PRESBYTERY CONNECTION

Transcription

1 PRESBYTERY CONNECTION A Bi-Weekly Newsletter of the Presbyteries of North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill February 21, 2019 To see North Central Iowa s calendar of events, please click here. The Presbytery Connection is a bi-weekly joint newsletter for the Presbyteries of North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill. If you would like to contribute to the Presbytery Connection, please contact Jeannie Stolee in the Presbytery office at or northiowapresby@gmail.com If you know of someone who would enjoy receiving this communication, please or call Jeannie. Please consider making copies of this newsletter for your Session and running several copies to make available to your congregation. To see Prospect Hill s calendar of events, please click here. Dates to Remember North Central Iowa Presbytery Meetings March 5, 11:00 a.m. Bethany Presbyterian Church, Grundy Center (snow date is March 12) November 3, 2:30 p.m. Cedar Heights Community Presbyterian Church, Cedar Falls Prospect Hill Presbytery Meetings April 6, 9:30 a.m. Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cherokee (snow date is April 13) July 13, 9:30 a.m. United Presbyterian Church, Denison October 26, 9:30 a.m. Lakeshore Center at Okoboji Other Events June 22 Farewell to Rev. David Feltman November 1-2 All-Iowa Presbyterian Even, location to be determined ~ 1 ~

2 Prayers of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa Week of February 24 Week of March 3 Week of March 10 Week of March 17 United Presbyterian Church, Goldfield Rev. Sara Sutter First Presbyterian Church, State Center Rev. Dr. Tom Bower United Presbyterian Church, Traer Rev. Brice Hoyt First Presbyterian Church, Conrad Rev. Kerry Carson Prayers of the Presbytery of Prospect Hill Week of February 24 Week of March 3 Week of March 10 Week of March 17 Lake City Union Church, Lake City Rev. Randy Russom First Presbyterian Church, Armstrong Rev. Suzanne Wobig United Presbyterian Church, Manilla Rev. Vicki Fisher Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, George Rev. John Pea Additional Prayer Concerns Please continue to keep Doug O Bannon, son of CP Shari O Bannon, in your prayers. Doug has a very rare genetic Alpha One liver disease. He will be going to the Omaha hospital on March 18 for testing before transplant. Please include Doug s daughter, Chloe, and Shari in your prayers as well. Churches and Pastors in Transition The following churches and pastors are in transition: Presbytery of Prospect Hill Wheatland Presbyterian Church, Breda Elliott Creek Presbyterian Church, Bronson First Presbyterian Church, Cleghorn First Presbyterian Church, Glidden Community Presbyterian Church, Lawton Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Storm Lake First Presbyterian Church, South Sioux City Presbytery of North Central Iowa First Presbyterian Church, Algona/Irvington Greater Greene County Presbyterian Ministries First Presbyterian Church, Grundy Center First Presbyterian Church, Reinbeck ~ 2 ~

3 Prospect Hill Session Records Reviews Prospect Hill will hold three Session Records Reviews in March 10:00 a.m. Training for new Clerks of Session, also open to Clerks who would like to be updated on anything new in the Book of Order 11:00 a.m. Records Review March 9 March 16 March 23 First Presbyterian Church 812 Audubon St. Sac City, Iowa Lakeshore Center at Okoboji 1864 Hwy. 86 Milford, Iowa First Presbyterian Church 608 Nebraska St. Sioux City, Iowa In case of inclement weather, a make-up date of March 30 will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Sioux City Office Manager First Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, Iowa Part-Time, 20 Hrs. Per Week First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo is looking for an Office Manager to oversee the administrative and financial operation of the church office. Applicants need experience with financial records and must demonstrate a proficiency in computer skills and office management. In addition to office management, this person will also serve as a receptionist during office hours, answering the phone and door and welcoming guests of the church. This is a part-time position, 20 hours per week, Monday Thursday, 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Interested applicants can contact Rev. Amy Wiles at amy@1stpresby.org. ~ 3 ~

