220th General Assembly in Review

The General Assembly has finished its work for this year.  It will meet again in 2014 in Detroit.

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.

It Takes Thick Skin

The Presbyterian Outlook has written an excellent piece as a follow up on McCabe's resignation.  You can find that here:  http://www.pres-outlook.com/pcusa-reports/ga-2012/16996.html

The Outlook article raises questions I'd already pondered - just who in the world was criticizing the Vice Moderator so much that she resigned?  There were concerns about her being bullied and calls for the General Assembly to stand against it.  I surveyed the Internet and could not find much in harsh opposition.  Nor could the Outlook.  True, people had questions, but they were legitimate and carefully and appropriately voiced.  True, there were those who expressed opinions that she should face charges, but her very words invited judicial action against one who had signed a marriage license in a wedding that does not currently meet Presbyterian rules.

To be a Presbyterian pastor means you must have thick skin.  I am often criticized.  "Why did YOU make that decision?"  I didn't, the Session did, but I represent the Session and I know that people will blame (or praise) me for the actions of the group. 

This week I'll get comments, "How can you be against this or in favor of that?"  I'm not - that's General Assembly and I was just an observer this year - I didn't even get a vote!

"You made a mistake in that sermon."  Sorry - you're right, I won't do it again. 

A few months ago I faced harsh criticism because the Session did not hire a certain person to be the new Director of Christian Education.

Why?  Because I did not pass that person's name onto the Personnel Committee.  There were two reasons.  First, this person had not turned in an application.  Second, this person is a self-described atheist, and the position was that of the Director of Christian Education.  As such, she did not meet the qualifications.

There is no way the Session would have hired her, and those elders who knew of her interest, even without the application, all agreed this person did not meet the qualifications for the job.

It is strange, but I have paid a strong price for that.  I've felt bullied.  I've certainly been criticised.  Some questions were reasonable and I gave answers accordingly.  We are, after all, each accountable to someone or to a group.  Some criticism and actions did, I felt, cross the line of what is or is not appropriate.

As a pastor, I'm criticised for sermons, for grammar, for something I wrote, for something I did or did not do.  Sometimes the criticisms are right on target and I apologize for my actions.  Sometimes, I have to refuse to apologize and stand my ground.

I was told by a small town high school coach once that the only people who needed thicker skin than a coach of a high school in a small town was the pastor.

McCabe signed a wedding license for a gay couple.  She participated in a gay wedding.  She knew what she was doing and knew that it may have crossed the line of church law -- she certainly knew that she would be held accountable and have to explain her actions.

Did the criticism of McCabe go too far?  As I read the article in the Presbyterian Outlook, I think not.  Oh sure, there may have been a few individuals who spoke too emotionally or irrationally.  A few may have crossed the line.  But to be a pastor means you have to have thick skin.  To be a moderator or vice moderator of the General Assembly requires even thicker skin.

My view is that by resigning, McCabe will continue to be in the spotlight and will be more crirtized than ever before.

My speculation is that there is more to it than we know.  McCabe made what she thougth was the best decision for herself and the church, and we should continue to keep her in prayer.

Marriage is Between a Man and Woman - so says GA

Marriage has been evolving and changing - and not just in recent years.  We think of marriage as a stable and unchanging institution, but in the Bible marriage was often between a man and several women.  Marriage was often pre-arranged by parents.  Women were given into marriage in exchange for property. 

That marriage is always being redefined is something that many will deny.  The truth is, marriage has changed a great deal.

Our culture is changing its definition of marriage and the General Assembly considered doing the same by modifying the definition as "between a man and a woman" to "between two people." 

The debate was long and there were substitute motions to consider, but at the end of the day on Friday, the General Assembly voted to continue to define marriage as between a man and a woman.  In other words, it will continue to be against church law in the Presbyterian Church USA for a minister to perform a marriage for gay couples.

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. 

A Very Divided General Assembly Votes 322 to 323.

The General Assembly is as divided as I've ever seen it.

Tonight there was a motion to allow 20 minutes for discussion about the resignation of the Vice Moderator McCabe.  There was some discussion about the motion, with one person describing herself as a ruling elder, lawyer and elected official in her community.  She offered the observation that when we are in the heat of the moment and hurting, to continue discussion sometimes adds to that hurt. "What we need," she said, "is for us to allow things to calm down in this General Assembly."

Another commissioner said that the Assembly had witnessed the resignation and "that was the end and we went on our way as if nothing had happened."  She called for the assembly to reflect on what had happened.

The Theological Advisory Delegates voted 70% yes, 26% no, 4% abstained.

The Youth Advisory Delegates voted 62% yes, 41% no, 7% abstained.

The Ecumenical Advisory Delegates voted 67% yes, 33% no, 0 abstained.

