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GAC priorities for 2005-06 |
| GAC picks 4 major priorities
Areas of emphasis will guide PC(USA)work for 2005-2006
by Bill Lancaster,
Presbyterian News Service
[posted here 10-1-03]
MONTREAT, NC --
September 29, 2003 -- The General Assembly Council affirmed
four major areas of emphasis for the mission work of the Presbyterian Church
(USA) for 2005 and 2006 during its meeting here last week.
For each of these major areas -- spiritual formation,
justice, evangelism and leadership development (and a fifth category for
"everything else") -- the council identified specific issues that its
Mission Work Plan (MWP) team is to develop into objectives for presentation
during the February GAC meeting.
If the process is approved by next year's 216th General
Assembly of the PC(USA), action plans and strategies will be put into place
for implementation in 2005.
The GAC used a "decision-by-consensus" model in
establishing these priorities.
The priority areas, principal issues, and matters to be
developed into objectives:
Spiritual formation
Acknowledge and celebrate different styles of Christian
spirituality within the Reformed tradition. Make conferences and other
denominational events more widely available by exploiting advanced
technology, including electronic forms of communication. Make available a
variety of resources, including Bible studies, in electronic and multimedia
forms, and in versions for various cultural and language groups. Have the
GAC model spiritual leadership and call Presbyterians to a year of daily
prayer.
Justice
Emphasize inclusivity, in terms of age, gender,
orientation, racial-ethnic identity and disability. Embrace advocacy -- for
social witness, economic justice, women's and ethnic concerns, legislative
issues, fair housing, health care, environmental protection, etc. Witness
for peace and non-violence, opposing domestic violence, oppression,
nationalism, child abuse, terrorism and unfair treatment of immigrants and
illegal residents.
Evangelism
Resource small churches, including shared ministry
partnerships. Devote time and energy to "recapturing, equipping and
developing passion for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the
world," notably through camps and conferences. Strive to provide resources
for new-church developments and congregational transformation.
Leadership
Identify resources to help clergy and lay leaders sharpen
their skills. Enhance awareness of shared ministries and best practices.
Support congregations in terms of pastoral leadership, including finances.
Encourage Christian vocation among young people.
Miscellaneous
Improve communications, addressing issues of trust, public
relations, face-to-face contact and overcoming apathy. Address
mission-funding concerns. Seek ways of enhancing denominational identity and
cultural diversity and of improving GAC structure.
Got comments, questions?
Please share them here!
Just send a note.
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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If you like what
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we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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