A Quick Check-list of the Other
Amendments
from the Rev. Dr. Christian Iosso, pastor of Scarborough
(NY) Presbyterian Church, and former Issues Analyst of the Witherspoon
Society.
With thanks to the Association of Stated Clerks.
We might forget that the 2001 General Assembly approved a
number of amendments to the Constitution of the PC(USA), besides
"Amendment A," which would return to the presbyteries and
sessions their proper role of discerning who should be ordained, without
regard to the strictures now imposed by section G6.0106b of the Book of
Order.
Here are some brief comments on the other amendments that will also be
coming to presbyteries for approval or rejection.
01-B Adds good former UPC theological
language to the description of pastors; adds understanding but no
additional tasks.
01-C Makes the decisions of
Administrative Commissions (including how many people they hear from,
say, in the case of removing a pastor) subject to review by presbyteries
rather than requiring remedial case appeal to a permanent judicial
commission. May weaken AC's a bit, add to presbytery process, but save
judicial time.
01-D Would allow for interim
executive staff to apply for permanent position with presbytery, synod
or GA agency, as long as AA/EEO were followed, by a 2/3 vote of
presbytery. Favors continuity over open process and change; also shifts
motivation of interim who may regard post as foot in the door. This is a
recipe, in my humble opinion, for conflicts within governing bodies and
personalizes the search process. Same problems as with pastors in 01-H.
01-E Would give presbytery councils
and clerks rules for disqualifying retired ministers to limit their
numbers, rather than push creative ways to include more laypeople. PNS
reports that the Coalition hopes to dilute the vote of retired
ministers: this would help them discount the ordination of any
purportedly "inactive" retiree.
01-F Clarifies 6 year maximum
continuous service on Committee on Ministry.
01-G Would allow racial-ethnic and
immigrant presbyteries of as few as 5 churches/pastors, on a
non-geographic basis. A solution that may create more problems, delaying
ordination of women especially, require more administration, etc. May
also prompt use of the non-geographic device (within synods) to initiate
so-called "gracious separation."
01-H Much good administrivia conceals
major way for generally large churches to control succession by getting
the 2/3 approval for hiring an interim. Alternatively, creates bad blood
with the many churches who "fall in love with their
savior/interim." May also have ideological application.
