I find it fascinating to hear people’s first impressions of a Synod meeting. Some find Synods enthralling and amazing; others find them bewildering or frustrating. My own first impression was that this was an intimidating group that was careful about its theology and involved in an impressive array of ministries for the denomination’s size.

As a veteran of 22 Synods, my first impressions have stuck with me. That sense of intimidation has faded as I have come to know the men. I’ve heard many intense discussions and debates at Synod, yet one regards those things differently when one knows the debaters, their families, their pastoral records. When they debate, it is for good reason and with good motive.

I derive comfort from that. It’s the peace of seeing the presbyterian system at work, knowing that God gave us that system for our good. It will remain for our good as long as congregations that love God send well-qualified, rightly motivated ministers and elders ...