Results of PCUSA 222 General Assembly - Top Issues

PCUSA General Assembly 2016

The PCUSA 2016 General Assembly has concluded, and there was a significant amount of work, service, mission, votes and worship accomplished, I have outlined just a few highlights that in my opinion are noteworthy contrasted to the eleven items I highlighted prior to the assembly.  

link to blog post "upcoming highlights of 222 General Assembly"

“The Way Forward”- an effort to define new goals for the PCUSA going into the future. Two entities have been created, a 2020 Vision Team to develop a “guiding statement”, and a Way Forward Administrative Commission to determine any changes in the structure of General Assembly agencies.

New Stated Clerk- the stated clerk is the chief executive of the OGA, executive over the programs, administration of the church, advisory capacity as well, represents the denomination in ecumenical settings.  J Hebert Nelson was elected, he is the first African American stated clerk, he is a third generation presbyterian pastor. He told the assembly, that while he acknowledges there are serious issues that need to be addressed, he sees a vibrant and powerful future for the PCUSA.  “We are not dead, we are alive, led by God, we are transforming the world one person at a time.”

Approved a statement of conciliation- encouraging our churches to maintain respect, and graciously listen to each other in LBGT issues. It expresses regret for any person that might have been given any reason to doubt their being loved by God by past actions of the church, it affirmed the God-given dignity and worth of every individual and our commitment to being a welcoming church.   This stopped short of a full apology.  

Approval of the Belhar Confession- For the first time in 30 years, the Presbyterian church has adopted a new confession of faith. The assembly approved the addition of the Belhar Confession to our Book of Confession. First confession adopted from the global south, (South Africa). Belhar was drafted and adopted in South Africa during apartheid, it confesses that individual, racial and social segregation is a sin and all forms of segregation leads to enmity and hatred.

Revision to the Directory of Worship- The GA approved a proposal to revise the Directory of Worship, making it more flexible and accessible. The revision will now go to the presbyteries for a vote. The motion to add the word baptized, to those that come to the table was voted down.  

Additionally, a change to the definition of marriage was defeated retaining the 2014 marriage definition. The Clergy Letter Project was endorsed, (has to do with the compatibility of evolution and religion).

Ministry of Members- Care of God's Creation added to the ministry of members in the Book of Order (G-1.0304).

Teaching Elder – GA Voted to change “Teaching Elder” to “Minister of Word and Sacrament”, the debate centers around two understandings of this office; the priesthood of all believers (ministry is the work and call of the body), and the pastor as an ordained ministerial office, specifically to the administrating of the sacraments and preaching. This goes to presbyteries for vote.

Israel and Palestine- Affirmed the goals of separate states for both Israel and Palestine – condemned violence on both sides, added a comment “that affirmed a two state solution, affirms the right of Israel and Palestine to each exist as a separate, sovereign nations. It also adopted a measure calling for the church to advocate for the human rights of children of Israel and Palestine.

Divestment of fossil fuels- The GA chose a middle way, instead of divesting completely from fossil fuel companies, they chose instead to try to influence energy companies through stockholder engagement. Recommended the BOP to diversify its portfolio.

Japanese's Internment – Beth Hessell, the executive director of the Presbyterian Historical Society shared facts about the church and mission involvement during the years of the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The church failed to come to the aid of their Japanese brothers and sisters and to convince society that this was a racist travesty of justice. “The church failed to argue that the expulsion of an entire population based on ethnic descent was unwarranted, ungodly, and undemocratic.”

Korean-American Relations-  Approved several overtures which involved political issues relating to Korea, including the acknowledgement of the 1950 No Gun Ri incident in which 150 or more Korean civilians were killed by American troops.  

Cuba-American Relations – Celebrate and strengthen the ecclesial relationship of the PCUSA with the IPRC, the Iglesia Presbiteriana-Reformada en Cuba, as sister churches, highlighting the shared history, faith and ecumenical relationships, in order to engage in common ministry and mission. Promote and support the priorities of IPRC in Cuba.

A full look at the committees, agenda, and votes can be explored at the following off site webpage:

PCBIZ (off site, third party site)