Scott DeBlock
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 2:02PM The Church Herald is no more. It is a sad day...
God's will was done. Don Poest will make a fine vice-president!
It's time to go home.
With praise and thanksgiving for the gift of the Belhar,
Joy and Peace,
Scott
Monday, June 8, 2009 at 8:01PM There were tears of joy mixed with some tears of sadness in the passing of the Belhar, yet God's will is done.
And now a new possibility has been placed before me by the Holy Spirit. I am one of four candidates nominated for the office of General Synod Vice-President. It could create a new opportunity for me to serve the greater church, but above all, to learn from it as we now set out to truly live out the Belhar.
Again, God's will be done...
Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 8:46PM We just sang "Blest Be the Tie that Binds" after hearing amazing witnesses for the Belhar. From the World Alliance of Reformed Churches to representatives from the church in South Africa, it was just overwhelming to hear their stories. May God's will be done!
Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 2:19PM Saturday was a day of extremes. After all of the advisory group work on the Belhar, I was a bit dismayed over the conversations. I feel like I want to wear a t-shirt that says, "The Belhar is NOT about homosexuality!!!"
If we pass the Belhar, it will be part of our RCA identity, as well as an identity to strive for. It will be a beacon before us to live in unity and seek reconciliation with all people.
And then, that evening we were blessed with the gift of Dr. Skinner. I really cannot put into words the power of her words. She embodies the power of the Holy Spirit alive and at work in all of us in the pursuit of reconciliation, justice, and unity. I really hope that her spirit permeates our spirits on Monday!
And now, we are in session on Sunday hearing reports. I had the chance to worship at Hope Church, and was blessed by it. I hope we can find rest in this all!
Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 8:41AM Wow, what a day of General Synod! Carol Bechtel's speech truly spoke to the essence of what brings us together in worship, and then Wes' report and emphasis that evangelism and social justice go hand in hand was a perfect lead in to the discussion on the Belhar today.
I have become aware of some concerns about these words of the Belhar: "therefore we reject any doctrine...which explicitly or implicitly maintains that descent or any other human or social factor should be a consideration in determining membership of the church."
My colleagues who are presenting the Belhar to us this week reminded me to remember the original context of this statement in regards to this statement. Because of apartheid, people because of the social factor of being black could not be a member of a white church. That is the key element to remember in this statement of rejection of this practice. But the real thing to remember in this area is the positive statement in section 2 above this: "We believe...that true faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition for membership of this church." Enough said.
As we approach the advisory committee discussion on the Belhar today, it is my hope and prayer that all that we say and do be to honor God and that we embody the unity that the Belhar offers.