Only eight proposed amendments to the Constitution have been sent to the presbyteries for ratification, but one of them, called Amendments A, is a revision of the entire Chapter XIV of the Book of Order. The amendments booklet has been mailed to presbyteries and is available online at www.pcusa.org/generalassembly/amend.htm
Chapter XIV has been rearranged, reworded and shortened for the proposed new version. The purpose is to simplify the language and provide presbyteries more flexibility in calling pastors, according to the rationale. Three separate handbooks for Committees on Ministry, Committees on Preparation for Ministry, and for certification processes for Certified Christian Educators already exist and presumably will be updated if these amendments pass.
Chapter XIV covers the election and ordination of deacons and elders, the care of candidates for the ministry, ordination and installation of ministers, dissolution of pastoral relationships, certification of Christian Educators, and the commissioning of lay pastors.
The proposed new Chapter XIV is approximately 27 percent shorter, including material moved to other chapters, than the current Chapter XIV. Approximately half the paragraphs in the old Chapter XIV have been rewritten and combined for the new version.
It is difficult to follow exactly all the changes using the indexes given in the amendments booklet. In the index beginning on page 37 of the booklet, the old-to-new index, an error makes it difficult to grasp what is being cut from the old. The error is in the explanation at the top of each page. The explanation should read, “* indicates not found in Proposed Book of Order.” It actually says, “* indicates not found in 2005 Book of Order.” The online version has been corrected.
A close scrutiny of the proposed Chapter XIV by those who work in this area shows some positives and some negatives. Lost is the mandate that a presbytery, session and inquirer or candidate pay the cost of the annual consultation. Gone is a description of the ordination exams. Gone is the distinction between certified Christian educators and certified associate Christian educators. Lost is the “shall” mandate governing the training of certified Christian educators, thus watering down the requirements. Gained is clarity about which presbytery examines and which ordains a candidate. Gained is the provision that certified Christian educators who are elders be given voice and vote in presbytery meetings. Gained is a simplification and reduction of clutter in the candidacy process.
The revision “does not intend to introduce new or different provisions or practice,” according to the booklet, but a spot check showed the word “should” changed to “shall” in proposed paragraph G-6.0500 (page 28) regarding the resignation of an elder or deacon. This was paragraph G-14.0210 in the old Book of Order. “Shall” makes a provision mandatory. “Should” indicates strongly suggested. The OGA says this change was apparently a typo and will be corrected if the new Chapter XIV is approved.
The Amendments
Amendment 06-A.1. is the proposed new version of Chapter XIV of the Book of Order, and Amendments 06-A.2.a, b, c, d and e are accompanying amendments that add a provision for handbooks and either move or revise and move portions of Chapter XIV to other places in the Book of Order. These amendments are linked and are to be approved or disapproved in a single vote.
The revision of Chapter XIV dates back to before 2000, when a draft was presented to the General Assembly. That draft was approved by the Assembly in 2001, but failed a vote of the presbyteries because of a flawed, last-minute amendment (for history see the booklet, page 32). The current proposal originated with an action of the 216th General Assembly (2004) which called for the OGA to conduct church-wide consultations regarding interest in a revised Form of Government, the “G” section of the Book of Order. The OGA appointed a task force to draft a proposal for a “new, simplified” Form of Government to be brought to the Assembly in 2008. The OGA also presented a revised Chapter XIV without the flawed amendment to the 217th Assembly (2006). The Advisory Committee on the Constitution (ACC) advised approval of the proposed Chapter XIV. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity recommended approval by a vote of 40/6/1, and the Assembly approved the recommendation by a show of hands.
Pro: The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has become more a manual of operations than a book of principles. The proposed Chapter XIV, while still a manual of operations, is a simplified version and a move in the right direction. It will serve as a good transition for more major changes in the Form of Government to come to the 218th General Assembly (2008). Provisions moved from the Book of Order can be placed in a handbook, so nothing of significance would be lost.
Con: There is no need to make these changes now because the Form of Government (FOG) Task Force will be bringing an entirely new G section of the Book of Order to the 2008 Assembly. Chapter XIV, even the new version, will likely be significantly changed to meet the FOG mandate. The new FOG is to focus on foundational polity as found in Chapters 1-4, provide leadership for local congregations as missional communities, provide authority and flexibility to the presbyteries, and be guided by recommendations 1-4 in the Peace, Unity and Purity report. Provisions moved to a handbook are not binding as are constitutional provisions, thus important mandates would be lost.
Amendment 06-B.1. would move, and in some paragraphs amend, ordination, installation, and commissioning worship service matters and vows from Chapter XIV to the Directory for Worship in the Book of Order, equally a part of the Constitution.
This section combines in one place the constitutional questions for deacons, elders, ministers of Word and Sacrament, commissioned lay pastors and certified Christian educators. The vows have not been changed, though specific vows for certified Christian educators and commissioned lay pastors have been added [W-4.4003i(4), (5).]
These amendments originated with the OGA. The ACC advised approval. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity recommended approval by a vote of 45/0/0. The Assembly approved the recommendation by a show of hands.
