In the first major PC(USA) meeting since the attacks, church leaders reflected the nation’s shock following the attacks, but also noted the ongoing conflicts within the denomination and possible negative effects the world situation will have on the church.
GAC Executive Director John Detterick gave several examples of positive news about the church’s ministries Ð- a major mission initiative initiated by the 210th General Assembly, GAC-sponsored Mustard Seed grants to presbyteries and partnerships between GAC entities. He concluded, however, with a “personal concern” about the church’s ability, in light of both world and church situations, to fully fund future mission work.
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to adjust our revenue expectations . . . in light of unstable environments in many respects . . . for 2003,” said Detterick. “We may have to find a way where we don’t have to make major budget decisions a full year ahead of time.”
On top of that, to meet the ambitious goals of the mission initiative — more support for international mission personnel and racial ethnic church growth — the church will need to raise an additional $200 million in the next eight years, according to a needs analysis done by the Worldwide and National ministries divisions. “That’s money we haven’t anticipated raising,” said Detterick adding, “the number is frightening.”
Noting that the church should “eat this whale one bite at a time,” he said case statements have been prepared for a first phase of the mission initiative program which would require raising $39 million between 2003 and 2006. Detterick said a churchwide fund-raising effort like the ill-fated Bicentennial Fund is not in the works. Instead, the campaign would likely approach select persons with special interests in the areas being served.
A consulting firm has been retained to do a feasibility study and results will be presented to the GAC in late January.
Jack Rogers, moderator of the 213th General Assembly, praised the General Assembly staff and volunteers for their responses to the emergency situation. He was in Louisville for planning meetings at the time of the terrorist attacks.
“I’m extremely proud of the way the staff and volunteers responded. They gave witness to our faith É and mobilized immediately to give service to the church at large,” he told the committee.
But talking about his contacts with Presbyterians since the 213th General Assembly, Rogers said approximately half the time he is received with anger, either due to the actions of the Assembly, which he represents, or to his own personal convictions. Rogers, a self-described evangelical, favors ordination of sexually active homosexuals and has been critical of the confessing church movement in the PC(USA).
While noting that the events of Sept. 11 had affected everyone deeply, he predicted that the church’s focus will return to the conflicts that divide the denomination. “Our feelings will gradually recede to numbness and we will go back to business as usual,” he said.
In appearances since Sept. 11, Rogers said he has talked about the attack, but in question-and-answer sessions that follow, the issue of sexuality predominates.
The executive committee concludes its meeting Wednesday afternoon at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. GAC division committees will meet Thursday and Friday, and the full council will meet Saturday.
