UPDATE: Frequently Asked Questions About General Assembly Marriage Actions
We've heard from many congregations, pastors and mid-council staff that it would be helpful to have some clarity about what the 221st General Assembly did -- and did not do -- about marriage. To assist the church in processing the meaning of the authoritative interpretation and proposed amendment to W-4.9000, the Covenant Network has prepared the following list of questions and answers.
Board of Pensions approves benefits for same-gender partners
In response to the urging of the 219th GA (2010), the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to extend spousal and child benefits to same-gender domestic partners of Benefits Plan members.
Gratitude for the Passage of Amendment 10-A
As of May 10, 2011, the amendment to G-6.0106b proposed by the 219th General Assembly (2010) has received the affirmative votes of a majority of the presbyteries. The Covenant Network Board of Directors has issued a statement.
Where Did We Go Astray?
Margaret J. Thomas: G-6.0106b must be stricken from our Constitution so that our historic principles of being Presbyterian may again be honored... Amendment 10-A, now before the presbyteries, offers a way forward.
Why I Support Amendment 10-A
Dr. Mark Achtemeier: Amendment 10-A will (1) bring peace to our Presbyteries by halting the endless succession of battles over proposed amendments to the Constitution; (2) remove divisive ambiguity from the Book of Order, sparing our church huge amounts of costly litigation in the church courts; (3) help us become the kind of faithful church where divisive issues can be handled more graciously and productively than we have seen in the recent past.
Amendment 10-A and the Revised Form of Government
What happens if the presbyteries approve both Amendment 10-A, the new text proposed to replace the current G-6.0106b, and an entirely new Form of Government?
Progress at the 219th G.A. - Covenant Network Reflections
As Covenant Networkers return home from an intense ten days in Minneapolis, we can reflect gratefully on the good work on many fronts of commissioners to the 219th General Assembly.
Tolerance is a Floor, Not a Ceiling
Tolerance should never be mistaken as radically different from intolerance. Thomas Paine best responded to this common error in his book, "The Rights of Man", when he wrote that tolerance was “not the opposite of Intolerance, but is the counterfeit of it. Both are despotisms.” The one, Paine wrote, assumes the right of withholding liberty, while the other assumes the right of granting it.
Covenant Network Board celebrates progress at the 219th G.A.
The Covenant Network of Presbyterians is grateful that the 219th General Assembly voted to continue the progress made by the last two General Assemblies toward a more gracious and welcoming church. The General Assembly voted to send to the presbyteries an amendment setting higher ordination standards that do not arbitrarily exclude a whole class of church members.
General Assembly moves toward more welcoming church.
Committees of the General Assembly committees, meeting in Minneapolis, reported favorably on all business the Covenant Network recommended in our recent Board Statement and other recommendations.
That's For Sure
"We have spent the last 30-odd years arguing about sexuality – at least, that’s what we think we are arguing about. But over the years I have come to believe that the crux of the issue is not what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. The crux of the issue, for us, is what it means to be Presbyterian." read more...
Covenant Network Board Recommendations on Issues before the GA
In its most recent Statement, the Covenant Network Board articulated 3 primary goals for the 219th GA. Further, the Board offers the following recommendations on several other issues coming before the Assembly.
Minnesota Covenant Congregations Preparing for General Assembly – Part II
Nine Covenant Congregations will be volunteering at the upcoming 219th General Assembly, alongside sister congregations from the three hosting Presbyteries. Part I, posted last month, featured four of these Covenant Congregations. In Part II, we celebrate five more dedicated and diverse churches.
40 Days of Preparation for GA
Join the Association of Executive Presbyters in prayer as General Assembly approaches.
Goals for the 219th General Assembly
The Covenant Network Board of Directors has issued a statement articulating its top priorities at the 219th General Assembly (2010).
Commissioner Convocation Dinner
Looking to make a difference "toward a church as generous and just as God's grace" at this summer's General Assembly? Don't miss the Friday night Commissioner Convocation Dinner!