 Mixed reaction greets idea of biennial assemblies By Coleen Klecic The Layman Online Tuesday, June 18, 2002
"Biennial meetings will lower the temperature in the denomination regarding issues of controversy and empower presbyteries," former Moderator Jack Rogers told commissioners. "We can save money, staff time and possibly have a part-time moderator. An assembly every other year will free the G.A. staff to do the work it is directed to do." Those on opposing sides, however, were not lining up along familiar lines of denominational interest groups. Susan Andrews, a pastor in Bethesda, Md., told the committee that she seldom agrees with conservatives on church polity issues, but finds herself aligning with them on this one. "It's not healthy to avoid conflict," she said. "Biennial assemblies would push off discussions that need to take place openly and honestly, as often as possible. Every time I come to G.A., I change my mind on important issues." A total of 24 people offered commissioners their views on biennial assemblies, with 14 opposed and 10 in favor of General Assembly meetings every other year. Those who oppose biennial meetings expressed concern that the General Assembly would be less accountable, and that too much important business would be put aside or delayed. Those who favor of biennial meetings argue that money could be saved and burdens on General Assembly staff would ease. Pastor Jeff Bridgeman of Santa Barbara, Calif., who chairs the General Assembly Council, favors the proposal, testifying that it is time to get the national General Assembly staff off the fast track. "There is too much pressure on staff and important legislation is slipping through the cracks," he said. "Maybe we need to do church differently and connectionalism differently." For others, however, connection was the key issue. Opponents of the idea contend that biennial assemblies would lead to a lack of accountability, that important business would be ignored and connectionalism would diminish. Elder Manley Olson of St. Paul, Minn., calling himself an "ambassador of connnectionalism," told commissioners, "The General Assembly is the strongest link in binding the denomination together. Those who attend come back with an enhanced understanding of how church functions and become ambassadors. This is the family reunion. It's what holds the church together. I don't know how to put a price tag on connectionalism. It's extremely important and ought to continue yearly." However, Bob Ray, a clerk from South Carolina and a self-described veteran of 30 general assemblies, noted that "many PCUSA congregations in my area are under 50 members, and struggle with the cost of participating in annual assemblies. Moving to every other year would help." Don Baird of Sacramento, who opposes biennial assemblies, underscored the importance of staying in touch with the people in the pews by using Methodist and Episcopal church polity as a model for meeting less than yearly. He pointed out that neither denomination is a valid comparison for the PCUSA. "This is not a hierarchy, but a representative polity," he said. "We must be willing to pay the price for democracy. It's worth the cost." Commissioners also heard another measure regarding the interim report on the PCUSA Theological Task Force on Peace, Purity and Unity. It was decided that the amended Task Force will report to 217th General Assembly, regardless of what decision is made about biennial assemblies. This means that the report will come in either 2005 or 2006. An attempt by one commissioner to remove a 120-day deadline for the report to be distributed in the denomination was defeated. Commissioners decided that the task force would distribute its conclusions either in print or electronically at least nine months before the 217th General Assembly. They also approved funding for 20 members, noting that the size of the task force has grown from the original figure of 17 members. |
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