February 25, 2006 - Page 1
407th Stated Meeting
PRESBYTERY OF SANTA BARBARA
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
The 407th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Santa Barbara, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was
convened on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 9:35am at the El Montecito Presbyterian Church, Santa
Barbara, California by Rev. Dale Paulsen, Moderator. The Moderator opened the meeting with reading
Ephesians 3:14-21 and with prayer. A quorum was present.
WELCOME to the church was extended by Pastor, Rev. Harold Bussell.
features and symbols of the redesigned sanctuary.
He pointed out special
ROLL was taken by card, 140 persons indicated attendance. (A-Absent; number after minister
name is authorized ecclesiastical occupational designation; an * indicates Parish Associate; number
before elder commissioners indicate number of commissioners for that church.)
CHURCHES/MINISTERS
ELDER COMMISSIONERS
Camarillo, Taiwanese-American
Szu-Hsing Mao (101)
(1)
Evelyn Lee
Camarillo, Trinity
Jerome Cooper (101)
(3)
Steve Gillis, Don Scott
James Gilchrist
Cambria, Community
Tracy Vining (101)
(2)
Catherine Cascadden
Carpinteria Community
Mike Wallman (105)
(1)
Jeanne Johnson
Goleta
A
Steve Jacobsen (101)
(2)
Don Eggebraaten, Jim Friestad
Grover Beach, First
Jan Armstrong (101)
(2)
Lompoc, First
Julia Leeth (101)
(3)
Hazel Henderson
Los Alamos
A
Warren Einolander, CLP (107)
(1)
Lynn Hughes
Moorpark
David A. Wilkinson (101)
Janet Loughry (106)
(3)
Kathy Paul, Christopher Bryan
Richard Harris
Morro Bay
Dale Paulsen (101)
(2)
Susan Waibel, Morgan White
Newbury Park, Monte Vista
Tom Stephen (191)
(1)
Howard Johnson
Nipomo, Community
Luanne Griguoli (101)
(1)
Kristy Clark
Ojai
(3)
Jane Weirick
Ginger Wilson
(3)
Jerrie Harper, Lawrence Long
Sue Jahnke
(3)
David Schenk, Mary Baumgartner
Jeff Holland (101)
Scott Beck (103)
Orcutt
A
Bruce Lethbridge (101)
Garry Grant, CLP (107)
Oxnard, First
February 25, 2006 - Page 2
407th Stated Meeting
Diana Hopkins (105)
David Baumgartner
Pismo Beach, Community
Robert Crouch (101)
(1)
Carol Karamitsos
Port Hueneme, Westminster
Kent Meads (105)
Valerie De La Torre (301)
(2)
Linda Porteous, Michelle Southerland
Port Hueneme, Word of Life
Ron Urzua (107)
(1)
San Luis Obispo, First
A James R. Blades (101)
A Andrew Rock (193)
A Curtis Illingworth* (797)
A Ann Martel* (299)
(3)
Santa Barbara, El Montecito
Harold Bussell (101)
Miji Working (105)
(4)
Doug Crawford, William Gowler
Kirk Gilbert, Barbara Mendelson
Santa Barbara, First
Peter Buehler (101)
Judith Muller (103)
(5)
Loyda Marquez, Chuck Curtis
Laura Techentin, Gil Ashor, Fred Marsh
Santa Barbara, St. Andrew's
Dale Morgan (101)
A Edwin Aspinwall* (299)
Donald Carey* (299)
A Harold Englund* (299)
(3)
Robert Rice, Mona Wise
Santa Maria, First
A James Witty (108)
Frederick Morgan* (299)
(1)
George Welch
Santa Paula, First
A Randy Working**
(1)
Chris Buchanan
Simi Valley
Jeff Cheadle (101)
A Jonathan Lusche (103)
A Robert Coppock (103)
(4)
Wes Shipway, Scott Hunter
Rick Cadruci, Mary Pratt
Solvang, Santa Ynez Valley
A Jeffrey Bridgeman (101)
Steve Miller (103)
(4)
Brad Roberts, Leslie Ooms
Jim Richard, Dokey Dunlap
Summerland
Rev. John McEntyre (101)
(1)
Margo Kowalski
Templeton, First
Charlie Little (101)
(2)
James Schaefer
Thousand Oaks, Emmanuel
Dale Ridenour (105)
Dana P. Shaw (103)
(5)
Pamela Rhodes, Jack Light
Karen Barnes, Stan Ratzlaff
Ventura, Community
Mark Patterson (101)
Paul Dugan (103)
Marsha Martin (103)
A Art Beals* (299)
(5)
Jim Lisi, Barry Reagan
Byron Cressy, Jim McClurkin
Paul Burke
Santa Maria, New Covenant NCD
A Israel Gonzales (301)
February 25, 2006 - Page 3
407th Stated Meeting
Ventura, Eastminster
A
Mark Anderson (101)
OTHER MINISTERS
A Charles Arnold (797)
James Bain (299)
A David Beamer (299)
A Dona Behmer (797)
A Les Bishop (797)
A Sharon Blackmon (634)
Eric Bond (797)
A R. Thomas Bousman (299)
A James Bultema (791)
A Ramón Cisneros (791)
A Robert L. Cleath (299)
A Paul Coppock (641)
A Jeffrey Cotter (795)
Varre Cummins (797)
A Thomas E. Ellis (299)
A Tim Fearer (403)
A Osvaldo Fiallo (299)
(3)
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Tim Callahn, Dolores Taylor
Wes Haystead
Julia Fogg (644)
Ernest Freund (299)
Charles C. Griffin (299)
Gordon Hess (299)
Lyle Hillegas (299)
Cecil Hoffman (299)
James Huang (503)
Kathryn Johnson (797)
James Kenney (299)
Shona Kiilsgaard (797)
Chuck Laird (795)
Gerry Larson (299)
Barbara Lee (795)
Jill Martinez (795)
Michael McKim (797)
Kristina McKinlay (795)
Roger Meriwether (299)
Daniel Newhall (299)
A Jim Nielsen (299)
A Warren Porter (299)
Judy Rarick (797)
A Walter K. Robie (299)
A David Smiley*** (641)
Mark C. Smith (797)
A John Springer (299)
A Daniel Stevens (797)
A Warren Studer (299)
A Bart Tarman (797)
A Richard N. Vos (299)
A Richard E. Wardlaw (299)
A Robert Wedaa (299)
A Robert Wennberg (797)
A Robert Whitaker (299)
Kenneth C. Working (302)
** Rev. Randy Working, Presbytery of Seattle serving as Pulpit Supply and Moderator of Session,
Santa Paula First
*** Temporary member of presbytery
SUMMARY OF MINISTERIAL/CANDIDATE CHANGES (this meeting):
Ministers received from PC(USA) presbytery: Graham Baird (301/Paso Robles NCD, Presbytery of
Sacramento); Robert Ohman (797), Presbytery of San Jose.
Mininisters dismissed to other PC(USA) presbytery: Rev. Pamela Gordon, Maumee Valley; Rev.
