218th General Assembly 2008

218^thGeneral Assembly
2008

You can find many more items relating to the 2008 General Assembly on the shared JustPresbys website, which is sponsored by the Witherspoon Society along with a number of other progressive Presbyterian groups. We encourage you to check out the home page and see what's there.

Don Stroud summarizes General Assembly actions on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) issues [7-17-08]

A long-time leader in That All May Freely Serve, Stroud opens his thorough analysis with this comment:

As an observer and advocate for LGBT issues at the 218th General Assembly (GA) meeting in San Jose, CA, June 21-28, 2008, it is my assessment that the 218th GA took decisive positive actions to begin to dismantle the oppressive, long divisive and debilitating homophobia that has plagued the PC(USA) as a denomination for the past thirty years.

Following a helpful explanation of some of the terms that were used in the discussions, he deals with the Assembly’s actions:
•      on the ordination and/or installation of LGBT members,
•      on the Overture from John Knox Presbytery to provide an “authoritative interpretation” on the 217th GA’s AI on G-6.0108, commonly called the “scruple process” for individual candidates for ordination and/or installation,
•      on various overtures to correct the translation problems of the Heidelberg Catechism,
•      and on overtures to amend the Directory for Worship regarding the definition of marriage, and to affirm equal rights for families of same-gender partners and call for an in-depth study on marriage.

The full report is available in PDF format >>

PC(USA) Department of Constitutional Services offers advisory opinions on GA actions [7-11-08]

The Department of Constitutional Services, part of the Office of the General Assembly, has issued an Advisory Opinion which states what actions of the 218^th GA, dealing with Book of Order provisions G-6.0106b and G-6.0108, are taking effect immediately, and which ones, as constitutional amendments, must be approved by a majority of the presbyteries before they might take effect.

Briefly, the new Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0106b has gone into effect immediately following the Assembly. That means that earlier AIs, beginning with 1978 and 1979, which state that “[f]or the church to ordain a self-affirming, practicing homosexual person to ministry would be to act in contradiction to its charter and calling in Scripture,” are no longer in effect.

However, the “fidelity and chastity” requirement set forth in G-6.0106b does remain in effect, until it is removed from the Book of Order by the approval of a majority of the presbyteries. That action must be taken within one year from the conclusion of the 218^th General Assembly.

The Authoritative Interpretation of G-6.0108 also takes effect immediately. This allows a candidate for ordination to declare a departure (or “scruple”) from a standard of either belief or practice on grounds of conscience. It is still a matter for the examining body to “give prayerful and careful consideration, on an individual, case-by-case basis,” to any such departure – but the recent GAPJC decision in the case of Bush v. Presbytery of Pittsburgh, which rejected any departure in matters of behavior, is invalidated.

The full Advisory Opinions note >>

Lay Committee issues “a call to arms”
[7-10-08]

Reacting to the recent General Assembly, the Presbyterian Layman has published a statement by their Board of Directors, titled “A call to arms.”

After listing some of the Assembly actions which they say “violate the faith and life of Biblical Christianity,” they then “urge the sessions of faithful congregations to take the following actions:

• Form alliances with like-minded churches in your presbytery. There is strength in numbers. A call to arms is a call to unite.

• Restrict all mission and per capita gifts to ministries that are trusted by your congregation, and do not send undesignated money in any form to denominational entities, boards or agencies.

• Be prepared to defend the property rights of your congregation against claims of ownership by the PCUSA.”

The full statement >>

We note that none of these actions is new on the part of the Lay Committee, though their rhetoric seems to be a bit more bellicose than usual.

A Special Report on the 2008 General Assembly

This is being sent (in a shorter version, in print) to Witherspoon Society Members and Friends
[7-5-08]

Gene TeSelle, Witherspoon Society Issues Analyst, begins his customary wrap-up on the Assembly:

The previous General Assembly, in 2006, was relatively cautious, electing a middle-of-the-road Moderator and adopting the recommendations of the Theological Task Force (specifically its interpretation of G-6.0108) by a close margin.

This Assembly indicates a turning of the tide. It elected a Moderator who was clearly progressive and forward-looking, and most of the moderatorial candidates assumed that the framework of discussion was the pluralism encouraged by the last Assembly's action. It approved a number of measures that move the church ahead, including several changes to the Book of Order, though it is also clear that these will be highly contested in the presbyteries. It elected a new Stated Clerk who decried "fear" inside and outside the church; he represents continuity and a reaffirmation of the Kirkpatrick approach. A strong social witness was also affirmed, including a new "Social Creed for the 21st Century."

