Monday, July 2, 2012 - Brian McLaren

Brian McLaren speaks during worship

Monday, July 2, 2012

The question, "Who are we, as Presbyterians?" is a question often heard at the General Assembly.  Do we define ourselves by what we do?  what we believe? by the community in which we live? ....  When you listen to the various responses possible out there, you will encounter such a variety.  As you look around those at the Assembly, you will see a variety of people - old, young adults, youth, children, Caucasian, African-American, Asian, African, Hispanic....all who are Presbyterian.

Monday began, as every day begins, with worship at the General Assembly.  The speaker on Monday was Brian McLaren, noted speaker, author, futurist....he too has many "labels" one might give!  His speech began with a variety of humorous signs, posted outside of the church buildings...all which define the church to the public.  His final sign was a church depicting a church activity and adjacent to that sign was a public street sign that said "Dead End."  Is the Church at a dead end, was the question posed to the worshipers.

Brian then went to the PC(USA) website, for websites are our internet "signs" that the public see.  Would our website depict a building?  An issue?  Staff?  People?  What Brian pointed out is that the PC(USA) webitie depicted the church in action - the hunger program, was one such featured sign, indicating that this is a Church which cares about those who are hungry.

Brian congratulated this denomination for focusing forward -- toward that which God is calling us - toward engaging the community around us - for making a difference in the lives of people.  This is what Brian said about us on his webpage:

"I had the privilege of speaking to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Pittsburgh ... a day full of stimulating conversations, hopeful people, and signs of grace."

Let us think and pray together, as the Presbytery of West Virginia, about the call of God in our lives - a call that can make a difference in the lives of our communities - and in our lives together as the people of God called - as signs of grace in our lives...

Blessings on you all,

Forrest