Jeannie Kim, San Francisco; Rev. Mark Kliewer, San Gabriel
Ministers granted permission to labor within geographic bounds and outside ecclesiastical bounds:
Rev. Beth Palmer, Presbytery of Wyoming
Other changes within the presbytery: Rev. Paul Coppock (641 to 797); resignation of Sean Chow as
Commissioned Lay Pastor (First, Oxnard)
Inquirers Enrolled: Sean Chow, effective September 22, 2005
Candidates withdrawn: Sally Coppersmith (Moorpark); Steve Tanner (Thousand Oaks)
ELDER MEMBERS OF PRESBYTERY COUNCIL:
Slater
Sean Chow, Jim Stueck, Robert Farrow, Paul
OTHERS PRESENT: Arlin Anderson, Solvang; Lyle Barnett, Ventura Eastminster; Sean Cowdrey,
Ventura Community; Mary Curtis, Port Hueneme Westminster; Daniel Grace, Word of Life, Port
Hueneme; Dave Heiss, Ventura Community; Debbie Ingold, Ventura Community; Martin Johnson,
Carpinteria; Roger Kahle, Moorpark; Mickey Keith, Santa Maria; Jeff Kempton, Ventura Eastminster;
Wayne Kempton, Ventura Eastminster; Rosalie Matthews, Orcutt; Frank Matthews, Orcutt; Katie
Mulligan, Goleta; Diane Parker, Orcutt; Sonya Perez, Word of Life, Port Hueneme; Cesar Perfecto,
Word of Life Port Hueneme; Cynthia Reynolds, Orcutt; Aubrey Sloan, Orcutt; Jolyn Strauss, Los
Alamos; Lilly Welch, Santa Maria; Alfred Vargas, Sacred Heart, Ventura; Bill Tice, Ventura
Community; Connie Tice, Ventura Community; Dorothy Vargas, Word of Life, Port Hueneme;
Margaret Wielenga, Santa Maria.
PRESBYTERY STAFF: Ken Working, Michelle Holmes, Corinne Satterthwaite
February 25, 2006 - Page 4
407th Stated Meeting
PRESBYTERY PROGRAM STAFF: Sandy Dinkler, IMPACT
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS:
Presbytery of Wyoming
Rev. Graham Baird, Presbytery of Sacramento; Rev. Beth Palmer,
NEW ELDER COMMISSIONERS and visitors were welcomed to the presbytery.
commissioners were hosted in the Newcomers’ Lounge prior to the meeting.
First-time elder
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR was granted to all members of presbytery committees present.
AGENDA, as revised, was adopted by the presbytery.
CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved, seconded and carried to adopt the Consent Agenda.
REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK (Consent Agenda) The Stated Clerk
1.
Recommends the approval of the minutes of the 406th stated meeting of the Presbytery of Santa
Barbara held on November 15, 2005.
2.
Reports the reception of Rev. Julia Leeth from the Presbytery of Denver, effective November 15,
2005.
3.
Reports the dismission of Rev. Jeannie Kim to the Presbytery of San Francisco, effective
November 17, 2005.
4.
Reports the dismission of Rev. Mark Kliewer to the Presbytery of San Gabriel, effective
November 16, 2005.
5.
Reports that the Session annual Statistical Reports have been distributed to churches.
Churches will be reporting their 2005 year-end statistics directly on-line.
6.
Reports that the commission to ordain and install Rev. Israel Gonzales completed its work on
November 27, 2005 and is discharged. The commission consisted of Rev. Ken Working, Chair;
Rev. Miji Working, Rev. Michael Wallman, Rev. James Witty, Rev. Kent Meads, Rev. Valerie de la
Torre, and Elders Pat Chaney (Port Hueneme) and Margaret Wielenga (Santa Maria First).
7.
Reports that the commission to ordain and install Rev. Andrew Rock completed its work on
January 15, 2006 and is discharged. The commission, as approved and reported by the
Committee on Ministry, consisted of Rev. Dale Paulsen, Chair; Rev. Jim Blades; Rev. Jim Nielsen,
Rev. Anne Martel; and Elders Nan Allen (Cambria), Ann Johnson (Pismo Beach), Susan
Updegrove (San Luis Obispo), Dana Easton (San Luis Obispo) and Margo Smith (San Luis
Obispo).
8.
Reports that the Committee on Ministry approved the commission to ordain Pamela Gordon,
consisting of Rev. Charlie Little, Chair; Rev. Ernie Freund; Rev. Chuck Arnold; Rev. Dan Newhall;
Rev. Julia Leeth; Rev. Judy Rarick; and Elders Eric Van Nostrand (Lompoc), Scott McLean
(Orcutt), Dana Easton (San Luis Obispo), The commission completed its work on January 22,
2006 and is discharged.
9.
Reports the dismission of Rev. Pamela Gordon to the Presbytery of Maumee Valley, effective
January 22, 2006.
10. Reports the resignation of Rev. Paul Coppock as Campus Pastor, Front Porch Campus Ministry
at UCSB, effective January 31, 2006.
11. Reports that the presbytery has filed its biennial Annual Statement of Information by Domestic
Nonprofit Corporation.
12. The Stated Clerk recommends that presbytery approve the suggested method of correcting the
imbalance of elder commissioners to minister members of presbytery, based on Section 2.10 of
the Standing Rules of the presbytery:
February 25, 2006 - Page 5
407th Stated Meeting
2.10
The members of the presbytery shall be all ministers duly enrolled, and when presbytery
meets, each church shall be represented by an elder commissioned by the session with the following
additional provisions:
A.
Churches with membership over 500 shall be represented as follows:
501 - 1000
1001 - 1500
1501 - 2000
2001 - +
-
2 elders
3 elders
4 elders
5 elders
B.
Annually, during the first week of January, the Stated Clerk of the presbytery shall ascertain
the number of resident ministers who are members of presbytery and the number of elders which the
churches are entitled to send as commissioners to presbytery meetings. When the number of ministers
is larger, the Stated Clerk shall bring the imbalance to the attention of the presbytery at its first
meeting of the year. The presbytery shall redress the imbalance by either inviting sessions of
particular churches to elect additional elder commissioners, enrolling elder members of committees or
both after consideration of 2.10 C, with special attention to the concerns of G-9.0104.
C.
Each elder elected Moderator shall be enrolled as a member of the presbytery for the term of
office, whether or not commissioned by his or her session. Each elder elected an officer (other than
Moderator), a Chairperson of a standing Committee, or a member of Presbytery Council shall be
enrolled as a member of the presbytery for the term of office, whether or not commissioned by his or
her session (G-11.0101c).
As of January 1, 2006 there are 100 minister members of presbytery, of which 83 are resident, active or atlarge. The purpose of redressing the balance is to potentially have an equal number of ministers and elders in
attendance.
Churches of the presbytery are entitled to thirty-seven (37) elder commissioners according to the membership
rolls. There are seven (7) elder members enrolled as members of presbytery as required above (2.10C).
There are three (3) Commissioned Lay Pastors who are entitled to vote at meetings of the presbytery; for
purposes of parity, such votes are counted as an elder commissioner per G-14.0801c.(5).
RECOMMENDATION: That presbytery balance the representation by inviting each church session to
elect additional elder commissioners for 2006 as follows:
1) For churches with membership of 200-349, one additional elder commissioner
2) For churches with membership of 350-599, two additional elder commissioners
3) For churches with membership 600 and higher, three additional commissioners
This new representation is to be effective after the February 2006 presbytery meeting.
A
B
C
D
PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF ELDER COMMISSIONERS FOR 2006
Number of commissioners based on church membership role 12/31/04
Additional commissioners per recommendation
Total per church
Column D shows the ratio of members to commissioners (e.g., 1 commissioner for every 104
members for Westminster, Port Hueneme)
Church
New Covenant, Santa Maria
Membership
12/31/04
0
A
Based on
membership
0
B
C
D
Additional
Total
Ratio
0
0
n.a.
