Commissioners (representatives) to the general assembly, the highest lawmaking body of the 2.9 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA), typically debate political and social issues at their yearly meeting till the early morning hours. But at the 201st general assembly, held last month in Philadelphia, business sessions ended on time. One was even canceled.
Perhaps acrimony gave way to celebration, as the denomination marked the bicentennial anniversary of its first general assembly, also held in Philadelphia. Or perhaps commissioners were overcome by the spirit of the moderator they elected to represent the church for the next year, the affable Joan Salmon-Campbell, member of the clergy and a trained musician described by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary professor Richard Lovelace as “a charismatic that you don’t mind being charismaticized by.”
But the most likely explanation for this year’s relative calm was that commissioners were in a referral state of mind. Various task forces are in the midst of major studies on some of the denomination’s most hotly contested issues. Several commissioners expressed concern about “prejudicing” the progress of these efforts, thus setting the tone for referral.
Looking To 1991
A task force on human sexuality that is due to address several issues by 1991, including homosexual ordination, was the major target of referrals. Commissioners originally voted against a proposal to reaffirm opposition to the ordination of practicing homosexuals in the meantime.
But Kenneth Hall, the church’s immediate past-moderator, expressed concern the action would be interpreted as advocacy of homosexual ordination. And in the final business session, commissioners approved a resolution stating that the general assembly is “bound by previous actions until they are changed by Constitutional means.”
Another group due to report in 1991 is a task force on Social Witness Policy, which is attempting to articulate a theological basis for Presbyterian social action. Renewal leaders within the denomination generally believe the church in recent years has sacrificed theological reflection for political action.
But, said Harry Hassal, a long-time leader in renewal circles within the PCUSA, “This assembly was less political than any I’ve attended this decade. It did not seek to answer every political question on the international agenda.”
The body did resolve to intensify efforts to encourage divestment in South Africa, and called on the governments of El Salvador and the U.S. to “observe human rights and democratic freedoms of all Salvadorans.” It also affirmed the struggle of Chinese students for democracy, supporting the U.S. government’s response to the crisis there.
Compassion And Pietism
Hassal said the 1989 general assembly was marked by “compassion and pietism.” He cited as examples commissioners’ approval of measures designed to address the problem of homelessness and to help smaller congregations (under 250) to minister more effectively. Also, commissioners passed a resolution urging Presbyterians to protest “derogatory references to God and to Jesus Christ” on the part of national TV networks.
Theological conservatives were by and large pleased with the developments on the theological front, including approval of a proposed draft of a “Brief Statement of Faith,” a contemporary “Apostles’ Creed.” Commissioners also approved a major statement articulating the church’s vision. The statement identifies as the denomination’s two priority goals “doing evangelism and developing congregations” and “doing justice.” Commissioners authorized the raising of $13 million for overseas missions and $ 15 million (over the next five years) for domestic evangelism.
Renewal leader Matt Welde said he believes some of the motivation for the emphasis on evangelism is due to the “survival syndrome,” the fear that the denomination will eventually decline itself out of existence. But he added that many in top leadership positions in the church are coming to the sincere conviction that “people are lost outside of Christ.”
Failed Effort
Abortion opponents found little at this year’s meeting to applaud. The special organization Presbyterians Pro-Life (PPL) distributed a paper on the final day of the meeting, stating, “[W]e must name the beast which has devoured this Assembly, and that beast is wickedness.”
PPL unsuccessfully opposed a resolution criticizing the organization Operation Rescue. The resolution alleged that Operation Rescue and similar antiabortion groups are guilty of “harassment, personal abuse, intimidation, and violent attack” in their efforts to prevent women from obtaining abortions.
Commissioners did, however, approve a resolution calling for support of women in crisis-pregnancy situations, support that would enable them to “carry out their pregnancies to full term if that is their decision.” A major church dialogue on abortion is scheduled for November.
In one of its final actions, the general assembly passed a resolution chastising PPL for misleading and inaccurate portrayals of positions taken by this year’s assembly. According to the resolution, these concerns will be communicated to commissioners at next year’s general assembly.
By Randy Frame, in Philadelphia.
