Recently a newly-retired minister reminded me that I was not just called to be a Minister of Word and Sacrament, but also I was to be a faithful presbyter of the church, serving in all her functions faithfully as she needs it

This letter is a late submission for the requests (of The Layman) for reflections upon the 219th General Assembly this past July.

I served as a theological student advisory delegate (TSAD) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA. I understand that the mention of advisory delegate may cause no small amount of consternation in many who hold to orthodox Biblical theology, and I understand that frustration. Oftentimes I found myself frustrated by being in an ever-slim minority of the TSADs when voting statistics were displayed throughout the course of the plenary. However, I found that through the roller coaster ride that was the General Assembly, there is much to be thankful, even hopeful, for.

When I left for General Assembly, I left my wife and 10-day-old son thinking that I could be attending a meeting that would potentially break the denomination. My assignment was Committee 12—Marriage and Civil Union Issues. After hearing much talk from those who had either participated in or followed the 218th General Assembly, I fully prepared to be a lone or nearly-lone voice trying to uphold the Word of God in my committee.

To be sure, the actions in our committee were not what I wanted to see happen. But along the way I found some interesting things.

Read More: http://www.layman.org/GABlog/10-10-29/One_TSAD_s_General_Assembly_reflection.aspx?ReturnURL=%2Fgablog.aspx

[Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced in this article is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]