wfn.org | PFR Offers Training to Commissioners/advisors

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19-June 1998 
GA98124 
 
Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) Offers Training and Free Lunch to 
                      Commissioners/advisors 
 
                      by Allison Politinsky 
 
CHARLOTTE--There was standing room only in the lunch hosted by the 
Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) on Friday, June 19. For the first time this 
year, PFR offered a special training session for commissioners on the 
opening Saturday of the General Assembly. 
   In addition, the group has hosted lunches Monday through Friday to allow 
commissioners and advisors to get clarification on issues of procedure or 
amendment questions that come up during the Assembly. The lunch is open to 
all interested parties but commissioners and advisors are not required to 
pay.  Friday's lunch featured a club sandwich plate. 
   During the lunch, discussion took place among attendees about the 
critical issues before the General Assembly. "An issue of 
self-determination for the terminally ill will be coming up later today," 
said Henry Greene, former president of PFR and a pastor observer at General 
Assembly.  He asked for clarification from others on what the term 
"self-determination" means. Some explained that this is considered suicide. 
But, it is not assisted suicide. Some members of the group indicated that 
voting on the minority report to refer the issue to committee would slow 
down consideration of this complex issue. 
   "Has anyone ever pointed out that the Book of Confessions, Question 135, 
commits the church to preserve the lives of ourselves and others?" asked J. 
Duncan Boyd from Covington, La. "Has that been discussed? Confessionally we 
can't support euthanasia.". 
 
Greene said he did not believe that point had come up in debate and 
encouraged Boyd and others to bring it up for discussion. "Don't forget 
that it is never too late to call the question," said Greene. "It is not 
too late until the moderator's gavel closes the Assembly." 
   The group also discussed upcoming amendments including abortion and 
clarification on the Heidelberg catechism regarding its reference to 
homosexuality. 
   In the closing prayer, Greene prayed to God to help commissioners work 
"for clarity, and against deception. [Lord] work in the hearts and minds of 
the commissioners so they can see the way you would have us go." 
   Executive director of PFR, Joe Rightmyer, explained after the luncheon 
that the purpose of these meetings is "to seek to clarify issues, and 
explain the process, and pray with and for commissioners." 
   "We bring a particular perspective to the Assembly," he continued. "In 
printed form, we also have available every day an insert in our magazine, 
supplies and materials. We offer our perspective on most significant 
issues." 
   So far, PFR sees the convention as going very well, Rightmyer said. "The 
whole spirit of this convention is very uplifting without rancor or 
animosity. The call for a spiritual sabbatical which was reiterated by all 
the moderator candidates, plus the way in which the election was held, set 
a congenial tone for the entire assembly." 

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