the Outlook Blog

It has been less than three hours since the decision of the general assembly to start the process to allow GLBT ministers to be ordained and already we can see the divisive responses.  People proudly wearing rainbow scarves waited until they were outside the convention hall to start celebrating with hugs and singing.  Soon after, the Presbyterian Renewal Network passed out a press release noting that "This is a day for grieving."  Really though, I do not know how much has actually changed.  173 Presbyteries must ratify this resolution before we change our constitution.  Whether or not it is passed, until we change our methods, this will continue to be a divisive issue.

This is an important issue.  However, in the midst of this, I'd like to highlight some other worthwhile news that is slightly more hopeful.

I am given hope by the general assembly's vote to start the process of adding the Belhar confession to our book of confessions.  Coming out of South Africa, it speaks against racism and for unity.  In the committee of Theological Issues and Institutions, it was refreshing to hear that instead of debating whether racism was important, instead there was discussion of how best to implement the addition of this confession of hope.  In an ironic twist, they then approved a video on the Trinity which featured solely white presenters.  But even there, I was given hope as the committee recognized this and added a comment that in the future more diversity would be honored.

I am given hope because we support diversity in leadership.  I am given hope that an Asian American and an African American teamed up together to lead our General Assembly as moderator and vice moderator.  I am given hope that Union Theological Seminary elected its first African American president, Brian Blount.

I am given hope because we approved a recommendation to give food assistance to those starving in North Korea.

I am given hope by the approval a recommendation to strengthen laws and support systems against human trafficking.

I am given hope by a call to create and disseminate materials on spiritual renewal.

I am given hope by many things and there are issues in which we are coming together to work on.  In the midst of division, let's be thankful for that which we are accomplishing together.

Tonight I had the pleasure of sharing desert and conversation with three lovely women from my presbytery.  The topic?  A Shared Future.

At Stanford University Alexandra Lusak, Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Troy, NY, had heard a lecture by Byron Bland.  Apparently he had spoken not on a shared vision, but on a vision of a shared future.  He has a good point.  Whether we have the same vision or not we still have to live with each other.  With that in mind, what loses are we willing to take in order to be able to live with, dare I say be in community with each other.

This raised the question of whether Americans knew how to be in community any more.  Kate Kotfila, associate pastor of Brunswick Church and my mother, noted that we are suffering from all the anti-establishment views and life styles of the Baby Boomers.  The golden age was led by the generation before; a generation that had had to live through the depression, a time of shared poverty, and the war, where your life literally depended on the man next to you and the rationing of the families back home.  They knew how to do community.  They had to do community.

And now what do we have?  Lusak noted that "people don't talk to each other anymore."  Now, instead of conversing with the person next to you, you talk with people that are not there through cell phones.

With the rise of globalization, the perimeters of community are nonexistent.  This leads to options, hundreds of thousands of options.  When I was looking at colleges two years ago, Newsweek had an article stating that going to a name brand Ivy League college was not as important as going to the university that fits you.  When I did arrive at Messiah College, I did church shopping until I found the one that felt best.  We have benefited so much from other cultures and the ways in which they have expanded our minds.  And yet, at the same time, there is a danger of loosing community in the never ending search of fulfilling our personal interests and desires.  The current mindset is that if the going gets tough, leave the friendship, the marriage, the organization, the church, or even the country.

Last night, Laura Rogers, an overture advocate for one of the delete B concurrences, led others in removing their rainbow stoles when the committee joined together for communion.  She saw it as a symbolic act of acknowledging unity in Christ around the communion table.

What is most important to you?  What would you die for?  Standards of fitness for ordination, reproductive rights, confessional translations, or the body of Christ?  I did not go to seminary, but I am pretty sure that whether you are right or left, if you are a Christian, then the body of Christ is the most important.  So now the question is what loses are you willing to accept so that at the end of the day there are no winners or losers?  At the end of the day, did the process by which you lived out your beliefs allow you to look your neighbor in the eye and embrace each other?

Well, I will no longer be speaking to you about YADs this week.  Instead I will be following YAADs-Young Adult Advisory Delegates.  YADs felt that youth implied the age group 12-18 where as YAADs are ages 17-23.  With the approval of Item 17-5NB their request was granted.  Now, I'm not entirely sure how that is pernouned-Yeah-ds, Ya-ads, or the current pronunciation of Yad, but I suppose that will be up to the YAADs of each GA.

