General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations

The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations works to highlight the vision of ecumenical involvement and work within the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The committee plans and coordinates the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s engagement in ecumenical relations, articulating Reformed and Presbyterian identity in the midst of the church's ecumenical commitments and provides guidance for the church's conversations with non-Christian religious traditions.

Twenty-three (23) members: Twelve (12) At-Large, 2 – appointed by entities - (1) from the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and (1) from the General Assembly Council; 4 - Invited from ecumenical partners (1) and full communion partners (3); 2 - Ex-Officio with Vote - Stated Clerk (or Associate Stated Clerk for Ecumenical Relations) and Executive Director (or Associate Director of Ecumenical Partnership of the Worldwide Ministries Division), 3 - Ex-Officio without Vote - Directors of GAC Divisions


Skills & Expertise Needed: Persons wishing to be considered for the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations should possess the following: ecumenical consciousness, broad view of the church, understanding of the Presbyterian Church especially as it relates to G-4.0100-.0200, and ability to articulate a clear sense of the church and the quest for Christian unity.

Time Requirements: The Committee on Ecumenical Relations will meet two times a year for a period of 2-3 days each.

Nominated by GANC: 12 At-Large - Over four-year period.

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Advisory Committee on Litigation

This committee advises the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly regarding participation as an amicus in litigation related to matters of civil and religious liberty, relations between church and state, and any other matters related to the mission and interest of the church. Six (6) At-Large Members.

Skills & Expertise Needed: The members of the committee, ordinarily, shall be lawyers, and the members shall be experienced in fields related to issues that may be the subject of legal proceedings in which the church is or may become involved. Experience and practice in federal constitutional law helpful, especially first amendment law.

Time Requirement: Meets at call of committee moderator. The committee ordinarily carries out its work by tele-conference calls, with one face to face meeting each year.

Nominated by GANC: 6 At-Large - Up to two six-year terms.

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The Board of Pensions

Four basic functions have been assigned, by the General Assembly, to this board: 1) design and administer a comprehensive program of pension, medical, and other benefits for minister, missionaries, and certain other church workers; 2) design and administer a program of financial assistance to help meet the needs that are beyond the scope of the pension and benefits; 3) establish and operate retirement housing for eligible retirees and their spouses; and 4) receive, invest and disburse the funds required to support these plans and programs for the sole and exclusive benefit of members and beneficiaries of the assistance and home programs. Thirty (32) At-Large Members, no more than 40% may be ministers. One Board member is nominated upon recommendation of the General Assembly Council. Election is for a term of four years, but in no event may a director serve more than eight consecutive years.

Skills & Expertise Needed: Benefit plan design, retirement home management, managing a large charitable trust or foundation, employee benefits administration, health, death disability insurance, investment, law or government relations and a broad understanding of and commitment to the church. Team skills.

Time Requirement: Regular meetings, 2 days in duration, are held three times a year in February or March, in July, and in October. There may be special meetings at the call of the chairperson.

Nominated by GANC: 32 At-Large - Over four-year period.

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Board, National Council of Presbyterian Men

The National Council of Presbyterian Men is the General Assembly's organization of Presbyterian Men. Synod, presbytery, and congregational organizations of Presbyterian Men are responsible to their respective governing bodies and are related to the National Council by membership affiliation. The National Council is composed of the members of its Executive Board and members elected by synods and presbyteries (SR and PR Representatives). The Board has ten (10) members including two (2) Ministers of the Word and Sacrament elected at-large and who serve a term of two years.

Skills & Expertise Needed: Nominees should be representative of the diversity reflected in the Presbyterian Men, geographically and ethnically. Nominees will serve in all phases of its operation and organizational structure. They are asked to provide prayer and devotion at all meetings and to assist the worship leader at the annual Worship/Communion Service. Inclusiveness and availability to participate in Executive Board and National Council meetings during the third weekends of October and April are considerations that guide the election of these ministers.

Time Requirement: The Executive Board meets annually on the third weekend of October at noon on Friday and ending on Sunday at noon. The Executive Board also meets annually in April on the Thursday at noon before the National Council meeting on Friday and ending on Sunday at noon.

Nominated by GANC: 2 Ministers At-Large - Over two-year period.

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Board of Directors of Presbyterian Publishing Corporation

The Board of Directors governs a publishing corporation that is the denominational publisher of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) produces both educational and worship resources for Presbyterian congregations and members, and theological and religious books and other materials for a wide audience. Its imprints and product lines currently include Geneva Press and Westminster John Knox Press, and TheThoughtfulChristian.com. In addition, PPC provides publication services to all the other General Assembly entities.

