General Assembly February 14-17, 2012

Anne meeting Guest Speaker

Delegates Eating Together

Assembly Worship Together

         It was an unexpected opportunity for us to be accompaniers at the bi-annual General Assembly of la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia (IPC) February 14-17 in Apartado. Each of the three presbyteries sent five elder delegates and five pastor delegates. Nine of the thirty delegates were women. About half a dozen males dominated the conversation. It was obvious that more pastor delegates were familiar with the national church. It was very interesting to observe the process in electing officers included humor and evidence that these delegates like one another.

         The Synod executive secretary and secretaries of the presbyteries provided positive leadership. It appeared that delegates from the same presbyteries remained together at breaks and at meals; possibly some caucus activity took place. As expected, there was some business to be transacted, but there was more energy around issues affecting the future of IPC and the future to which they feel God is calling them.

          We began with an evening worship. There was singing and prayer, reading of Scripture and proclamation of the Word by Linda Eastwood the coordinator of the PPF Colombia Accompaniment program. Her theme was the tension between tradition and traditionalism. The second day Sarah Henken, PC(USA) Andean regional coordinator, led the morning devotions, following singing. Her focus was God’s love for all and God’s plan for us to live together as one.

            A significant portion of the Assembly revolved around an opening presentation by the Reverend Chris Ferguson, pastor of the United Church of Canada, whose topic was “Necessary Reforms for the Church Today.” He challenged the delegates to look beyond their internal business to see the problems in society around violence. Basing his text in Mark, Ferguson stated that violence is a result of fragmentation of the society. Therefore he posited that it is essential for the Christian church to work ecumenically in order to alleviate that violence. Following his address the delegate reflection activity was to work in presbytery groups to respond to three questions: What does the Bible say? What statement should the national Presbyterian Church make about the Victim’s Law? What actions should the local churches take? Each group reported back briefly with their considerations. A final consolidating report was to be made by a small committee just before closing of the Assembly.  That smaller group will spend the coming weeks drafting an official IPC response to the Victim’s law. Local congregations and presbyteries will develop activities around their plans to stop fear and violence working toward peace and justice.

          The third morning, the devotion was led by the former moderator, Javier Rodriguez. He told a parable about sharing an orange – everyone gets something. He invited participation from the delegates and they were energetic in their responses! Some of the ideas expressed were: we need to be willing to “give,” to share with all who are in need; unity in the IPC is necessary or there will be no church; we need to leave here with a clear vision; and may God help us to interact through the Holy Spirit.

The Assembly was closed with Holy Communion.

Anne Eaton, David Eaton and Connie Cochran                          February 19, 2012