Editor’s Note: Before each General Assembly, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly shares what he considers to be the top ten issues coming to the assembly, based primarily on overtures that have been submitted and his travels and conversations with Presbyterians across the denomination. Here is Clifton Kirkpatrick’s non-prioritized list for this year’s assembly:
Peace, unity, and purity of the church — The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church, appointed by the 213th (2001) General Assembly, will bring its report and recommendations. The report focuses on the basis of our covenant together as Presbyterian Christians and on how we can move forward as a church that is faithful to the gospel and honors our diversity.
Justice and peace in the Middle East — A number of overtures and recommendations this year follow up on the actions of the 216th General Assembly (2004) that deal with justice issues in Israel/Palestine and new proposals for positive investments for peace in the region.
Building bridges in the Presbyterian family — This assembly will be held concurrently with the assemblies of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, as we together celebrate the 300th anniversary of American Presbyterianism and seek ways to cooperate together in mission.
Significant anniversaries for women in ministry — 2006 is the 75th anniversary of the ordination of women as elders and the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women as ministers of the Word and Sacrament. This will be a significant focus at the assembly.
Financial and organizational concerns — The growing financial crisis at all levels of the church will be addressed with proposed budget reductions and new structures to carry out the work of the church at the General Assembly level.
Confirmation of a new executive director of the General Assembly Council — The assembly will express appreciation to John Detterick as he retires from service as the GAC executive director and will take action to confirm the election of his successor.
Economic justice concerns — Proposals will be coming from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches to address concerns of poverty and economic justice. Major proposals will be coming on usury, social insurance for older adults, and global economic justice.
Constitutional revision — Proposals will be before the assembly to move us toward a more foundational and flexible Constitution to serve a multicultural church and to address a number of polity issues of concern to various segments of the denomination.
Agency and permanent committee reviews — The assembly will act on recommendations of review committees and self studies for the following groups: Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation, Advisory Committees on the Constitution and on Litigation, Committee on Representation, and Advocacy Committee on Women’s Concerns.
G-6.0106b — A substantial number of overtures are calling for the removal of the constitutional provision limiting ordination to those who practice “fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness.”
