“It’s nine o’clock and all is bleak!” Were there an evangelical town crier in Minneapolis, that would have been his cry as the PCUSA General Assembly took up the matter of same-sex marriage Thursday night. Earlier, the Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues had launched toward plenary four bad-news items, each propelled by the... Continue Reading

With fewer than 50 votes making the difference, commissioners approved the overture 373-323-4 The 219th General Assembly voted to send, for a fifth time, an overture that seeks the deletion of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s fidelity-chastity standard, which requires ordained officers to be faithful in marriage between a man and a woman or chaste in... Continue Reading

Now that I’m back in Southern California, where people are reasonable and normal, I have the time to reflect upon the proceedings of the PCA’s 38th General Assembly. In one sense, that assembly has the possibility of becoming a watershed, depending upon—in Sesame Street language—what happens next. I’ll explain what I mean in a moment.... Continue Reading

“Breaking Down The Walls”, a heavily slanted, anti-Israel report drafted by the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Middle East Study Committee, was gutted Wednesday by a General Assembly Commissioners’ Committee 14. Supporters from the denomination’s establishment, including a plethora of staff resource persons, a lineup of 16 former General Assembly moderators, and a host of lobbyists bedecked... Continue Reading

[First Sentence of Document; Universalism?]: “The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—creates, redeems, sustains, rules and transforms all things and all people.” The 219th General Assembly approved a new constitution for the Presbyterian Church (USA) on Wednesday night (7/7). The new Form of Government (referred to as... Continue Reading

The committee’s request was approved on Monday by the Theological Issues and Institutions Committee by a vote of 51-4 and was sent to the full GA’s consideration later this week The 2008 Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly formed a special committee to “correct translation problems” in questions 19, 33, 55, 74 and 87 of the... Continue Reading

From the outset, it was clear that Caterpillar would be the villain and that the committee had punishment in mind. The only question was one of degree. By a vote of 34 to 17, the Middle East Peacemaking Issues Committee will recommend that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) “denounce” Caterpillar Inc. for... Continue Reading

“…not yet baptized persons who present themselves … be warmly received and invited into conversation on the significance of the sacraments.” The Theological Issues Committee (No. 16) on Tuesday substantially amended and then sent to the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly pastoral advice on how to deal with unbaptized individuals who seek to receive the... Continue Reading

“Everything worth doing comes with a cost,” Joey Bailey, of the General Assembly Mission Committee told commissioners during the opening session of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Bailey was explaining to commissioners that most items of business before the assembly have financial implications, or costs that will affect the two budgets... Continue Reading

When PARO met Monday, two armed security officers—one in a no-nonsense bullet-proof vest—guarded the meeting-room doors at nearby Westminster Presbyterian Church. This is General Assembly? It is a strange experience to be sternly scrutinized upon entry and watched like a hawk for suspicious behavior. Reaching for a camera in a bulky bag, one almost expects... Continue Reading