GA: Wednesday Afternoon Plenary

Property Trust Clause
The assembly voted not to change the property trust clause overwhelming (although they struck a comment down). Which means the Presbyteries hold all church properties in trust. The proposed changed would have shifted the ownership to the local church. People fear that if we give ownership of properties to churches (which put their own money to build and maintain the properties) churches might leave. So in reality we are no longer a church that is connect theological, constitutionally (because of recommendation 5), but we are connected by our money (property and pensions). Hmm–I think we got that backwards.

FOG taskforce
Well you know I was opposed to a rewrite of the Form of Government, however it was approved by the assembly with a no objection vote. There was a amendment that was added that OGA had to release the rewrite and advisory handbooks by September 1, 2007 to allow the Presbyteries to review and discern the matter. The committee moderator stated that there would be no objection to a timeline. No objection! There are going to be able to form a taskforce from across the country and completely rewrite the form of government in 14 months? That my friends is impossible–unless OGA has maybe already written it.

Korean Synod
A formation of a non-geographic Korean Synod was referred to the office of OGA. There is precedent for such matters as we have created non-geographic presbyteries for Koreans. However, I would be surprise that the OGA would recommend this in the future.

E-Link Presbyteries
An overture to create non-geographic or (E-Link) presbyteries based on like-mindedness or theological unity was disapproved (not surprising). Some were thinking this might help churches deal with the controversy of Recommendation 5. Meaning that some conservative churches in more liberal presbyteries could avoid being in situations where their presbyteries ordain practicing homosexuals. This idea intrigues me, but I am sure this issue will come up again at other GA’s.

Israel Divestment
Wow! The assembly voted 94% to reverse the Israel Divestment decision at the 2004 General Assembly. The resolution was an excellent document that started off with an apology (a real one) to Jewish Community and Presbyterian Community. This is a big deal.

Per Capita
The assembly disapprove an AI that would have made per capita (church tax based on membership size) with a no objection vote. Some churches have withheld their per capita in protest over policies and theology of their presbyteries and the denomination offices. This disapproval confirms what the GAPJC has ruled.

Dinner
You won’t believe this but it is true, I had dinner with a reporter from Alaska that is on the trail of Bigfoot.