MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY February 14-16, 2012 Brown Hotel Louisville, Kentucky

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1 MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY February 14-16, 2012 Brown Hotel Louisville, Kentucky The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) was convened by its moderator, John Wilkinson, at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 14, 2012, in the Broadway A Conference Room of the Brown Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky. The committee engaged in introductions and shared joys and concerns. The opening worship was led by Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons. Roll Call Opening February 14, 2014 CALL TO ORDER JOYS AND CONCERNS OPENING WORSHIP ROLL CALL The following persons present for all or part of the meeting were: COGA Members: Barbara Corwin Kent Grimes Dennis Hughes Leah Johnson, Vice Moderator Eileen Lindner Carol McDonald Carolyn McLarnan, GAMC Corresponding Member Gradye Parsons, Ex-Officio Virginia Rainey Chris Rhodes Marcia Mount Shoop Alejandra Spir-Haddad Vincent A. Thomas Linda Valentine, Ex-officio Landon Whitsitt, Corresponding Member John Wilkinson, Moderator Robert Wilson Absent: Cynthia Bolbach Jerrod Belton Lowry OGA Staff: Loyda Aja Laura Bryant 1

2 2 Timothy Cargal Molly Casteel Kerry Clements Deb Davies Joyce E. Evans Laurie Griffiths Fred Heuser Bobbie Montgomery Marcia Myers Christopher Nicholas Valerie Small Kris Valerius Robina Winbush Sharon Youngs Other Attendees: Alma-jean Marion, Chairperson, General Assembly Committee on Representation (COR) Steve Grace, Presbyterian Historical Society Board Jerry Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly reviewed the agenda for this meeting and Agenda VOTED to adopt the agenda with an amendment to reconsider an action tomorrow morning from the October 2011 meeting as item 6e. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly reviewed the Minutes from its October 5-6, 2011 meeting, and Review of Minutes VOTED to approve the Minutes from its October 5-6, 2011 meeting as presented. Barbara Corwin and Kent Grimes presented the report of the COGA Nomination Committee. They presented the following slate of officers to be placed in nomination, as follows: Report of the COGA Nomination Committee Vincent Thomas, Moderator; Marcia Mount-Shoop, Vice moderator The election will take place on Thursday morning, February 16 th. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly heard a report from its moderator, John Wilkinson. The report included information and concern regarding the health of the Moderator of the 219 th General Report of the COGA Moderator 2

3 3 Assembly Cindy Bolbach. He also called on the Committee to remember Jack Baugh, a former member of COGA who died last year. Moderator Wilkinson read the obituary and offered a prayer.. John Wilkinson announced that there were no consent agenda items. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly heard a report from Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) reported on the work of the GAMC. Laurie Griffith presented a Book of Order Amendment to the Rules of Discipline, D b.(2). The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly: -- Overview of the Consent Agenda Report of the Stated Clerk Report of the GAMC Executive Director Book of Order Amendment VOTED to forward the following amendment to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) for approval: 2012 Proposed change to D b.(2) D b.(2) A minister teaching elder engaged in work within the geographic bounds of a presbytery other than the presbytery of membership, whether that work is under the jurisdiction of the presbytery or not, does, by engaging in that work, submit to the jurisdiction of that presbytery for the purposes of discipline. Should disciplinary process be initiated against a minister teaching elder under this provision, the presbytery of membership shall be notified. The presbytery within whose bounds the teaching elder is engaged in work may, at its discretion, either cede jurisdiction to the presbytery of membership, or choose to cooperate with the presbytery of membership in any disciplinary inquiry, alternative form of resolution or trial. This paragraph shall not apply if the minister teaching elder is working in an approved, validated ministry under the provisions of G G and G a. in other service of this church such as a staff member of a mid or higher council, or of an organization related to one of these councils; or in an organization sponsored by two or more denominations, one of which is this church, such as a joint congregational witness church, a specialized ministry, an administrative office, an interdenominational agency; or as a partner in mission in connection with a church outside the United States of America. (Appendix 1) Gradye Parsons presented an amendment to the Organization for Amend IV.C.2 3

4 4 Mission. The COGA -- VOTED to recommend that the 220 th General Assembly (2012) amend the Organization for Mission by adding the following new sentence to section IV.C.2(d) (this section currently lists 18 responsibilities of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly). 19. On behalf of the General Assembly, bring forward according to G-6.02 any such questions requiring an interpretation of the Constitution which may arise from the work of the General Assembly. (Appendix 2) Marcia Myers presented an update on the Six Agency Leadership Initiative. Also reported on the For Such a Time as This Pastoral Residency Program, a program that seeks to pair small, under-served congregations with recent seminary graduates. Evening Recess Six Agency Leadership Initiative Evening Recess The meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly was recessed at 5:00 p.m. Carol McDonald gave the closing prayer for this session of the meeting. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly gathered for dinner in the English Grill Restaurant at the Brown Hotel at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Wed., Feb. 15, 2012 The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly was reconvened at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by its moderator, John Wilkinson. Chris Rhoads led the opening worship and prayer. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly heard a report from Thomas Hay, regarding plans for the 220 th General Assembly (2012). The report included a draft regarding the pre-assembly experience for commissioners and Advisory Delegates referred to as Riverside Conversations; presentation of the current docket of the General Assembly; a list of General Assembly Business referral items; and a General Assembly Committee leadership list. Overview of 220 th GA The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly reviewed the docket of the 220 th Assembly (2012) and the list of committee assistants and took the following actions -- VOTED to approve the docket of the General Assembly. (Appendix 3) 4

5 5 VOTED to approve the list of committee assistants for the 220 th General Assembly (2012) (Appendix 4) The General Assembly Committee on the Office of the General Assembly held a conversation with members of the General Assembly Local Arrangements Committee (COLA) via Skype. Tom Hay presented a recommendation regarding the location of the 223 rd General Assembly (2018). The General Assembly Committee on the Office of the General Assembly considered the recommendation, and -- Conversation with COLA Leadership 2018 GA Site/Comm Assistants/Comm Structure VOTED to recommend that the 220 th General Assembly accept the invitation of the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy to hold the 223 rd General Assembly (2018) in St Louis, Missouri, from June 2-9, June 16-23, (Appendix 5) The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly reviewed amendments to the Organization for Mission, as follows: Valerie Small presented a recommendation for an amendment to IV.C.5 of the Organization for Mission to be in accordance with the current Book of Order provisions and Standing Rule K.1.c.. The General Assembly Committee on the Office of the General Assembly -- Organization for Mission Amendments GANC, Amend Organization for Mission VOTED, that the Organization for Mission IV.C.5. General Assembly Nominating Committee, be amended as follows: The There shall be a General Assembly Nominating Committee responsible for nominating persons to serve in positions requiring election by the General Assembly. The Moderator of the General Assembly, in collaboration with the General Assembly Nominating Committee, shall appoint persons to serve on special commissions and special committees. These nominations and/or appointments shall be made in accordance with the shall be composed as provided for in Book of Order, G G and F Current language: The General Assembly Nominating Committee shall be composed as provided for in Book of Order, G Rationale: The Organization for Mission refers to prior Book of Order provisions. This amendment corrects the Organization for Mission to be in accordance with current Book of Order provisions as well as with the appropriate Standing Rule K.1.c 5

6 6 The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly heard a presentation from Alma-Jean Marion, chairperson of the General Assembly Committee on Representation (GACOR), who brought a recommendation from COR regarding an amendment to the Organization for Mission IV.C. Regarding Committees of the General Assemblies. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly Standing Rule IV.C. VOTED to recommend to the 220th General Assembly (2012) an Amendment to the Manual of the General Assembly, Organization for Mission, IV.C by adding a section at IV.C.5 and renumbering the sections that follow: [Text to be added is shown as underlined and text to be removed is indicated by being struck.] 5. General Assembly Committee on Representation a. As provided for in the Book of Order, G , councils above the session shall establish committees on representation to fulfill the following functions: to advise the council regarding the implementation of principles of unity and diversity, to advocate for diversity in leadership, and to consult with the council on the employment of personnel, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity in F b. The committee shall (1) Advise the assembly and all entities created by and accountable to the General Assembly with regard to diversity and inclusiveness in its elected and employed leadership. (2) Reflect in its membership the principles of unity and diversity in F (3) Assist the Moderator regarding the appointment of a commissioner to be the moderator of each assembly committee and a commissioner to serve as vice moderator of each assembly committee (see Standing Rule C.1.c). (4) Evaluate each General Assembly session and share that evaluation with the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly (5) Participate in any review and/or revision of the Churchwide Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action (6) Make recommendations to the assembly regarding inclusion of leaders from emerging communities and concerns as well as methods of decision-making that increase participation and representation, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity in F (7) Review the work and impact of committees on representation at councils below the General Assembly in accordance with the functions and commitments assigned in the Book of Order, G (8) Assist the church to build an ethos of inclusion and involvement of all persons in the decision-making, sharing power across differences. 6.[5.] General Assembly Nominating Committee... 6

7 7 7.[6.] Board of Directors for the Presbyterian Historical Society... 8.[7.] Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations... (Appendix 6) Alma-Jean Marion presented another recommendation from the GACOR on amending Standing Rule K.1.c Regarding Special Committees. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly Standing Rule K.1.c. VOTED to forward the following amendment to the 220th General Assembly (2012) for its approval: To amend the Manual of the General Assembly, Standing Rule K.1.c as follows: [Text to be added is shown as italic.] Appointed by Moderator c. Any commission or special committee authorized by the General Assembly, unless otherwise designated, shall be appointed by the Moderator in collaboration with the General Assembly Nominating Committee and Committee on Representation. The Moderator is also authorized to fill by appointment any vacancies that may occur in any of such commissions or committees. No minister, elder, or other person shall be appointed to serve on more than one such commission or committee except by consent of the General Assembly. (Appendix 7) The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly considered a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution (ACC) to amend the Organization for Mission at IV.C.3.a. The COGA -- Standing Rule IV.3.a. VOTED to recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) Amending Organization for Mission at IV.C.3.a., as follows: a. The members of this committee shall be composed as provided for in The Book of Order, G-6.02, provides for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on the Constitution. The Committee is composed of nine (9) voting members who shall be stated clerks or former stated clerks of synods or presbyteries, former members of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly, polity professors, or other qualified persons with knowledge of and experience with the Constitution 7

8 8 and polity of the church. And that the following go into the Organization for Mission: The Book of Order provides for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on the Constitution. The Committee is composed of nine (9) voting members who shall be stated clerks or former stated clerks of synods or presbyteries, former members of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly, polity professors, or other qualified persons with knowledge of and experience with the Constitution and polity of the church. (Appendix 8) The General Assembly Committee on the Office of the General Assembly heard a report from Laura Bryant regarding the Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance Program. She explained the program as a student loan program for seminary students, which defers lending until after they graduate from seminary. (Appendix 9) Moderator John Wilkinson declared a fifteen-minute break. Gradye Parsons presented the Per Capita Budget Report, which included a review of budget performance for January-December 2011, and recommendations to the 220 th General Assembly (2012). The report will be presented in the Joint meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Mission Council Executive Committee. Joyce Lieberman presented a recommendation from the Office of Vocations in the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) regarding the Process to Evaluate the Current Call System. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance Break End of Year Budget Performance GA Referral Review of Call System VOTED to recommend that the 220th General Assembly (2012) approve the following actions: 1. That the Office of Vocation send a copy of this report to each presbytery encouraging their consideration of the findings as they create and update their presbytery call process. 2. That in its resourcing, training, and consultation with presbyteries, the Office of Vocation share ways in which a pastoral search process can be shortened. 2. That online resources be created for presbyteries and congregational pastor nominating committees that 8

9 9 highlight the ways a pastoral search process can be shortened. 3. That training for presbyteries regarding the call process includes information about ways a call process can be shortened. 4. That the revision of the current Church Leadership Connection system includes changes that will assist in shortening the call process. (Appendix 10) Gradye Parsons and Tom Hay led the COGA through an overview of overtures coming before the 220 th General Assembly (2012). The overview included a power point presentation on PC-Biz. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly heard a report from the GA Vice Moderator. (Appendix 11) Moderator John Wilkinson reported that he has received communications from several entities, including the General Assembly Committee on Representation, the Advisory Committee on Racial Ethnic Concerns, the Disability Concerns, and others regarding the action taken at the October 2011 COGA meeting related to the Session Annual Statistical Report (SASR). Page 5 of October 2011 minutes contains the action. Overview of GA Overtures Report of GA Vice Moderator Statistical Reports The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly VOTED to rescind the action on page 5 of the October 2011 COGA minutes related to the statistical report. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, then VOTED to request that the Office of the General Assembly prepare a new session annual statistical report, bring the report back to COGA for approval and submission to the 221 st General Assembly (2014). It was further agreed that Virginia Rainey and Marcia Mount Shoop participate in that process. Gradye Parsons called attention to the joint referral from the 219 th General Assembly (2010) to the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Mission Council regarding the roles and responsibilities of the General Assembly Mission Council and its Executive Director, and the Office of the General Assembly and the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Joint Referral COGA/GAMC 9

10 10 This item will be dealt with at the joint meeting with COGA and the GAMC Executive Committee later in the day. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly recessed at 11:50 a.m. to convene in joint lunch and session with the GAMC Executive Committee. John Wilkinson gave the closing prayer for this session of the meeting. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council Executive Committee gathered for lunch and meeting at 12:30 p.m. in the Gallery Ballroom of the Brown Hotel. COGA moderator John Wilkinson extended a welcome gave the opening prayer. Tod Bolsinger, chair of the Commission on Mid-Councils presented the Commission s report. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council Executive Committee reviewed the request and engaged in conversation. (Appendix 12) Gradye Parsons presented the Per Capita Budget Report which included a review of budget performance for January-December 2011, and recommendations to the 220 th General Assembly (2012). The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Mission Council Executive Committee -- Recess Lunch and Meeting with GAMC. Welcome Report of Mid-Councils Commission Overview/Approval of Per Capita Budget VOTED: 1. To recommend that the 220 th General Assembly (2012) incorporate into the Minutes the 2010 Per Capita Apportionment Budget and Statement of Activities. 2. (a) to recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012), the Revised 2012 Budget totaling $13,644, 934. (b) to recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012), the total Expenditure Budget for 2013 totaling $13,848, 133, and for 2014 totaling $14,175, 084. (Attachments A & B) 3. To recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) that an amount of $1,384,030 be designated from the 2013 per capita budget (about half the cost of the General Assembly meeting), and be reserved for use in the year of the General Assembly meeting (2014). 4. To recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012), a per capita apportionment rate of $6.80 per active member for 2013, and a rate of $6.98 be effective for (Appendix 13) 10

11 11 The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council Executive Committee also VOTED 5. to recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) approve the attached allocation of designated funds for OGA, and GAMC task forces, totaling $1,806,470 for 2012, and $1,547,480 for 2013 and $1,738,280 for (Appendix 13) The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council Executive Committee reviewed the joint referral from the 219 th General Assembly (2010) to the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Mission Council regarding the roles and responsibilities of the General Assembly Mission Council and its Executive Director, and the Office of the General Assembly and the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. The COGA and GAMC Executive Committee Overview/Approval of GA Referral VOTED to recommend that the 220 th General Assembly (2012) amend the Organization for Mission to clarify the roles of the Stated Clerk and the Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council, by adding a new p. to the list of Stated Clerk functions found in IV B 2, and a new j. to the list of Executive Director responsibilities found at V G 1. The new language would read: (For the Stated Clerk) p. Serve as primary spokesperson for General Assembly actions, unless the General Assembly has directed otherwise. (For the GAMC Executive Director) j. Serve as primary spokesperson for General Assembly Mission Council policies and programs. (Appendix 14) The joint meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council Executive Committee was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. Mike Kruse gave the closing prayer. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly was reconvened in plenary at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by its moderator, John Wilkinson. Kent Grimes gave the opening prayer for this session of the meeting. Joint Meeting Adjourned Reconvene 11

