wfn.org | SYNOD OF THE NORTHEAST MOVES TOWARD CREATING

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

30-Jun-95

95225      SYNOD OF THE NORTHEAST MOVES TOWARD CREATING 
      A KOREAN-LANGUAGE PRESBYTERY, ADOPTS RESTRUCTURE PLAN  
                                  
 
                          by Allen Kratz 
 
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--The Synod of the Northeast voted June 23 to "proceed 
toward the creation of a Korean-language presbytery" by creating a 
committee that next January will bring to the synod assembly a 
recommendation to either create or not create such a governing body. 
 
     If ultimately approved by the synod, the new presbytery would need 
approval by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 
Operations would begin in January 1997. 
 
     The eight-member committee will consider the legal, financial, 
administrative and "Book of Order" issues relating to the creation of the 
proposed presbytery, which, unlike the current 21 geographic presbyteries 
in the Synod of the Northeast, will encompass the synod's eight-state 
region in New York, New Jersey and New England. 
 
     There are currently three nongeographic presbyteries (two Korean and 
one Native American) in the PC(USA): Hanmi, in the Synod of Southern 
California and Hawaii; Midwest Hanmi, in the Synod of Lincoln Trails; and 
Dakota, in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. 
 
     Advocates for the new presbytery say that it would draw more 
Korean-speaking Presbyterians into the denomination because, with their own 
governing body, they would not face the obstacle of being minority-language 
speakers as they are now in predominantly English-speaking governing 
bodies. 
 
                   Restructuring plan approved 
 
     The commissioners approved, with virtually no floor debate, a 
"Structural Design for Mission" that: 
 
     * reaffirms six mission goals 
 
     * emphasizes both "shared ministry" by the synod with its constituent 
presbyteries and "cooperative ministry" by the synod with non-Presbyterian 
entities 
 
     * cuts the number of full-time synod associate executives (who report 
to the synod executive) from nine to four "mission associates" 
 
     * reduces the number of support staff 
 
     * calls for commissioners from each presbytery to meet twice yearly 
instead of once yearly. 
 
     The six mission goals that the proposed structure affirms are 
community building, communication, church development, nurture, leadership 
development and advocacy. 
 
     The four new "mission associates" will be responsible for four 
clusters of duties: 
 
     * budget and finance 
 
     * church development, redevelopment and revitalization 
 
     * leadership and church-program development 
 
     * outreach ministries and advocacy. 
 
     They will be aided by either full-time or part-time "project 
consultants." 
 
 

------------
For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
  phone 502-569-5504            fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

--