Posts Categorized: General Assembly

ACSWP at 221st GA (2014)

Our colleagues in the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy will bring the following items to the 221st General Assembly (2014). Risking Peace in a Violent World: This is a set of 5 affirmations for debate and voting in presbyteries, the second stage of a six year discernment process initiated by the General Assembly in… Read more »

With Thanks to God for the Life and Witness of Cindy Bolbach

Ruling Elder Cindy Bolbach, Moderator of the 119th General AssemblyRuling Elder Cindy Bolbach, Moderator of the 119th General Assembly

I believe we are living through a hinge time for the PC(USA). A hinge time of hope, excitement, and anxiety, all mixed together.  A hinge time when we are realizing that the denominational structure and organization that we built in the 1950s and 1960s might not be the organizational structure we need for an age that some are calling not just post-denominational but post-Christian.

As the PC(USA), we still inhabit a top-down, corporate structure that worked well 50 and 60 years ago, when we were flush with members and with resources. We are no longer flush with members or with resources.  That does not mean, by the way, that I believe us to be deathly ill. I believe that health of any Christian community of faith is measured not by the number of its members, or by how deep its financial pockets are, but by whether it is proclaiming the Gospel authentically.

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What has the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said about human rights?

Human rights have been the focus of many statements by General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor denominations. The Bible does not use the phrase “human rights.” However, Jesus stated, “I have come in order that you might have life in all its fullness.” He proclaimed that his calling included release of… Read more »

Remembering September 11

  Ryan Smith- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Christine Mangale- Lutheran World Federation, Joseph Donnelly- Caritas Internationalis. Photo By Alisha Rodriguez On Friday, the President of the United Nations General Assembly welcomed distinguished guests from around the world to commemorate the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Joining the President of the General Assembly were the Deputy Secretary… Read more »