A Wee Blether

It’s not that I like to be known as a Presbyterian nerd–really, I push inter-denominational conversations more than most (e.g. the whole Lutheran college thing and Lutheran seminarian spouse), but here I am participating in a Presby Meme made up by even a bigger Presbyterian nerd. “Thanks” to Shawn for the shout-out.
* in about 25 words each, answer the following five questions;
* tag five presbyterian bloggers and send them a note to let them know they were tagged;
* be sure to link or send a trackback to this post

1. What is your earliest memory of being distinctly Presbyterian?

Fuzzy, but probably having to do with Montreat Conference Center clubs. Though I later worked on summer staff, for some reason I hated going into the Kindies classroom oh those 20 years ago.

2. On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend LESS energy and time?

Beating each other up–this could apply to Amendment B, or satisfaction theory of atonement, or on why we’re losing members (in demographically predictable ways), or inclusivism/exclusivism. Call me naive, but isn’t there something in the Bible about mutual support and encouragement?

3. On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend MORE energy and time?

We’re a rich denomination in the richest country in the world. How do we justify our wealth in a world in which people are dying from preventable disease and starvation?

4. If you could have the PC(USA) focus on one passage of scripture for an entire year, what would it be?

1 Chronicles 26:18 “At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.” Nobody is certain what this verse means. Without context, it’s complete gibberish. In context, it’s still murky. 1 Chronicles 26:18 could pop some humility into denominational discussions and remind us that being certain one is right is less important than accomplishing God’s work together.

5. If the PC(USA) were an animal what would it be and why?

Owl (aka “W-O-L”), in Winnie the Pooh, who is plenty wise, but also not altogether following what’s going on around him.
I’ll tag the following, knowing that Presbyblogging is so incestuous that half of them have probably been tagged already: Pomomusings, Erin, Meg, Dwight, and John.