4 One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Special Offering Season of Lent March 6 April 21 During Lent, as we intentionally focus on aligning our lives with God s calling for us, One Great Hour of Sharing provides an opportunity to become, as Isaiah proclaims, repairers of the breach. For 70 years, Presbyterians have joined together in this ecumenical effort to share God s love through ministries that provide relief to those affected by disasters, food for the hungry, and the support toward the self-development of poor and oppressed communities. 32% RESTORING HOPE (PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE) Working alongside communities as they recover and find hope after natural or human-caused disasters. 36% REDUCING HUNGER (PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM) Supporting initiatives that create sustainable food systems and alleviate root causes of poverty so that all may be fed. 32% PARTNERING IN PROGRESS (SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE) Providing resources and education to oppressed and disadvantaged communities working to overcome poverty and injustice through initiatives they own and directly benefit from. Thoughts of Rev. David Feltman, Pastor to the Presbytery Presbytery of North Central Iowa Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Our Pastor/Commissioned Pastor cohorts had a 24-hour retreat on Preaching in the Age of Twitter led by Rev. Mark Ramsey and Rev. Derek Redwine. It was excellent! Thanks for understanding it is crucial for your Pastor/CP to get away, to be refreshed, encouraged and to go on learning. I offered this thoughtful piece on God s judgement from Rev. Dr. Thomas Long at the retreat; it deserves a broader audience. A new suit and an act of contrition Tom Long says a famous busboy can teach us about forgiveness The Rev. Dr. Tom Long proposes a different narrative to one of the mainline church decline. The one I want us to hear is that I believe God is tearing down what we have in order to build up something new and more faithful, the Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Candler School of Theology at Emory University told about 700 people attending the ~ 4 ~

5 annual event last week of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators. We are experiencing right now as a church the judgment of God, a reality to which not every Presbyterian can cozy up. The reason we don t want to talk about it is we misunderstood it theologically, he said. It s not punishment and shame. It s a righteous judge who comes to set things right. Theologian Karl Barth said it s not the wrath of God we should fear, but rather the love of God, Long said, because the love of God will strip away everything that stands between us and God. Though most Presbyterians aren t comfortable talking about their need for repentance, they do believe in the need for a highly-educated laity. That s a good thing, in the eyes of John Calvin, who once, Long said, uttered words to this effect: How can you know when you re being victimized by bad preaching if you re not educated? One of the most famous busboys in American history, Juan Romero the man who cradled Robert Kennedy s head moments after Kennedy was fatally shot in a Los Angeles hotel in 1968 has something to teach us about forgiveness, Long said. Romero, who died in October at age 68, had for years been told Kennedy s death was in part Romero s fault because the senator had paused a moment to acknowledge Romero moments before the shooting. It took root in his heart, and he had a burden he needed to confess, Long said. Weeks before he himself died, Romero purchased a suit, flew to the District of Columbia, went to Arlington National Cemetery, stood at Kennedy s grave and begged for forgiveness. Most Sundays, Long said, I breeze through the prayer of confession. Have I ever metaphorically put on a suit out of respect and begged God for forgiveness? Long told the story of a Washington, D.C.-area ballerina who after years came to see the Holy Spirit at work in her home church. Long was preaching one Sunday at this church, which was in the habit of encouraging members to come forward during worship to tell their faith story. The ballerina told a story her father had been telling her since she was a girl the story of the day she was baptized. Oh, honey, the man told her, the Holy Spirit was in the church that day. As a girl, I wondered where was the Holy Spirit in this church, the ballerina told the congregation. Many of you know I lost both parents in one terrible week last winter. I stopped by the church and it was dark. I sat in the back and wept, prayed and wept. A woman named Sarah saw me, took off her apron, came and sat next to me, and wept and prayed with me. It was then that I knew where the Holy Spirit was in this church. It was the best sermon preached that day, I can assure you, Long said. Out of repentance and humility, we might stop telling this story of up and great and more and better and let the language of lament into our services, he suggested. We are in a time when God is judging us. The Spirit is teaching us to be able to tell the difference between what matters and what seems to matter. ~ 5 ~

