Wow! Wow! Wow!

It is hard to find words, or even space on this blog, to describe what went on today at the General Assembly. I will try. First of all, we finished electing the Council of Eighteen. We've been doing that since my last blog! We finally got to agenda item number 2, which some of you are familiar with: "Realignment of Resources". This has been a very touchy subject in the COG for years. Now, I won't get into all of it, so just know: IT IS VERY TOUCHY!

The motion, as presented, would have been deadly to the COG if it was passed. World Missions would suffer, and there would be no good plan of surviving the 2.5% cut that is currently sent in to the COG from our local churches. After some heavy debating from other members, Travis Johnson submitted a substitute motion that was immediately shot down by the chair (Presiding Bishop). Travis then appealed the decision of the chair. At this point, the bishops are allowed to vote whether to uphold the decision of the chair (to reject Travis' motion), or to overturn the decision of the chair (accept Travis' motion). Without delay the PB called for a vote over the appeal. This is where, for me, things got exciting. I stood and called for a "point of order". Now, this is my first time as a bishop, most less speaking at the General Assembly; in front of over 2,000 other bishops! I went to the mic and reminded the chair and the council that a vote on the appeal could not be taken until the appeal was first discussed on the floor by the bishops. The PB acknowledged that I was correct and the floor was opened! I then spoke in opposition to the decision of the PB. Following me, 2 others also rose and spoke against his decision, and 1 arose and spoke in support of the chair. At this point a vote was called for, and the chair was overturned by a good majority!! This is a significant moment.

We then dismissed for lunch, and would return to discuss the new motion. However, when we got back, the PB came to the podium and asked that we suspend the "Rules of Order" and "just talk". This is something that is unprecedented. The PB then went on to just share his heart. He was real, and transparent, and genuine. He was open about the finances. Then, he said that new motion (the one I helped fight to get heard) was actually better than the original!! Not only was the chair overturned, but he actually liked the motion he rejected better after he had a chance to really look at it.

After his pouring out and sharing of his heart, he begin to weep. I was already crying, the whole thing was so... GOD. The entire floor was swept by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Men filled the altars, and knelt at their chairs, and we wept and repented for being so stubborn. The PB called for unity and for us to stop tearing each other up, etc. I was very moved, and have never had so much hope in the COG in my life. And I know it sounds pretentious, but to know that I played a role, is just very overwhelming.

So much more happened, that I just don't have the time to share; but it was awesome. The motion was tweaked a little and passed. Our churches can look to see a cut in the 2.5% by 2010. Praise God for sending a renewal to the bishops of the COG.