Some of the specific events and actions he discusses include:

	Witherspoon's pre-Assembly conversation, and awards luncheon
	election of the Moderator
	nominations to GA standing committees
	election of Stated Clerk
	per capita
	social justice reports and actions
	New Social Creed
	Heidelberg and Belhar Confessions
	Dialogue with Islam
	Israel/Palestine
	Iraq
	Reproductive rights
	Defining marriage
	Ordination
	Getting along: issues with Presbyterian Foundation, property rights, and more
	Form of Government issues
	Our continuing dilemma: each side wants spontaneity in some things, legality in others -- but we differ in which should apply in which areas
	What to do now?

Responding to Gene TeSelle's report on the 218th General Assembly [7-6-08]

The Rev. John Shuck comments on Gene TeSelle’s report on the Assembly, focusing on the increasing number of legal cases over property issues, brought by congregations choosing to leave the denomination. He concludes:

I don't think it is going to work this time. I think the great middle of the church is on to the right wing and their fear-mongering. That is why the right is so desperate and so apocalyptic. Belittling gays as a theological and political weapon is old, tired news. The threat of putting a gun to the denomination's head if we ordain gays is less fearful than it was a few years ago.

This General Assembly has shown that Presbyterians are not afraid this time. People will vote with their conscience. As for those who cannot possibly remain Presbyterian if we ordain gays, well, there is the door. But you are not going to take the denomination down with you on your way out.
Changing G-6.0106b has an excellent chance to pass in the presbyteries. The new paragraph is far superior theologically to the old. I think people are going to get that.

Read Shuck’s comment in full here >>

And we encourage you to visit his blog site >>

Three responses to the GA actions moving toward a more just, more inclusive, more faithful church
[7-6-08]

	In a joint news release, That All May Freely Serve, Covenant Network Presbyterians, and More Light Presbyterians celebrate that "Presbyterians move toward full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clergy and members."
	The Covenant Network proclaims: "Good News from G.A. 218"
	More Light Presbyterians "Applaud General Assembly Action," welcoming all to service in the church.

Assembly takes major steps toward full inclusion of lgbt Presbyterians

by Gene TeSelle, Witherspoon Issues Analyst
[6-30-08]

Committee 5 on Church Orders and Ministry reported three issues in their logical order, and the committee's recommendations were followed by the Assembly as a whole.

1. It overwhelmingly approved the overture from Scioto Valley, with many concurrences from other presbyteries, to direct the Stated Clerk to collect or develop "best practices" for the examination of candidates.

2. It approved, by a vote of 53 to 47 percent, the John Knox overture, an AI designed to correct the decision of the General Assembly's Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) that the "fidelity and chastity" sentence in G-6.0106b is binding and cannot be "scrupled."

3. The most heated debate was over the Boston overture to replace the language of G-6.0106b with new language, and to adopt a new AI declaring that past AIs concerning "ordained service of homosexual church members" (starting with the "definitive guidance" of 1978/79 in the two churches and including the AI of 1993) have "no further force or effect."

More >>

A time for joy

Following the Assembly's actions opening new possibilities for ordination of lgbt Presbyterians, over 50 people gathered outside the main entrance to the Convention Center, singing and joining in prayer. [6-30-08]

The Right Reacts

by Doug King, Witherspoon WebWeaver
[6-30-08]

The 218^th General Assembly took significant steps to make the Presbyterian Church (USA) more open and affirming toward its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. There are, of course, many Presbyterians who are distressed – or maybe outraged is a better word – by this modest step toward justice and (we believe) authentic peace in the denomination.

We post these here partly to let the conservative side of the church speak for itself, in its own voice, to the more progressive side of the church. And we hope also to give our visitors a glimpse of the points of view and tactics which are already being set forth as the Right responds to these actions. More >>

Assembly calls for peacemaking in Israel/Palestine
[6-30-08]

Presbyterian News Service has posted a report on the responses of the Assembly to the work of Committee 11, on Peacemaking and International Issues. We offer it here, with a couple notes added by your WebWeaver.

SAN JOSE — 28 June 2008 — Commissioners to the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) “stayed the course” of being peacemakers around the world.

