by: Earle D Roberts
This struggle went on for four years, and had parallel streams.
In June 1983, the 'northern' and 'southern' Presbyterian Churches voted to reunite and become the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with celebratory sessions in Atlanta and simultaneous Communion Services across the nation connected by a television network.
Then came the struggle. What about the synods and presbyteries? Those existing were very different in size and boundaries, with a lot of geographical overlap; with great disparity in membership numbers (approx.1 to 16 in NC, one group African-American, the other 99% white). All facets focused attention on North Carolina--how would they become a united Presbyterian Church at the local level? In the mysteries of providence I had leadership roles in both streams of the struggle.
We were neighbors that did not know one another. When we came together in various groupings, we learned our differences--not just in size but in the way we conducted programs and administration. At first, learning about each other was about all that was accomplished, important, but only a beginning. Any discussion of new boundaries and organization was nowhere in sight.
Consultations of synods, of presbyteries, of synods and presbyteries; meetings of planning committees, of steering committees, of existing councils. Every participant coming from a particular constituency with traditions and programs and long-standing relationships, and specific history (sometimes with scars). We did not always hear one another. At times there was some unwillingness to consider any alternative, any difference from the comfortable familiar. There was security in past patterns, and insistence on maintaining that security in any new structure. And there were personalities, and personal preferences strongly held.
Often it was difficult to see progress. Each big meeting would reach some agreement, but mostly concerning the wording of a document. Looking for something more than tidying up what had been, looking for a reaching-forward proposal, hoping for discussion of possibilities--anyone with such thoughts was lonesome and disappointed for months and months. But surely these responsible church leaders recognized the importance of the task they had to pursue; surely the inflexible sides would open up to others and to coming together. It surely would happen.
I was not disturbed by the time it took for progress to be realized. Fortunately my congregation was very patient with the amount of time I had to devote to these activities. It was the slowness of progress in discussions and negotiations toward accomplishing our tasks that was the source of disappointment, but not despair. The scripture that was always in my head and heart was Isaiah 26.3: "Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace--in peace because they trust in you." Trust in the Lord. The promised peace is not 'no cares, no worries'; it is the calm confidence of the steadfast love of God in our lives and in the church of Jesus Christ. Trusting in the Lord to lead the people of faith. And that is hope.
P.S. We eventually came to harmonious agreements, and new synods and presbyteries were approved in June 1987.
