LOUISVILLE —
The role of the vice moderator of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) would be enhanced significantly by rules
changes proposed by the Committee on the General Assembly (COGA).
The COGA recommendations, made during a meeting here Feb. 9-11,
were spurred by the upcoming shift to biennial Assemblies and
to two-year terms for moderator and vice moderator.
After this year’s 216th General Assembly in Richmond, VA,
the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s highest governing body won’t
meet again until June 2006, in Birmingham, AL.
Many of the proposed amendments to the standing rules are more
procedural than substantive. The most important would make the
vice moderator — now the holder of a position with few specified
duties and little prominence — an essential helpmate to
a moderator facing two years’ worth of travel and duties.
Under the amended rules:
- Candidates for vice moderator would be identified at least
45 days before the Assembly convenes;
- The newly elected vice moderator would address the commissioners
and be confirmed by the Assembly;
- The vice moderator would be a corresponding member of COGA
and of the General Assembly Council (GAC) but would not have
a vote;
- A comprehensive travel plan would be developed for both the
moderator and the vice moderator;
- The vice moderator would assist in planning the annual moderator’s
conference.
The proposed changes would require the approval of this summer’s
Assembly.
The Rev. Cathy Ulrich of Fort Smith, AR, a spokesperson for the
work group that proposed the changes to COGA, said the most important
proposals are that candidates be named before the Assembly begins,
and that the vice moderator’s election be subject to confirmation
by the commissioners.
“This way, the vice-moderator is the Assembly’s vice-moderator
… not just the moderator’s buddy,” Ulrich said.
Under the current standing rules, the vice moderator is appointed
by the newly elected moderator, and the appointment need not be
approved by the Assembly.
Ulrich said that change to two-year terms calls for more flexibility
and may require the vice moderator to play “a larger role
than in the past.”
The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, who as the stated clerk is the
PC(USA)’s highest-ranking ecclesial officer, said that,
while the changes would not apply until after this summer’s
Assembly adjourns, he has notified the three candidates for moderator
about the recommendations.
The moderatorial candidates are Elder Rick Ufford-Chase of Tucson,
AZ, the Rev. David McKechnie of Houston, TX, and the Rev. K.C.
Ptomey of Nashville, TN.
COGA is also proposing a more balanced workload for the moderator
and vice moderator, recognizing that the travel normally required
of a moderator would be physically punishing if extended to two
years. Moderators typically have a virtually non-stop schedule
of visits to churches, presbyteries, synods, seminaries and international
missions.
COGA is recommending that the moderator devote no more than one-half
of his or her time, and the vice moderator no more than one-third,
to traveling.
It also urges church officers to strive to balance ministry and
Sabbath-keeping, taking time for rest and for family.
Noting that the two-year terms will require more time away from
work and home, COGA is asking that the stated clerk approach the
moderator’s and vice moderator’s congregations or
employers and ask them to grant them leaves of absence to discharge
their duties.
The new rule would instruct the clerk to establish “an
appropriate dedication and covenant between these leaders and
their faith and/or vocational community” no later than three
months after the election.
The committee also would require both moderator and vice moderator
to make written reports to be reviewed during COGA and GAC meetings.
Associate Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons said a lengthy prelude
listing the functions of the moderator was included to answer
questions and clear up confusion.
It says the moderator:
- Presides at the Assembly, as a “sign of the bond of
unity, community and mission in the life of the church;”
- Serves between assemblies as “an ambassador of the unity
of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, telling the story of the
church’s life and upholding the people of God through
prayer;”
- Travels throughout the church, “strengthening the mission
of congregations and governing bodies, encouraging officers
and members” and “listening for joys and concerns
of the church,” while ascertaining the needs of the world
and assessing the church’s responses through mission;
- Speaks “pastorally and prophetically” to the church
and society, exercising the rights and responsibilities outlined
in section G-6.0108 of the Book of Order.
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