wfn.org | Special Committee to Review General Assembly

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

8-October-1997 
97394 
 
    Special Committee to Review General Assembly 
    Outlines Task, Elects Officers 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Presbyterian Church's 18-member Special Committee to 
Review the General Assembly began its monumental task here Oct. 4-6, 
dissecting the reports of the two most recent Quadrennial Review Committees 
and the management study of the General Assembly Council conducted last 
year by the Arthur Andersen consulting firm. 
 
    The committee then outlined common themes it uncovered in its review 
and core concepts about the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that 
it wants to guide its work. 
 
    The committee was created by the 1997 General Assembly in response to 
the Arthur Andersen study.  The Assembly instructed the committee "to 
reassess the role of the General Assembly, including but not limited to a 
determination of which denominational activities should be effected at the 
national level." 
 
    The Assembly also asked the committee to examine the policies, 
procedures and business practices of the Assembly and propose changes it 
deems necessary.  The mandate does not rule out another restructure of 
Assembly operations.  The denomination last restructured in 1993. 
 
    The committee also was asked to "design and recommend a process to 
produce and communicate a compelling and unified vision statement for the 
PC(USA)." 
 
    The committee elected Gay Mothershed, associate executive for parish 
life and stewardship for Grace Presbytery, as its chair, and Keith Groty, 
stated clerk of Lake Michigan Presbytery, as its vice chair.  This first 
meeting was convened by General Assembly stated clerk the Rev. Clifton 
Kirkpatrick.  Process consultant for the group was the Rev. Frank Beattie, 
former associate director for Evangelism and Church Development in the 
National Ministries Division in Louisville. 
 
    The committee identified seven "core concepts" that define the life of 
the PC(USA): 
 
    *  We are a community of faith. 
    *  We are organized to serve God. 
    *  We are one organization committed to unity. 
    *  We are committed to operating effectively. 
    *  We are committed to maintaining a healthy balance between trust and 
       accountability. 
    *  We are committed to functions that add value/benefit. 
    *  We are committed to functions that advance one or all of the "Great 
       Ends of the Church." 
 
    The committee then outlined nine "common themes" that will guide its 
work.  Committee members agreed that their proposals will be designed to 
 
    *  be workable and feasible 
    *  provide enduring and lasting benefit for the denomination 
    *  address real problems in the church 
    *  be informed but not bound by the recommendations of the Andersen 
       report 
    *  be faithful to the spirit, if not the letter, of the General 
       Assembly's instructions 
    *  be willing to recommend changes in structures when they impede 
       mission 
    *  enhance the unity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 
    *  produce harmonious, effective working relationships among all 
       Assembly entities 
    *  be part of a biblically and theologically based design for the 
       church's work. 
 
    Members of the Special Committee for Review of the General Assembly are 
Elizabeth Anderson, Duluth, Minn.; Althea Burns, Alexandria, Va.; the Rev. 
Cathy Cummings Chisholm (representing the General Assembly Council), 
Vandalia, Ill.; the Rev. Leon E. Fanniel, Los Angeles; Charles P. Forbes, 
Phoenix, Md.; Keith Groty, Mason, Mich.; Price H. Gwynn III, Charlotte, 
N.C. (representing the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation); Georgette 
Huie, San Francisco (representing the Presbyterian Foundation); the Rev. 
Betsy Massie, Berkeley, Calif.; Gay D. Mothershed, Dallas ; the Rev. 
Harriet Nelson, Napa, Calif. (representing the Committee on the Office of 
the General Assembly); Sally Perkins, Tacoma, Wash.; Alvin Puryear, Bronx, 
N.Y. (representing the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program); the Rev. 
Hernan Rodriguez, Cabo Rojo, P.R.; the Rev. William P. Showalter, Orleans, 
Mass.; John Coventry Smith Jr., Largo, Fla.; Emily Spicer, Cincinnati; and 
Gloria N. Wilson, Phoenix (representing the Board of Pensions). 
 
    The committee next meets Jan. 16-18.  The place has not yet been 
decided. 

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