The Board is composed of nine (9) to twelve (12) persons. The remaining directors will be nominated by the General Assembly Nominating Committee and elected by the General Assembly. Up to two four-year terms.

Skills & Expertise Needed: Expertise in business, finance, education, law, pastoral ministry, and publishing.

Time Requirement: Eight (8) days annually.

Nominated by GANC: 9 to 12 At-Large - Over four-year period.

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General Assembly Committee on Representation (GACOR)

The responsibilities of this committee are described in the Book of Order G-9.0105. The main function of the committee is to advise, advocate, consult with, review, report, and recommend to the General Assembly Nominating Committee and other General Assembly committees on the implementation of the principles of participation and inclusiveness.

Another important function is that of serving as an advocate for the representation of racial ethnic members, women, youth, different age groups, persons with disabilities. Also, it is to advise the governing bodies on employment of personnel in accordance with the principles of participation and representation (G-4.0403), and in conformity with "...churchwide plan for equal employment opportunity..." (G-13.0201b). The committee reports directly to the General Assembly and also reviews Synod Committees on Representation reports.

Skills & Expertise Needed: Knowledge of church polity, commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, willingness to listen to others, creative talents in developing advocacy resources, willingness to act as resource to your synod, knowledge of the work of the committee on representation, and good communication skills.

Time Requirement: Meets three times annually for two days each. Overall time requirement of six days annually.

Nominated by GANC: 16 Proposed by Synods - Over four-year period.

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Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy

This committee develops and recommends social witness policy to the General Assembly. The term social witness policy refers to the positions adopted by the General Assembly to express its stance on and guide response to issues in the public order, including their relation to the church's own life. Thus, the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy helps the General Assembly, General Assembly Council and its divisions to maintain and strengthen the prophetic voice of the church; provides them with systematic means to study the theological and ethical dimensions of emerging issues; gives them advice and counsel on overtures, reports and actions recommending policy direction or action on social witness; and assists them to guide the whole church toward a better understanding of the societal responsibilities of Christians, individually and corporately. The committee's three primary functions are 1) to develop social witness policy by preparing policy statements, resolutions, study papers and social involvement monitoring reports for consideration by the General Assembly and its Council; 2) to provide advice and counsel to all governing bodies - especially to the General Assembly and its Council - on possible positions to take on social policy questions and to interpret the General Assembly record on these matters; and, 3) to help the GAC and middle governing bodies explore, as well as evaluate, their social witness. Twelve (12) members, nine (9) elected At-Large and three (3) members of the General Assembly Council. Up to two four-year terms.

Skills & Expertise Needed: Union or grass-roots organizer; political or natural scientist; senior pastor; persons with human rights and international perspective. Persons should possess demonstrated writing ability and theological/public policy awareness and insights.

Time Requirement: Meets three times annually for a three-day meeting. Additional committee and task group meetings/assignments plus travel time can bring the total up to 15-25 days per year.

Nominated by GANC: 9 At-Large - Over four-year period.

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Committee on the Office of the General Assembly

The Office of the General Assembly will seek to serve and care for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We will be actively involved in listening, praying, preaching, teaching, and building community and trust throughout the church.

The General Assembly elects a committee on the Office of the General Assembly to carry out the assembly's oversight of the Stated Clerk and the Office of the General Assembly, to assure the accountability of the Stated Clerk to the General Assembly during the interim between the sessions of the assembly, and to provide linkage with the General Assembly Council. This committee is mandated to carry out an annual review of the Stated Clerk; jointly with the General Assembly Council, recommend to the General Assembly the per capita budget and the per capita apportionment rate; review and present recommendations regarding the docket and the proposed referral of each item of business coming before an assembly; present to the General Assembly for its action the date and place of future General Assembly meetings; review the work of Special Committees and make recommendations to the General Assembly; and be available to the Stated Clerk for consultation on all proposed amendments to the Standing Rules of the General Assembly. Fifteen (15) members. The Moderator of the General Assembly will serve as a member of the committee with vote during the years of moderatorial service. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, The Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, and the Vice Chair of the General Assembly Council will serve as corresponding members of the committee without vote.

Skills & Expertise Needed: Persons elected to serve on the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly should be: grounded in the Constitution of the PC(USA); concerned about the church; able to work well with and have respect for others; creative and energetic; able to provide leadership; competent in financed and business administration, communications and technology, and meeting planning (including an ability to think strategically about the program and format of General Assemblies) knowledgeable about church polity, governing body relations, ecumenical relations, church history and, have a broad understanding of the church and its resources.

Time Requirement: Approximately 15 days, which includes two meetings (Fall, Winter), and attendance at General Assembly.

Nominated by GANC: 14 At-Large - Over four-year period.

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