Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy

Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy

The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) serves the prophetic calling of the whole Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by providing the General Assembly with careful studies of pressing moral challenges, media for discussion and discernment of Christian responsibilities, and policy recommendations for faithful action.

ACSWP is responsible for the process of developing and recommending social witness policy to the General Assembly. The term “social witness policy” refers to the positions adopted by the General Assembly to express its stance on and guide response to issues in the public order, including their relation to the church’s own life and mission. These positions may take the form of policy statements, resolutions, study papers, or social involvement reports, as defined in the Manual of the General Assembly, Guidelines and Policies of the General Assembly, p. 142.

The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy meets three times a year. The meeting cycle begins following a General Assembly. Generally speaking, at this summer meeting, ACSWP receives new referrals from the General Assembly, reflects on emerging issues, and hears updates on work in progress. The fall meeting offers the ACSWP an opportunity to receive reports on work in progress, evaluate projects in process, write and edit drafts, and deepen its knowledge of specific work and the church. At its winter meeting during a GA year, ACSWP approves for submission to the assembly policy statements, resolutions, and recommendations to the next General Assembly.