Denomination News
ACSWP
re-writes “The Nature and Value of Human Life”
RCRC’s views on abortion are out of alignment with the PC(USA)
A new Form Of
Government draft posted by task force
Will there
time for amendments to the B.O.O. in 2008?
Pittsburgh Presbytery proposes “a different way of
being”
The General
Assembly Council---dare we hope?
Voting
nearing end on proposed amendments to Book of Order; Chapter 14 revision
lagging from The Layman Online,
ACSWP
re-writes “The Nature and Value of Human Life”
PPL is following with interest the re-writing
of a 1981 paper on “The Nature and Value of Human Life.” The paper was adopted
by the 121st General Assembly of the PCUS in 1981. An overture in
1995 on gun violence from the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta directed the NMD to
update and reissue the paper. The team is writing in closed meetings and hopes
to have a draft document available for the public in September. When PPL last
spoke with members of the writing team at the “In Life and In Death We Belong
to God” Conference in
The
General Assembly Council---dare we hope?
The General Assembly Council meeting in February
brought some reasons for hope. For one thing the stated
New structures and less staff visibility were
evident in the February meeting of the General Assembly Council. Changes were
portrayed as a mechanism by which the role of the GAC would be that of setting
the vision and goals for the Council while the incremental steps in operating
to meet those goals would be left to GAC and denomination staff. Some
complained in committees that they had too little voice in setting the vision
for their committee. It is not clear who authored the pre-packaged set of goals
that was presented to each committee, but clearly committee members had not
seen them ahead of time nor did they have adequate opportunity to discuss or
react to them before they were asked to approve them in committee. The goals
were divided among small groups which then reported back to the whole. In all
too typical fashion they were then rubber stamped in turn by the committee as a
whole and by the GAC.
A second message clearly intended in this meeting
was that there is a new level of focus on evangelism and mission and that new
staffing is reflective of that. When I commented to a member of the GAC that
there were no "evangelical" voices on the Social Witness committee,
she responded with shock that I could not see that they are working very hard
to include evangelicals particularly in the new staff hires.
Any change in structure offers opportunity for
fresh creativity and a new way of doing and being together, but it is over time
that the fruit begins to bear evidence to the real health of the organization.
I, for one, will wait with hope and with vigilance.
Pittsburgh
On a recent council retreat, members of the
Pittsburgh Presbytery Council lamented that every 20 years we have “a big rhubarb” with an angry exchange where we wrangle over
property like a dysfunctional family. Pittsburgh Presbytery seeks a “different
way of being this time,” said Stuart Broberg, Chair of Presbytery Council,
describing at the April 19 presbytery meeting the plan for responding to
churches seeking re-alignment with a reformed bodies outside the PC(USA). A
poll of delegates at a previous presbytery meeting showed that 85% of the
presbytery wants to see a response somewhere between “just give them the
property” and “negotiate.” Only 10 responses suggested that the presbytery
respond with an administrative commission or legal action.
Broberg asked, “Could we be God-honoring and
prayerful?” “Leadership has said, ‘Yes we can.’ ” The council’s plan involves
three committees: a Committee for Ongoing Discussion, a Negotiated Separation
Task Group and a Legal/Administrative Task Group. One church in the Pittsburgh
Presbytery, Beverly Heights
Church recently voted 195 to 4 to disaffiliate with the PC(USA)
and re-align with the EPC. They are currently negotiating with the presbytery
regarding a “substantial mission gift” which would enable them to retain their
church property.
The presbytery council has set required parameters
for any agreements based on three “points of passion for Presbyterians”:
People, Process and Property. In order for there to be a negotiated settlement
the presbytery will insist on access to the people. The presbytery must receive
mailing lists of congregation members and be present at forums. The process
will require that 75% of those attending vote in favor of re-alignment with at
least 70% of members being present. Integrity must be assured in the voting
process. In regard to property the presbytery must exercise fiduciary
responsibility but will negotiate a “substantial mission gift” in return for
allowing the church to keep its property. Each case will be decided separately.
The
Memorial
Park Church with membership of 1800 has set a June 3rd date for
a congregational vote. MPC’s Session voted unanimously
at its April 24 meeting to recommend to the congregation that they re-align
with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church via the New Wineskins Association of
Churches.
The world is watching, Broberg said. There will be
only one headline in the Pittsburgh Post
Gazette, “See how these Christians love one another.” The question to be
asked is, “Which picture do we choose to go with that headline?” Will we choose
the picture with a padlocked building surrounded by an angry crowd of
protesters or will we choose the picture with Christians praying around a table
for God’s guidance? “The Leadership [of Pittsburgh Presbytery],” said Broberg,
“is choosing the 2nd picture to be in the Post-Gazette.”
Related articles:
Local (Pittsburgh)
church votes to leave denomination
Largest church in
Pittsburgh Presbytery to vote on leaving
Jim Mead leaving
Pittsburgh Presbytery
A new Form Of Government draft posted by task force
A new Form Of Government (Book of Order) draft has been written by the
FOG Task Force commissioned by the 2006 General Assembly to complete the draft
by September 1st. This important document has the potential to
change everything about the way we relate to one another and govern ourselves
as Presbyterians. The task force is seeking input from Presbyterian clergy and
laity. The documents are available on the PC(USA) website and there is a link
to record your responses. To download the two part document click on the links
below:
For more about the proposed drafts and the work of this task force read
Mrs.
The Rewrite of the Book of Order: A Big Change
Getting Little Attention
Will there
be a process and time for amendments to the B.O.O. in 2008?
Presbyterians depend on a fair overture process in
order to live peaceably together in their differences. The Form of Government
Task Force was charged by the General Assembly to complete their final draft by
For more on this and to read Kirkpatrick’s letter
see
How to Write General Assembly Overtures for 2008
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Allison
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