February 25, 2006 - Page 6
407th Stated Meeting
Los Alamos
Summerland
TAPCVC, Camarillo
Community,.Pismo Beach
Word of Life, Port Hueneme
First, Santa Maria
First, Santa Paula
Monte Vista, Newbury Park
Community, Nipomo
Community, Carpinteria
First, Templeton
Westminster, Port Hueneme
Morro Bay
First, Grover Beach
Community, Carmbria
Goleta
First, Lompoc
St. Andrew’s, Santa Barbara
Eastminster, Ventura
Orcutt
Trinity, Camarillo
Ojai
First, Oxnard
Moorpark
First, San Luis Obispo
El Montecito, Santa Barbara
Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang
Simi Valley
First, Santa Barbara
Emmanuel, Thousand Oaks
Community, Ventura
Subtotals
17
37
53
70
(est) 100
122
129
139
157
162
172
207
213
218
260
266
299
310
328
379
399
428
429
439
471
515
591
634
743
793
832
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
37
Commissioned Lay Pastors
Elders Presbytery Council
TOTALS
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
30
3
7
9,912
47
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
5
73
17
37
53
70
100
122
129
139
157
162
172
104
107
109
130
133
150
155
164
126
133
143
143
146
157
129
148
127
149
159
166
3
7
36
83
REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY COUNCIL (Consent Agenda)
Presbytery Council recommends the following Guidelines for Debate and Vote be adopted by the
presbytery prior to voting on any matters that may be controversial.
Preliminary information:
A.
Robert’s Rules of Order shall be operative for the presbytery meetings.
B.
At the recommendation of Committee on Presbytery Enrichment (COPE), we will have worship at
the beginning of the presbytery meeting.
C.
The presbytery will be urged to remember that this process is a part of the privilege we have as
Presbyterians to look at and change our constitution, our Standing Rules, and our presbytery
guidelines.
D.
To be included in the packet of information for presbytery commissioners will be the document
“Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Disagreement”
adopted by the 204th General Assembly (1992) of the PC(USA).
February 25, 2006 - Page 7
407th Stated Meeting
Guidelines for debate and vote on all matters before the presbytery:
1.
Persons who speak shall identify themselves by giving their name and church or relationship to
the presbytery.
2.
No one person may speak for more than two (2) minutes; speakers will alternate pro and con; no
one may speak twice until all have had an opportunity to speak once.
3.
During the debate, speakers will address the moderator and speak to the proposed amendment.
4.
It is inappropriate to applaud.
5.
We will follow our regular procedure for Corresponding Members. The Book of Order states that
ministers or elders “in good standing in other governing bodies of this church or in any other
Christian church, who are present at any meeting of the presbytery, may be invited to sit as
corresponding members, with voice but no vote.” Since this is our normal practice, individuals
the presbytery designates as Corresponding Members will be seated and will be allowed to speak
to all matters coming before the presbytery at the meetings.
6.
Committee members are routinely granted privilege of the floor and therefore may speak at the
meetings. They may not vote.
7.
Meeting attendance shall be totaled prior to voting.
8.
Voting will be by voice unless requested otherwise. For a ballot vote, we will use blank paper for
ballots.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER Rev. Ken Working looked forward with joy to the
chartering of the Word of Life Presbyterian Church during the service of worship today and to the
ordaining of the new elders and deacons of the presbytery's 31st congregation. He announced that
there will be a ground breaking soon for the future congregation in Paso Robles. He also highlighted
the recent installation of Rev. Judith Leeth as pastor of the Lompoc church and called attention to the
displays of the Monte Vista church and of La Scherpa conference ground. Rev. Working emphasized
the First Friday Forums in March, April and May held at Pasadena Presbyterian Church and
sponsored by San Francisco Theological Seminary. Sequentially, they will feature Dr. Stanley Wood,
professor of congregational growth and new church development at the seminary, Dr. F. Dale Bruner,
professor of religion emeritus at Whitworth College, and Dr. Ronald C. White, Jr., professor of church
history at the seminary.
BREAK The presbytery recessed to watch the Tour of California bicycle race on East Valley Road.
Presbytery reconvened for worship.
WORSHIP Using Matthew 4:23-25, Rev. Steve Miller preached on “News from the Kingdom.” Also
leading in worship were Host Pastor Harold Bussell, Rev. Miji Working, Elder Bill Randolph, the
Church Choir, Director of Music/Organist Michael Eglin, and Pianist Sarah Eglin. Holy Communion
was celebrated assisted by elders of the Host Church.
CHARTERING OF WORD OF LIFE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH During the service, presbytery
chartered the Word of Life Presbyterian Church of Port Hueneme with the Organizing Pastor Ron
Urzua presenting the following petition signed by ninety-six members.
We the undersigned, in response to the grace of God, desire to be constituted and organized as a church
to be known as the Word of Life Presbyterian Church. We promise and covenant to live together in unity
and to work in ministry as disciples of Jesus Christ, bound to Him and to one another as a part of the
body of Christ in this place according to the principles of faith, mission, and order of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)
[Names of charter members will be included in the minutes]
February 25, 2006 - Page 8
407th Stated Meeting
Presbytery also ordained nine Elders and four Deacons for the new church. [Names of newly ordained
elders and deacons will be included in the minutes.] Leading in this chartering and ordination were
Moderator Dale Paulsen, Executive Presbyter Ken Working, and members of the Administrative
Commission Elder Chuck Curtis, chair, Rev. Jim Bain, Rev. John Chandler, Rev. Valerie de la Torre,
Rev. Mark Patterson, and Elder Dave Baumgartner (First Oxnard). Moderator Paulsen presented to
Organizing Pastor Ron Urzua presbytery's gift of a communion plate and cup for the congregation.
The Word of Life congregation is the thirty-first church of the presbytery.
PROGRAM Drs. Jack and Judy Balswick of Fuller Theological Seminary presented “The Resilient
Family: Covenant, Grace, Empowerment and Intimacy.” Jack Balswick is Professor of Sociology and
Family Development (Department of Marriage and Family) at Fuller Theological Seminary; his
research in marriage and family issues and religious mental health has led to more than 50 articles
and monographs as well as a long roster of books. Judy Balswick is Senior Professor of Marital and
Family Therapy, also in the Department of Marriage and Family at Fuller. She has been a licensed
marriage and family therapist since 1977. They spoke of “a theology of resilient relationships.”
LUNCH RECESS With a prayer by the moderator, presbytery recessed for lunch at 12:45 pm and
reconvened at 1:45 pm.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STANDING RULES Stated Clerk Holmes presented proposed changes
to Chapter XI of the Standing Rules of the Presbytery of Santa Barbara. These changes are necessary
to facilitate election of General Assembly Commissioners and Youth Advisory Delegates to biennial
General Assemblies.
CHAPTER XI
GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONERS AND
YOUTH ADVISORY DELEGATES
11.10
DATE OF ELECTION Commissioners to the General Assembly shall be elected at the January
first stated meeting of the year as necessary.
11.20
NOMINATION OF COMMISSIONERS
A.
Prior to October first of each year the year preceding the election, the stated clerk shall send
to each minister, clerk of session, presbytery officer, permanent committee chair and
presbytery council member:
1.
A seniority list of ministers in active service belonging to the presbytery in the order
of the longest service since each attended the General Assembly as a commissioner
or began his/her ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) whichever is
more recent;
2.
A list of the churches in order of the longest time since its last representation at the
General Assembly or since its organization.
