Roundup of proposed changes to the PCUSA constitution The Layman Volume 34, Number 7 Posted November 30, 2001 Besides Amendment 01-A, commissioners to presbyteries are voting on a number of constitutional changes – ranging from calling pastors “bishop” to ensuring parity between clergy and elders at presbytery meetings. Here’s a brief review of the proposed amendments: Amendment 01-B Is your Presbyterian pastor a bishop? He or she would be if the presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church (USA) approve Amendment 01-B. If approved, the amendment would add to the Book of Order a section that says: “The person who fulfills this responsibility [as minister] has, in Scripture, obtained different names expressive of his or her various duties. As he or she has the oversight of the flock of Christ, he or she is termed bishop. As he or she feeds them with spiritual food, he or she is termed pastor. As a servant of Christ in the Church, the term minister is given …” Those favoring the amendment say the use of the word “bishop” would enhance ecumenical relations by placing Presbyterian ministers on par with bishops from episcopal bodies, such as Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal and Roman Catholic. Amendment 01-C Presbyteries often use administrative commissions to referee controversies in congregations and take final action. Sometimes, those commissions dissolve the relationship between a pastor and the congregation. Amendment 01-C would allow the full governing body [i.e., the presbytery] to rescind or amend the commission’s actions. Commissions considering the dissolution of pastoral relationships also would be required to hold a hearing at which the pastor “shall” and members “may” speak. Amendment 01-D The amendment proposes that a presbytery, synod or the General Assembly be authorized – by a two-thirds vote – to call an interim administrative or executive officer to permanent status. The hiring body would still be required to conduct a full, open search process. Amendment 01-E Proponents of this amendment say its purpose is to make it easier to adjust imbalances between clergy and lay elders at meetings of presbyteries. “When the number of resident ministers entitled to vote in the presbytery is greater than the number of elders so entitled, it [the presbytery] shall redress this imbalance annually by providing for the election, appointment, or selection of additional elders,” the amendment says. It also encourages retired pastors to be active (and voting members) of presbyteries. Amendment 01-F This amendment would allow members of committees on ministry to serve two full three-year terms rather than only one full term after completion of a partial term. Amendment 01-G If this amendment is approved, racial-ethnic and immigrant congregations could affiliate with non-geographic presbyteries. Furthermore, those presbyteries could also include non-PCUSA congregations that have sessions. The purpose of the amendment is to create a critical mass for the racial-ethnic and immigrant congregations, which represent a small percentage of the membership of the PCUSA. Opponents say the non-geographic presbyteries would further isolate the racial-ethnic and immigrant congregations from the mainstream of the PCUSA. They argue that the amendment would establish a precedent that might be followed by non-geographical presbyteries for theological reasons. Amendment 01-H This amendment would make three substantial changes in the Book of Order: An interim pastor could be elected the permanent pastor by a two-thirds vote of presbytery. Presbyteries would be authorized to initiate inquiry and dissolve pastoral relationships through its committee on ministry, in addition to through an administrative commission. Certified Christian educators who are elders would be allowed to vote and voice their opinions at presbytery meetings.

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