The YA(A)D has cried

The 219th General Assembly is now history.  In all, the Assembly was well-run, and the commissioners were civil and deliberate in their work.  There were not many surprises, as the moderatorial election pretty well signalled the assembly's preferences.  However, there were also not many blunders.

Many people might consider the action on the same-sex benefits overture such a blunder.  In that action, the assembly approved extending insurance coverage to same-sex domestic partners of non-ordained plan members.  Voices on the right guarantee me that the move is a deeper offense to them than the proposed change in ordination standards, as there is no vote of the presbyteries required to enact it, and they are mandated to use the plan whether they approve of that provision or not. 

It is, in my opinion, an issue that is the classic choice of competing values.  On the one hand we have made a major priority of our commitment to equal treatment of persons in the civil arena regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.  Through that lens, the benefits issue is one of justice and equitability.  On the other hand we have a long history of freedom of conscience on matters that are theological non-essentials.  And the nature of the plan requires churches to participate for their minister members.  The approved "relief of conscience" clause allowing churches to opt out is of only limited comfort to those who believe that by extending such benefits the church is endorsing sinful behavior.  (Let it be said that while I understand that point of view, I do not share either its premise or its conclusion.)  As we look down the road, if this conflict of values continues to be a serious problem, we may be forced into a two-plan program, and segregate more fully the plan for minister members and their families from "affiliated members."

On the whole the commissioners were more often wise and constructive.  The Middle East Peacemaking Committee proved to be just that as they avoided a major public relations disaster through amending the controversial report "Breaking Down Walls" in committee.  The intervention of losing moderatorial candidate James Belle in the Middle Governing Bodies Committee helped heal a potential fallout among the Puerto Rican delegation over the report of the Special Administrative Committee. 

Personally, I found that the commissioners were less polarized than in years past, and more willing to build community.  Several times during the plenary proceedings, commissioners were encouraged to be in small group prayer with those around them -- which I think helped keep things in perspective.  The refusal of the commissioners to consider amendments regarding the definition of marriage was clearly an attempt at easing the burden of change for those in the minority, even if it did not ease the burden of those desiring the blessing of their pastors, congregations, and denominatin on their legal same-sex marriages.

I have a correction to last night's post:  the YAD (or YAAD) has in fact cried.  It happened Friday night when I was out of the assembly hall, during the Mission Coordination and Budgets report (go figure).  The as-yet-unidentified YAD allegedly wept while bemoaning the lack of a Presbyterian campus ministry on her campus during a discussion of higher education ministry cuts.  I have confirmed this through multiple sources, so I think it is reliable enough to say the saying still holds true:  "The Assembly ain't over until the YAD cries."

Well, the YAD has cried for another Assembly.  I'll post some pictures and more wrap-up perspectives soon.