Allen's Reflections on General Assembly

I am finally back from my summer roamings. I would like to share a few things with you about my time at the Orthodox Presbyterian General Assembly, which met in Tacoma, Washington July 9-16.

I agree with Steve’s blog, but let me add my own personal observations. Steve, Wayne Koch, and I went because: a) we as a session have been convicted that we need to be more active in the life of our Church. Presbyterianism is, after all, about connectionalism.
b) we are very concerned about the new Directory for Public Worship, and how it will turn out. We wanted to help strengthen its wording, but also to preserve Biblical freedom in the exercise of the priesthood of all believers in worship.

While our concerns did not always prevail, there was a very encouraging effort in the assembly to not bind the consciences of others like us who wanted more freedom. For instance, there was a strong move to require every congregation to have exactly the same membership vows, a move which ultimately failed.

The keynote sermon of the first evening, by last year’s moderator, warned the assembly, from Matt 16:18, that we are Christ’s Church, and that we dare not set manmade boundaries around Scripture to ensure orthodoxy and orthopractice. Amen!

I was surprised to learn that nationally the OPC and PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) seem to be drifting apart, with less effort from our denominations at increasing our unity and cooperation. The PCA delegate chided us for this in a warm and humble way. He received an unprecedented standing ovation, which I thought was one of the highlights of the week.

I was also thrilled to learn that our denomination is now working with the Presbyterian Church in Brazil, an 800,000 member Reformed Church that wants our help to strengthen its commitments to Scripture. We are working with them to bring the gospel to Uruguay. Brazil is larger than the USA, the fifth largest country in the world. What a privilege to partner with this group!

Personally I felt warmly welcomed after many years absent from GA. It was great to catch up with old friends at meals, and see what God was doing in their lives. Several urged CPC to continue to be active in the large church and strive together with them for the Gospel.

A couple final personal notes:
I went out two days early and stayed two days after because I had always wanted to explore a bit of the Pacific northwest. I hiked around Whidbey Island the two days before and explored Mt Rainier National Park and Point Deception the two days after. All were extremely enjoyable. Mt Rainier is awesome in its majesty: 14,410 feet high, within sight of the sea at its summit (no, I didn’t attempt to summit!). Point Deception is one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen, both natural and cultivated garden beauty.

I apparently contracted food poisoning during GA, which laid me low for three days. So I missed much of the debates at GA. The Lord was kind in restoring my health just in time for the first of two trips up to Mt Rainier.

Having an apartment with Steve and Wayne was a great treat, which enabled us to enjoy a couple of relaxed times of sharing our lives and comparing notes and feelings about the assembly.

I am so glad we went. Thank you for sending us.