Latest Resources

The 220th General Assembly (2012) was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

PART I - JOURNAL

Published by the Office of the General Assembly
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202-1396

CONTENTS

SECTION ONE

Proceedings of the 220th General Assembly (2012) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Including Reports of Assembly Committees

Convening
01 Business Referrals
02 Bills and Overtures
03 General Assembly Procedures
10 Mission Coordination
09 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
18 Confessions of the Church
17 Theological Issues, Institutions, and Christian Education
19 Review of General Assembly Permanent Committees
05 Mid Council Issues
06 Church Polity
11 Social Justice Issues
20 Board …

Tips for writing or renewing a partnership covenant agreement
By Tracey King-Ortega, Anita Taylor Torres and Leslie Clay
CEPAD, Nicaragua

November 2012

Is a pastor shortage on the horizon?

About half of installed and designated pastors are age 55 or older. If all of them retire in the next decade, the number of annual retirements would double from the current average of 171 to about 340. This could portend an increased need for 170 new pastors per year, under the (unlikely) assumption that no positions are lost.

Building a Community of Faith, Hope, Love and Witness

• The Session: a Council of the Church and Expression of Unity & Mutuality
• The Session: Discerning Leaders attending to the holy spirit
• The Session’s Responsibilities (G-3.0201)
• Session Meetings (G-3.0203 and G-3.0201)
• Session Minutes and Records (G-3.0204)
• Session Relations with Other Councils (G-3.0202)
• Finances (G-3.0205)
• The Session’s Role in Developing Manuals, Policies & Obtaining Insurance
• Some Questions the Session must Prayerfully discern and consider
• Discussion Questions for your session
• Resources for Communal Discernment

Building a Community of Faith, Hope, Love and Witness

• The Missional Church: Presbyterian Church (USA)
• God’s Mission (F-1.01)
• A Mission-Focused “Form of Government”
• Question for Discussion

Jesus Christ and the New Form of Government

Building a Community of Faith, Hope, Love and Witness

• Jesus Christ and the Mission of the Church
• Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church (F-1.02)
• Jesus Christ Calls and Equips the Church (F-1.0202)
• Jesus Christ Gives the Church its Life & Scripture (F-1.0203)
• Jesus Christ is the Church’s Hope (F-1.0204)
• Jesus Christ is the Foundation of the Church (F-1.0205)
• The Church is sent to be Christ’s Faithful Evangelist (F-1.0302(d))
• Jesus Christ Calls the Church Ahead (F-1.0401)
• Jesus Christ is the Foundation & Standard for All Ministry (G-2.0101)
• Questions for Discussion

In 2006, the 217th General Assembly created the Form Government Task Force and charged this Task Force to draft a Revised Form of Government. In 2008, this Task Force presented its report to the 218th General Assembly. This Report included: the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, a revised Form of Government, and the Advisory Handbook for Councils. The 218th General Assembly referred the Task Force’s Report to the Office of General Assembly for a period of church-wide study and response. After taking into account these responses and adding members of the assembly committee that studied the Report to the task force, the expanded Task Force produced a new draft to be considered by the 219th General Assembly. In 2010, the 219th General Assembly voted to approve an amendment to the previous form of government and directed the Stated Clerk to send this amendment to the presbyteries for a vote.In late spring 2011, the majority of Presbyteries approved this amendment. Accordingly, the new Form of Government took effect on July 10, 2011, one year after the 219th General Assembly. As a whole, the new Form of government is the result of the work not only of three General Assemblies and two task forces, but also expresses the input of more than twenty years of expressed need to review and revise PCUSA’s Form of Government.

“Why should trade be fair? / "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you." Jesus said that." Print this poster and hang it in your church or home.

This 29 page document includes summaries of all 16 synod consultations/ listening groups conducted by members of the 219th General Assembly's Mid Council Commission.

Comparative Statistics 2011 - Technical Information

• Sources of Data
• Guidelines for Use
• Definitions:  Membership
• Definitions:  Teaching Elders
• Definitions:  Finances
• Changing Definitions
• Availability of Data