A Prophetic Vision of Mutual Forbearance by Rev Bev

What’s a pastor to do?
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One of the challenges I have encountered as a pastor of Rock Spring Presbyterian Church, in Atlanta GA, is being prophetic while also being pastoral.  I do not always succeed on either count!  And people have pointed it out when they miss one or the other.
 
The challenge is, being prophetic always includes a critique of our socio-political-economic environment; and no matter which party is in office, that kind of preaching sounds partisan in our day and age. I am aware of my own personal biases. That said I am very intentional with preaching or teaching, as best as any preacher can, to hear and share the bias of scripture and how it speaks to us in our current life.  At times, I want to reject God’s word because it forces me to choose between how I’m doing things and how God calls me to do things.  In the church we call this turning “repentance.”  Other times I find my understanding validated and feel like I’m on the way with Christ.
 
I suspect if I feel this way, you may too.  However, when a preacher goes to preaching, we are often told we’ve, “gone to meddlin’.”  And so the second challenge is being attentive and caring to people who feel slighted by a particular point of view when it comes from the pulpit or church class.
 
Our culture has not helped us talk across our differences. However, Scripture and our reformed theology do.  There is hope for us! We can learn and teach others.  We can witness to the power of loving kindness expressed in true friendship.  Scripture calls us to bear each others’ burdens, outdo one another in showing honor, be ambassadors of God in reconciliation and much more. For examples, see Romans 12:10;14:1,10,19; I Corinthians 10; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:25-32.
 
These texts support the Presbyterian principles of “mutual forbearance.”  Stemming from a belief that “truth is in order to goodness,” we believe “there are truths and forms with respect to which [people] of good character and principles may differ… the duty both of private Christians and societies to exercise mutual forbearance toward each other.” (BOO F-3.0105)
 
I am committed to this principle as it helps me learn from people with differing points of view.
 
And, as you may already know, I believe that the strong voice of the evangelical Christian churches is heard loudly; so, I am committed to offering the counter balance, a progressive Christian understanding.  I can only do this well in the context of effective conversation across the spectrum of socio-political ideas.
 
I look forward to sharing with you  the power of true friendship!  
 
Peace,
Rev Bev