What's Coming to the 216th
General Assembly?
Witherspoon Issues Analyst Gene TeSelle surveys
some of the major items that will likely be centers of attention at the
General Assembly in Richmond, VA, June 26 - July 3. [5-12-04]
We welcome your comments, additions or
corrections.
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THEOLOGICAL TASK FORCE MAKES INTERIM REPORT
The Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity
of the Church was created by the 213th General Assembly (2001), to lead the
church "in spiritual discernment of our Christian identity in and for the
21st century." It was to deal with a broad range of issues, including but
not limited to "Christology, biblical authority and interpretation,
ordination standards, and [get this] power."
The Task Force was to make an interim report to each
General Assembly -- and to presbyteries and sessions, according to
an amendment made on the floor -- and make a final report to the 2005
General Assembly. Because the General Assembly has voted to meet in
alternating years, the report will come to the 2006 Assembly.
A preliminary report was issued in
February 2004, describing the work of the eighteen-member task force in
eight extended meetings over almost three years.
This report makes "preliminary affirmations" emphasizing
that Jesus Christ is the church's peace, unity, and purity. Its
language grows stronger as it moves through these themes. Christians are
reminded that they cannot sever their ties with each other without the
danger of separating themselves from Christ himself (cf. 1 Jn. 4:20). Purity
is described in terms of "truth, goodness, and justice," and twice in this
section Presbyterians are urged to "live into" what Christ has
already accomplished, to which we are joined by baptism.
Not much is said about the crucial issues the task force
was directed to study. Two years ago we noticed that meetings were scheduled
to deal with the first three -- Christology, biblical authority and
interpretation, and ordination standards -- but none with power. When we
asked about this, they replied that they saw power as an aspect of all the
other topics. But even less has been said about this. There is clearly much
that remains unfinished in the Task Force's work.
| Some presbyteries
have begun discussing what they might do to take their own part in the
work of the Task Force. Answers seem to cluster into at least four
groups. And each arouses its own set of comments.
1. Discussions might focus on the central issues of
ordination, authority of Scripture, Christology, and power. The fear
is that direct discussion of these issues would simply exacerbate
tensions that are already present.
2. Presbyteries might start the way the Task Force
did and discuss the ways Christ is the peace, unity, and purity of the
church. Hopefully this would bring us together in what we share.
3. They might discuss the issue of how we can live
together with our diversity and disagreement (see Gene TeSelle's
essay on "dealing with
differences," in which he tries to learn from the way the
Episcopal Church has been led to deal with its internal conflicts.)
4. Finally, the suggestion keeps coming up that we
remind ourselves of our unity in mission and service. In most
presbyteries there is shared energy around the Hunger and Peacemaking
Programs, and around the various activities of the presbyteries' own
Outreach committees. (Take a look at the
principles on partnership
adopted by last year's General Assembly for the Worldwide Ministries
Division, but applicable to everything that Presbyterians do.)
|
DEALING WITH THE "ORDINATION QUESTION"
Again this year a number of overtures will offer a variety
of ways to deal with "Amendment B," now lodged in our Book of Order as
G-6.0106b, banning the ordination of anyone who persists in committing any
of the multitudinous "sins" mentioned in our Book of Confessions. This
provision has caused much conflict and confusion in the church. It has been
administered unfairly, singling out sexuality and overlooking other sins.
There has been uncertainty over how to administer it (e.g., whether prying
questions can be asked during the ordination process). And key terms are
less clear than they seem at first glance: "chastity" does not mean
celibacy, since the confessions speak of chastity in characterizing
marriage; there is certainly "fidelity" in committed same-sex relationships;
and the meaning of "refusing to repent" can become hopelessly legalistic if
it ignores other constitutional principles of conscience and interpretation.
1. Perhaps the most comprehensive of the overtures (04-49)
comes from Twin Cities, with the concurrence of Hudson River. It would (a)
delete G-6.0106b from the Book of Order, (b) add a sentence to G-6.0106a
asserting that suitability for ordination should be determined "by the
governing body where the examination for ordination or installation takes
place," and (c) remove the existing Authoritative Interpretations that have
been used to ban ordination of LGBT people.
2. The Presbytery of Baltimore, with the concurrence of
Southern New England, Genesee Valley, and Des Moines, is offering a simpler
overture (04-4), proposing the deletion of 6.0106b without dealing with the
Authoritative Interpretations.
3. Western Reserve is sending an overture (04-18) calling
for elimination of the Authoritative Interpretations without dealing with
G-6.0106b. This is an action that could be taken by the General Assembly,
without needing to be ratified in the presbyteries. Detroit is offering a
similar overture, with the affirmation that "within our denomination, people
of good character and principle differ in their understanding of human
sexuality, and in those differences we are called to exercise mutual
forbearance toward each other."
4. A different approach is taken in an overture from
Western New York (as the earliest to arrive in the office of the Stated
Clerk, it is designated "04-1"). It takes a new approach, proposing to amend
G-6.0106 by replacing "the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman"
with "a covenanted relationship between two persons where a lifetime
commitment is intended," and replacing "which the confessions call sin" by
"does not conform with this discipline." The rationale is that "all persons
should be guided by the same principles of sexual behavior regardless of
sexual orientation."
Perhaps we should pause to explain the controversy over Authoritative
Interpretations ("AIs" for short). These AIs were enacted by the
Assemblies of the UPCUSA (1978), the PCUS (1979), and the PC(USA) (1993). As
the Western Reserve overture points out, these had the effect of amending
the constitutional standards for ordination without ratification by the
presbyteries. The constitution itself was later amended (1996-97) with the
adoption of G-6.0601b. The Permanent Judicial Commission has already ruled
in 2002 that, with this constitutional change, the AIs are no longer the
prevailing standard by which judgments are to be made.
The Presbytery of Hudson River is sending an overture
"On Examining the Conscience of Candidates," which would provide
guidance to ordaining bodies on what are and are not appropriate matters on
which candidates for ordination may be examined, and how the freedom of
Christian conscience is to be respected.
According to the Rev. Dr. Chris Iosso, former Witherspoon
Issues Analyst and head of the Faith and Order Committee and the Third Way
Project of the Presbytery, "the Presbytery considers itself a welcoming
presbytery, with a diversity of theological stances and ministry styles." It
has proposed this overture out of an awareness of "controversies in other
presbyteries that 'narrow the gate' for ministers, as well as a desire to
affirm a diversity of perspectives on individual sessions and boards of
deacons. It follows up the Presbytery's concern for the use of the
Confession of 1967 and the whole Book of Confessions."
ISSUES COMING BEFORE THE 2004 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick has listed the top ten
issues coming before the 216th Assembly in Richmond. We update his list with
the help of an article by Jerry Van Marter of the Presbyterian News Service
(April 22).
1. General Assembly Council's Mission Work Plan:
The GAC will bring to the Assembly a major proposal to prioritize its
mission programs in four areas -- evangelism and witness, justice and
compassion, spirituality and discipleship, and leadership and vocation --
and offers 24 concrete objectives for putting them into effect.
2. Final Report on Middle Governing Body Relations:
At the conclusion of 115 consultations over three years with synods and
presbyteries, the GAC and the Committee on the Office of the General
Assembly will be bringing a joint report on how to strengthen partnership
between our governing bodies.
3. Reviews: Review committees have completed their
studies of the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program and National Council
of Churches and will bring to the Assembly positive reports on those two
bodies.
4. Transforming
Families paper: The 215th General Assembly (2003) referred the
document back to the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP),
expressing concern that there be more theological reflection and a stronger
affirmation of traditional patterns of family life. The revised report will
be a major item before the 216th General Assembly.
5. Overtures on
G-6.0106b: As in prior years, overtures to remove G-6.0106b from the
Book of Order will be before the 216th General Assembly. This Assembly also
will deal with additional overtures to remove all authoritative
interpretations concerning homosexuality and ordination issued prior to the
adoption of G-6.0106b in 1996.
6. Elections: As always, much attention will be
given to the election of a
moderator. In addition, this is the year for the
election of a Stated Clerk and for
the confirmation of the presidents of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Foundation and the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program.
| On the election of a Stated Clerk
The Stated Clerk is elected for a four-year term.
Clifton Kirkpatrick was unanimously nominated by the review committee.
But three conservative candidates have also come forward: Bob Davis,
Rus Howard, and Alex Metherill, all of them highly critical of
Kirkpatrick. As with the election of the Moderator, a majority (not a
mere plurality) of votes is required.
With three opposing candidates answering questions
on the platform, critics of Clifton Kirkpatrick will have plenty of
air time. But this large slate of conservative candidates could divide
the conservative vote, which has usually been no larger than 30
percent of the commissioners.
There is organized opposition to Clifton
Kirkpatrick, claiming that he has not "enforced the constitution" in
conformity with the demands of special interest groups.
The Assembly will hear lots of particulars from the
three rival candidates for Stated Clerk, and Kirkpatrick will be quite
capable of defending his record. But it might be helpful to take a
longer-range perspective on this issue.
Those who want the Stated Clerk to take a more
"activist" stance might be reminded of two major blunders by past
Stated Clerks. Eugene Carson Blake, who was an assertive leader on
many issues, orchestrated the prosecution of tax resister Maurice
McCrackin in 1962. Ironically Blake himself was arrested a few years
later for civil disobedience in desegregating a Baltimore amusement
park. McCrackin had been a few years ahead of his time. The 1987
General Assembly expressed regret for this action and asked
forgiveness. William P. Thompson ruled that the 1978 General Assembly,
in adopting its "definitive guidance" concerning gay-lesbian
ordination, had issued a "constitutional interpretation" despite its
own stated intention. Thompson later reversed his position.
|
7. Relations with Jews and Muslims: Because of
controversy surrounding the new "messianic" congregation in Philadelphia
Presbytery, Avodat Yisrael, and because of continuing unrest over the
Occupied Territories, two presbyteries -- Eastern Oklahoma and Hudson River
-- call for a study and reevaluation of PC(USA) policies on relations with
Jews and Muslims.
8. Constitutional Amendments on Sexual Misconduct:
Growing out of the work of the Independent Committee of Inquiry (into
previous sexual abuse of missionary children in the Congo), the General
Assembly Council will be bringing to the Assembly proposed constitutional
amendments to prevent sexual misconduct by church workers and to protect
children.
9. Overtures Relating to Abortion: Overtures are
coming from three presbyteries -- Upper Ohio Valley, Charlotte, and
Beaver-Butler -- to ban all so-called "late-term abortions." The overture
from Upper Ohio Valley seeks to add this prohibition to the Book of Order.
Last year's Assembly upheld the current policy, which has four conditions
under which abortion of a viable fetus might be permissible: "when necessary
to save the life of the woman, to preserve the woman's health in
circumstances of a serious risk, to avoid fetal suffering as a result of
untreatable life-threatening medical anomalies, or in cases of incest or
rape."
10. Issues Related to a Post-9/11 World: Both ACSWP
and the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations will be bringing
proposals to the Assembly related to advocacy for justice in peacemaking,
immigration, response to terrorism, and Iraq.
| For background on social issues
If you want to get the full picture on the positions
the PC(USA) has taken for several decades, you may want to consult the
Presbyterian Social Witness Policy Compilation (PDS Order
Number 68-600-000-001). The price is $30 for a 512-page volume, well
worth it for you or for your presbytery's resource center. |
There are other important reports and overtures, too.
The vexed issues surrounding
private property rights and the protection
of limited water resources, including the question when
environmental measures constitute "takings," will be revisited in a paper
that reaffirms and clarifies the policy adopted by the 1990 General Assembly
(Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice). In response to an
overture from Baltimore Presbytery in 2002, ACSWP (the Advisory Committee on
Social Witness Policy) has studied the issues and recommends this updated
statement.
A study paper entitled
The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing has grown out of three
years of deliberation by a Working Group established by the General Assembly
and facilitated by the Office of Theology and Worship. The General Assembly
Council will recommend that this paper be the basis for a series of
consultations on the Trinity throughout our church. A final report is to be
made to the 2006 General Assembly.
The Presbytery of Lackawanna has approved an overture
which would call on the church, the government, and individuals to work
toward stabilizing and then reducing the global population, as a
vital means of stewardship of God's creation.
Washington Presbytery considered and then rejected (by 26
in favor to 76 opposed) an overture to implement "gracious separation"
in the Presbyterian Church. The idea may still come to the Assembly from
some other source. The proposal for "gracious separation" was largely
authored by attorney Bob Howard, a former chair and still a member of the
Board of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. His proposal essentially called on
conservatives and evangelicals to split from the PC(USA) and form a separate
church. The proposal was one of the major points of discussion - and
disagreement - during the October 2003 national conference of the
Presbyterian Coalition.
(See Gene TeSelle's article on
"Differences and Disputes".)
The Presbytery of John Calvin in Missouri is sending an overture to amend
the Book of Order to specify the "essential tenets of the Reformed
faith." (We will have more commentary on that later.)
