wfn.org | Committee likely to recommend a task force rather than a commission

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #6606 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

11-June-2001
GA01052

Committee likely to recommend a task force rather than a commission

by Bill Lancaster

LOUISVILLE, June 11-The Peace, Purity and Unity Committee debated long and
hard Monday on the formation of a commission to resolve the major issues
before the church, which originated as Overture 01-33 from the Presbytery of
John Calvin. And although they have yet to approve their much-amended
recommendation as a whole, they are likely to ask the 213th General Assembly
to form a task force instead.

	The rationale for the change to a task force was to make sure that gays and
lesbians could be included. Because a commission is composed of ministers
and elders only, the committee was concerned ordained gays and lesbians
would not be made members of the body.  A commission has more power than a
task force.  A vote on the whole recommendation will probably occur Tuesday
after the language is polished.

	When the committee adjourned for the night Monday, its recommendation to
the Assembly stood as follows:

"Preface: Because we have all been baptized and professed our faith in Jesus
Christ as Lord and savior and shared in the brokenness and reconciliation of
communion,because we share a heritage of listening for the way in which
Scripture speaks as we struggle with the hard issues, because we share a
common although diverse reformed history and confessional heritage,
therefore the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall enter into a season of
theological clarification of our Presbyterian identity by:

"1. Direct the moderators of the 213th, 212th, 211th General Assemblies
(2001, 2000, 1999), in consultation with the General Assembly Nominating
Committee, to appoint a task force as follows:

"a. The task force be composed of 17 members, membership to include fair
representation in race, gender, sexual orientation, reflecting the
theological diversity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

"b. The task force is directed to lead the PC(USA) in a time of spiritual
discernment, using a process which includes conferring with presbyteries and
congregations seeking the peace, purity, unity and mission of the church.

"c.   The task force is directed to make an interim report to the 215th
General Assembly (2003) and to conclude its work and make a final report by
the 217th General Assembly (2005).

"d. Develop a process and instrument by which sessions throughout our church
might reflect on the matters that divide us so that the Holy Spirit will
promote the peace, unity and purity of the PC(USA).

"2. The task force will invite churches to unite in a sustained period of
prayer and reflection on scripture and our confessions in possible ways for
the peace unity, purity and mission of our beloved church.

The committee also voted to make as its response to Overture 00-42 the
revised Overture 01-33.  Overture 00-42 calls for the formation of a task
force "to move beyond the current impasse."

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