So what happened?
1. Same-gender marriage: The short, simple and to the point answer: "no."
The General Assembly said "no" to same-gender marriages.
It took about 4 hours of debates and substitute motions to reach the decision that the Presbyterian Church will not redefine marriage from the current, "between a man and a woman" to a new "between two people."
However, the church gave approval for a two year period of “serious study and discernment” regarding Christian marriage. This report will be completed in time for the next General Assembly, to be held in 2014 in Detroit.
2. Ordination standards:The short, simple and to the point answer: "no change."
In 1996, we added a statement in our Book of Order requiring all ministers, elders and deacons to practice “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.” That provision was removed by the 2010 General Assembly. There was a movement to return that language, or something similar, to the Book of Order, but those efforts were declined.
3. Middle East peace: Once again the church discussed divesting itself of stock in three corporations ― Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola Solutions. It is the opinion of some that these corporations are “profiting from non-peaceful pursuits in Israel-Palestine.”
The General Assembly spent two hours in robust debate and at one point voted 333 to 331, with 2 abstentions.
What was finally approved was a plan for "active investment" rather than divestment. This plan calls for an "active investment in projects that will support collaboration among Christians, Jews, and Muslims and help in the development of a viable infrastructure for a future Palestinian state.”
4. Church government and councils: The Presbyterian Church has several levels of church government. The local council is the Session. The next is the Presbytery (our Peach River Presbytery is composed of 39 congregations of SW Florida). The next is the Synod (ours is made up of SC, Georgia and Florida), and the national level is the General Assembly.
Will we eliminate Synods? The answer is "not yet." In my opinion, the Syond no longer has a function and should be eliminated. The General Assembly voted to continue to study the process.
There were also proposals for creating non-geographic presbyteries that would be united by a "particular missional purpose." That would mean that a congregation might vote to move from one local presbytery to another based on differences on abortion, ordination, or whether or not the pastor liked one presbytery staff over the other. The General Assembly said "no" to that as well.
5. Special Offerings: The General Assembly considered making changes in our four annual Special Offerings and decided not to make those changes.
In the past decade or so, the income of these offerings have declined by 25%. No one is suggesting that we eliminate these offerings, but there are proposals regarding the goals and timing of these offerings. Chapel by the Sea promotes three of these offerings: the One Great Hour of Sharing, Peacemaking Offering and Christmas Joy Offering. We at Chapel do not participate in the Pentecost Offering, which goes to support ministries with youth, young adults, and children at risk.
6. Confessional statements: In 2010, the presbyteries rejected adding the Belhar Confession to the3 Book of Confessions. This year the General Assembly voted to send that confessional statement back to the presbyteries for reconsideration. Our church has a Book of Confessions, which has several doctrinal statements. The Belhar Confession originated in the churches in South Africa as a theological response to racism. Also approved was a new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563, which is already in the Book of Confessions.
7. The church's future. The General Assembly overwhelming supported a movement to create 1001 worshiping communities. These communities of faith will perhaps look much different from traditional congregations. Some have already started in coffee shops, and shopping malls,
8. Election of a new moderator: One of the first actions of a General Assembly is the election of a new moderator. The moderator presides over the meeting, but also serves as a spiritual leader of our denomination over the next two years. Our new moderator is Neal Presa, a minister in Elizabeth Presbytery who is committed to working for the unity of the church.
9. Controversy about the vice moderator. One of the most mundane, and often forgettable events of the General Assembly is the election of the Vice Moderator, whose job is to take over the meeting when the Moderator needs a break. The Moderator normally presents his or her choice, after which the General Assembly ratifies with very little opposition. Not this year. This year's candidate for Vice Moderator, Tara McCabe, had recently participated in a marriage of two lesbians, in conflict with church law. The General Assembly ratified her as the Vice Moderator with only a 60% majority. After 36 hours of controversy, she stepped down and the assembly elected the Rev. Tim Trinidad as the Vice Moderator.
10. Worship: Without question, my favorite part of the General Assembly is the wonderful opening worship service in which thousands gather to give glory to God. This year's worship had wonderful music and a powerful sermon from the retiring Moderator.
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