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.