On the one hand, I am still glowing from an uplifting worship experience from our youth group yesterday. They led a truly meaningful service, reading scripture, leading announcements and acting out the scripture passage in a modern day retelling. A freshman in high school preached the sermon on accepting other people in the face of exclusive high school cliques.
It's not just me, the entire congregation is still aglow. Phone messages and emails are pouring in from the congregation telling me how meaningful it was. I know the youth feel a sense of accomplishment as well, to have led worship without any adult help (besides the choir and organist). The Spirit is certainly at work!
Then on the other hand, I am saddened by recent news in our denomination. This past weekend, a group of Presbyterians announced a break away denomination from the PC(USA).
Plenty of individuals and congregations have left the denomination already. But there hasn't been a split like this one since reunification in 1983. Incidentally, that split was over the issue of slavery back in the 19th century. The North and South churches decided they were better off together and reunited in 1983.
I just don't think that splitting is the answer. Some of the literature ECO has put out says that they want to stop bickering and be with people they agree with more. The problem is that every group of 2 or 3 people (including Christians) will find something to argue about, no matter how small, no matter how unimportant. They will have plenty of controversy within their own ranks in a few years.
I also think that the Church - capital C - should be moving toward unity in all that we do. Throughout the 20th century, Lesslie Newbigin served in churches in South India, where I myself served for a year. As a missionary theologian he wrote about how splintering factions hurt the church's mission worldwide. That's not to say that those involved in ECO may not find a better fit somewhere other than the PC(USA). It's to say that we are better together.
It is an uncomfortable feeling to be the one person in a room who is different from everyone else. But I find it much more uncomfortable to be in a room with people who are all alike.