6 (Rev. Dr. Long s original article may be found at How do we live faithfully in this time? How do we listen to the Spirit, so we know what truly matters? What do we do so the mission of God is lived out in our communities into the future? This is some of what I am hearing as I am with pastors and in churches: 1) Our buildings are becoming too cumbersome, absorbing too much of our shrinking funds. Many of our churches will have to free themselves of their buildings so the ministry and mission of God can go on in their communities. You are more than your building. Rent the community center. Share space with another church; we will have to become more ecumenical, nurture those relationships as well as the relationships with other Presbyterians in our counties. We sold the building which used to house the Presbytery office in Waterloo, and we found other answers. It has saved expense and freed me, so I don t have to worry about snow removal and the roof leaking. Or, can you share your space with someone else, understanding they are going to mess up the kitchen? We do need shelter for the people and purposes of God, but many churches are living for their buildings. It is time to right size. God s Spirit must be talking to us about our property and priorities. 2) The funds are shrinking. We are losing the faithful, generous generation and those following are not as ready to step to the plate financially. We need to pray for generous hearts. Perhaps when we get our priorities more in line the dollars will come? As a worshipping Christian who tithes, I do not want the largest percentage of my offering to go for property. And we need to teach generosity/stewardship. I close using another resource, the Book of Order: With love in Christ, David Feltman W : Offering Christian life is an offering of one s self to God. In the Lord s Supper we are presented with the costly self-offering of Jesus Christ for the life of the world. As those who have been claimed and set free by his grace, we respond with gratitude, offering him our lives, our spiritual gifts, and our material goods. Every service of worship shall include an opportunity to respond to Christ s call to discipleship through selfoffering. The gifts we offer express our stewardship of creation, demonstrate our care for one another, support the ministries of the church, and provide for the needs of the poor. Tithes and offerings are gathered as an act of thanksgiving to God. Gifts of food for the poor may also be collected at this time, and the table may be prepared for the Lord s Supper. All of these gifts are received with prayer of dedication to God, spoken or sung. Because ruling elders and deacons are charged with the stewardship of the church s resources and leadership in ministry to the poor, it is fitting for a ruling elder or deacon to lead this prayer. ~ 6 ~

7 Poor Richard s Almanac by Richard Francis, Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Prospect Hill Carroll, where we live, has an annual contest called The Best of Carroll, and we are all invited to vote for the best restaurant, hardware store, insurance agent, realtor, etc., with the results published in the local paper. This year I decided to participate, but I thought, as I cast my vote, How can I possibly know who is the best insurance agent in town? Our home and auto insurance has been with the same company since 1971, and as we ve moved we ve worked with whoever was the agent for that company wherever we happened to live. I suppose some of those agents might have been better than others, but they were all adequate for our purposes, and that s all we ask of an insurance agent. It wouldn t make much sense for us to go from agent to agent, changing our insurance every year or so, to find the best agent in town. Voting for the best of is mostly just for fun, but it s all part of the competitive nature of our culture, so much so that we don t even think about it. Right now some are waiting to see which movie is named Best Picture and the Oscars without stopping to think about how ridiculous it is that one movie could be considered objectively better than every other movie that came out last year. What if we were given the choice of voting for the Best Church in Carroll? How would we decide? It wouldn t be enough to visit every church in town and cast our vote for the worship service that was the most impressive/challenging/comforting/novel/familiar. We would have to spend time with everything the church does, and a lot of the work of the church takes place outside of public view, even the view of part of the congregation. Then we would have to work up a list of the criteria we would use: spiritual formation, member care, stewardship, outreach to the community, support for the mission of the church in the world, etc. If you spent a year in a town like Carroll going from church to church and digging deep into the life of each congregation, I ll bet you d come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as The Best Church in Carroll. The Apostle Paul famously wrote to the Corinthians, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 He was thinking of individuals, and the gifts God has given to each of us to fulfill our various callings, but I think his words could apply equally well to us as congregations. God has given ~ 7 ~

