News Analysis Four more years as stated clerk of the PCUSA for Kirkpatrick? By James D. Berkley Special To The Layman Online Wednesday , August 8, 2007 Who will be elected stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2008 to perhaps help lift Pilgrim Presbyterian out of the Slough of Despond? These are difficult days in the life of the PCUSA.
Kirkpatrick, in his mid-sixties in 2008, is nearing retirement age and his course has been a rocky one in recent years. He even has been invited by some to graciously step down. In addition, ecumenical opportunities, such as the presidency of the National Council of Churches, could be enticing. Thus, his decision is being closely watched. The stated clerk serves in a number of official capacities. Kirkpatrick referred to himself the last time he stood for office as "chief executive officer of the Office of the General Assembly, responsible for interpreting the Constitution, promoting the unity of the Church, conducting the annual session of the General Assembly, and preserving the historical record of the denomination." In that capacity, he manages roughly 60-to-70 staff members, following a painful 11 percent downsizing earlier this year. But beyond the official role of the stated clerk lies the considerable clout inherent in the office. The stated clerk speaks both to and for the Presbyterian Church (USA), often serving as the public face of the denomination. The stated clerk plays a prominent role at every General Assembly, serving as a combination host, cheerleader and referee in the plenary sessions, as well as the main spokesperson to the press and public. The stated clerk also issues "Advisory Opinions" and "Constitutional Musings" on various issues, attempting to define or clarify finer points of Presbyterian polity and practice. In this role, not only the words written but also the subjects chosen can bode well or ill for denominational health. If there is to be absolute fairness in the conduct of church polity, it likely will originate with the stated clerk. If there is bias or confusion, again the stated clerk most likely is culpable. Thus, who serves as stated clerk is a big deal. A denomination can rise or fall on the shoulders of its most prominent and influential leader. Election rules change Following a commissioner outcry about possible manipulation of the stated clerk's election in 2004 by supporters of the incumbent, the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly proposed to the 2006 General Assembly new Standing Rules to govern the election process. While making some necessary adjustments, the new rules – adopted by General Assembly in a consent agenda – continue to give an incumbent tremendous advantage. Previously, the elected Stated Clerk Review/Nominating Committee first reviewed the incumbent and recommended him, and only then considered the other candidates. Now, the new rules leave the review of the incumbent's performance to the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly. That frees the Stated Clerk Nominating Committee to compare the incumbent with everyone else who applies, prior to making a recommendation to the General Assembly. This is a reasonable change. The new process to elect a stated clerk, however, is predicated on the ideal that "the position of stated clerk is a calling, and not a popularity contest." While honorable, this belief serves to curtail any ability to publicize one's qualifications for office. Candidates may not make themselves known or promote their ideas through any means other than an official and standard form. They may not even permit anyone else to recommend them or to critique the incumbent's record. This gives an incumbent a tremendous advantage, since he or she enjoys hours of "face time" before the General Assembly, enormous name recognition, and multiple opportunities to curry and win the favor of commissioners. Meanwhile, challengers will remain in publicity handcuffs, obscure, unheralded and largely unknown to the commissioners. Normally, an incumbent carries the disadvantage of explaining any performance deficiencies. This difficulty is removed, however, if a critique of the incumbent's performance is off limits. Anyone standing for stated clerk other than the incumbent would be denied an opportunity even to compare and contrast his or her ideas and record with the incumbent's. No one will be allowed to critique the standing stated clerk. Thus, in 2008, if the incumbent stands for another term, commissioners will have a choice between a prominent incumbent whose actions cannot be critiqued versus largely unknown candidates who have scant opportunity to become known or to challenge the incumbent with their ideas or concerns. With overcautious control of minimal information, the election process continues to be heavily weighted toward the incumbent. The course ahead Around September of this year, the Stated Clerk Nominating Committee will announce the application procedure. Then, anyone wanting to stand for stated clerk – including the incumbent – will need to submit an application no later than 180 days prior to the opening of General Assembly (by Dec. 23). The nominating committee will interview the applicants and then announce its nominee no later than April 22. Those candidates not so chosen will have until May 7 to announce their continued intent to have their names placed in nomination. All the nominees will have their standardized materials distributed to the commissioners and will have a reception at the General Assembly, in which they can speak with commissioners. No buttons, fliers or posters will be allowed. Nominees also will make brief speeches and answer questions from commissioners. No other nominees, however, may be nominated from the floor. Should no other candidates join the nominating committee's nominee, the election is held within 48 hours of the opening of the General Assembly. If there are two or more nominees in the process, however, the election takes place on the second to last day of the assembly. The first nominee to obtain a majority of the commissioners' votes is elected, even if it requires several ballots. Right now, Kirkpatrick's intent remains the major factor. If he intends to stand for a fourth term, any challenger would have to overcome the bias of the process. Kirkpatrick will likely announce his intent long before the Christmastime deadline, however, thus allowing other potential nominees a better opportunity to assess their prospects. Should Kirkpatrick decide to step down, one can assume that the number of hats thrown in the ring would increase appreciably. The Rev. Jim Berkley is a minister member of Seattle Presbytery in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and lives in Bellevue, Wash. A freelance writer, he also is the director of Presbyterian Action for Faith and Freedom, a committee of the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington, D.C. |
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