12 12 Gradye Parsons gave the background of the Committee to Review Biennial Assemblies. Carol McDonald and Glenn Bell, a member of the GA Review Committee on Biennial General Assemblies presented the report of the committee. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly took the following actions: Review of Biennial General Assemblies VOTED 1. The Plenary Sessions of the General Assembly -- to structure the docket of each biennial meeting of the General Assembly to contain plenary sessions focused on prayer, Bible study, and community building. VOTED 2. Framework for Plenary Sessions of the Next Three General Assemblies to construct the dockets for the next three successive General Assemblies (2014, 2016, 2018) around the Great Ends of the Church, the Marks of the Church and the Notes of the Church. (G As it leads and guides the witness of the whole church, the General Assembly shall keep before it the marks of the Church (F ), the notes by which Presbyterian and Reformed communities have identified themselves through history (F ) and the six Great Ends of the Church (F ) ) 3. Concurrences for Overtures and Commissioner Resolutions -- That In order to improve collaboration among presbyteries and insure that the business before it is of common concern to the mission of the church (G (d)) about key issues facing the church and society and to encourage well-considered significant overtures and resolutions of church-wide significance: 1. That the 220th General Assembly (2012) direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendments to the Book of Order to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes adding a new section to G , ( on the relations of General Assembly with other councils ): G (f) present to meetings of the General Assembly such proposals from presbyteries and synods that have received concurrences from at least 10% of the presbyteries, or in the case of overtures from a synod, concurrence by 10% of the synods. 2. Amend Standing Rule A.3.(c)6 by adding the line: Concurrences to any non constitutional overture will be received up to 45 days prior to the convening of the next session of the General Assembly. 12

13 13 3. Standing Rule A.8.a be changed as follows: An item of new business, in the form of a commissioners resolution, must be signed by commissioners representing 10% of the presbyteries. Such resolutions must be delivered in writing to the Stated Clerk or the Stated Clerk s designee. No commissioner may sign more than two such resolutions. John Wilkinson vacated the chair and asked that Leah Johnson moderate while he spoke on item 3, above. 4. VOTED That Standing Rule F.5 (b) be amended as follows (items to be 150 eliminated are strikethroughs, items added are underlined): I. The General Assembly shall ordinarily decide questions by electronic voting. The Moderator may also call for unanimous consent by voice vote of show of hands. Assembly committees may recommend the use of a consent agenda for portions of their reports. All decisions made by Assembly Standing Committees by a ¾ (supermajority) vote shall be placed on the Assembly Plenary Consent Agenda to be considered as the first order of plenary business following committee meetings. Any actions requesting constitutional change must be considered in plenary. In all cases, the right of any commissioner to call for one of the other forms of voting or to remove any item from the consent agenda shall be preserved. ii. In addition to all consent items from Assembly committees, the following items shall be placed on the Assembly Plenary Consent Agenda: a. All unchallenged nominations from the General Assembly Nominating Committee. b. Unanimous recommendations from assembly agencies and entities for confirmations of those offices which according to the Manual of the General Assembly require General Assembly confirmation. iii. In all cases, the right of any commissioner to remove any item from the Plenary Consent Agenda or to call for one of the other forms of voting shall be preserved. 5. DEFEATED 6. VOTED Young Adult Commissioners That the 220th General Assembly 13

14 14 (2012) direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the Book of Order to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes adding a new line in G after the formula for the number of commissioners: The presbyteries within the geographical boundaries of each synod shall elect, according to a rotation system agreed upon by the presbyteries, one Young Adult teaching elder commissioner and one Young Adult ruling elder commissioner, age 36 or younger at the time of the convening of the General Assembly to which they are commissioned. 7. VOTED 1. That Standing Rule H.1.b.3 be amended as follows: Distribution of written campaign materials at General Assembly outside of the candidate s room shall be limited to printed materials placed in mailboxes the public distribution area. 2. And that Standing Rle H.1.b.3. (d) be amended as follows: On the day of the convening of the General Assembly, the Stated Clerk shall provide a room for each candidate where commissioners and advisory delegates may meet and talk with the candidate. Candidates are encouraged to meet and make themselves available for conversation with commissioners and advisory delegates within the scope of these campaign procedures. 8. VOTED Removal of Nominating Speeches for the Office of Moderator 1. That Standing Rule H.1.b.4 (a) be amended as follows: The Moderator of the General Assembly shall be elected in the following manner: (a) When the General Assembly is ready to elect its Moderator, only one speech shall be made placing in nomination the name of each nominee. The speech shall be made by a commissioner to the General Assembly. Such speech shall not exceed five minutes in length. There shall be no speeches seconding the nomination of any nominee. The order of speaking shall be determined by lot, the drawing conducted by the most recent Moderator attending the General Assembly. When the General Assembly is ready to elect its Moderator, each candidate shall be nominated by a commissioner to the Assembly in the following manner: the commissioners making nominations shall be recognized at microphones on the Assembly floor. Upon recognition by the Assembly Moderator, the nominator shall say, Moderator, I place in nomination for the office of Moderator of the General 14

15 15 Assembly Ruling/Teaching Elder from the Presbytery of. The nominator shall then return to his/her seat on the plenary floor. No seconds to nominations are required. 2. And that Standing Rule H.1.b.4 (b) be amended as follows: After nominations are closed, each nominee shall be afforded an opportunity to address the Assembly for a time not to exceed five minutes, expressing the concerns that nominee feels to be the most important for the church. The nominees shall speak in the same order as the presentation of nominating speeches. The order of speaking shall be determined by lot, the drawing conducted by the most recent Moderator attending the General Assembly. 9. VOTED Extending the timeframe for the work of the Biennial Review Committee That the 220 th General Assembly instruct the Committee to Review Biennial General Assemblies to continue its work to the 221 st General Assembly (2014) in order that all matters related to the form and function of the meeting of the General Assembly may be explored, developed, and discerned, and additional recommendations brought to the 221 st General Assembly. (Appendix 15) Gradye Parsons presented a report on the work of the General Assembly Committee on the Nature of the Church in the 21 st Century, for information (Appendix 16) The report of the General Assembly Special Committee on the Heidelberg Catechism to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) was shared for information. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly was recessed for the evening. Virginia Rainey gave the closing prayer for this session of the meeting. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly met in executive session beginning at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2012 The meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly was reconvened at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2012 by its moderator, John Wilkinson. Barbara Corwin led the morning worship GA Committee on the Church of the 21 st Century Update on Heidelberg Committee Evening Recess and Prayer Executive Session Reconvene, Thurs., Feb

16 16 and opening prayer Barbara Corwin and Kent Grimes presented the report of the COGA Nominating Committee and placed in nomination the names of Vincent Thomas, as COGA Moderator, and Marcia Mount-Shoop as COGA Vice Moderator. The floor was opened for nominations. There were no floor nominations. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly Election of COGA Moderator and Vice Moderator VOTED to Elect, Vincent Thomas, as COGA Moderator, The COGA, then -- VOTED to Elect, Marcia Mount-Shoop as COGA Vice Moderator. The report of the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) Board was presented by Paul Watermulder, who introduced Nancy Taylor and Steve Grace. (Appendix 17) Paul Watermulder presented the names of persons to be elected to the PHS Board. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly -- PHS Report Election of PHS Board Members VOTED: 1. To elect the following persons to a three year term as part of the Class of 2015: Carl, Jane (Pittsburg) 1 st term Kramm, Deborah (NYC, NY) 1 st term Morris, Robert (Moorestown, NJ) 1 st term 2. To elect the following persons to a four year term as part of the Class of 2016: Weeks, Louis (Williamsburg, VA) 2 nd term Watermulder, Paul (Burlingame, CA) 2 nd term Bergstrom, Betty (Chicago, IL) 2 nd term Small, Lisa (Sewickley, PA) 1 st term Fong, Joan (Freemont, CA) 1 st term Paul Watermulder, on behalf of the PHS Board, requested that Kewsun Chai be removed from membership on the PHS Board because of continuous unexcused absences. Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons declared the position vacant. 16

17 17 Paul Watermulder, Fred Heuser, Nancy Taylor and JohnWood presented a proposed response to a referral from the 219 th General Assembly. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly -- Referral to PHS re: per capita VOTED to approve and send to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) Referral: The 219th GA action requesting the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) to develop a five year plan to reduce its annual per capita budget by 10% was referred to the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and in turn to the Board of PHS, as follows: Response: A review of the last five years ( ) of the PHS Per Capita budget and spending, indicates that actual Per Capita spending has been reduced by about 6.8% between 2007 and This is a result of a plan PHS has had in place, involving effective cost control measures and supplementary funds development efforts. During those five years the approved PHS Per Capita budget has decreased about 6.4% and PHS has under spent its approved annual Per Capita budget by an average of about 4% per year. The plan will remain in place to assist PHS to continue to reduce its annual Per Capita spending and under spend its annual Per Capita budget as allocated through the present per capita budgeting process of the Office of the General Assembly. (Appendix 18) John Wilkinson made several announcement, including pointing out dates for General Assembly, June 30-July 30, 2012, and that he and Leah Johnson will work on COGA assignments and share that information as soon as possible. It was agreed that a grid of events and assignments for COGA members would be developed. John Wilkinson requested that COGA members hold off on registering until they hear from him or OGA staff with information. Announcements John Wilkinson also pointed out dates for the October 2012 COGA meeting, October 16-18, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 17

18 18 The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly heard reports from its members regarding conferences and other events attended on behalf of the COGA. Having no further items of business, the meeting of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, Robert Wilson gave the closing prayer and blessing over the lunch meal. Report Back from COGA Members Adjournment and prayer Respectfully submitted, Joyce E. Evans Recorder 18

19 Appendix 1 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item 1.j Edit in Rules of Discipline from former Form of Government references to current Form of Government references that changed the meaning and intent of the paragraph. Recommendation: That the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly forward the following amendment to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) for approval Proposed change to D b.(2) D b.(2) A minister teaching elder engaged in work within the geographic bounds of a presbytery other than the presbytery of membership, whether that work is under the jurisdiction of the presbytery or not, does, by engaging in that work, submit to the jurisdiction of that presbytery for the purposes of discipline. Should disciplinary process be initiated against a minister teaching elder under this provision, the presbytery of membership shall be notified. The presbytery within whose bounds the teaching elder is engaged in work may, at its discretion, either cede jurisdiction to the presbytery of membership, or choose to cooperate with the presbytery of membership in any disciplinary inquiry, alternative form of resolution or trial. This paragraph shall not apply if the minister teaching elder is working in an approved, validated ministry under the provisions of G G and G a. in other service of this church such as a staff member of a mid or higher council, or of an organization related to one of these councils; or in an organization sponsored by two or more denominations, one of which is this church, such as a joint congregational witness church, a specialized ministry, an administrative office, an interdenominational agency; or as a partner in mission in connection with a church outside the United States of America. Rationale: D b(2) was editorially revised in July, 2011 as a result of the new Form of Government from: D b.(2) A minister engaged in work within the bounds of a presbytery other than the presbytery of membership, whether that work is under the jurisdiction of the presbytery or not, does, by engaging in that work, submit to the jurisdiction of that presbytery for the purposes of discipline. Should disciplinary process be initiated against a minister under this provision, the presbytery of membership shall be notified. This paragraph shall apply even if the provisions of G b concerning permission to labor outside or within the bounds have not been followed. 19

20 This paragraph shall not apply if the minister is working in a validated ministry under the provisions of G To D b.(2) A minister teaching elder engaged in work within the bounds of a presbytery other than the presbytery of membership, whether that work is under the jurisdiction of the presbytery or not, does, by engaging in that work, submit to the jurisdiction of that presbytery for the purposes of discipline. Should disciplinary process be initiated against a minister teaching elder under this provision, the presbytery of membership shall be notified. This paragraph shall apply even if the provisions of G b G concerning permission to labor outside or within the bounds have not been followed. This paragraph shall not apply if the minister teaching elder is working in a validated ministry under the provisions of G G and G a. Issue: The last two sentences of this paragraph refer to a situation that is not found in the current Form of Government, namely labor outside or within the bounds requirement found in the former Form of Government as a requirement for a particular Validated ministry. The last sentence refers to an exception to that particular Validated ministry labor outside or within the bounds requirement that exempted persons who were engaged in a validated ministry in other service of this church so that they were not required to have approval to labor outside or within the bounds. Since there is no longer a category anymore of labor outside or within the bounds the third sentence edit is erroneous but moot (not harmful). The final sentence which was the disciplinary exception to the exception to the Labor outside the bounds requirement now, unfortunately, incorporates the entire Validated ministry category as exempt from the requirement of the first part of the paragraph. So that it reads as though the first part of the paragraph does not apply to all persons engaged in a Validated ministry as opposed to a RoD exception that mirrors the exception to the labor outside or within the bounds requirement (excepting persons in other service of this church from getting permission to labor outside or within the bounds) which was a subset of the Validated ministry category. This has the effect of making the entire paragraph moot which I do not believe to be the intent of the editors. 20

21 For Action: Appendix 2 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item 6.d.2 On amending IV.C.2 of the Organization for Mission, authorizing the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly to Bring Questions requiring an Interpretation of the Constitution to the General Assembly Recommendation: The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) recommends that the 220 th General Assembly (2012) amend the Organization for Mission by adding the following new sentence to section IV.C.2(d) (this section currently lists 18 responsibilities of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly). 19. On behalf of the General Assembly, bring forward according to G-6.02 any such questions requiring an interpretation of the Constitution which may arise from the work of the General Assembly. Rationale: G-6.02 outlines the process for interpreting the Constitution. Paragraph three says All questions requiring an interpretation by the General Assembly of the Book of Order arising from councils of the church shall be communicated in writing to the Stated Clerk. [underline added]. The new language in the Organization for Mission would give the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly the authority to bring on behalf of the General Assembly any questions for interpretation that arise from the work of the assembly. Without this authority, to fulfill the deliberative process outlined in G-6.02, questions arising from the work of the assembly itself would have to be brought before one assembly for referral by that assembly to the following assembly. With this authorization COGA can bring to the next assembly at the request of any of the six agencies, permanent committees and special task forces of the church such concerns as they encounter in fulfilling their mission. 21

22 Wed. Junel7 see Dinner Thur. June 28 Y AADs arrive in the evening Sat. June 30 Sun.Jul 1 7:30GA Registration 1 Worship in Local Churches 8:30-11:15 Riverside Conversations; 3-45 min sessions starting at 8:30; 10:00 Resource Person Training PLANNING DOCKET 220TH GENERAL ASSEMB '201 i =. 7:00-9:00: QGA 8:30 Worship 8:30-9:45 18:30 BUSINESS 8:30 BUSINESS 9:00 BUSINESS Breakfast & Ecumenical MEETrNG6 MEETrNG9 MEETrNG 11 Worship: Speaker: 9:30 Committee Worship Service Brian McLaren Meetings V Margaret Aymer 111:15: Worship II:15: James Kim Tony de la Rosa 9:30 Committee 10:00-11:30: Meetings If Committees roundtable discussions I 11 :00 Closing Worship in Plenary Fri. June 29 GA Registration: 9:00am-7:00pm 3:00-4:00: Resource Person Training 22 6:00-8:00 Leader Briefing II 6:00-8:00 MAD! TSAD Orientation 6:30-8:00 Overture Adv. Orientation (last 30 min with Leader II) Noon Lunch Break Lunch in Local (Outlook Luncheon) Churches IN oon-7 :00: Mod 11 :30 New Business II :30 Committee II :30 Committee 12:00 BUSINESS 11 :30 BUSINESS 11 :30 BUSINESS, Cando booths (?) Deadline Meetings 111 Meeting VI MEETING 4 MEETING 7 MEETING 10 11:30: 219TH GA 12:00-4:00: BuS. CONVENES MEETING 3 IWorship! Commissioning 14:00-6:00: Hall CJ Moderator's Reception 13:00 BUSINESS MEETING 1 5:00-6:00: OA & CR Orientation Noon: Lunch Break Noon:Lunc~ 5:30 Adjourn 15:30 Adjourn 15:30 Adjourn 15:30 Adjourn 5:30-7:00Group 5:30 Group Dinner 6'00 Gmup Dm"" 1530 Di""" Break 5:30binnefBreak 5 :30 Group Dinner Dinner And wi intro to.. By Presbytery C!) Orientation in 'C()mmittee Business. C" Exhibit Hall 7:00-9:00: Bus. 2 7:30 Committee 7:30 BUSINESS 7:00 BUSINESS I\)! Committees Meet as 7:30: Committee Meetings IV Needed*; for Others MEETINGS MEETING 8 MEETING 11 < Meetings I *Order of the Day... )0 7:00 BUSINESS Free Evening ~ I MEETING 2. foryaads?... _en (1" ~ Moderator's *It is expected that 9:30:**Fireworks** ~O!:: Election all committees be... C>><...,)ow with business bv 5.30 "

