Blog

Intellectual Dishonesty

by Robert A. Green in Church, PC(USA), Religion. Posted 2018-07-15

Those who know me well, know certain things about me know certain things. First, I tend to think, and think a lot, sometimes too much, oftentimes I tend to overthink. I don’t like when I find things are not in agreement and try to find agreement. I value education. I value honesty. I value frankness. ...

Apple’s AirPods Are Great for the Office

by Robert A. Green in Apple, Technology. Posted 2018-07-04

A few months ago, I broke down and bought a pair of Apple’s AirPods. Previously I had been using my Bose QC35 headphones which are great but, at work, they are bit awkward. On the plane the QC35’s are great at blocking the noise as well as making a rather overt statement that “I am ...

Writing Overtures for General Assembly

by Robert A. Green in Church, PC(USA), Religion. Posted 2018-07-04

I had the opportunity to read many overtures at the PC(USA) 223rdGeneral Assembly and to discuss several in committee. I noticed some things that I think will help future writers of overtures do a more effective job which will result in the overture being approved perhaps with little to no modification. First, keep your initial ...

Fiscal Implications–Impact of Committees on the General Assembly

by Robert A. Green in Church, PC(USA). Posted 2018-07-03

The 223rdGeneral Assembly meeting in St. Louis has concluded and I have begun to reflect on it. I will blog about some of these reflections in the future and will start with one about financial implications. Each and every overture made to General Assembly must be analyzed for financial implications. Most have little to no ...

223rd General Assembly–Day Three

by Robert A. Green in Church, PC(USA), Religion, Uncategorized. Posted 2018-06-18

Day two of committee meetings is in the books. Surprisingly, my committee 12, Middle East Issues ran ahead of schedule most of the day. The overtures I thought would be hotly debated passed easily and the ones I the thought would pass easily were hotly debated. In the end, they all went the way I ...

223rd General Assembly–Day Two

by Robert A. Green in Books, Religion. Posted 2018-06-17

The morning began with a trip to Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) on a bus with some other commissioners. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by several members, told about things without having to ask, and introduced to the table with homemade cookies and coffee. I talked with several people and sat in the back of ...

223rd General Assembly–Day One

by Robert A. Green in Church, PC(USA), Religion, Uncategorized. Posted 2018-06-16

I arrived in St. Louis yesterday and began my work with the 223rd General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) today. The PC(USA) is alive and well despite what some may think. In preparation for my committee assignment, Middle East Issues, Committee 12, I elected to attend the Presbyterians for Peace in the Middle East breakfast. We had ...

The Site is Back Up

by Robert A. Green in Apple, Blog, Technology. Posted 2018-06-07

I am back on the web and hope to blog a little more. In my absence, I have completed my Ph.D., completed by rotation through the offices of the National Society of Professional Engineers, become a grandfather, and fully converted to a Mac. Converting to the Mac was part of the issue. My old site ...

Church Woes

by Robert A. Green in Robert's Ramblings. Posted 2016-08-18

The Session of First Presbyterian Church Starkville, MS went to court to sue the St. Andrew Presbytery over property issues. The root of the complaint is whether the PC(USA) has a trust interest in the property of the local church. According to my elder training that is indeed the case but others disagreed. The judge ...

Church Schism

by Robert A. Green in Religion, Robert's Ramblings. Posted 2016-08-18

All churches have their issues but right now mine is in the middle of schism and it is taking a toll on us all. I wrote this letter to our Session and emailed it earlier this year (I am a PC(USA) elder but am not currently serving on the Session). Today someone at the church ...