Grill the Mods, Part I
With General Assembly approaching, and three candidates for Moderator already declared, a few of the presbymergent editors have been tossing around the idea of coming up with a list of questions we’d like to ask the candidates. This seems to be a time-honored tradition among groups as diverse as the Presbyterian Outlook, the Layman, Witherspoon, Covenant Network, etc., so it might be an interesting way to see what issues are important to presbymergents, as well as a way to engage with the GA Moderator conversation.
Here are two questions (submitted by presbymergent editor Jim Bonewald) to get your creative juices flowing and serve as examples:
- How can we (and you as moderator help us) re-frame the conversation in our denomination so that we can move away from the polarizations of the past and can move forward with the gospel in this new millennium?
- Why aren’t we planting new churches in our denomination? Why have efforts at new church plants failed? What new approaches do we need to take? What does a post-modern church plant look like? Why do we look for land before we build a community?!?!
Now it’s your turn: leave a comment on this post to ask your own question (or questions). Let’s not spend too much time discussing, debating, or answering our own questions just yet - we can discuss and narrow them down once we have a good number accumulated. For now, dream big and ask the questions that you would ask a Moderator candidate if she or he came knocking on your church door looking for support - especially questions that have special significance among our growing community of “loyal radicals.”
Comment by Adam Copeland on 29 January 2008:
I think #2 seems a bit accusatory. Remember folks who don’t know Presbymergent yet might come across these and take it the wrong way. Thing is, we are planting churches…we’re just not doing it very well.
Perhaps, “With so much of the denomination focused on dwindling numbers, what would you do as moderator to brighten the conversation? Have we lost sight of our duty to spread the gospel by way of new church plants? Can the structures of the PC(USA) support a post-modern new church development?”
Another question, “In the past, perhaps, once one was a Presbyterian one stayed a Presbyterian for life. Today, many people don’t seek out specific denominations when searching for a new faith community. As the moderator of the GA of the PC(USA), how will you fly the standard of the PC(USA) in our increasingly post-denominational age?”
A Wee Blether
Comment by Sarah on 29 January 2008:
I second Adam…. I want to know how the moderators understand the (ir)relevance of “being presbyterian” in a postmodern society. What does it mean to them to call themselves Presbyterian in a postmodern society? Why does it matter, and how will they act as moderator to reach out to presbyterians, other christians, and those outside institutionalized religion in order to build a community within a society that is rethinking itself?
Comment by Bob Pearson on 30 January 2008:
How about:
This might not be specifically pomo or emerging but related due to the conflict and pain it is creating.
How will you address the new wineskins activities and other churches that feel a need to leave the denomination rather than continue in dialog and communion with the whole denomination? What do you think this at the root of this effort? How did we get to this point and how can we come back from the brink of schism?
Also:
A straight forward question.
Will you openly express your support for the post modern and emerging developments being birthed within the Denomination?
Comment by Neal Locke on 31 January 2008:
Here are my two:
1. Immigration, legal and otherwise: What stance should the church take on this divisive political issue, and in particular, what can/should we be doing as a denomination to welcome and reach out to immigrant communities?
2. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? Seriously. Because if you can’t answer a non-serious question humorously and creatively, it’s going to be a long two years for the PCUSA.
Comment by ryan pappan on 31 January 2008:
I want to know what will be done about debt that pastors are entering ministry with via seminary.
Where is the mission mind (service outreach, not evangelism) of the church in America and elsewhere?
Being faced with a schism in the denomination, what do they purpose to do in response to the disagreements?
[I second Neal] Who would win in a fist fight, Clint Eastwood or John Wayne (both in their prime)?
When will we arrive at real diversity?
How are we as a church going to respond to the pluralistic culture of America? How are we going to work with other religions and/or denominations to fight the common ills of poverty, oppression, and injustice?
Can I get a job doing security or pastoral care with you as moderator? If not could you provide me a reference?
Comment by Andy on 1 February 2008:
Can you moderate a meeting?
This assembled body is going to have to live with your moderatorial style for the next week. Can you moderate without the clerk constantly having to intervene and can you run the process in such a way that we’re talking about the substance of the matters before us, rather than the parliamentary process?
Comment by Carol Howard Merritt on 2 February 2008:
What will you do to support, recognize, and develop young leadership in our denomination and in our communities?
Comment by revdad on 4 February 2008:
How about: “How is your personal prayer life? Do you now and will you (if elected) continue to keep a relationship with your Lord?”
Also: “How do you see the position of moderator as one of servant leadership?”
The other questions have been very good! Nice work folks!!
Comment by Nancy on 14 February 2008:
I love what I’ve read you have to say about the New Wineskins and all kinds of sensitive issues that stew among us. I also think it’s awesome that you’re a “young guy” - younger than me. kudos.
How do you propose to let all voices be heard and respected? Most GAs tend to have some political “squashing” going on, one way or the other. [Our presbytery is finally learning a little grace.] How will you as moderator handle this chronic PCUSA problem diplomatically and call people to Christlike grace and humility when they get on cranky (and creaky) soapboxes?
Will there be an open bar at GA this year?
But seriously: I loved Joan Gray’s demeanor and Christlike commitment (focus on faith, a generous spirit & prayer for Divine discernment) on the floor. I hope you might emulate her in these respects.