23 Num, Committee Business '''_._ Business Referral referrals of business to assembly committees after commencement of General Assembly (Standing Rules CA. b.); appeal of persons denied the right to speak at a public hearing (Standing Rule E.5.b.); review requests for distribution of material to commissioners (Standing Rule E.6.c.); review requests from agencies to schedule meetings, briefings, hearings during assembly meeting 02 Bills and Overtures (Standing Rule E.6.d.); recommend approval of time limits on debate (Standing Rule F.l.b.); review and recommend approval of General Assembly Minutes (Standing Rule F.l.c.); requests for presentations to Ithe assembly (Standing Rule F.1.d.); review protests, determine if entered in the Minutes, prepare response if needed (Standing Rule F.l.e.); report on assembly committee requests for establishment of special committees or commissions (Standing Rule K.1.a.-b.). 03 Consider matters related to: meetings of the assembly; per capita budget; standing rule amendments; GA Procedures of the Office of the General Assembly; statistics; publishing of reports; General Assembly Nominating COmmittee process; special committees; commissioners and advisory delegates (Ial"lie~id) J(small]!,.--~ Li I I ; 31 I + I I I I I... ~--- i --.t---.j ! i I. 23 Review of Biennial 04 Consider matters related to: The report of the General Assembly Committee to Review Biennial Assemblies. Assemblies 05 M'd C 'I I IConsider matters related to: mid council boundaries; mid council-related referrals; the report of I--- I ounci s ssues Council Commission..._ k j Consider matters related to: amendments to Foundations of Presbyterian Polity (chapters 1 and 3), Form 06 Ch h P rt of Government Chapters I, III-IV, VI (except as covered by th.e Mid council Issues Committee) with urc 0 I Y Advisory Committee on the Constitution advice; requests for interpretation; amendments to the Rules of Discipline with Advisory Committee on the Constitution advice. Advisory Committee on Litigation. - Church Orders and Consider matters related to: Amendments to Chapter II of the Form of Government with Advisory 07 l ', jcommittee on the Constitution advice; requests for interpretation; recruiting, enlistment of persons to 54.J MInistry.service of church. Advisorv Committee on the Constitution ~ A.!, revie~consider m.atters related to: The report of the General Assembly Task Force to Review Authoritat.ive Interpretations.._.-. ; - Co;Sider matters related to: amendments to Chapter V of the Form of Government with Advisory Ecumenical And COmmittee on the Constitution advice; requests for interpretation; matters dealing with relationships with, 09 I and attitudes toward, other religious movements or bodies; conversations with other Presbyterian I Interfaith Relations Idenominations; nominations for ecumenical advisory delegates; nominations for delegations to '. I~~:;:n;::e~u:;:;;~:~o:s~:~:;:~:::i:~t~:~~:~ by General Assembly; PC(USA) vision-and 10 Missi.o.. n Coordination. 1m.ission goals; Organization for Mission and General Assembly MiSsion COundl Manual ofoperations; I Jmission budaet: audits: churdhwide comoensation. _... matters related to: Concerns of church in national affairs; national military matters; matters 11 Social Justice Issues relating to righteousness and justice of persons/organizations. Genera! Assembly COmmittee on ±I,.... 'Consider Oont'o Immigration Issues Consider matters related to: the church's response to US immigration policies and related issues. I ; 31 I Mids;-l.~. _-.l --.J.._--...-I1--- I ' I _~' 46, ; I II I 31 :-.L II I ' i,s4 i I - ~!_~ S4 ; _ ~.l..-." ~' I I ~ 54 i i ~~~ I l..< 53 ~..~.. t ::g 13 Civil Union and 'sider matters related to: Amendments to the Form of Government, Rules of Discipline and Directory Marriage Issues Worship related to marriage and civil unions; referrals defining marriage. I' jn 0 ~ 53 I NO Q. ~ G') )I' Nl>~

24 ----- Peacemaking and Int. Consider matters related to: Peacemaking, international military affairs, and the arms race except matters 14 touched upon by the Middle East Peacemaking Issues Committee; international matters; human rights; 46 Issues plight of refugees worldwide; international economic justice; global evangelism and education Middle East Peacemaking Issues Church Growth and PllP to: international military affairs arms race prjmarily involving the nations of the Middle East; Middle East monitoring committee; MRTI recommendations 46 Middle Ea ons. Consider matters related to: Items concerning evangelism, outreach, and church growth as they relate to congregations and councils of the church; ; church transfers, PILP. 54 ConSider matters related to: Amendments to the Directory for Worship and Chapter II of the Foundations Theological Issues and of Presbyterian Polity with Advisory Committee on the Constitution advice; authority and interpretation of 17 Institutions and CEo Scripture; Christian 18 Confessions of the Consider matters related to: Ammendments to the Book ofconfessions. The report of the General Church Assembly Heidelberg Catechism Committee. 19 Review ofga IConsider matters related to: Review of the work of the General Assembly Permanent, Advocacy, and Advisory Committees as Scheduled [2012: ACC, ACL, COR] (See Organization for Mission, Section Permanent Committees IV.D.2.) Consider matters related to: Report of Board of Pensions; business related to the pension, and medical plans; other forms of such programs, including government or private retirement business related tei the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation and Presbyterian Publishing related to: Health, managed care, disabilities,

25 1 For Action: COGA, February 14-16, rd General Assembly (2018) Site Recommendation Recommendation: That the Committee on the General Assembly recommend that the 220 th General Assembly accept the invitation ofthe Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy to hold the 223 rd General Assembly (2018) in St. Louis, Missouri, from June 2-9, Background: OGA staff considered potential locations in Region B (Synods of the Sun, Lakes and Prairies, and Mid-America) SR l.ld for the next open dates for the General Assembly meeting, and received bids from and visited St. Louis, Kansas City, and Milwaukee. St. Louis is the recommendation for several reasons: The convention center has ample space on two levels for the plenary sessions, worship, committee meetings, exhibit hall, group meals, offices, and other meetings and activities. Participants will find it easy to navigate the building. The Center is completing a renovation now to upgrade the meeting space and public areas. The Renaissance is located across the street, offering 800 rooms in the assembly block (almost half of the total number needed), and ample space for most of the sponsored meals and other optional activities that make up the assembly schedule. Several other hotels are located within walking distance of the convention center; hotel shuttles will not be needed. Washington Ave. west of the convention center is an up-and-coming area, with a variety of locally-owned restaurants, shops, etc. Other downtown attractions include the Gateway Arch, baseball, a Blues museum (under construction), the City Museum, parks, etc. There will be enough (but not too much!) for GA participants when they have free time. St. Louis is centrally located with good access by interstate and rail. The airport is located 13 miles from downtown, with light rail service to downtown ($3.75 oneway). Southwest is the major airline for St. Louis, keeping fares low (the lowest of the 3 cities considered). The assembly last met in St. Louis in It is the most economical selection, especially for the June 2-9 dates. Memorial Day is on May 28 in 2018, so most participants would travel to St. Louis on the next Friday. Note that St. Louis also offered June 16-23, if it is felt that the first week in June would conflict with too many graduations, etc. Hotel rates would be higher for 25

26 the later week, adding about $20/night - $140-$160 plus tax for most attendees, and an additional $95,000 in hotel costs for commissioners, advisory delegates, and others charged to the per capita Schedule 1 budget. Cost comparisons: St. Louis 6/2-6/9 St. Louis 6/16-6/23 Kansas City 6/23-6/30 lviilwaukee Hotel $615,909 $712,717 $711,956 $743,618 Airfare $329,939 $329,939 $356,953 $371,593 Center Rent Center Costs Group Meals $50,000 $50,000 $0 $250K F&B min rebate on 14,000 rms $450K F&B min $50,300 $50,300 $65,065 $75,477 $53,400 $500K F&B min $237,240 $237,240 $252,048 $213,540 TOTALS $1,283,388 $1,380,196 $1,386,022 $1,457,628 Regarding other locations: Kansas City also offers ample space in its convention center for all of the GA meetings, but spread among 3 buildings. While they are connected, the layout will be more challenging for way-finding, and those with limited mobility, etc. At this time, there are not quite enough hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center, so shuttles would be needed to at least 1 hotel (about a mile away). The airport is about a 25 minute drive from downtown ($55 by cab), adding to the time and expense for airport shuttles. Milwaukee's convention center is the most attractive of those we visited, but a little too small to accommodate all of the GA breakout activities that are currently part of the assembly schedule. While we could make it work, the hotel rates and travel costs are higher than those of St. Louis or Kansas City, so it would be the most expensive choice. Austin, San Antonio and Houston were not considered because those presbyteries declined the opportunity to invite the assembly to meet there. The assembly met in Minneapolis in 2010 and in Ft. Worth in Other cities in these synods do not have adequate convention center/hotel facilities to accommodate the General Assembly in its current configuration. 26

27 For Action: Appendix 6 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item 6.d.3 On Amending the Organization for Mission IV.C Regarding Committees of the General Assembly Recommendation: The General Assembly Committee on Representation (COR) respectfully recommends that the Committee of the General Assembly recommend the 220 th General Assembly (2012) amend the Manual of the General Assembly, Organization for Mission, IV.C by adding a section at IV.C.5 and renumbering the sections that follow: [Text to be added is shown as underlined and text to be removed is indicated by being struck.] 5. General Assembly Committee on Representation a. As provided for in the Book of Order, G , councils above the session shall establish committees on representation to fulfill the following functions: to advise the council regarding the implementation of principles of unity and diversity, to advocate for diversity in leadership, and to consult with the council on the employment of personnel, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity in F b. The committee shall (1) Advise the assembly and all entities created by and accountable to the General Assembly with regard to diversity and inclusiveness in its elected and employed leadership. (2) Reflect in its membership the principles of unity and diversity in F (3) Assist the Moderator regarding the appointment of a commissioner to be the moderator of each assembly committee and a commissioner to serve as vice moderator of each assembly committee (see Standing Rule C.1.c). (4) Evaluate each General Assembly session and share that evaluation with the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly (5) Participate in any review and/or revision of the Churchwide Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action (6) Make recommendations to the assembly regarding inclusion of leaders from emerging communities and concerns as well as methods of decision-making that increase participation and representation, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity in F (7) Review the work and impact of committees on representation at councils below the General Assembly in accordance with the functions and commitments assigned in the Book of Order, G (8) Assist the church to build an ethos of inclusion and involvement of all persons in the decision-making, sharing power across differences. 6.[5.] General Assembly Nominating Committee... 27

28 7.[6.] Board of Directors for the Presbyterian Historical Society... 8.[7.] Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations... Rationale: Within the Organization for Mission there is a brief expression of most of the GA committees that relate to the Office of the General Assembly, with the exception of the General Assembly Committee on Representation (COR) and the permanent judicial commission. The section on Committees of the General Assembly is incomplete without mention of the General Assembly Committee on Representation. The committee wishes for the Organization for Mission to be amended to reflect the important role the committee has been given by the General Assembly as well as indicate the partnerships COR relies on to do its work. The tasks described are within the functions ascribed by the Constitution and flesh out how the GA committee goes about its work. Before July 10, 2011, the General Assembly Committee on Representation was fully described in the Book of Order (most fully at G ). With a new Form of Government becoming effective, COR functions are described briefly at G The details of the committee s implementation are given fullest expression in the COR Manual of Operations. COR advises and consults with the General Assembly and its leadership with regard to the representation and participation of its bodies, employment of personnel and advocates for diversity in leadership. 28

29 Appendix 7 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item 6.d.4 For Action: On Amending Standing Rule K.1.c Regarding Special Committees The General Assembly Committee on Representation (COR) respectfully recommends that the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly forward the following amendment to the 220th General Assembly (2012) for its approval: To amend the Manual ofthe General Assembly, Standing Rule K.1.c as follows: [Text to be added is shown as italic.] Appointed by Moderator c. Any commission or special committee authorized by the General Assembly, unless otherwise designated, shall be appointed by the Moderator in collaboration with the General Assembly Nominating Committee and Committee on Representation. The Moderator is also authorized to fill by appointment any vacancies that may occur in any of such commissions or committees. No minister, elder, or other person shall be appointed to serve on more than one such commission or committee except by consent of the General Assembly. Rationale: The General Assembly Committee on Representation is an advisor to the General Assembly and its leadership with regard to the representation and participation of its bodies. COR has an official advising role to Moderators in the selection ofgeneral Assembly committee leadership and would like the Standing Rules to reflect that same consideration and access for Moderator appointments. This addition would allow COR to faithfully execute its Constitutional mandate "to advise the council regarding the implementation of principles ofunity and diversity, [and] to advocate for diversity in leadership... in accordance with...f " (G ). The Committee on Representation routinely consults with the GANC about its processes, slates of nominees and contacts and recruits persons from under-represented groups, seeking more diverse pools of qualified candidates, but those activities do not yet include consultation on the appointment process for special committees and commissions. Moderator appointments are becoming a more frequently used means for leadership selection. Rather than be negotiated with each Moderator, COR would like to formalize the consulting process by making this Standing Rule change. It would help all involved be able to plan for cooperation and collaboration. 29

30 Appendix 8 For Action: COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item 6.d.S Recommendation from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution Amending Organization for Mission at IV.C.3.a. Recommendation: The Advisory Committee on the Constitution respectfully recommends that the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly recommend to the 220th General Assembly (2012) amend the Manual of the General Assembly, Organization for Mission IV.C.3 as follows: a. The members of this committee shall be composed as provided for in The Book of Order, G-6.02, provides for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on the Constitution. The Committee is composed of nine (9) voting members who shall be stated clerks or former stated clerks of synods or presbyteries, former members of the Permanent Judicial Commission ofthe General Assembly, polity professors, or other qualified persons with knowledge of and experience with the Constitution and polity of the church. The Advisory Committee on the Constitution recommends that the following go into the Organization for Mission: The Book oforder provides for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on the Constitution. The Committee is composed of nine (9) voting members who shall be stated clerks or former stated clerks of synods or presbyteries, former members of the Pennanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly, polity professors, or other qualified persons with knowledge of and experience with the Constitution and polity of the church. Rationale: G-6.02 states that "The General Assembly shall provide by its own rule for the qualifications of members of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution." Prior to the adoption of a new Book of Order, the qualifications of members were described at G a. The amendment places the description ofqualifications in the Organization for Mission which is adopted by the General Assembly. 30

31 For Information: Appendix 9 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item 18.d Update on Financial Aid for Studies Programs Theological Student Loan The Theological Student Loan/Loan Forgiveness program was launched last year and the first cohort of borrowers have successfully completed the first two of six quarters of eligible service. The program opened on January 17 for application under a new name, Transformational Leadership Debt Assistance (TLDA). Transformation Leadership Culturally proficient, adaptive and innovative, critically thinking and emotionally intelligent Christ-like pastors Debt Assistance Assisting pastors (with educational debt) called by God to small Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and to emerging worshiping communities without the support of a full-time and permanent pastoral position. Theological Student Loan/Loan Forgiveness was confusing to potential applicants and staff. We believe the name expresses the aspirations for the program, and provides a clearer definition of the ideal applicant, while pairing well with the Board of Pension Seminary Debt Assistance program. TLDA will be offered twice in 2012 with open application periods in January-April and June-September. Applications are Available Now For: National Presbyterian College Scholarship Rising Freshman planning to attend a Presbyterian related college or university. Samuel Robinson Award Juniors and Seniors attending a Presbyterian related college or university required to memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Teaching of the Bible Grant Presbyterian related college and university grant program to promote teaching the Bible. Applications are Available April 1 for: 31

32 Presbyterian Study Grant Inquirers and Candidates attending Presbyterian related seminaries Native American Education Grant Native Americans attending college in the U.S. Student Opportunity Scholarship Presbyterian sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending college in the U.S. 32

