Field Trip

Since our committee finished our work early, the leadership team decided to give us a treat.  We had some evangelism videos today and some more lectio divino on Luke 20 and after lunch we boarded a bus and went to a large large Presby church in Edina Mn.  Heard their 3 pastors discuss their missional work and how they go about it with 3000 members and 1000 youth.  The youth don't all come to church there they have 'pods' out in homes.  We asked lots of questions.  They told us of a new group they are forming and took us to see their worship space.  There was a huge "dias" as they term it and a really big communion table and pulpit.  When I asked where the font was, they said it was behind the walls where they keep the band equip and when they need it they bring it out.  I really think poor John Calvin would be throwing up about now.
Then we went to the little Kwanza Presby church in St Paul and visited with the delightful people there in a little run down pretty and homey church.  They spoke of their missional work and we saw the garden they have for the neighborhood and heard about the new facility they are preparing for women who work in the sex trade just a block away.  A beautiful African American woman (who is the one Amy and Laura would term the church mother) sang the Lords Prayer for us.  Just lovely.  We prayed for the ministers and the missions of both churches before we left them and they were touched that we would do that. 
It was a good trip and I learned a lot from it. 
Tomorrow we begin plenary session and the votes begin in earnest.  I know there will be upset people, no matter how it goes, but people need to learn that God sends us out into the world to bring His kingdom near to people and we need to quit spending all our energy fighting. 
I do like the quote from yesterdays sermon.  Get in the boat. Go across the sea.  There will be a storm.  You will not die.  The church will not die no matter what we do or don't do as long as we all get in the boat and go across the sea.
Shalom