Panel recommends 'pastoral resources' for GLBTs By Parker T. Williamson The Layman Online Wednesday, May 28, 2003 215th General Assembly Denver, Colo. May 24-31, 2003 General Assembly news index DENVER –The Committee on Mission Coordination and Budgets will recommend to the full General Assembly that a seven-member group appointed by the moderator publish pastoral-care resources to aid congregations in their ministries with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people (GLBT). The committee made its recommendation in response to an overture from Greater Atlanta Presbytery that called for a national-level entity that would focus on the "pastoral needs" of GLBT persons and their families. Opponents of the overture doubted the integrity of its intent, suggesting that the framers were trying to establish a national office, not for the purpose of producing pastoral care, but to promote the acceptance of homosexual behavior. Opponents also argued that pastoral care cannot be conducted from a national office, but at the local level by congregations. Pastoral care is built on personal relationships, not national-level pronouncements, they insisted. Committee members appeared convinced by that argument, and they adopted a substitute proposal that encourages local churches to offer pastoral care to GLBT persons and their families. The proposal calls on higher governing bodies to make resources available to congregations, and a General Assembly-level task force to gather and publicize such resources.

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