33 Appendix 10 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item Item 8.g Report of the Office of Vocation on the Process to Evaluate the Current Call System to the 220th General Assembly (2012). The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, through the Office of Vocation, recommends that the 220th General Assembly (2012) approve the following actions: 1. That the Office of Vocation send a copy of this report to each presbytery encouraging their consideration of the findings as they create and update their presbytery call process. 2. That in its resourcing, training, and consultation with presbyteries, the Office of Vocation share ways in which a pastoral search process can be shortened. 2. That online resources be created for presbyteries and congregational pastor nominating committees that highlight the ways a pastoral search process can be shortened. 3. That training for presbyteries regarding the call process includes information about ways a call process can be shortened. 4. That the revision of the current Church Leadership Connection system includes changes that will assist in shortening the call process. Rationale These recommendations are in response to the following referral: 2010 Referral: Item On Establishing a Process to Evaluate the Current Call System From the Presbytery of New Covenant (Minutes, 2010, Part I, pp. 47, 477). A. Introduction The 219th General Assembly (2010) referred Item to the Office of Vocation, instructing them to provide the requested evaluation of the current call system. Specifically, the referred overture requested a process to evaluate the current call system of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and bring recommendations back to the 220th General Assembly in 2012 for changes that will shorten the length of time during which a church seeking a pastor is ordinarily without an installed pastor (Minutes, 2010, Part I, p.248 of printed Journal, p. 477 of electronic Journal). The call system of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) includes the process required by the Book of Order, policies and processes of each presbytery, processes of congregations and other calling bodies, and the national call referral system managed by the Office of Vocation. In responding to this item, the Office of Vocation considered each of those parts and how best to effect the change needed. B. Evaluation Process The PC(USA) Office of Vocation added the evaluation of the current call system for this stated purpose into its regular five-year review and update of Church Leadership Connection (CLC), the online matching and referral system of the denomination. Beginning with the 2010 Fall Polity Conference, Office of Vocation staff used opportunities at conferences, meetings, and training events to gather insights, critiques, and suggestions about the current call system. In 2010, Research Services surveyed users of CLC and compiled their feedback. Findings from the 2011 CLC survey will be also be compiled by Research Services in early Individuals and small groups of those with experience with the current call system were also consulted. Those consulted included: Presbytery and Synod Staff (approximately half of presbyteries) Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) chairs, upon completion of a search process Teaching Elders and Candidates who have recently completed a search process Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers (APT) Association of Presbyterian Interim Ministry Specialists (APIMS) Presbytery committee on ministry moderators and members Presbytery committee on preparation for ministry moderators and members 33

34 Seminary placement officers PC(USA) Evangelism and Church Growth staff PC(USA) Legal and Constitutional Services staff PC(USA) Information Technology staff The results of these consultations have been compiled and summarized in this report. C. Concerns Identified The concern expressed in the original overture highlighted the real problem that a long call process can present to congregations, especially in terms of the loss of momentum that congregations can ill afford. This same sentiment was expressed by a number of presbytery leaders. In 2010, the median search time for churches that used CLC, from the time a Church Information Form (CIF) was submitted until a person was called, was ten months. However, in most cases there were already a number of additional months of pastoral vacancy before a CIF was submitted to CLC. At the end of the process, once a PNC has selected a candidate, presbytery and congregational approvals add additional time before the way is clear for the called pastor to end their current call and move to the new community. All of this together can leave a congregation with temporary leadership for as many as several years during which ministry may be in a holding pattern, newcomers fail to commit, and search committee members become weary. 1. Presbytery Process The section in the Book of Order on the call process (G ) begins with the phrase According to the process of the presbytery While the Office of Vocation has the resource On Calling a Pastor to walk congregations and presbyteries through a normal call process, each presbytery has its own policies and processes. It is clear that there is no one standardized call process used by all presbyteries to assist congregations in calling a pastor. There are also many leadership positions that do not fit the norm. Some presbyteries require an extensive congregational mission study before the search for a new pastor can begin. Others wait until after the new pastor has been in place for a year or two and involve pastor and people together in a process of discernment and engagement with their ministry context. Some presbyteries use the shorter designated term call process for many of their congregations while others almost always use the normal process. In some presbyteries, ministry commissions have been empowered to approve calls on behalf of the presbytery while in others, call decisions, including the examination of teaching elders, must wait until regularly scheduled meetings of presbytery. With changing ministry needs and a new form of government that encourages flexibility, presbyteries are reviewing their call processes, especially with an eye toward shortening the length of time a congregation is without pastoral leadership. 2. The Current System The current online call referral system was designed primarily to address the needs of presbyteries and congregations seeking full-time, installed pastors. While it is used for tent-making, temporary, shared, parish clusters, and co-pastor positions, it is less effective and is challenging for all involved. Although the matching and referral process of this current system is much improved over cumbersome paper system of the 1990s that took twenty-seven minutes for one computerized match, it is still dependent on prompt actions of staff and volunteers in several key roles to move the process along. In order to ensure awareness and approval of the key parties involved in the call process, the online call referral system requires electronic signatures of congregational and presbytery leaders. Prompt action helps to move the process quickly. Approximately half of PC(USA) presbyteries ask the staff of CLC, to do the matching and referral functions for their positions. The CLC staff usually complete matches for PNCs on the day they are requested. However, CLC staff do not know the climate and culture of each congregation and have only a limited view through the CIF. Presbytery staff have a better understanding of the congregation and ministry context so are able to make more informed referrals. They may not be able to do the matching as promptly due to many other demands. 3. Supply and Demand Issues While there are far more ministers and candidates seeking to find a call by using CLC than there are positions posted, small congregations in more rural locations of the denomination still have a difficult time finding pastoral leadership. Over half of all PIFs in CLC limit their search geographically and almost half of all PIFs will not consider a congregation of less than 100 members or a congregation located in a rural community. PNCs of smaller congregations located away from major metropolitan areas complain that many of the individuals with PIFs that have been matched to their CIF are not really open to 34

35 considering their positions, no matter what their PIF may say. PNCs waste much time and energy looking at PIFs of individuals who are not open to considering their call. While there is a desire to shorten the time a congregation has a pastoral vacancy, there is a greater desire to find the right pastoral leader for a particular ministry context. Presbyteries and congregations want good leaders to choose from AND short searches. A shorter search process with a number of good, viable teaching elders and candidates to consider can allow a PNC to spend more time and energy in discernment. A number of constituents expressed a desire for a call system that, rather than matching on preferences, would embody a more biblical theology of call, which invites leaders to offer themselves to service of Christ, being open to the movement of the Spirit knowing that God may call them to serve in roles and places they might not have imagined. D. Findings There are particular steps that congregations, presbyteries, and the Office of Vocation through Church Leadership Connection, can take to help to shorten the length of time a congregation is without a pastor. 1. Congregations Consult with the presbytery as early as possible in a pastoral vacancy in order to understand presbytery processes in the calling of a new pastor. Consider completing a congregational mission study AFTER the new pastor has begun his or her ministry and can participate with the congregation in discernment. When given permission by presbytery, elect the PNC as soon as possible. The Book of Order allows the PNC to be elected as soon as presbytery has approved the effective date of the dissolution of the pastoral relationship. Elect a PNC that can work together well to discern God s call. Members should be open to be surprised by God and be able to commit time to frequent meetings. A search will be slowed by committee members who have their mind made up from the start or by those who cannot come to meetings. Members should be representative of the whole congregation but not factions within the congregation. A PNC made up of individuals each focused on one area of interest will have a hard time agreeing on a pastor to present to the congregation. Take time to meet with presbytery leaders for orientation to your task and build good working relationships. This will speed the process. Take advantage of technologies to speed up the work of the PNC, such a viewing sermons on-line, using a program like Skype for interviewing, and communicating through and text messaging. Also, use the congregation s website to offer more information about the congregation to potential candidates. When considering PIF s, make contact with potential candidates by or phone very early in the process to ascertain if they are open to a call to your particular congregation. 2. Presbyteries Develop call processes that identify ways congregations and presbytery can work together to shorten the length of time a congregation is without a pastor. Communicate these processes to congregations and PNCs. Facilitate a congregational mission study after a new pastor has begun his or her ministry with the congregation, and not as a step in calling the new pastor. Allow the congregation to elect the PNC as soon as possible. The Book of Order allows the PNC to be elected as soon as presbytery has approved the effective date of the dissolution of the existing pastoral relationship. Speed up timeline for presbytery approvals and permissions in the call process. Consider called meetings of ministry commissions or presbytery rather than waiting for regularly scheduled meetings that can sometimes stretch decisions out for a month or more. Ensure that those responsible for signing off on PIFs and CIFs and doing matching and referral understand their responsibilities to do so in a timely manner. Consider a process that would offer congregations a way to fast track a call process, such as with pastors called for a designated term (see G a). 3. Office of Vocation Church Leadership Connection Encourage openness to God s call by changing or removing some of the parameters on the PIF that identify preferences (community type, church size, geographic limitations). Narrow referrals to active call seekers, by inviting those who put PIFs into CLC to designate whether they are actively seeking a call or not actively seeking, but open to a call. 35

36 Create the environment for the church to call forth needed leaders by allowing presbyteries to do their own discrete sorting of PIFs to find leaders with particular skills or experiences for a specific ministry setting within the presbytery. Develop a way for PNCs to manage PIFs and individuals to manage CIFs within CLC that would allow for easier and quicker downloading, contacting, ranking, notes, etc. Provide flexibility for a wide variety of positions that do not fit the parameters of a normal pastoral position. Change from skills to ministry emphasis; provide definitions for uniform understanding. Provide ability to attach sermons to PIFs for PNCs to listen. 36

37 Appendix 11 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 Item 8.j Report of the GA Vice-Moderator to The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly Spring 2012 Vice-Moderator s Report to COGA Spring 2012 November National Capital Presbytery Moderator s Conference Donegal Presbytery December Transylvania Presbytery 11 Dedication of Building, Chapel in The Pines (Chapel Hill, NC) January Hope for the PC(USA) gathering and work session 37

38 The complete report is available for Appendix 12 COGA February 14-16, 2012 A Report to the 220 th General Assembly from the General Assembly Commission on Mid Councils 1 2 The Assembly Committee on Middle Governing Body Issues recommellds that the 219th General Assemb~y 3 (2010) direct the Moderators ofthe 218th and 219th GelJeral Assemblies (2008 and 2010), in consultation with 4 the General Assembly Nominating COlllmittee, to appoint twe1/~y-one persons to a General Assembzy Commission Middle Goveming Bodies with the understanding that the Moderators, as they make their appointments, shall 6 make all intelltiollal effort for theological diversity. The commissioll shall have thefoljo.j-vingfoclls and powers: The commission will consult with sessions, presbyteries, s:ynods, altd the wider church 011 the missioll alld 8 filllction ofmiddle governing bodies. Such a process should include: 9 a. current diversity in the role andfimctions ofmiddle governing bodies. 10 b. demographics andfinancial realities that affect the role andfimctiol1 ofsj'nods and presbyteries. 11 c. the role ofeach goveming body in its oversight role--presbyteries ofcongregations, synods of 12 presbyteries, and Gelleral Assel11b~v ofsyl1ods--both historicallv alld in present experience. 13 d. relationships with General Assembly agencies in role andfullctioll The commission will develop models that reflect the roles ofmiddle governing bodies in ollr polity and the 16 changing context ofour witness in the United States and their relationships with other governing bodies The commission will prepare a report to the 220th General Assemb~ (2012) ofits findings and any 18 recommended Book oforder changes. Recommendation for filture roles and responsibilities will also be made 19 to the 220th General Assembly about changes in middle governing bodies that may best serve the il1 the 21st 20 century The commissioll will implemetll, withill the powers granted it, any decisions forwarded from the 219th General 22 Assemb"y (2010) and approved by presbyteries regarding the form and fill1ction ofmiddle governing bodies 23 with a report to the 220t11 General Assembly (2012) By direction ofthe 219th General Assembly (2010), or upon a majority affirmative vote ofthe affected 25 presbyteljl or presbyteries or a majority affirmative vote ofthe presbyteries il1 the affected synod or synods, the 26 commission is authorized to act as the General Assembly according to a. G m: Itto organize new synods and to divide, unite, or othen1!ise combine synods or portions ofsynods 29 previously existing;" 30 b. G n: Itto approve the organization, division, uniting, or combining o.fpresbyteries orportions of 31 presbyteries by synods. It The commission will supenjise the Special Administrative Review Committee on Puerto Rico and act on 34 any recommendations they may make within the powers given to the commission The actions ofthe commission shall require a two-thirds majority for approval 38

39 Reverend Tod Bolsinger, Moderator, Los Ranchos Presbytery, Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Reverend Jose Manuel Capella-Pratts, Presbiterio de San Juan, Sinodo Presbiteriano Borinquen Elder Warren B. Cooper, Philadelphia Presbytery, Synod of the Trinity Reveren d Karen E. Dimon, Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery, Synod of the Northeast Elder Miriam Dol.in, San Francisco Presbytery, Synod of the Pacific Reverend Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo, Salem Presbytery, Synod of Mid-Atlantic Reverend James B. Harper, Greater Atlanta Presbytery, Synod of South Atlantic Elder Robert Hay, Jr., Greater Atlanta Presbytery, Synod of South Atlantic Reverend Liza Hendricks, Western Reserve Presbytery, Synod of the Covenant Elder Viola Hickson Lee, Mission Presbytery, Synod of the Sun Elder J. Roger Lee, Seattle Presbytery, Synod of Alaska-Northwest Elder Kelli Lowe, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery, Synod of Mid-America Reverend Terry Newland, Sheppards & Lapsley Presbytery, Synod of Living Waters Reverend Jose Olagues, Grand Canyon Presbytery. Synod of the Southwest Elder Barbara Ranta, Seattle Presbytery, Synod of Alaska-Northwest Reverend Sam Roberson, Charlotte Presbytery, Synod of Mid-Atlantic Reverend Richard H. Rojas Banuchi, Presbiterio de San Juan, Sfnodo Presbiteriano Borinquen Elder David Seung-II Rue, M.D., Sacram-ento Presbytery, Synod of the Pacific Elder Jane D. Smith, Riverside Presbytery, Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Elder William L. Stafford, Milwaukee Presbytery, Synod of Lakes and Prairies Reverend Laura Stellmon, Utah Presbytery, Synod of the Rocky Mountains Reverend John W. Vest, ChicagoPresbytery, Synod of Lincoln Trails Staff to the Commission: Reverend Jill M. Hudson, Associate Stated Clerk Reverend Dan Saperstein, Advisory Committee on the Constitution Angela Lucear, Sr. Administrative Assistant Andrew Yeager-Buckley, Program Assistant 21Page 39

40 Contents Our Vision Toward a Vibrant Picture of Post-Christendom Presbyterianism Presbyterians in a Post-Christendom World: The Changing Context of Mission in the 21st Century A Church (and a Commission) in a Rapidly Changing World Becoming a Community of Missional Artists, Architects and Collaborative Designers Our Process looking (and listening) Deeply: Data and Discussions The Colors of Vitality: Trends and Attributes in Transformational Presbyteries The Outlines of Possibilities: Synods as Multi-Presbytery Missional Partnerships Report of the General Assembly mid council Commission Racial Ethnic Strategy Task Force Appendix #1: Our Guiding Principles Appendix 2: Glossary Appendix #3: Cultural Proficiency Resources Appendix #4 Full Data Reports 31 ge 40

41 Recommendations to the 220 th General Assenlbly 1 1. That the 220th General Assembly (2012) direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed 2 amendments to the Book of Order to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes 3 to take effect at the close of the 222 nd General Assembly (2016): 4 a. Striking section G-3.04 The Synod (including sections G through G ) 5 b. Amending section G-3.03 The Presbytery with the following additions (underlined) and 6 deletions (strikethroughs): 7 G-3.03 THE PRESBYTERY 8 G Composition and Responsibilities 9 The presbytery is the council serving as a corporate expression of the church within a certain district and is composed of all the congregations and teaching elders within that district. The presbytery shall adopt and communicate to the sessions a plan for determining how many ruling elders each session should 12 elect as commissioners to presbytery, with a goal of numerical parity of teaching elders and ruling 13 elders. This plan shall require each session to elect at least one commissioner and shall take into 14 consideration the size of congregations as well as a method to fulfill the principles of participation and representation found in F and G Ruling elders elected as officers ofthe presbytery shall be enrolled as members during the period of their service. A presbytery may provide by its own rule for 17 the enrollment of ruling elders serving as moderators of committees or commissions. 18 The minimum composition of a presbytery is ten duly constituted sessions and ten teaching elders. 19 The presbytery is responsible for the life, ministry and government of the church throughout its district, 20 and for assisting and supporting the witness of congregations to the sovereign activity cif God in the 21 world, so that all congregations throughout its region become communities offaith, hope, love, and 22 witness. As it leads and guides the witness of its congregations, the presbytery shall keep before it the 23 marks of the Church (F ), the notes by which Presbyterian and Reformed communities have 24 identified themselves through history (F ) and the six Great Ends of the Church (F ). 25 (The remainder of this section to remain the same) 26 G Relations with the Church and Synod and General Assembly 27 The presbytery has a responsibility to maintain regular and continuing relationship,with other 28 presbyteries and to synod and the General Assembly by: 29 a. consulting with other presbyteries in their region about creating regional mission partnerships for 30 Racial Ethnic Advocacy and Support, mission and ministry projects, and other programs of shared life, 31 diversity and connection to the larger church 32.!2:. electing commissioners to synod and General Assembly and receiving their reports; 41Pag 41

