Waking up this morning are Presbyterians all over the San Francisco Bay Area who are preparing for a meeting this afternoon and evening in which they will vote on what our standards for ordination will be around issues of sexual orientation.
In my own prayer this morning, I am reminded that there are many opposing prayers being lifted up for this meeting. All of them sincere. All of them well-intentioned. All of them believing they are faithful to God and the gospel. But they don’t agree. And sometimes they don’t have any grace to give to those who disagree.
I feel sad that we are so divided on this issue. I am frustrated by those who are going in with a strategy, agenda and ultimatums. It feels so far away from the discerning, reconciling work of the Spirit that the church is to embody.
As for me, I will be in class all day, following the reports coming from the meeting, praying for all that are present and voting and hoping for a gracious spirit on the part of all who participate. In some ways I would like to be there, but in other ways, I am glad I am gone. Watching those who claim to follow Christ argue and divide is really not something I need to see.
Whatever your prayer is this morning, my prayers are with you. Go in peace. Listen. Welcome. Embrace. Have courage. Wrestle honestly. Take heart. Remember the greatest of these is LOVE.
