PITTSBURGH, July 5, 2012 – In action Thursday on proposals from the committee on agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the General Assembly narrowly endorsed discussions with other denominations on sharing benefits plans, and it voted down a proposed “freedom-of-conscience” clause affecting same-gender benefits.
Commissioners voted 391-311-8 to open conversations with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians and other possible partners, with a report to be shared with the Office of the General Assembly in the next year and the aim of suggesting possible actions to the 221st General Assembly in two years.
Gwendolyn Magby, teaching elder commissioner from Tropical Florida Presbytery, spoke in opposition, noting that many churches – and millions of dollars in property value – have left the denomination in recent months. Randy Argall, teaching elder commissioner from Winnebago Presbytery, questioned who “other possible partners” might be, but the committee moderator was unable to provide specifics.
However, Robert Maggs, president of the Board of Pensions, advised that going beyond serving as it is currently structured might require the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) to disassemble.
Additional discussion surrounded how this engagement might support other groups, namely the EPC, who may not support women in ordained ministry.
The assembly voted down a proposed amendment to G-2.0804 concerning the option for freedom of conscience within the Board of Pensions benefit plan. The report indicated that the BOP has been working to develop a relief of conscience mechanism related to benefits for same-gender partners of plan members. To this end, the board has formed a committee that met for a year and communicated its work to plan members, offering them the opportunity to register an objection. The assembly voted down the change to the Book of Order, with 79 percent voting for disapproval.
The assembly also disapproved an overture that would have directed the Board of Pensions to provide a medical benefits plan that does not pay for abortions, except in cases that would save the life of the mother. Seventy percent of commissioners voted against such a change.
The assembly approved the new Presbyterian hymnal, “Glory to God,” commending it to churches for use in worship, and it confirmed the appointment of Mark Lewis as president of the Presbyterian Publishing Corp.
