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20-July-1998 
98224 
 
    Two Presbyterian Campus Ministry Organizations 
    Voice Support For Embattled College Women's Group 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-The debate over the fate of the National Network of 
Presbyterian College Women (NNPCW) has been joined by two Presbyterian 
campus ministry organizations, which have unanimously passed a resolution 
supporting the network. 
 
    The resolution - adopted June 30 by the Presbyterian College Chaplains 
Association (PCCA) and the Presbyterian Ministers in Higher Education 
(PMHE) at a joint meeting, held at Yale University - "affirms the work and 
witness" of NNPCW and "respectfully urges" the General Assembly Council's 
(GAC) task force charged to review the network "to support and encourage 
the expansion of the ministry" of NNPCW. 
 
    The NNPCW was the focal point of the most contentious debate of the 
210th General Assembly in Charlotte when the Assembly first withdrew 
funding and denominational sponsorship of the network and then reversed 
itself, restoring funding while the GAC review is conducted during the next 
year. 
 
    The NNPCW receives funding from the National Ministries Division 
offices of higher education, social justice, evangelism and church 
development, and women's ministries.  It has a current membership list of 
about 250 Presbyterian college women. 
 
    Some conservative groups within the church had targeted the network, 
arguing that materials published by NNPCW were unbiblical, violated the 
church's constitution and promoted homosexuality as an acceptable Christian 
lifestyle.  Particular criticism has been leveled at a curriculum published 
four years ago entitled "Young Women Speak: Issues for Study by College 
Women." 
 
    The seven-member task force - which is to include General Assembly 
moderator the Rev. Douglas Oldenburg and vice moderator the Rev. James Mead 
- is charged "to evaluate the resources and programs of the NNPCW to ensure 
consistency with Scripture and the constitution and submit a complete 
report to the 211th General Assembly (1999)." 
 
    In their resolution, PCCA and PMHE stated that they 
 
    *  "recognize the value of the National Network of Presbyterian College 
       Women and benefit from its faithful witness ..." 
    *  see the network as "an avenue of evangelism attesting to the unity 
       of Jesus Christ ..." 
    *  believe that the network, "through its leadership development 
       efforts, equips young women for broader service in the Church of 
       Jesus Christ" 
    *  believe that the network "integrates the vibrancy of a living 
       Christian faith, responsible biblical reflection, the real-life 
       concerns of women in higher education and gives voice to college 
       women in the larger church." 

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