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PC(USA) membership down, financial giving up

LOUISVILLE -- Membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) declined by more than 2 percent in 2005, but total giving to the church increased by more than 5 percent, topping $3 billion for the first time.

According to figures released June 2 by the Office of the General Assembly, PC(USA) "communicant" membership at the end of last year totaled 2,313,662 -- a decline of 48,474 or 2.05 percent from 2004. Including 318,291 baptized but not confirmed members and 466,889 inactive members, total PC(USA) membership stands at 3.1 million.

But Presbyterians are giving to the church at record levels. "Giving to the church is up substantially in every category and at every level of the church's life," noted General Assembly Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick in a prepared statement released with the statistical report.

Presbyterians at GA face serious issues, identifying a way forward

Some people who've been around the block a few times have a sense the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) -- which lost 48,400 members in 2005, it was just announced -- may be in a time of transition.

There will be new leadership, perhaps a new approach for sorting out the disagreements over ordaining gays and lesbians. There are questions of how a mainline Protestant denomination, declining in influence, older and less diverse than the surrounding culture, can continue to be a voice worth listening to on issues ranging from immigration to Iraq.

There's a lot at stake in Birmingham, according to some Presbyterians. They were coming to Alabama full of both pent-up anxiety and hope -- and with a sense that this assembly could be critical in shaping the future direction of the PC(USA.)

To them, things feel a little different this time around.

Per capita budget increases as membership declines

BIRMINGHAM -- The General Assembly has set a per capita rate of $5.79 cents per active member for 2007 and the same rate for 2008.

That reflects an increase of seven cents per member over what had been projected coming into the assembly -- and takes into accounts new spending this assembly has authorized.

On its final morning, the 217^th General Assembly also heard some bad news regarding the continuing shrinking of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Abrahamic heritage explored at GA

BIRMINGHAM -- The Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations considered an overture that wanted to affirm the "common Abrahamic heritage" of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, submitted by Newton presbytery.

Detterick responds to questions about $150M gift

BIRMINGHAM -- Questions have been raised about whether Stanley W. Anderson, a Denver businessman who's promised the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) a $150 million gift -- one of the largest private gifts ever from an individual to a denomination -- has the financial resources to deliver on the pledge.

The Denver Post, Anderson's hometown newspaper, has reported that public records show Anderson has not paid his mortgages, dental bills and fees to his homeowners' association, and that he owes hundreds of thousands of dollars to creditors (link to article).

GA votes on property, other polity issues

BIRMINGHAM -- In a day filled with talk about Israel and Darfur, abortion and immigration, it was easy to overlook some less-flashy issues related to the internal workings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

But the General Assembly did take time on June 21 to vote on polity issues -- including an overture raising the question of whether a congregation that wants to leave the denomination can take its property with it.

CORRECTION:

An Outlook story posted during the General Assembly in Birmingham reported that the G. A. voted 252 to 232 not to approve an overture from Stockton presbytery, which asked that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s constitution be amended to say that a congregation's property "is the sole property of that church" except when financial assistance the denomination provides creates a lien on the property.

That vote actually was the margin by which the assembly removed a comment that had been added by the assembly's Committee on Church Polity. That amendment would have said, in part, "the church is not a voluntary association of those who share the same opinions but is an organic body called into existence by God."

The assembly's vote not to approve the Stockton overture was 378-112.

Blessed to be a Blessing: A Celebration of Women’s Ordination

Poet Ann Weems with artist Becky Bane painting in the background	Dancers led by Dianne Wright, far left

   Outlook photos by Erin Dunigan

BIRMINGHAM -"Our intent in putting together this service was not to neglect words, but to add color to them and involve all of the senses in order to represent the creativity that women bring," said Mary Elva Smith, Women's Ministries Associate Director for the PCUSA.  That intent became reality on Monday night in a service celebrating the ordination of women, a service which wove together poetry, painting, and song.

I would never have imagined myself engaged in specifically women's ministry, continued Smith. I began in Christian Education and enjoyed working with every age, with men and women. It was not until I attended a worship service that was planned and lead by women that I realized women offered things differently. For me, that opened the door. It's the balance that the church needs. We don't want to discount order and words, but to add to them and make them more real. In planning this service we didn't neglect words, but added color and involved all of the senses. We wanted to express the creativity that women bring, and use various pieces together to make a whole.

Structural changes approved at GA

Commissioners at the Tuesday morning session have approved certain changes in the Book of Order and manuals so they reflect the restructuring of the General Assembly Council. The changes were recommended to the General Assembly by the Mission Coordination Committee.

They include changes in the Book of Order, Manual of Operations, Organization for Mission to reflect those changes. Also approved was the granting of latitude to the General Assembly Nominating Committee in adjusting to the changes on restructuring.

Wilmore, Shepherd, Horton honored by Writers Guild

BIRMINGHAM - The Presbyterian Writers Guild held is traditional meeting at the General Assembly at noon Tuesday, focusing on honoring members of special distinction.

The Rev. Gayraud S. Wilmore, retired theologian and author focusing on African-American religion was presented the 2005-06 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award. The honor is given every two years to recognize the cumulative work and influence of a Presbyterian writer.

Wilmore, theologian and seminary professor, is also the author of 18 books and numerous articles, including "Black Religion and Black Radicalism: An Interpretation of the Religious History of African Americans." His most recent book is "Pragmatic Spirituality: The Christian Faith Through an Africentric Lens." He is and ordained Presbyterian minister.

Wilmore was cited for his scholarly efforts and actions in the cause of racial and social justice. He stands alone in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in speaking to what it means to be black and Presbyterian, Guild Vice President Jerry Van Marter, coordinator of Presbyterian News Service, told the gathering.         

Poet W. Barrie Shepherd received the Lifetime Achievement Award in absentia with fellow poet and friend Ann Weems accepted on his behalf.  She said whenever Shepherd sends her his poems to read and comment, her reaction always is, "Darn, I wish I'd written it!" She commended to the gathering Shepherd's latest book, "What Ever Happened to Delight," The word for both Shepherd's book and poems is "stellar," she said.

Laurel McKay Horton was acknowledged as the 2005 recipient of the Jim Angell Award for her book, "Mary Black's Family Quilts: Memory and Meaning in Everyday Life." The Angell Award is presented annually by the Guild to the most outstanding first book by a Presbyterian in the previous year.

Assembly votes against change to ordination standards

BIRMINGHAM -- The General Assembly has voted not to recommend any changes in the ordination standards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) regarding sexuality -- a vote that follows the lead of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the PC(USA).

The task force had asked that no effort be made now to change the ordination standards -- in part to give the denomination time to live into the changes the task force report will bring.

The biennial PC(USA) calendar: A leaders’ assessment

When moderator Rick Ufford-Chase called the 217th General Assembly to order on June 15 in Birmingham,  it seemed both familiar and a little strange.

It's been two years since the last assembly met -- a big change for a denomination that's held annual national meetings since kingdom come. So what are people saying about how well every-other-year assemblies are working?

For starters, it may be too soon to tell. John Detterick, retiring executive director of the General Assembly Council, said in an interview:

The Book of Confessions: Questions for reflection and indigestion

How well do you know and understand the documents in the Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?

Although all officers make ordination promises to receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions and vow to be guided continually by them, most elders and deacons only have a limited concept of what the ten historic statements of faith really say.    

The questions below are designed to help any church board, committee, or presbytery begin a review of the purpose and content of the Book of Confessions to remind our members what the significance of our vows is. Perhaps they can be used after a general introduction so that everyone starts on the same page.