How to Prepare for General Assembly

Illustration: “A little child shall lead them”, William Strutt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Teaching and ruling elders have a duty to actively participate in the courts of the church. Because it gathers only once a year in a location far from home for most of us, General Assembly requires the most preparation and commitment. However, when the church has drifted into apostasy, traditional/historic/evangelical/orthodox (THEO) believers may not feel the desire to participate. Some might feel a measure of dread. How do we then prepare and engage?

Some, for a variety of reasons, simply show up, vote, socialize and go home – duty done. We may find it easy to vote on non-controversial matters. On issues of theological conscience in which we are a minority opinion, we might have to rustle up some strength and courage to speak up. As a result, many remain quiet. I have seen a tendency towards that in recent years. Not all, by any means. Some have admitted to me a lack of spiritual chutzpah. It is all quite understandable.

“On issues of theological conscience in which we are a minority opinion, we might have to rustle up some strength and courage to speak up.”

The recent emergence of Operation Reconquista and its energetic, faithful and whip-smart young leaders who are on a long-term mission to restore mainline denominations to orthodoxy have been an inspiration and wake-up call for me. PCC Renewal is its PCC wing. Anyone of any age who shares the same desire can actively witness orthodoxy. How to do it effectively and survive? I see two approaches.

First would be raw Biblical boldness. The guiding illustration is the Lord, who loved his enemies but had very harsh words for them and counselled his disciples to shake the dust off their feet and leave their presence if they refused to listen. Do not waste time on niceties. To those who are drawn to this mindset, any appearance of collegiality would send a message that all is just fine, that we can live together in this pluralistic atmosphere. So they draw a line in the sand and operate as if anyone who inhabits what we deem apostate territory is the enemy. This approach demands that THEOs speak early and often and mince no words.

A second approach would be more collegial. I am reminded of the classic Sam Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf cartoon in which they duke it out on the job but when the whistle blows they punch out and go home. It’s similar to a debating tournament where opponents shake hands, trade barbs then when time’s up, shake hands and depart. In courts of law, opposing legal counsel refer to each other “my friend” and speak in respectful terms even while suggesting each other’s arguments are erroneous and their clients are guilty as sin. Witness also the traditional shaking of hands at centre ice after the championship game. Sadly, in the polarized and divided church, there is not a lot of witness of mutually-respectful dialogue between theological foes, as I have painfully experienced.

“Communing and sharing with theological opposites can be difficult, especially if we hold that the pursuit and adherence to authentic doctrine is the stuff of eternal life . . . On the other hand, our sinless Lord spent time with tax collectors and sinners.”

I vacillate between these two approaches. On the one hand, communing and sharing with theological opposites can be difficult, especially if we hold that the pursuit and adherence to authentic doctrine is the stuff of eternal life. I have a fear of syncretism. I am mindful of Paul’s stern advice in 1 Cor 5:11 – “do not even eat with such people.” On the other hand, our sinless Lord spent time with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34) presumably as a teacher and witness.

Holding fast to THEO views as a minority voice can be challenging when most others are singing a different tune. Human nature requires us to stick with birds of a feather for encouragement and collaboration. The Great Commission requires us to witness. How do we do this and remain standing? Over the past few months, I have posed the following questions to THEO leaders. Their responses follow.

1. What do we look for in the reports and recommendations to General Assembly which might threaten our liberty of conscience/freedom to choose – or posed from the opposite direction, what do we look for that might be signs of increasing progressive theology?

• “Commissioners need to plan on spending 40-80 hours reading through the Book of Reports well ahead of GA. It is mainly by taking the time to read carefully that they can identify ‘good’ and ‘bad’ motions. As they read, they should make notes about how various sections relate to each other, what they approve and what concerns them. These notes form the basis for discussion with others whom they trust. It is also appropriate to seek opinions of others whom they trust, because others may well identify concerns that they missed. By the time they travel to GA, they should know how they intend to vote on each motion and their thoughts should be clear, so that they are ready, if appropriate, to speak at GA.”
• “Deliberately set aside generous amounts of time to read the Book of Reports when they are released in the weeks leading up to GA. Pray without ceasing as you read the reports.”
• “Be informed commissioners: read the reports well ahead of time and prepare comments that are theologically sound. That gives time to circle issues of concern and even gives you time to reach out and ask questions so that you are well informed.”

