Bruce Reyes-Chow, the moderator of the last PC(USA) General Assembly asks on his blog: “Why are you Presbyterian?” He’s just written a church wide letter on the topic, and is asking members far and near to chime in as well.  I bit.  Here it goes:

Why am I in the PC(USA)?

Because am was born into it.

The real question, then, is “why do I stay PC(USA)?”

Back in the day, denominational ties were clear and tended to stay. Presbyterians grew up Presbyterians and stayed Presbyterian. When they moved — which they did less often — they landed in another Presbyterian church.

Now, though, denominations are less distinct from one another, and folks don’t have such strong ties to each denominational brand. When they move, they join the church that fits them best or offers a certain program, regardless of its denominational ties. Or, they just don’t join another church at all.

I was born into a Presbyterian family, was baptized at a Presbyterian congregation, and confirmed in a Presbyterian church. But, now, I consciously choose to live out my faith in the PC(USA).

I do so not because the PC(USA) is perfect, but because Presbyterians have power within the denomination to make it better.

I do so not because I wouldn’t love to be Lutheran or Episcopal, but because other denominations have plenty of their own challenges.

I do so not because I love every aspect of Presbyterian history, or believe everything those writers of the Scots Confession believed, but because as a Presbyterian I am both relatively bound and relatively free to the beliefs of those who went before me.

Back in 2003, I filled-out the first of many a form concerning my preparation for ordained ministry in the PC(USA). Now six years later and in the midst of making plans for my ordination service, I have 76 files on my laptop in the folder “Ordination Stuff” and over 150 emails in my “First Call Possibilities” folder. So I have learned firsthand that the Presbyterian church is neither speedy nor scared of paperwork. And through that preparation for ordination process I saw many a flaw in the denomination’s system.

But back in 2003, on that first form, I answered the question: What does it mean to you to be Presbyterian? In many and various ways, my answer today would be largely the same.

What does it mean to you to be Presbyterian?

Representation. Majority rule with minority rights. Reformed tradition. Open to the Spirit. Connectional. Socially active. Liturgy. Good music. Biblical. Confessional. Constitutional. Those words come to mind when I think “Presbyterian.” The most prominent aspect of the Presbyterian Church to me is that we are a connectional church. Connection is going to Montreat and meeting a friend you went to Presbytery Camp with. Connection is seeing that same friend at General Assembly. Connection is about going to any Presbyterian Church in the nation and following the lectionary, using the same basic ways to worship, responding with familiar liturgy, singing from the “blue hymnal,” and communing with elders. Connection is embodied in the responsibilities of the General Assembly, Synods, Presbyteries, Churches, elders, deacons, and members. Presbyterians do the best they can to be God’s Church. We’re not perfect, but we are the Church to which I hope to be called.