Spirit Seeking

Written By Jonathan Krogh

Dear Fellow Presbyterians:

Today’s Musing are thoughts I prepared for Session devotions prior to our meeting on April 22, 2026. I wanted to share them with you because they articulate something unique about our Presbyterian order, which is the discerning work of Session.

Pneumatology is the study of the Spirit, how it works, how it blows and breathes among us. The work of Presbyterian elders when they meet for Session is supposed to be pneumatological—that is, it’s supposed to be Spirit discernment. The gamble of our tradition bets that when those who have been selected and elected as elders come together to discern the congregation’s business, we become completely dependent upon one another to divine what God is trying to say to our church.

This pneumatological work requires listening, and listening requires a rejection of pride. We gather with the distinct possibility that someone else in this room has received a prompting from God that we will not know, or have, or hold, until we hear it, weigh it, debate it and compare it to the discernments of others. Then, and only then, do we move forward with our vote, also betting that our majority carries an inkling of where God is leading us and what we are supposed to do when we get there.

It’s a strange thing we do several times each year in Westminster Hall. We assemble not because of what we have to say, but because of what we are about to hear—together.

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity said, “Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble [person], they will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: [they] will not be a sort of greasy, swarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, ‘[they are] nobody.’ Probably all you will think about [them] is that they seem a cheerful, intelligent [sort] who took a real interest in what you said. If you do dislike [them] it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. [They] will not be thinking about humility; [they] will not be thinking about [themselves] at all.”

In other words, as soon as you think of yourself as humble, you’re wrong. The first step in acquiring humility is to realize that you are proud. Until you realize this, nothing can be done about it. Lewis goes on, “If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”

This embraces the ironic fact that if you come thinking you will prove your humility by holding back so others may have the floor, you’ve already blown it. We are invited to arrive full of anticipation, knowing that what we gain collectively is far closer to God’s voice than any other sound. We arrive at a potluck of wisdom, not carrying the produce of our favorite recipes, but with empty plates, longing to be filled with what God is preparing through this group of called and confirmed elders gathering in that space and time for the oracle we humbly call Session.

It is in this way that I’ve heard again the familiar Proverb, 3.5-8:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge God, and God will make straight your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.

Feeling genuinely refreshed again by the wise humility of Session, I remain,

With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor

Jonathan Krogh
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