The 218th General Assembly Committee on the Revision of the Form of Government, charged to address the Report of the Form of Government Task Force, voted Tuesday (June 24) to refer the report to churches and presbyteries for a 19-month study process.
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.
“It was good news that at least in this election, Mugabe got no votes,” said a Zimbabwean church leader who, for security reasons, cannot be named.
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 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.
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.
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).
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