Missionary Advisory Delegates voted 50% yes, 50% no and 0 abstained.

"Commissioners, you have been advised," said the moderator.  "Please vote with your keypad now."

Moments later the vote was announced, and it was startling.

322 votes yes, 323 votes no, 17 votes abstained.

The don't get any closer than that!

So - the General Assembly voted not to spend 20 minutes discussing the resignation of the Vice Moderator.

The next vote was to vote on the new Vice Moderator, Tim.  Commissioners voted 80% in favor of the approving Tim Trinidad as the new Vice Moderator.

The General Assembly is divided, but the devotion and commitment of these Commissioners shines through.  You see their spirit as you walk down hallways and see small gatherings of three, five, or a dozen people holding hands in prayer.  These are people who know they are divided.  They know they have a lot of work to do, but they have one thing in common - a love of Christ.

If they keep their eyes on Christ, all other divisions can be healed.

Vice Moderator McCabe Resigns After 36 Hours In Office

We often see things so very differently.

I saw the election of McCabe as a very positive statement about our church.  I saw it as a symbol of a divided church that could work together.  The new Moderator, Presa, opposes same-sex marriages.  The new Vice Moderator he selected and whom the General Assembly approved with a small majority, favors and has even participated in a marriage between two women.

As a church we seek the peace, unity and purity of the church - that is, in fact, a phrase from our Presbyterian ordination vows.  It is a true challenge to have all three. We sometimes strive for peace at the expense of purity, or sacrifice unity in favor of purity.

Others saw the election of McCabe very differently.

David Fischler in his blog, Stand Firm, had this to say:


It was a slim margin of victory for McCabe, yes, but think about what that says about the denomination. It says that in the PCUSA, the Book of Order, the constitution of the church, the rules by which order is brought to a large organization, are of no consequence. You can ignore them at will, and still be rewarded with election ot high office.

What I saw, obnoxious optimist that I am, was a sign of unity in a divided church struggling to interpret and live by God's Word.  Others saw it as a shame.

This afternoon, McCabe addressed the General Assembly and announced her resignation as the Vice Moderator.

The mood was somber as McCabe spoke to the General Assembly.  She referred to comments on Twitter and in blogs that she described as “unhelpful and frankly divisive comments” since her election. Moderator Neal Presa mentioned that some of these have been included a public letter to McCabe.  

I am not sure, but if the open letter is the one that most people I've talked with say it is, the letter simply asked for McCabe to speak publicly about her views on same sex marriage.  (That letter can be found here).

Dialogue and debate are what Presbyterians do, and this issue begs for debate.  It is not perfectly clear how she participated in the wedding, but if she officiated she could be in violation of the church's constitution - such an evaluation is not made by Facebook or Twitter chatter, but by judicial action.  At this time, there is no disciplinary action against her.

The moderator also referred to rumors of an effort to ask the assembly to reconsider her election; and even questions about "the authenticity and veracity" of their friendship of more than 11 years. 

That says just enough, and leaves just enough unsaid, that it prompts the rumor mill to go into a higher gear that it has been up until now.

All in all, it is a sad moment, but let me offer two comments.

First, McCabe has a right to make this decision.  No one made it for her.  There is no reason for most of us to take any approach other than to support her in her decision.  And to keep her, and our church in prayer. 

Second, this unusual development is not the focus of what we are doing here.  We are here to do the work of the Presbyterian Church (or for some of us, like me, to simply observe and not vote - so much easier to do).  There is a lot of work for the General Assembly to do, so let's focus on that work.

And as for having a Vice Moderator?  The Moderator has named Tom Trinidad, from Faith Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Co.   That election will be held later tonight.

The Personal Touch of General Assembly

One of the Seven Marks of Discipleship that Chapel by the Sea of Fort Myers Beach, FL, has adopted is "Enjoy Spiritual Friendships."

General Assembly is not just about debating and voting.  It is also about enjoying spiritual friendships.  As an observer rather than a voting commissioner, that is what I enjoy the most about a General Assembly.

I get to see folks I met in college or seminary.  I see colleagues in ministry I worked with years ago.  My wife and I are looking forward to having lunch with someone who served as one of my Associate Pastors in my church in Miami, Florida.  We haven't seen each other since 2001, when we began to serve the US Navy as a Chaplain.  He recently accepted a pastorate in the Pittsburgh area.

There is more than socializing going on in these encounters. 

I spent time with one person I met in college.  We talked about how we are handling stewardship issues in the church and he introduced me to someone with the Presbyterian Foundation.  They have a new program they have not yet unveiled that will help us with online contributions and donations. 

Over breakfast yesterday, I met with three pastors and we shared some of our challenges each of us were facing in our congregation and shared suggestions with each other.

In the secular business world, we refer to this networking, but in the church it is being the Body of Christ together.