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Note #8132 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Stated Clerk's 'Top Ten' Assembly issues
04092
February 19, 2004

Stated Clerk's 'Top Ten' Assembly issues

Mission plan, family paper, sexuality overtures top agenda

by the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk, General Assembly

LOUISVILLE -  Editor's note: Every winter, Kirkpatrick shares his predictions
about which issues will spark the most interest during the upcoming General
Assembly. The 216th Assembly convenes on June 26 in Richmond, VA. Kirkpatrick
presented his "Top 10" list to the Committee on the Office of the General
Assembly during a recent meeting.

1. General Assembly Council's Mission Work Plan - The GAC will bring to the
Assembly a major proposal to prioritize its mission programs into four areas:
evangelism, justice, leadership and spiritual formation.

2. Final Report on Middle Governing Body Relations - At the conclusion of 115
consultations over three years with synods and presbyteries, the GAC and the
Committee on the Office of the General Assembly will be bringing a joint
report on how to strengthen partnership between our governing bodies.

3.  Reviews - Review committees have completed their studies of the
Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program and National Council of Churches and
will bring to the Assembly positive reports on those two bodies.

4.  Transforming Families paper - The 215th General Assembly (2003) referred
the paper now entitled "Transforming Families" back to the Advisory Committee
on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) with a concern that there be stronger
affirmations of the theological values of traditional patterns of family
life. The revised report will be a major item before the 216th General
Assembly.

5.  Overtures on G-6.0106b - As in prior years, overtures to remove G-6.0106b
from the Book of Order will be before the 216th General Assembly. This
Assembly also will deal with additional overtures to remove all authoritative
interpretations concerning homosexuality and ordination issued prior to the
adoption of G-6.0106b in 1996.

6.  Elections - As always, much attention will be given to the election of a
moderator. In addition, this is the year for the election of a Stated Clerk
and for the confirmation of the presidents of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Foundation and the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program.

7.  Evangelism and Jewish-Christian Relations - Growing out of the new
"messianic" congregation in Philadelphia Presbytery, Avodat Yisrael, a number
of overtures are currently before presbyteries calling for a study and
reevaluation of policies related to Jewish-Christian relations and
evangelism.

8.  Constitutional Amendments on Sexual Misconduct - Growing out of the work
of the Independent Committee of Inquiry (into previous sexual abuse of
missionary children in the Congo), the General Assembly Council will be
bringing to the Assembly proposed constitutional amendments to prevent sexual
misconduct by church workers and to protect children.

9.  Overtures Relating to Abortion - Overtures have been received to modify
the actions taken by the last two General Assemblies related to late-term
abortions.

10. Issues Related to a Post-9/11 World - Both ACSWP and the General Assembly
Committee on Ecumenical Relations will be bringing proposals to the Assembly
related to advocacy for justice in relation to peacemaking, immigration,
response to terrorism, and Iraq.

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