The Assembly called for “responsibly” bringing the troops home from Iraq, continuing peacemaking in Israel and Palestine and supporting human rights in Zimbabwe, the Philippines, North Korea and Columbia. More >>

more Observations from The Witherspoon Society

Friday, June 27, 2008
218^th General Assembly

COMMITTEE 11 – PEACEMAKING AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

	Took positive action to expand our support for conscientious objectors (11-22) and human rights in Colombia (11-18), the Philippines (11-31), and Zimbabwe (11-15).
	Spoke against the option of pre-emptive war against Iran (11-33) and the impunity of military contractors operating outside the bounds of military law (11-17).

On Iraq

Approved “On Building Peace in Iraq” (11-10) but amended a provision calling upon the U.S. government to end its military presence in Iraq. Restoring the original language would strengthen Assembly action. A minority report calls only for prayer, commendation of those working for peace, and investment in relief efforts.

On Israel/Palestine

	Overwhelmingly endorsed alternative language for 11-01 which affirms “Churches Together for Peace and Justice in the Middle East” (the Amman Call), provides education materials about our concern for a just peace in Israel and Palestine, encourages interfaith discussion on these issues, and continues the process of corporate engagement to further peace with justice.
	Called for a study guide to be developed by a committee appointed by the moderators of the past three General Assemblies (11-28).
	Narrowly approved the Santa Barbara overture (11-26) which tries to defer involvement in peacemaking efforts. A minority report notes that 11-26 would restrict the church’s historic and present witness—reflected faithfully in 11-01—that offers hope to all Israelis and Palestinians working for a just peace.
	Approved the report of Mission Responsibility Through Investment regarding its engagement with corporations involved in Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank (11-27).

[6-27-08]

Thursday was a productive day at GA

Process to correct Heidelberg Catechism is started
[6-27-08]

The Assembly voted 436-280 to initiate the process of amending the Heidelberg Catechism to restore the original German text of the 1562 document. A 1962 PC(USA) translation inserted the term "homosexual perversion" into the answer to question 87 of the catechism. No other church uses the 1962 translation.

South African confession, dealing with racism, is adopted

The Assembly also voted, by a vote of 536-154, to initiate the process of including the Belhar Confession in the denomination's Book of Confessions. Belhar was written in 1986 by the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in South Africa to address the apartheid situation in that country but it also points to the persistent sin of racism globally.

FOG report referred for study

By a vote of 624-88, the Assembly voted to refer the proposed revision of the church's Form of Government back to the Office of the General Assembly "for a period of study and consultation with churches and presbyteries." The new timeline calls for a revised proposal to be submitted to the stated clerk in October 2009 for distribution to the church by mid-January 2010 for consideration by the 2010 General Assembly.

Kirkpatrick recognized for long service

Late Thursday afternoon the Assembly named the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Emeritus, recognizing his 12 years as stated clerk and 35 years of service to the PC(USA) in a variety of capacities.

Mission statement endorsed

The Assembly unanimously endorsed "An Invitation to Expanding Participation in God's Mission," a broad-based agreement growing out of a mission consultation in Dallas last winter that promises greater cooperation to support Presbyterian mission than has been seen in the PC(USA) in many years. The Assembly urged all Presbyterian governing bodies and mission groups to accept the invitation. And the Assembly voted to rename the General Assembly Council the General Assembly Mission Council to reflect this new emphasis on Presbyterian mission.

From the Presbyterian News Service summary of the day.

Witherspoon Society offers some observations on issues coming to the plenary sessions of the Assembly today (Thursday) and Friday [6-26-08]

Committee 04, Church Polity

On redefining "marriage"

Committee 10, Health Issues

On a pro-choice position

Committee 05, Church Orders and Ministry

	On restoring and improving the Authoritative Interpretation of 2006
	On revising G-6.0106b

Committee 9, Social Justice Issues

On a variety of important social concerns, and the Social Creed for the 21^st Century

Details >>

Witherspooners Kikuchi and Wiesner wed at MLP dinner [6-24-08]

Rev. Diana C. Gibson (l), Craig Wiesner and Derrick Kikuchi

The rollicking More Light Presbyterians dinner on Saturday, June 21, was climaxed by a wedding, to the surprise and delight of the large crowd.

