wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Measure would make it harder to call special GA

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Note #7752 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Measure would make it harder to call special GA
GA03063

Measure would make it harder to call special GA

By Bill Lancaster

DENVER, May 27 - The Committee on General Assembly Procedures voted Tuesday
to recommend that the 215th Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) approve
a measure raising the number of commissioners sufficient to force the calling
of a special meeting of the Assembly.

	The committee approved an overture that would amend the Book of Order
to increase the number to 25 percent of minister commissioners and 25 percent
of elder commissioners. The constitution now requires only 25 ministers and
25 elders. The vote on the measure was 50-5.

An amendment that would have reduced the requirement to 20 percent failed was
defeated in a voice vote.

	The panel also approved a commissioner's resolution asking the Office
of the General Assembly (OGA) to draft recommended amendments to the
Assembly's standing rules to clarify the procedures for calling a special
meeting. Gradye Parsons, OGA's director of strategic operations, spoke in
favor of the measure, which was approved by a vote of 54-1.

The committee approved all the recommendations it received having to do with
the move to every-other-year Assemblies.

	A commissioner's resolution that would have limited the number of
staff from OGA and the General Assembly Council (GAC) who attend Assemblies
failed after GAC Executive Director John Detterick and other staff members
explained the rationale behind the number, roles and expense of staff.

The committee approved a motion from Katie Vandebrake, a Youth Advisory
Delegate (YAD) from Minnesota Valley Presbytery, to increase the number of
YADs at biennial Assemblies. In addition to the current provision for one YAD
from each of the 173 presbyteries, the proposal would permit each presbytery
with more than 32,000 church members to send a second YAD. The effect would
be to increase the number of YADs by fewer than 10. The vote was 41-12.

	

The committee approved a motion made by the Rev. David Harkness from the
Presbytery of Hudson River asking the OGA to seek information from more
affinity groups. These are groups that are not under the governance of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) but which use the name of the PC (USA) in their own
names.

Harkness, in reference to a list of affinity groups which had complied with a
request to submit reports to the General Assembly, said, "It caught my eye
right away that there are glaring absences (from the list)." The proposal
would require the OGA to report those groups that opt not to report annually
their goals, budgets, leadership, theological emphasis and other information.
Groups that do not report but request exhibit space at the Assembly would be
asked how they are connected to the PC (USA) and other information. 

The vote was 48/5/1.

Among the eight or nine groups not reporting were the Presbyterian Lay
Committee and the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation.
	
		 Other Actions

Commissioner resolution 03-1 on not counting vote abstentions in Assembly
committees or plenary was disapproved by 35/16/4. Vice moderator the Rev.
James Browne of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley, said in calling for the
vote,  "As odd as it seems, if you would like to abstain, raise your hands.
We should have voted 0/0/54 and let them figure it out!"

Commissioner Resolution 03-26, on publication of an Amicus Brief, was
disapproved by a vote of 54/0/1.

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