General Assembly (2012) #19

Differing Convictions

This may be one of the most important statements coming from our General Assembly. I fully agree with this commitment:
The 220th General Assembly approved this statement by a vote of 405 YES to 230 NO. This action came as Overture 07-17, “On Honoring Christ in Our Relationship with One Another” from the Presbytery of Sacramento.

Because

• Jesus taught that our highest ethical obligation is to ‘… love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself’ (Luke 10:27); and this is how ‘everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’ (John 13:35);



• having experienced Christ’s gracious love for us while we are yet sinners, we are called to ‘welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God’ (Romans 15:7);

 • we affirm the solemn commitments expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination, installation, and commissioning, including that we intend to fulfill our ministries ‘in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and … continually guided by our confessions’; that that we will be friends among our colleagues in ministry; that we ‘seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love [our] neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world’ (Book of Order, W-4.4003);



• ‘… we hold that interpretation of the Scripture to be orthodox and genuine which is gleaned from the Scriptures themselves (from the nature of the language in which they were written, likewise according to the circumstances in which they were set down, and expounded in the light of like and unlike passages and of many and clearer passages) and which agree with the rule of faith and love, and contributes much to the glory of God and man’s salvation’ (The Book of Confessions, Second Helvetic Confession, 5.010);
 • the larger Catechism lifts up the duty of holding ‘… a charitable esteem of our neighbors,’ and forbids the sin of ‘… misconstruing intentions, words, and actions’ (The Book of Confessions, 7.254–255).
 The 220th General Assembly (2012) acknowledges that faithful Presbyterians earnestly seeking to follow Jesus Christ hold different views about what the Scriptures teach concerning the morality of committed, same-gender relationships. Therefore, while holding persons in ordered ministry to high standards of covenant fidelity in the exercise of their sexuality, as in all aspects of life, we acknowledge that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) does not have one interpretation of Scripture in this matter. We commit ourselves to continue respectful dialogue with those who hold differing convictions, to welcome one another for God’s glory, and not to vilify those whose convictions we believe to be in error. We call on all Presbyterians to join us in this commitment.

Shared Mission Giving: What's happening?

Our Coordinating Council has begun a comprehensive planning process in order to look forward in our common mission and ministry. This process will include a brief, electronic survey about our presbytery’s ministry which will soon be delivered by email. In addition, this process will include our budget planning process as we seek to financially plan for several years forward. A key issue in our financial planning process is our understanding of what is happening in Shared Mission Giving in our congregations. Please consider this giving pattern within our Presbytery:




Shared Mission Giving             Total Dollars       Total Congregations participating

2008                                            $509,480           36

2009                                            $451,022           32

2010                                            $421,898           20

2011                                            $402,528           25

Through June 30, 2012               $146,997           29



Specifically, please consider these questions as part of a discussion with your session:

• Are you participating in Shared Mission Giving?

• Is this an important part of the ministry of your congregation?

• In what ways do you discuss and interpret the work of Shared Mission Giving with your whole congregation?

• What is the future trend for your support of Shared Mission Giving within your congregation?

• Would you consider increasing your support of Shared Mission Giving?

• Has your congregation recently transitioned from Shared Mission Giving contributions to a more Designated Mission Giving model?


I will appreciate your comments around this discussion. Please call, write or email. I encourage you to participate in Shared Mission Giving as one piece of your larger mission giving. If you seek to transition to a fully designated model of mission giving, I will be glad to suggest places, including our presbytery itself, where you can direct your designated giving.

General Assembly (2012) #18

This pastoral letter was sent from the leadership team of our General Assembly:

July 7, 2012

Churchwide pastoral letter from the 220th General Assembly (2012)

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Earlier today, the 220th General Assembly (2012) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adjourned after a week of worship and work as the highest council of the denomination. Just under 900 elected commissioners and advisory delegates from every presbytery came from north, south, east, and west to discern together the mind of Christ for the PC(USA).

This assembly’s theme, “walking, running, soaring into hope” (Isaiah 40:31) was a fitting description of the assembly in many ways. At one level, the commissioners worked tirelessly—meeting literally well into the early morning hours today to complete their work—and doing so with much energy and passion. At a deeper level, the deliberations and discernment of this assembly reflect a church that is endeavoring to know how to demonstrate faithfully and effectively the gospel of Jesus Christ in the 21st century.

Some of the highlights:

Worship – The assembly paused daily in the midst of its business, in the same space, to worship. Each of the preachers used the same text, Mark 2:1-12, chosen by outgoing GA Moderator, Cindy Bolbach. Commissioners and advisory delegates prayed and sang often, using selections from the upcoming new hymnal from the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Glory to God, which the assembly voted to commend to the church (available in 2013;www.presbyterianhymnal.org).

