The Way To San Jose

In a few days, the fun will all begin.

In all honesty, I have mixed emotions about serving my church as a commissioner to its General Assembly. I'm energized by the thought of the Presbyterian Church (USA) making a difference in God's world. I'm excited to see old friends, and to be with a lot of interesting people.

But...

I'm a common, ordinary pastor. Church politics aren't exciting to me; God's mission is. I don't get excited by debating constitutional minutia or by being a polity wonk. It's not me. It is important, I understand. But it is only important as I see it advancing our mission as a church.

So, as I dig through the mountains of paperwork, that's the question that will be on my mind.

According to Cliff Kirkpatrick, our denomination's stated clerk, these are the "top ten issues" he believes will be in play next week during the assembly. Watch to see how these unfold:

1. A revised Form of Government-- The Form of Government Task Force was created by the 217th General Assembly (2006) to propose a revised polity that would be more flexible, foundational and appropriate for a missional Reformed church in the 21st century. The task force is bringing a revised Form of Government for adoption by the assembly and recommendation to the presbyteries.
2. Partnership in World Mission --The 217th General Assembly called for a consultation between the General Assembly Council World Mission program and a variety of mission initiators in the PC(USA). The fruits of that consultation will be before this assembly in a call for an “Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission” that involves a wide variety of groups working together for the renewal of PC(USA) World Mission.
3. PC(USA) ecumenical stance and covenants-- The 218th General Assembly will take action on a number of ecumenical items, including a proposed new policy on the ecumenical stance of the PC(USA) and covenant agreements with four different churches: the Korean Presbyterian Church in America, the Episcopal Church, the Catholic Church and the Moravian Church.
4. Peace, unity and purity of the PC(USA): Several proposals concerning the peace, unity and purity of the church will be before this year’s assembly, including fresh ways to use discernment in our life together, reconsideration of some or all of the actions of the previous assembly in this area and proposals to change the constitutional standards for ordination.
5. The Belhar Confession: This assembly will be asked to act on a proposal to take the first step toward adding the Belhar Confession to The Book of Confessions. This confession grows out of the experience of Christians in South Africa and is an affirmation of the biblical call to Christian unity and racial reconciliation.
6. Middle East concerns: Before this General Assembly will be a variety of overtures and advocacy committee proposals to strengthen the PC(USA)’s witness to peace with justice in relation to both Israel/Palestine and Iraq.
7. Elections: A Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) will be elected to a two-year term, and a new Stated Clerk of the General Assembly will be elected to a four-year term.
8. Growing God’s Church Deep and Wide-- The General Assembly Council is challenging the whole church to adopt a two-year commitment to grow the church in membership, in discipleship and in diversity.
9. Domestic social justice concerns: This assembly will address a large number of social justice concerns, including the adoption of a new Social Creed, as well as the adoption of major policy papers on serious mental illness, energy and global warming, pay equity for women, homelessness and electoral reform.
10. A church for future generations: One assembly committee will do generative thinking as it focuses on the church’s ministry to and with youth to ensure a church for future generations.