Conference-planning review postponed
after CMD committee raises objections
Members defend planners' and participants' freedom
of speech
by Alan Aja, Presbyterian News Serevice
SANTA FE, NM -- 16-November-2000 -- The Congregational
Ministries Division Committee (CMDC) of the General Assembly Council (GAC)
has raised concerns about a proposal to appoint a task force to review
conference planning in the wake of controversy surrounding last summer's
Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference.
During its meeting at Plaza Resolana Nov. 8-11, the
committee unanimously passed a statement expressing "trust and
faith" in Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) conference planning and
affirming "the right of all invited conference speakers to voice
their opinions in conference settings." Afterward, the CMDC chair,
the Rev. Lynn Shurley, of Paducah, KY, telephoned GAC chair Peter Pizor,
of Las Vegas, NV, to inform him of the committee's action.
The committee was responding to Pizor's plan to
appoint a task force by the end of the year to evaluate
conference-planning procedures and recommend changes. Pizor's proposal
was prompted by numerous responses criticizing the Rev. Dirk Ficca, a
Presbyterian minister from Chicago who is executive director of the
Parliament of World Religions, who said in a keynote address at the
Peacemaking Conference that Jesus Christ might not be the only way to
salvation.
Pizor's decision "raises several technical issues
and is getting out of hand," Shurley told the committee.
"Those out there advocating advocacy journalism now want the church
to censor what is proclaimed or discussed at a conference."
Shurley said an exchange about the controversy had
been unfolding on PC(USA) online discussions.
Atlanta Brown, of Wilmington, DE, a CMDC member,
agreed with Shurley and added: "This is infringing on freedom of
speech. We shouldn't allow this to happen." Another committee
member, Melvin Lowry, of Augusta, GA, said: "There's no need to add
fuel to the fire. God's will will be done. Those who put together the
conferences will win in the end."
In a subsequent letter to GAC members, Pizor announced
that he would not proceed until the full Council has an opportunity to
discuss the matter during its regular meeting in February. The letter,
mailed on Nov. 13, acknowledged that several GAC members had expressed
concerns about the task force to Pizor and to GAC Executive Director
John Detterick.
"I believe that moving ahead and establishing a
task force at this time is not helpful to our work together," Pizor
wrote, adding that the GAC in February will deal "with the many
issues and concerns" generated by Ficca's speech. The CMDC reviewed
but took no action on a report titled "A Stewardship
Theology," on the meaning of Christian stewardship and its
importance in the church. The report is the second draft of a document
that stemmed from suggestions made by the 1999 General Assembly.
"I think this version makes sense and is
well-articulated," said Mike Gillespie, of Florence, KY. However,
Freda Gardner, of Princeton, NJ, a former General Assembly moderator,
disagreed. "I still think it comes across as if we are talking
about money," she said. "As far as I can see, there is no
definition of stewardship."
The committee expects to take final action on the
report in February.
Sheldon Sorge, a CMD associate for theology and
worship, briefed the committee on efforts to produce worship materials
for Korean, Hispanic (bilingual) and African-American congregations.
"It is our hope that these initiatives prove to be valuable enough
to be implemented in the life of the church," he said. "We
have tried to be representative of the changing church population."
Sandra Sorem, associate director for Congregational
Ministries Publishing, reported enthusiasm for the denomination's new
Covenant People curriculum. However, she said current sales are about 30
percent below projections. She said that problem is being addressed by a
new marketing plan and an effort to simplify the process of ordering the
new curriculum.
The committee unanimously reaffirmed its support for a
denominational curriculum in a statement that acknowledges CMDC's
responsibility to educate and to affirm diversity in the church.
"The old ways have run away, and in a changing scenario we are
looking at new processes," said committee member Donn Cobb, of
Clovis, CA.
The committee also approved a report on "Entrance
into Pastoral Ministry," from the Office of Theological Education.
The report addresses the timing and nature of ordination exams; the
advisability of revisiting earlier proposals for a period of licensure
after seminary graduation and before ordination; providing better
educational resources for those in the early years in ministry; and
cooperation between seminaries and presbyteries in identifying
candidates for ministry.
The committee also approved an expenditure of $125,000
to re-establish the Office of Family Ministries, which was eliminated
for budget reasons in 1996.
