The Work of God on Behalf of His People
(A reflection on Standing Committee by Aaron Gross, pastor of Logansport CoB)
It was a little intimidating walking into the dining hall on Thursday night. I did not know anyone in the room personally. Some of the eyes looked a bit familiar, but we were all wearing N95 masks to the event. The room was buzzing with conversations from people who seemed to know each other very well. There were people talking, laughing and even arguing that very first night. The individual who was my point of contact forgot to call me so I was going it alone. And now I was having a hard time finding a spot to fit into the room. So, I made my way to a place at a table where there was just one seat left. As I sat down, I really wondered what I had gotten myself into.
I had been asked by the South/Central Indiana District Conference to represent our District on the national stage. This would be the first of many hours I would spend with the twenty-seven delegates on Standing Committee. The people who were strangers on Thursday would be friends by the time the meeting was adjourned. In the four days prior to the Annual Conference, we ate together, worshiped together, prayed together, and deliberated together. It would be like two lawyers in a courtroom who seemed to not like each other’s opinion during the sessions and then sat together and laugh over coffee the next morning. The opinions of the twenty-seven individuals were varied but the passion that most possessed was visible.
The work of Standing Committee was important and everyone in the room took it seriously. From questions about church polity, to reports from each agency. From information about the financial position of our denomination to queries that were being discussed and voted on, everyone had an opinion, and everyone did their best to seek what they believed was best for the Church of the Brethren. And, yet, how Standing Committee determined what was best would be questionable. For some, scripture was their highest authority, and their only concern was that Standing Committee’s decisions were biblical. Others would use their personal experiences as their highest authority as they told stories to inform our truth. Some pointed to the traditions of our denomination and looked to historical accounts and past decisions to give direction to our future. Others were interested in logic and spent their time reasoning through the decisions that needed to be made. I felt the words of Jesus when he said, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30). The greatest struggle is that little word, “All.” It may be easy to love God in one of those four areas, but to love him with heart, soul, mind and strength is a difficult task. We may be better at loving Jesus with one of them. And the person sitting in the pew with you may love Jesus with one characteristic that really doesn’t appeal to you. In the same way, there were four different approaches to determine the direction that Standing Committee needed to go. And rarely could anyone see past their one primary mode of determining truth. The Bible people would struggle with the experience people. The church tradition people would struggle with the reasoning people. They were in the same pew but not of the same opinion.
How does anything get done in a room filled with individuals who see the world through such different lenses? Well, sometimes we didn’t get much done. Other times all the voices in the room helped us see a common thread where we could stand together. On occasion there was a spirit of “give and take” as we listened and learned. At moments a Christ-like love permeated the room and allowed us to hear each other and see the needs of all. And there was a prayerful attitude at times that helped us move beyond personal opinions to the deeper need of larger community that we call the Church of the Brethren.
As I prepare to leave for Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 29, 2023, for my second Standing Committee meeting, I go with great anticipation. I am going with my feet under me ready for the task at hand. I am looking forward to seeing again the new friends I made one year ago. I am going knowing that I need to wrap my arms around some newbie who will feel as I did one year ago. And I am going knowing exactly what I got myself into. This work is more than the work of the Church of the Brethren. It is the work of God on behalf of His people. The world needs to see Christ in His churches. The work we do at Standing Committee is not just for the Church of the Brethren. The work we do, if we are not careful, that may push people away from God and His Son. Or this is a work that can draw people into His kingdom! Thank you for inviting me to do this work.
Blessings, Pastor Aaron Gross, Logansport Church of the Brethren.