"The General Assembly shall create an Assembly Council which shall have the following responsibilities ...

"b. to institute and coordinate a churchwide plan for equal employment opportunity and affirmative action for members of racial ethnic groups, for women, for various age groups, for persons regardless of marital condition (married, single, widowed, or divorced), and for persons with disabilities; ..." (Book of Order G.13-0201).

In observing the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., I remember how things were 30 years prior to his untimely death in 1968 and how things are today, 30 years after his death. From the late 1930s through the early 1960s, discrimination was widely practiced and accepted. The expression "equal opportunity employer" was non-existent prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And the concept of "affirmative action" was virtually unheard of.

In his "I Have A Dream" speech, Dr. King reminded us of the words of the prophet Amos,

"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-ending stream!" (Amos 5:24) Notwithstanding these words of Amos, and that 30 years have passed since Dr. King's death, there still remains a great deal of injustice in the employment of people. Discrimination is still practiced albeit in more subtle forms. Affirmative action programs, once a source of hope for the oppressed, are now under severe attack in legislatures, judicial systems, and even the United States Supreme Court. And "equal employment opportunity" has in many cases been reduced to an over-used, lip service cliche.

Discrimination is a justice issue for which Micah provides guidance. "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) While the church is required to continue to be actively engaged in the struggle for the maintenance of AA/EEO programs in the secular community, the GAC is obligated to certain AA/EEO commitments within the church.

In carrying out its Book of Order responsibility, the GAC developed a "Churchwide Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action" which was adopted by the 197th General Assembly in 1983. After an introductory theological statement, the Plan addresses the responsibilities of various governing bodies and entities. The Plan encourages each of these groups to develop its own plan which is to include AA/EEO goals, personnel policies and a commitment to purchase from and/or invest in businesses that are committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. Included in the Plan is a prohibition against discrimination.

The GAC Executive Director's Office is currently being restructured so that the AA/EEO function will report directly to the Executive Director who serves as the principal AA/EEO Officer for the General Assembly. Under the previous structure, this function was four levels removed from the Executive Director. The re-lodging of this function will increase its effectiveness, visibility and accessibility to the entire church.

Micah's words require us "to act justly." GAC considers this to be a mandate to act affirmatively to ensure that employment practices are carried out in a just manner in accordance with the "Churchwide Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action."