June 1997
Dear Presbyterians,
The 209th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) gave living expression to Jesus' high priestly prayer: "I ask ... that they may all be one ... so that the world may believe" (John 17:20-21). We felt the power of Jesus' prayer for unity among his disciples at the 209th General Assembly. We want to share with you some of the ways in which we felt the Holy Spirit working among us to unite us as Presbyterians and to call us forth with a new energy for Christ's mission in the world.
The 209th General Assembly was preceded by a pre-assembly conference focused on "Common Ground." This gave an important momentum to commissioners as they gathered to seek anew the common ground we share in Jesus Christ. As always, the 209th General Assembly began with a service of holy communion and the commissioning of those in mission. Our outgoing Moderator, John Buchanan challenged us with the words of Ephesians 4:3, to "make every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." We joined together as diverse members of the one body of Christ around the Lord's table and celebrated the commissioning of over 400 people who will represent the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in mission throughout this nation and around the world.
This General Assembly reflected the commitment to unity in Christ in three very important areas:
Unity with the whole body of Christ -- We believe the 209th General Assembly will be remembered for its important and historic steps in ecumenical relations. ...
Unity on divisive issues -- This has been a difficult year for Presbyterians as we have confronted deep divisions within our family over issues surrounding Amendment B (the "fidelity and chastity" overture).
While receiving Amendment B into our *Constitution,* the 209th General Assembly also proposed to the presbyteries for their consideration a new formulation of this amendment which would both maintain a focus on high standards for church officers and at the same time be more in accord with the historical understandings of Presbyterian polity. The new formulation reads as follows [for comparison purposes, I have added the original words of Amendment B as well -- JDA]:
[The New Proposed Amendment]
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a
life in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of
Scripture and instructed by the historic confessional
standards of the church. Among these standards is the
requirement to demonstrate fidelity and integrity in
marriage or singleness, and in all relationships of life.
Candidates for ordained office shall acknowledge their own
sinfulness, their need for repentance, and their reliance on
the grace and mercy of God to fulfill the duties of their
office.
[The Old Amendment B]
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a
life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the
historic confessional standards of the church. Among these
standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity
within the covenant of marriage of a man and a woman, or
chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any
self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin
shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders,
or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
In proposing this new amendment to our *Constitution* the assembly made it clear that it was not setting aside the authoritative interpretation that those being ordained should not engage in sexual practice outside of marriage but was rather seeking to focus on integrity and fidelity in both marriage and other relationships, to affirm our historical understanding of an ordered allegiance first to Jesus Christ, then to scripture, then to the confessions, and to recognize that all of us are sinners in need of repentance and the grace of God.
United through a common vision -- The 209th General Assembly called on all Presbyterians to find common ground in the Great Ends of the Church:
"The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the
gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture,
and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the
maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the
truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the
exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world."
It called for a special two year emphasis on the Great Ends of the Church and urged every governing body to pull together around this inclusive vision for the life and mission of the church. It was the fervent prayer of the 209th General Assembly that we indeed might be one in our commitment to proclaim the Gospel, to build community, to worship, to seek the truth, to promote social justice, and to live our lives in such a way as to exhibit God's love to the world.
We leave the 209th General Assembly with a fresh sense of hope for the future of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Many issues still divide us, but we are united in important ways with the whole body of Christ, with one another, and with the gospel mandate to witness to the love and justice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We love this church. We love its commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the mission of Jesus Christ in the world. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve it. We ask you to pray for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the critical days ahead. -- Faithfully, Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly; Patricia G. Brown, Moderator, 209th General Assembly (1997)