The Presbytery of San Francisco
ORDINATION
Who's In & Who's Out.

Several people asked me about the meeting of our San Francisco Presbytery Community last night - January 15th in Richmond. At the meeting several things happen - a great class on Olafur Eliasson - contemporary art and Christian worship, we endorsed a candidate to run for Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and we had a vote - following much much much discussion, dialogue and debate - which ended in the narrow victory of a majority report recommending the ready to be ordained status for a local Lesbian Presbyterian woman.

It's been much in the news lately - before the meeting and since then. Here's some connections to see what's been said in the press - which were not allowed to stay during the meeting last night - although one reporter stayed illegaly after being asked to leave.

Last week's article in the Oakland Tribune
Presbyterians to vote on lesbian's ordination

Today's report on KTUV Channel 2
Lesbian Can Go Forward in Presbyterian Ordination Process

It was an interesting meeting. Although a victory was had for one side of the issue - as some might say - I would venture that it was a loss for everyone. We didn't have a dialogue, more like an entrenched debate between polarized sides. Some argued for openness. Some motivated by fear of the future. Some were not succinct in any way. Some argued morality. Some argued sensitivity to the 2/3rds world and the LGBT community. But in the end did we really dialogue? Did we reflect together? Did we listen for God's voice? Or did we come ready to vote what we already thought? Not pointing any fingers.....I'm not a hypocrite. I also did the same thing.

Can we listen for God's voice in community? Or are our different perspectives/worldviews/baggage just too much in the way?