Back home in Ruston.

Preparing to do a presentation on GA tomorrow (Sunday) at Shreveport First. By the time I got back home, the Stated Clerk and Moderator had posted a pastoral letter to the church along with some FAQs about some particular actions taken at GA. I would encourage you to read them and share them with your congregations.

My first quick thoughts are that I am exceedingly proud of the commissioners and YAAD we sent from Pines. First of all, they behaved themselves. But more than that, they were engaged, asked strong questions and came away energized about this incredible thing we call PC(USA).

My wife, Edith, attended the GA with me. As CPM moderator, she had a chance to participate in a training event with CPM moderators from throughout the country. On the way back home she talked about what she learned and how she can't wait to share her learnings with our CPM.

I had a conversation with Marvin Groote, interim executive presbyter from South Louisiana, and we talked about what if we had a joint presbyteries' meeting, probably in Alexandria, in the fall of 2011? The three presbyteries in Oklahoma have held a tri-presbytery event for a number of years. What a great opportunity to get together with our brothers and sisters from the south (and they with their brothers and sisters from north Louisiana and south Arkansas) for a time of fellowship, worship, prayer and sharing the stories of God's work in our midst.

There's to be another Big Tent event next summer in Indianapolis. I think we should get a group together and join with over 2000 other Presbyterians there. Watch for more information from the presbytery office.

There's a lot of work and praying and studying to be done between now and the February meeting of the Presbytery of the Pines.

Get on and hold on! It's going to be a heck of a ride.

The text for the GA was "out of believers' hearts shall flow rivers of living water"- John 7:38. Rivers are moving, dynamic entities. Our church is a moving, dynamic entity. God is calling our church to new opportunities of mission and to create new disciples for our Lord, Jesus Christ.

'til later.....