wfn.org | 208th Assembly elects Buchanan moderator

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

30-June-1996 
 
GA96015 
 
    208th Assembly elects Buchanan moderator 
 
 
    The Rev. John M. Buchanan, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in 
Chicago, was elected moderator of the 208th General Assembly on June 29, 
l996, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 
 
    Buchanan was elected on the second ballot with 309 votes.  John Clark 
Poling received 210 votes on the second ballot and Norman D. Pott received 
30 votes.  On the first ballot, Buchanan's total was 243; Poling's vote was 
207 and Pott received 93 votes. 
 
    Buchanan was described as a leader of leaders and a voice of 
reconciliation in the nominating speech by Elder Commissioner Gay 
Mothershed of Grace Presbytery.  Citing his experience in leading the 
denomination through a time of crisis as he moderated the 206th General 
Assembly committee which dealt with the "Reimagining" issue, Mothershed 
assured commissioners that the evidence of his leadership was what is 
needed now in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 
 
    Buchanan said that the 206th Assembly had said "Theology matters" and 
the 207th had said "Mission matters."  For the 208th, he declared that the 
"Church matters."  "We need to make that as strong as we can," he told 
commissioners. 
 
    "These are great days and we have important work to do," he said, 
claiming a vision of a Presbyterian Church free to love the Lord and be as 
inclusive in loving as Jesus was. 
 
    In his opening remarks and in answers to questions, candidate Norman 
Pott made it clear that he believes it is time now for the Presbyterian 
Church to say yes to the ordination of practicing homosexuals.  His remarks 
were greeted with applause but the vote did not reflect enthusiasm for his 
position. 
 
    John Clark Poling gave thoughtful responses to questions and was a calm 
voice for affirming the authority of Scripture and the order of creation. 
Commissioners responded with an impressive number of votes in favor of his 
election. 
 
    It was finally Buchanan's quiet passion for the peace and unity of the 
church, as he urged Presbyterians to talk to each other and work out 
differences that carried the day for his candidacy. 
 
    Questions from the floor reflected the concerns of commissioners about 
the youth of the church, about racial tensions, about the church of the 
next century, about the church and higher education, as well as questions 
about human sexuality.  The candidates answered thoughtfully in response to 
thoughtful questions.  Finally Moderator Marj Carpenter said, "I wish you 
all would give shorter answers even if you are preachers." 
 
    The answers were heard and the vote was taken.  John Buchanan will lead 
the denomination in the next year as the highest elected non-paid official 
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), promising to listen and to lead on a 
path of reason and reconciliation. 
 
 
Jane Hines 

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