42 1 ~ electing ruling and teaching elders to be readers of standard ordination examinations; 2 d. seeing that the guidance and communication of synod and General Assembly are considered and that 3 any binding actions are observed and carried out; 4 ~ proposing to synod or General Assembly such measures as may be of common concern to the mission 5 6 ofthe church; and 1. sending annually to synod and General Assembly statistical and other information according to the 7 requirements of those bodies That the 220th General Assembly (2012) instruct the Synods, in consultation with their 9 constituent presbyteries, to develop and bring to the 221 5t General Assembly (2014) plans to 10 transfer assets, funds, projects and programs to the appropriate trusts, foundations or 11 entities of their choice for implementation by the Synods by the close of the 222 nd General 12 Assembly (2016) That the 220th General Assembly (2012) instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee to 14 work in consultation with the Stated Clerk and to bring to the 221 5t General Assembly (2014): a) Recommendations, including any necessary changes in the Manuafo/the General Assembly for the appointment of 5 Regional Administrative Commissions to facilitate 17 churches and presbyteries to fulfill their missional objectives when realignment is 18 necessary and also to support the presbyteries and regions in promoting the full 19 expression of rich diversity in membership, participation and decision-making (G ); 21 b) Recommendations, including any necessary changes in the Book of Order and the 22 Manual of the General Assembly in order to continue to facilitate and support the racial 23 ethnic ministries that have historically been supported by the Synods. 24 c) Any additional editorial changes to the Book oforder which will be made necessary by the action of recommendation That the 220th General Assembly (2012) instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee to 27 work in consult~tion with the Stated Clerk and to bring to the 221 5t General Assembly (2014) 28 recommendations, including any necessary changes in the Book oforder and the Manual of 29 the General Assembly to create the necessary number of regional judicial.commissions, rooted in the various regions, to serve as courts of appeal to decisions of presbytery PJC's and as 31 courts of original jurisdiction in remedial cases against presbyteries or upon reference from 32 presbytery PJC's That the 220th General Assembly (2012) instruct the Moderator to appoint a commission to 34 work in consultation with the Stated Clerk to: 51 e 42

43 a. By direction of the 220th General Assembly (2012), or upon a majority affirmative vote 2 of the affected presbytery or presbyteries or a majority affirmative vote of the 3 presbyteries in the affected synod or synods, the commission is authorized to act as the 4 General Assembly to: i. organize new synods and to divide, unite, or otherwise combine synods or 6 portions of synods previously existing; 7 ii. and to approve the organization, division, uniting, or combining of presbyteries 8 or portions of presbyteries by synods." 9 b. Report to the 221 st General Assembly (2014) and to the 222 nd General Assembly (2016) all actions taken on its behalf. 11 c. To cease existence and transfer all authority to the Regional Administrative 12 Commissions as soon as the Regional Administrative Commissions have been 13 constituted That the 220th General Assembly (2012) direct the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendments to the Book of Order tcl t~e presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes 16 to take effect at the close of the 222iid General Assembly (2016) 17 Add the following new section to G : 18 d. Approving the formation of provisional non-geographic presbyteries for particular missional 19 purposes, upon petition often or more congregations and ten or more teaching elders within its bounds, with the concurrence of existing presbyteries. The petition shall include a plan outlining the 21 missional purposes of the proposed presbytery and continuing covenant relationships with existing 22 presbyteries. Such presbyteries shall have all the rights and powers of presbyteries, except that they 23 shall not have the authority to dissolve, dismiss, or divide congregations or to approve the sale, 24 mortgage, lease, or transfer of the real property of its constituent congregations without the consent of the congregation's presbytery of origin. This provision shall expire December 31,2021, at which time all 26 presbyteries formed under this provision shall be dissolved and their congregations and teaching elder 27 members dismissed to their presbyteries of origin. 28 Add the following new section to G : 29 g. to approve the temporary dismissal of congregations for particular missional purposes, to.. 30 another presbytery within the synod or to another geographically contiguous synod, supject to G c and G e, with the following conditions: (1) the congregation shall continue to affiliate 32 with the presbytery of origin for the purpose of mutual blessing, and shall have voice at presbytery 33 meetings, except in matters related to conditions (2) and (3) in which they shall have voice and vote; (2) 34 the congregation may not sell, mortgage, transfer, or lease its real property without the consent of the presbytery of origin; (3) the congregation may not be dissolved, divided, or dismissed without the 36 concurrence ofthe presbytery of origin; (4) distribution of per capita or mission funds remitted may be 6lF~age 43

44 1 divided according to a covenant between the presbytery of membership and the presbytery of origin; (5) 2 all relationships established under this provision shall be rescinded December 31, 2021, and may be 3 rescinded at any time by vote of either presbytery in consultation with the congregation We call on the 220th General Assembly to establish a task force to review the nature 5 6 and function of the General Assembly Mission Council and the Office of the General Assembly specifically with respect to their relationship with and support of mid 7 councils as they serve the vitality and mission of congregations in our changing 8 context In light of what we have heard in our conversation with the Church identifying a 10 critical condition concerning lack of confidence in the substance and direction of racial 11 ethnic ministry, we recommend: 12 a. that the Moderator of the 220th General Assembly be empowered to appoint a National 13 Racial Ethnic Ministries Task Force exclusively to review, assess and explore the call to, 14 responsibility in, and vision for racial ethnic ministry within the PC(USAt reporting its findings 15 for implementation to the 221,t General Assembly; and 16 b. that this Task Force be comprised of representatives from: 17 - Racial ethnic church leadership; 18 - Racial ethnic caucus leadership; 19 - The Advisory Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREe); 20 - Presbytery leadership; and 21 The Committee on Representation; and 22 c. that this Task Force be independent from the OGA Task Force in recommendation 3 above; 23 and 24 d. that this Task Force be charged specifically to address the issue of language access, sensitivity and resourcing (particularly as relates to the Spanish and Korean languages) within the existing frame of council operation, as well as within the context of any regional administrative structure 27 that might emerge as a result ofthe repurposing of synods. 28 Furthermore, in our conversations with the church we found significant interest in developing a 29 new mechanism: 30 1) to review the models in mid councils and congregations of racial ethnic ministry that 31 are operating successfully in the denomination with particular focus on, but not limited 32 to, those noted in the Report of the Racial Ethnic Strategy Task Force; and 33 2) to explore the viability of a nationally organized racial ethnic ministry advocacy 34 model on the local and/or cluster congregation level

45 1 While it is not within our charge formally to recommend so, the Assembly may nevertheless wish to 2 consider assigning these additional responsibilities to the National Racial Ethnic Ministries Task Force 3 recommended above g c 45

46 1 Rationale: An Executive Summary 2 3 At the heart of the eight formal recommendations the Mid Council Commission * has offered to 4 the General Assembly is a two-fold proposal that necessitates the constitutional changes 5 suggested above: 6 1. The flattening of denominational hierarchy and bureaucracy by repurposing synods as 7 Multi-Presbytery Missional Partnerships. This will be accomplished by eliminating the 8 ecclesiastical responsibilities of synods as councils of the church, referring Permanent 9 Judicial Commission functions to another created structure, and creating Regional 10 Administrative Commissions of the General Assembly to offer ecclesiastical 11 accountability for boundary decisions between presbyteries and to facilitate the 12 church's commitment to diversity The reinvigorating of presbyteries as the locus of support for missional congregations 15 by allowing more flexibility in the formation of connectional relationships. In order to 16 do this, we call the church to engage in a designated Season of Reflective 17 Experimentation that will last until December 31, Among the possibilities to be 18 explored during this season of experimentation are the creation of provisional non 19 geographic presbyteries and provisional presbytery realignments for specific missional 20 purposes. 21 We live in a rapidly changing world and the Presbyterian Church (USA) is not the same 22 denomination it was sixty or thirty years ago, when the structural framework of our current 23 version of Presbyterianism was developed and implemented. As we have envisioned what the 24 Presbyterian Church of our post-christendom world may look like, our Commission has 25 assumed the role of those who prepare the space, invite the artists, and affirm the creativity 26 that already resides in our mid council system. All key terms appear the first time in bold italic and are featured in the glossary in the appendix

47 1 Based on a deep examination of our rapidly changing contexts for mission in the world, our 2 recommendations create the conditions for adaptive change with a clear focus: 3 The stimulation ofcreative collaboration within and among presbyteries to strengthen the 4 vitality ofmissional congregations in a post-christendom world. 5 The foundational ecclesiological principle behind our recommendations is articulated in our 6 new Form of Government: the congregation-in covenant relationships called presbyteries-is 7 the 'basic form' of the mission of God to the world. 1 8 In order to develop our recommendations: 9 We listened deeply to the church by means of surveys, conference calls with key 10 constituents, and numerous conversations in every synod, at every major gathering of 11 the church, and with key leaders in every level of the church's life. (See the report, 12 "Listening [and Looking] Deeply: Data and Discussions") 13 We learned from experts in theology, history, and sociology, as well as from the most 14 respected leaders in our current syst nl about the urgency, necessity, and process of 15 deep transformation. (See the section, "Changing Contexts and Adaptive Change") 16 We initiated a transparent and public conversation using social media, blogs, articles, 17 and conversations about our recommendations while they were still in "draft" stages. 18 We developed a set of Guiding Principles that reaffirm the recently adopted new Form 19 of Government, setting us on our way to more missional and contextual decision 20 making, and more flexibility and freedom to experiment. (See the report in Appendix 1, 21 "Guiding Principles") 22 Our recommendations were not developed in a vacuum. Throughout our process of listening, 23 we discovered a variety of mid councils that are already producing new and creative 24 expressions of connectional mission. To document these findings, our full report lifts up models 25 of exemplary mid councils and suggests key attributes embodied in healthy councils. (See the 26 report, "The Colors of Vitality: Models and Attributes of Healthy Presbyteries") 27 We bring our recommendations with confidftnce that there is already signific;ant capacity for 28 transformation within our system that only needs to be shared and harnessed for creative 29 change I P age 47

48 1 Repurposing Synods 2 Our first recommendation is to flatten the hierarchy and bureaucracy of our church by 3 eliminating one level of ecclesiastical structure. We seek to stimulate structural change from 4 the ground up. In doing so, we affirm and support multi-presbytery missional projects and 5 programs that have been the traditional jewels of our synods and call for a commitment to 6 reaffirm the longstanding tradition of mid council partnership for Racial Ethnic Ministries. 2 7 We have recommended Regional Administrative Commissions as organizational"safe holding 8 environments" 3 for experimentation and collaboration that insure wise, constitutionally 9 consistent decision making in a larger geographic area. These Administrative Commissions will 10 have the authority of the General Assembly in regards to boundary issues within and between 11 presbyteries and to facilitate the church's commitmentto diversity. 12 The recommendation to repurpose the synods into multi-presbytery partnerships (and remove 13 ecclesiastical status) responds to what we heard from the church: a call for structures that 14 prioritize the vitality and mission of congregations. This recommendation separates out the 15 threce traditional functions of a synod-ecclesiastical oversight of presbytery boundaries, 16 judicial appeal, and shared ministry and mission-into three different arenas: 17 Ecclesiastical oversight will now be accomplished through five Regional Administrative 18 Commissions of the General Assembly whereby representatives of the constitutive 19 presbyteries within a region will gather as needed and have the authority necessary for 20 responding quickly and constitutionally to petitions to change presbytery boundaries 21 and transfer of churches. These commission will also have the responsibility to insure 22 our church's commitment to diversity within each region 23 A committee will work with the Office of the General Assembly to discern a more 24 effective "appellate court" system that is separate from these Regional Administrative 25 Commissions. 26 Relationships and programs for shared ministry and mission across greater regions can 27 continue or be developed through the initiative of the presbyteries within those regions. 28 The works of ministry that have been supported by the mission giving of a synod can be 29 retained in whatever forms the affected presbyteries determine will most effectively 30 support their mission. 31 These multi-presbytery missianal partnerships will become arenas for more connectional life as 32 congregations and presbyteries decide to support and engage in relationships that are the most 33 fruitful expressions of congregations in mission. This proposal to repurpose synods is the larger 11\ e 48

49 1 canvas in a secure constitutional frame that is meant to stimulate widespread collaborative 2 creativity for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ. 3 A Season of Reflective Experimentation 4 We propose a designated season of reflective experimentation with new models of missional 5 governance, through the adoption of two significant temporary changes in our polity: 6 We propose that the church amend the Constitution to permit synods to organize 7 provisional non-geographic missional presbyteries, upon petition of sessions and 8 teaching elders, with the concurrence of affected councils. 9 We further propose that during this season of reflective experimentation presbyteries 10 may dismiss congregations, with the concurrence of all affected councils, to another 11 presbytery (either provisional or currently constituted). 12 We propose that this season of reflective experimentation expire December 31,2021, and 13 recommend that the 222 nd General Assembly (2016) be charged with designing and making 14 provision for the evaluation of the season of experimentation These proposals are intended to entrust presbyteries with the flexibility and responsibility of 17 working together to discern and create mid council structures and relationships that will enable 18 their missional congregations to thrive and adapt. 19 We envision this season of reflective experimentation to stimulate engagement, learning, and 20 missional collaboration within every context of the broader church. We envision churches that 21 are given-within the proper relational and constitutional bounds-the flexibility and freedom 22 to create new presbyteries or to become members of existing presbyteries within their larger 23 region for achieving specific missional purposes. We envision presbyteries being formed 24 through shared calling, shared commitments, and with a shared conviction to continue to build 2S relationships, partnerships, and understanding both within and among various presbyteries. 26 This will naturally require more cooperation, more collaboration, and more trust (of which we 27 will have more to say later in this report). 28 We envision churches in conversations within their presbyteries of origin creating covenants of 29 shared Me and "mutual blessing" even while they create new provisional presbyteries or 30 provisionally become members of other presbyteries. 31 We envision churches being committed to both their local neighborhoods and to a growing 32 network of relationships and missional opportunities in a world where communication allows 33 more creativity and opportunity for change. 12 I ;a g 49

50 1 We envision possibilities like those of the City Classis of the Reformed Church of America 4 that 2 has created a mid council for the express purpose of planting new urban congregations and 3 developing urban church planting leaders. We envision possibilities like the Fresh Expressions 4 of the United Kingdom that has called for both "neighborhood" and "network" church 5 structures. s We envision the potential for much deeper engagement by the emerging leaders of 6 our church as a new generation that is fluent in the language and mores of our flat and 7 networked world are given the trust and freedom to create and share in the accountability and 8 oversight of new forms of ministry and covenanted life. 9 We dream of the creation of provisional presbyteries formed to express different deeply held 10 missional callings of congregations and their leaders. 11 We envision different presbyteries in the same larger geographic area (perhaps even sharing 12 the same staff) that come together with a special call for urban ministry, suburban ministry, 13 rural ministry, reconciliation ministry, revitalizing congregations, or planting new congregations. 14 We envision churches free to move from one presbytery to another in a particular region in order to better live out their calling. We envision that some will want to be in smallei, more localized presbyteries; while others will want larger, more programmatic presbyteries; still 17 others will choose to be part of "virtual" presbyteries that are spread across larger geographic 18 areas. 19 Mostly, we envision a new generation of emerging leaders-who are most at home in what 20 Doug Pagitt calls the Inventive Age-to become more personally involved in the reinvention of 21 missional congregations supported by thriving, focused presbyteries in a denomination that is 22 fully embracing the challenges of our rapidly changing world. 23 We offer these recommendations in the hope that they will energize the whole church to a 24 season of more engaged partnership, collaboration, and creativity for bringing the mission of 25 the God's kingdom into diverse and rapidly changing local contexts. 26 These proposals shift the focus of our connectional structures to presbyteries and 27 congregations; refocus the church on mission, discipleship, and shared covenants; and train 28 our focus on the post-christendom cultural landscape, the future before us, and a new 29 generation ofleadership that is already emerging. 30 Further Work 31 From the beginning of our work, the commission understood that our charge was limited to 32 mid councils. However, our data collection, which was one of the largest listening projects ever 33 conducted in the PQU5A), provided a broad and deep look at the perspectives of session 13IF'age 50

