Warning: Bruce's Mother reads your blogs!

When Bruce Reyes-Chow was elected moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA, I had no idea what a groupie I would become.   I am his mother after all and very proud of his accomplishments.  (NOTE:  I am also very proud of my other children's accomplishments also!)  I find myself getting offended when I read other people's blogs or letters to the editors in particular a letter to the editor of the Presbyterian Outlook that follows from someone reacting to the news of Bruce being elected.  I can hear Bruce telling me now, "Mom, its okay!  You don't need to say anything!" 

I read where the new moderator is an emergent church leader.  No doubt some of the more liberal elements will rejoice while the conservatives will wonder just who and what he is.

From what I gather he is neither nor will he be either.  For the most part we are a pure institutional/corporational church that thrives on numbers and adequate finance.   Little do we realize as we intellectually gabble about with the terms of ‘postmodernism, emergent and missional’ do we realize that we are in a tremendous state of flux as a church and that the result may terminate much of what we thought sacred and essential.  The emergent church is ‘localized’ and is terribly unique in its modus operandi as well as its theological expression. It draws its life and style from its immediate culture and its demand. Whether small or large its completeness lies not in numbers or in relation to a higher governing body but to its own authenticity and effectiveness where it is rooted.  It avoids controversy as the gay/lesbian issue and it accepts them and others in grace with no reference to activist or ideological argument.  I think that Presbyterianism as it is today will react adversely when the emergent spirit sweeps away mandated salary packages and pensions.  Ultimately there will be no guarantee for its pastors outside of their commitment to the developing body and their zeal for their mission.    Connected ness will not be based on polity structure but on commonality in mission.  It all adds up to an interesting time with an interesting future for us mainline pastors who live with a certain amount of guarantee.  Even now I realize how outdated I am in this light and am beginning to analyze my pastoral modus operandi in the light of the new that is upon us.  As I write this I send this to some of you in Internet land for some reaction if you sense the same.

Jerry L

GRRRRRR!!!! Mother Bear is about to smack someone down!!!   Bruce is one person who is convicted in Christ and understands what it means to live in ambiguity with God's grace!!!   Bruce doesn't think and live out of a vacuum he has family (ME) and friends who are in ministry trying to share the Good News of Christ and yes, if that means that we have to change the way we do things in  order to do that, so be it!!     I serve a church that hardly could be called emergent but shares the values of authenticity, integrity and celebrates the openness and inclusion of God's love through Jesus the Christ and we hope to be relevant to the culture that  Jerry is right, we are "terribly unique" just as God would have it!

Wait, I am sorry, Jerry is acknowledging that change is a coming!!!   I reacted too strongly.   SORRY!  I think I should go and have my first cup of coffee.   BUT   I am going to pray for Jerry  as he treads the new waters of change understanding that Christ is big enough to welcome and hold all our fears about the future of the church and our own lives.

Comments

[Bruce Reyes-Chow]

I think the funniest part about this is that I have NEVER said I was an Emergent church leader. But oh well. I actually didn't think it was all that mean, you should see some of the other things people are saying about me. And yes, mom, it is okay.