| |
219th
General
Assembly
2010
For our index page for GA 2010 >> |
We welcome your reports and comments
on preparations for the 219th General Assembly.
Just send a note,
to be shared here. |
Covenant Network hears about “coming out as Presbyterians”
[7-2-10]
 |
Randy Bush, a member of the
Covenant Network Board of Directors, describes "the
hopes Covenant Network has for this Assembly,"
namely reinforcing the strides made at the last
Assembly while still working to remove G 6.0106b. |
The Covenant Network held a dinner this
evening (Thursday, July 2) at Westminster Presbyterian Church in
downtown Minneapolis.
Doug Nave, an attorney and a member of the
Covenant Network Board of Directors, gave tonight, basically
challenging all of us to do some reflection and "come out as
Presbyterians."
Here are two engaging quotes from his talk:
We have spent the last 30-odd years
arguing about sexuality – at least, that’s what we think we
are arguing about. But over the years I have come to believe
that the crux of the issue is not what it means to be gay,
lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. The crux of the issue,
for us, is what it means to be Presbyterian.
And toward the end of the talk:
Let us go out this week and remind each
other what it means to be Presbyterians. We have work to do,
in preserving the last two Assemblies’ affirmation of our
core traditions, and still more work to do in correcting
exclusionary rules that have deeply hurt GLBT people and
their families. Let us hold fast to the gospel of grace and
reconciliation, to conscience and mutual forbearance.
For the full text of Nave’s presentation, which we are happy
to share here with his permission >> |
16 former moderators support Middle East report
Leaders encourage GA commissioners to approve
study committee's report
[6-29-10]
Bethany Furkin, Presbyterian News Service,
reports:
LOUISVILLE — With the 219th General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) days away, 16 former GA
moderators are calling for commissioners to approve a study
report on Middle East peace that was requested by the 218th GA.
"Breaking Down the Walls" is the report of the
Middle East Study Committee. The committee was charged with
preparing a comprehensive study focusing on Israel/Palestine
with regard to the context of the Middle East. The report
includes recommendations and study materials.
The
rest of the report, including the text of the Moderators' letter
>> |
Voices for Justice offers a brief commentary on
key
issues coming to the Assembly
[6-28-10] Early in June
we posted
a
longer essay commenting on issues coming to the Assembly.
Now Sylvia Thorson-Smith, PVJ's Issues Analyst, has prepared a
shorter version of those comments, including a number of items
not covered in the earlier version. It will be available
on paper at the PVJ Commissioners' Orientation on Saturday
morning at the Assembly, and at the PVJ booth in the Exhibit
Hall.
But here it is in advance, in
an HTML
version, and in
easy-to-print PDF. |
Author plans book-signing at PVJ booth
[6-29-10] David Weiss,
the author of To the Tune of a Welcoming God, and a
resident of the Twin Cities area, will be visiting the Voices
for Justice booth in the Exhibit Hall of the General Assembly,
at some time (or times) during the Assembly, to sign his book
and talk with visitors there.
He describes his book as a collection of his
essays and hymns, which invite faith communities to become fully
welcoming to LGBT persons.
Michael Adee, Executive Director of More Light
Presbyterians, says of the book: "Body and soul come together in
this beautiful, inspiring worship and meditation resource
celebrating God's love for all of God's children. I
wholeheartedly commend To the Tune of a Welcoming God."
Marvin Ellison, Professor of Christian Ethics
at Bangor Theological Seminary and lead author of a 1991 PCUSA
report (Keeping Body & Soul Together) on LGBT inclusion,
comments: "Writing with a clarity and passion reminiscent of
Robert McAfee Brown, these words by an insightful ally will help
many enter into the kind of thoughtful conversation desperately
needed in the church."
See the
author’s website for more about the book >>
And watch for
announcements of the book-signing and a chance to meet the
author. |
The Rev.
James A. Belle responds to our questions to candidates for
Moderator [6-28-10]
Voices for Justice has presented four questions
to all the candidates for Moderator of the General Assembly,
inviting them to share their thoughts on matters of concern to
all of us. We have posted the responses for four of the
candidates, and have just received the responses from the Rev.
James Belle. We regret the apparent misunderstandings
which caused this delay.