8 us gifts as a congregation to serve God where we are, and it would be absurd to say, Every church should look a certain way and do everything the same way. You as a congregation are not called to be Fourth Presbyterian in Chicago or Lakewood in Houston or Saddleback in Lake Forest. You care called to be the church you are, where you are, with the gifts God has given you, doing the ministry God has called you to do. Competition has its place, but not in the Kingdom of God. Blessings, A Word from the Presbytery of North Central Iowa s Moderator I have just returned from an adventuresome, exciting, and wonderful three weeks. My favorite vacation for the last three years has been the Presbytery of North Central Iowa mission trip. This year was no exception. On February first eight of us left in a 15 passenger van for New Bern, North Carolina, with our trusted driver, David Feltman. We met the rest of our group two days later at Cornerstone Assembly Church in New Bern. It was great to connect with old friends from previous years and get to know a couple of new friends. There were 23 of us this year. Cornerstone fed us dinners and provided food for breakfast and sack lunches. Our host church was West New Bern Presbyterian Church. They were welcoming and gracious. Many of us slept there... in several different areas. Three of us slept in the sanctuary. The local YMCA provided us with hot showers and towels. We had talented leaders in all the homes we worked on who patiently taught those of us less qualified how to be useful. I love learning new skills at this time in my life! We ended every day with worship together. Dave Feltman asked us where we had seen God during our day... God sightings. A few that we shared: meeting the families whose homes we were working on who were looking forward to getting back in their homes after several months; meeting people from other states doing mission work; the local people who hosted us; our co-workers skills, patience, friendship, and wonderful humor; the incredible beauty of the Atlantic Ocean on our evening out... and many more. I decided to look for God sightings on the rest of my trip. I have family in North Carolina and decided to stay on and spend time with them before returning to Iowa. My niece and sister-in-law from Greenville, North Carolina, came to New Bern to get me. My niece s husband has just finished treatment for throat cancer. Bob is a doctor in Greenville who had always enjoyed perfect health. His treatment was hard... surgery, chemo and radiation. I saw God in the new empathy Bob has for his patients, and that it appears Bob is now cancer free. My niece delivered me to my grandson, Lewis, who is getting his master s degree in Sports Administration at the University of North Carolina. All of you who are grandparents know that ~ 8 ~

9 we see God in our grandkids from the minute they are born! Beyond that, I see Lewis becoming an amazing adult. He is excited about what he is doing and seems to be in a perfect place. Lewis delivered me to my cousin Don in Raleigh. We are very close... he is more like a brother than a cousin. His lovely wife Barbara, at 72, is in a care facility with advanced Alzheimer s. She no longer communicates or walks on her own. I see God in the wonderful care she gets every day. The people who care for her treat her with such respect and gentleness. It has been so hard for Don, but I see God in the arrival of his new grandson whom he can love, care for, and see regularly. Don and I drove to Estero, Florida, where we get together every year with his brother, sister, and their spouses. I saw God in the love of family and the joy of being together that we have shared all my life. Just last year Don s wife Barbara was with us. We shared memories, laughed, and cried together. Last stop! Don took me to Bradenton, Florida, to spend time with my brother John and his family. John was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer just before Christmas. I felt God s presence in so many ways. I don t know what the future holds for John, but for now he is feeling so good in the midst of chemo treatments. His last scan showed the tumors have shrunk by 50%. His wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and two adorable grandsons give him so much joy. John took me to the Sarasota airport for my last stop. I saw God in the beauty and warmth of Florida, making all my connections on the flight home, and yes, in the beauty of Iowa in the winter! I continue to stop, look, and listen for God every day... Judy Klepfer, Moderator, Presbytery North Central Iowa ~ 9 ~

10 ~ 10 ~

11 ~ 11 ~

12 Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) international placements are open until March 1 st! Apply to a transformational year of service in South Korea, Zambia, Colombia, Scotland, Peru and the Philippines by March 1 st or encourage young adults (ages 19-30) you know to consider. More information is available online at National sites open until June 1 st. ~ 12 ~

