Council Minutes

The last two days have been given to the peer review of synod minutes. A synod, in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is the third more inclusive geographic council. The councils begin at the local congregation (session); expanding to include all the congregations in a larger geographic region (presbytery); expanding to include all the presbyteries in a multi-state geographic region (synod); expanding to include all the presbyteries and synods on a national  level. Under the auspice of a “general administrative review,” each more inclusive council reviews the actions of the lesser inclusive councils. This is a means of ensuring the lesser inclusive council is doing things “decently and in order.”

That all seems to be a very dry and boring task. In some instances, it is. Sometimes the review seems to focus on straining at gnats and swallowing camels. Jots and tittles, sometimes, seem more important that the general flow of life and faith. Sometimes, it seems form is far more important than content. Sometimes, it seems the review is more looking for “gotchas” than encouraging.

However, the minutes of the various church councils are important because they are a continuation of the Acts of the Apostles. Council minutes not only are to accurately record the proceedings of each council meeting, the council minutes record how each council is carrying forward God’s salvific mission in that geographic area. If all which was recorded in the Acts of the Apostles is that the council met in Jerusalem, it was moved, seconded and passed to approve a mission to the gentiles, we would know very little about the spread of the Gospel.

Instead, what we have is a very lively account of the early decades of the Church. We are told, of the Council in Jerusalem, who attended, what the presenting issues were, how decisions were made and carried forward. We are told, “There was no small debate among them.” I love the understatement there. What was being proposed was a radical change for the Church. If, how and under what circumstances could gentiles be accepted into the Church were the primary questions to be answered. I imagine, from the understatement about the debate, it was an extended and heated debate. Even after the decision was reached, there were those who actively opposed it.

There were those who argued that those of the Way were a branch of Judaism and “followers of the Way” must adhere to all the rites and rituals of Judaism. On the other hand, there were those who clearly saw and experienced the movement of God’s Spirit among gentiles and who argued they should not be expected to subject themselves to practices and customs of Judaism to be included in the Church. A compromise decision was reached and gentiles could be included in the Church. Following that, we have the various accounts of the spread of the Gospel.

Minutes of our councils are, but are far more, than a record of the actions of each particular council. Council minutes continue to tell the story of God’s action with and through the Church. The review of council minutes provides a consistent form for the record of the council, and provides the continuing narrative of the Church seeking to be faithful to God’s mission. I only wish there were a way to lift up the content over the form in the peer reviews.