This is indeed an important conversation to have in the church. I think one lesson the younger generation can teach us oldsters, left, right, center is just how much faith and trust can we vest in formal institutions. One observation I had made about progressives though out the years is just how energy, time, efforts, and faith they place in the formal institution, courts,  governing structure of the church, that if one can control the levels of power, one is able to affect broad based change either in society or the church. Or when the "church" speaks from on-high others will line up and follow. Or that the locus or focus of change and transformation is top-down in some old monolithic sense.  They have never fully processed the death of COCU some time ago and just why that failed, as example.

   On some levels Mr. Robertson's comments reflect a sense of opportunity lost, on another a sense of paternalism, or I am smarter than you and more well informed, and  a lack of trust in people in the pews to determine what is best.  I serve in rather progressive presbytery on many levels. At the monthly lunch with some local clergy I asked them this question,  If the GA/Synod/Presbytery would vanish, go into the air, cease to exist on a Friday afternoon, would you cancel church that Sunday, or put out of sign saying the end of the world is upon us, run to the hills. Or how could we possibly function without some structure we vest power or interest in.? To a person, conservative and liberal clergy responded church, worship, celebration would happen on Sunday, the doors would be open and life would go on. . There is lesson there for all who cling to power for power sake, who seek authority and status quo for that sake alone. And just who exists to serve who. Thank you Mr. Robertson.    

P.W. Gregory

chalfont, pa.