Derrick Kikuchi and Craig Wiesner, were called to the platform to receive the National More Light Presbyterians David Sindt Leadership Award. After the presentation, Kikuchi turned to Wiesner and asked him to join in making their marriage legal in the state of California.

Wiesner responded, “Though it will be on the front page of the Layman tomorrow, I will.” This was greeted by a standing (and loud) ovation by the crowd.

Kikuchi and Wiesner were married 18 years ago at First Church in Palo Alto, where they are still active members. Diana C. Gibson, the pastor who presided over that service, stepped forward to perform the ceremony.

“I’m not asking for us to be married before God because this was already done in our church in 1990.” Wiesner told Gibson. “Will you join us to make this a legal civil marriage?” Gibson accepted, and the two witnesses from the first serve, Julie McDonald and Mitzi Henderson, served as witnesses again this time.

The room was silent as the couple repeated the vows they composed for themselves, including the promise “to find ... the courage to resist the many deaths by which love can die, ... to be willing to take the risk to accept the vulnerability to love again and again and again.”

The crowd (or congregation? Happy throng?) was invited to stand and commit to support Kikuchi and Wiesner, and couples like them. Gibson declared with careful emphasis on the last word, "By the authority newly given me by the state of California, I declare that Craig and Derrick are married in the eyes of the state.”

For a more complete report, visit Presbyterian Outlook >>

The Layman also has a report about the event, with a nice photo >>

Witherspoon co-moderator affirms ordination for a fully inclusive church [6-24-08]

On Saturday morning (long, long ago!), June 21, the Witherspoon Society presented a time of orientation for commissioners and others – offering some practical hints for working effectively in the Assembly, and some perspectives on a few of the issues that, from our justice-oriented focus, seem most important.

One of those issues, of course, is the question of whether our church will truly welcome lgbt members into its life and leadership. Witherspoon Co-Moderator Jake Young presented this perspective:

Read his statement >>

Witherspoon awards go to Kirkpatrick and First Church Palo Alto
[6-23-08]

The Witherspoon Society’s Awards Luncheon, following the Sunday morning service of worship, honored outgoing Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick with the Andrew Murray Award, and presented the Whole Gospel Congregation Award to First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto.

The Rev. Carol Hovis, Executive Director of the Marin Interfaith Council, gave the keynote address with the title, “Interfaith Community and Social Justice: How to practice the balance between building community and advocating justice.”

More on the election of Bruce Reyes-Chow as Moderator of the 218th General Assembly [6-23-08]

Presbyterian News Service:

A moderator committed to communication and “transparency”

Presbyterian News Service describes Bruce Reyes-Chow as “an energetic new church development pastor in San Francisco and leader in the ‘emergent church’ movement,” saying that he “won an easy majority on the second ballot with 390 votes or 55 percent.”

A second report, based on the new Moderator’s post-election press conference, notes that his enthusiasm for blogging and constant communication over the Internet reflects a commitment to openness and transparency. Reyes-Chow spoke of his excitement for using what he called “my spiritual practice of blogging” as a way of developing much-needed communication among people under 40 in the church.

Presbyterian Outlook editor Jack Haberer offers a more detailed summary of the candidates' presentations and the question-and-answer period.

A blogger praises the blogger-moderator

John Shuck writes:

This was an internet election and the candidate who knew the internet best and blogged most won. That in no way takes anything way from his message and his personality or that blogging was somehow an unfair advantage. No, he is the man for the job because he has the pulse of what is happening in church today. The medium is a big part of his message.

And he has more to say. In case you haven't figured it out, he's enthusiastic.

Semper Reformanda/Witherspoon conversation opens our little part of the Assembly

God loves the world, and so can we
[6-21-08]

The traditional pre-Assembly gathering of progressive Presbyterians took place yesterday, Friday afternoon, June 20, in the large meeting room of the Ramada Limited where the Witherspoon crowd is staying for this Assembly.

Rita Brock (l) and Noelle Damico

The group was privileged to join in on a conversation between two women who are both engaged in living out the faith in two different ways: Rita Nakashima Brock does it as a scholar and theologian and activist, whose most recent book, Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire, is coming out very soon. She is currently is a research associate at the Harvard Divinity School. Noelle Damico lives out the faith through social and political action, as the director of the Campaign for Fair Food of the PC(USA), with much of her work these days going to our support for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in Florida.

More >>