Moment
of Reflection
Dan
Stenberg
Almost
fifty years ago Sundays meant 25-30 college males meeting
at Al Stenner's house for Presbyterian Men's Club. The
format was simple: a speech on what we would now call
a secular topic - from human sexuality to native American
tribal needs -, supper (and Mrs. Stenner could cook),
and then study. We read - Reinhol Neibour, Paul Tillach,
Dietrich Bonfeoffer, St. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin
- and we studied the make-up of churches -- theology
and polity. Some of those sessions were long. We discussed
and debated. As a denomination, we Presbyterians tend
to be both inclusive and strong willed. The format then
taught me that Paul may have written much of the New
Testament but he and the disciples often had heated
discussions much like those of Sunday night all those
years ago.
That
format has stuck with me over the passing fifty years.
I read and study - theology, theologians, and church
polity. My Presbyterian friends range from a friend
in Pennsylvania who supports Presbyterians For Renewal,
a right wing group, and advocates for the New Wineskin
Movement, to a Presbyterian minister friend in Wisconsin
whose large inner city church has a Covenant Ministry
welcoming gays and lesbians - the left wing of our faith.
Linda and I have a grandson attending Cumberland Presbyterian
College, a group not currently part of our Presbyterian
U.S.A. church. Being a Presbyterian means a great deal
to me.
And
in that fifty years, I have been honored to serve as
an Elder, a representative to Presbytery, a youth group
leader, an adult education director at Presbytery Point,
a camp in the upper peninsula, and, for a couple of
years in the 70's supply pulpit as a guest for area
ministers. I edited one Presbyterian church history
and co-authored another.
But
what does THIS Presbyterian Church mean to me? Truthfully,
it means I'm back in Al Stenner's living room. Linda
very much enjoys the Reaper Sewing Group. I am excited
about the work of the Stephen Ministry (although I do
get a little nervous remembering that Paul held the
soldier's coats while they stoned Stephen to death).
But this church means much more than any single group
or project. There is a spirit here - and there is family.
The sanctuary is lovely - but many other churches have
lovely sanctuaries as well. The Teaching Elder, now
Pastor Van Lear, is important - but no minister is the
church.
From
the day we first entered this church, First Presbyterian
of Niles, five years ago last week, we have felt warmly
received. It would take the full service to list the
names of this family who have made us feel this way
- and some are third cousins twice removed - known only
by face and not by name. Even then we would miss some
in the listing. Besides, names aren't important. What
is important is that the spirit of the Risen Christ
is here. There is a nurturing family spirit of love
and support in this congregation and building.
So,
as fifty years ago, I come, I listen to the secular,
I feed upon the word, and I study. And it feels SO good.