51 1 members, presbytery and synod leaders, focus groups of racial ethnic constituencies, young 2 pastors, large and small presbytery moderators and executive staffs, and a substantial "at 3 large" representation of Presbyterians, all of whom rated and commented on our ecclesial 4 structures. After a sustained and thorough time of listening to the church, it became clear to us 5 that at least two issues beyond our focus on mid councils need to be lifted up for further work, 6 expressed in recommendations 7 and 8. 7 Our data clearly shows that many Presbyterians are calling for a shift from the top-down model 8 of our current structure to a model that is characterized by a church-wide commitment to build 9 up and support local congregations. Generally, congregations do not feel well supported by 10 General Assembly agencies. Only 26% of session-level respondents rated the Office of the 11 General Assembly (OGA) "excellent" or "very good" and only 33% gave those ratings to General 12 Assembly Mission Council (GAMe). There is a significant disconnect between local 13 congregations and the agencies of the General Assembly. We therefore call for the creation of a 14 task force to review the nature and function of the General Assembly Mission Council and the 15 Office of the General Assembly, specifically with respect to their relationship with and support 16 of mid councils as they serve the vitality and mission of congregations in our changing context. 17 The response throughout the church to our recommended change in the ecclesiastical status of 18 synods heightened our awareness that there is need for a longer, more thorough examination 19 of the conditions and possibilities of racial ethnic ministry in the context of changing ecclesial 20 structures. The Commission created its own task force to consult with leadership across the 21 church and offers a report of its findings (see Reportfrom the Racial Ethnic Strategy Task 22 Force). In response to these concerns, we recommend the creation of a National Racial Ethnic 23 Ministries Task Force to insure that the advocacy for racial ethnic ministries, which has been 24 traditionally located in synods, continue in the new ecclesial structures that emerge in the 25 PC(USA), 26 Lastly, we offer the church some observations of underlying issues identified in our research 27 that go beyond structural concerns of mid councils but are vital to the health and 28 transformation of the PC(USA). 29 Conclusion 30 Our report and recommendations invite the church to live into what has been called the 31 "adjacent possible",6 It invites us to be a people who together take wise, deliberate, and 32 provisional steps; who experiment with ways of being together; who "tryon" relationships; who 33 make temporary covenants without fully leaving behind the historical and geographical 34 connections that have shaped our denomination to date. 141 P a 51

52 lour proposal does not require change at the congregational or presbytery level, but allows 2 for flexibility, freedom, and authority for those who endeavor to work out our connectional 3 convictions in developing strategies, creating structures, initiating ministries, and sharing 4 projects, all while being protected by the constitutional oversight of a Regional Administrative 5 Commission and a clear expiration date for what-god willing-will be a bold season of 6 experimentation for a changing church in a changing world I p i~ e 52

53 Appendix 13 BUDGET REPORT FOR COGA MEETING FEBRUARY 14-16,2012 F COGA ebruary 14-16, 2012 I. For Information: REVIEW BUDGET PERFORMANCE (JAN-DEC) 2011 The net total of actual expenditure at end year 2011, exceeded the total actual revenue by $161,778 after committing funds for the 2012 General Assembly in the amount of $1,372,280 (half the cost ofga). The budgeted draw on reserves was ($313,635) while the actual draw at end 2011 was ($161,778) resulting in a savings of$151,857 compared with budget. This draw on reserves was primarily caused by the unrealized loss on investments at end year, and the higher allocation for unrecoverable Per Capita receipts. The unrealized loss on the value ofinvestments held for the period ending 2011 was about $399,100. While the actual write-off amount for 2010 uncollectible per capita was $832,970, and according to Generally Acceptable Accounting Practices (GAAP), we had to book an additional $223,445 to 2011 expenditure, increasing the total uncollectible allowance to $1,056,415. It was possible to allocate these allowances from expenditure without significant draw on reserves, because we under-spent the 2011 budget by a net total of $624,524 (after allocations). (Attachment 1- General Assembly Per Capita Statement of Activities, Dec 31, 2011) II. For Action: PER CAPITA BUDGET PROPOSALS The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) recommend that the 220 th General Assembly (2012) incorporate into the Minutes the 2010 and 2011 Per Capita Apportionment Budget and Statement of Activities. 2. (a) The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012), the Revised 2012 Budget totaling $13,644, (b) The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) recommend to the 220th General Assembly (2012) the total Expenditure Budget for 2013 totaling 13,848,133 and for 2014 totaling $14,175,084. Attachments A & B. 3. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and the General Assembly Council (GAC) recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012) that an amount of $1,384,030 be designated from the 2013 per capita budget (about half the cost of the General Assembly meeting), and be reserved for use in the year of the General Assembly meeting (2014). Attachments A & B 53

54 " 4. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and the General Assembly Council (GAC), recommend to the 220 th General Assembly (2012), a per capita apportionment rate of $6.80 per active member for 2013, and a rate of $6.98 be effective for Attachment B I Rationale: The Committee on the Office ofthe General Assembly (COGA) and the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) continue to be grateful to the whole church for their faithfulness in meeting their per capita obligations (about 94% collection rates). We believe that these funds have enabled the General Assembly to carry out its core ecclesial functions so that The Presbyterian Church (USA) can carry out its ministry in faithfulness to scripture and our Constitution. Building the Per Capita Budgets for 2013 and 2014 continues to be a challenge. The total revenue level is impacted by variables as diverse as a slow moving economy, stock market fluctuations, value ofassets held, levels of membership loss, and the ability ofpresbyteries to fully meet their per capita obligations. Most ofthese factors impact the overall per capita budget negatively. On the expenditure side, challenges include added costs due to increase in number ofcommissioners to the General Assembly since 2010, as well as added costs to carry out an Assembly at different locations. Given these dynamics, both GAMC and OGA faced the reality that major reductions would be necessary unless there was to be a very substantial increase in the per capita rate, which we detennined, would create a real hardship in the church. In order to hold to a minimal increase in the per capita rate, hard choices had to be made relative to staffing levels, the consolidation ofexpenses, and limiting merit increases to staff compensation. In fact the OGA and GAMC made several adjustments reducing the previously approved budget for 2010 by almost $816,000, and are now proposing a revised budget for 2012 with a net reduction of almost $440,000 (before allocating $200,000 for uncollectible). We are also proposing an increase in the per capita rate of 17 cents for 2013, and 18 cents for 2014, keeping the increase below the inflation rate of 3% each year. We have budgeted to utilize reasonable amount ofreserves each year and estimated under-expenditures, in order to keep per capita rate increases to the minimum. The details behind these calculations can be found on the attached sheets. We believe that such restraint in the increase in the per capita rate and the expenditure level are necessary for the well being ofthe church and the fiscal integrity ofthe Per Capita budget. We would encourage a similar spirit ofrestraint by commissioners as you consider other proposals that might have financial implications at the 220 th General Assembly. 5. The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) and the General Assembly Mission Council (GAM C) recommend that the 220th General Assembly (2012) approve the attached allocation of designated funds for OGA, and GAMC task forces, totaling $1,806,470 for 2012, and $1,547,480 for 2013 and $1,738,280 for

55 Rationale The allocation ofdesignated funds, are reserved for specified expenditure planned to augment the per capita budget so that steep increases to the per capita apportionment rate may be cushioned. The primary items include part of the Presbyterian Historical Society operations, GA Session, Ordination Examinations, the production and distribution of OGA Publications, and OGA/GAMC task forces. The sources of these funds are mostly from independently generated revenue, including gifts and endowments. Some meetings and conferences generate revenue for expenses independent of the per capita budget and are accounted through the designated funds. Attachment C 55

56 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PER CAPITA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES For The Period Ending December 31, Budget Rev'dA 2011 Actual Variance 0/0 Variance SOURCES OF FUNDING 1 Apportionments $ 13,572,533 $ 13,493,571 $ (78.962) -0,6% 2 Investment Inc 213, ,520 [55,480) -26,0% 4 Miscellaneous 2,000 6,921 4, % 5 Unrealized/Realized Gain (Loss) - (399,107) ( ) - TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDING $ 13, $ ,905 $ [528,628) -3,8% EXP ENDITURES 1 General Assembly Session 2 Committee/Commission Expenses 3 Ecumenical Expenses 4 Office of the General Assembly 5 OGA/GAC Shared Expenses 6 General Assembly Council 7 Other GAC Supervised Work 8 Support Services 9 Other Expenses 10 Uncollectable Apportionments $ 70, ,980 1,005,134 6,638, ,538 1,868, , , , ,000 $ 39, , ,134 6,112, ,639 1,556, , ,260 78, $ 30,312 92,981 40, ,297 22, ,224 18,301 (7,074) 45,000 (456,415) 43.2% 12.8% 4.0% 7,9% 10.1% 16.7% 2.3% 1.2% 36.6% -76.1% TOTAL EXPENSES $ 12, $ 12048,403 $ 624, % Committed for Subsequent Assemblies fl,428,241) (1,372,280) (55,961) 3.9% TOTAL EXPENSES & COMMITMENTS $ 14,101,168 $ $ 680, %. Net to or (from) Reserve $ (313,635) $ ( ) $ 151, % Schedule 1 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION 1 Mileage & Per Diem $ - $ - $ Place of Meeting Official Personnel Printing 1,000-1, ,0% 5 Local Committee 69,192 39,880 29, % 6 Accident Ins - Commissioners Minutes GA Programs Newsroom Costs Worship TOTAL $ 70,192 $ , % 1 56

57 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PER CAPITA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES For The Period Ending December 31,2011 ~ Schedule 2 - COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION EXPENSES 2011 Budget 2011 % Rev'dA Actual Variance Variance 1 Permanent Judicial Commission $ 91,405 $ 89,777 $ 1, % 2 Permanent Nominating Comm 57,745 27,707 30, % 3 Comm on Ecumenical Relations 38,470 31,455 7, % 4 CommofPHS 25,775 18,958 6, % 5 GA Comm on Representation 92,565 91,164 1, % 6 Adv Comm on Constitution 11,205 7,082 4, % 7 Adv Comm on Litigation 10, , % 8 Committee on Ofc of GA 79,480 34,768 44, % COGA TF-Bienl Assm/PR FIlO ,705 12,960 13, % 9 Comm for Review of GA 35,970 48,400 (12,430) -34.6% 10 Presbyterian Cooperative Committee 42,000 42, Stated Clerk Rev/Nomination 14,575 4,177 10, % 12 GA Task Forces (GA ) (0) 0 13 Comm Marriage & Civil union 14 Form of Gov Taskforce 0.00 (0) 15 Comm on Middle East Issue 699 (699) 16 Comm Transln Heidelberg Catech 23,900 8,547 15, % 17 Comm Belhar Confession 18 Struck Down - Print 19 Sexual Misconduct Prevent Rscs 20 Theological Diversity Com 21 TF-Gun Violence TF-Public Education TF-Pay Equity TF-HIV/ AIDS TF-Status of Women Joint Work Group TF-Climate for Change TF-Special Offering Rev Com on Adv Committees 30 Com-MGB & Adm Rev PR FIlO , ,644 (64,089) -71.6% 31 FOG Comon Interpretn FIlO ,660 4,363 5, % 32 Com on Nature-Church 21st FIlO ,895 25,803 9, % 33 Com-Racl Ethnc/New Immig FIlO ,205 21,691 5, % 34 Com-Hisp/Latino Partcpn FIlO ,310 8,618 4, % TOTAL $ 724,980 $ 631,999 $ 92, % Schedule 3 - ECUMENICAL EXPENSES 1 Natl Council of Churches $ 204,000 $ 204,000 $ 2 World Council of Churches 458, ,402 3 Church Union Conversations 30,000 30, % 4 World Alliance Ref Churches 232, ,732 10, % 5 Ecumenical Assembly Allocation 75,000 75,000 6 Christian Churches Together 5,000 5,000 TOTAL $ 1,005,134 $ 965,134 $ 40,

58 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PER CAPITA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES For The Period Ending December 31, Budget Rev'dA 2011 Actual Variance % Variance 4A OFFICE EXPENSES 1 Salaries-Temporaries 2 Supplies 3 Office Equip & Accessories 4 Telephone 5 Professional Fees 6 Insurance 7 Equip Maintenance & Repair 8 Emerging Developments 9 Miscellaneous 10 Replacement Reserve Sub-Total,4A Schedule 4 - OFFICE OF GENERAL ASSEMBL Y $ $ 9,000 20,000 5,000 60,000 8,000 50,000 2,000 31,000 9,000 10, ,000 $ $ - 10,448-70,882 2,200 42, ,212 2,495 10, ,953 $ $ 9,000 9,552 5,000 (10,882) 5,800 7,824 1,460 14,788 6,505 49, % 47.8% 100.0% -18.1% 72.5% 15.6% 73.0% 47.7% 72.3% - 4B-DEPARTMENT OF THE STATED CLERK 1 Salaries & Benefits $ 739,141 $ 705,855 $ 33, % 2 Administrative 48,000 20,890 27, % 3 Travel & Meetings 66,640 67,402 (762) -1.1% - 4 Presbyterian Service Commission 4,000 4, Sub-Total, 4B $ 857,781 $ 798,148 $ 59, % 4C-DEPARTMENT OF ECUMENICAL AGENCY RELATIONS 1 Salaries & Benefits $ 505,227 2 Administrative 9,700 3 Travel & Meetings 43,000 4 Ecumenical Expenses 108,930 5 Moderator: Jan - june 40,100 6 Moderator: July - Dec 40,100 7 Moderator's Gathering 6,000 Sub-Total,4C $ 753,057 $ $ 483,889 2,724 24,464 70,604 26,336 40,100 6, ,117 $ $ 21,338 6,976 18,536 38,326 13, , % 71.9% 43.1% 35.2% 34.3% % 4D-CONSTITUTIONAL SERVICES 1 Salaries & Benefits $ 590,797 2 Administrative 13,500 3 Travel & Meetings 58,500 4 PJC Trainer Training Immigration Network 14,015 6 Church Property and Legal 50,000 Sub-Total,4D $ 727,312 $ $ 540,111 9,008 46,519-4,934 50, ,571 $ $ 50,686 4,492 11, ,081 [1) 76, % 33.3% 20.5% 100.0% 64.8% -0.0% 10.6% 4E-ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENTS 1 Salaries & Benefits $ 399,592 2 Administrative 8,330 3 Travel & Meetings 32,000 4 Stated Clerks Training 65,660 Sub-Total, 4E $ 505,582 $ $ 391,722 4,225 19, ,825 $ $ 7,870 4,105 12,782-24, % 49.3% 39.9% - 4.9% 3 58

