wfn.org | ACSWP seeks feedback on 'Changing Families' study

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #6797 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

17-August-2001
01280

ACSWP seeks feedback on 'Changing Families' study

Input will be used to prepare policy statement for 2003 General Assembly

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy's (ACSWP)
Task Force on Changing Families  is seeking comments from the whole church
on its churchwide study document, Changing Families.

	Copies of the study document were mailed to presbyteries in January of this
year with a request that they be sent to each congregation within their
bounds. Copies were also sent to synod executives and stated clerks, middle
governing body resource centers and to the libraries of the seminaries.

	Feedback on the study document will be accepted through June l, 2002. The
ACSWP is scheduled to present a policy statement to the 215th General
Assembly (2003).

	The 1997 General Assembly asked the ACSWP to examine the issue of changing
families, "giving particular attention to the effect that contemporary
family changes have had on the welfare and nurture of children in society
and church."

	The ACSWP's charge to its task force was to "address the issues confronting
families from biblical, theological, ethical, historical, sociological and
other relevant points of view and to make recommendations for strengthening
the church's 21st century ministry and witness to all families in both
church and society."

	The Rev. Barbara J. Gaddis, chair of the task force, said: "We've issued
this study document in the hope that we will receive feedback from all the
corners of the church regarding the nature and effect of changing families.
The task force is committed to including in its deliberations the variety of
theological views present today within the Presbyterian family of God."

	The study focuses on four fundamental themes through the examination of
scripture, the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order, psychological and
historical disciplines, traditions and the experiences of families and
congregations. The four themes are:

* Discovering God's purposes of families

* Seeking to fulfill God's purposes for families today

* Fulfilling God's purposes for families through family discipleship and
congregational ministry

* Witnessing to God's purposes for families in the wider society

	Additional copies of Changing Families are available for $5 each by calling
Presbyterian Distribution Services at 1-800-524-2612 and asking for PDS
order #68-600-01-001. For more information, call the Rev. Belinda Curry,
ACSWP associate, at 1-888-728-7228, extension 5813, or by email,
belindac@ctr.pcusa.org.
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