The following offers a summary of some of the significant actions taken by the 219th General Assembly as of mid-day on Friday, July 9. While these summaries are brief and descriptive, PFR will be offering further interpretation of these actions and their significance.
Book of Confessions: Belhar Confession & Heidelberg Catechism
The Assembly voted to send the Belhar Confession to the presbyteries for inclusion in the
Book of Confessions, an action that would require the approval of two-thirds of the presbyteries. The Assembly also granted a two-year extension to the process for considering a retranslation of the Heidelberg Catechism. The retranslation project is being accomplished in ecumenical cooperation with both the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America.
Marriage and Civil UnionThe Assembly commended for study both the "Majority Report"
and the "Minority Report" of the Task Force on Civil Union and Christian Marriage. Citing the need to study these reports before considering any further action, the Assembly voted (51%-49%) not to consider proposals to amend the definition of marriage in the
Book of Order and to change PC(USA) policy regarding same-sex marriage. This morning, a "motion to reconsider" this action failed (60%-40%).
Church Orders and MinistryThe Assembly voted to send to the presbyteries another proposal for amending section G-6.0106b in the
Book of Order; the proposed amendment would delete the "fidelity and chastity" standard for ordained officers.
Form of Government RevisionIn approving the proposal for a new "Form of Government" in the PC(USA)'s
Book of Order, the General Assembly upheld the good work done by the Assembly committee, where no less than 27 substantial improvements were made to the proposal. Among the areas of concern that were addressed was the removal of mandatory per capita contributions.
Non-Geographic Governing BodiesThree proposals related to the formation of non-geographic governing bodies were disapproved by the Assembly. These three proposals, respectively, called for the formation of a new non-geographic Korean presbytery; flexibility in presbytery membership; and a New Synod designed in part to overcome the constant preoccupation with battles over sexual ethics.
Commission on Middle Governing BodiesThe Assembly approved the formation of a new General Assembly Commission with the authority to act on behalf of the General Assembly in matters related to the GA's role in dividing, uniting, combining or forming new middle governing bodies (presbyteries and synods), provided that the middle governing bodies affected by any such actions concur.
Middle East ReportThis morning, the Assembly approved a significantly amended set of recommendations from the Middle East Study Committee. The amendments to the original recommendations include "receiving" rather than "approving" the main sections of the report entitled "Break Down the Walls"; "the reaffirmation of Israel's right to exist as a sovereign nation within secure and internationally recognized borders in accordance with United Nations resolutions"; the inclusion of personal narratives representing "the range of authentically Palestinian perspectives" and "the range of authentically Israeli perspectives"; and the specification that a new "monitoring group" on the Middle East include no more than two members of the existing Middle East Study Committee.
Share this
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Googlize this
Blinklist
Facebook
Wikio
Print
E-mail