We have not yet received responses from the
latest candidate, the Rev. Julia Leeth. |
Discussions on God’s Gift of
Marriage [6-28-10]
To help people considering the question of how we define (and
limit or open up) our understanding of marriage, the Rev. Donald E. Stroud,
with That All May Freely Serve: Baltimore, has prepared – and frequently
updated – an essay on concepts of marriage, both historically and in
contemporary society. |
We've just received this
from the Rev. Ralph Garlin Clingan, of
Bloomfield, NJ. We are happy to share
it with all who visit here, as a profound
expression of call and hope for the coming
Assembly. [6-25-10] |
Best
wishes for the PC(USA) General Assembly
EARTHQUAKE
(by Thomas Merton)
Go tell the earth to shake
And tell the thunder
To wake the sky
And tear the clouds apart
Tell my people to come out
And wonder
Where the old world is gone
For a new world is born
And all my people
Shall be one.
So tell the earth to shake
With marching feet
Of messengers of peace
Proclaim my law of love
To every nation
Every race.
For the old wrongs are over
The old days are gone
A new world is rising
Where my people shall be one.
So tell the earth to shake
With marching feet
Of messengers of peace
Proclaim my law of love
To every nation
Every race.
And say
The old wrongs are over
The old ways are done
There shall be no more hate
And no more war
My people shall be one.
So tell the earth to shake
With marching feet
Of messengers of peace
Proclaim my law of love
To every nation
Every race.
For the old world is ended
The old sky is torn
Apart. A new day is born
They hate no more
They do not go to war
My people shall be one.
So tell the earth to shake
With marching feet
Of messengers of peace
Proclaim my law of love
To every nation
Every race.
There shall be no more hate
And no more oppression
The old wrongs are done
My people shall be one. |
Justice and Policy at General Assembly: the Middle East Study
Committee report, and the proposals for divestment from
Caterpillar [6-18-10]
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP)
has sent out an update on some of the justice-related matters
that will be discussed at the General Assembly in early July,
commenting particularly on “Breaking Down the Walls,” the report
of the Middle East Study Committee, and the related matter of
proposals for divestment from Caterpillar, whose machinery is
being used by Israel to destroy Palestinian homes.
Click here for
the whole update paper.
One section deals
with the “core values” that underlie the various Advice &
Counsel memos which ACSWP (like other GA entities) provides to
the Assembly to help inform its work. This understanding is that
“justice” is often our guiding principle in dealing with social
and political matters. “Justice,” though, is merely “a nice
word” unless the church goes beyond pronouncements to deal with
policies and resolutions, leading toward actions and programs.
So if we as Christians are to be responsible, we need to aim for
(1) effectiveness, (2) integrity – as in “practice what you
preach,” and (3) solidarity with Christians and others whose
voices are not beings heard, i.e. who are largely powerless.
A second section lays out some of the long
history of
Presbyterian consideration of divestment as a means of
effecting social and political change.
And a third section, entitled
“Background for the Conversation in your community,”
provides some understanding of the very sharp attacks being
leveled against the Middle East Study Committee report,
particularly by pro-Israel Jewish groups that are attempting to
discredit the report as “anti-Semitic,” and more. Commissioners
are already hearing from these groups in many cities, and might
find this background very helpful.
Finally, a
listing of all
the ACSWP Advice & Counsel memos provides links to all of
them on the GA’s PC-Biz site. A nice bit of help if you’re
looking for these helpful resources! |
Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC):
An Overview of
General Assembly by Jerry Rodewald, a Co-Moderator of ACWC who
lives in La Quinta, CA.
[Published in the
Spring 2010 issue of
Network News,
and posted here on 6-14-10]
ACWC’s Advice
and Counsel Team has just concluded its meeting in preparation
for the 219th General Assembly beginning on Saturday, July 3.
ACWC has submitted recommendations that deal with the escalating
murder of women in Juarez, Mexico and the ratification by the
U.S. of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women).
The GAMC Review
Committee report of ACREC, ACWC, and ACSWP is quite positive;
they have recommended that the three committees continue, with
further discussion about staffing for ACREC and ACWC. Because of
the debacle of losing ACWC staff almost 2 years ago, we have to
ask General Assembly to “transfer” the funds we were awarded at
GA in 2008 for the design of a research project on the Status of
Women throughout the church—we don’t really anticipate a
problem, but that will be watched closely. As well, there are a
couple of issues with regard to the approved (2008) Women of
Color Consultation Task Force that have to come back to the GA
for additional approval.
The overtures
indicate several hot-button issues — as usual! We have
identified several of those issues for which we will advocate.
We will support the Belhar Confession, with the request that the
language be revised to be fully inclusive for God. We will
support the efforts toward ordination and marriage, pension
benefits for same sex partners, affirm PHEWA, and disapprove the
abortion overtures and the baptism for the unborn.
