Stated Clerk's monthly column

June 2009

This month's column is written by the Reverend Thomas Hay, director of operation, Office of the General Assembly.

A blessed, warm fog

It is not the clear-sighted who rule the world. Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.

Only a writer as accomplished as Joseph Conrad could get away with that misdirection. You know the fog-minded feeling of a too-early morning or a very late night, of being overwhelmed by too much information or too much stress. It is no fun to be in such a fog.

But a detail-blurring fog can sometimes offer us the clarity of purpose we need to accomplish great things. Perhaps we see best when we can’t see everything.

In biblical times, God was seen through a kind of fog. God covered Moses’ face and revealed only the renderings of glory. Elijah heard just a wee small voice. The disciples saw the Spirit of God as a dove. Yet, without the details they all accomplished great things of faith. Even Jesus had to deal with those without ears to hear or eyes to see.

Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.

In 2006, the 217th General Assembly created the Form of Government Task Force (FOG) to draft a revised polity for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The 218th General Assembly (2008) heard the task force report, then recommissioned and renamed them the New Form of Government Task Force (nFOG). The nFOG is to consult with the church and bring a new draft to the 219th GA in 2010.

What great blessings can be perceived in this fog?

You will find the proposed new Form of Government and study materials here.

Join in helping to accomplish great things in the service of our Savior.