The "Stay Together" Assembly

Every General Assembly tends to develop its own identity and temperament. There have been “referring” assemblies; “backlash” assemblies; “confused” assemblies so on. This assembly is developing an identity as the “stay together” assembly. Time and again they have disapproved efforts, both obvious and subtle, to divide the denomination or to separate parties with differences. The report of the Assembly Committee on Middle Governing Bodies is a case in point. Several overtures were referred to this committee for recommendation to the Assembly. Some, like overtures from the Presbyteries of Santa Barbara and Beaver-Butler, sought accommodation for disaffected churches in “theological affinity” presbyteries or synods; others, like the request of the Synod of South Atlantic, or the Special Administrative Review Committee on Puerto Rico, addressed matters of unity and division regarding governing bodies united by language or culture. In each case, the Assembly preferred options that maximized the likelihood of staying together in multi-cultural and theological diversity.


Most surprising was the rejection (for the first time by a GA) of a request for a Korean-language non-geographical presbytery by the Synod of South Atlantic. What was jaw-dropping was that the rejection was by a vote of 80%-19%. Considerable debate focused on the factionalization of multiple language-based presbyteries; the generational differences among Korean-Americans; and the lack of ministry options for Korean-American women clergy within the language-based presbyteries.

Efforts to create theological affinity synods and presbyteries were disapproved by voice vote with little or no debate, after the assembly took the unusual action of approving the formation of an Administrative Commission to address a growing crisis in middle governing bodies. The commission was charged to study, report, and recommend to the 220th GA on matters related to middle governing body issues, as well as to have the authority “to organize new synods and to divide, unite or otherwise combine synods or portions of synods” and “to approve the organization, division, uniting or combining of presbyteries by synods,” when directed by the Assembly or requested by majority votes in the affected bodies. As an effort to protect against a “rogue commission” overreaching its authority, the assembly required a 2/3 vote for the commission to take any action.

By a vote of 373-323, the assembly approved passing along the Western Reserve overture on ordination standards for presbytery votes.  While this may appear to be out of character for a "stay together" presbytery, it is in fact keeping with the theme.  Although debate tended to cover the usual topics (with the twist that YAADS were pushing inclusiveness as an issue for youth evangelism), the amendment is really an effort at reconciliation between warring factions through the Adopting Act compromise rather than a frontal assault on the ordination issue.

Similarly, two of the most controversial topics at the assembly:  the definition of marriage and a hotly debated study paper on Jewish-Christian relations were both met with caution.  In the closest vote of the day, the assembly turned down consideration of a new definition of marriage to accommodate pastoral concerns in jurisidictions that offer same-sex marriages by a vote of 348-324.  Earlier, both the majority and minority reports from the denominational task force were approved for circulation and study.  In the same vein of "not rocking the boat" the study paper on the theological relationship between Christians and Jews was referred back for a rewrite after broader consultation.

An unexpected issue arising at the assembly was a protracted debate on the new Arizona anti-immigration law.  A resolution to refrain from holding national meetings in states where travel by immigrant Presbyterians or Presbyterians of color might subject them to harassment due to legislation passed by a vote of 420-205 after pleas from two former GA moderators to "combat racism with action."

All in all a long day of significant actions, taken in a conciliatory tone.  Tomorrow:  Middle East Peacemaking tops the list of high profile topics.