59 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PER CAPITA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES For The Period Ending December 31, Budget Rev'dA 2011 Actual Variance 0/0 Variance 4F-COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY 1 Salaries & Benefits $ 510,193 $ 501,109 $ 9, % 2 Administrative 15,000 6,959 8, % 3 Travel & Meetings 20,000 18,222 1, % 4 Technology-Equipment & Maintenance ,151 14, % Sub-Total,4F $ 626,193 $ 592,441 $ 33, % 4G- VOCATION 1 Salaries & Benefits 2 Administrative 3 Travel & Meetings 4 Program 5 Pastorial Residency Support 6 Healthy Ministries 7 COMIC PM Event $ 867,005 23,000 66,000 65,000 25,000 25,000 $ 848,714 4,296 32,990 32,349 25, $ 18,291 18,704 33,010 32,651-24, % 81.3% 50.0% 50.2% % - Sub-Total,4G $ 1,071,005 $ 943,367 $ 127, % 4H-HISTORICAL SERVICES 1 Salaries and Benefits $ 1,344,518 $ 1,321,288 $ 23, % c 2 Temporaries 4,000-4, % 3 Postage 11,500 10,120 1, % 4 Insurance 83,750 67,476 16, /1' 5 Telephone 17,500 22,924 (5,424) Contract Services-Fire 1, , % 7 Contract Services-Security 11,000 6,825 4, % 8 Contract Services-A/C 25,000 24, % 9 Contract Services-Elevator 7,500 7, % 10 Contract Services-Equipment 10,000-10, % 11 Travel & Meetings 37,500 30,057 7, % 12 Supplies-Building 11,300 12,668 (1,368) -12.1% 13 Supplies-Office 8,250 10,511 (2,261) -27.4% 14 Utilities-Water 10,000 10,582 (582) -5.8% 15 Utilities-Electric & Gas 175, ,514 4, % 16 Utilities-Trash Collection 5,200 5,774 (574) -11.0% 17 Repairs and Services 9,600 15,421 (5,821) -60.6% 18 Miscellaneous (356) -71.1% 19 Replacement Reserve 75,000 75,000 (0) -0.0% 20 Staff Development 8,000 8,372 (372) -4.6% 21 Library Computer Service 5,000 5,255 (255) -5.1% 22 Technology : 32,000 32,000. (0) -0.0% Sub-Total,4H $ 1,893,468 $ 1,837,679 $ 55, % TOTAL SCHEDULE 4'S $ 6,638,398 $ 6,112,101 $ 526, %1 4 59

60 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PER CAPITA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES For The Period Ending December 31, Budget Rev'dA 2011 Actual Variance % Variance 5-GOVERNING BODY RELATIONS (OGAjGAC SHARED) 1 Salaries & Benefits $ 187,108 $ 177,804 $ 9, % 2 3 Administrative Travel & Meetings 3,430 30,000 2,427 17,401 1,003 12, % 42.0% 4 Clerks/Execs/Moderators Gathering - 8 (8) - 5 Presbyterian Leadership Formn 6,000 6, TOTAL $ 226,538 $ 203,639 $ 22, % Schedule 6 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY COUNCIL 6A - MEETING COSTS 1 Council Meetings $ 130,225 $ 150,877 $ (20,652) -15.9% 2 GA Presentations Special Communications Member Related Expenses 7,500-7, % 5 StaffTeams/Cabinet GA Orientation GAC Elected Members Travel 10,000 4,166 5, % 8 MGB Advisory Board 11,960 4,581 7, % 9 MGB Planning Team 3,925 6,266 (2,341) -59.6% Sub-Total, Lines 1-5 $ 163,610 $ 165,891 $ (2,281) -1.4% I - COMMITTEE MEETINGS l: 10 Executive Committee $ 31,000 $ 20,181 $ 10, % I. 11 Nominating Committee 6,000 6, % I Sub-Total. Lines 6-7 $ 37,000 $ 20,181 $ 16, % - OTHER MEETINGS 12 GAC Task Forces $ 66,859 $ 29,422 $ 37, % 13 Mission Part Fund Consult 4;0,000-40, % 14 Executive Training 10,000-10, % Sub-Total, Lines 8-9 $ 116,859 $ 29,422 $ 87, % - ADVISORY COMMITTEES 15 Racial Ethnic Concerns $ 50,000 $ 44,665 $ 5, % 16 Social Witness Policy 50,000 45,201 4, % 17 TF-ACSWP Globalization ACSWP-Dist Res Creed FilO ,700-1, % 19 TF-Study Econ Trends FIlO , , % 20 ACSWP-Pce Mkg Rev FIl ,598 14,368 54, % 21 Dev mats Hiv / Aids FilO ,000 6,800 3, % 22 Women's Concerns. 50,000 31;033 18, % 23 TF-Status ofwomen FIlO ,345 7,233 12, % 24 TF-Violence -WomjChildnFIlO ,470 14,251 10, % Sub-Total, Lines 8-9 $ 301,998 $ 163,552 $ 138, % 5 60

61 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PER CAPITA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES For The Period Ending December 31, Budget Rev'dA 2011 Actual Variance % Variance 6B ~ OFFICE EXPENSES 1 Supplies $5,500 $, 2,728 $ 2, % 2 Printing & Duplicating $9,453 4,265 5, % 3 Postage 3,000 1,332 1, % 4 Telephone 12,500 20,948 (8,448) -67.6% 5 Equip &. Software 10,000 8,534 1, % 6 Insurance 15,000-15, % 7 Resource Materials 1,500 2,301 (801) -53.4% 8 Outside Legal Costs 10,000-10, % 9 Executive Director Expenses 4,000 1,507 2, % 10 Leadership Team Expenses 3,500 1,500 2, % 11 Miscellaneous 868 5,433 [4,565) % Sub-Total, 6B $ 75,321 $ 48,548 $ 26, % 6C ~ PERSONNEL COSTS 1 Salaries & Benefits $ 1,077,673 $ 1,025,523 $ 52, % 2 Travel- Exempt Staff 70,000 83,046 (13,046) 18.6% 3 Travel Non-Exempt Staff 7,000-7, % 4 Staff Relations - 10,176 (10,176) 5 Consultant Fees 10,000 3,254 6, % 6 Staff Development 4,000 6,644 (2,644) 66.1% 7 Cultural Proficiency Programs 5,000-5, ' Sub-Total, 6C $ 1,173,673 $ 1,128,643 $ 45, TOTAL $ 1,868,461 $ 1,556,237 $ 312, %1 Schedule 7 OTHER GAC SUPERVISED WORK 1 Office of Legal Services $ 573,768 $ 576,588 $ (2,820) -0.5% 2 Internal Auditor 230, ,150 21, % TOTAL $ 804,039 $ 785,738 $ 18, % Schedule 8 - SUPPORT SERVICES 1 Building Operation $ 301,767 $ 3.01,767 $ (0) -0.0% 2 Finance & Accounting Services 260, ,740 (7,074) -2.7P/o 3 Office of Information Services 49,753 49, % 4 Human Resources TOTAL $ 612,185 $ 619,260 $ (7,074) -1.2% Schedule 9 - OTHER EXPENSES 1 Contingency $ 45,000 $ - $ 45, % 2 Audit Expenses 78, TOTAL $ 123,000 $ 78,000 $ 45, % Schedule 10 - UNCOLLECTIBLE APPORTIONMENTS 1 Reserve for Uncollectable Appor $ 600,000 $ 1,056,415 $ (456,415) -76.1% TOTAL $ 600,000 $ 1,056,415 $ (456,415)

62 Presbyt.. ":hurch (U.S.A.) PER CAPITA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS For The Period Ending December 31, 2011 UNDESIGNATED TEMPRARILY RESTRICTED GRAND TOTAL ITO ITD 2011 ITD ITD lkvenue. gains and other support Actual Variance Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Variance Apportionment 2010 Income on investments Realized and unrealized gain on investments Sale of resources and services/ Other Miscellaneous Total revenue, gains and other support $ $ ,000 2,000 13, $ $ 13, ,520 (399,107) 6,921 13,256,905 $ $ (78.962) (55,460) (399,107) 4,921 (528,628) $ $ 1.429,000 1,429,000 $ $ 1,954,002 1,954,002 $ $ $ $ $ $ - $ $ , ,000 2,000 15,216,533 $ $ ,520 (399,107) 1,954,002 6,921 15,212,906 $ $ (76,962) (55,480) (399,107) 525,002 4,921 (3.627) Expenditures Programs: General Assembly session GA'committee & commission Ecumenical Office of the General Assembly OGA/GAC Shared Expenses General Assembly Council Other GAC supervised areas $ ,980 1,005,134 6,638, ,538 1,868,461 $ 39, , ,134 6,112, ,639 1,556,237 $ 30,312 92,981 40, ,297 22, ,224 $ 1.433,500 60,000 $ 1,665,540 4,000 $ $ $ $ 70, ,980 1,005,134 8,071, ,538 1,928,461 $ 39, ,134 7,777, $ ,981 40, ,256 22, ,224 Shared: 8 Support Services $ 612,185 $ 619,260 $ (7,074) $ $ $ $ $ - $ 612,185 $ 619,260 $ (7,074) 9 Other shared 123,000 78,000 45, ,000 78,000 45, Uncollectable Apportionment Total expenses..$ ,927 $ 12,048,403 $ 624,524 $ 1.493,500 $ 1,669,540 $ $ - $ ,427 $ 13,717,944 $ 448,483 Funds Allocated for Subsequent GA (1,428,241) (1,372,280) (55,961) 1,428,241 1,372,280 Change in Net Assets $ (313,635) $ (161,779) $ $ 1.363,741 $ 1,656,741 $ $ $ $ 1,050,106 $ 1,494,963 $ 444,857 Net Assets at December ,889,078,I', 537, ,569 7,777,190 NetAssets at December $ - $ 6,727;300 $ $ $ 2, $ 261,370 $ 89,569 $ 9,272,152 62

63 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Per Capita COMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION December 31, 2011 and 2010 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 772,111 $ 19,245 $ 791,355 $ 293,861 Short term investments 2,504,600 1,168,383 3,672,983 2,097,651 OGA Foundation 103, ,886 Per Capita Investments 3,389,577 3,389,577 6,314,626 Long term investments 2,715,229 2,715,229 1,000,764 Endowment investments 654,664 (10,893) 643, ,043 Investments PILP 361, ,470 2,342,324 Apportionmentreceivable--current year 2,768,171 2,768,171 Apportionment receivable--prior year 832, ,970 Allowance for Uncollectible Apportionments (1,663,421) (1,663,421) (592,192) Other receivables (120,453) 360, , ,169 Receivable-GAC 602,915 Prepaid-Other 28,351 3,500 31,851 13,385 Land, Building and Fixed Assets 18,668 3,216,382 3,235,050 3,143,223 Accumulated depreciation (5,600) (1,761,733) (1,767,333) (1,595,943) Total Assets $ 9,644,993 $ 5,710,759 $ 15,355,751 $ 14,121,826 Liabilities and Net Assets bilities: Accounts Payable-GAC $ 324,950 $ 349 $ 325,299 $ 496,997 Accounts Payable 47,890 47,890 59,925 Receipts in Pro tess/ Other Total liabilities $ 372,840 $ 349 $ 373,189 $ 556,999 Net assets: U nre s tricted: Undesignated $ 6,714,232 $ $ 6,714,232 $ 6,889,078 Designated Plant Fund 2,193,914 13,067 2,482,893 1,607,695 4,676,807 1,620,762 2,997,515 1,683,525 Temporarily Restricted :Permanently Restricted 261,370 89, , ,065 1,188, ,634 1,212, ,634 Total net assets $ 9,272,152 $ 5,710,410 $ 14,982,562 $ 13,564,827 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 9,644,993 $ 5,710,759 $ 15,355,751 $ 14,121,

64 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW PER CAPITA BUDGET Actual and Projected Sources o/punding and Expenditures Attachment B-t USING THE FOLLOWING ASSUMPTIONS: - Projected Rev and Exp for 2012, and beyond - liumber of members for is as follows: (please liote that apportionment revenue is based on the membership reported two years prior to the current year; that is 2012 apportionment revellue is based on membership reported at end of 2010): (2012) actual:2,016,091-38,953: (2013): 1,927,138 (2014): 1,877,138; 2013 & 2014 assumes a membership reduction of 50,000 each year. 'Ullrestricted net assets, January 1 Less: Reserve (30% anllnal budget) I::::,c.:.:"--- f_r,ompri~q ears available OPPORTUNITIES: Expenditures less than budgeted Decline in membership is less than expected RISKS Actnal membership declines more than projected Actual expenditnres exceed bndgeted expenses Church and economic related issues impacting Revenne & Investment values - General Assembly financial implications - The level of available funds from reserv.~e,s.".:,- :...:.._._,~",,_-, A~~ 6,889,077 i,-j:~~::~ty- B~_ 5,877,195 ~:;~~:I!~ of funding Apportionments $6.151'0r 2010 $6.50 for 2011 $6.63 for 2012 $6.80 for 2013 $6.98 for ,147,871 i 13,493,571 i $13,108,425 $13,104,538 $13,102,423 I"'~m' '''m," md """'",m, 510, , , , ,000 I i Realized and nnrealized gaill on investments I"'rom Prior years accumulation Total Total Expenditures Designated for Subsequent General Assembly Estimated Under Expenditure,Total Expenditures & Commitments -,-, U~n~restrictedlle.t asse,!s, December 31 12,048,403 1:'328'96~1,--~ 12,764,104 1,372,280 (1,384,030)1 1,384,030 'I :_.~..._ (300,000)1, (300,000) -i3~""9341. m~~405;j90_t-- -,3""'1341 5_;8_7_7,_19_,] 15,859,114 II (1,384,030), (300,000) I 14,17;,,4- s,o_i_9,_53_4~ 1 page 9 2/13/2012 9:40 AM 64

65 Attachn.,,C OGAIGAMC DESIGNATED BUDGET Attachment C Beg Bal Revenue Bgt Expense Bgt EndBal Revenue Bgt Expense Bgt Proj End Bal RevenueBgt Expense Bgt Proj End Bal 111/ / / OGA Sales of Publications 2, , ,000 52, , , , , , ,495 Replacement Reserve-OGA 54,301 10,000 15,000 49,301 10,000 20,000 39,301 10,000 10,000 39,301 Ecumenical Reserve 328,664 75, ,615 75, , ,615 75, , ,615 Replacement Reserve-DOH 90,155 74,890 60, ,045 75,000 60, ,045 75,000 60, ,045 Presbyterian Historical Society 3,409, , ,486 3,436, , ,723 3,457, , ,497 3,482,054 General Assembly Mtg - Registration 4, , ,000 9,021 9, , ,000 19,021 Stated Clerk Training/Fall Polity (12,726) 120, ,000 2, , ,000 7, , ,000 12,274 Cooperative Reading Grp-Ord Exams 67, , , , , , , ,910 90, ,404 Moderator's Travel 14,646 5,000 5,000 14,646 5,000 5,000 14,646 5,000 5,000 14,646 Moderator's Annual Gathering 25,680 30,000 35,000 20,680 30,000 35,000 15,680 35,000 35,000 15,680 GACOR Diversity Project 12,000 12,000 Fred Jenkins Memorial Library Fund 1, Presbyterian Leader Fonnation 32,151 15,000 40,000 7,151 25,000 30,000 2,151 25,000 25,000 2,151 Ecumenical Consultation 5,000 5,000 Church Property and Legal 48,567 30,000 18,567 50,000 30,000 38,567 50,000 40,000 48,567 Contributions 2,150 5,000 7,150 5,000 12,150 5,000 15,000 2,150 Mid Council Financial Network Conf 22,251 20,000 20,000 22,251 20,000 20,000 22,251 20,000 20,000 22,25 Unity & Heritage Seminar 4,551 15,000 16,000 3,551 16,000 16,000 3,551 16,000 16,000 3,551 OGA/GAMC Task Forces 41,102 35,000 6,102 5,000 1,102 1,102 Total 1,806,470 1,654,035 I,418,223 1,609,961 4,563,307 65

66 Appendix 14 COGA, February 14-16, 2012 For Action: Joint Referral from the 219 th General Assembly (2010) to OGA and GAMC Item Item 18-08: Approve and Delegate to the Appropriate Body a Review of and Possible Revisions to the Organization for Mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with Attention Specifically Given to the Roles and Responsibilities of the General Assembly Mission Council and Its Executive Director, and the Office of the General Assembly and the Stated Clerk. Proposed Response to Referral: That the 220 th General Assembly (2012) amend the Organization for Mission to clarify the roles of the Stated Clerk and the Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council, by adding a new p. to the list of Stated Clerk functions found in IV B 2, and a new j. to the list of Executive Director responsibilities found at V G 1. The new language would read: (For the Stated Clerk) p. Serve as primary spokesperson for General Assembly actions, unless the General Assembly has directed otherwise. (For the GAMC Executive Director) j. Serve as primary spokesperson for General Assembly Mission Council policies and programs. Rationale The 219 th General Assembly (2010) directed that the Organization for Mission be reviewed with attention to the roles and responsibilities of the Stated Clerk and the Executive Director of the General Assembly 66

67 Mission Council. The 219 th General Assembly (2010) felt that unclear roles were an impediment to collaboration, and sought this review in order to eliminate confusion. A review has been conducted, and there is very little overlap. (see chart). These two amendments will make the role of each office clearer, in accordance with the request of the 219 th General Assembly (2010). The specific focus of the request was to state that it is the role of the Stated Clerk to speak with one voice for the General Assembly. This recommendation achieves that purpose, while also noting that it is the function of the GAMC Executive Director to speak on behalf of GAMC policies and programs. 67