B.
In considering persons to be nominated as commissioners, their services in the presbytery
shall be given primary consideration. Ministers shall ordinarily have been a member of the
presbytery for two years. Elders shall ordinarily have actively served as a presbytery
delegate, a member of a presbytery committee, or the presbytery council for at least a year.
C.
Minister and elder commissioners to General Assembly shall be elected for two years in
advance, in order to enable them to observe one General Assembly prior to the year of their
service as commissioners.
D.
Prior to December first of each year the year preceding an election, any minister or any
session member may submit the name of one minister as a nominee for minister
commissioner to the General Assembly, and each session may submit the name of one elder
as a nominee for elder commissioner to the General Assembly, specifying the year for which
each nomination is made. The seniority lists and the other requirements above shall be
February 25, 2006 - Page 9
407th Stated Meeting
considered by those making nominations. Any minister or elder within the presbytery shall
be eligible for this election, except that a commissioner shall be ineligible for re-election
until one year General Assembly has elapsed passed. The nominations shall be sent to
presbytery’s Nominations Committee.
11.30
E.
All nominees must indicate availability to report to the presbytery at the meeting following
the General Assembly and to be available for contact with churches and presbytery
committees during the year following years between meetings of the General Assembly.
F.
The Nominations Committee will prepare a list of nominees which will be submitted with the
agenda for the January presbytery meeting at which the election will take place.
ELECTION
A.
Nominations may be made from the floor, provided those nominated have previously agreed
to serve.
B.
For General Assembly Commissioners and Youth Advisory Delegates, or their alternates, no
nominating speeches may be made, but each nominee may speak for three minutes and
answer questions.
C.
The election shall be by secret ballot, taken separately for minister commissioner(s) and
alternate(s), and elder commissioner(s) and alternate(s), and for Youth Advisory Delegate(s)
after the presbytery has had opportunity to hear the nominees in person.
D.
Any nominee who receives a majority of votes in the first ballot shall be elected as
commissioner or alternate. Whatever number of commissioners and alternates are to be
elected, that number are elected providing those with the highest number of votes receive a
majority of the ballots cast.
If an insufficient number receive a majority of the ballots cast, then there will be a run-off
election between the next ranking candidates whose votes total at least a majority of the
ballots cast. Candidates ranked lower than these are eliminated from the run-off.
E.
When only two persons are nominated for commissioners for years in which the presbytery is
entitled to send only one commissioner, the presbytery may choose to elect the person with
the second highest number of votes as the alternate.
11.40
TERM For the sake of continued interpretation, the presbytery's commissioners to the General
Assembly shall be deemed to continue in office until the seating of their successors.
11.50
YOUTH ADVISORY DELEGATES
A.
Prior to October first of each year the year preceding a General Assembly to in which the
presbytery is permitted to send a Youth Advisory Delegate, the stated clerk shall send to each
minister, clerk of session, presbytery officer, permanent committee chair, and presbytery
council member, a list of the past Youth Advisory Delegates to General Assembly, their
home church, together with the location of the upcoming meeting and nomination forms for
the Youth Advisory Delegate to General Assembly.
B.
Each session may nominate one delegate in a manner that includes participation of the youth
of the church in the selection process.
1.
The youth nominated shall be currently an active member in the church, be able to
attend General Assembly, be able to participate in the presbytery or synod and the
General Assembly orientation, have sufficient knowledge of the structure of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to understand the General Assembly proceedings.
February 25, 2006 - Page 10
407th Stated Meeting
2.
The nominee shall be under the maximum age established by the General Assembly
and shall be at least a high school senior. Previous delegates are not eligible for
nomination.
3.
The nominee must indicate availability to report to the presbytery at the meeting
following the General Assembly and to be available for contact with churches' youth
groups and presbytery committees during the year following years between meetings
of the General Assembly.
C.
Nomination forms shall be returned to the Nominations Committee by December 1 of the
year preceding the Assembly year.
D.
The committee will submit the list of nominees, if any, with the agenda for the January
presbytery meeting at which the election will take place.
E.
Election shall be as described in section 11.30.
Ms. Holmes also reported that a proposal by the Session of the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian
Church to change the Standing Rules concerning written statements from those nominated to serve
as General Assembly commissioners was withdrawn. This proposal had been presented for a first
reading at the November 15, 2005 presbytery meeting. It will be resubmitted at a later date.
ELECTION OF 2008 GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONERS AND 2006 YOUTH ADVISORY
DELEGATE
Moderator Paulsen reminded the presbytery that we have already elected Rev. Jan
Armstrong and Elder Jeannie Cavender as Commissioners to the 217th General Assembly, meeting
June 15-22, 2006 in Birmingham, Alabama. For the 2008 Assembly, our presbytery is entitled to
send two minister commissioners and two elder commissioners; and they will attend the 2006
Assembly as observers. Rev. Charlie Little and Rev. Mark Patterson were nominated. There were no
other nominations from the floor. The two candidates spoke.
It was moved, seconded and carried to set aside Standing Rule 11.30C pertaining to election
by “secret ballot.”
It was moved, seconded and carried to elect Rev. Charlie Little and Rev. Mark Patterson as
Minister Commissioners to the 2008 General Assembly.
Nominated as elder commissioners were Elder Robert Farrow (Eastminster, Ventura), Barbara
Mendelson (El Montecito), and Leslie Ooms (Santa Ynez). There were no other nominations from the
floor. The three candidates spoke. Selected as tellers were Elders Jim Freistad (Goleta), Laura
Techentin (Santa Barbara First), and Sean Chow (Oxnard First).
It was moved, seconded and carried to elect Elder Robert Farrow and Elder Lesie Ooms as
Elder Commissioners to the 2008 General Assembly.
It was moved, seconded and carried to elect Elder Barbara Mendelson as Alternate Elder
Commissioner to the 2008 General Assembly.
Nominated as Youth Advisory Delegate to the 2006 Assembly was Mark Tapia, a member of the
Community Church, Ventura. Because of his student responsibilities at Whitworth College, he was
unable to attend this meeting. There were no nominations from the floor.
It was moved, seconded and carried to set aside Standing Rule 11.30C pertaining to “hearing
the nominees in person.”
Rev. Marsha Martin read Mark Tapia's statement.
It was moved, seconded and carried to set aside Standing Rule 11.30C pertaining to “election
by secret ballot.”
It was moved, seconded and carried to elect Mark Tapia as Youth Advisory Delegate to the
2006 General Assembly.
REPORT OF NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE (Consent Agenda)
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Reports the nomination of Jim Stueck (Class of 2007) and Rev. James Huang (Class of 2008) to
Synod Council, and the nomination of Elder Robert Farrow (Class of 2007) as a commissioner to
Synod Assembly.
Chair Sean Chow presented the committee’s nomination for a vacancy on the Committee on Ministry.
Elder Carol Ohman was elected to the Committee on Ministry, Class of 2006.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (Consent Agenda)
1. The Committee on Ministry approved the installation plans for Rev. Julia Leeth as follows:
Sunday, February 25, 2006 at 4:00pm. Commission to consist of Rev. Marsha Martin, Rev. Mike
Wallman (Chair), Rev. Luanne Griguoli, Rev. Ken Working, and Elders Pat Ford (Orcutt), Ed
Albright (Lompoc) and Don Eggebraaten (Goleta).
2. The Committee on Ministry requests that the presbytery abolish the position of Associate Pastor
at Monte Vista Presbyterian Church, Newbury Park effective June 30, 2005.
