As a Commissioner to the General Assembly in San Jose I believe there is another issue that needs to be addressed. It is the issue of understanding the context of many of the issues coming before the General Assembly. While I thought I was informed, I realized quickly that some issues have been around for quite a while. While it is easy to change the General Assembly Council’s name by adding Mission, it is not easy to understand the evolution of this body. I felt fortunate to be assigned to a committee where Linda Valentine and others from the Council did a thorough presentation. The issue of the Presbyterian Men not being represented on the GAMC was not as clear.
I think the other area where improvement can be made is understanding the procedure of General Assembly and its referral system. For example the Belhar Confession was referred for further study. Why delay this matter after a committee has studied the document already? I would have thought it could have been sent to the presbyteries for their action.
I came to G.A. excited by the possibilities of the nFOG document. While nFOG was never discussed in my presbytery, I was personally excited by the opportunity to streamline the Book of Order. I left the G.A. feeling like a Committee discussed nFOG, but then ask that it be referred.
I am thankful for The Presbyterian Outlook coverage of the G.A. this spring. The articles became my source of understanding many of the issues that were coming to the General Assembly. And I have found the issues since G.A. have continued to inform myself and the Church, if we but read and learn.
