A TSAD’s reflection on the 220th PC(USA) General Assembly

If a house is divided against itself, can it stand?  On June 30, the 220^th General Assembly kicked off with the blaring of trumpets as over four thousand Presbyterians gathered together for the opening worship in Pittsburgh.  My heart sank as the assembly struggled even from the very beginning to agree upon its new moderator as Neal Presa was finally elected on the fourth ballot.  It was a precursor for all the heated disagreements, diatribes, and debates that would ensue for the rest of the week.  As the vice moderator, Tara McCabe, resigned over the issue of signing a same-gender wedding license; as we sat through long nights with people pouring onto the floor to speak for or against issues on divestment, same-sex marriage, social justice, immigration, authority of Scripture; and as votes were cast and decisions were made on very narrow margins, I found myself crying, rejoicing, heart-broken, and hopeful at every turn alongside my people.  Then the realization struck me that our house was not divided at all but very much alive, pulsating with deep love, compassion, and hunger for justice in various shapes and forms.   If people were still engaged in ardent conversations 220 General Assemblies later, how can we say that the church is divided?  Through this GA, I realized that the unity of the PCUSA has been strengthened over the years in it wisdom to embrace the diverse convictions of people from all walks of life.