The mission study will begin immediately and is to conclude early in 2009.
It comes at a time of transition for the Washington Office, following the 18-year tenure of Elenora Giddings Ivory as director. Ivory resigned as director in 2007 to take a leadership position at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland.
“As with a local congregation following a long pastorate,” Taylor said, “the mission and ministry of this important office can be strengthened by a process of reflection and reorientation to current needs and priorities.”
“The whole church must be served by the Washington Office,” Taylor said, “and only a mission study of this scope will allow the divergent opinions and views of our public witness to help shape the future of this vital ministry.”
“Our first concern,” said Sara Lisherness, director of Compassion, Peace, and Justice Ministry for the GAC, “was to maintain the on-going work of the Washington Office in preparation for the recently concluded 218th General Assembly. Now we can take some time to reflect on the best hopes for and understanding of the Washington Office from across the church in anticipation of calling a new staff director.”
The mission study will include a review of the historic mandate of the Washington Office, as well as the gathering of information from individuals and organizations across the life of the church. Perspectives will be gathered through surveys, interviews, and discussion with a variety of Presbyterian and ecumenical sources.
A small group of advisors to the mission study will be identified to assist in discerning the present and future needs related to the work of the Washington Office.
Taylor announced that Eileen W. Lindner, connectional presbyter of Palisades Presbytery in New Jersey and a nationally recognized ecumenist and social scientist, will serve as a consultant to the mission study. Lindner has served as deputy general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, and as editor of the prestigious Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches.
“At this moment in our nation’s history,” said Lindner, “the voice of the church should be present in the public square. The challenge before us is to find a way to bring our Presbyterian witness to bear in ways that advance the church’s mission and serve the common good. I look forward to this important and timely task.”
Presbyterians have had an official presence in the nation’s capital, through a Washington Office, since 1936, reflecting Reformed convictions regarding the interaction between church and society. Linda Valentine, GAC executive director said, “I am confident that this mission study will help us draw up that heritage in shaping our presence and practice in Washington for the 21st century.”
Information for this report furnished by Barry Creech, PC(USA) coordinator of executive office communications.
