Well, that month flew by like a Rolling Tide of War Eagles.  Or would it be like a Crimson Tiger?  Oh, the mascot blasphemy!  Yes, like all incredibly formational and eye-opening experiences, my month with the United Methodists of Birmingham, AL must come to an end.  Time flies when you’re beating 6th graders at Mario Kart.

But this town hasn’t seen the last of me.  I’ve gotten a new scent.  I’m on the trail.  The season is open.  And I’m in the mood for…Presbyterian.

About those hunting metaphors never looking as good on paper as they sound in your head.

Yes, I am moving on to that Calvin-believing, Westminster-confessing, acronym-loving world of the PC(USA).  This congregation also calls Birmingham home, but it is downtown – none of that suburb stuff.  It’s got a little more “street” in it, so to speak.  I have met with a few of the staff there, already, and I think this is going to be a really perspective-enhancing month.  Not to mention that I am living in the garage apartment of the sweetest elderly southern lady in the world!

Now for some Presbyterian basic from Professor Me:  Descended from the theological tradition of the “Reformed” movement, all Presbyterian churches in some way claim the name of 16th Century Protestant reformer, John Calvin.  I don’t know a great deal about Calvinism, but the big thing to remember is the sovereignty of God.  God’s got the power.  Why did it happen?  Because God wanted it that way – now sit down and be quiet.  This is why Calvin talked about irresistible grace (if God wants you saved, you’re getting saved) based in unconditional election (God has already picked who’s getting a little slice of salvation – i.e. the elect).

The PC(USA) says this doctrine (also called predestination) is meant “to remind us that God is free and gracious.  There is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor.”  If you missed Reformation day in Sunday School, that’s basically a slam on the 16th Century Catholic Church – the Catholic Church that required quite a bit to earn ($$) God’s favor.  In comparison, Calvin’s predestination took some pretty big steps toward inclusivity.

Not big enough for old crotchety Mr. Wesley, though.  He had to go and gripe about how everyone had equal opportunity for salvation – not just the elect.  And unto us one of the key differences between Presbyterians and Methodists was born.

Why am I wasting valuable cyber-paper talking about these abstract theological divisions?  Because this is what my whole year is about.  I have been in two Methodist churches so far – really interesting for watching the same tradition play out in vastly different cultures, but not much to talk about theologically.  By finally stepping out of my own denomination, I can begin to learn what separates and unites us all.  Because the sooner we answer the questions that disunity evokes, the sooner we can begin building meaningful comm-unity.

The whole predestination debate?  That’s just a starting point.  In fact, it might not actually have anything to do with why people choose to align with Presbyterians or Methodists today.  Maybe they like one organizational structure better.  Or the style of worship.  Or the social stances.

The Presbyterian Church also offers some fun opportunities for discussion regarding the splitting off of smaller Presbyterian denominations (Presbyterian Church in America, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Bible Presbyterian Church, etc.).  I’m getting dizzy just thinking about it all of the acronyms.

In sum, get ready for some good conversation.  I will try and finish my seminary applications so I can blog more often.  Anyone know a good essay forger?

Just kidding, Harvard.