MINNEAPOLIS—The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved today (July 8) the formation of a commission to aid synods and presbyteries as they explore options for their future. The motion passed soundly 566 to 104.
MINNEAPOLIS — Commissioners to the 219th General Assembly voted overwhelmingly today (July 8) to approve a document outlining theological understandings between Christians and Muslims, but they referred back to committee a document aiming to bring greater understanding between Christians and Jews.
MINNEAPOLIS – Once again, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted to remove the requirement in the denomination’s constitution that those being ordained practice fidelity if they are married or chastity if they are single.
That marks the fourth time since the “fidelity and chastity” language was ratified in 1997 that the denomination’s 173 presbyteries have been asked to remove it. Three times they have said “No” – but the margin has been growing closer.
Some young Presbyterians, who have spoken about ordination during this assembly, note the PC(USA) has been fighting about whether to ordain sexually-active gays and lesbians longer than they have been alive.
This vote also comes during a year when the assembly is considering action on same-sex marriages – and Jerry Andrews, an evangelical who supports the “fidelity and chastity” standard, said it would be a “jaw-dropper” if the assembly voted to liberalize both.
MINNEAPOLIS — The 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has directed a special committee to engage in a retranslation of the Heidelberg Catechism. And it voted to ask the presbyteries to add the Belhar Confession from South Africa to the PC(USA)’s Book of Confessions
MINNEAPOLIS — The 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) resoundingly approved a proposal for a new Form of Government for the denomination — a proposal that’s been four years in the making and which some say will give the PC(USA) more flexibility to meet the mission needs of a changing world.
Minneapolis — Images of the Middle East welcomed guests to a gathering at the 219th General Assembly (2010) in celebration of the mission and vision of the Rawdat El Zuhur School in East Jerusalem and in honor of the achievements of two of the school’s most passionate advocates.
Editor's Note: Several former moderators of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have issued a statement endorsing the amended Middle East Study Committee report. It is posted here as a courtesy to the authors/signatories.
MINNEAPOLIS — Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), was re-elected to a second four-year term of service by the General Assembly July 7.
MINNEAPOLIS — A Presbyterian anti-war organization says it is donating $10,000 to three Jewish groups in Europe that are loading a boat with humanitarian supplies in a fresh attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
