They wear me out; I am a tried and true introvert after all. Yet I like them.
It's kind of like the church's version of Gilligan's Island just, sadly, without the tropical locale.
After all Gilligan's Island was meant to be a social statement, or question really; "What happens when you take a microcosm of society and strand them together on an isolated island?' Synod Assemblies have the same affect. After all we are taking a small percentage of the church as a whole and putting them together in a closed room for 2-3 days with minimal contact to the outside world. Of course then we throw in extra fun bonuses like trying to talk about difficult and controversial issues, and even make decisions on those issues.
Comparing it to Gilligan's Island, of course only applies when everyone, with their varying views, thoughts, agendas, hopes, and dreams, can find a way to get along and really love and respect each other.
There are times when it turns in to Survivor and two differing camps try to vote each other off the island, or at least out of the denomination. We have all seen this happen (even in other groups and meetings if you have never had the joyous opportunity to be at a Synod Assembly). Factions form. Alliances are made with people you normally would not associate with. Harsh words are spoken. Emotions run high. Before anyone is aware of what has happened, the people we all once gathered with to make the world a better place, have become part of the problem in the world of the church. All the snarling and infighting has closed us in and made us seem unwelcoming, distant, and not at all Christ-like. All because we let the 'prize', the reward of being the one 'right' way to think and be, become our sole focus.
However, even though this has happened at the assemblies I have been to at points, most of the time it is the easier (not easy, but easier) camaraderie of people from all walks of life learning how to relate to each other. Learning that the 'professor' will take for ever to figure out and analyze a problem, but that the information and solutions he comes up with will be invaluable. Seeing that the 'Howell's' may seem removed and snotty, but that they have hearts of gold and when they see what they can do to help, they will be beyond generous. We find out that 'Ginger' is not merely shallow and fake, but that her energy and vibrancy will help things be accomplished AND be well done (dare I say attractive to outsiders?). We see that the 'Captain' has leadership, that nothing would be possible without 'Mary Ann's' willingness to take care of people, and we see that 'Gilligan' can befriend anyone with his laid back attitude and open compassion.
At Synod Assemblies, we see that people do not always have to get along. We do not always have to agree. The 'right' way to do church is to not focus on one way, because that will ever be 'right' for all. We find the strengths of all cover the weaknesses of others. We find that voting people off the island only hurts the people who stay on the island.
Yes, I like Synod Assemblies. They give us a chance to see in detail and concentration, the colorful beauty of the whole church.
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