Bring Everyone Along; Why?

by Rev. Dr. Deborah Uchtman, Bethel Murdoch and Loveland Presbyterian Churches

As the Moderator of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, I want to invite you to bring everyone along to our Presbytery Gatherings.  While I have a great love of being a part of something much bigger and being able to better affect change, I often wonder why some Ruling Elders and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament are so reluctant to attend these meetings.  Many would tell me that in the past the meetings have been boring or long. I have also heard that they are far too busy to attend when they can stay home and do something they would prefer to do.

All of which makes me wonder if these folks understand the purpose of the Gatherings of the Presbytery of Cincinnati.  These events are opportunities for us to come together as the Body of Christ, worship the Lord and celebrate with one another the things that God has done in our midst.  It is a time for work to be done as, together from our various churches, we form the Presbytery. As faithful and obedient servants of Jesus Christ, the body of the Presbytery does its best to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  Each Gathering gives a chance to celebrate or mourn together, to uplift and encourage one another and to embody the hands and feet of Jesus Christ together.  Ministers of the Word and Sacrament and Ruling Elder Commissioners work together to discern how we hear God calling the larger church to engage the world. This is the critical point: we work together as Ruling Elders and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament; one does not lord it over the other.  We are equals in the decision-making process. Why would you not want to be a part of this important and timely work that strives to glorify God in the process?  Why would you be so dismissive to the opportunity of doing your best to bring God’s kingdom into the world in the here and now? 

Why don’t you bring yourself and everyone from your particular church that is a Ruling Elder Commissioner or a Minister of the Word and Sacrament along to the next Presbytery Gathering and watch how the Holy Spirit is moving us forward to further God’s mission in the world? I look forward to seeing you at the next Gathering and greeting you in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!