The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted through its presbyteries to add the Confession of Belhar to The Book of Confessions. The final step will be a vote at the 222nd General Assembly (2016) meeting June 18–25 in Portland, Oregon. View a video message from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, which also is available in Spanish:[Español] and Korean[한국어]. Share those videos, as well as other Belhar resources available at pcusa.org/belhar.
Confession of Belhar approved by presbyteries from Office of the General Assembly on Vimeo.
Transcript:
Affirming our commitment to unity, reconciliation, and justice, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted through our presbyteries to add the Confession of Belhar to our Book of Confessions. The final step will be a vote at the next General Assembly. Done in a spirit of shalom and with a desire for wholeness, the church has said we acknowledge this confession to be relevant for such a time as this in the life of this denomination, and that we diligently desire to live into it as part of the body of Christ.
We recognize our need to confess the ways this denomination has contributed to racism historically and even still today, and mourn all the ways we have fallen short. We believe this Confession, appropriated for this time and place, can bring about reconciliation and justice, and allow us to more fully follow Jesus in ministry and mission.
I commend each presbytery and congregation that took time to carefully study Belhar, and invite the whole church now to find unique and contextual ways to incorporate it into your journey. Various resources are available at pcusa.org/belhar.
Grace and Peace!