Splitting the Presbyterian baby
When I was 11 years old, my parents told me that they were going to separate. At the time, we lived in Reno and my dad decided to take a job in Dallas as my parents sorted things out. Although my older sister and I were both devastated, we reacted in very different ways.
My sister was angry, sad, depressed, worried, and heartbroken. I was . . . well let’s put it this way, the moment my dad said he would be moving into an apartment building with a pool, I wasn’t as upset. It wasn’t that I no longer cared, but it was obvious for a long time that they weren’t happy— we weren’t happy—and if this was going to happen, at least I would get a swimming pool out of the situation.
Last night, the Presbytery of San Francisco voted to officially dismiss Menlo Park Presbyterian Church from the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. denomination. Just as my sister and I had different reactions, the weeks leading up to this vote elicited many reactions by the wider church to the settlement of the dismissal. Some accusing the presbytery of being selfish on demanding such a large amount. Some accusing Menlo Park on not being more transparent about how much property they truly own. Many speculating on the real reasons why Menlo Park is leaving. Others judging the other on who is more gracious or righteous or blah, blah, blah, blah.
