Reflections on General Assembly 2024
The 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met this past June, in Salt Lake City, Utah. I had the pleasure of attending the meeting alongside our commissioners and advisory delegate. At our upcoming presbytery meeting (October 1, 2024, Palatka First), our commissioners and delegate will share their insights and perspectives on the assembly.
I am a cradle Presbyterian. The PC (USA) has helped to nurture and guide me since before I can even remember. As someone who has been baptized, confirmed, ordained, married and served the church as a minister of word and sacrament for over 27 years, it is safe to say this is my spiritual home. In some sense, attending the General Assembly is like being part of a very large family reunion. People gather from all over the United States and in fact around the world.
For me this was the third time I had taken part in the General Assembly. In June 2006, I served as a volunteer. In 2018, I was elected by my presbytery to serve as a commissioner. This year was my first experience attending as someone involved in presbytery leadership. I was there to observe, support our commissioners and learn about how other churches and presbyteries are addressing the current challenges in ministry.
My time in Salt Lake City was uplifting. As Presbyterians, our large, family gathering worship services are done extremely well. It is uplifting and encouraging to see the wide swath of humanity gathered singing, praying and celebrating God’s grace and our commitment to serve Christ. Yes, the assembly gathered for business, to respond to motions and to refer amendments to the presbyteries for their votes of yay or nay, but this was worshipful work. In my opinion, it was the embodiment of the response to the question in the shorter catechism: “What is the chief end of humanity? The chief end of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
Every time the General Assembly gathers, we as a family grapple with tough issues. Sometimes the issues get picked up by the national press and they can, on occasion, create consternation or concern for pastors, sessions and churches. One of the things I love about being Presbyterian is that we value the deliberative process and trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding us in our work through the collective conscious of the gathered community. It isn’t always smooth or easy. In fact, this year there was a great deal of dialogue around fossil fuels. A colleague explained it this way, “The ‘fossil fuel overtures’ give us a lesson on how Presbyterians can, and do, change our minds. The Assembly, at first, voted for complete divestment from the fossil fuel industry. The commissioners voted 284 – 146 to approve an overture calling for the General Assembly to place all fossil fuel industries on the PC(USA) divestment list. A few hours later, the commissioners reconsidered and changed their minds. At the next business session, the Assembly voted to reconsider ENV02, and then to disapprove it by a vote of 264–146.”
There was also a great deal of discussion about what has been called the “Olympia Overture.” Here is a link to an article that offers valuable insight into the discussion.
I believe the PC (USA) is a big tent family. Within our family, there are a variety of theological perspectives, a variety of expressions of mission and ministry in our churches and a variety of ways we seek to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. I think one of our strengths is our diversity. The Presbytery of St. Augustine will vote on the proposed amendments on May 13, 2025. If you celebrate the shape of the amendments headed our way, you are welcome here. If you have questions or concerns about the amendments headed our way, you are welcome here. Our common task is to serve the risen Lord, and I believe our service is enriched by the wide variety of voices in our family. In fact, if we listen carefully, those voices who differ from ours may provide the harmony we need as we seek to be vessels of Christ’s light and love.
Peace,
David