From the director

218th General Assembly in San Jose

… What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8b-d)

The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) convenes on Saturday, June 21 and concludes on Saturday, June 28. Our General Assembly (GA) is both exhilarating and challenging, filled with concerns from across the church, blessed servant leaders and Spirit-filled moments. Worship and music, speeches and awards breakfasts all add to the excitement of this bi-annual event.

The Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women ministries area will be resourcing several GA committees dealing with issues from African-American Church Growth Strategies to Institutional Standards for the Christmas Joy Offering.  At this GA, the General Assembly Council (GAC) will be asking all governing bodies and institutions relating to us to join us in our challenge to Grow the Church Deep and Wide  — numerically, spiritually and in diversity.  We will also present the GAC’s Mission Work Plan for 2008-2010. There will be overtures on creating a non-geographic Korean-American Synod, and there is committee business related to the status of women, pay equity, and recognition of the leadership and contributions of women of color in our Church.

While some are disappointed that the spirit of many discussions in the Church today often seem negative and conflictive, others seek to lift up the great mission and ministry that occurs in our church. I am one who remains hopeful, as God is in charge of the church. I am also one who believes that there are things that we do in the Presbyterian Church better than anyone else in the world!

Please be in prayer for our General Assembly.