PCI General Assembly

General Assembly Agenda

Preview of 2008 Presbyterian General Assembly and Annual Reports

Around 1400 delegates, representatives and guests form the membership of the Presbyterian General Assembly which meets in Belfast next week from Monday 2 June until Thursday 5 June to discuss the 300 page book of annual reports and debate and vote on over 200 resolutions.

At its formal opening at 7.00pm on Monday June 2, the first action of the General Assembly will be to install its new Moderator, Dr Donald Patton, minister of the Old Church, Randalstown in succession to Dr John Finlay and it will be his responsibility to chair the Assembly.

Dr Patton (57) describes himself as "a warm evangelical teacher and pastor intent on reaching out with the Gospel to the wider community on issues that are relevant to them," and is taking as his theme for his year of office 'Making a Difference.'

In recent years the off/on/off sale of Church House, the debate over sexual orientation regulations and civil partnerships and the future of the Church's youth centres have made for lively debate. This year, issues including the establishment of a Youth Assembly, the need for the Church to reduce its carbon footprint, maintainance of church involvement in education and concerns over deportation arrangements are important for the church but may not have the same interest to those outside.

Another important aspect of the Assembly will be the Presbyterians Talk event on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm, open to everyone, and which this year will focus on Christian Lifestyle. Subtitled 'From Lordship to Lifestyle' it looks at how Christian faith should influence how we use our money, our time and particularly, diminishing natural resources.

Among those visitors to the Assembly will be the recently installed Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev David Lunan; Moderator of the United Reformed Church in England, Rev Stephen Orchard; and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, Rev John Owen.

Tuesday 2 June

Business Board (Annual Reports p1-11)

With last year's Assembly rejecting some outline ideas on changes to procedure nothing of that type is being suggested this year. However plans for a 'Youth Assembly' are being proposed 'to enable young people to have a meaningful opportunity to be involved in decision making at a denominational and local level.' A pilot process is being suggested for 2009 which will involve regional events empowered to send delegates to a residential national event that would bring the ideas, actions and proposals of young people to the main General Assembly in June.

Youth and Children's Ministry (p190-203)

The Board is asking for prayer and discernment as it seeks to clarify its vision for the future which will focus its purpose and aim on the biblical doctrine of covenant and how this should manifest itself across the activities of the Board. Working with the largest active group with the church including children, young people and their leaders, the Board continues to be encouraged by the priority given to its ministry which it sees as 'essential to the Church in the years ahead.'

Mission in Ireland (p139-155)

Following some reorganisation in recent years the Board now has responsibility for 76 ministers, deaconesses and Irish Mission workers. Nearly all the ministers work in the Republic under the Home Mission scheme while a new programme to promote Urban Mission so far supports one minister. Most deaconesses are attached to congregations but several are involved in specialist ministries including hospital and prison chaplaincies.

During the year the Board has sought to clarify its Purpose, Vision and Strategy, recognising that, as the 21st century unfolds, the way we must 'do' church is changing while the story to be told of Jesus who loves, forgives, restores and renews remains the heartbeat of the Board's work. The report considers that 'opportunities for gospel ministry abound' stating the importance that the Church is able to respond to these. In particular it highlights the establishment of Maynooth as the Presbyterian Church's 'newest congregation' which recently called its first minister, and the need for a new building in Drogheda where the expanding congregation has 'outgrown their tired building'.

Education (p220-232)

Involvement in state education has always been important for the Presbyterian Church. With that sector in a state of flux both north and south of the border, there have been ongoing meetings between Presbyterians and government ministers, politicians and civil servants to preserve the significant role that Churches have had in this area. A resolution asking the Assembly to 'fully support the Transferor Representatives' Council in seeking to ensure parity of protection for the Christian ethos in schools in the Controlled Sector currently enjoyed by schools in the Catholic Maintained Sector' will give opportunity to members of Assembly to express their views.

Wednesday June 4

Mission Overseas (p116-138)

The board reports on the involvement of over 35 personnel in 12 countries around the world. It also highlights its partnership arrangements with a variety of churches in 19 countries and explains how it continues to change its strategies as relationships develop for the benefit of all.

