Women in the Presbyterian Church (USA) call the church to a new vision.
July 6, 2000
Voices of Sophia, an organization committed to the full and equal status of women and marginalized people in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and beyond, is proud to commend the Commissioners of the 212th General Assembly (2000) meeting for dramatically affirming the significant role and authority of women in our denomination and in the world. This stands in stark contrast to the recent steps taken by the Southern Baptist Convention denying women the right to exercise their pastoral gifts.
The General Assembly has adopted a report which "affirms the work of the Women's Ministries Program Area and recommends that the GAC maintain advocacy programs within the WMPA." A recommendation was also approved to "record the number of Personal Information Forms (PIF) of clergywomen considered [for employment], the number of clergywomen heard in neutral pulpits, and the number of clergywomen interviewed for any pastoral position in congregations, and then report the figures."
An Overture from Salem Presbytery was presented to the General Assembly to move Presbyterian Women (PW) from National Ministries Division to Congregational Ministries Division, further alienating their work and mission from the Women's Ministries Program Area. The overture advocate told the Mission Coordination and Budget Committee that when she was asked to advocate for the dislodgement of Presbyterian Women she did not realize the harmful implications of this action. Therefore, she recommended that the Committee disapprove the Overture, which they did unanimously. In addition, strong support was lent to Presbyterian Women through testimony and the Assembly overwhelmingly voted to keep PW in the National Ministries Division.
At the 210th General Assembly (1998) members of the Presbyterian Coalition successfully challenged the re-nomination of the chair-elect of the Advocacy Committee on Women's Concerns (ACWC) and replaced her with their own candidate. This year the General Assembly Nominating Committee's recommendation to re-nominate the current chair was again challenged from the floor. We are pleased to report that this challenge was defeated and the chair continues her service on the Advocacy Committee.
An Overture to "establish a special committee to conduct a study of abortion focused solely on explicating the Biblical witness in a manner faithful to the Scriptures and consistent with the confessional standards" was disapproved. In addition, a review process was implemented to evaluate whether or not the PC (USA) is in compliance with the social witness policy on abortion. The General Assembly entities were found generally in compliance and the report was accepted by the General Assembly.
Four Commissioners Resolutions on different issues have passed urging the PC (USA) to publicly affirm women in the church. The resolutions call the PC (USA) to:
"express respectfully and publicly its Christian concern for and solidarity with women who are being denied the exercise of their pastoral gifts,"
"instruct the PC (USA) to conduct a comprehensive review of all national entities to evaluate the overall implementation of the policies that affect women,"
engage in educational forums and dialogue regarding the relationship between Reformed theology and contemporary theologies of women,"
trust staff members of the PC (USA) to "make decisions about the use of their time and funds that are authorized to do their jobs" by attending conferences relating to women and hold open membership in ecumenical and non-official Presbyterian organizations.
We are concerned with the many decisions that stand in the way of justice being served. The General Assembly replaced a vast and valuable heritage of social witness policy with the most recent policy, reflecting only the momentary and specific judgment of a single General Assembly. In an effort to include sexual orientation among the categories which should not exclude persons from membership in the PC(USA), "race, ethnic origin and worldly condition" were omitted. In addition we stand in solidarity with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered sisters and brothers, both within and outside of our organization, who have been denied their right to have their relationships blessed by the elected members of their faith communities. The Holy Union and membership overtures have been referred to the Presbyteries for their approval or disapproval. These overtures can potentially change the Book of Order.
Voices of Sophia calls the church to put an end to the ways in which we perpetuate alienation from God and from one another by granting privilege and status to some over others on the basis of gender, race, class, age, sexual orientation, ability, religion, or other category.
Back to GA Breakfasts
Top
