reformed always reforming...

One motto
from the Reformation
we reformed folks
continue to claim:

"Reformed Always Reforming"

Seems we in
America
have learned this lesson well,
we of the
Presbyterian
variety.

Not sure we learned the
right lesson though.
Not sure we are living
the original intent of
the motto...

Establish,
split,
merge,
establish.

Union.
Re-union.

Form.
Un-form.
Re-form.

We never
seem satisfied.

The Presbyterian Church
of the United States
united once
with the
United Presbyterian
Church of North America
to become the
United Presbyterian
Church of the
United States of
America.

But it seems before
all the uniting took place
another
split occured.

The Presbyterian
Church in Confederate
States of America which
eventually became
the Presbyterian
Church the United
States broke away
and stayed away
for 122 years.

Then re-union
in 1983.

Only thing
before a new union
was set...
disunity created
two new unions:
The Presbyterian Church
of America
and the
Evangelical Presbyterian
Church.

Only 20 some odd years
later....
the re-union of
'83 seems fragile....
so fragile
we may
just break...
and some say it's soon.

Each union,
each split...
comes with reasons,
opinions, aurguments,
exegesis, theology,
affirmation and
condemnation.

Reformed
Always
Reforming.

We've mastered
this motto.

We nail our
affirmation
to the door...
again.

I am left
wondering
if this is what was meant.

But then
again...
reformation
remains necessary...
then
and
now.