PCUSA Big Tent Experience

It's been a week since Big Tent and I'm still trying to get my mind around all the information collected in those few short days. If I were to be asked what was the one big thing I brought home, it would be a diagram and the discussion behind it to explain what it is to be a follower of Jesus to someone who doesn't know Jesus. For more information you can go to www.jameschoung.net or see a short www.youtube.com video. Search for James Choung and The Big Story.

But there was so much more than just this one thing. Gathering with colleagues who I haven't seen since seminary (and meeting new ones) is always fun and helpful as we share ideas and insights into this thing we call ministry. The worship is always a highlight for me... to sing with hundreds of people, to hear fabulous preaching, to commune with this body of people who will go back to their own communities and share the excitement of these days... is a deeply meaningful experience.

In this day and age when the church is seeking direction and guidance-not only because of the drastic changes in culture and how to be church, but also our specific PCUSA changes-it was helpful to hear from a number of different places that we need to just breathe, be patient, give the Spirit time to work in these times of change. Observe, listen, and breathe. The church has been through these dramatic changes in the past, and will again. So to hear that it is okay to not have all the answers and to simply observe, listen, and breathe seems to take the pressure off. It also is empowering to recognize that simply being present with people in the midst of this dramatic change is sometimes the best thing to do.

A statement I heard a number of years ago at one such similar type of conference is always a good reminder: "No matter what we do or don't do, God will always be God." And that is wonderful news. So yes, I plan to experience each moment as it comes, try not to worry excessively that it is all up to me to make this work, and lean on the Spirit who is moving us into the unknown future. I will be present... observe, listen, and simply breathe!