A question … how many people does it take to make decisions in the Church’s life?
Answer …. it depends on (a) the complexity of the issue, and (b) the Council which is involved.
At the Council of Synod about 300 people are involved, but our Church Council involves only 17 people but in both decision-making takes time and care.
I spent the past week at the Council of Synod which occurs approximately every 18 months. Membership is roughly 50% clergy and 50% laypeople, and about 10% are young people. Some have been to many Synod meetings, and for others its a new experience.
I’m one who has been to many Synod meetings – they can be inspiring, frustrating, interesting, tedious all in one day. Decisions are made by consensus, matters great and small concerning the life, witness and responsibilities of our church. Churches throughout history have used councils as a primary way of making decisions about life together.
The most famous in the New Testament is recorded in Acts chapter 15. The leaders of the young church gathered in Jerusalem to discuss the controversy over the Law of Moses. Were Gentile disciples obligated to keep it, to not? The decision was that it was not obligatory and this decision launched a missionary movement throughout the known world. We are gathered here, generations later, as a consequence of that decision of the first Council. We live, as the apocryphal Chinese curse says, in interesting times. We have challenges and opportunities, possibilities and decisions before us as a Synod and as particular congregations which are parts of the whole.
In their footsteps 300 people gathered at La Trobe University and worshipped, listened, questioned, discussed in working groups, ate together, and sought consensus on various matters. Some were predictable, others controversial and occasionally inspiring. Underlying our discussion was the question of how the Uniting Church shapes it life, mission & direction?
Decision-making is frought with the problems of making a decision!
For example, KH church council is seeking to discern the best decision about the use of the second manse. It’s a complex issue about which there are different good options, and no one is sure the best response. How do we decide in a way that is just and fair?
The most controversial matter of the Synod was the 2nd report of a Task Group concerning ACCESS Ministries ( responsible for RE in public schools). It urged, after two reports at two Synods cutting formal ties with ACCESS. After many questions, much discussion in working groups, and considerable consultation a somewhat different resolution was made – which has been reported in the Age and many of you received in your email.
However, Synod meetings aren’t only about theological controversy about involvement in public schools or property ( for example the Age on Wednesday told with some glee about local rage about proposed development of Wesley UC in the city), or reports – the Council seeks to discern God’s leading in complex times.
The Old Testament story today came from that ancient time when the Israelites has escaped the tyranny of Egypt. Led by Moses, they crossed the Red Sea and began a long trek through the desert. It was hot, burning hot during the day – food and water were scarce. At night the cold got into their bones. It didn’t take long for fear to grip most of the people … they began to question the leadership of Moses, and the reality of GOD.
We are not so dissimilar as we ponder the difficulties and challenges before us… where is God in this strange land?
In the gospel encounter of Jesus he sat by a water well on a hot day. You can hear the parallels with Exodus. A woman comes to draw water and enters into conversation with the stranger. Slowly the discussion unfolds into a proclamation that drinking the water of life is to be nourished by the Life-giver.
The whole Christian story – its traditions, explorations, reformations and renewals – revolve around trusting the invisible God whom we believe is made visible through the human life of Jesus the Messiah.
It’s this story – living it through worship, witness and service which is the church’ sustenance.
When a Council meets, its primary loyalty is not responsibility to the past.
Instead it looks to unknown future, seeks to discern still, small voice of the Spirit, lift the sails high and journey as disciples in faith that God is with us.
The heart of organisational life of the Uniting Church is four inter-related councils. Each one – Congregation, Presbytery, Synod & Assembly has its own responsibilities and focus.
No significant decision can be made without mutual consultation, discerning the movement of the Spirit together.
But, the living heart of the church is communities – like this – who meet together in God’s name, drink of the life-giving Spirit and are nourished by the life, teaching and witness of Jesus.
Yes, making decisions about life together is demanding of time and tenacity – but it is required as we build on the foundations of Christ in our time and place in history.
We belong to a church which is accountable for its life together; which values the contribution, gifts and graces of all its members; and is willing to experiment, serve and sacrifice in the cause of the gospel.
Worshipping, witnessing and serving as members and adherents of the Uniting Church is committing ourselves to something richer, wiser and more than ourselves.
It is encouraging the awareness that we are part of a wider community sent, set apart, universal and bound together as the body of Christ.