Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Although I began my journey into ministry in 2000, the year I became a student at San Francisco Theological Seminary/Southern California (SFTS/SC), I had only viewed the P.C.(USA) General Assembly from afar. Year after year, I listened to presbytery members report out when they returned from their commissioner duties; I found the reports interesting and was appreciative of those who took the time to attend and deliberate and vote on matters at hand. Yet, I had NO IDEA what was required of these commissioners.
I discovered that, as commissioner, I would spend many months reading overtures not only assigned to my committee (Ordination), but to all the committees, since I would be voting on all overtures brought forward by committees. I was required to sit in front of a computer for three days attending Zoom meetings, and helped to decide what overtures would be brought forward, with what kind of recommendations. The back support I had purchased was a life-saver!
The overtures assigned to my committee centered around doing ministry in a changing church demographic: many smaller congregations can no longer afford to pay a full-time solo pastor and participate in shared ministry (when a minister serves more than one congregation). Our overtures addressed the definition of shared ministry, how to install ministers of multiple congregations, and how to fairly divide terms of call. We discussed the need for exceptions for certain ordination exams, how to protect personal privacy during the preparation for ministry process, and examined what happens when a Commissioned Pastor’s commission ends. We discovered during our deliberations that some of these issues were already being considered by the Task Force to Explore the Theology and Practice of Ordination.
While in-person in Salt Lake City, I met up with my Ordination Committee colleagues, with my fellow seminarians from SFTS/SC, and with other commissioners from our Synod. I made new friends, learned the ropes of electronic voting, and did my best to duck the persistent Covid hitchhiker. I returned home with a stronger appreciation of this denomination, with greater understanding that the connectional nature of the Presbyterian church is dependent upon intentional relationships and effective communications. I am grateful to Stated Clerk (and our friend) Sandy Thoits, General Presbyter Jason Micheli, and Synod Executive Mark Hong for their encouraging support. Should any of you be invited to serve as commissioner to General Assembly in the future, please know that despite the commitments of time and energy, you are sure to find the experience memorable and fulfilling.
With gratitude,
Suzanne
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