| LOUISVILLE — Editor’s
note: Every winter, Kirkpatrick shares his predictions
about which issues will spark the most interest during the upcoming
General Assembly. The 216th Assembly convenes on June 26 in Richmond,
VA. Kirkpatrick presented his “Top 10” list to the
Committee on the Office of the General Assembly during a recent
meeting.
1. General Assembly Council’s Mission Work Plan —
The GAC will bring to the Assembly a major proposal to prioritize
its mission programs into four areas: evangelism, justice, leadership
and spiritual formation.
2. Final Report on Middle Governing Body Relations —
At the conclusion of 115 consultations over three years with synods
and presbyteries, the GAC and the Committee on the Office of the
General Assembly will be bringing a joint report on how to strengthen
partnership between our governing bodies.
3. Reviews — Review committees have completed their
studies of the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program and National
Council of Churches and will bring to the Assembly positive reports
on those two bodies.
4. Transforming Families paper — The 215th General
Assembly (2003) referred the paper now entitled “Transforming
Families” back to the Advisory Committee on Social Witness
Policy (ACSWP) with a concern that there be stronger affirmations
of the theological values of traditional patterns of family life.
The revised report will be a major item before the 216th General
Assembly.
5. Overtures on G-6.0106b — As in prior years, overtures
to remove G-6.0106b from the Book of Order will be before the
216th General Assembly. This Assembly also will deal with additional
overtures to remove all authoritative interpretations concerning
homosexuality and ordination issued prior to the adoption of G-6.0106b
in 1996.
6. Elections — As always, much attention will be
given to the election of a moderator. In addition, this is the
year for the election of a Stated Clerk and for the confirmation
of the presidents of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Foundation
and the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program.
7. Evangelism and Jewish-Christian Relations — Growing
out of the new “messianic” congregation in Philadelphia
Presbytery, Avodat Yisrael, a number of overtures are currently
before presbyteries calling for a study and reevaluation of policies
related to Jewish-Christian relations and evangelism.
8. Constitutional Amendments on Sexual Misconduct —
Growing out of the work of the Independent Committee of Inquiry
(into previous sexual abuse of missionary children in the Congo),
the General Assembly Council will be bringing to the Assembly
proposed constitutional amendments to prevent sexual misconduct
by church workers and to protect children.
9. Overtures Relating to Abortion — Overtures have
been received to modify the actions taken by the last two General
Assemblies related to late-term abortions.
10. Issues Related to a Post-9/11 World — Both ACSWP
and the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical Relations will
be bringing proposals to the Assembly related to advocacy for
justice in relation to peacemaking, immigration, response to terrorism,
and Iraq. |
