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GA06126
Assembly approves all work from Church Polity, with some changes Most discussion given to approving study for Korean-language synod
by Shane Whisler
BIRMINGHAM, June 21 * With considerable discussion but only a few changes, commissioners approved all recommendations from the Church Polity committee in about one hour Wednesday at the 217th General Assembly.
"While we did not vote unanimously on every item," said committee moderator, the Rev. Lynee Meyers of Chicago Presbytery, "there was great concord among the committee."
Commissioners applauded when Meyers moved that all actions of that committee be approved in one vote. However, commissioners pulled six items out of the consent agenda for closer scrutiny.
Two items prompted the most debate. One, concerning the possibility of establishing a Korean-language synod, was approved, while the other, allowing ministers and congregations more choice in presbytery and membership, was rejected.
The Assembly made the way clear for a study to determine the feasibility of a establishing a Korean-language synod only after several commissioners voiced deep concern about separating Presbyterians by any ethnic or language. Midwest Hanmi Presbytery made the overture, which was altered in committee to be referred to denominational leadership.
Some commissioners voiced deep concerns about potential separation of any ethnic or language group, even when requested by that group.
"We can all agree that 11 a.m. on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America," said Tres Adams III, a theological student advisory delegate. "I don't want to be a part of the most segregated church in America."
The committee's recommendation passed with 64 percent of the vote. It includes a consideration to "reflect on new and innovative ways that the PC(USA) can empower and work in partnership with all racial ethnic congregations."
Action taken on other items pulled from consent agenda:
-To send to presbyteries an amendment to G-11.0503 in the Book of Order, to include commissioned lay pastors in the list of those whom presbytery's committee on ministry shall engage in open communication.
-With 76 percent of the vote, disapproved an overture from Presbytery of Stockton with a comment that proposed Book of Order changes were "Congregationalist rather than Presbyterian understanding of the nature of church property."
-Directed a report be made available to presbyteries by Sept. 1, 2007 from the task force charged with revising the Form of Government (FOG Task Force) in light of structural changes on the PC(USA). During discussion on other parts of this item, the Rev. Paul Hooker, Advisory Committee on the Constitution, reminded commissioners that all three sections of the Book of Order have equal status.
-The Assembly concurred, 391-106, with the committee in disapproving an amendment regarding the membership choice congregations and ministers have in regard to presbyteries and synods. The vote followed the narrow rejection, 226 to 265, of a motion from the floor to refer (rather than disapprove) an amendment.
-Approved, with 83 percent of the vote, the authoritative interpretation given by Advisory Committee on the Constitution, which states that it is permissible for a congregation to make staff members ineligible for election as church officers.
-Approved, with 93 percent of the vote, that the correct reading of G-14.0513b in the Book of Order, does mean that an associate pastor or other persons serving a pastoral position are not eligible to become the next installed pastor of that congregation.
The consent agenda approved by commissioners included:
-Instructing the Office of the General Assembly to add a concordance of scriptural allusions to the indexes in the Book of Order.
-Sending to presbyteries an amendment to the Book of Order (G-12.0101), which would allow synods to add members to its voting body in a similar fashion practiced by presbyteries.
-Rejecting an overture that in part would have required presbytery consent for authoritative interpretations of the PC(USA) Constitution.
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