After spending the past few days as the guest of Jeff Light and the Heartland Presbyterian Center I have a renewed belief that there is a strong movement of untapped and unleashed optimism in our church. There are things that are holding us back, sure, but overall, when engaged in meaningful conversations about faith, church and life there is great hope.
Most of my time was spent just hanging out with folks. Jeff took me around to meet some of his friends in and around Heartland Presbytery, eat some good food and generally get sense of the area and what is happening in this part of the church.
My time started with a podcast interview with a couple righteous dudes, Landon Whittsit, the pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Liberty, and Brian Ellison, Pastor at Parkville Presbyterian Church. While trying to stay away from too many Presby-geek topics, we had some good conversations about larger cultural shifts that the church is part of, and the impacts of avoiding and/or exploring change. Good fun. The podcast will show up over on The Phoenix Journal in the next few weeks.
Dinner at The Power Plant with a few others folks that evening. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the person behind the blog, Kruse Kronicle. Most of the conversation was around the state of the church and culture in the Kansas City area, which I found fascinating. We also chatted a great deal about the denomination at a GA level. No "doomsday-the-sky-is-falling" rants heard here, mostly a realistic assessment of where we have been and excitement about what is going on and where we could be in the future.
Next up was a lunch time gathering with some folks over at Southminster Presbyterian Church. Having played a few Scrabulous games with Chad Herring, and being a reader of his blog [Roeminations], it was nice to finally meet him. He is one of the pastors at Southminister. Connected with a few others there as well. The world is very very small. We talked about issues such as cultural shifts, mission giving, ecclesiology and general church life.
On to hang out with Jeff at a Synod meeting. I realize that many synods are struggling with cultural shifts in the world and the future of the synod in terms of program, staff and overall purpose. From my brief time sitting in the back of the room, the Synod of Mid-America is clearly facing these issues as well. A nod to synod exec, John Williams, who celebrated his retirement after 25+ years in that position.
Next up was coffee at Homer's in Overland Park with some folks and some free time that included stuffing my face at Gates BBQ.
Sunday wrapped it all up with adult ed, preaching and hanging out with the folks at Central Presbyterian Church, pastored by very cool, Hiedi Peterson.
What I heard . . .
- Folks are not asking about Homosexuality, Divestment or the PUP Report, but they are asking about the future and what we will look like as congregations and a denomination.
- Folks are not weary of the future; but they are hopeful, curious and open to the possibilities of what may be;
- Folks are not disengaging, but are looking for signs of hope, thoughtfulness and some movement away from the unhealthy fighting that exists in so many parts of out church.
- With all of this, people seem frustrated with each other and are tired of the fighting. I think the frustration is not so much about having conflict in general, but with the apparent lack of grace and respect extended across the aisles. It seems like folks are frustrated that we are losing the awareness of how we are connected which, even when we disagree, allows us to be in community. It also feels like many people feel like they are stuck between two warring factions who are both preventing forward movement.
What a joy it was to hang out in the KC Area. At some point I really want to visit when it is warmer and I can take in a Royals baseball game. I also am excited about some of the things that are going on in the church. There is clearly a great deal of passionate faith in the area. And while folks may disagree on how that energy is being directed or lived out, it is here.
Next month: Southern Cal and a mix of Disneyland and Presbyterians.
For more personal reflections/review on my trip to KC
