How Was Pittsburgh?

In the past two weeks, the question I have been most frequently asked is, “How was Pittsburgh?”  As glad as I would have been to give a favorable review of the city itself, pastors and friends were asking for my impressions of the Churchwide Assembly.

I have had trouble finding the right words to describe this assembly.  It felt different to me than others I have attended.  The mood was subdued as the assembly began.  Even the opening worship lacked energy.  Of course, this is my opinion.  Others who had never previously attended an assembly did not perceive this.  I think the gravity of electing a presiding bishop and a secretary was weighing upon the voting members.

The ecclesiastical balloting process, which we use to elect the presiding bishop and secretary, is fascinating and can lead to unexpected results.  It is a process that leaves little room for campaigning and a lot of room for the Holy Spirit.  And, as odd as it sounds to say this, the ecclesiastical ballot minimizes the normal “winner vs. losers.”  I believe that we saw the Spirit at work in both of this year’s elections.

It was exciting to see the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton elected as our presiding bishop.  The media has made much of her being the ELCA’s first female presiding bishop, but I did not hear much made of that at the assembly.  I know it was a deeply moving moment for many of our female clergy.  To see a woman elected to the ELCA’s most prominent position was gratifying to many women who grew up without female clergy role models, who have suffered discrimination in finding calls and who at times have endured abuse by congregation members who do not believe women should be pastors.  And yes, you can find those pockets of prejudice even today.

Bishop Mark Hanson was very gracious in all of his remarks both before and after the election.  The process must have been exhausting for him, but his mood seemed to lighten a bit following the elections.  In fact, his own report to the assembly, which came after the election, was filled with his hopes, dreams and passion for the life of this church.

So, with sufficient time for reflection, I would describe this assembly as hopeful for the future of the church, realistic about the difficulties the church faces today, and grateful for the opportunity to speak publicly for the sake of Jesus Christ.

It was a good assembly despite my inability to describe it well.  We are part of an amazing church!

If you would like to know more about the assembly, click here.  Comments?  Go to the blog site or comment on Facebook.  --JC

NIS CWA Attendees with David Swartling