Community – Those who have experienced a General Assembly speak overwhelmingly of the sense of connectedness that develops over the course of the assembly, and this one was no exception. Group meals, committee work, mission tours, exhibit hall, and more provided opportunities to make new friends and reconnect with those for whom an assembly is a “family reunion.” You can get a sense of that community through the photo and video gallery and more atwww.pcusa.org/ga220. The community extended beyond Pittsburgh, as well—thousands gathered in this country and around the world through social media to watch the proceedings (www.twitter.com/search/ga220).

Business – The assembly addressed roughly 800 items of business in the form of overtures, reports, commissioner resolutions and more. We commend to you PC-biz (www.pc-biz.org), the online site where you can read about each item of business. Some topics that were before the assembly are likely to draw media attention—perhaps they already have where you live. We want to highlight some of them, sharing with you the actions taken by the assembly:

·         Definition of marriage – The assembly chose not to change the current definition of marriage that is in the PC(USA) constitution, namely, that marriage is a civil contract “between a man and a woman.” Rather, through its action to approve a two-year study, the assembly is inviting the entire church to engage in serious, deliberate conversation on this issue.

·         Middle East – The assembly chose not to divest from three companies participating in “non-peaceful pursuits” in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. Rather, the assembly voted “to pursue a positive and creative course of action with respect to the current Palestinian/Israeli conflict,” and to “devise a plan of active engagement and projects that will support collaboration among Christians, Jews, and Muslims.” The assembly also approved a boycott on “all Israeli products coming from the occupied Palestinian territories.”

·         1001 Movement – The assembly overwhelming supported a movement to create 1001 worshiping communities (www.onethousandone.org). Those communities of faith will perhaps look much different from traditional congregations, but those that are already underway—in coffee shops, shopping malls, even on bicycles—are changing the world and the church for the sake of the gospel.

Commissioners and advisory delegates wrestled passionately together in heart, mind, and prayer, yet did so respectfully and graciously. Rarely were votes taken that had a wider margin than 60%-40%. On marriage and the Middle East issues, the voting results were extremely close. More than once, commissioners rose with requests to reconsider items already approved.

Obviously, we are working through difficult issues that do not get easily resolved by one or two votes, or even within one or two years. Nevertheless, we stand firmly in the conviction and hope that God is present with us – behind, before, and beside us.

Each assembly committee opened its meeting with prayer and reflection on Paul’s encouragement to the church in Ephesus: “…making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3). This is our prayer, as well.

We pray that every effort will be made to continue conversation at every level of the church—from congregations to presbyteries to synods to the General Assembly—encouraging and engaging one another, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

May the good and faithful work begun in Pittsburgh continue, remembering that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our peace,

The Rev. Neal D. Presa 
Moderator, 220th General Assembly

The Rev. Tom Trinidad 
Vice Moderator, 220th General Assembly

The Rev. Gradye Parsons 
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

Elder Linda Bryant Valentine 
Executive Director, Presbyterian Mission Agency 
(formerly General Assembly Mission Council)

General Assembly (2012) #17 Amendment to Book of Order

A Constitutional Amendment to the Book of Order approved.

            This overture, copied here, from the Presbytery of San Jose was approved by the Church Orders and Ministry Committee. The General Assembly also approved this amendment to G-2.0104a in our Form of Government by a vote of 329 YES to 275 NO. Please note this amendment adds one sentence to G-2.0104a: “This includes repentance of sin and diligent use of the means of grace.” None of the current language is deleted.

The Presbytery of San Jose overtures the 220th General Assembly (2012) to direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative vote:

Shall G-2.0104a of the Book of Order be amended as follows: [Text to be added is shown as italic.]

“a. To those called to exercise special functions in the church—deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders—God gives suitable gifts for their various duties. In addition to possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, those who undertake particular ministries should be persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and in the world. This includes repentance of sin and diligent use of the means of grace. They must have the approval of God’s people and the concurring judgment of a council of the church.

RATIONALE

Section G-2.0104 of the Book of Order states:

a. To those called to exercise special functions in the church—deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders—God gives suitable gifts for their various duties. In addition to possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, those who undertake particular ministries should be persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and in the world. They must have the approval of God’s people and the concurring judgment of a council of the church; and

The Westminster Larger Catechism, 7.305 states:

