wfn.org | Assembly Committee on Churchwide Partnerships

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21-Jun-1997 
GA97128     Churchwide Partnerships Reach Far and Near 
 
       Assembly Approves Implementation of New Call System 
 
SYRACUSE--Stating that the Churchwide Partnership Committee had heard 
a clear call from Presbyterians for  more efficient ways of calling 
pastors, a shift toward decentralization of the process and a need 
for more accountability, committee moderator David Freeman moved the 
committee's recommendations to implement a revised call system for 
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).   
     The Assembly readily approved the 1995 final report of the call 
system task force as a valuable resource in shaping the existing 
system. The report was amended to include portions of the 1995 study 
regarding the role of  presbytery administration and the use of the 
supplementary questions  as options for presbytery consideration.   
     The Assembly voted that no fees be charged for the core 
services, that the present system continue to be funded through the 
budget of the General Assembly and  ongoing funding be a priority 
concern of the National Ministries Division.   
     A redesign of the Church Information Form (CIF) and the Personal 
Information Form (PIF) was authorized.  The Leadership Effectiveness 
Analysis (LEA) and Strategic Directions Questionnaire (SDQ)  were 
affirmed as optional components of the system and useful for 
professional and congregational development.   
     The Assembly asked the Office of Call Referral to explore the 
implication of translation of materials into Spanish, Korean and 
braille.  Discussion followed on the addition of a statement to the 
PIF that no inquiries or charges are pending or sustained against the 
candidate.  Wording to bring  this portion of the PIF into conformity 
with the existing directive in the Book of Order was authorized. 
 
           Covenant Agreement Between Foundation and  
              Presbytery of San Juan, Puerto Rico 
 
     A covenant agreement to restore communication between the 
Presbytery of San Juan and the Presbyterian Foundation was agreed 
upon at a late meeting of the General Assembly on June 20.  This 
covenant would promote the work of the Presbyterian Foundation on 
behalf of Puerto Rico and enhance the image of Presbyterian work 
there.  The Foundation agreed to assist in the effort to identify 
financial resources to meet the needs of this presbytery which was 
left financially strapped by legal expenses incurred as the result of 
a complaint which was filed against it.   
     An amendment was added to the overture which would require San 
Juan Presbytery to obtain insurance which would cover them in the 
future.  A motion to delete an  apology for delays in reconciling 
this matter was defeated.   The source of funding to cover the 
$178,960 expense was to be identified by the appropriate General 
Assembly committee by the end of the Assembly gathering.   
     Commissioner's Resolution 97-1 which would study psychological 
and psychiatric evaluations used in evaluation of candidates for a 
call to the PCUSA and for supervision of the work of ministers and 
rehabilitation of ministers temporarily excluded from the exercise of 
ordained office was approved.  A recommendation to study the means 
available for presbyteries to protect themselves from the risk of 
tort liability for the acts of ministers engaged in counseling 
practice and other forms of ministry was also approved.  The 
information will be reported to the 210th General Assembly. 
                      New Ministries Formed 
By way of the consent agenda, the Assembly approved the formation of 
two new Korean-American Presbyteries - one in the Synod of Mid- 
Atlantic and the second in the Synod of Alaska-Northwest.  Grace 
Korean Presbyterian Church, Merriam, Kansas, was  transferred from 
Midwest Hanmi Presbytery to the Presbytery of Heartland, First 
Presbyterian Church, Carrolton, transferred to the Presbytery of 
Missouri Union and a union church was formed between the United 
Presbyterian Church of Keota and the Wesley United Methodist Church 
of Keota in the Presbytery of East Iowa. Several changes to 
Presbytery boundary lines were also approved.   
 
         Colleges, Universities and Secondary Schools,  
                  Military Chaplaincy Affirmed 
 
     The Assembly approved colleges and universities related to the 
Presbyterian Church and also approved an overture to recognize 
Barber-Scotia, Cook, Knoxville, Mary Holes, Sheldon Jackson, and  
Stillman Colleges, the Menaul School and Presbyterian American School 
at the 1998 meeting of General Assembly. 
The Assembly received the report of the Presbyterian Council for 
Chaplains and Military Personnel and paused to pray for military 
families and chaplains. 
 
       Presbytery and Synod Moderators Meeting Established 
 
     A resolution to invite all synod and presbytery moderators to 
future General Assemblies as official observers at their own expense 
was commended.  All expenses of this meeting would be paid for by the 
participants themselves or by their governing bodies.  In addition, 
an annual gathering called by the moderator of the General Assembly 
will now be held annually in Louisville.  This conference will 
provide opportunities to network and to meet and talk with the 
national staff. 
 
Joanne Hines  

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