General Assembly Reflections

Having returned home from the Disciples of Christ General Assembly, I can say that the organizers worked hard to bring off an excellent event. Our Assembly isn't as controversial as some. We've reduced the number of resolutions to be debated -- indeed, one of the more controversial items was a plan to create a new format that would reduce the number of items to come to the Assembly. We did deal with some important issues, including a new policy governing ordination processes (including providing an alternative means of becoming ordained (through apprenticeship). This replaces a 38 year old policy that emerged in a previous era.
The preaching was focused on defining our call to be a movement of wholeness. The worship was, well, a bit long, but good. Bill Thomas and his band always do a great job.
A highlight for me was the opportunity to hear Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, address our history as a movement and call on us to reengage our reason for being -- that is a movement committed to healing the divisions within the Christian Community. He noted that in this day and age, perhaps the word "wholeness" may speak more clearly than the word unity. It was a strong word, that I'll need to delve into in a separate post.
At the end of the day, it is important that I reaffirm the covenant relationship that exists within our communion. Together we can, if we choose witness to the call to be a movement of wholeness in a fragmented world.

Comments

Rebecca Woods said…
Hi Bob - I posted this on The Intersection as well as here.

I'm still processing the Assembly...and lamenting that I spent much of it in the press room (but then again, that's what I love to do!) So it's great to read how you saw it.

I was impressed with the way the business sessions and debates went, mostly. People made great points, pro and con, but when outcomes were announced, people seemed (at least from what I heard) to be ok with the outcomes. Perhaps we can continue to have resolutions, supplemented by study materials before and after, and respectful engagement and conversation processes like Wholeness Cafe, prior to business sessions. [disclosure - I voted against 0925, although I saw pros and cons to both sides].

I, too, like the word "wholeness." Do you think it relates well to the concept of 'shalom'?

Rebecca Woods

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