2007 Report of the General Assembly Agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

What do a new immigrant church, a symphony Christmas concert, an El Paso health center, a Mayo Clinic e-health portal, a culture of vocation and a book by the Archbishop of Canterbury have in common? Or, how about Sabbatical support grants, rebate checks, youth videos, Bible study fellowships, 74 new book titles and hundreds of “dangerous” elders? All of these are but a tiny fraction of the countless ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 2007.

With more than 2.2 million members, more than 10,000 congregations, 173 presbyteries, 16 synods and the General Assembly offices, the PC(USA) reaches around the world, extends widely across languages and ethnicities and runs deep in matters of faith and vocation for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This site contains select 2007 highlights from each of the six agencies of the PC(USA). Because this report cannot possibly contain all of the information available, you will find Web site addresses from beginning to end so that you can follow up on the highlights and learn much more about the agencies and their work and witness.

Six distinct agencies, yet strong partners in mission and ministry.

Together, the agencies develop leaders, engage in acts of compassion, share the gospel of Jesus Christ to a hurting world, build houses, rebuild lives, foster a culture of Christian vocation, address injustice, work for reconciliation and much more, all with the purpose of glorifying God and encouraging your hearts.

Here’s a brief look at the six agencies

General Assembly Council
The largest of the six agencies, the General Assembly Council (GAC) is the mission arm of the PC(USA) — offering the world through mission and ministry a visible witness to Jesus Christ. The agency meets its missional goals and carries out its work through the ministry areas of Evangelism and Church Growth, Vocation (a joint ministry with the Office of the General Assembly), World Mission, Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/ Presbyterian Women, Relief and Development, Peace and Justice (now Compassion, Peace and Justice) and Theology Worship and Education. Communications and Funds Development and Shared Services, respectively, work to tell the church’s story, encourage stewardship and discipleship and undergird the agency’s ministry with critical support services. The GAC works in partnership with synods, presbyteries, congregations, other Presbyterian-related organizations and ecumenical partners to faithfully and effectively resource the PC(USA) in order to cultivate and promote the whole church’s spiritual welfare.

Office of the General Assembly
Under the leadership of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) serves as the ecclesiastical arm of the PC(USA) — helping the church be the church as defined by The Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. The agency offers assistance and support in the areas of the PC(USA)’s governance and structure and carries out directives assigned to the Clerk by the General Assembly. Responsibilities of OGA include interpreting the PC(USA) Constitution, organizing and managing General Assemblies and other national meetings, publishing the GA Minutes and the Constitution, keeping annual PC(USA) statistics, connecting with presbyteries and synods to coordinate the church’s work and partnering with ecumenical bodies worldwide to promote Christian unity.

Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Building on the Reformed tradition, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) seeks to glorify God by contributing to the spiritual and intellectual vitality of Christ’s church. To that end, PPC publishes resources that advance religious scholarship, stimulate conversation about moral values and inspire faithful living. As the PC(USA)’s official denominational publisher, PPC publishes books and resources under three imprints: Westminster John Knox Press, Geneva Press and The Thoughtful Christian. PPC publishes books and resources for pastors, educators and other church leaders; congregations; laity and scholars and students of religion. PPC publishes These Days and distributes Theology Today through its partnership with Princeton Theological Seminary.

Presbyterian Foundation
The Presbyterian Foundation supports Presbyterians’ efforts to increase mission funding. For over 200 years, our donors have supported a wide variety of missions and ministries that reflect their particular charitable goals. Through the Foundation, New Covenant Funds and New Covenant Trust Company, a continuum of products and services is offered that collectively support mission, provide a faith-based alternative for personal and institutional investments and value Presbyterian principles of stewardship.

Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Investment and Loan Program, Inc. (PILP) is a nonprofit corporation of the PC(USA) that was created to provide low-cost loans to congregations, presbyteries, synods and related entities of the denomination for capital projects. The majority of loans are made to congregations that are building, expanding or reshaping their space. The funds for these loans come from Presbyterian investors who purchase interest-bearing term notes from PILP. Investors earn interest on their funds, borrowers can reduce the cost of their loans and Presbyterian mission is supported. Everyone wins!

Board of Pensions
The Board of Pensions serves nearly 54,000 ministers of the Word and Sacrament, other church workers and their dependents who participate in the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA). With the promise of lifetime pension benefits, the Board pledges to care for servants of the church throughout retirement and for their dependents in the event of their death. The Board manages investments of nearly $8 billion on their behalf and, in 2007, paid out almost $284 million in pension benefits to retirees and surviving spouses. The Board’s Medical Plan paid nearly 1.1 million medical claims and reimbursed expenses for more than 475,000 prescriptions, excluding those for Medicare Supplement participants, and granted more than 1,000 assistance payments totaling approximately $6 million.

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