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[PCUSANEWS] Assembly approves Hispanic/Latino strategy


From PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>
Date 30 May 2003 11:24:57 -0400

Note #7781 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Assembly approves Hispanic/Latino strategy
GA03091

Assembly approves Hispanic/Latino strategy

By Nancy Rodman

DENVER, May 28 - The 215th General Assembly approved a church-wide strategy
for ministry with Hispanic/Latino constituencies Wednesday night.

In another action, the commissioners took action to strengthen partnerships
between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its schools, colleges, and
universities. 

	The Assembly approved a "Strategy for Ministry with Hispanic-Latino
Constituencies," commended it to the church and recommended that it be made
available in print and electronically, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, to
PC(USA) leaders and agencies involved in Hispanic/Latino ministries and to
Hispanic/Latino caucuses and churches.

	The strategy calls on the PC(USA) to:

	* Organize workshops to "address leadership-development issues" for
Hispanic youth and young adults;

	* Offer workshops for development of Hispanic/Latino leaders -
ministers, elders, deacons, Christian educators, seminary faculty and staff,
inquirers and candidates for ministry, commissioned lay pastors and
administrators - in conjunction with synods, presbyteries and other General
Assembly entities;

	* Develop curriculum materials for youth in Spanish and Portuguese;

	* Assist in developing, by 2004, a funds-development strategy;

	The church is to report on its progress to the 2006 Assembly, and
organize a national consultation during that year on strategy implementation
and monitoring. A second progress report is to be made in 2008.

	The committee estimated the cost of developing curriculum materials
for Hispanic/Latino youth at $132,794 for 2004.

	The commissioners added a comment to make clear that the PC(USA) does
not believe Roman Catholic spiritual practices may be harmful. Some speakers
had expressed fear that the document might have given that impression.

	"The Strategy for Ministry with Hispanic-Latino Constituencies" is
the result of nearly 20 years of planning. It uses the Great Ends of the
Church - the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the
shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the
maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion
of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven in the
world - as a framework for ministry to Hispanic/Latino communities.

	In an effort to strengthen and clarify partnerships between the
church and its more than 70 schools, colleges, and universities, the Assembly
approved a series of recommendations from a study paper titled "Reclaiming
the Vision: A Mission Strategy to Strengthen the Partnership Between the
Presbyterian Church (USA) and Its Related Schools, Colleges, and
Universities." 

	The document recommends an emphasis on leadership and spiritual
development; a re-examination of the covenants between the denomination and
the educational institutions; an emphasis on distinctive Presbyterian and
Reformed heritages; and special PC(USA) support for the "more fragile"
schools.

	It asks the National Ministries to report progress to the Assembly in
2006.
	
	In other business on referrals from its Committee on Evangelism and
Higher Education, the Assembly:

	* Directed the denomination to develop and distribute evangelism
materials, written from the perspective of Reformed theology, in booklet form
and on the Internet. The purpose is to help church members share their faith
and help congregations minister to "seekers" and lead them toward mature
discipleship;

	* Ordered an exploration of the appropriateness of recommending the
Alpha Program as a congregational resource for evangelism;

	* Approved an educational process titled "Program Design for Racial
Ethnic/Immigrant Church Growth and Evangelism" that originated with the 212th
General Assembly (2000), which promotes new models of church response to the
growth of racial/ethnic and immigrant population;

	*Asked each commissioner and visitor to the 215th Assembly to write
five notes of encouragement to churches in their presbyteries.

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