wfn.org | Assembly takes polity actions

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Note #6098 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

30-June-2000
GA00147

	Assembly takes polity actions

	by Nancy Rodman

LONG BEACH, June 30 - After impassioned debate and the defeat of a motion to
arrest the report for lunch, the 212th General Assembly said today that "no
persons shall be denied membership for any reason not related to profession
of faith," rather than adding another category of person to the list found
in the Form of Government, G-5.0103.

	The Assembly Committee on Polity had recommended that the section be
amended by adding the words "sexual orientation" to race, ethnic origin, and
worldly condition, but Elder Karen Hayden, Lake Huron Presbytery, asked the
commissioners to return to the original intent of the section, which is to
deny membership in the church to no one except for reasons related to
profession of faith.  Youth Advisory Delegate Rachel Parsons, Holston
Presbytery, said in support of the motion, "These words are evidence of scar
tissue on the body of Christ.  We must make our stand as clear as possible."

	The new language will be sent to the presbyteries for their affirmative or
negative votes.

	The Assembly later turned aside an attempt to reconsider their action. 

	The Assembly approved a variety of other measures related to the governance
of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including proposed changes to the Form of
Government and Rules of Discipline and received the document, "The Church's
Foundational Principles of Governance."
 
	Form of Government

	Proposed changes to the Form of Government, if approved by the
presbyteries, would

	* resolve questions about the dismissal of union congregations from the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
	* clarify procedures for receiving ministers of other denominations that do
not have centralized membership rolls
	* provide that congregational meetings be governed by Roberts Rules of
Order or another comparable authority
	* provide flexibility in redressing imbalances of elders and ministers in
presbyteries
	* permit synods to have smaller quorums and smaller numbers of ministers
and elders to call special meetings.
	
	A draft revision of Chapter XIV (Ordination, Certification, and
Commissioning) of the Form of Government is to be sent to the presbyteries,
synods, and General Assembly entities for their comments.  The revision has
been drafted in an effort to streamline the chapter and make it less like a
manual of operations.  The draft revision represents a 40 percent reduction
in the number of words currently in Chapter XIV.

	Rules of Discipline

	Within the proposed amendment to the Rules of Discipline, the part of the
church's constitution that governs judicial process, are changes that would
extend certain time limits in certain remedial cases and appeals to make
them more realistic, reduce paperwork, and streamline the process if a
complaint or appeal is dismissed for failing to meet basic requirements.

	The Assembly answered requests for interpretation of the Rules of
Discipline by saying that a permanent judicial commission report that does
not include the name of the guilty party does not comply with the
constitution's intentions and that if the name is not included in the
decision filed with the stated clerk, a recognizable decision may not have
been made.

	Foundational Principles of Governance

	"The Church's Foundational Principles for Governance" consolidates in
easy-to-study form the theological basis for Presbyterian polity.  In eight
chapters, the paper presents material that is foundational to Presbyterian
understanding of governance in a form suitable for study by the church.

	The foundational principles paper was written to answer a perceived need in
the church for effective leadership that is educated and knowledgeable in
scripture, Reformed theology, church history, and Presbyterian polity.  The
topics covered in "The Church's Foundational Principles for Governance"
include historic understandings, the church's mission, its unity and
relationships, members, officers, the particular church, and governing
bodies.

	"The Church's Foundational Principles for Governance" will be available to
the whole church through the denominational web site.  It does not include
changes to the church's constitution, "The Book of Order," nor is it to be
construed as an authoritative interpretation of the constitution.

	The Polity Committee's report was arrested Friday afternoon with actions on
the so-called "fair play" overture and an overture seeking restitution to
victims by guilty parties in judicial cases among those left pending.

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