There were
several overtures regarding violence in Afghanistan, Colombia,
Sudan, but not one mentioned the violence against women, so that
is the basis of our comment on those. In addition, there are
several very fine papers that have been submitted by the
Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), to which we
have added comments regarding women’s vulnerability— the
economic crisis, theology of compensation, Human Rights Update.
Language
remains a lingering, BIG issue, particularly language for God,
and those of us that have been “fighting” this issue for so many
years are weary!! We are putting the tried and true “Well Chosen
Words” into every commissioner’s packet and will have the
expansive language magnets in the ACWC/ACREC booth. Some of us
on ACWC have already decided it will be a primary issue for the
next two years.
We’re planning
to suggest that any commissioners interested can meet for lunch
at a soon-to-be-identified church school classroom or other
meeting room at Westminster Church on Tuesday, Wednesday and/or
Friday of GA. Calvin’s Café has box lunches for $10. Some of us
will be there to be available to answer questions, provide
information, and caucus! We’ll have more information the morning
of our breakfasts, and I look forward to being present,
following the Women’s Orientation Breakfast. ACWC’s Advice and
Counsel Team looks forward to interacting with Presbyterian
Voices for Justice throughout the Assembly.
|
A Call for Justice & Grace:
Being a Church for All “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow
rivers of living water.” John 7:38
[Published in the Spring
2010 issue of
Network News, and posted here on 6-14-10]
The National
Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians stands with our
sisters and brothers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
and with their families, friends and allies calling for the
welcome and affirmation of all baptized Christians as equal
church members of our Presbyterian Church (USA).
We open our
hands in witness and justice work to this call, joining with
That All May Freely Serve, Covenant Network, Presbyterian
Welcome, Presbyterian Promise, Presbyterian Voices for Justice
and all others who are convinced that the promises of God in
Jesus Christ are for all people, with no exceptions. Jesus said,
“When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself.” (John
12:32)
Anticipating
the work of the 219th General Assembly, we stand firm in prayer,
calling the Presbyterian Church (USA) to remove the obstacles in
the Book of Order to the ordination of deacons, elders, and
Ministers of the Word and Sacrament without regard to sexual
orientation or gender identity; to make the changes necessary in
our Directory of Worship to affirm marriage as a blessing for
all committed couples; and to correct the language falsely
inserted in the Heidelberg Catechism translation in our Book of
Confessions.
We make this
call trusting in the unmerited grace and mercy of God who
welcomes all of us, ever drawing us closer to God through the
redemption and presence of Jesus in all our lives. We believe
God is doing a new thing now in reforming us and our church to
follow Scripture by embracing our neighbor and reflecting the
Love of God.
The National Board
of Directors of More Light Presbyterians pledges by God’s grace,
to open our hearts so that the living water of the Holy Spirit
may enter into all that we do, now and at the 219th General
Assembly in Minneapolis, MN, July 3 - 10. We commit to this
spirit of love and grace in worship, in testimony and dialogue,
at meals and in conversation. As we have known God’s extravagant
love in our own lives, we will joyfully share it with all of
those we meet.
February 24, 2010
The National Board of Directors of More Light Presbyterians |
GA Help is
offered by a former commissioner and presbytery moderator
[6-10-10] The Rev.
Robert Austell, pastor of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in
Charlotte, NC, has created a new resource – or source of many
resources – for people attending the coming General Assembly.
Click here
to visit >>
He describes it:
Having served as a commissioner to GA in
2008, I realized that one of the greatest challenges
commissioners face is not theological disunity, but
technological challenges and information overload. I
witnessed many, many votes and decisions rush by while
almost all the commissioners around me were trying to locate
what we were talking about.
I have created this site in an effort to
simplify the information gathering process, drawing from a
broad range of theological perspectives to get all the
information on the table in a way that commissioners and the
wider church can comprehend, follow, and evaluate. I believe
the site will continue to be a resource for them (and you)
as they return from GA to interpret and share resources with
presbyteries, sessions, and congregations back home.
Several key online sources have noticed
the site and begun recommending it more widely: Steve
Salyards at "GA Junkie," Hans Cornelder at Presbyweb, some
of the emergent voices online, and most recently the
Layman.
I've taken a quick look around GAhelp.net, and
I agree -- it presents a wide variety of resources from advocacy
groups across the spectrum, as well as official PC(USA) sites.
Visit
http://www.GAhelp.net yourself, and see what you think.
