210th General Assembly, 1998 By John H. Adams The Layman Online Tuesday, June 8, 1999 The 210th General Assembly, which met in Charlotte in June 1998, was notable for maintaining peace and decorum until the eleventh hour. For the most part, commissioners in Charlotte made decisions that seemed governed by the traditional sources: the authority of Scripture and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The constitution includes the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. For example, the commissioners ordered a complete rewrite of a document titled Building Community Among Strangers, after declaring that the first draft was off-the-mark theologically. One reference in the original document described a scene like a heavenly feast suggesting that all religions represent valid paths to God. Not so, said the commissioners by an overwhelming margin. Another example of recognizing Scripture as authoritative came in a vote on the National Network of Presbyterian College Women. After reading about or hearing citations from the Network's literature commending goddess worship, same-sex relationships and opposing the denomination's ordination standard that requires chastity in singleness and fidelity in marriage by candidates for office, the commissioners voted nearly 2-1 to end sponsorship and funding of the Network. A late-night demonstration by NNPCW members and advocates at the 1998 General Assembly But on the eve of adjournment, the unity under the authority of Scripture dissipated. Moderator Douglas W. Oldenburg allowed a late-night demonstration by Network members and advocates, and they tearfully sang This Little Light of Mine before the entire assembly. On the next morning, the day of adjournment, the commissioners voted to rescind their previous action and give the Network one more chance. They appointed a task force to review the Network's programs and material. Oldenburg was elected moderator to succeed Pat Brown. In a gesture which he said was intended to bridge the conservative-liberal spectrum of the denomination, Oldenburg selected his opponent, James Mead, as his vice moderator. Mead was considered the conservative in the field of candidates. In the end, Mead and Oldenburg teamed up in the effort to restore funding for the National Network of Presbyerian College Women. Commissioners in 1998 were told some "good news" – that membership had declined less than 22,000 during 1997, the lowest loss in 30 years.

210th General Assembly issue of The Presbyterian Layman – July/August 1998

Moderator still favors ordination of homosexuals, theological diversity 1999 General Assembly

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