68 Appendix COGA, Feb ,2012 -Item 12.a COMMITTEE TO REVIEW BIENNIAL ASSEMBLIES REPORT TO THE 220TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY February, 2012 INTRODUCTION The Committee to Review Biennial Assemblies was established by action of two previous Assemblies. The 214th General Assembly (2002) in recommending biennial General Assemblies to the PC(U.S.A.), requested a review of the biennial concept following the 219th (2010) Assembly. A committee was to be appointed by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and the Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council. Overture 049 to the 219 th (2010) General Assembly from the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy requested an expansion of the scope of the review committee to include all matters related to the form and function of the meeting of the General Assembly. The following persons were named to the committee: Glen Bell, Indianapolis, IN; Theresa Cho, San Francisco, CA; Thomas Evans, Atlanta, GA; Glen Alberto Guenther, Denver, CO; Marcus Lambright, Princeton, NJ; Kathy Lueckert, Seattle, WA; Carol McDonald, Indianapolis, IN; Matthew Schramm, Bay City, MI; David Van Dyke, St. Paul, MN. Carol McDonald serves as Moderator. The committee is staffed by Thomas Hay from the Office of the General Assembly. The committee began its work in January, From the beginning, the committee has kept before it these words: "The General Assembly constitutes the bond of union, community, and mission among all its congregations and councils! to the end that the whole church becomes a community of faith! hope, love, and witness/! (G j Our research and evaluation involved two surveys - one of open-ended and one of specifically focused questions. Approximately 125 persons responded to the open-ended questions and almost 900 persons responded to the specific-question survey. In addition, we interviewed the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council and members of the GAMC executive staff. We requested and received input from each of the other four entities of the General Assembly: The Presbyterian Foundation, The Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, and The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. We staffed a table at the Big Tent and engaged in conversation with many event attendees. The Committee has held three face-to-face gatherings and has met multiple times by conference call. The way we have worked together reflects our hope for future meetings of the General Assembly. We built community and have engaged in worshipful collaboration. Spirited and faithful conversation led, again and again, to decisions made by strong consensus. We offer this report with grateful hearts thankful for one another and thankful for the One who called us together to do this work. CONTEXT We are a church with a newly adopted Form of Government one being explored and embraced by Councils at all levels. The new F.O.G. invites us to move from governance as we have always known it into new and flexible ways of being church. We are a church living in and through a time of dramatic change; transition is the norm. We are a church yearning for new 68

69 52 and different ways of discussing and discerning God's call around difficult and controversial 53 issues. We seek to be faithful to the One who has called us into being and who is calling us to 54 be the church in a new way VALUES That the common life of the whole church, as reflected in the meetings of the General 59 Assembly, will reflect the mind of Christ as described by the apostle Paul in Philippians That our mode of engaging one another in the work of the whole church will reflect the image 61 of the body of Christ described by the apostle Paul in Romans 12 and in I Corinthians That everything we say and do, as the Council of the whole church, will allow us to engage 63 with one another in love, humility, grace, and servanthood That the Council of the whole church Will be an integrated community of worship, study, 65 witness, discernment, and decision-making. 66 That collaboration will be increased among all the Councils of the church That processes for discussion and deliberation will be fair and open and honest That the work and business of each meeting of the General Assembly will be focused so as to 69 encourage full and prayerful participation of those seeking the mind of Christ for the whole 70 church AFFI RMA TION We affirm the pattern of biennial General Assembly meetings. Our research, conversations, 75 and discernment indicate this pattern is helpful to the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 76 We heard no strong support either to return to annual Assemblies or to lengthen time between 77 Assemblies. Biennial Assemblies are wise stewardship of both human and financial resources. 78 They permit the church to deliberate and discuss important issues facing church and society, 79 and offer Councils necessary time to consider and live into suggested actions. Biennial 80 Assemblies provide for the whole church opportunities for worship, Bible study, fellowship, 81 colla boration, and spiritual reflection RECOMMENDATIONS #1: The Plenary Sessions of the General Assembly 87 That the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly structure the docket of each 88 biennial meeting of the General Assembly to contain plenary sessions focused on 89 prayer, Bible study, and community building Since the General Assembly convenes to lead the whole church in becoming "a 92 community of faith, hope, love, and witness"(g ) we recommend the Assembly spend 93 significant time during its plenary sessions in prayer, Bible study, and community building. As 94 we gather as God's people, we do so as those forgiven, redeemed and called to discover and 95 embrace God's will for us. Therefore, we will intentionally construct our time together around 96 practices unique to the church such as prayer, singing and scripture reading. As we draw closer 97 to God through these practices of faith, we seek greater spiritual wisdom to discern God's will 98 and the courage to act on the call of Christ #2: Framework for Plenary Sessions of the Next Three General Assemblies 2 69

70 \101 That the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly construct the dockets for the 102 next three successive General Assemblies (2014,2016,2018) around the Great 103 Ends of the Church, the Marks of the Church, and the Notes of the Church. (cf G As it leads and guides the witness of the whole church, the General 105 Assembly shall keep before it the marks of the Church (F ), the notes by 106 which Presbyterian and Reformed communities have identified themselves 107 through history (F ) and the six Great Ends of the Church (F )...) Rationale: In light of G , we believe such a framework for the Assembly will provide a 110 form for the week and a context for its work while encouraging the Assembly to center its work 111 in worship, study, witness, and decision making #3: Concurrences for Overtures and Commissioner Resolutions 114 That In order to improve collaboration among presbyteries and insure that the business 115 before it is of common concern to the mission of the church (G-3.02(d)Labout key 116 issues facing the church and society and to encourage well considered significant 117 overtures and resolutions of church wide significance: That the 220th General Assembly (2012) direct the Stated Clerk to send the following 119 proposed amendments to the Book of Order to the presbyteries for their affirmative or 120 negative votes adding a new section to G , ("on the relations of General 121 Assembly with other councils"): 122( (0Rresent to meetings of the General Assembly such propos~l Jrom 123 presbyteries and synods that have received concurrences from at least 10% of 124 the presbyteries, or in the case of overtures from a synod, concurrence by 10% 125 of the synods Amend Standing Rule A.3.(c)6 by adding the line: 128 "Concurrences to any overture will be received up to 45 days prior to the 129 convening of the next session of the General Assembly. " Standing Rule A.8.a be changed as follows: 132 An item of new business, in the form of a commissioners' resolution, must be 133 signed by commissioners representing 10% of the presbyteries. Such 134 resolutions must be delivered in writing to the Stated Clerk or the Stated Clerk's 135 designee. No commissioner may sign more than two such resolutions Rationale: A consistent theme of the reflection and feedback we received is the need to focus 138 the business considered by an Assembly. Overtures from presbyteries represent a significant 139 source of assembly business. At the 219th General Assembly 124 overtures were received from 140 presbyteries; only 25% of these overtures had concurrences from other presbyteries We believe there should be greater focus for business coming to a GeneraL AssembLy. 143 Requiring the concurrence of at Least10% of presbyteries with any overture - and that 144 commissioners' resolutions require signatures from at Least 10% of the presbyteries -- will 145 indicate that an issue is of considerable significance across the church. Such concurrences will 146 encourage and increase collaboration and conversation among presbyteries about key issues #4: The Assembly's Plenary Consent Agenda

71 249 On the day of the convening of the General Assembly, the Stated Clerk shall provide a 250 room for each candidate where cemmissioners and advisory delegates may meet and 251 talk 'Nith the candidate. Candidates are encouraged to meet and make themselves 252 available for conversation with commissioners and advisory delegates within the scope 253 of these campaign procedures Rationale: Commissioners and Advisory Delegates are frequently unable to visit the 256 booths/rooms because of other pre-assembly activities. We believe that providing booths for 257 moderatorial candidates is not the best use of resources. We request the Committee on the 258 Office of the General Assembly, within the scope of the outlined campaign procedures, to 259 facilitate opportunities for conversation between moderatorial candidates and commissioners 260 and advisory delegates #8: Removal of Nominating Speeches for the Office of Moderator That Standing Rule H.1.b.4 (a) be amended as follows: The Moderator of the General Assembly shall be elected in the following manner: 266 (a) VVhen the General Assembly is roady to elect its Moderator, only one speech 267 shall be made placing in nomination the name of each nominee. The speech shall be 268 made by a commissioner to the General Assembly. Such speech shall not exceed five 269 minutes in length. There shall be no speeches seconding the nomination of any 270 nominee. The order of speaking shall be determined by lot, the drawing conducted by 271 the most recent Moderator attending the General Assembly. When the General 272 Assemblyjs ready to elect its Moderator, each candidate shall be nominated bv a 273 commissioner to the Assemblv in the following manner: the commissioners making 274 nominations shall be recognized at microphones on the Assembly floor. Upon 275 recognition by the Assfjmbly Moderator, the nominator shall say, "Moderator, I place in 276 nomination for the office of Moderator of the General Assembly Ruling/Teaching 277 Elder from the Presbytery of." The nominator shall then return to his/her 278 seat on the plenaryfloor. No s~conds to nominations are required And that Standing Rule H.1.bA (b) be amended as follows: After nominations are closed, each nominee shall be afforded an opportunity to address 283 the Assembly for a time not to exceed five minutes, expressing the concerns that 284 nominee feels to be the most important for the church. The nominees shall speak in the 285 same order as the presentation of nominating speeches. The order of speaking shall be 286 determined by lot, the drawing conducted by the most recent Moderator attending the 287 General Assembly "Rationale: This practice will streamline the current election procedure by eliminating 290 nominating speeches #9: Extending the timeframe for the work of the Biennial Review Committee 293 That the 220th General Assembly instruct the Committee to Review Biennial General 294 Assemblies to continue its work to the 221 st General Assembly (2014) in order that 295 all matters related to the form and function of the meeting of the General 296 Assembly may be explored, developed, and discerned, and additional 297 recommendations brought to the 221 st General Assembly Rationale: 6 71

72 .300 We have only been able to respond in part to our mandate "to include all matters related to the 301 form and function of the meeting of the General Assembly." We believe it is vital at this time in 302 the life of the church for us to explore the possibilities of different ways of presenting issues, 303 seeking God's discernment, and making decisions. Our own work as a committee has 304 convicted us of the importance of caring community, genuine collaboration, and generous 305 conversation We believe the church is weary of a winllose method of dealing with difficult and controversial 308 issues and that the church in our 21 st century context yearns for a way for those who make 309 decisions on behalf of the church to do so in an environment which enables a greater 310 awareness of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (1) As the Council of the whole church, "The 311 General Assembly constitutes the bond of union, community, and mission among all its 312 congregations and councils, to the end that the whole church becomes a community of 313 faith, hope,love, and witness." (G ) For a community offaith, hope, love and witness, 314 the means by which the church searches for a common mind will be as important as the decisions that are reached. (2) 317 We seek to study other resources in greater depth including materials from the Uniting Church 318 in Australia, and the significant contributions of the Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity 319 of the Church. We believe both, as well as other resources, should be explored in greater 320 depth Our goal in continuing our work would be to explore alternate processes for presentation and 323 discussion of issues, to invite several mid-councils to work with us to assess the effectiveness 324 of these processes, and to propose to the 221 st General Assembly (2014) alternative ways of 325 doing the work of the Assembly (1 and 2) Coming to Cons~n u~: A Case Study for the Churches. Geneva: WCC Publications 7 72

73 03-18 On Expanding the Scope of the Review of Biennial Assemblies. Source: Presbytery Sponsor: Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery Committee: [03 18] G I A. bl P d Type: General Assembly Full - enera ssem y roce ures Consideration Topic: Unassigned ASSEMBLY ACTION On this Item, the General Assembly, acted as follows: Approve as Amended Approve Item with the amendment that "Five additional persons be added to the review committee as outlined in the 2002 action, three of which will be commissioners or advisory delegates from 219th General Assembly (2010) under the age of 40 and two from the church at large." Consensus Final Text: That the recommendation be approved with amendment. Amend Item with the addition of the following after the paragraph beginning "In appointing the members of the special task group or committee..." [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.] "[FiY~J!~<!itional persons will be added to the Review Committee as outlined in the 2002 action, three of whom wiii be commissioners or advisory delegates from the 219th General Assembly (2010) und.~r the age of 40, and two from the church at large.i" COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION On this Item, the General Assembly Procedures Committee, acted as follows: Approve as Amended Approve Item with the amendment that "Five additional persons be added to the review committee as outlined in the 2002 action, three of which will be commissioners or advisory delegates from 219th General Assembly (2010) under the age of 40 and two from the church at large." [Counted Vote Committee] Affirmative: 46 Negative: 6 Abstaining: 0 Final Text: That the recommendation be approved with amendment. Amend Item with the addition ofthe following after the paragraph beginning "In appointing the members of the special task group or committee..." [Text to be added or inserted is shown with brackets and with an underline.] "[Five additional persons will be added to the Review Committee as ontlined in the 2002 action, three of whom will be coll!missioners or advisory delegates from the 219th General Assembly (2010) under the age of 40, and two from the church at large.]" RECOMMENDATION 8 73

74 The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy overtures the 219th General Assembly (2010) to lead the church in considering the form and function of our General Assembly meetings by expanding the action of the 214th General Assembly (2002) that charged the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly to prepare an evaluation of biennial assemblies after the 219th General Assembly (2010) (Minutes, 2002, Part I, pp , Item 02-01) and instructing this study committee to consider the whole of the General Assembly meeting in its form and function. This review is to include, but is not limited to, matters of financial stewardship, the use of alternative forms of discernment, the number of commissioners and advisory delegates as well as the role of advisory delegates, the schedule for moderatorial elections, the environmental impact of assemblies, the frequency of meetings, and models for governance for future generations. In appointing the members of the special task group or committee (outlined in the 2002 action), the Stated Clerk and Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council shall pay particular attention to appointing a generous representation of members younger than age forty. The report of this study and any recommendations shall come to the 220th General Assembly (2012). RATIONALE The Committee on the General Assembly was charged by the 214th General Assembly (2002) to prepare an evaluation of biennial assemblies, instructing the committee to consider the whole of the General Assembly meeting in its form and function. This group was asked to review the following: The assigned task shall be to ascertain the impact of biennial assemblies on the Presbyterian Church (U,S.A.) in terms of its ministry and mission; stewardship including per capita apportionment, mission dollars, and special offerings; communication including knowledge of the General Assembly and its work in the church, on governance of the church; the Form of Government and overtures sent to the General Assembly; use of judicial process and ways of dealing with conflictual issues, as well as addressing the theology of our Form of Government and how it has been impacted by biennial assemblies;] and bring a report to the 220th General Assembly (2012). (Minutes, 2002, Part I, p. 159) Since the charge was given to COGA to review biennial General Assemblies, the church has benefited from the work of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church, which modeled decision making utilizing discernment and consensus and challenged the church to adopt new methods of decision making at all governing body levels. Sessions, presbyteries, and synods across the church have experimented with different ways of making decisions, The General Assembly, as the most formal goveming body, has been less adaptive and slower to respond to the growing enthusiasm for alternative methods of discernment in decision making. This is a conversation that needs to occur at the General Assembly level. The review of biennial assemblies provides an opportunity fof it to occur within a larger conversation about the form and function of the General Assembly. The expanded review should address the effectiveness of the current standing committee model and whether a different organizational model might better facilitate the use of discernment as a core value. It should consider the effectiveness of the current overture process and potential alternatives to it that could free the assembly to spend more time on larger, more strategic questions of vision and mission that will shape the future of the church. The review should address the number and role of commissioners and advisory delegates and how the General Assembly might engage the wisdom of middle governing body leaders (staff and officers). The review should assess the environmental impact of General Assembly meetings and whether there are ways to increase efficiency and reduce the overall environmental impact. Because this review will affect the General Assembly'S function in the foreseeable future, the review team should intentionally include many members under the age of forty. This proposed expansion of the review functions of the committee would allow the church to have more than just a tweaking of the existing biennial model; it would allow a vehicle to explore a new way of being the church when we meet in assembly. FINANCIAL IMPLICATION (2010) $17,720 (2011) $26,705 (2012) $8,735 - GA Per Capita 9 74