Sunday, the second day of General Assembly, is traditionally a time for worship in local congregations. In Pittsburgh, the heartland historically of American Presbyterianism, you have many options. The three most popular for commissioners appeared to be First Church, which many chose because of its nearby location and history, East Liberty if you wanted spectacular archietecture (built by the Mellons in 1930 with no expense spared), and Shadyside known today for the excellence of its preaching. Being naturally countercultural I chose Mount Lebanon United Presbyterian Church whose twin towers dominate the Pittsburgh skyscape as you fly into the city. The church is one of four that are 
working through “gracious dismissal” from the denomination with the Pittsburgh Presbytery. I was privileged to participate in their life as a congregation. Lead Pastor Tim Janiszewski gave a powerful analysis of what it means to be a missional congregation (inside out not outside in) at the Adult Bible Class and a strongly Biblical message about the disciples’ motivation for outreach. As Tim Janiszewski said in the Adult Class the 30% rule applies to their second traditional service and is a concern – below 30% capacity visitors looking for a church immediately assume a problem and today there are only 120 in a sanctury built for 1100. The 9 o’clock contemporary family service draws 250. The sheer size of the Pittsburgh churches, built in an earlier era and in a time of prosperity when steel was king, means that these congregations can easily become preoccupied by building maintenance, something not unfamiliar to us in Canada. Mount Lebana UP passed my ultimate test when I was invited out to a Chinese meal by an older couple. I left with a warm appreciation of a congregation that had earlier nurtured the MacDougall family before they came to Bridlewood in 1972 and had such a significant impart on our fledgling church plant.
That afternoon Assembly unanimously reelected Gradye Parsons as its stated clerk. Noone else had applied and one can certainly understand why- being stated clerk of a troubled and deeply divided denomination with catastrophic losses of membership since reunion in 1983, is no sinecure. Parsons, who is a Gordon-Conwell graduate, stated in his acceptance speech: “Yes, there have been storms, and there still are. Yes, we’re in a bit of a mess, but we’re still called by Jesus Christ, to be sisters and brothers in the faith, and to use our gifts for the world Christ loves.”