The General Assembly approved all of the Youth Committee's recommendations which included the encouragement of a mentoring program at each presbytery, the creation of a Youth Task force, the dissemination of the documentary "Soul Searching," and the rejection of a resolution to allow youth ages 12-17 to volunteer at General Assemblies (mostly for the practical and legal implications).  For a complete list of the items check out the PC-Biz website:

http://www.pc-biz.org/Committee2.aspx

 

In the course of conversation this week, many YADs have noted a near constant consumption of coffee to keep up with all the demands on them.  One YAD noted that many people do not realize that once most commissioners head to bed YADs have to stay up an extra hour or two for a caucus.  Last night they took a much needed break to go on a trip to Santa Cruz.

The YADs on the Church Orders and Ministry Committee, however, decided that their committee work was too important and stayed behind.  Chris Grewe the father of one of these YADs noted that they are "very aware of the responsibility" and "feel that the church has given them an opportunity.  They take it very seriously."  One lady was so impressed with these YADs that she gave them her credit card and told them to have dinner on her.  Eight to Ten YADs thankfully headed to Piece of Chicago for pizza and salad.

Several representatives from Covenant Network, a group advocating for inclusivity, were invited to accompany them as well.  The Committee of Church Orders and Ministry is the one dealing with striking the language of 6.0106b.  Anna Grewe from Savage Memorial Church in Portland Oregon noted that the representatives from Covenant Network were always at the committee "helping us cope with all the stress."  I should note as well that members from Presbyterians For Renewal, a conservative group were present at meetings as well.  When asked if the Covenant Network representatives had ever lobbied or pressured the YADs she responded "No. Definitely not. They never talked about our vote.  They were only there to support us.  When the vote did swing their way they were also there to celebrate with us." 

So what's the deal with youth?  Well, this week the Youth Committee has been using the movie "Soul Searching," a film based on the book Soul Searching: the Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, to guide their discussions.  As the title suggests, it gives the results of a comprehensive nation wide study of teens and their faith.  It notes that roughly 1/3 of teens are actively involved in religious services, 1/3 have faith but are not active, and 1/3 are not religious at all.  Now, in my head I can hear my mother reprimanding me about the imprecise language, but according to the video, youth do not make a distinction between "religion" and "spirituality."  In fact, youth today have trouble articulating their faith.  Interviewers noted that many teens seemed as if they had never been questioned about it.  There is a distinct loss of the language of religion and a further mushing together of denominations.  I myself did not really learn what it meant to be Presbyterian until I went to a Brethren in Christ college.  Christian Smith states that "what appears to be the actual dominant religion among U.S. teenagers is centrally about feeling good, happy, secure, at peace.  It is about attaining subjective well-being, being able to resolve problems, and getting along amiably with other people," a faith that he calls Moralistic Therapeutic Deism1.

So what is the committee's response?  Well, most feel that two days are not enough time to solve these issues.  They are now trying to refine potential propositions including forming a task force composed primarily of youth, changing YAD to YAAD (Young Adult Advisory Delegate) and giving them the vote, disseminating the DVD "Soul Searching" to all presbyteries, and encouraging both adult and YAD mentoring programs.

Now, in my opinion this can all be summed up that teens are misunderstood and inarticulate, want love and to be taken seriously, and need role models.  What's new?  I do not think we need new curriculum, task forces, research and red tape.  I think there needs to be a push at the church level to treat teens as people and an understanding at the denominational level that youth are capable if you give them the opportunity and the necessary resources.  We do not learn through time but rather through practice.  I would also highly encourage you to see this film or read the book.  The findings are both fascinating and frightening.

1.  Smith, Christian.  "On 'Moralistic Therapeutic Deism' as U.S. Teenagers' Actual, Tacit, De Facto Religious Faith." p. 48 Article accesed 6/24/08 online at http://www.ptsem.edu/iym/lectures/2005/Smith-Moralistic.pdf 

 

Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow graced the YADs with his presence at their caucus earlier tonight.  In 1990 he himself was a YAD at Salt Lake City where he apparently lost the election to be the YAD moderator.  When asked if his current appointment had finally sunk in he stated:

 "I was very excited, it was empowering... a lot of people said I needed to do certain things... many people said you should get elected but you probably wont... we have to give ourselves credit for what could possibly happen."

He also noted that his appointment was only a part of a greater movement that is happening in our denomination.  These new churches aren't just "cool."  Bruce says that they are "theologically solid" and "culturally relevant."

