ST. LOUIS – After a rousing prayer from ecumenical advisory delegate Lemuel Thuston, of the Church of God in Christ, the assembly engaged in “kingdom time” sharing in small groups and then with the entire body experiences of the assembly that have been meaningful to them. Many came to the mic to bear witness to the power of the Holy Spirit they experienced on the march to deliver bail money to the St. Louis Justice Center. Others expressed the hope and pride that came with taking their faith to the streets.
The assembly then moved to consider work from the mid council committee. This included approving Tom Taylor for another term as president of the Presbyterian Foundation. Taylor addressed the body, giving thanks for the honor of serving, saying, “It is the most meaningful work I have ever done in my life.” Taylor summed up the work of the Presbyterian Foundation as “transformational generosity.”
Mark Lewis, president and publisher of the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation also spoke to the assembly, inviting input from Presbyterians. Noting that Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is “a self-sustaining agency,” the PPC must be responsive to local congregations and wants to give the church the resources it needs.
Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program’s president and CEO, Jim Rissler, also had up to four minutes to speak to the assembly. Rissler shared the work of PILP and said, “We don’t just partner with you, we are you.”
The final agency president to address to the assembly was Frank Spencer of the Board of Pensions. Spencer noted that last year there was a 19 percent increase in active members. He also shared that the Board of Pensions has 115 million dollars invested in the fossil free Pax Global fund.
Moon Lee, moderator of the committee on mid councils, presented their report beginning with an overture “to establish an administrative commission to address issues in the Synod of the Covenant” (item 05-03).After several commissioners from presbyteries within the Synod of the Covenant spoke of the need for an administrative commission to heal relationships within the Synod, the body vote to approve it 514-6.
Kennerly David Benraty, Young Adult Advisory Delegate from Eastern Virginia, spoke to commissioners’ resolution 05-09, “On the challenge of being Black in the PC(USA).” Benraty passionately spoke to the challenges faced in African American Presbyterian Churches due in large part to historic racism and oppression. Sharing a story of drawing on the walls of his childhood church, Benraty asked his grandfather why he couldn’t draw on the walls. His grandfather replied, “Son, this is our church and we have to take care of it.” Benraty said, “Our black churches need our care.”
Several commissioners spoke in favor of the resolution. Commissioner Leslie Ferrell of Seattle Presbytery, who served on committee, noted that 70 percent of African-American churches in the denominations have vacant pulpits.
Thomas Priest, member of the Advocacy Committee on Racial Ethnic Concerns, spoke in support of the resolution so that, “we may stop the bleeding” and Presbyterian African-American congregations “can thrive and grow.”
The assembly approved by voice vote to:
- Direct mid councils to recommit to Committee on Representation requirements for inclusiveness as stated in the constitution (G-3.0103), paying careful attention to issues of inclusiveness and fair practices by the pastor nominating committees and committees on preparation for ministry.
- Direct mid councils to raise awareness of the declining nature of black congregations throughout the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the lack of pastoral leadership, both current and future, for those congregations.