The environment and our shared responsibility for climate change is again stressed by the World Development Committee who seek approval for a resolution encouraging the whole church to identify means by which they can reduce their carbon emissions and implement them. The report states that 'the way people in the West live in the world is unsustainable and must be changed... Experts calculate that the human family has perhaps 20 years to make the changes necessary to avoid the tipping point that will lead to climate chaos. Justice requires that the nations most responsible for the impending crisis take significant steps to address it.'

Social Witness (p167-189)

The largest Board of the Church with a budget in excess of £4m and a staff of over 300 creates a demanding role for its convener. Having reached the end of his term of office, Rev Roy Vallely will be thanked by the Assembly for the huge enthusiasm and effective leadership he has demonstrated in fulfilling the task and his successor Rev Bobby Liddle will be appointed.

In its report (p184) the Board expresses its 'deep disappointment' at what it describes as 'the Government's unwillingness to provide funding for services to those with learning disabilities and their carers.' A resolution will be brought to the Assembly calling on the Northern Ireland Assembly to provide additional funds for the whole area of learning disability, their carers and respite care.

The Board is also responsible for Taking Care and Child Protection within the Church and is recommending to the Assembly that all concerns, complaints and disclosures in a congregation relating to child protection are reported to the General Assembly Designated Person and Clerk of Presbytery without delay.

General Board (p215-219)

As its name suggests this board is a 'home' for many diverse interests from inter church relations, global concerns, establishing the priorities of the church and addressing public affairs. Taking up nearly one quarter of the Board's report is a commentary on Christian Lifestyle and how our faith should influence every aspect of our lives including how we use our money, our time and the natural resources around us. It is something Presbyterians are going to be talking about for the next year, at least, since not only is it the topic for the Presbyterians Talk event on the Tuesday evening of the Assembly (3 June at 7.45pm in the Assembly Hall) but Presbyteries are being asked to discuss it and report back by the end of the year.

In the light of the experience of Rev Johnston Lamb and the members of his congregation refused asylum earlier this year, the Panel on Race Relations, which reports through the General Board states that the 'policies and practice of the immigration system frequently undermines the dignity and value of the human beings concerned'. (p50) The report goes on to comment that 'the timing of arrests, the nature of questioning, the excessive deployment of security forces in their detention and the transport of the detainees all reinforce this perception.' The report also notes that neither local politicians or church leaders were able to impact the decisions made by the Home Office.

Thursday 5 June

Christian Training (p204-213)

While now responsible for the training of lay people the focus of this Board's work is often on students for the Presbyterian ministry. Numbers continue to be encouraging with the Board telling the Assembly of 41 students presently at various stages of training and asking the Assembly to accept a further 21 people as students for the ordained ministry.

The Assembly is expected to conclude at around 5.30pm on Thursday 5 June.

Assembly Programme

The Assembly meets in Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast. All sessions are open to the public except the private session on Thursday afternoon. Business begins at 9.30am and continues until approx 5.30pm. Times shown below in brackets are approximate.

Monday 2 June: 7.00pm -- Opening Service of Worship and election of Moderator; The Assembly will be addressed by outgoing Moderator Dr. John Finlay and incoming Moderator Dr. Donald Patton

Tuesday 3 June: 10.00am -- Business Board; Reports of Presbyteries; (10.30) -- Reception of Corresponding Members and Delegates; (11.00) -- Board of Youth and Children's Ministry; 12 noon Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; 2.00pm -- Presbyterian Women's Association; (2.30) -- Board of Mission in Ireland; 3.45pm -- Board of Education; (4.45) -- Union Commission; 7.45pm -- Presbyterians Talk: Lifestlye

Wednesday 4 June: 9.30am -- Board of Mission Overseas; (11.00) -- Board of Social Witness; 12.15pm -- Worship; 2.00pm -- General Board; Priorities; Doctrine; Moderator's Advisory; Recognised Ministries; Church and Society; Global Concerns; Church Relations; Reception of Ministers and Licentiates; 7.45pm -- Evening Rally

Thursday 5 June: 9.30am -- Trustees/Commission on Trusts; Board of Finance and Personnel; (11.15) -- Board of Communications; 12.15pm -- Worship; 2.00pm -- Board of Christian Training; United Appeal Board; (5.00) -- Judicial Commission; Worship and Close of Assembly

Please note that the times given above are approximate.