Stated Clerk's Column
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About This Column
Written by Gradye Parsons
Each month the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Moderator or Vice Moderator of the 220th General Assembly write a column of general interest for the church-at-large.
Recent posts
- June 2016 - A journey of faith—Gradye Parsons
- May 2016 - A distinct family portrait of the PC(USA)
- April 2016 - Pack your mission T
- March 2016 - The hard work of reconciliation
- February 2016 - Sustainable ministry results from sustainable souls
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March 2016 - The hard work of reconciliation
God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance whenever something inadvertently escapes us—as, indeed, without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray. ~John Calvin
There appears to be a math equation in this quote from John Calvin. Toleration plus pardon plus mercy equals freedom—the freedom defined as children being able to ask their parents anything. I wonder if this formula cannot be applied to our life as community.
Helen Keller says that toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle. It is the opposite of a winner-take-all position. It means holding opposing viewpoints lightly in your head. In a community it provides for debate and discussion that can lead to better ideas.
“Where there is injury [let me sow] pardon,” said Francis of Assisi. In almost every discussion about servant leadership, I have heard at least one person say, “but don’t be a doormat.” The comment comes out of the concern that putting others first somehow makes us weak. There may be some truth to that, but putting ourselves first does not make us strong either.
When I do the hard work of reconciliation with another, I can get unstuck from that emotion-filled space. That reconciliation may have to confront injustice and injury in a community. That confrontation may create change that will be fertile ground for those seeds of pardon.
From the great Herman Melville we have this quote: “Heaven have mercy on us all—Presbyterians and Pagans alike—for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.” A community is made up of people who are all dreadfully cracked about the head. Honking our horns at the car that hesitates at a green light is useful venting, but doesn’t display much mercy. The person may be wrestling with a whale of a problem.
What is your community like? Is there tolerance, pardon, or mercy? Can you and your congregation change that?
La difícil tarea de la Reconciliación
- Posted at 2:49 p.m.
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