Reports and study guides
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A Churchwide Letter Concerning Amendment 10-A (Spanish)
From Office of the General Assembly
A las congregaciones de la Iglesia Presbiteriana (EEUUA)
Estimados hermanos y hermanas en Cristo:
Reciban ustedes abundancia de misericordia, paz y amor. (Judas 1:2).
El debate sobre las normas de ordenación ha sido una lucha en la familia presbiteriana por gran parte de las últimas tres décadas. Hemos tratado de buscar esa posición en la cual cada congregación, cada persona que sea parte de la membresía, cada diácono o diaconiza, anciano o anciana, y ministro o ministra de la Palabra los Sacramentos, puedan compartir sus dones en el ministerio y a la misma vez respetar la integridad de cada congregación, membresía, diácono o diaconiza, anciano o anciana, y ministro o ministra.
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A Missional Hermenutic For Approaching the Bible
From Office of the General Assembly—Constitutional Services
A missional hermeneutic will incorporate and then ultimately move beyond broad overviews of biblical mission toward a focused and contextualized exegetical engagement with particular texts, including those that are not usually understood in terms of mission. This approach is rooted in the conviction that God has a mission in the world and that Christians read Scripture as those called and sent to participate in those divine purposes.
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A Presbyterian Panel Snapshot: Characteristics of Presbyterians
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Research Services
This chart provides a brief overview of what we have learned about Presbyterian members, ruling elders and teaching elders through the Presbyterian Panel. View the snapshot for 2011.
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A Proposal for Considering the Theology and Practice of Ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Study guide
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Theology and Worship
The 1992 General Assembly commended for church-wide study a report entitled “A Proposal for Considering the Theology and Practice of Ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).” The report emphasizes the ministry of the whole people of God, and, for the first time in the denomination’s history, explores all three offices (minister, elder, and deacon) in relation to this common ministry.
The study guide has been prepared to assist congregations and presbyteries in organizing groups to engage in careful reading and discussion of the report.
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A Reformed Understanding of Usury for the Twenty-First Century
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
This report and its recommendations are in response to the referral of the 216th General Assembly (2004) to the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to investigate the question of usury in the United States and to prepare a resolution for the 217th General Assembly (2006).
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A Study of the Effectiveness of Interim Pastors
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Research Services
The Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists asked Research Services to conduct a survey that would help them do the best job they could as interims. Research Services constructed four questionnaires—one each for the following four constituencies: (1) presbytery executives, (2) chairs of presbytery committees on ministry, (3) clerks of session in congregations that had had an interim pastor, and (4) pastors who followed an interim pastor.
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A Toolkit for Action: Modern Slavery
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Human Trafficking
Use the resources contained within this 40-page packet to explore modern-day slavery and learn how you can help.
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ACC Role with the Mid Council Commission
From Office of the General Assembly—Mid Councils Commission
This handout was presented by Keith Geckeler during his presentation to the Mid Council Commission II. Keith will be the commissions representative from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution.
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ACSWP agency summary
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
Summary of the of the work ACSWP does, complied at the 2012 General Assembly.
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AIDS Study: Item 10-01. On Directing the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to Develop a New Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Policy for the Church - 218th General Assembly
From Presbyterian Mission Agency—International AIDS
Report of Item 10-01: On Directing the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to Develop a New Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Policy for the Church from the 218th General Assembly.