February 24, 2010: A COGA Commission
Related to yesterday's post about presbyteries figuring out "next steps" in the event of continued disintegration of the connectional bond, I read with fascination this morning's article on the Committee on the Office of General Assembly by the Presbyterian News Service's Jerry Van Marter. Jerry's a pretty sharp guy and picked up on something that would -- in normal circumstances -- be something that most people would skim right over. It looks like a polity-wonk sort of thing, but it has huge (HUGE!) implications for the 219th General Assembly and for the denomination at large.
In short, it is comforting to know I am not the only one recognizing the constitutional crisis of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Well, actually I didn't think I was the only one; however, this is the first time there has been official acknowledgement from inside headquarters.
According to the article, the COGA request is for the 219th General Assembly to establish a commission to work with congregations, presbyteries and synods. (Remember a commission is different than a committee or a task force). Among the six powers it would be granted:
To organize new or realign existing presbyteries and synods in response to actions of the 219th General Assembly or requests from presbyteries or synods;
Now, what does that mean?
Some presybteries “are doing amazing things,” [Stated Clerk Gradye] Parsons noted, while others are “foundering.” There’s “a mass of stuff out there and we need to get at it,” he added. “I think it’s time to have a commission, with powers of the Assembly to act, to get into this, to bring to the forefront some directions for middle governing body life.”
Wow.
If approved, there would be an appointed commission that could re-district? It would be given the authority to change (or not change) everything to a non-geographic presbytery structure? It could negotiate and/or order the transfer of congregations in conservative presbyteries that would prefer to be aligned with more progressive presbyteries and vice-versa?
Friends, if I am not mistaken, this looks like a nuclear option. It is the institutional way of saying, "What we are doing is not working. It is breaking apart. We need to do something else." I cannot emphasize how big a deal is that step. It is too fresh an idea to really evaluate whether it is a good or bad idea.
On the one hand, the upside is huge. The denomination is not going to survive in its current structure and the nFoG does not offer a different-enough paradigm to save it. This is not just about ordination standards, though John Knox Presbytery's action last Saturday is an illustration of the scope of the problem.
- The denomination's disintegrating problems also are financial -- look at the percentages of restricted versus unrestricted giving.
- The problems also involve perceptions about mission priorities -- do the people in the congregations perceive the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to emphasize (i.e., put more money and energy towards) social justice causes or gospel proclamation?
- The problems also arise from the disconnect between the governing bodies -- we have been functionally congregationalist for more than a generation.
Presbyteries can either grow or shrink, they are not sustainable in their current arrangements. It is a healthy step to recognize the problem and seek alternative solutions. I applaud the Stated Clerk for publicly acknowledging it.
On the other, the potential for mischief is huge. Granting that scope of power to any individual or group has enormous implications. Yes, the 220th General Assembly (2012) could reconsider any actions taken or a special called meeting of the 219th General Assembly would be needed; however, it is difficult to unring a bell.
Wow.
I will tell you this: I would lobby to get appointed to the commission. (Not that I would want to create mischief; rather, I think it would be an historic opportunity to serve the church in a creative way.)
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