On a final note, I want to send out some words of encouragement to committee members out there.  I know many YADs are feeling a little burned out with all the red tape that needs to be cut through, but this is all part of the process.  Bruce reminded YADs that this tension is necessary and with the work of the Spirit "At some point some level of trust will happen" and "you kind of fall in love with the way we do things."

Following the Youth Committee last night and this morning has been a less than exciting experience.  The Youth Committee does not have much of a stated agenda.  Their Focus Statement notes that they "are invited to bring [their] faith, [their] experience in the church and [their] understanding and memories of youth (ages 12-18) so that [they] can interact with others about youth."  I'll admit that the purpose is a little vague but it's also a little exciting as well.  The options are totally unlimited for what they can do with this.

In order to structure this discussion, the Youth Committee (as well as one other committee) is using the Covenant for Communal Discernment (Robert's structure for informal deliberation) and much of last night's conversations were concerns about how this fit into Robert's Rules.  Now, I am a creative idealistic thinker that feels imprisoned when too many rules are forced on me.  If we are trying to be visionary, why are we spending time ordering?  We should be throwing ideas out there unbridled and organize them later.  What's holding us back?

Well, it seems that trust is.  I keep hearing discussion on creating a safe place.  Youth leaders are trying to make sure YADs are not feeling manipulated or attacked by advocacy groups, commissioners or even themselves.  The Youth Committee just finished a prayer exercise in order to let go of pain, mistrust and other issues preventing them from working together.  It seems that in this case, rules and barriers are actually needed in order to start thinking freely.

So what are some of your fears?  And what are fears that are getting between you and them?  Any thoughts on how to respect the fears as well as be able to push the boundaries and be visionary?

Walking into the YAD caucus is a bit like walking into a middle school homeroom.  The moment you step foot in the room you can feel a certain charge in the room.  Rather then being greeted by the measured almost hypnotic voice of many pastors, YADs hear phrases such as "all that stuff that went down with PCbiz" and reminders that "Madame Moderator has commanded no flirting."  Presenters were applauded with woops, PKs pounded fists, and "mom" even had to reprimand some of them for playing around at 4am. 

As for committee reports they even were able to sum up two hours of confusion, anger and boredom with enthusiasm and humor.  While some of the other delegates argued over Roberts rules and table arrangements, YADs were bonding over chocolate, perusing their facebook pages (there is both an official and renegade YAD facebook group as well as a prayer circle group), and wondering "who is Robert anyways?"

Thomas Wipf, a representative from Switzerland, addressed the YADs on the Swiss church.  His first comment to them was "I love this laughing church.  I did not understand everything that was being said but I understood the laughing."  He hopes that they will still be laughing in 20 years.

Does the prospect of talking to a teen or young adult terrify you?  If it does you are not alone.  With all the constantly changing trends, technology, and slang, we can seem a little intimidating.  However, with churches scrambling just to retain their youth, it's a fear that we can no longer afford to indulge.  At the YAD caucus last night, one YAD brought up this million dollar question; how do we get youth back into churches? 

But let's put this question aside for a second and return to our initial problem-talking to teens.  You want to know what these YADs were talking about?  Well, honestly, they were talking about the same thing you adults do; concerns about inclusiveness, small, dwindling churches, stewardship, and moving beyond politics to serve God and our Presbytery.  Where youth diverge from adults though, is that while many are asking what impact they will have on future generations, these youth are asking what can we do today?  There were suggestions of recycling pamphlets, starting a prayer circle, continuing conversations on racism, asking the story of the homeless man outside, and spending time listening instead of just waiting for their turn to talk.  These youth are both contributing to the General Assembly and affecting change in very practical ways each day.

So how can we connect to youth?  The same YAD that brought up the question of attracting youth gave this solution; "it's not the building, music, programs, who's behind the pulpit - it's the community."  Take some time to listen and get to know your youth.  I think you'll find that you have a lot more in common with them than you think.

 

Hello.  My name is Charis Kotfila and I am going to be working with Outlook this week to give you a youth perspective on the General Assembly.  I am nineteen years old and have just completed my second year at Messiah College as an English major.  This is my first time at GA and to be honest, it feels a little daunting navigating the waters of tough and painful issues with all of the acronyms, overtures, pamphlets, and general bureaucracy.  However, my experience thus far with the Youth Advisory Delegates (YADs) is that they are knowledgeable on the issues and the process.  Further they ask tough questions and are giving helpful counsel.  This week I will mostly be tracking these YADs and conveying their thoughts, questions, and comments.  I look forward to hearing your comments as well and any questions you would like me to put to them.