At the opening worship of General Assembly, I sat down next to Kristie Wagner, a ruling elder commissioner from Kendall Presbytery in Idaho. This is her first General Assembly and she seemed a little overwhelmed. She saw my press pass as I introduced myself to her and asked me about it. After worship, she stopped me and told me she had something to say. “I can’t believe how warm, welcoming and hospitable everyone here is.” She went on to tell me that she was expecting a lot more rancor at the assembly. She had read stories about previous GAs and was “prepared for the worst.” But everything she had experienced so far was the opposite of what she had anticipated. I checked in again with her on Monday, June 18, after the first round of committee meetings and she said she continues to be pleasantly surprised by the tone and civility that she is experiencing. This is my fourth General Assembly. I attended two as an employee of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, in 2012 and 2014, … [Read more...]
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Outpost Blog 1 min ago
Replacing rancor with reconciliation at General Assembly
At the opening worship of General Assembly, I sat down next to Kristie Wagner, a ruling elder commissioner from Kendall Presbytery in Idaho. This is her first General Assembly and she seemed a little overwhelmed. She saw my press pass as I introduced myself to her and asked me about it. After worship, she stopped me and told me she had something to say. “I can’t believe how warm, welcoming and hospitable everyone here is.” She went on to tell me that she was expecting a lot more rancor at… continue reading... -
Outlook Reporting 1 hour ago
GA committee recommends reduction of Styrofoam products
ST. LOUIS – The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has affirmed a concern for caring for God’s creation – now it’s considering whether ending use of Styrofoam products is an extension of that concern. On June 18, the Environmental Issues Committee for the 223rdGeneral Assembly unanimously approved an amended version of Overture 08-11. Overture 08-11 was brought before the committee by the Presbytery of New Covenant, which encompasses Houston, Texas and the surrounding area. The original recommendation called for: Direct the Office of the General Assembly, the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Board of… continue reading... -
Outlook Reporting 3 hours ago
Vision and structure, function and dysfunction: Way Forward discerns next steps for the PC(USA)
ST. LOUIS – Representatives of the Way Forward Commission and the All Agency Review Committee made the case June 18 that a dysfunctional institutional culture at the Presbyterian Mission Agency makes change in the national structure imperative — even raising the possibility that the assembly might consider setting up an administrative commission to take charge of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board. Deborah Block from All Agency Review Committee and Mark Hostetter from the Way Forward Commission start their presentation June 18 to The Way Forward Committee Mark Hostetter, moderator of… continue reading...
Parties in Stamford case had tried to expedite process in order to get a ruling on the merits of the case January 1, 1995 Uncategorized99 views The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission -- in sidestepping the question of exactly how deeply a session should be required to probe into the private life of a gay elder who has acknowledged being in a committed, life-long relationship but has declined to say whether he is sexually active -- has put the question off but has not put it to rest.- Ministering with the Earth January 1, 1998 Book Reviews110 views By Mary Elizabeth MooreChalice. 1998. 226 pp. Pb. $19.99. ISBN 0-8272-2323-4 Ministering with the Earth is a quiltwork, both the on-the-ground activity and Moore's book about so ministering. Moore, professor of theology and Christian education at Claremont School of Theology, is fond of the metaphor, suitably pastoral and feminist.
- Remembered Voice: Reclaiming the Legacy of 'Neo-Orthodoxy' January 1, 1998 Book Reviews96 views By Douglas John HallWJKP. 1998. 145 pp. Pb. $18. ISBN 0-664-25772-0 It was in this order. I first read Tillich's Dynamics of Faith. Riveting. Next came The Courage to Be. Gripping. Then I went back and read the first volume of the Systematic Theology. Things began to make sense. Next came Biblical Religion and the Search for Ultimate Reality. Positive.
Proposed per capita increase will go to General Assembly February 9, 2018 Outlook Reporting3 comments LOUISVILLE – With no debate, the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board voted Feb. 9 to approve a sizeable proposed increase in General Assembly per capita – from $7.73 per member in 2018 to $10.71 in 2019 and to $11.45 in 2020.
That would amount to a 39 percent increase from 2018 to 2019 and a 7 percent increase from 2019 to 2020. The proposal now will go to the 2018 General Assembly in June in St. Louis for its consideration.
