 New moderator a mix of passion and polity By John H. Adams The Layman Online Friday, June 16, 2006
Thus, it should have been no surprise over the way she answered a question posed Thursday night by Neal Presa, a minister who formerly served on the General Assembly Council. Presa asked Gray and the three other candidates to describe themselves in the image of a painting. Gray was quick to respond. Using a metaphor gleaned from John Calvin, she said her painting would be a "hand holding out a heart on fire for God." Gray, who animates her speaking with many gestures, is a mix. From her past, her resume and her comments to the commissioners, she came across as a policy wonk and an enthusiast. She also gave the commissioners a sampling of her own support for multiculturalism. Judith Pingel of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca, of Hispanic origin, nominated the Atlanta minister. Gray introduced Bob Wilson of Huntsville, Ala., a black elder and a retired engineer, as her choice for vice moderator, which the General Assembly will have to confirm later this week. Pingel began her nomination speech speaking in Spanish, but quickly turned to English. "The Rev. Joan Gray knows polity. As the old saying goes, she wrote the book." Indeed. Gray is the author of Presbyterian Polity for Church Officers, a text that is widely used in officer training and seminaries. She has taught at several seminaries. According to Pingel, Gray believes that elders are the spiritual leaders of the church, and that "elders, with and through prayer can be lifted up to meet the challenges of the church." "Polity is not going to save us," Gray said during her speech. "The one thing that will save us is faith in a God who makes a way when there is no way." She cited the work of a small church that began the first night shelter in Atlanta. It had 30 members who picked up homeless people and let them sleep on the floor of the sanctuary -- evidence, she said, that God provides beyond the resources and ability of church members. "As long as we are focused on fixing the problems of the church, we didn't move forward," she said. "It was when we broadened our focus and threw ourselves on the mercy of Jesus Christ that we started to move forward." "I have a passionate faith in the God who is able to do more than we can imagine," she added. "I have a passion for the work of elders. I would love to spend time lifting up the call of elders and equipping elders for this work." These are some of Gray's answers to questions posed by commissioners: The denomination's greatest challenge? "To recapture our spiritual energy. We have a great history, but we have lost a little of our energy." She described the church's relationship with God being like a river that goes in the Lord's direction. "Jump in the river and go on that adventure together," she said. Her plan for reconciliation: "I don't have a plan. I have a deep desire to let God lead the way. I really believe God will lead us. I'm sort of willing to be a fool for Christ." What do you when your are disheartened or depressed: "Psalm 139." Views on recommendation 5 in the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity? "I see polity as an ever-evolving process. The Book of Order, even this year, is up for renovation. But it seems to me that the church has spoken with a good and strong voice. No. 5 is not going to solve our theological differences within the church." Ordaining practicing homosexuals? "I have a great deal of respect for gay and lesbian people who want to be accepted for who they are." But she added, "I have not yet been able to get my mind around the idea that homosexuality is God's gift. I have decided to stay uncomfortable." Furthermore, she said the moderator acts as an officer of the constitution of the church. "It's very clear to me. If the church moves, the moderator moves and stands on the constitution." |
||
Respond to this article |
||
| Home
· Archives
· The
Layman ·
PLC
Publications Presbyterian Lay Committee · Feedback · Links |
||