked the Bible's concept of people having to "pay" for their own sins (not fair), or Jesus "paying" for their own sins (unnecessary, because they don't sin) - and failed to see the incongruity. The discussion was circular, illogical, shallow and sad. I was surprised how vigorous their opposition to the gospel was and how strong their self-confidence was. I believe we were all seated there for God's reasons - they, who would likely never be in church, got to question a believer for 2 hours; and I got an opportunity to experience interaction with people truly opposed to the things of God. We all get the opportunity pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to strive with these people and to increase our love for them.
This evening in Minneapolis was a precious reunion with dear friends I hadn't seen since seminary as well as some pleasant surprises to see others I hadn't known would be here.
Some congregations have sent their whole Session at great expense. There is a great sense of expectation and hopefulness that this event could spark renewal and reform in the church.
There was an hour and a half of very special worship - Worship focused on the Great Ends of the Church: The Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind (Col. 1:15-23); The Shelter, Nurture and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God (Eph. 3:14-19); The Maintenance of Divine Worship (Romans 11:33-12:2); the Preservation of the Truth (Matt. 7:24-29); the Promotion of Social Righteousness (James 2:14-24); and the Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World (Rev. 21:1-7). There were some very gifted musicians who played cello, guitar and keyboard, and who led us in singing some of the great hymns of the church as well as others like "In Christ Alone" - that brought everyone to their feet. Praising God with 2,000 pastors and elders was an extraordinary experience.
No one knows what the result of this gathering will be - Some have come to find out how to be "faithful in place"; others to explore "Presbyteries Within Presbyteries"; still others to discuss the possibility of a "New Reformed Body." Tomorrow afternoon we will hear from Cindy Bolbach, the GA Moderator; tomorrow evening, our worship will be led by Dr. Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary. On Friday, my friend Rev. James Kim will be part of a panel asking, "What is your vision of the Church Jesus wants us to be?"
Please pray for our time together, that we will be humble and restrained in our conversations; that the Holy Spirit would enlighten our understanding of what the way forward should be; for the pastors and elders from congregations struggling to be faithful; that the church would be spared from division.
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