wfn.org | MGB Relationships Committee Enters "Reflection" Phase of Its Work

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

12-May-1998 
98169 
 
    Middle Governing Body Relationships Committee 
    Enters "Reflection" Phase of Its Work 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Having interviewed more than 700 persons during 18 months 
of consultations with nearly 60 different groups, the General Assembly's 
Special Committee on Middle Governing Body Relationships is entering what 
it is calling its "reflection" stage. 
 
    The committee, authorized by the 208th General Assembly (1996), was 
charged to examine the current state of relations between the General 
Assembly and the synods and presbyteries and to propose ways to strengthen 
those relationships.  The committee is due to report its findings and 
recommendations to the 211th General Assembly (1999) next June in Fort 
Worth, Texas. 
 
    The committee met April 16-18 "to reflect on past work and plot a 
course for the future," according to its chair, the Rev. Ed Albright, who 
is executive presbyter for Greater Atlanta Presbytery. 
 
    Albright said that what was heard in the myriad consultations "has now 
been converted to 'learnings' which the committee is preparing to share 
with many of the original contacts and other interested persons for their 
reflection and further advice." 
 
    The committee will host public hearings and small group discussions 
during the upcoming General Assembly in Charlotte.  Albright said the 
committee also welcomes specific invitations for "reflection meetings" at 
other times and places. 
 
    "We are most grateful for every person who participated in focus groups 
or who provided data in other ways," Albright said.  "Our interest is to 
continue to work in a very open process as we develop a vision for the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for the year 2000 and beyond, a vision built 
on the past but looking to God's hope for the future." 
 
    More information about the work of the committee is available on its 
Web site at http://www.pcusa.org/pcusa/oga/mgbr 

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