If you’re a “GA junkie,” book now for the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Portland, Ore. in 2016. It will be significantly different from its 221 predecessors if changes to the Standing Rules being proposed by the Committee to Review Biennial Assemblies (CRBA) are approved by this year’s Assembly in Detroit.
The technological age has brought us many pocket-sized wonders: telephones, cameras, computers, music-players.
Now, for Presbyterians, there’s a new mini-wonder: a pocket-sized “2011 Special Edition” of the denomination’s new Form of Government.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted a new form of church government in 2011, providing new opportunities for mission and ministry.
Changes to the Book of Order permit flexibility for presbyteries, synods, and congregations to make decisions fit for their constituents, and define mission and language interpretation in the church.
“It also has a dimension of bringing us back to a truly constitutional document that contains broad governing and theological principles and emphasizes function over structure,” PC(USA) leaders wrote in a church-wide letter.
While it is not official until the Office of the General Assembly receives notification from presbyteries that have voted, it appears that, as of June 7, 2011, the proposed new Form of Government (FOG) has been approved by a majority of our 173 presbyteries.
While the Office of the General Assembly awaits official tallies, it appears that a majority of the 173 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have approved a new Form of Government.
At its meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, Trinity Presbytery became the 87th presbytery to approve an amendment that will replace the current 18-chapter Form of Government with a new version that is six chapters in length. The Form of Government is one section of the Book of Order, which is part of the PC(USA) Constitution.
With the recent ratification of one amendment proposed by the 219th General Assembly (2010), leaders of the task force responsible for suggesting another major change are encouraging the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to be bold in envisioning the future of the church.
This month’s column by the Moderator is a video podcast available at www.youtube.com/gradyeparsons. Below is the transcript.
It’s the first day of April as I record this video, and there are weather forecasts calling for snow in the Northeast. Nevertheless, it is unmistakably spring, and as proof I offer two words: Opening Day – the time when all major league teams start off with perfect records, hoping to capitalize on off-season changes.
Where is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) headed?
I wish I knew.
Serious, engaged, and exciting discussion about what our future will, or should, look like is going on all around the church.
The discussion is taking many forms. Presbyteries are talking about what a “missional polity” really means as they debate the merits of the proposed new Form of Government. The Commission on Middle Governing Bodies is actively seeking input on how presbyteries and synods can best help us proclaim the gospel effectively (check out commission moderator Tod Bolsinger’s engaging blog posts.