Actions of the 219th General Assembly

of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

letter from Pastor Bill Azbell

 

On July 10th the 219th General Assembly of our denomination adjourned. As with all past Assemblies some of its actions are encouraging and some are concerning.

 

One of the things to celebrate is our denomination’s recent concerted effort to grow its mission witness around the world. This was visible at the Assembly which commissioned 122 young adult volunteers and 17 new full-time mission workers.

 

An area of concern regards ordination standards for elders, deacons, and ministers. The Assembly once again voted to change wording in our Book of Order (G-6.0106b). The new phrasing would remove the specific requirements for fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness, replacing it with more general wording. This recommendation will now be voted on over the course of the next year by each of our denomination’s 173 presbyteries.

 

In the midst of all the denominational disagreement and debate, let me affirm that this is God’s Church and that His will for it will come to pass. We don’t need to be fearful. God is at work! In the meantime our role as disciples of Jesus and as a congregation is to make every effort to remain in the center of God’s ways and to be witnesses for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

That begins for us squarely in the midst of our denomination. Our call is to be witnesses of God’s truth and justice and love with those with whom we agree and with those with whom we disagree. This means we approach each other in our denomination with deep patience and love, as we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. It also means we continue to speak God’s truth to one another and that we continue to pray for God to bring us unity.

 

I was talking to a pastor friend of mine who reminded me that Jesus didn’t flee the spiritually corrupt system which operated in Jerusalem. Jesus went right into it and reformed the whole thing from within. This is our current call as well. With God we can make a difference within our denomination. It surely will be hard. It was for Jesus. It cost him his life.

 

As a congregation we will seek to understand and respond appropriately to the challenges and opportunities which face us as a denomination. But we will also strive to get on with the great and urgent work of bringing the good news of Jesus to a broken world.

 

For a better understanding of some of the major actions by GA, please follow the following links:

 

Presbyterians for Renewal - Summary of General Assembly Actions: Update Through Mid-Day Friday, July 9

 

Post General Assembly pastoral letter from Moderator and Stated Clerk

Attachments to letter

pdf Civil Union and Marriage FAQ

pdf Form of Government FAQ

pdf Middle East Peacemaking FAQ

pdf Middle Governing Body Commission FAQ

pdf Ordination Standards FAQ

 

Please feel free to come to me with any questions you may have.

 

Your partner in the gospel,

Pastor Bill Azbell