Dear Editor,

I read with amusement and disdain, John Filiatreau's PNS article reporting the "consensus" decision-making decision of the Theological Task Force. Filiatreau's writing was not what caused my disdain and amusement (and amazement!), but the focus of his reporting. When did we as a Presbyterian body become Quaker?!!!! Now, please don't hear me wrongly. I am not knocking the process of discernment promoted by our Quaker brothers and sisters. I have even served on a board or two Quaker social service agencies. What I am saying is that IT IS NOT Presbyterian. While the process of discernment, i.e. consensus decision-making is good for Quakers (I would assume) it is far from being a part of our "process" of being Presbyterian. Rev. Curtiss may be a "process" guru for the group and she may have learned well some of the processes found in Organizational Psychology (within which my own Ph.D. work is grounded) regarding group dynamics but, to say it bluntly, being concerned about "win-lose" is not the fundamental component of the Presbyterian tradition of polity or decision-making. Now I know this idea or statement will drive our "therapeutic" brothers and sisters nuts regarding concerns over damaging "self-esteem" and "fragile psyches", but this is why we intentionally enter into our votes as governing bodies with prayer and conclude with prayer always seeking the guidance of God's Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, it was refreshing to hear Rev. Dooling's observations in his "Consensus Decision Making" piece which was a voice of "sense". Dooling is right on target. Consensus decision-making provides more voice in the "voting" (consensus building) process than is allowed in the "Presbyterian system". Voice in the Presbyterian system for the minority is in the deliberation – the work of the body which PRECEDES the voting – the CORPORATE and MAJORITY voice of the body. If folks on the Theological Task Force want to make decisions by "consensus", fine, but do it as members of the Quaker tradition NOT as a part of our unique Presbyterian system and form of government.

Faithfully in Christ,