2. If we read something that raises an alarm or has us wondering, what is an effective way of raising our concern on the floor as a commissioner? How do we speak the truth in love?

• “Earlier today, I read this: https://www.keylife.org/articles/jesus-tony-and-me/. It strikes me that this article provides a perspective on how to respond to concerns while continuing to think of those with opposing views as friends. If you can’t think of them as friends, perhaps you can think of them as children who are going astray. If you can’t think of them as either of these, it may be wiser not to speak. Or if you feel a need to speak despite being upset, your speech should focus on how you feel, not on trying to express a logical argument.”

“Seek out and spend time with others who are like-minded, because we all feel a need for human allies.”

3. Commissioners are free to vote according to personal conscience, but that does not stop others from applying pressure to adopt the views of their congregation or session. If we are under pressure, how can we respond?

• “It’s really simple. If I’m at GA, my responsibility is to vote according to my understanding of Scripture, not according to anyone else’s agenda.”

4. What advice do you have for commissioners during the assembly itself if they feel sidelined or under the judgmental gaze of others? We know how intimidation works.

• “You need to seek out and spend time with others who are like-minded, because we all feel a need for human allies. If others are intimidating you, either they are not your friends, or they misunderstand something, or they are children acting out a mistaken view of the world; either way, take time to understand their views, but, with support from friends and the Holy Spirit, be bigger.”
• “During debates about things don’t get sucked into the emotional force fields which tend to divert from thinking biblically.”
• “If someone is trying to intimidate you, they see you as a threat, ie. they’re actually afraid of you. Changes the perspective.”

5. Other advice?

• “Others are less likely to be judgmental if you have followed the advice of question No. 2 (see above). In fact, when I was at GA, I had an opposing speaker come over and compliment me on how graciously I had presented my opinion. I hadn’t swayed his opinion, but he was able to appreciate my contribution.”
• “Make sure to check in with others (I went to the dinner hosted by Peter Bush and Christine O’Reilly during GA 2024), and it was good to have this respite in a pretty overwhelming week. Overwhelming in terms of sheer volume of information and time.”

“I had an opposing speaker come over and compliment me on how graciously I had presented my opinion. I hadn’t swayed his opinion, but he was able to appreciate my contribution.”

An interesting perspective which some might find encouraging – or frustrating:

• “If someone could raise the proverbial [question], ‘Are we better off in 2025 than we were in 2022, did all this nonsense and division give the denomination greater evangelistic opportunities, are LGBTQ people saying, ‘finally, now I can go to church?’, did the PCC make it known outside our bubble that it is an affirming denomination? In other words, did a tree fall in the forest, smash a few huts and not make a sound?”

Some advice from a former Young Adult Representatives for future YARs:

• “It’s okay to respectfully disagree with your National Church supervisors.”
• “Young adult reps are at General Assembly for different reasons: some are there for the experience; some are there because they go to a PCC camp and some are there to represent the progressive interests of their congregation. A few will be there because they have a Biblical and personal faith in Jesus.”
• “Do not assume your fellow Young Adult reps share the same beliefs as you.”
• “Speak the truth gently but boldly. Be willing to stand out.”
• “Seek out opportunities to connect with commissioners (i.e. those older than you) who share your Biblical faith. Make use of the Renewal Fellowship prayer room.”
• “Avoid pointless arguments. It’s okay to avoid unnecessary confrontation.”

Finally, one commissioner who has observed many GAs over the years encouraged commissioners to “recognize that the battle is the Lord’s: our job is to speak truth in love.”

The Battle Belongs (hymn) – Author: Jamie Owens-Collins (1984) © 1985 Fairhill Music

In heavenly armour we’ll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory, honor
Power and strength to the Lord

Amen.

NOTE: Renewal Fellowship and Living in Truth is planning an online gathering for THEO commissioners in mid-May as a source of encouragement and to create community. Details to come.