Chair Dave Wilkinson introduced Rev. Graham Baird who has been called by the presbytery to serve
as Organizing Pastor at the new church in Paso Robles. He spoke of his background in ministry and
read his Statement of Faith. He responded to questions from the floor. Rev. Baird and his family
were excused from the room.
It was moved, seconded and carried to approve the call of Rev. Graham Jesse Baird as
Organizing Pastor of the presbytery's new church development in Paso Robles, beginning March
1, 2006 at the following terms, and to enroll him as an active member of the presbytery
pending his dismissal from the Presbytery of Sacramento: (Terms of Call on file at Presbytery
Center)
Rev. Baird and family members returned to the room. He reaffirmed his ordination vows. Neighboring
pastors and church members gathered around Rev. and Mrs. Baird, and Rev. Dan Stevens offered
prayer.
Chair Wilkinson introduced Rev. Robert Ohman, a former member of the presbytery who has served
as Interim Pastor at the Carmel Presbyterian Church. He spoke of his recent ministry and read his
Statement of Faith. There were no questions from the floor. He and his family members left the
room.
It was moved, seconded and carried to enroll Rev. Robert Ohman as an at-large member of
the presbytery pending his dismissal from the Presbytery of San Jose.
REPORT FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY COUNCIL GAC member Rev. Dale Morgan announced that,
in the interest of time, copies of her printed report were available.
REPORT FROM PRESBYTERIAN FRONTIER FELLOWSHIP Elaine Vadan, Associate Director, spoke
of the mission work of Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship.
PROPOSED OVERTURE TO THE 217th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING REPORT OF THE
TASK FORCE ON THE PEACE, UNITY and PURITY OF THE CHURCH The Session of the
Community Presbyterian Church, Ventura, presented an overture from the presbytery to the 217 th
General Assembly regarding the report of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity, and Purity
of the Church. Copies of the overture had been mailed with the announcement of this presbytery
meeting. Additional copies were distributed as there had been minor changes since the mailing.
There was discussion on the overture and paper ballots were distributed. Selected as tellers were
Elders Morgan White (Morro Bay), and Laura Techentin and Loyda Marquez (both of Santa Barbara
First).
It was moved, seconded and carried (by a vote of YES 73, NO 14 and ABSTAIN 1) that the
Presbytery of Santa Barbara overture the 217th General Assembly as follows:
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The Presbytery of Santa Barbara, with sincere desire to promote the peace, unity, and purity of the church,
and concerns that the good intentions of the Theological Task force on Peace, Unity, and Purity will not
succeed if their report is received as it currently stands, respectively overtures the 217 th General Assembly
(2006) to implement the following two actions:
Actions
1. The General Assembly remove and refer Recommendation Five (lines 1048-1304) of the Report of the
Theological Task Force for the purpose of submitting this recommendation to careful, precise, and
intentional scrutiny which will provide for the General Assembly and the larger church well informed,
researched, and substantiated answers to the following questions:
a. Will recommendation five create a de facto state of local option in which the previously held national
standards for ordination become locally defined, maintained, and implemented?
b. Will the implementation of Recommendation Five lead to the effective and practical fragmentation of
the Presbyterian Church (USA) and thus the loss of peace, unity, and purity? What is the evidence
that such a fragmentation will or will not occur?
c. What are the most likely consequences and effects that will occur—both negative and positive—if
Recommendation Five of the report is received as an authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108? What
are the likely costs of these consequences upon the finances, membership, unity, mission, and
witness of the church? Can these conclusions be substantiated and soundly justified?
d. How might presbyteries respond or react to ordinations done by other presbyteries and/or sessions
that are perceived as violating the national standards of the church? Is this likely to lead to an
increase in remedial cases brought before the Permanent Judicial Commissions of presbyteries,
synods, and General Assembly?
e. Which standards within the church are most likely to be declared a scruple and thus potentially nonessential doctrine or practice? Is it likely that doctrines and/or practices deemed essential to the life
and witness of the church by the majority of the church will be annulled by locally determined
standards and/or interpretations?
f.
Is it in the best interest of the larger church and pursuant to its peace, unity, and purity, to have
standards decided by the ancient, catholic, Reformed, and/or national church annulled through the
decisions of lower governing bodies or minorities within the church? How likely and how frequently
might this occur?
g. With the tension between the recommendation’s reliance upon the standards of the church and the
recognition of freedom of conscience and authority of each ordaining body, is it in the church’s best
interest to more precisely define what is meant by the phrase “essential tenets”? If Recommendation
Five affirms and relies upon national standards is it not necessary that these be carefully and
precisely defined?
h. Will Recommendation Five, if received as an authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108, facilitate or
damage the peace, unity, and purity of the church? What are the reasons and evidences for either?
i.
How will the implementation and likely effects of Recommendation Five affect our ecumenical and
interfaith relationships?
j.
How might the implementation of Recommendation Five affect or even reverse the church’s
commitment to ordination of women? Will this recommendation effectively allow sessions and
presbyteries to declare this a scruple and thus a non-essential tenet? Should this occur, what effect
might it have on the larger church?
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2. The General Assembly appoint a Task Force comprised of members drawn from across the theological
spectrum of the church charged with specifically answering the above questions and any others that may
be raised through the careful study of Recommendation Five of the Peace, Unity, and Purity Report,
reporting their findings to the General Assembly in two years (June 2008)
Rationale
We value the work of the Theological Task Force and believe they genuinely desired to provide a perspective
and means by which the church might move forward in peace, unity, and purity. We make no judgments on
individual character, motives, or acts, but assume the best, believing that the members of the Task Force
approached their work with good intentions and high hopes for the good of the church. Our concern grows
from our belief that these intentions and hopes may not succeed if their report is approved as presented.
While numerous concerns might be noted, ours primarily rests with recommendation five of the report. We
are concerned, through careful study of the report, the state and history of the church, and responses already
made across the breadth of the church that this recommendation will render the noble goals of the task force
impossible and will in fact lead to the loss of peace, unity, and purity, and eventually to the fragmentation of
the PC (USA). We hope we are wrong and might be proved wrong through the diligent study of
Recommendation Five and questions it has raised. We believe that only such a study can show the church
whether or not such concerns are realistic or, hopefully, unfounded and groundless.
1. The implications of Recommendation Five are potentially vast, largely unexamined, and may negatively
affect the church in ways that are currently unforeseen. It is incumbent upon those in leadership to fully
grapple with the implications of their decisions. Obviously no one can predict the future. But decisions of
leadership, especially decisions of this magnitude and complexity, require a clear understanding of how
they will/may affect the church before they are implemented or declared authoritative. If this is true
generally, it is especially so for Recommendation Five of the PUP report which is complex and
potentially far reaching.
a. We are concerned that Recommendation Five will enable or allow some form of local option. The
church has a right and need to know if local option will in fact occur and what such changes might
look like.
b. We are concerned that Recommendation Five may lead to the fragmentation of the church. If some
form of local option actually occurs, with different standards being maintained or, conversely,
annulled across the church, we wonder if these differences will not expand into separation and
schism. It is the responsibility of the church’s leadership to study the possible effects and
consequences of Recommendation Five and whether or not it is truly in the best interest of the church
to make this recommendation the authoritative interpretation of G-6.0108. We are concerned that the
effects of Recommendation Five may be irreversible and it is thus of great value to the church to
determine before the fact how the church may be affected.
c. This is not about predicting the future as much as learning from the past and discerning the present.
