“As I move through . . . this phase of my personal journey with Jesus Christ, I feel compelled to now focus in an area where my skills and gifts might arguably be greatest.”[1]

 

Our polity beautifully illustrates the Presbyterian Church’s commitment to guarantee the full participation and representation of its membership’s rich diversity in the governance of the church.[2] We are called to be open to Presbyterians of all racial ethnic and gender identities, ages, membership and ordination categories, various abilities and disabilities, and the broad spectrum of demographic, geographic, and theological differences. Ensuring that all Presbyterians, with their varied talents, skills, and experiences, participate in the governance of the church makes visible the fullness of our humanity and the value of each member to the life and work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

This coming spring the 16-member General Assembly Nominating Committee will prepare its slate of new nominations and re-nominations for 29 boards, commission and committees for election by the 225th General Assembly meeting in June 2022. The Committee’s moderator, the Reverend Sonya McAuley-Allen, encourages those who may feel called or are questioning whether or not God may be calling them to elected service — people like you — to consider the possibility.

Interested persons should take time to review the list of entities listed on the nominations website to assist in their discernment. You will find information about the purpose, mission, mandate and work of each entity, as well as the gifts, skills and experience needed, and time commitments expected, of members.

Rev. Sonya McAuley-Allen

The Rev. Sonya McAuley-Allen -photo provided

“The fabric of our life and service to Jesus Christ, by way of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), happens when we seek to serve with one another,” McAuley-Allen said. “Thus, our national boards, commission and committees must reflect God’s beautiful tapestry of who we are!

“So, it’s crucial that the slates the GA Nominating Committee presents to the 225th General Assembly display this beautiful reflection.”

The nominations process is application-based and all Presbyterians — church members, deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders —have the opportunity to be considered for service through an application process. While there are requirements by some entities and the Permanent Judicial Commission that members are ruling or teaching elders, this is not a requirement for all entities; church members are eligible to serve in elected membership on many of the boards and committees.

An application-based process ensures that everyone who has completed and submitted the online form will have their application and reference materials presented to the Nominating Committee for consideration and discernment. In addition to professional education and training, technical knowledge and career and ministry experience, the GA Nominating Committee takes into consideration applicants’ spiritual gifts, people and social skills and communication skills.

An elected member who is both an attorney and a pastor, told me, “I also bring a love of Jesus, Scripture, and the Church. I understand our polity to reflect one of the ways we live out the written word of Scripture and embody the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

“I've served as advocate — and I take that role seriously (folks need to know someone is on their side) — and I have gifts for bringing people together, for listening to every side, for beginning with the dignity of each person and going from there.”

valerie izumi

valerie izumi -photo provided

What might you bring in elected service to a board, commission or committee at the national level of the Church?

The GA Nominating Committee is accepting application forms for the following boards, commission, and committees for the current cycle of nominations:

  • Advisory Committee on the Constitution
  • Advisory Committee on Litigation
  • Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy
  • Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns
  • Board of Pensions
  • Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment
  • Committee on the Office of the General Assembly
  • Committee on Theological Education
  • Educator Certification Committee
  • General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
  • General Assembly Committee on Representation
  • General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission
  • Mission Development Resources Committee
  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation
  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation Board
  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Mortgage Corporation
  • Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People
  • Presbyterian Council on Chaplains and Military Personnel
  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program Advisory Committee
  • Presbyterian Hunger Program Advisory Committee
  • Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program Board
  • Presbyterian Mission Agency Board
  • Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Board
  • Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations
  • Racial Equity Advocacy Committee
  • Agency Review Committee Board of Pensions
  • Agency Review Committee Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation
  • Agency Review Committee Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program
  • Stated Clerk Nominating Committee

You will find more information about the General Assembly nominations process and the entities to which they make nominations on the nominations website, and you may complete the online application form in order for the GA Nominating Committee to consider you for nomination. Applications are due by Monday, December 13, 2021.

Through the work and discernment of the GA Nominating Committee, the General Assembly is afforded the opportunity to select from the varied strengths and talents of Presbyterians the most qualified persons to serve on General Assembly entities with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.

“Please consider who you are,” McAuley-Allen urges, “and who God is calling to be among those considered for nomination to elected service.”

If you have questions or need more information about the nominations process, please contact me, valerie izumi, assistant stated clerk and manager for GA Nominations. Look for more articles about the nominations process and service on General Assembly level boards, commission and committees in the months to come.


[1] From an application form received by the GA Nominating Committee. Shared with applicant’s permission.

[2] “The unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the Church’s membership. In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall guarantee full participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership. No member shall be denied participation or representation for any reason other than those stated in this Constitution” (F-1.0403, Book of Order 2019-2023). “As it participates in God’s mission, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) seeks: a new openness in its own membership, becoming in fact as well as in faith a community of women and men [people] of all ages, races, ethnicities, and worldly conditions, made one in Christ by the power of the Spirit, as a visible sign of the new humanity” (F-1.0404).