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Committee approves much-rewritten ‘families’ paper but rejects endorsement of marriage declaration

The National Issues committee on Monday approved "Transforming Families," a document — proposed at last year's 215th General Assembly but arduously rewritten over the last year — that sets church policy regarding the shifting nature of U.S. families. But it declined to endorse "A Christian Declaration of Marriage," an ecumenical statement that some commissioners said departs from Reformed teachings.

‘Tenets’ overture rejected by Assembly committee

An overture seeking to reorganize Book of Order sections G-2.0300, G-2.0400 and G-2.500 to clarify the essential tenets of the Reformed faith barely caused a ripple on the theological lake Monday before being rejected by an Assembly committee.

Most discussion on the overture from John Calvin Presbytery came during the open hearings of the Assembly Committee on Theological Issues and Institutions. Seven people spoke against the overture, none for it.

Monday hearing starts latest round of ordination debate

RICHMOND, Va. — The latest round in the ongoing debate over the PC(USA)’s ordination standards began Monday afternoon with a two-hour public hearing before the Assembly Committee on Church Orders and Ministry.

Almost 50 persons, alternating between those for or against the current crop of overtures designed to open ordained office to sexually active homosexuals, trooped to the microphone to deliver their two minutes of opinion. More had signed up for the hearing, so a lottery was held to determine who would speak.

The Trinity: God’s Love Overflowing

What’s in a name? A great deal.

The Trinity Working Group presented a 35-page theological paper on the Doctrine of the Trinity. The draft is presented to the church to "encourage fresh engagement with the fullness of the Doctrine of the Trinity." Already the Presbyterian Lay Committee, Presbyterians for Renewal and the Witherspoon Society are inviting comments. The Working Groups desires feedback, discussion and wants a genuinely useful paper that all kinds of people will read.

Committee says PC(USA) should distance itself from but not remove historic anti-Catholic statements

RICHMOND — Derogatory statements about the Catholic church found in some 16th- and 17th-century confessions and catechisms of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) do not reflect Presbyterian thinking today, and "are not applicable to current relationships" between Presbyterians and Catholics.

A policy statement to that effect has been approved by a General Assembly committee, which is recommending that such a caveat be placed in the preface to the Book of Confessions.

National Council of Churches recommended for continued support from PC(USA)

RICHMOND, Va. — Although the National Council of Churches of Christ certainly has its critics, a General Assembly committee is recommending that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continue its support of the ecumenical agency.

The Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations considered a review of the NCCC and Church World Service, which works with impoverished and struggling people around the world.

Stated clerk’s race begins

RICHMOND, Va. — The race is officially on for stated clerk, and with a strong recommendation from the nominating committee, an enviable slate of endorsements, and a format widely considered to favor the incumbent, current stated clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick appears to be a strong frontrunner.

Andrews issues statement regarding jensen’s accusations

RICHMOND, Va. — Susan Andrews, moderator of the 215th General Assembly of the PC(USA), issued a statement Saturday evening regarding a disciplinary complaint filed by Reston, Va., attorney Paul Rolf Jensen earlier in the day.

Jensen, who has filed several dozen complaints against ministers nationally for either being sexually active homosexuals or allegedly participating in the ordination of homosexuals, says Andrews, pastor of Bradley Hills church, Bethesda, Md., acted in "willful and deliberate violation of her ordination vows" to be governed by the church’s polity and to further the peace, unit and purity of the church.

Almost 30 commissioners’ resolutions filed

RICHMOND ­ Some folks see commissioners’ resolutions as a way to get the concerns of ordinary people before the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ­ to see what’s on their hearts. This year, it’s everything from free trade to marriage to The Da Vinci Code.

Nearly 30 resolutions were filed by the Sunday deadline, and not surprisingly, several had to do with marriage and homosexuality.

Approximately 8,000 attend opening worship

RICHMOND, Va. — As about 8,000 Presbyterians streamed into the Richmond Coliseum Sunday morning, they passed concession stands advertising drinks, popcorn and hot dogs but found inside a secular space made sacred. Tables draped in red cloth formed the arms of a large cross that dominated the space, echoed by an enormous blue cross on the floor. In the center of the cross, other symbols of our faith — the baptismal font, pulpit and the communion table —were placed.

New Orleans minister named vice moderator

RICHMOND — Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase named Jean Marie Peacock, a fellow mission worker and former colleague in border ministry, vice moderator of the 216th General Assembly Sunday night.

Peacock, 43, is currently associate pastor at Lakeview church in New Orleans. "She has a heart for pastoral ministry and a special concern for small church redevelopment,'' Ufford-Chase said. "Jean Marie is as committed as I am to thoughtful and respectful dialogue that builds bridges across lines of disagreement."

Rick Ufford-Chase

RICHMOND — A 40-year-old elder who exhorted Presbyterians to "get in the boat with Jesus, to risk crossing borders and to go out into the world " — to scream with fear and joy as they take risks — was elected moderator of the 216th General Assembly.

Rick Ufford-Chase, the co-founder of the BorderLinks ministry along the United States-Mexican border, defeated two candidates — David McKechnie and K.C. Ptomey, both pastors of tall-steeple churches and more than 20 years his senior — who represented to some the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as it has been.

Pre-Assembly event highlights work of theological task force

RICHMOND, Va. — The Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) challenged Presbyterians to think about "doing church in a new way" — and to consider the possibility that unity is what God wants from the church, and that Jesus Christ is the source of that unity, even if the people in the church don’t get along.

Quiet prelude to 216th GA may be broken by commissioners with much to say

Some General Assemblies announce themselves well in advance. One would have to be truly asleep at the wheel not to know what the big headlines would be about in those years.

Other Assemblies, and this may be one, are more shy starting off — they’re not so quick to reveal their passions. There’s much in the news, and the 544 commissioners may show up with much on their minds.

The Home of Religious Freedom

Homecoming: a bittersweet word, connoting remembrance and celebration of things past and strengthening of bonds intended to stretch far into the future.

It is a word that applies in a sense to the 216th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to be held in Richmond on June 26-July 3. For by convening in Virginia’s capital, Presbyterians will be returning to the birthplace of their religious freedom.

‘Re-Forming Ministry’ project considers meaning of ‘one holy catholic and apostolic church’

LOUISVIILLE — So what does it mean to believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church, as the Nicene Creed presents it — and what’s involved in trying to be that church?

A new group that’s been put together for theological reflection, with funding from the Lilly Endowment, started off by talking about that famous phrase from the Nicene Creed and about some of its implications for Presbyterians now.

A Historic Perspective on the Role of Stated Clerk

The office of Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is many faceted and seldom understood. Anyone elected to this position must wear many hats and wear them well.

As commissioners prepare for the election of the stated clerk at this year’s General Assembly in Richmond, Va., some historical background on the complexity of this office may be useful.

Three vie to become first moderator to serve two-year term in PC(USA)

Two pastors and one elder have been nominated for moderator of the 216th General Assembly, which will meet June 26-July 3 in Richmond, Va. This year's election, on the evening of June 26, will be unique in that because of the switch to biennial General Assemblies, the moderator will serve a two-year term.
As in years past, The Outlook asked each nominee to provide a brief biographical sketch and to answer three questions from the editor. That information and their answers follow in alphabetical order by last name.

Crowded field of evangelicals challenges incumbant stated clark

Passion, drama and Presbyterian? Those aren’t often words used in the same sentence.

Folks can get right worked up over the sports playoffs, politics and the price of gas, the return of the cicadas (and of Prince), carbs vs. fats.

But the stated clerk’s election in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? Why get hot and bothered over that?