Doug King, your
WebWeaver |
Looking for a room for GA?
[6-3-10]
Click here
for more information about PVJ's hotel arrangements for GA -- at
pretty reasonable rates, about 5 blocks from the Convention
Center.
|
PVJ
issues letter to commissioners and advisory delegates to GA,
with practical information for playing their roles effectively
[6-2-10]For some
years, the Witherspoon Society has sent a letter to
commissioners and advisory delegates as they begin preparing for
General Assembly. This year's letter was sent a couple
weeks ago by the co-moderators of Witherspoon's successor
organization, Presbyterian Voices for Justice.
We have not previously posted the letter,
simply because its intended audience was receiving it by mail.
This year, though, the Rev. Bob Davis, otherwise well-known as
conservative blogger "PresbyBob," has posted
a thoughtful reflection on his blog about this and other
efforts by various advocacy groups to inform (or influence?) the
commissioners for their demanding work at GA.
Davis kindly pointed to the PVJ letter as an
example of the ways such groups try to assist the commissioners
in their work for the good of the Assembly and of the church.
He writes:
Let me illustrate by using a piece
produced by a group with which I would probably disagree
about most everything: Presbyterian Voices for Justice sent
a piece to commissioners and advisory delegates that begins
“Congratulations and Welcome!” It is a primer for how the
Assembly works.
Read it. I tried for years to produce
something this concise. I don’t know if it is Doug King
(return address) or someone else who is primarily
responsible, but it is well done. [Well, he's mistaken
there; Doug King is not the producer of the letter!
Thus speaketh Doug King, your WebWeaver, but not your author
of Letters to Commissioners.]
So with this kindly nudge from PresbyBob, we
are happy to post the full letter here, and we hope you'll find
it helpful. Even if you're not a commissioner!
Click
here for the letter >>
If you have comments, suggestions for
changes in the letter, or anything else, we'd be happy to hear
from you. Please just send a note to
dougking2@aol.com
|
Get Ready for GA!!
[5-22-10]
 |
Vicki Moss and our
booth
at the 2008 GA |
Presbyterian Voices for Justice is about to come out at the
General Assembly in Minneapolis. We are a new creation and
there’s every need to be loud and proud. Our name shouts out our
mission and purpose. There is no guessing about who we are and
what we stand for. So, in that spirit, we are going to speak the
truth in love at our booth by offering some new products for
progressive Presbyterians who wish to proclaim their proclivity
for justice.
More about plans
for the PVJ booth, from our Booth Lady, Vicki Moss -- and an
invitation for you to help out! |
Voices for
Justice events
at the 219 th
General Assembly
Saturday, July 3, 7:00 to 8:30 am
Presbyterian Voices for Justice Commissioner
Orientation
Sunday, July 4, 12:00 to 2:30 pm
Presbyterian Voices for Justice Awards
Luncheon
Tuesday, July 6, 7:00-8:30 a.m.
Voices of Sophia Breakfast
Tuesday, July 6, 9:00pm-1:00am
Witherspoon Dance
Click
here for complete information about all these events.
Tickets for these and all other events can be ordered through the General Assembly
website, by going to
http://www.pcusa.org/ga219/registration.htm.
|
Some helpful links and hints for registering for GA >> |
Overture suggested to further peacemaking
education in colleges, campus ministries, and seminaries
[2-3-10]
The Rev. Len Bjorkman, a
Witherspoon member and long-time leader in the Presbyterian
Peace Fellowship, has draft an overture which would support more
effective peacemaking programming in Presbyterian-related campus
ministries, colleges, and seminaries.
Click here for the full text of his draft – and you might
consider putting it up for consideration in your own presbytery.
For more information, you
can contact Len at
LenandJudy@stny.rr.com
|
Below are some earlier news items that
deal with issues or reports that will be coming to the Assembly. |
Presbyterians
invited to participate in review of Washington Office
[8-4-09]
News release from General Assembly Mission Council, July 31,
2009
NOTE: The
Witherspoon Society encourages you, as someone who is likely
committed to the social witness and mission of the PC(USA), to
speak up in response to this invitation. Our voices need to be
heard!
The
Washington Office of
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is “a central and important
instrument through which Presbyterians make witness to their faith
on matters of public affairs,” says Sara Lisherness, director for
Compassion, Peace and Justice
ministries of the General
Assembly Mission Council.
In 2008, the Rev. Eileen Lindner,
a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastor, presbytery executive and
social research specialist, was engaged to lead a study of the role
and purpose of the Washington Office. Presbyterians are now invited
to provide feedback and responses to the study.
