Committee warned that backing NNPCW could have funding consequences By John H. Adams The Layman Online Tuesday, June 22, 1999 FORT WORTH – One of more than 40 speakers warned the General Assembly's Mission Coordination Committee today that funding and continued sponsorship of the National Network of Presbyterian College Women could have consequences similar to the cutoff of General Assembly mission and program gifts following the ReImagining God conference in 1993. That warning was made by Leslie Day Ebert of Cincinnati, who said local congregations are already angry about the "Women of Faith" award-winners and that doubling the appropriation for the Network will spawn actions by sessions to cut of denominational funding. She cited one example – a special-meeting decision Sunday by the session of Highland Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pa., to cut off its per-capita assessment and mission gifts to the denomination. Missionaries could be hurt If such a widespread protest arises, she said, missionaries would become the unfortunate victims of mission budget shortfalls. "Please read the resource, Young Women Speak, before your vote," she said. Young Women Speak was mostly a target – although occasionally commended by Network supporters – during the hour-and-half hearing. Committee members did not question those who spoke. The debate within the committee will begin later this week. Young Women Speak, which was on display in the Network's booth at the General Assembly despite assertions by Network leaders that it was out of print and out of date, includes several controversial sections that use ReImagining God language and suggest that sex outside of marriage, whether homosexual or heterosexual, is OK. In 1998, the General Assembly voted nearly 2-1 to cut off the Network's funding and to end denominational sponsorship. That decision was later rescinded, however, and 1998 commissioners established a task force to review the Network. Despite strong criticism of the Network's materials and resources, the task force is recommending that the General Assembly continue its sponsorship of the Network and double its funding. Comments by hearing speakers Some of the comments made during the hearing today:
Rev. Kimberly Beuchner Fouse, Cincinnati: "The women involved in NNPCW are thoughtful and prayerful." Kathy Banazek, Cincinnati: "Commissioners are obligated to uphold the policies and procedures of the denomination and Young Women Speak consistently defies those policies." She expressed surprise that Network members were displaying the publication in their booth – especially after the task force said pointedly that the document clearly violated denomination policies and failed to mention Jesus Christ in its purpose and mission statements. Rebecca Barnes, College of Wooster graduate and co-moderator of the Network in 1988: "It's painful that my church does not embrace me." Leah Hrachover, incoming co-moderator for the NNPCW: "I know of a Presbyterian college where women are told they cannot be leaders because they are women" – hence, the need for the Network to provide base for leadership development. Ann Ferguson of Louisville, who described herself as a certified Christian educator: The NNPCW is needed "to provide safety of an intimate group … a place where a woman can honestly ask questions about herself." Kathleen Fox, pastor, Presbytery of the Peaks: "We do not empower our young people by failing to hold them accountable." Julia Jones, Chicago: Network material "does not endorse homosexuality, nor does it endorse premarital sex."
Rev. John Bersticker, Carlisle Presbytery: Neither the current structure of NNPCW nor the task force's proposal allows for local oversight. "It only provides more funding at the national level." Jennifer Wilcox: "The NNPCW still welcomes speakers who are noted for their ReImagining God leadership, but they would not welcome an evangelical women's leader such as Elizabeth Achtemeier." Barbara Kellam-Scott: "None of the eight accusations in an overture opposing the Network contains a single quote from the Network's material – and therefore the overture should be rejected." |
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