Currently the mood across the church is tense and brittle. San Diego Presbytery is considering
whether adoption of the PUP report does not in fact constitute schism. Others are raising similar and
even opposite concerns and contemplating appropriate and corresponding responses. It is crucial that
the church study, discern, and understand the tensions and results that could or will arise from the
implementation of Recommendation Five, and that this is done before it is implemented. Again, this
is not about predicting the future. It is not about subjective opinions, hunches, or feelings. It is about
discerning the actual state of the church and making rational deductions drawn from facts. Based
upon the voting records, acts, and statements issued by presbyteries over the past ten years it is in
fact relatively easy to foresee how presbyteries (and thus the larger church) may respond to the
passing and implementation of Recommendation Five. We are concerned that the implementation of
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Recommendation Five will lead to an increasing number of constitutional standards being set aside
and a corresponding increase in remedial cases brought before the church’s judicial commissions.
We fear that ordination examinations and transfers from Presbyteries of different standards will be
particularly rancorous and volatile and worry that the peace, unity, and purity of the church will
suffer.
d. Recommendation Five may lead some to relax the standards of the church and others to more
carefully, precisely, or narrowly define them. Many will see the ignoring or dismissal of long held
standards as evidence that the essential tenets of the church need to be clearly defined and
articulated. Others may see the defining of essential tenets as a denial of the freedom of conscience
and limiting of the Spirit. Currently several presbyteries are preparing statements which define their
understanding of essential tenets. This is believed necessary for numerous reasons: first, the concept
of standards within the Presbyterian Church (USA) is nebulous at best. We have no single creed or
confession describing our belief; we promise to be “instructed and led” by the confessions without
any clear definition of what that means, we affirm that there exists “essential tenets of the Reformed
faith” (G.14-0207) without ever defining or articulating them. To stem this confusion and provide
clear guidance for ordaining bodies some judicatories may hold it necessary to declare, define, and
delimit the essential tenets of the PC (USA). Whether or not this will occur and what may result from
such actions remains an open question but one with far reaching implications. We believe this must
be carefully researched and addressed by the church.
e. We are concerned that Recommendation Five will lead to deepening confusion and disagreement
over what points of theology and practice will or will not be understood as a standard of the church.
It is possible that G-6.0106b be will be declared a scruple or non-essential. It is conceivable that
issues revolving around the particularity of Christ and his being the only way to salvation may see
further challenges. Possible also are debates centered upon the nature, authority, and interpretation of
Scripture. All of these have already been the object of debate and all been affected by vastly different
interpretations of the constitutional and theological standards of the church. We wonder too if
women’s ordination will be declared optional and thus set aside under the provisions of
Recommendation Five. We are concerned that the implementation of Recommendation Five will
only exacerbate the confusion, disagreements, and points of contention already in the church. In the
end, only serious study of past debates, PJC cases, and writings across the church will be able to
answer these questions and address these concerns. We hold there is deep need and justification for a
task force appointed for this purpose of carefully studying the implications of Recommendation Five.
f.
Recommendation Five may lead to the rejection of standards long held by the catholic and Reformed
church. We are concerned that standards, determined, interpreted, and maintained by the vast
majority of the church across time and continents, might be annulled and overturned by some
judicatories, while others seek to maintain them. We are concerned that this may increase distrust,
division, trials, and even schism. We believe it possible that this recommendation may actually deny
the church any real peace and unity and we thus urge the General Assembly to appoint and charge a
task force to determine whether such concerns are valid or unfounded. For this reason we call upon
the General Assembly to seriously study the meaning, implications, costs, and consequences that may
come from the implementation of this recommendation before it is declared an authoritative
interpretation of the church.
g. It is conceivable too that Recommendation Five, if manifesting in local option, will affect relations
with other Christian bodies, missions organizations, and interfaith dialogue. Whether this is so and
how it may be so must be studied and ascertained before the recommendation is made authoritative.
2. It is essential that such questions, potential problems, and other unmentioned or unforeseen issues and
complexities be studied before this far reaching recommendation is made an authoritative interpretation
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of the church. To do otherwise may be seen as an abdication of the responsibility of leadership. We
therefore call upon the General Assembly to appoint a wise and balanced Task Force that will explore the
issues raised above as well as any others which may arise through their work, with the charge to report its
findings and conclusions to the General Assembly at its 2008 meeting. The purpose of this Task Force is
to seriously consider these questions and related consequences, and ultimately, recommend whether
Recommendation Five should be implemented, amended, or permanently dropped.
The Presbytery of Santa Barbara respectfully but passionately calls upon the 217 th General Assembly to lead
the church boldly into genuine peace, unity, and purity. We call upon the General Assembly, in its role as
leaders of the church to evaluate with courage and wisdom the state of the church and the implications of
Report of the Theological Task Force with careful attention given to content and implications of
Recommendation Five. We call upon the General Assembly to actively protect the peace, unity, and purity of
the church and boldly take all steps necessary lead the church into these goals.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY (Consent Agenda)
1. Reports the transfer of Candidate Under Care Sally Coppersmith (Moorpark) to the Reformed
Church of America, Holland Classis, effective November 15, 2005.
2. Reports that Steve Tanner (Thousand Oaks), Candidate Under Care, has requested to withdraw
from care and the committee has reluctantly accepted his request.
3. Reports that Sean Chow (First Oxnard) was enrolled as an Inquirer on September 22, 2005.
4. On January 17,2 006 the committee conducted its final assessment of Candidate Under Care Matt
Overton (Morro Bay) and has certified him ready to receive a call pending his graduation from
Princeton Theological Seminary.
5. On January 17, 2006 the committee conducted an annual consultation with Candidate Under Care
Matt Prinz (Eastminster).
Chair Robert Farrow announced that the document “Essential Tenets: Common Biblical Doctrines
and Reformed Distinctives” would be presented to the presbytery for consideration at its May 9,
2006 meeting.
He presented the document “Alternative Process for Examining Candidates” in accordance with
(G-14.0313b) to the presbytery for its consideration. This document had been distributed to the
presbytery for a first reading at the November 15, 2005 meeting. As approval by the presbytery and
by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii is required each time the committee proposes an
alterative process for examining a candidate under care, this document will allow the committee to
proceed without seeking synod approval in each case. Approval of this document requires a threefourths vote by the presbytery.
It was moved, seconded and carried to adopt the “Alternate Process for Examining
Candidates”, and to present the document to the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii for
their approval.
The required three-quarters vote was received.
Alternate Process for Examining Candidates
(G-14.0313b.)
Book of Order G-14.0313b. provides that a presbytery may adopt a process for alternative examination of
candidates who have failed one or more ordination exams twice. The Presbytery of Santa Barbara adopts the
following alternative examination policy for candidates for ministry who have failed one or more of the
ordination examinations at least twice.
Persons to whom this policy may be applied:
This policy will normally be applied only to candidates for ministry who:
1. have completed all required course work;
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2. have received an M. Div., or its equivalent;
3. have completed all internships, including CPE; and
4. have otherwise successfully completed final assessment.
Committee on Preparation for Ministry responsibilities:
When an inquirer or candidate fails one or more of the ordination examinations, a member of CPM shall
confer with that inquirer or candidate to offer encouragement and assist in discerning the reasons for failure.
The CPM member may suggest additional means of preparation for the examination or, as appropriate,
request a reread of the examination. Preparation may include, without limitation, additional course work,
additional fieldwork, outside readings, tutoring and instruction in exam taking strategy. CPM shall also
explore whether a request should be made to the Presbyteries' Cooperative Committees on Examinations for
special examination conditions, currently available.