The study includes a provisional
mission statement, eight principles to guide the work of the office
in the future, and a request for input from Presbyterians. The
mission study and feedback will be reported to the General Assembly
Mission Council at the September 2009 meeting.
The effort that culminated in the
initial report included analyzing previous research; assessing the
work of ecumenical partners’ Washington presence; scrutinizing all
correspondence regarding the office received over the last several
years; empanelling a distinguished group of Presbyterians for
additional consultation; conferring with leading secular partners in
public witness activities; and reviewing related literature.
In preparation for the
presentation of the report to the General Assembly Mission Council,
the guidelines and comment section are now posted on the
PC(USA) Web site.
Lindner stated, “The public voice
and public witness of the PC(USA) is the business of all
Presbyterians in keeping with our Reformed theology. As we move
closer to making decisions about the future of our public witness,
we will be strengthened in our discernment by the shared thoughts of
a diversity of Presbyterians sharing their views.” |
"We need advocacy groups!"
Does the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) still need to support
advocacy work? [Hint: Yes!]
[7-30-09]
Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty , a PC(USA) minister and a
member of the theology faculty at Bellarmine University in
Louisville, Ky, recently published an essay dealing with this
critical issue in Presbyterian Outlook. She begins:
This key question arises in many discussions
related to restructuring at the denominational offices in
Louisville, a global economic recession, reviews of the PC(USA)
Washington Office as well as a review of the relationship
between the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC), the
Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC), and the
Advisory Committee for Social Witness Policy (ACSWP). These
discussions are adding to perennial theological debates about
the church’s social mission.
My response to the question could simply be
“yes.” Recognizing the need to take seriously the current
context of these conversations in church and society, I want to
offer three reasons why we as a denomination cannot afford to
lose advocacy groups.
Her reasons:
 | Advocacy groups were formed to assist our
church in reaching out and looking in |
 | There is still reason to be concerned about
justice |
 | Advocacy groups help to cultivate and equip
leaders for church and society |
We urge you to look seriously at this article >>
See an earlier
comment on this development >>
Do you have thoughts on this
matter?
Please
send a note,
to be shared here! |
Conservative
Presbyterian group proposes a non-geographical synod for conservatives
[2-3-10]
The
conservative PC(USA)-related organization, Presbyterians for Renewal, is
putting forward a proposal by which the General Assembly would allow for the
creation of non-geographical synods upon the initiative of at least three
presbyteries.
For the introduction
of the proposal >>
For the
proposal itself (13 pages in PDF format) >>
This includes a brief introductory statement (p. 1), a long list of
“frequently asked questions” (2 - 9), the proposed amendment to the Form
of Government (10 - 11), and an appendix (12 - 13).
Critical reflections on the proposal
Margaret Thomas (a past member of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution
and
GAPJC, and
former
Deputy
Executive Director of the UPC/GAMC until reunion) has written a statement critiquing the
proposal in her usual judicious but incisive manner.
Click here for
her statement >>
Some observers have described the proposal as a simple “ploy” to allow
conservative presbyteries to form their own governing bodies while retaining
their property.
Action by Presbytery of the Pacific
A small number of conservative congregations (some of them with large
memberships) presented the proposed overture to the Presbytery of the
Pacific in its assembly last Saturday, Jan. 30. After a “lively” debate, it
was rejected by a substantial margin. One member of the Presbytery has
referred to the proposal as “Presbyterian apartheid.”
In the same meeting, the Presbytery heard and discussed in small groups a
proposal to establish a “mission unit” of evangelical congregations that
would remain a part of the presbytery, while in some ways functioning as a
separate body.
The Presbytery’s report of the discussion, in the “The Day After” report,
describes the process thus:
The Reverend Dan Chun, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu,
presented a power point presentation outlining a proposal developed by three
churches in the Presbytery. The proposal was not presented for vote at this
meeting, but was shared in order to begin conversations and collecting
feedback. Everyone in attendance was invited to participate in a small group
to generate input to the General Mission Council on the proposal. Twenty-two
groups met throughout the Gardena facilities to generate questions,
concerns, and possibilities if the proposal were adopted. The input will be
digested by the Council and plans for further processing of the proposal
will be designed. The proposal asks the Presbytery of the Pacific to conduct
an experiment on how it might work to have a group of churches aligned on a
theological basis rather than a geographic basis as is the current
situation. The proposal suggests that an administrative commission be
established and given the powers to manage the Committee on Ministry,
Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and Judicial Commission business for
certain specified churches. The churches that choose to be aligned with this
experimental “mission unit” would still be a part of the Presbytery of the
Pacific, but would function, in some ways, as if they were in a separate
presbytery. At some point, the Presbytery will decide whether or not it
wishes to engage in the experiment.
