wfn.org | [PCUSA] Committee approves stewardship paper

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

11-June-2001
GA01043

Committee approves stewardship paper

by Nancy D. Borst

LOUISVILLE, June 11 – The General Assembly Committee on Pensions,
Benefits & Stewardship voted to send to the full Assembly a paper that deals
with the theology of stewardship.

The paper, "Living Grateful Lives: Stewardship Theology in Our Time," had
been recommended for approval by the Congregational Ministries Division and
the General Assembly Council. It is the first major paper from the
denomination on stewardship since 1981.

Despite an overwhelming vote of 41-6 to recommend the paper to the Assembly,
several concerns were raised, primarily with the paper's language. Several
committee members said they thought the language was negative and outdated.

The Rev. Tammy Lindahl of Twin Cities Area Presbytery said she had shown the
paper to several members of her congregation, who didn't think as a whole it
was very helpful. The paper approaches stewardship from a starting point of
redemption rather than creation.

"They thought it didn't convey that we do things out of gratitude and love,"
she said.

A study guide will be available to use with the paper as a basis for
congregations to explore the theology of stewardship.

The committee also voted 37-10 to forward commissioner’s resolution
01-14 to the full Assembly for approval. The resolution urges Presbyterians
to use a portion of the upcoming federal income tax rebate for "mission
initiatives."

The original resolution urges local sessions to challenge their members to
give 10 percent of the rebate for "faith-based initiatives" of their church
in their community, presbytery, synod or through the General Assembly
Council. The committee preferred the term "mission initiatives" rather than
"faith-based initiatives."

"This is not a mandate," said the Rev. Johnnie Monroe, a commissioner from
Pittsburgh Presbytery. "But it urges sessions to do as the Spirit leads
them."

Federal income taxpayers are scheduled to receive up to $300 for single
filers and up to $600 for married couples before year's end.

In other business, the committee will recommend to the full Assembly that
the Board of Pensions be allowed to pay a 3 percent "experience
apportionment" (increase) for each of the following: retirement and
survivor's pension benefits; accrued pension credits for active, disabled
and vested inactive members of the pension plan; and disability benefits for
disabled members. To receive the increases, a person must have been
receiving benefits as of Dec. 31, 2000. All increases will be effective July
1.

The committee also approved special rules for post-retirement service in
accordance with the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA) and several amendments to
the plan itself. One of the amendments drew discussion and passed by only
one vote, 24-23. It enacts a new policy that excludes disability coverage
during the first 12 months of coverage for any disability arising from a
pre-existing condition. The changes also will takes effect July 1.

In other business completed Monday, the committee:

* Approved a recommendation to dismiss the Bicentennial Fund Accountability
Committee with thanks;

* Approved a recommendation that a summary of receipts from year 2000
Special Offerings be incorporated into the minutes of the General Assembly
Council.

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