If the candidate fails to pass the examination a second time, then he or she may apply to CPM for an
alternative examination under this policy. The committee may require the candidate to attempt the
examination a third time before considering such a request.
Approval of alternative form of examination:
If CPM is satisfied that the candidate has the necessary knowledge in the subject area of the examination to
pass such an examination, it may approve by a two-thirds vote of all members an alternative form of
examination for the candidate. Upon CPM approval of an alternative form of examination, the committee
shall set forth in writing in committee minutes the reasons the exception should be made for this candidate, as
well as the alternative examination method(s). CPM will normally not approve circulation of a PIF until
successful completion of the alternative examination process.
Alternative form of examination:
The alternative form of examination may be written or oral. The examination may be given in a language
other than English, if and only if the candidate's native language is the language in which the examination is
to be given and CPM reasonably believes that there is a substantial likelihood that the candidate will be
called to serve in a church in which the usual language of service is the candidate's native language.
Any alternative examination shall meet the standard for examinations as developed by the Presbyteries'
Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates. CPM will assign one or more qualified persons to
develop and administer the examination, which will be reviewed by the committee for adequacy before
administration. If the examination is in a language other than English, then, if written, CPM will be provided
with a translation. If the examination is oral, The examination administrator will conduct the examination and
an interpreter approved by CPM may assist the candidate.
The person(s) administering the examination will provide a written report of the examination results to the
CPM, at which time CPM will declare whether or not the examinee has passed.
Report to Presbytery:
If the candidate passes the alternative form of examination, CPM shall report, in its minutes, the name of the
candidate and the reasons for granting an exception to the usual ordination examination requirements
(G-14.0310b(4)) in this case, and this report shall be forwarded to presbytery.
Approval of Policy:
This Alternate Process for Examining Candidates must be adopted by a three-fourths vote of the members of
presbytery present and approved by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW IMPACT CO-DIRECTORS Pamela Gilbert and Marilyn McHardy, members
of the IMPACT Council, introduced the new IMPACT co-directors Sandy Dinkler and Randa Dinkler.
They spoke of the vision and the support of IMPACT. Executive Presbyter Working also spoke of the
work of the IMPACT mission teams, and he offered prayer.
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Moderator Paulsen called on Moderator-Elect Mike Wallman to chair the remainder of the meeting.
PROPOSED CONCURRENCE WITH OVERTURE TO THE 217th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING
PHASED SELECTIVE DIVESTMENT (Overture #001) The Session of the Morro Bay church has
proposed the presbytery endorse an overture from the Presbytery of Mississippi to the 217th General
Assembly concerning the “phased selective divestment from companies doing business with Israel.”
The Mississippi overture was distributed to the presbytery in October 2005, and was mailed with the
notice for this meeting.. There was discussion, and paper ballots were distributed. Selected as tellers
were Elder Wes Shipway (Moorpark), Rev. David Wilkinson, and Rev. Miji Working.
It was moved, seconded and carried (by a vote of YES 68 and NO 15) that the Presbytery of
Santa Barbara concur with Overture #001 from the Presbytery of Mississippi to the 217th
General Assembly as follows:
The Presbytery of Mississippi respectfully overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to approve the
following:
1. The 217th General Assembly (2006) reaffirms the 216th General Assembly (2004) for its concern for "a
just resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians," its support of inspired initiatives that
could advance the prospects of peace in the Middle East, and for moving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to
think deeply and speak publicly about what makes for peace. While the desire for peace is reaffirmed, some
of the means for achieving peace advocated by the 216th General Assembly (2004) were not appropriate and,
in light of changing circumstances, should not be implemented. They should be rescinded or, in some cases,
significantly modified to advance more effectively and fairly the cause of peace as follows:
2. The 217th General Assembly (2006) believes that two of the items contained in the Overtures adopted as
Item 12-01 undermine the cause of peace because a) the language is unnecessarily harsh and accusatory; b)
the tone and prescriptions are arrogant and condescending towards the parties involved; c) the viewpoint
expressed suggests bias in favor of the Palestinian cause and prejudice against Israel; and d) advocacy of
phased selective divestment is punitive rather than redemptive - particularly in light of the rapidly changing
circumstances on the ground. Accordingly, paragraphs 5, and 7 of Item 12-01 are hereby repealed, rescinded,
and declared null and void. Those paragraphs read as follows:
5. Vigorously urges the U.S. government, the government of Israel, and the Palestinian leadership to move
swiftly, and with resolve, to recognize that the only way out of this chronic and vicious impasse is to abandon
all approaches that exacerbate further strife, lay aside arrogant political posturing, and get on with forging
negotiated compromises that open a path to peace.
7. Refers to Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI) with instructions to initiate a
process of phased selective divestment in multinational corporations operating in Israel, in accordance to
General Assembly policy on social investing, and to make appropriate recommendations to the General
Assembly Council for action."
3. The 217th General Assembly (2006) believes that the Overture expressed as Item 12-02 (On Calling for an
End to the Construction of a Wall by the State of Israel) is too broad in scope and does not further the cause
of peace. Item 12-02 is a blanket condemnation of the security wall being built by the State of Israel. The
217th General Assembly does not believe that the Presbyterian Church (USA) should tell a sovereign nation
whether or how it can protect its borders or handle matters of national defense. The problem with the security
wall, in 2004 and presently, is its location. The 217th General Assembly (2006) supports fair criticism of the
security wall insofar as it illegally encroaches into the Palestinian territory and fails to follow the legally
recognized borders of Israel since 1949 demarcated by the Green Line. Accordingly, Item 12-02 of the 216th
General Assembly (2004) is hereby rescinded in its entirety, and the 217th General Assembly (2006) of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) requests the Stated Clerk to make known to the President of the United States,
the members of Congress of the United States, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and the President of
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407th Stated Meeting
the Palestinian Authority its desire to see the parties establish an agreed boundary along the Green Line,
unless the parties otherwise mutually agree. To the extent that the Security Barrier encroaches upon
Palestinian land that was not part of Israel prior to the 1967 war, the Barrier should be dismantled and
relocated unless both sides shall otherwise agree.
4. The 217th General Assembly (2006) believes that two of the actions taken by the 216th General Assembly
(2004) in Item 12-03 (On Confronting Christian Zionism) are confusing, potentially misleading, and
extremely harmful to our relationships with Jews. Blanket condemnation of the ideology technically defined
as "Christian Zionism," in the present context, causes great confusion and harm. The claim that "Christian
Zionism does not represent the majority of American Christians and the faith of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.)" is misleading and incendiary. Rather than condemn particular expressions or theological
understandings, the 217th General Assembly (2006) supports the call to study and reflect more deeply on this
complex biblical and theological subject about which reasonable people of good faith can and do disagree. A
pastoral letter from the Stated Clerk prior to such church-wide study and reflection is premature and ill
advised. Accordingly, subparagraphs 1 and 2 of Item 12-03 are hereby repealed and rescinded.
The rescinded paragraphs are as follows:
1. Call upon the Stated Clerk to issue to all churches iin the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) a pastoral letter on
Christian Zionism and the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine by making this letter available on the
PC(USA) Web site. The assembly requests the following offices to assist the Stated Clerk in the preparation
of this letter; the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, Corporate Witness, Interfaith Relations,
Middle East, and the Office of Theology and Worship.
