Rev Bill

Last night I posted 5 questions for Bruce Reyes - Chow, a candidate for moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA.

He has responded with answers that, as he described them in an e-mail to me, are: “in a free-flow manner as if we were sitting at a cafe sharing a cup of coffee.” At 6 AM the coffee sounds pretty good — as do his responses:

1. Why do you want to be moderator?
Over the past few years as I have seen my kids grow up, I have seen my roll in the church change. Where once I was all about getting the church to meet my generation’s needs and creating a church for me, I know see myself as one that must be about preparing the church for those to come. I may not know what that looks like, but I need to be ready and open for what may come. Ultimately I want to be part of the process of denominational transformation who’s end product is a church that my kids are drawn to and where they are loved into being all that God hopes for them to become.

That . . . and the nation-wide potlucks

2. The Pew Forum recently listed the Presbyterian Church, USA as being a denomination that is leading most other denominations in terms of membership loss. What strategies do you think need to be adopted to help us reverse this trend?
I think we have to decide what it means to be a faithful church and then I think the growth that God wants will happen. Any time we are driven by survival, we will lose credibility with the world and I think are not being faithful to God. I think that we have to learn how to value the many forms, sizes and styles that God’s people gather to worship. When we can do that, then growth, if it is God’s intention, will happen, but growth for growths sake is short-sighted and ill-advised.

3. What do you feel is the purpose of the General Assembly and it’s entities?
I think the GA purpose is two fold: one, to fill in the gaps/blindspots that EVERY community of faith has and, two, to help to support the work, causes and ministry of the congregations.

4. How do you think the denomination can help churches impact their communities with the love of God?
Helping us to make connections with one another that would not otherwise be possible: globally, nationally, etc. as well as being a voice for common issues and concerns that are heard more effectively as one voice. The denomination can also provide programs that makes sense to take place at a national level that would not otherwise be possible: national youth events, seminary support, etc.

5. Please describe your “perfect church”.
Well Hopewell Presbyterian Church, of course OR . . . One that takes seriously the lives of those in the community so much so that it understands both the joys and obstacles of life and can both affirm and challenge those realities: comforting, but not comfortable.

Thanks, Bruce — and may God bless you as you continue to be blessing to others.

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