So what happened at General Assembly

So what is General Assembly, why ought I to care and what happened at its last meeting?

First General Assembly is the every-other year gathering of elders and ministers, elected by our regional bodies called presbyteries, who look at issues facing our denomination. This gathering studies, debates and recommends directions in which the denomination ought to go. It also makes recommendations as to changes in our constitution (called the Book of Order) that guides our corporate life. Any changes to our constitution must be voted on by the regional bodies before they come into effect.

We should care about what happens at General Assembly because changes the Assembly might make could impact (even if in a minimal way) the life and work of First Presbyterian Church. While most of what we do here at 1669 W. Maple is directed by our elders and you the congregation members, recommendations and changes in our constitution can affect the overall governance and life of our congregation.

So what happened at this last meeting (I list only the five most important)?

1. The Assembly debated the definition of marriage. Currently our constitution specifics that marriage is between a man and woman. In the face of several states allowing same-sex marriage the Assembly struggled with our current definition. The outcome of the debate was the reaffirmation of our existing definition.
   
2. The Assembly debated the language surrounding the qualifications for ordination. Currently our constitution requires that those coming for ordination live celibate lives if single and that sexual relationships are only appropriate for married (one man, one woman) clergy. The Assembly voted to remove this language and allow congregations and presbyteries full authority to decide who ought to be ordained (this will go to the regional bodies for a vote).
   
3. The Assembly debated the overall structure of our constitution. Our constitution was at one time small enough to fit into a shirt pocket. Over the years it has grown into an ever larger document outlining procedures to cover virtually every aspect of the life of a church or regional body. The Assembly approved a reduction in the size of the constitution which focuses on fundamentals of governance and not the details. Churches and regional bodies will be able to work out all of the details for themselves (this will go to the regional bodies for a vote).
   
4. The Assembly debated the nature of our relationship with Israel and the Palestinians and their ongoing conflict. Historically our denomination has insisted upon the right of Israel to be safe within its borders, the right of the Palestinian people to their own nation and the desire for Jerusalem to be open to people of all faiths. This position was once again affirmed by the Assembly along with a call for Israel to move the separation wall back to its borders and off of Palestinian land.
   
5. The Assembly discussed the current boundaries of our regional governing bodies and elected a commission (which can act with the authority of the Assembly) to reorganize those boundaries when and if requested by those regional bodies.
   

If you have more questions about the Assembly you can ask me or our own Rosy Latimore who was a delegate to the Assembly. John