PITTSBURGH, July 4, 2012 – The committee on theological issues, institutions and Christian education for the 220th General Assembly offered its report in this evening’s plenary session.
Before discussion of this committee began, David Worth, teaching elder commissioner from the Presbytery of the Pacific, proposed to limit statements from commissioners and advisory delegates to two minutes. Such a motion requires a two-thirds vote in order to pass and was approved with 85 percent of commissioners voting affirmatively.
All items, including those listed on the consent agenda, passed without dissension.
The item to approve the list of Presbyterian colleges, university and secondary schools was approved with a comment to “request the General Assembly Mission Council, in consultation with the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities to consider developing a more precise and succinct definition of exactly what it means to be considered ‘Presbyterian Affiliated.’”
The assembly also approved the appointment of two seminary presidents: Frank Yamada to McCormick Theological Seminary and James McDonald to San Francisco Theological Seminary. Both were given the opportunity to briefly address the assembly. Yamada garnered applause when he acknowledged that he is the first Asian-American president of a PC(USA) seminary. He went on to say, “I am grateful for this call to walk with you and eagerly anticipate our journey together.” In his remarks, McDonald said he believes “deeply in the importance of theological education” and the role of PC(USA) seminaries in creating and shaping the church of the future by raising up leaders who will be prepared to face the daunting challenge of responding to a changing church in a changing world.
Nearing the conclusion of the committee’s report, Jim Burns Jr., teaching elder commissioner from Indian Nations Presbytery, spoke to say that he noticed that there were no Native American trustees named and asked, “should we not in the future find ways to include our Native American sisters and brothers on the boards in our seminaries?” Speaking for the representatives present, Presa stated, “the platform is in wholehearted agreement.”