One member of the Presbytery noted that the proponents of this idea “claim
it is in response to the decline in membership across our church. They say
there are three main issues that continue to lead to our argument with PCUSA
- ‘life style,’ salvation through Christ alone, and the Trinity.”
The same presbytery assembly moved an openly gay candidate from inquirer to
candidate status, and elected a gay elder commissioner to General Assembly.
If you have more information
about the action of Pacific Presbytery,
or have
thoughts about the PFR proposal in general,
please send a note, to be shared
here.
|
|
A
NEW WAY TO RELATE –
CONSIDERING THE PRESBYTERIANS FOR RENEWAL PROPOSAL FOR A NEW,
NON-GEOGRAPHIC, AFFINITY SYNOD
Margaret J. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minnesota
[2-3-10]
The Rev. Dr.
Margaret Thomas is a past member of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution
and
GAPJC, and
former
Deputy
Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council of the United
Presbyterian Church (USA), until reunion. After that she served as
head of the Minnesota Council of Churches for ten years (85-95), then as
Synod Executive in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies (95-00). [We
apologize for identifying her incorrectly as a former member of the
Office of the Stated Clerk in the PUC(USA).]
Out of a deep frustration with the current direction of
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbyterians for Renewal (www.pfrenewal.org)
has offered “a new way to relate to one another
within” the denomination. They do so
in the expressed desire that by forming a
new non-geographical Synod (NS) based upon a particular theological
affinity and missional commitments effective ministry will flourish by
redirecting passion and energy away from our current internal struggles.
They invite others who seek creative solutions to our
current impasse to work in perfecting their proposal.
Taking them at their word, from a progressive perspective
is there potential in this anticipated Overture?
Not as currently drafted, in my opinion.
The rationale and proposed Overture are inconsistent, contrary to provisions
in the Book of Order in areas not related to the expressed concept, and
harmful to the intent of its authors to preserve communal ties within the PC
(U.S.A.). Can it can be made to work for all parties in the current
disputes? Does it form a basis to free not only PFR Presbyterians but also
progressive Presbyterians from endless attacks on, and denigration of, their
understanding of the historic Reformed tradition - including the appropriate
usage of its confessional documents and the clear teachings of scripture in
fulfilling the missional imperatives of the gospel?
Perhaps this analysis will assist progressives in
responding to this proposal.
Defining the Frustration
It has been clear for decades that a significant portion
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is dissatisfied with the current
direction of the denomination. The precipitating issue is, of course human
sexuality. It is PFR’s absolute conviction that G-6.0106b represents the
clear biblical standards of fidelity and chastity – and presumably the
Reformed tradition regarding the relationship of scripture and the
confessions to salvation as offered by Jesus, who is the Christ. Circling
around these questions of Christology, biblical authority, human sexuality
and the limits of diversity is a profound belief among PFR that what they
describe as “the self-serving demands of a minority” has led to an
“unacceptable misrepresentation of the Christian faith.” In reality they
cannot accept the emerging consensus in the church. A close majority of
numerous General Assemblies and a significant minority of presbyteries find
the positions of PFR Presbyterians theologically and biblically lacking. The
recommendations of the Peace, Purity and Unity Task Force along with the
related Authoritative Interpretations of two General Assemblies has not
provided sufficient space to allow the diversity of the church to dwell
together in a spirit of mutual tolerance. In fact, implementation of a
discernment process within several presbyteries has simply led to an
increase in judicial challenges.
Furthermore, tensions within many presbyteries are real
and destructive. PFR correctly observes that geographical proximity does not
automatically produce “the unity of faith sufficient for meaningful
‘connection’.” Sadly, it would be fair to say that they are also convinced
that the historic and global witness of the church cannot be manifested
while in an organic/structural relationship with those whose theological
affirmations are different than theirs.
What is Proposed?
The creation of a non-geographical, affinity based new
Synod theologically defined in an Appendix to a proposed Overture. This
Appendix specifies the missional intent of those who join the new Synod, a
focus on essential tenets in the examination of officers, marriage only
between a man and woman, no same sex marriage-like-unions, teaching of
biblical sexual ethics, and regular opportunities to renew ordination vows
and the standards of the new Synod.
