General Assembly in Context

Jack Marcum

It's June 2001 and the General Assembly is in town the first annual meeting since reunion in 1983 and the opening of the Presbyterian Center in 1988 to be held in Kentucky's second-largest city. [See Note 1.] All Presbyterian eyes are on Louisville, right? Let's look at some research before attempting an answer.

Three years ago on a Presbyterian Panel survey, we asked folks whether or not they were personally interested in "obtaining information about General Assembly." Slightly more than one-half of members replied yes, including 22 percent who responded yes, definitely. More than 40 percent responded no (most of the probably not rather than the definitely not variety), and 6 percent had no opinion.

This level of interest may seem mild, but it is greater than that expressed for information about a whole array of other entities, from the General Assembly Council (34 percent responded yes), to ecumenical groups (31 percent), to national boards and committees of the PC(USA) (26 percent).

But interest among members in obtaining information about the General Assembly is considerably less than interest in obtaining such information as:

• articles on spirituality/growth in faith (80 percent yes)
• what Presbyterians believe (79 percent)
• discussions of current social issues from a theological perspective (73 percent)
• human interest stories about Presbyterians in the news (71 percent)
• stories/news about Presbyterian and other Christian mission around the world (69 percent)
• stories/news about Presbyterian congregations (68 percent)
• programs of the PC(USA) (68 percent)
• resources available from the PC(USA) (56 percent)

Interest in the General Assembly is greater among elders and, especially, ordained ministers, as the figure shows. No surprises here. The annual General Assembly is the ultimate arbiter of many issues that affect careers and livelihoods.

Ministers aside, it's obvious that more Presbyterians are interested in issues of faith at the personal and congregational rather than at the national level. More of them are also interested in the practical and relational than in the structural or denominational.

As the 213th annual meeting works through its assigned tasks this month, it's probably good to step back for a moment and consider these responses. While many Presbyterian eyes will be on Louisville, more will not. And of those gazing in this direction, many will do so briefly, out of curiosity, more interested ultimately in finding resources and inspiration for daily life than the outcomes of debates on whether temporary staff in middle governing bodies should be allowed to fill their positions permanently or whether sexist language should be removed from the Book of Confessions.

Note 1. 2000 Census. Lexington is larger. Louisville reclaims No. 1 status in 2003 when a city-county merger takes effect.

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