GA 2008 Info Packet

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First Presbyterian Church NINE SOUTH EIGHTH AVENUE · YAKIMA, WASHINGTON 98902 (509) 248-7940· FAX (509) 248-0937 WWW.FIRSTPRESYAKIMA.COM July 17, 2008 Dear Friends, The General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) concluded its business a few weeks ago in San Jose, California. Our own Curt McFarland served as a commissioner representing Central Washington Presbytery. Many of you had the opportunity to follow the events presented by Curt through his blog at http://cwpga2008.blogspot.com/. I do want to offer you my own brief thoughts on the events that have transpired, thus the reason for this letter. For context, the PCUSA’s government is similar to the government of the United States, with legislative (General Assembly), judicial (Permanent Judicial Commission), and executive (General Assembly Council) branches. In the opinion of many (myself included), we have an enormous and generally uninformed legislative branch, a weak judicial branch, and an unfocused executive branch. As a result, we have neglected the authority of scripture and drifted away from issues that truly merit our attention, such as denominational decline (we have lost half of our membership as a denomination since 1960), and decline in world mission and evangelism. Instead, much of the energy at GA is focused on more political issues, such as human sexuality (especially the ordination of unrepentant practicing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered [GLBT] people). The issue of human sexuality has continued to be debated over the past 35 years. Until this most recent GA, the PCUSA has held to what can be described as Biblical, historical, and orthodox views. You may have read or heard that the PCUSA has lifted the ban on homosexual ordination. This is not true. Four actions, however, were taken at this last General Assembly that give me concern regarding this issue. While they do not totally allow for ordination at this time, they do remove certain obstacles. First of all, one authoritative interpretation (AI) of our constitution (Book of Order and Book of Confessions) was adopted that nullifies previous denominational statements. An AI directs us in how we are to interpret the constitution. One previous AI (originally called “definitive guidance” written in 1979) made it clear that “homosexual practice does not accord with the requirements for ordination as set forth in the Form of Government.” Another authoritative statement was adopted this year that allows sessions and presbyteries latitude to ordain people who, as a matter of conscience, cannot comply with a certain portion of the denomination’s constitution. With these two AI’s, each church and presbytery now has immediate authority on what standards of belief and practices they will accept in their ordained officers. This is a step away from our Presbyterian connectional form of government, and moves us toward a more “congregational” form. Two more actions were approved that will require the approval of the 173 presbyteries of the PCUSA before adoption into the constitution. One is a proposed change to the Book of Order (deletion of G-6.0106b) and will require a simple majority vote. The other is a proposed change to the Book of Confessions (specifically the Heidelberg Catechism), which would require a 2/3 majority vote.


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