The September 26-27, 2006, General Assembly Council meeting with synod and presbytery executives opened conversation on a number of issues. A design team, composed mostly of presbytery and synod executives, plus some GAC elected and staff, planned the 24 hour meeting using a version of the Appreciative Inquiry process. The meeting concluded with a plan to continue the conversations on ten topics.
Background papers
Four background papers that were part of the conversation on mission, communication, collaboration, and a revitalized Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are provided here for download.
- A field for the future
 - sermon by the Rev. Dr. Paul Hooker, Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of St. Augustine
- Beyond the Maze and into the Labyrinth GAC and MGB Moving Forward in Mission and Ministry, by the Rev. Graham Hart, Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Peace River
- Identity – Polity – Praxis What The Book of Order, The Book of Confessions, and the Book of Numbers Have to Say About Ecclesiology and the Presbytery, by the Rev. Dr. Paul Hooker
[revised January 2007]
- In a mirror dimly - sermon by the Rev. Dr. Allison Seed, Chair of the General Assembly Council
Ten discussion topics
Vision Initiative Group
Explore ways to rediscover a common vision for the PC(USA).
Facilitator: Sam Roberson
Purpose Initiative Group
Explore how we can build a stronger and more positive future for the church by making a clear and compelling case for all governing bodies (a question of purpose).
Facilitator: Graham Hart
Connectional Initiative Group
Encourage the nurture and care of relationship and connections within the PC(USA)
Facilitator: Steve Yamaguchi
Leadership Initiative Group
Explore issues related to: leadership, polity, governance and power in the church.
Facilitator: Zane Buxton
Missional Initiative Group
Address issues related to moving from a membership focus to missional.
Facilitator: Clark Cowden
Stewardship and Spirituality Initiative Group
Explore issues related to discovering God’s abundance (fundraising, stewardship and spirituality).
Facilitator: Wayne Yost
Communications Initiative Group
Discover how to build an effective communication network so as to connect the mission of the church with the supporters of the church using both old and new technologies.
Facilitator: John Bolt
Coordination Initiative Group
Explore how we can move beyond compartmentalization into cooperation and coordination in and between all judicatories and General Assembly entities.
Facilitator: Steve Benz
Healthy denomination/Immunity Initiative Group
Discover how we can build a more faithful and effective future through cultivating an Immune System for the PC(USA) and presbyteries.
Facilitator: Deborah Rundlett
Priorities and Structures Initiative Group
Explore how we can begin building a new future for the PC(USA) by focusing on the important, as opposed to just the urgent.
Facilitator: Allison Seed |
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