February 6, 2009
by the Rev. Gradye Parsons
Stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

LOUISVILLE – I will admit it up front: This column is an unabashed promotion for the Big Tent event, June 11-13, in Atlanta.

The Big Tent will bring together several of our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) summer conferences in one place at the same time so that participants might experience the breadth and width of the ministries of the PC(USA).

One of the hopes of moving to biennial General Assemblies was to create opportunities for Presbyterians to come together nationally in non-legislative meetings in non-GA years. As someone once told me, the church needs conversations that aren't required to produce a product at the end. The Big Tent fits that description to a tee.

Ten conferences will be held in conjunction with the Big Tent – National Multicultural Church, Stewardship and Investment, Evangelism and Church Growth, Healthy Ministry, Peacemaking, Presbyterian Communicators' Network, the Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare Association's Social Justice Biennial, plus the Racial Ethnic Convocation and the New Immigrants Ministries Convocation.

One of the ten, the National Elders Conference, is especially close to my heart. I believe the key to the renewal of our church is reclaiming the vision of elders as it is described in chapter six of The Book of Order. Theirs is an important spiritual ministry. This will be the second event of its kind and should help folks get ready to fill those important shoes.

Participants who come to the Big Tent will be able to attend their usual conference and drop in on parts of other conferences. There'll be shared meals, common worship, and a common workshop time with a broad category of subjects.

Find out more and register online [www.pcusa.org/bigtent].

As you can tell, I am a big believer in the Big Tent. It will be a unique opportunity to experience the various and exciting ways God is working in the PC(USA) – a real smorgasbord of ministry delights.

So, mark the date and spread the word. Gather a crew and come to Atlanta. It will be the "happening spot" in the PC(USA) in June!

Presbyterian News Service