According to the proposed Overture the new Synod would be
created when three originating presbyteries vote by a 2/3 majority to join
it. All congregations and minister members of these presbyteries would
transfer to the new Synod with their boundaries intact. Continuing synods
would redraw their boundaries to encompass the “holes”, though presumably
there would be no congregations, members or ministers remaining under their
jurisdiction in those geographies. Once the new Synod is established any
presbytery in the denomination may vote by 2/3 to join or leave the new
Synod. New presbytery boundaries would be established solely by the new
Synod (without General Assembly approval.) Similarly any congregation
elsewhere in the denomination would be able by a majority vote to join one
of the new Synod presbyteries solely upon the new presbytery’s approval, and
as they do so the new Synod would be free to expand presbytery boundaries.
Congregations who do not want to be a part of their presbytery’s decision to
join the new Synod may opt out and transfer to a specific continuing
presbytery upon its approval. All new Synod presbytery boundaries would
overlap at least some of the denomination’s continuing presbyteries. [There
are conflicting expectations in the August 25, 2009 FAQS on the New Synod
Proposal document. In #26 it is implied that every congregation in the
denomination should take a formal vote to either join the new Synod or to
remain with their current presbytery affiliation with a 2/3 vote required
for either option, but the vote to join is at the presbytery level in other
sections.]
The provisions of the Overture, including the standards
listed in the Appendix are to “be strictly interpreted, followed, and
enforced in any judicial process involving New Synod or a governing body or
ordained leader within New Synod.” Presumably the GAPJC would follow two
different sets of constitutional requirements in determining any cases that
may reach it – one for the new Synod and one for the continuing
presbyteries.
The provisions of the Overture may not be amended without
the consent of the new Synod as determined by a majority vote of its
presbyteries.
Provisions that Would Need to be Amended Before There Is
Further Consideration in the Church
-
Every congregation must be given the opportunity to decide whether it
wishes to join the new Synod. No presbytery may join the new Synod until
2/3 of its member congregations have voted to do so. Congregations not
voting to join automatically remain in a continuing presbytery whose
boundaries will be redefined by their continuing
Synod.
-
All continuing members of a presbytery joining the new Synod must
be given the opportunity to decide whether they wish to join the new
Synod. Ministers who do not wish to do so automatically remain in a
continuing presbytery whose boundaries will be redefined by their
continuing
Synod.
-
As the new Synod takes shape and the configuration of the
continuing presbyteries and synods are affected, those continuing
entities may chose to either expand or contact their boundaries by
forming new presbyteries to further the mission and ministry of their
congregations.
-
In as much as the proposed constitutional provisions creating and
defining the new Synod can not be amended without the approval of a
majority of the new Synod’s presbyteries, the continuing presbyteries
and synods should have the same protection regarding denominational
standards that parallel those of the new Synod. Consequently,
commissioners from new Synod presbyteries shall
not have the right to vote in the
General Assembly on issues related to those specified in the new Synod
standards. In such instances commissioners may assume an advisory role
only. [See FAQ #22 where the same argument could be applied for the
continuing governing bodies who may well be troubled by the actions and
positions of the new Synod and yet have no right to correct the
situation. Mutual forbearance goes both ways.]
-
Language needs to be drafted regarding how the GAPJC would function
with two different sets of standards for judicial
review.
-
Care should be taken to ensure that the proposal does not contain
inadvertent conflict with constitutional provisions.
Next
Steps
Clearly the PFR proposal has
not been sufficiently perfected to achieve its primary goals. If progressive
Presbyterians find any merit in it they may wish to meet with PFR to discuss
possible revisions. Of course, if it does become an Overture to the General
Assembly amendments are always in order, and no proposal of this magnitude
should be adopted without the careful review and revision of a
representative special committee of the General Assembly.
If you have comments about the PFR proposal,
please send a note, to be shared
here. |
Overture suggested to further
peacemaking education in colleges, campus ministries, and seminaries
[2-3-10]
The Rev. Len Bjorkman, a Witherspoon member and long-time
leader in the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, has draft an overture which
would support more effective peacemaking programming in Presbyterian-related
campus ministries, colleges, and seminaries.
Click here for the full text of
his draft – and you might consider putting it up for consideration in
your own presbytery.