Q.            195. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

A.            In the sixth petition (which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”), acknowledging that the most wise, righteous, and gracious God, for divers holy and just ends, may so order things that we may be assaulted, foiled, and for a time led captive by temptations; that Satan, the world, and the flesh, are ready powerfully to draw us aside and ensnare us; and that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason of our corruption, weakness, and want of watchfulness, are not only subject to be tempted, and forward to expose ourselves unto temptations, but also of ourselves unable and unwilling to resist them, to recover out of them, and to improve them; and worthy to be left under the power of them; we pray: that God would so overrule the world and all in it, subdue the flesh, and restrain Satan, order all things, bestow and bless all means of grace, and quicken us to watchfulness in the use of them, that we and all his people may by his providence be kept from being tempted to sin; or, if tempted, that by his Spirit we may be powerfully supported and enabled to stand in the hour of temptation; or, when fallen, raised again and recovered out of it, and have a sanctified use and improvement thereof; that our sanctification and salvation may be perfected, Satan trodden under our feet, and we fully freed from sin, temptation, and all evil forever. (The Book of Confessions, The Larger Catechism, 7.305)

When a church member is found guilty of an offense because of acting contrary to the Scriptures and/or the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), that person is censured and the following is part of the public rebuke:

“We urge you to use diligently the means of grace to the end that you may be more obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ” (Book of Order, D-12.0102).

We respectfully overture for the above specified amendment to G-2.0104a.

General Assembly (2012) #16 Mid Councils

Mid Councils report

            The Report of the Mid Council Commission is sweeping, comprehensive and bold. I highly recommend careful study of their report, which is a book length analysis of our Church today. I followed the discussion of the Commission’s report at the Committee meeting. It was clear to me that the kind of bold, creative innovation which the Mid Council Commission was advocating in their report is hard to mesh into the strict process and procedures of our meeting of the General Assembly. This seemed to be almost a clash of cultures within the church itself around the huge question of how to become more flexible, innovative and willing to experiment. Thus while there was great appreciation for the Mid Council report, the Assembly was not able to approve it and simply approved further discussion. My personal and sad perception of the reality around this discussion is that there is not enough trust in the church to allow the kind of bold innovation which the Mid Council report advocated. This debate on the floor of the General Assembly was passionate and the final text, copied here, was approved by a vote of 364 to 293.

Final Text:
Refer Recommendations 1-4 to refer the Mid Council Commission report and recommendations 1-4, to a task force to further discuss, refine, and bring to the 221st General Assembly (2014) recommendations that consider the composition and organization of the Mid Councils in ways that reinvigorate their capacity to support missional congregations, and advance the ecclesial nature and character of those presbyteries, within the unity of the church. The Moderator of the 220th General Assembly (2012) will name the task force. It will be composed of an equal number of persons from the Mid Council Commission, COGA, and commissioners to the 220th General Assembly (2012). The optimal size of such a task force is twelve-to-fifteen persons. The Office of the General Assembly, including the coordinator of the MidCouncil Relations, will provide staff support to the task force.

General Assembly (2012) #15 Special Offerings

Special Offerings Taskforce rejected

            The General Assembly essentially rejected the Report of the Taskforce on Special Offerings by a vote of 530 YES to 37 NO. The final text of the Assembly’s action is copied here.

Final Text:
In the spirit of Items 10-19 and 10-5 (overtures from the Presbyteries of Pittsburgh and Western North Carolina), it is important to maintain existing programs, percentages, and designees in the One Great hour of Sharing, the Christmas Joy Offering, and the Pentecost offering and the Peacemaking Offering. The 220th General Assembly (2012) recommends that the current distribution patterns be maintained for the next funding cycle and that the existing special offerings task force be asked to report to the 221st General Assembly (2014) on the effect of new fundraising techniques, to work collaboratively with funding recipients, update progress on the $20 million by 2020 goal, and recommend additional strategies.

General Assembly (2012) #14 ON MARRIAGE

FINAL ACTION: Civil Unions and Marriage Issues:

          After the defeat of the Committee’s main motion and the defeat of two minority reports, the Committee on Civil Unions and Marriage Issues proposed the following new business (copied below). It was also approved by amendment that this action will answer all the action coming before the General Assembly under the topic of civil unions and marriage.

          This action is the only and the final action of the 220^th General Assembly concerning the issues of civil unions and marriage. This action was approved by the vote of 489 YES and 152 NO.       

Final Text:

That the 220th General Assembly (2012) approve the following resolution:

“In a desire to promote the peace, unity, and purity of the church, we move the whole Presbyterian Church U.S.A. enter into a season of serious study and discernment concerning its meaning of Christian marriage in the two-year period between the 220th General Assembly (2012) and the 221st General Assembly (2014). We would further move the Office of Theology and Worship prepare and distribute educational materials to all presbyteries and congregations. These materials should include the relevant Scriptures, key methods of biblical interpretations, current understandings of our Constitution, and some suggested guidance for prayerful and reconnecting ways of listening to one another.

“We would ask that all presbyteries report to the Office of the General Assembly on how this was conducted in their congregations at least three months prior to the 221st General Assembly (2014).

“This motion is offered in the hope and trust that such discernment will genuinely seek the rule and will of God be done in our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as it is in Heaven under the guidance of the Triune of God.”