Election of moderator, issues of sexuality top the list

by Bill Lancaster, Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE -- February 27, 2001 -- The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), outlined his preliminary "Top 10" list of issues coming before the 213th General Assembly (GA) when it convenes in Louisville in June.

Heading Kirkpatrick's list, which he unveiled during a meeting of the General Assembly Council (GAC) on Feb. 24, was the election of a moderator to preside over the Assembly and represent the PC(USA) over the next 12 months. So far there are four candidates: Elder Nancy Maffett, from Pueblo Presbytery; Elder Sandra Hawley, from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area; the Rev. Jack Rogers, from San Gabriel Presbytery; and the Rev. Andy Sale, executive presbyter of Peaks Presbytery.

The next three issues listed by Kirkpatrick had to do with ordination and human sexuality. "We will have a very large number, perhaps the largest we have ever had, of overtures in various ways related to that matter," he said.

"We have a large number of overtures calling essentially for the repeal of G-6.0106b (of the Book of Order), the so-called Amendment B (outlining fidelity and chastity requirements for church officers), or a major modification of it," he said.

"We have several overtures ... (about) provisions for a waiver for congregations that feel they are not able to ordain women, (and for) congregations or presbyteries that feel their conscience is not able to follow G-6.0106b.

"A third series of overtures," Kirkpatrick went on, "relate to what some have referred to as a 'third way' -- various proposals for special commissions to seek to work for the unity and peace and spiritual welfare of the church, and see if there may be some 'third way,' if possible, to both affirm theological truth and to deal with our differences."

The fifth issue Kirkpatrick predicted would be taken up by the GA is the Lordship of Jesus Christ, particularly in relation to people of other faiths.

A sixth issue, he said, is a proposed revision of Chapter 14 of the Book of Order, which specifies how a local church goes about calling an associate minister or a temporary-supply pastor. The revision would shorten the chapter by one-third and give congregations and presbyteries greater flexibility, he said.

"One of the most fascinating things I've been engaged with has been the efforts we have taken to reach out to our friends in the Vatican," he said, referring to No. 7 on his list. "How do we understand their tradition, as it focuses on a successor to Peter, and ours on a successor to the Council of Jerusalem? And how can we move forward in expressing one faith in common Christian community with Roman Catholics? I believe you will see some important proposals at this Assembly on that."

No. 8 was a report on domestic violence to be presented by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy. "I think there will be a major call for our church to take that seriously and carry it out," Kirkpatrick said.

Kirkpatrick issue No. 9 was an expected "focus at this Assembly, in a more concentrated way than usual, on our ministries of higher education." He said there is "a hunger in our church on how we reach out to college-age young people in our ministry."

Finally, he said, "there are a number of concerns coming to this Assembly that [show] we continue to be in the forefront of seeking global justice." He said this includes global concerns, such as the world AIDS epidemic and small-arms proliferation, as well as work for peace and stability in such "hotspots" as the Middle East and Congo.

GA actions ratified (or not) by  the presbyteries   

A number of the most important actions of the 219^th 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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