Reports from the 217th General Assembly
From Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Baltimore
June 19, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Lord be with you!
The Assembly began to take up the reports of its committees.
Monday was given over to less controversial committees – although there was
lengthy discussion regarding a paper on the Trinity and a commissioner’s
resolution on Colombia. The commissioners continued to wrestle with the
new paperless way of doing business.
Pensions and Foundation
The Presbytery of Long Island asked the Presbytery to consider
ways in which it can revise its plan to accommodate pastors serving small
churches. The Board agreed to do so and report back in 2008.
Theological Issues and Institutions
The first item of some disagreement was on the “The Trinity: God’s
Love Overflowing” which was recommended by the Committee on a vote of 42 to 16
with 3 abstentions. The debate was whether there should be different ways
to describe the Triune God or whether we must be limited strictly to the
traditional words of “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” While this language
would still be required for baptism, the use of other metaphors would be
permitted in other circumstances. In the end the report was received
rather than approved.
Church Growth and Christian Education
In what is becoming the norm, GA once more displayed a reluctance
to move towards the ordination of Christian Educators. Discussion was
held about new church development – especially among new immigrants. A
number of overtures dealing with church growth were approved and we saw TV
spots in our “Hear and Now” campaign that will soon be available at www.pscusa.org/media.
Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
A great deal of debate was held regarding a commissioner’s
resolution regarding an accompaniment program with Columbia. Many of the
action-oriented elements of this resolution were referred for future
action. A resolution supporting our partnership with the Presbyterian
Church in
Review on GA Permanent Committee
The committee reported – but I am afraid that there is nothing
that I think is of interest to most folk in the church.
After a rather low key day we headed off to dinner; for me it was
the Peacemaking Dinner. There we heard a rousing speech – or was it a
sermon – by Rev. Mark Lomax, a minister from
Once more I invite your prayers as we head into a difficult day
with everyone struggling to be faithful to the call of God and the love and
grace of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Peter
Fax: 410.433.2066 | office@baltimorepresbytery.org
Letters will be sent daily during
the Assembly