Pro: These constitutional questions are to be answered in the context of worship, and it is appropriate for them to appear in the Directory for Worship.
Con: Placing them in the Directory for Worship gives them a less weighty feel.
Amendment 06-B.2. would add a provision for licensing candidates for ministry of Word and Sacrament who have not yet passed their standardized ordination exams. The candidate could serve an internship, and the license would allow a candidate to preach and, on a limited basis, administer the sacraments. Once the exams are completed, the church session could invite the candidate to serve as stated supply pastor, interim pastor, interim associate, temporary supply or organizing pastor.
This amendment originated with the OGA. The ACC advised approval and proposed alternative language, which was not accepted. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity recommended approval by a vote of 45/0/0. The Assembly approved the recommendation by a show of hands.
Pro: This is as much about internship as it is about licensure. It would allow candidates to serve an internship for a fuller experience that would enhance their training. It could also help fill the pulpits in small churches that have a hard time doing so otherwise. An intern would not cost as much as an ordained pastor.
Con: The Church should not create another level of minister. A person can gain the same experience serving as an associate pastor or pastor of a small church after ordination. It could allow a person who has difficulty passing the exams to practice ministry anyway, and perhaps skirt the exams indefinitely.
Amendment 06-B.3. would drop the Synod from the procedure of approving an extraordinary exam process.
This amendment originated with the OGA. The ACC advised approval. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity recommended approval by a vote of 45/0/0. The Assembly approved the recommendation by a show of hands.
Pro: The synod is a step removed from the situation, making it difficult to judge effectively. This is a cumbersome process that seems unnecessary when the Presbytery is very capable of designing an alternative exam process.
Con: None.
Amendment 06-C would enable the restructuring of the General Assembly Council and affect the membership of the Assembly’s permanent committees.
These amendments originated with the General Assembly Council (GAC). The ACC submitted extensive comments and recommended changes that were not approved. The General Assembly Nominating Committee submitted concerns and proposed changes that were not approved. The Assembly Committee on Mission Coordination recommended approval, and the Assembly approved the recommendation, both by a show of hands.
The new GAC structure, contained in the GAC manual, has already been approved by the Assembly and put into place. These amendments deal with the role and membership of the GAC and the membership of the Assembly’s permanent committees. The permanent committees are: the Permanent Judicial Commission, the Nominating Committee, the Committee on Representation, and the Advisory Committee on the Constitution. These report directly to the Assembly, not to the GAC.
Pro: The new GAC is smaller, but the practice of having an annual consultation with presbytery and synod executives, if continued, will more than make up for the leaner representation. The new council is more focused on mission directions, goals, objectives, and priorities than on coordination and oversight of the month-to-month work of staff. This will likely give the new executive director and management more control and flexibility over the operations. Also, the synod nominations to the permanent committees will bring a closer connection to the broad base of the church for these powerful entities. Diversity can be maintained by coordination through the nominating committee.
Con: The amendment calls for each of the Assembly permanent committees to have a representative from each of the 16 synods, which they already have. But the proposed nominating process is slightly different. The General Assembly Nominating Committee raised concerns about the fact that these persons are to be nominated by the synod, giving them greater identity with the synod than with the GAC, and limiting the diversity possibilities. Also, with the new structure, some synods might not have a representative on the GAC.
Amendment 06-D would allow commissioned lay pastors to have access to the presbytery’s Committee on Ministry.
This amendment originated as an overture from the Presbytery of the Western Reserve (Ohio). The ACC advised approval. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity recommended approval by 45/0/0. The Assembly approved the recommendation by a show of hands.
Pro: The ACC says that because the functions are similar to those of pastors, “it would be appropriate for the committee on ministry to be in a similar relationship to both pastors and commissioned lay pastors.”
Con: None.
Amendment 06-E would allow synod officers and persons in other significant positions to be enrolled as members at Synod meetings.
This amendment originated with the Presbytery of Lake Huron with the concurrence of the Synod of Covenant Council. The ACC concurred with the intent, but offered different language, which was approved. The Assembly Committee on Church Polity recommended approval as amended by a vote of 47/0/0. The Assembly approved the recommendation by consent agenda.
Pro: This is good practice, allowing those in positions of responsibility to have direct communication with the governing body.
Con: None.
Amendment 06-F would add certified Christian educators to the ranks of those mandated to report under certain circumstances knowledge of abuse of a minor or of an adult who lacks mental capacity.
This amendment originated with the Presbytery of Genesee Valley. The ACC advised disapproval. The Advocacy Committee on Women’s Concerns advised approval. The Assembly Committee on Church Growth and Christian Education recommended approval by a vote of 36/6/4. The Assembly approved the recommendation by a vote of 440/18/4.
Pro: Certified Christian Educators, though not officers in most cases, nevertheless are in a position of responsibility and oversight of children and their teachers. It is clear that they should be included in the list of those mandated to report.
Con: Certified Christian Educators have an obligation to report abuse and do not need to be on a constitutional list of mandated reporters that currently includes only officers.
Bill Lancaster is associate for mission of Foothills presbytery in Greenville, S.C.
