General Assembly's Friday Action

The General Assembly said "no" to non-geographic presbyteries.  There was an overture (or motion) to allow presbyteries to be created based on "particular missional purposes."  What many believed was that this would simply allow presbyteries to be formed around theological affinities.  Hence you would have churches having to decide if they wanted to join the liberal local presbytery or the conservative one.  Would we have presbyteries that were pro-life and others that were pro-choice?  Would some ordain gays and others not?  In essence, the General Assembly affirmed that we may differ with each other, but we will walk together as ONE body of Christ.

Divestment was a hot topic, as it has been in previous General Assemblies.  At the heart of this issue is whether or not we should invest church funds in companies that support work that some may feel does not reflect the values of our church.  This led to a long and robust discussion.  One of the companies in this issue is Caterpillar, which supplies non-letal equipment to the Israeli military.  One commissioner spoke of the pride he felt in working for that company that he said was always first on the scene in a time of disaster.  Another commissioner spoke of having grown up in the Middle East and going home one day to see the Israeli military destroy his home with Caterpillar equipment. 

The commissioners voted to substitute “active investment” in place of divestment in a close 333-331 vote.  The final vote for the substitute motion of“active investment” was approved 369-290.  Thus, rather than divesting of companies providing non-lethal equipment to the military in the Middle East, the church will now look for ways to actively raise funds that will invest in the West Bank in a positive manner.


The General Assembly gave approval for the Board of Pensions to discuss a shared benefits plan with other denominations (the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians and other possible partners).  The Board of Pensions provides pension and health insurance for pastors.  Some congregations also provide benefits for their non-ordained employees through the programs of the Board of Pensions.  This was an emotional issue.  One of my friends from Tropical Florida Presbytery spoke of the several congregations that have left that presbytery for other denominations in which members and (in some cases) property.    Another commissioner spoke against the "concept of extending this fine pension plan to the women and men leaving this denomination."  What seemed to move the assembly was that it was worth the time and funding to engage in a study.  No commitment will be made until the next General Assembly, which will meet in Detroit in 2014.  


It is worth noting here that the overture about the Board of Pensions came from a commissioner and therefore there was no time for prior study until it was presented in a committee.  Most overtures come from Presbyteries.  Our own congregation, Chapel by the Sea, could present an overture to our presbytery to send onto General Assembly.