Having been very much involved socially, politically and in church movements, I have participated in many public assemblies in my life. With their debates, their polarizations, in some cases ruptures, in other cases compromise or even at times brilliant consensus.
I became a Presbyterian about six years ago. Mainly for two reasons: I always believed in women's contribution in the leadership of the church as equals. I notice as I associate with my female colleagues at the college or with female ordained ministers that that this diversity is a gift of God to our church and the ministry of the word and sacrament. Women's voice in our church is lithe wind of the Spirit that slowly transforms us in order to never back up.
I have always had interest in the Presbyterian mode of government. (Being North American I guess it's second nature). My theological formation at Université de Montréal has persuaded me that an ecclesiology of communion was the most hopeful and that collegiality in the government of the church was probably the best concrete way to accomplish its mission. As far as my communitarian experience and my democratic convictions – although nothing is perfect there – I have came to believe that our system of government was the most likely to open itself to the challenges of the spirit. I can witness that here today.
This is my first General Assembly in the context of our Church. I was amazed with the solemnity and the stress put on the commitment expected of the commissioners. The moderator wearing the gown and the stole gives to this venerable Assembly the true understanding of what is an assembly of the chosen that has become under the apostle Paul the assembly of the true people of God. The duty of participation and assiduity required of each commissioner and written motivation for an early withdrawal – to be accepted by the assembly – added to the whole solemnity of the process. Your intervention, Moderator, to remind us that this was the supreme court of our church and that it required more than decorum and order but that our interventions should be animated by brotherly love and of a real intention to serve the highest interest of the Church as of the Glory of God, this intervention gave us a glimpse of the climate that would reign during the whole week.
During the week indeed we could witness some tensions, some polarizations and also some fears coming out of each group. Fears that some overtures or recommendations would jeopardize the identity and perhaps orthodoxy of our denomination. During those moments this resurrection narrative came to my mind:
