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Claremont (California)
Presbyterian Church sends letter to GAC regarding ranking of programs
November 29, 2000
1111 N. Mountain Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711
General Assembly Council Presbyterian Church
(USA)
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202-1306
Dear Members of the Council :
The Session of the Claremont Presbyterian Church in
Claremont, California voted in their October Session meeting to raise
concerns as to the Council's priority rankings of programs of the
ministries of our denomination.
You listed programs according to their "high,
medium, and low impact" in regard to evangelism and discipleship.
We understand that this was done to make budget decisions. These
rankings were made after consultations between GAC leaders and middle
governing bodies during the past year, and after a GAC Executive
Committee retreat and a four-hour long discussion by the GAC Council.
Therefore you did it with a great deal of prior thought.
We, too, have given the rankings much thought, after a
sermon by our Pastor, the Rev. Kent Winters-Hazelton, and a visit to our
Session from Elder George Inadomi, immediate past vice-moderator of the
GAC. We concluded that programs that deal with justice -- therefore
discipleship, and those aimed at reaching others -- therefore
evangelism, are often ranked either "low " or
"medium".
The following concern us:
 | Self-Development of People--A very good outreach
program that carries out both evangelism and discipleship in our
denomination. |
| Presbyterian Peacemaking Program-- ranked
"low", we understand, because of its own money-raising
call each year. But surely in our chaotic world, Peacemaking cannot
be of "low" priority. |
| The Washington Office-- our denomination's main
opportunity to speak to the national government in on-going ways,
carrying out the social action programs passed by the General
Assembly each year. It is discipleship in the best sense of service
to the world and unceasing labor for justice, peace and freedom for
all people. |
| Theological Education-- Of utmost importance to the
future of the church. This program is marked "low" but it
fulfills both evangelism and discipleship. |
| Ecumenical Program Facilitation and Interfaith
Relations-- Both placed in the "low" category, How can we
be good disciples or evangelists to others if we don't understand
their faiths living in this pluralistic world? |
| Rankings of Women's Ministries, Racial Justice,
Social Justice, and Urban Ministries having "medium"
impact is startling in light of what those particular programs do
for our denomination. Surely they have "high" impact
speaking for millions of Presbyterians that would not otherwise be
heard from at the national level. They fulfill both evangelism--the
sharing of the good news and calling people to membership; and
discipleship--the unceasing labor for justice, peace and freedom for
all peoples. |
John Detterick, our GAC executive director, has called
this process a "baby step that will be repeated, refined, and
improved in ensuing years". Our Session believes it is imperative
that we write and express our concern with both the process, and its
results. In a denomination already split on many issues, these rankings
only exacerbate divisions.
We request the General Assembly Council to rethink
this exercise and find a fairer, more equitable way in which to share
the monies that we, and others like us, faithfully pledge and send to
the PCUSA to serve God both in the United States and abroad. Sincerely,
and in the spirit of our Lord, Jesus Christ, The members of the Session
of the Claremont Presbyterian Church, Claremont, CA
Signed by:
Gordon Douglass, Clerk of Session
Kent Winters-Hazelton, Pastor
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