General Assembly – Thursday
As you read this post you will quickly learn that I have written this over the course of the day and posted it when I have internet access back in my room…
The Daily Worship today heard a sermon based on hope for the future. The sermon was delivered by Mr. Hakeem Jerome Jefferson from Maysville, South Carolina. Mr. Jefferson was a Youth Advisory Delegate to the 218th General Assembly.
Also included in the service was the recognition of retiring Mission Co-Workers who had offered to the church at least 20 years of service. And new Mission Co-Workers were also commissioned. Among those being commissioned was Ms. Caitlin Hodge from thenPresbytery of South Louisiana, who was commissioned as a Young Adult Volunteer to serve in Maimi, Florida.
Om the agenda today is a discussion on marriage. The committee is recommending to the General Asembly that the current definition of marriage which states that “marriage is between a man and a woman” be changed to “marriage is between two people”. This is one change among others but will certainly receive a great deal of debate.
In the morning session the primary piece of business was the establishment of an Administrative Commission for Middle Governing Bodies. The main issue for this administrative commission will be to deal with the ongoing discussion on the future of synods. My understanding is that this body will have the authority to dissolve synods at their request and with the concurrence of the presbyteries involved.
This afternoon the Wetlands Overture from the Presbytery of South Louisiana passed on a voice vote. It had previously passed unanimously though the committee. The effects of this overture will be the establishment of a Wetlands Institute to help educate interested people about the ways human actions have had on the deterioration of the wetlands.
This afternoon the General Assembly voted to send to the presbyteries for their positive or negative votes a change in the language to G-6.0106b. The change would allow ordaining bodies to decide whom they would ordain. This is the “local option” that has been discussed over the past few months.
The debate was long and difficult and sometimes hinky. It showed just how divided the Presbyterian Chuech is over ordination standards. Friends, the approval or disapproval process will be difficult with severe battles in many presbyteries. The entire church is in need of prayer over the next year.
A later action affecting the Presbytery of South Louisiana was the passage of a resolution outlining the Presbyterian Church response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The response was crafted cooperatively by your representatives from PSL and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Action Policy of the General Assembly. This resolution gives PDA the necessary information and authority to begin fundraising for a response that can include counseling, advocacy, direct aid and many other concepts. Thanks be to God for this wise action of the General Assembly.
And one more – The General Assembly approved a study paper on the definition of marriage. With this action the GA decided to take no further action on the definition of marriage until a period of study is complete. Interestingly, there was no time frame attached to the period of study.
I will admit that I left the assembly before recess for the night, but I believe there will be no further actions of consequence tonight. Tomorrow the big item will be the Middle East Study Report. Although I believe there will not be huge implications for PSL from this report it will be huge throughout the denomination.
See you all tomorrow.
Marv
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