For more information, you can contact Len at
LenandJudy@stny.rr.com
|
Campus Peacemaking in the Twenty-first Century
[2-3-10]The Presbytery of ..., on
...., 2010, overtures the 219th General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to:
Direct the GAMC to work with the PC(U.S.A.)-related
seminaries and colleges, through the Advisory Committee on Social Witness
Policy, the Peacemaking Program, World Mission, Collegiate Ministries and
other appropriate units,
1)
to develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen college and
university peacemaking programs and to link them to international relations
study programs and short-term mission projects, assessing:
a)
the relationship between peacemaking, as contained in “Peacemaking
the Believers’ Calling” and related documents, and the wars in which the
United States is involved, whether they be wars in countries such as Iraq
and Afghanistan or “the global war on terrorism;” and
b) how these wars and related dynamics of globalization
and pluralism affect the world-wide mission of the PC(USA); and
c)
the experience of combat veterans in Presbyterian colleges and
universities, as well as the experience of those who have participated in
accompaniment programs in Colombia, the Middle East, and the Philippines;
d)
how the conduct of U.S. foreign policy in general relates to the
world-wide mission of the PC(U.S.A.);
e)
how the dynamics of climate-change affect the peacemaking, earth-care
mission of the Church globally, and
2)
to propose ways that appropriate resources and church-wide programs
could help strengthen campus ministries; and
3)
to make at least a preliminary report to the 220th General
Assembly (2012).
RATIONALE
College students care whether the church has something to
say about war and peace. Presbyterian campus evangelism and outreach has
traditionally included looking at major moral concerns and providing mission
opportunities. This overture focuses on ways that the "gospel of peace" can
be carried by Presbyterians on the 21st Century college campus (and to
commuter students as well!) and on PC(U.S.A.) seminary campuses. We suggest
a number of questions below, but the two emphases are clear: peacemaking
thinking and strategy needs updating and campus ministry and witness can
benefit from this. Part of the new dynamics involve globalization and the
impact of US military policy on how our US Christian witness is viewed-- not
only by people overseas, but by our own children. Certainly Jesus' prophetic
love of all people challenges the inertia and inevitability of war, the
"blowback" of terrorism, and the narrow allegiances of extremism. Our
current peacemaking materials date back to the Cold War, and while the
nuclear threat is still real, other cultural, religious, and environmental
dynamics will pose new threats of war and new questions for students. Will
the church be present to help them find answers?
The educational institutions of the Church have long
worked on issues related to peacemaking, including earth-care, warfare,
globalization, pluralism and the like. What have they learned? What are the
distinctive insights from the Reformed Tradition that guide our study and
action? How can their learnings be gathered together in complementary
fashions? Are there new approaches about how our leaders are educated to
deal with the global realities of the 21st century? Can the
seminaries and colleges provide more opportunities for not only their
enrolled students, but also for those who would take short-term courses or
seminars? With many churches across the country taking part in mission trips
within the United States and to other countries, are there ways that our
educational institutions may both take advantage of those experiences and
contribute to them? With a new form of mission through Mission Networks
becoming more popular and influential, how can our seminaries and colleges
contribute to them as well as learn from them? In light of the many
international students in our seminaries and colleges, are there ways that
they might relate creatively to such programs as the Mission Challenge,
International Peacemakers, or the Interfaith Listening Program? How have
relevant studies by ACSWP or the Peacemaking Program been beneficial? How
may the experiences of the Presbyterian United Nations Office and of the
educational institutions with their global experiences compliment each other
more?
Investigating these and related matters can yield great
blessing as we follow the Prince of Peace, the Nazarene who called for the
Year of Jubilee, and the Risen One who calls us to go into all the world
with the Gospel, empowered by the Spirit. |
ACSWP readies papers for General Assembly
Policy group working on gun violence, HIV/AIDS, public
education, others
[2-3-10]
Presbyterian News Service reports:
LOUISVILLE
— The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s
Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy feverishly
worked last weekend on a half-dozen reports it is preparing for
the upcoming 219th General Assembly later this year in
Minneapolis.
The committee — which develops policy
statements, resolutions and other reports on topics that are
referred to it by the General Assembly — is trying to finish
work on papers on public education, HIV/AIDS, the theology of
compensation in the church, gun violence, human rights and a
study on the nature and value of human life.
The full PNS report >> |
We welcome your reports and comments
on preparations for the 219th General Assembly.
Just send a note,
to be shared here. |
| |
|
GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly are now being sent to the presbyteries for their
action, to confirm or reject them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book
of Order.
We're providing resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest are:
 |
Amendment 10-A,
which would remove the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers. |
 |
Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. |
 |
Amendment
10-1, which would adopt the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. |
|
|
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Some blogs worth visiting |
PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
|
Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
|
John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
|
John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
|
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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