"Advancing the Great Ends of the Church":
a measure for G.A. business

(Reprinted from Presbyterians Pro-Life NEWS, Spring 1999)

Leaders of more than a dozen renewal organizations, meeting in Fort Worth, TX in May, agreed to use Advancing The Great Ends of the Church (Book of Order, G-1.0200) as a guide for their assessment of the business coming to the 1999 G.A. Many items of business before the Assembly this year may do no particular harm to the Church, but also may do nothing to advance the mission and calling of the Church. Commissioners may help the denomination get back on course by considering the business before them in that light.

Business with potential to do harm*
Once again presbyteries are bringing up Book of Order ordination standards related to sexuality (overtures 99-2, 99-27 and 99-30). Commissioners will want to consider whether continual challenges to the fidelity and chastity amendment (now G-6.0106b of the constitution) contribute to the well being of the denomination. The amendment was adopted by presbytery vote in 1996 and is consistent with the biblical and confessional affirmations of the Church historically. Commissioners will also want to ask if the proposed changes in these overtures offer any improvement in the existing wording and the effect of the standard.

Does the Gospel work?
Several overtures with nearly identical wording ask the G.A. to declare that the church does harm by applying the transforming power of the Gospel to homosexual orientation and behavior. It asks the church to refrain from offering ministry in this area of life. (A contrasting overture [99-73] affirms the right of those in conflict with their sexuality to seek help. It asks the G.A. to oppose any effort to limit the choice of those seeking help.)

Another overture will ask the G.A. to direct the Board of Pensions to explore the feasibility of providing medical benefits to members of the denominations plan who are in a same sex relationship.

Mother God?
Two overtures will ask the General Assembly to mandate use of inclusive language, including language for God. One of the two asks that local churches be monitored to ensure the use of inclusive language.

The Assembly will act on a report from the committee charged to examine the materials and program of the National Network of Presbyterian College Women (NNPCW). The report acknowledges that the committee found the materials and program of the NNPCW in conflict with Scripture and the constitutional standards of the PC(USA), particularly in areas related to feminist theologies and sexual practice. Nevertheless, the committee recommends increased funding for the network with oversight from denominational offices that gave birth to and supported the network from the start. Commissioners will have opportunity to respond to the recommendations of this report (and to consider the merits of overture 99-42 which asks the G.A. to discontinue all funding of the NNPCW).

Overtures related to life and sexuality with potential to benefit the Church
Among the business with potential to benefit the Church's mission are five overtures that have bearing on issues of life and sexuality. In addition to overture 99-73, which affirms ministry to those seeking release from captivity to sinful sexual practice, overture 99-46 asks the G.A. to bring the PC(USA) sexuality curriculum into conformance with the Scripture and our constitution (click for related article).

In response to the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy's (ACSWP) method of determining General Assembly policy by a compilation of actions, an overture from Missouri Union Presbytery (99-43) requests clarification that the most recent policy enacted by the G.A. is the policy that directs program and social witness (click for related article). The abortion policy is among the policies that would be affected by this overture. The concern is related to the failure of G.A. staff and entities to implement the pro-life aspects of the most recent abortion policy.

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) is an interfaith lobby in Washington, D.C. that seeks to be a religious voice of support for abortion rights to Congress. It uses the imprimatur of the PC(USA) in its lobbying without communicating the nuances of PC(USA) policy. Overture 99-44 asks the General Assembly to direct that our own national offices will speak for the PC(USA) on this sensitive matter instead of an interfaith lobby (click for related article).

Adoption is a life-giving alternative to abortion. The General Assembly abortion policy approves it as a way to reduce the numbers of abortions in our society. Overture 99-45 asks the General Assembly to take action that will add deed to word in this area (click for related article).

Approval of these five overtures, keeping their intent in tact, will be significant action to advance the Great Ends of the Church.

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