Presbyterian Leaders’ Forum - GAC Chair

Presbyterian Leaders’ Forum

May/June, 1999

Cathy Chisholm

A Message from the GAC Chair

Shortly after the General Assembly Council meeting at which I was elected to serve as the current Chairperson, I celebrated my birthday at a dinner with friends. Among the gifts I received was an outrageously-pink flamingo Beanie Baby. The accompanying card carried these instructions: “Take this with you wherever you go throughout the coming year as a reminder to never take yourself too seriously.”

From that day over a year ago, “Pinky” has been a constant companion, traveling in a pocket of my backpack to the many meetings, conferences, and events in which I have had to participate. When the wrangling over the wording in a report gets intense or when parliamentary motions get complicated or when a particular policy or position is the subject of political maneuvering and criticism, we can find ourselves so wrapped up in the moment or the issue that we devote way more time, energy and resources than is good stewardship. The presence of a floppy, furry critter is indeed one way in which I am reminded to keep my life and work in proper perspective.

Again and again, the Scriptures call on us to place our trust in God. We believe that God is at work in the world, in history, and invites us to participate in God’s future. Yet, again and again, we humans act as if God needs our protection and advice, as if God’s reign is entirely dependent on a particular action we take. Whether we serve in the local congregation or at the General Assembly level, we do indeed take ourselves – and others – too seriously, failing to follow the instruction to “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Cathy Chisholm and Pinky

One of my goals for this year has been to nurture our life and work together as members of the GAC. In planning and conducting our meetings, we have encouraged reports to be lively, time to be used wisely, and to maintain our sense of humor. In order to recognize those who contribute to our “lighter” moments and help us maintain an attitude of openness to the work of the Spirit, I have been handing out “Tickled Pink” awards at appropriate times during each meeting. So far, almost three dozen pink flamingos have been given out and now perch proudly in various offices, briefcases and pockets across the church.

Silly? Very. Gimmicky? Probably. Effective? Definitely! I can think of many worse ways for my term as chair to be remembered than for “flinging flamingos” and enjoying laughter. Years ago, I came across the saying that “life is too important to take seriously.” An adaptation we would all do well to remember in the midst of preparations and politicking for General Assembly is that “the church is too important to take seriously.” May we truly learn as a church to “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Cathy Chisholm

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