wfn.org | Interim Executive Director Asks GAC Members to Covenant

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

30-September-1996 
 
 
 
96395    Interim Executive Director Asks GAC Members to  
           Covenant to Support Each Other's Leadership 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Affirming his belief that "With God's help, all things are 
possible," interim General Assembly Council executive director the Rev. 
Frank Diaz assumed "the heavy responsibility of this office" Sept. 24 and 
began by asking General Assembly Council members to sign a "covenant of 
leadership." 
 
     Before the end of the Sept. 25-29 meeting, 71 of the 97 Council 
members had taken the pledge. 
 
     Modeled after a covenant signed by the chairpersons and chief 
executives of all the major General Assembly-level entities earlier this 
summer, the covenant binds Council members to 
 
     *    "affirm that all of us as members of the General Assembly Council 
          are integral parts of the body which is the Presbyterian Church 
          (U.S.A.) and that we share one another's successes and challenges" 
     *    "deal with one another directly, honestly, openly, respectfully, 
          and civilly, attempting to reflect in our work the reconciling 
          love of God in Jesus Christ" 
     *    "share the content of this covenant with our respective 
          presbyteries and synods" 
     *    "pray for one another by name in our personal devotions." 
 
     Diaz outlined some of his other "personal hopes and dreams" for the 
GAC under his leadership. They include 
 
     *    more time during Council meetings for Bible study, reflection and 
          prayer 
     *    more time during Council meetings to hear from invited persons 
          "who can stimulate our thinking and enable us to gain new visions 
          and be more creative.  ..." 
     *    shorter and more effective GAC reports to General Assembly 
     *    mission activities that better reflect the Great Ends of the 
          Church and "that give the strong assurance that we are focusing 
          on the centrality of Jesus Christ. ..." 
     *    better communication about the work of the General Assembly to 
          sessions, presbyteries and synods 
     *    greater support and appreciation of the work of national staff 
     *    removal of politics from GAC decision making and rather "depend 
          upon the leading of the Holy Spirit. ..." 
     *    stronger, more cooperative relationships with other General 
          Assembly-level entities 
     *    "a steady hand on the tiller" as voting on the 
          "fidelity/chastity" amendment to "The Book of Order" proceeds in 
          the presbyteries -- "We must be in prayer and have compassion for 
          persons on both sides of this issue." 

------------
For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

--