2. Direct the Stated Clerk to inform current government officials that Christian Zionism does not represent
the majority of American Christians and the faith of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
5. The 217th General Assembly (2006) a) acknowledges the enormous historical and political complexity and
challenges of peacemaking between Israel and Palestine; b) recognizes and celebrates the fact that great
strides towards peace have been made by the elected leaders of Israel and of the Palestinian Authority; c)
wishes to encourage all sides in this conflict to work together for peace and justice; and d) seeks to nurture
and support the peace process in a way that expresses confidence and concern for Israeli interests as well as
Palestinian interests. Accordingly, the 217th General Assembly seeks to avoid advocating particular and
specific solutions and instead advocates the rebuilding of trust and confidence on both sides. We recommend
and embrace the balanced approach of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee, also known as The
Mitchell Report (May 4, 2001), which analyzed the conflict from the perspectives of Palestinians and Israelis
and framed its recommendations as "recommendations" to both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian
Authority. This avoids the appearance of one-sidedness and places the responsibility squarely on both sides
to work for peace. The Mitchell Report is careful to speak in principle and not to insist on specific solutions:
"It is not within our mandate to prescribe the venue, the basis or the agenda of negotiations. However, in
order to provide an effective political context for practical cooperation between the parties, negotiations must
not be unreasonably deferred and they must, in our view, manifest a spirit of compromise, reconciliation and
partnership, notwithstanding the events of the past seven months." This is the tone the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) wishes to take to promote the cause of peace and the things that make for peace.
6. The 217th General Assembly (2006) believes that, in the future, it would be better for the church to engage
in discussion and dialogue before votes on significant theological or social positions are taken. The damage
done to Presbyterian-Jewish relations could have been minimized had the church been encouraged to debate
and discuss the overtures which, in their cumulative effect, have been construed as anti-Israel. Many
churches first learned of these actions from Jewish friends. This is not good process and does not further the
peace, unity, or purity of the church. Accordingly, the 217th General Assembly directs the Stated Clerk to
refer all future overtures that might reasonably be expected to damage the relationship with Jews to the
presbyteries for a period of study and reflection before voting to adopt or reject such overtures.
Comment
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The Presbytery of Mississippi subscribes to the goal of peacemaking reflected in the actions of the 216th
General Assembly (2004), but cannot accept or support some of the means advocated by that General
Assembly. We call on the great church of Jesus Christ to obey St. Paul's exhortation "Let us then pursue what
makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." Romans 14:19. The paired prescriptions of phased selective
divestment and wholesale condemnation of the security wall fail to make for peace and mutual upbuilding.
They fail to grapple fairly with historical complexity, are overbroad, produce pernicious side effects and
unintended consequences, and function more punitively than redemptively. While the goal of peace for Israel
and Palestine is laudable, the means are accusatory, one-sided, simplistic, and punitive.
As a matter of conscience, the congregations comprising the Presbytery of Mississippi cannot support
divestment as an economic sanction against American companies legally doing business in Israel and/or
Palestine. The underlying purpose of divestment is to inflict economic hardship and harm on companies
doing business in Israel or Palestine. In clear cases – like genocide or apartheid – such action can be justified.
In the present situation, however, where there is justice and injustice on both sides, it is unjustified and
inappropriate.
The price of phased selective divestment falls disproportionately on one party to this conflict, namely Israel.
Such remedies do not make for peace. The use of economic sanctions as a weapon in peacemaking puts the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the position of a judge passing judgment and imposing a sentence rather
than a partner for peace. To rank and file members of the church, it appears arrogant, condescending, and
punitive. Such actions, however well intentioned, do not make for peace.
Blanket condemnation of the Security Wall does not further the peace-making process. The Wall may be, for
now, a necessary evil to deter attacks and counter-attacks. To criticize the encroachment of the Wall into
Palestinian territory is legitimate. To tell a nation that it cannot protect its borders or defend its people from
mortar or suicide bombers is naive, arrogant, and hypocritical. The United States has protected borders to
prevent illegal immigration. To tell Israel that it does not have the right to protect itself against enemy attack
is simply wrong.
The Presbytery of Mississippi does not share the blanket condemnation of "Christian Zionism." Reasonable
Christians can and do read the Bible differently in respect of God's promises to Israel. We realize that the
position taken by the 216th General Assembly (2004) is specific and highly technical. However, in the
context of the present Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it suggests, and creates the appearance of a stand against
Israel.
Thus, Overture 12-01 passed by the 216th General Assembly (2004) creates more problems than it solves and
is potentially misleading to the public. It is appropriate to call on the church to study this difficult and
complex matter. It is improper to make blanket condemnation of positions which many Reformed Christians
hold in good faith and with good biblical support. If we are to bear witness to the Truth, our public
pronouncements must be carefully drawn so as not to misrepresent or mislead our position with respect to
Israel. Greater clarity and charity is called for here.
The Presbytery of Mississippi objects to the negative and partisan tone of the Overtures that condemn Israel's
role in the conflict. If our denomination wishes to encourage both sides to pursue the things that make for
peace, we suggest a tone and balanced approach reflected in the report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding
Committee, popularly known as The Mitchell Report (May 4, 2001). This report analyzes the conflict from
several perspectives, acknowledges culpability and responsibility on both sides, frames its prescriptions as
"recommendations" and does not attempt to dictate or advocate specific foreign policy solutions. We believe
this tone is much more consistent with the biblical role of peacemaking and the ministry of reconciliation
than the strident, accusatory tone expressed in the Overtures of the 216th General Assembly (2004). If the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) wishes to be taken seriously as a mediator, it must avoid the appearance of
partisan politics and find ways to address both sides of the conflict. We believe this is the role to which God
is calling us.
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407th Stated Meeting
Finally, the Presbytery of Mississippi deeply regrets the fact that the Overtures adopted by the 216th General
Assembly were not widely circulated or discussed in the larger church in advance of their adoption. The
reaction from Jewish communities and many Presbyterian members who typically do not follow General
Assembly matters closely attests to the advisability of discussing and reflecting on weighty matters before
Overtures are adopted. The Overtures 12-01, 12-02 and 12-03 seem more like advocacy of a determined
minority than the product of considered debate, reflection, and judgment of the larger church. The unintended
consequence of rushing to judgment (and action) is to destroy trust in the decision-making process and in
those leaders who are supposed to shepherd that process. Therefore, we call on the General Assembly
Council to adopt a policy and set in place a procedure to refer controversial subjects to the Presbyteries for a
period of discussion and reflection in advance of taking a binding vote. Had this been done in 2004,
Presbyterians could have discussed the issues among ourselves and with our ecumenical partners and Jewish
friends in an atmosphere of trust and inquiry rather than after-the-fact in a defensive and highly charged
atmosphere of suspicion and broken trust.
Moderator Paulsen resumed the chair.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER (Consent Agenda) The Treasurer recommends the presbytery
approve the draft unaudited Combined General Mission and Ecclesiastical Revenue Over Expense
Statement for the period ending 12/31/05 (on file at Presbytery Center). Net revenue over expense of
$5,151.51 will be transferred to Program Reserve account #3400.
ADJOURNMENT Following the appropriate motion and the prayer by Moderator Paulsen, Presbytery
was adjourned at 4:07 pm. The presbytery will next meet at First Presbyterian Church, Grover Beach,
California, on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at 2:00pm.
ATTEST:
Michelle Holmes, Stated Clerk
Donald G. Carey, Assistant Stated Clerk