Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the PC(USA).

Like-Minded

Last Friday I was at the Fellowship Gathering in Minneapolis. This coming Friday I will be at the More Light National Conference in Rochester, NY.

My guess is that the number of people attending both of those events is fairly low. In fact, maybe just me.

Nevertheless, both events have one very important, hugely important, thing in common: people who are committed to following Jesus. People who are seeking to live out the Gospel message authentically and prophetically to a 21st century world that sorely needs to hear that message. People who are eager to talk and brainstorm about how the P.C. (USA) can be an effective agent of proclaiming the Gospel. 

To be sure, there's lots that we don't agree on. When has there ever been total unanimity among us?

As we continue to talk together about how we live into both a new ordination standard and a new Form of Government, we need to always remember that people who have differing points of view about either or both of those are still committed, faithful Presbyterians. There were committed, faithful Presbyterian at the Gathering. There will be committed, faithful Presbyterians at the More Light conference.  

We seek to follow Jesus. We seek to proclaim Christ, crucified and risen. In that sense, we are all like-minded.

Let's Hear It for the Synod!

Bet that title got your attention! We don’t hear much these days about synods, unless it's to ask what  the future holds for them.

What I’m discovering, however, is that there’s lots of places where synod-driven ministries are thriving. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be at the renowned synod school last month sponsored by the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, but, judging by the Facebook comments I saw, lots of Presbyterians were enlightened, educated, and entertained.

And last week I saw in action the Mobile Health Fair ministry of the Synod of the Covenant. Every summer, the synod hires a team of young adult volunteers who travel throughout Ohio and Michigan providing health screenings to children and adults who otherwise wouldn’t have any access to medical care. This summer, 44 health fairs were held, and over 1,900 children and adults were screened. Many of those screened are the children of migrant workers who come to Ohio and Michigan during the summer.

The screenings provide real benefits. Over 600 glucose tests were administered to persons over 18, and 84 persons who had no prior diagnosis of diabetes were found to have abnormally high levels. They will be given educational information about diabetes and the opportunity to follow up with more intensive medical care. Vision and dental screenings are also provided, along with follow-up referral care.

This ministry requires an enormous amount of organization and planning, not to mention volunteers above and beyond the core team who set up and help at each of the fairs. More than 350 volunteers from congregations across the synod helped at the health fairs this summer.

Most of us who are not in the Synod of the Covenant probably haven’t heard about the Mobile Health Fair Ministry. But it’s an important and effective ministry that all of us as Presbyterians should be thankful for. Kudos to the Synod of the Covenant!