PCUSA GAC letter: Interpreting the actions of the 218th General Assembly
Dallas Morning News: Presbyterian News Service: Jerry L. Van Marter
New Wineskins: statement
Here is my micro-summary:
- Moderator: The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, a young (39) contemporary church pastor from San Francisco.
- Stated Clerk: Rev. Gradye Parsons, currently the primary Associate Stated Clerk
- FOG: (Form of Government Revision) the Task Force will continue another two years
- Ordination Standards and Same-sex unions:
- proposed amendment to the constitution that would remove the “fidelity and chastity” language *
- removed all Authoritative Interpretations (AI) on the subject
- a new AI on allowing scruples exceptions for behavior
- Chose to keep the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman
- Confessions:
- Recommend making changes to five questions in the Heidelberg Catechism *
- Recommend including 1986 Belhar Confession *
- Departures from the PC(USA):
- Loses for 2006: 57,572 (2.5%) members
- Start investigation of the EPC is actively recruiting churches away
- Legal defense fund to help presbyteries
- Encourages presbyteries to handle a church's request for transfer pastorally and with graciousness.
- Misc:
- per capita was raised $0.36 to $6.15
- Disapproved of per capita reform overtures.
- Disapproved of divestment because of involvement in the Israel/Palestine conflict
- Approved the Social Creed for the 21st Century
- advocate for single-payer health care.
- General Assembly Council -> General Assembly Mission Council
- Youth Advisory Delegates -> Young Adult Advisory Delegates
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2 comments:
to write that the GA "narrowly chose" to keep the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman is, frankly, dishonest. My notes indicate that this was 540-161. A margin of victory of over 50% is not close, any way you slice it.
Also, YADs were the ONLY delegates called upon to speak in favor of changing the definition (against the motion to disapprove) because they were no commissioners willing to make that case.
It would be best for all parties if we could at least be fair in our assessments of General Assembly action, would you not agree? The facts are facts, subject to interpretation, of course... but be fair as to the representation of the facts. To present a vote of over 75% to under 25% as close is not accurate.
Actually, this is taken from GA junkie's summary (as stated). I took out "narrowly" now, I did not catch that mistake from GAjunkie.
However, Using interpretation, I believe the vote was not an accurate representation of the wishes of the commissioners, they were told not to approve out of fear of consequences, not out of conviction.
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