Ken Godshall, who is chair of the board and a pastor from Kentucky, had voted against the proposed increase Feb. 8 when it came before the board’s executive committee, saying the increase...
Assembly approves child protection policy June 23, 2016 Outlook Reporting2 comments PORTLAND, Ore. – The General Assembly Procedures committee only had time to present one item of business from its report before the 2016 General Assembly adjourned for the evening June 22 – but it was a matter of both deep significance and emotional resonance.
The assembly voted on Item 03-14, a policy created for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults. The committee’s moderator, Mary Lou Cox, introduced the item by shari...
Taxation without representation? Mid council leaders release statement addressing proposed per capita increase April 18, 2018 Uncategorized2 comments A group of 40 mid council leaders has written a statement urging the 2018 General Assembly to vote down a proposed General Assembly per capita increase– saying the proposed increase of 39 percent from 2018 to 2019 and another 7 percent from 2019 to 2020 feels like “taxation without representation.”
These mid council leaders contend the number of congregations not remitting per capita will “dramatically increase” if per capita goes up, and that presbyteries would bear the financial burden.
J. Herb...
Replacing rancor with reconciliation at General Assembly
Tagged With: GA223
GA committee recommends reduction of Styrofoam products
ST. LOUIS – The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has affirmed a concern for caring for God’s creation – now it’s considering whether ending use of Styrofoam products is an extension of that concern. On June 18, the Environmental Issues Committee for the 223rdGeneral Assembly unanimously approved an amended version of Overture 08-11. Overture 08-11 was brought before the committee by the Presbytery of New Covenant, which encompasses Houston, Texas and the surrounding area. The original recommendation called for: Direct the Office of the General Assembly, the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Board of Pensions, the Presbyterian Foundation, the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, Inc., the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, and other related agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to reduce, to the maximum extent feasible, use of products made of polystyrene. Direct the stated Clerk of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency … to communicate with the … [Read more...]
Vision and structure, function and dysfunction: Way Forward discerns next steps for the PC(USA)
ST. LOUIS – Representatives of the Way Forward Commission and the All Agency Review Committee made the case June 18 that a dysfunctional institutional culture at the Presbyterian Mission Agency makes change in the national structure imperative — even raising the possibility that the assembly might consider setting up an administrative commission to take charge of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board. Mark Hostetter, moderator of the Way Forward Commission created by the 2016 assembly, responded to a question a Way Forward Committee (the entity of this 2018 assembly) member for this assembly raised last week: “What has the Presbyterian Mission Agency done to tick people off?” He cited the past two reviews of the agency, including one from 2016, which described an “unhealthy institutional culture” at the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) that persists, and which “must change in our view for the church to thrive and move forward.” And he pointed to administrative action the … [Read more...]
General Assembly in photos: The 223rd GA gets started
Welcome to St. Louis! During the first weekend of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), The Committee on Local Arrangements held an opening reception and Liz Theoharis led a conversation about how people of faith can respond to the problem of poverty. Presbyterians worshipped with music, dance, Scripture and the Lord's Supper. The Presbyterian Outlook celebrated their 200th anniversary with a special lunch. And, the moderator elections were held. Here's a quick glimpse into these events. … [Read more...]
Comfort my people: Providing education about serious mental illness
The 223rd General Assembly will be reviewing an overture to provide education on serious mental illness in congregations, presbyteries and seminaries. … [Read more...]
Prayer for the third day of the 223rd General Assembly
Lord, presentations have been made, and committees have started meeting. We have prayed and praised, worshipped and broken bread together. Colleagues have gotten closer and strangers now are friends. There is much still to be done — and yet, even on this third day of a very full week, the Spirit has unquestionably moved. We feel our interconnectedness as the Body of Christ and pray that as we continue our work, we will honor that oneness despite our many differences. As we delve into the details of dockets, the overtures on agendas, the particulars of parliamentary procedures, let us never forget our chief end: to glorify you and enjoy you forever. As we debate and discuss, question and consult, help us to remember that we serve Jesus Christ, the One who went to those on the margins, tended to the suffering, welcomed the little children and ate with sinners. We pray for a keen sense of your will, certain that if we plant and water, you will bring the growth. In Christ’s name we … [Read more...]
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