SAN JOSE — Being a minister of a growing church used to be about the “three Ps” said the Rev. Mark Lau Branson, speaking at the Congregational Transformation luncheon June 23, during the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “Preaching, pastoral care, and program would be the basic job description.
In all the voting, unrest, and violence of Zimbabwe in recent weeks, a poll of a different type emerged from the deliberations of the peacemaking and International Issues committee Tuesday (June 24).
After more than 13 hours of deliberations, the Committee on Peacemaking and International Issues passed a number of commissioner resolutions expressing a wide spectrum of thought and belief within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). The committee had more than 70 requests to speak during its open hearings.
The National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus presented Rev. Mehdi Abhari The Fahed Abu Akel Award in honor of the General Assembly’s 214th Moderator. Considered by Iranian Christians worldwide as their senior pastor, confidant, and scholar, Rev. Abhari was ordained as a minister of the Evangelical Church of Iran.
SAN JOSE – A committee is recommending that the 218th General Assembly approve a constitutional amendment to strike from the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) language that restricts ordination to those who practice fidelity if they are married or chastity if they are single.
SAN JOSE – A committee meeting Tuesday afternoon (June 24) is recommending that the 218th General Assembly issue a new authoritative interpretation that – if the assembly approves it -- would have the effect of continuing to allow candidates for ordination to declare conscientious objections to language in the ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) requiring candidates to practice fidelity if they are married or chastity if the are single.
A 114-page report was examined by 68 committee members and critiqued by 20 overture advocates -- and 25 additional speakers -- in an open meeting of the Form of Government Revision Committee Monday (June 23).
SAN JOSE — Presbyteries of all sizes, and covering all parts of the country, were honored for their financial support of Presbyterian mission at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s 218th General Assembly, meeting here June 21-28.
SAN JOSE, June 23, 2008 ˜ Because they are able to adapt and change quickly, small churches are frequently better able to respond to community needs, an innovative small church pastor told 100 people attending the Small Church Luncheon at the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) here June 23.
