"Sleeper" Issues

Lots of energy and attention are paid to the “hot button” issues at each General Assembly. This sometimes allows other very important and even potentially controversial proposals to slip through without the attention or debate they deserve.[i] These are “sleeper” issues, and I will identify five of them coming before this Assembly.

Belhar Revisited – There has been surprisingly little conversation around the recommendation of the Special Committee on the Belhar Confession that the Assembly approve the Apartheid-era South African declaration on the incompatibility of racism and Christian faith. Belhar was originally proposed for confessional status in 2008 and approved by the 2010 Assembly, but failed to obtain the required 2/3 approval from the presbyteries the following year. In 2012, the process began all over again with the formation of a new Special Committee. The objections in 2010-11 came from the conservative wing of the church who feared that Belhar might provide confessional support for mandating inclusion of gays and lesbians in the ordered ministries of the church. It is possible with the passage of four years and the departure of some of our most strident conservative churches that this particular objection might have receded. Nevertheless, there are other important conversations that the church should have before its incorporation into our Book of Confessions, most notably how the confessions function authoritatively within the church.

Hanmi Presbytery – The Synod of Southern California & Hawaii has requested permission from the General Assembly to dissolve Hanmi Presbytery, the first Korean-language presbytery to be formed (in 1984). This comes after fifteen years of Administrative Commissions have sought to resolve issues in the presbytery. The presbytery has submitted an overture opposing the synod’s request. That alone would guarantee sparks will fly, but this has the potential to be a battle for the future of all non-geographic presbyteries. Historically the tension between “mainstreaming” such churches and empowering them in language-based presbyteries has been a guarantee for high-voltage debate. It will take a great movement of the Spirit to maintain civility and community regardless of the outcome. This will be addressed in Committee 5, which also is dealing with the future of synods. They will have a full docket.

Changes to General Assembly procedures – The Committee on the Review of Biennial Assemblies, formed in 2010 and continued for another biennium in 2012, is proposing numerous changes regarding the conduct of future General Assemblies. Among their more provocative proposals: shifting the deadline for electing commissioners to 180 days from 120 days; limiting the number of advisory delegates; allowing former commissioners to serve as committee moderators in up to 1/3 of committees; and permitting the election of co-moderators. Some of these have the potential to spark some heated debate.

Fossil fuels – An overture from Boston Presbytery (with 11 concurrences) asks the Assembly and its entities to divest from fossil fuel companies on moral grounds related to climate change. The Assembly has policies restricting investment in certain types of companies that pose ethical concerns (e.g., gambling enterprises, gun manufacturers, tobacco companies). This seeks to add fossil fuel companies to the list. A less radical overture from Seattle Presbytery asks for a study of the impact of coal exports on human health. These may be the first overtures to target greenhouse gas producers on moral grounds, but they will most certainly not be the last. Look for resistance from presbyteries in oil-producing states, for whom a divestment resolution would create a public relations, financial, and political crisis.

“Defecting” Pastors – One overture addresses issues that stem from the increasing number of pastors who have left the PC(USA) as part of schismatic congregations. Item 12-02 from Tropical Florida Presbytery would require the Board of Pensions to “cash out” the pensions of all church leaders who affiliate with another denomination. The overture is too broadly written, but it is likely to stimulate fervent discussion on why those who are loyal to the PC(USA) should be granting pension increases to those who have led churches out of the denomination.

[Correction 6/10: The Committee on Review of Biennial Assemblies is recommending the deadline for commissioner election be moved to 180 days. I had incorrectly said it was for overtures.]

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[i] . I have met some who are convinced former UPCUSA Stated Clerk Bill Thompson let the Angela Davis controversy foment in 1971 in order to drain all the Assembly’s energy from the proposed denominational restructure being considered that same year. The restructure – creating large regional synods and consolidating presbyteries – passed without significant floor debate, I am told.