13 ASSOCIATION OF STATED CLERKS Analysis of Amendments to the Constitution Proposed by the 223 rd General Assembly (2018) As follows is an analysis by the national Association of Stated Clerks of the PCUSA for the amendments from GA 223 that are before the presbyteries for their decisions. Glenn Wilson Stated Clerk, North Central Iowa Presbytery As in prior years, the Association of Stated Clerks is publishing this Analysis of Amendments to the Constitution to assist presbyteries in studying and acting on the amendments proposed by this year s General Assembly (2018). The analysis includes a Brief Description of the amendment, the committee and Assembly Action, Arguments Supporting an Affirmative Vote, and Arguments Supporting a Negative Vote. Most of the proposed changes came from the Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06). I sat in this committee and most of the controversial proposals were either referred or found little opposition once amendments to the original overture were approved. Our purpose has been to present arguments made in favor of and against each amendment both in meetings of the assembly committee that considered the overture leading to the amendment and on the floor of the General Assembly. It is not the role of the Association to make a recommendation either in support of or against any amendment. This analysis is best used in conjunction with the Proposed Amendments to the Constitution published by Office of the General Assembly. Many presbyteries provide copies of this analysis to their committees responsible for making a recommendation on presbytery action, and we understand that this has assisted those committees as they have done their work. We are glad that these materials are used in that way. Please note that you are free to use them as you wish. We assert no copyright and do not require advance approval of their use. Additional background information on any of the proposed changes can be found at Thank you to the ASC members who diligently attended committee meetings and provided information about what the pros and cons were for each amendment and to the Office of Constitutional Interpretation for their assistance. Michael R. Lochow Stated Clerk Presbytery of the Northern Plains ~ 13 ~

14 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION 18-A Election of Ruling Elders and Deacons On Amending G (Item 06-11) Brief Description This amendment originated from the Presbytery of Grace. The amendment is intended to clarify the somewhat ambiguous language regarding the nominating committee membership. It sets the minimum size of the nominating committee at three members, not including the pastor. The goal is to provide clarity while preserving the overall permission-giving nature of the Form of Government. Assembly Action The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended by a vote of 54/0. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment 478/3. Arguments Supporting an Affirmative Vote From rationale: Ideal for small congregations yet also provides flexibility for churches to add more from the minimum. From ACC: Adds clarity and is consistent with past practice. Arguments Supporting a Negative Vote None 18-B. Renunciation of Jurisdiction Brief Description These two amendments (18-B.1 and 18-b.2), (Item 06-09, Recommendations 1. and 2.) come out of the intent to clarify congregational prohibition and individual jurisdiction when a PC(USA) minister of Word and Sacrament renounces jurisdiction while in the midst of disciplinary proceedings and then wants to rejoin the PC(USA). The General Assembly approved the combination of two proposed amendments in one item. The advice on each of these proposed amendments come from the separate items, (Items and 06-07) not on the combined items. 18-B.1 On Amending G (Item 06-09) Brief Description The proposed amendment originated from the Presbytery of Central Florida as Item The rationale provided was that the [former] amendment to G , while intended to protect the church and its entities from ministers who have left the church without submitting to the constitutional process for establishing guilt or innocence and providing for repentance when repentance is needed, have instead created a situation in which the administration of justice, as defined by the amendment, is impossible to carry out. See the complete rationale on pages 3 and 4 of the Amendment Booklet. ~ 14 ~

15 18-B.2 On Amending D d (Item 06-09) Brief Description The proposed amendment originated from the Presbytery of The Twin Cities Area as Item See edited rationale on pages 5 and 6 of the Amendment Booklet. Assembly Action The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended by a vote of 54/3. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment by a vote of 466/7. Arguments Supporting an Affirmative Vote Seems reasonable and the process is understandable Arguments Supporting a Negative Vote No articulated opposition expressed in committee See discussion in booklet by Advisory Committee on the Constitution 18-C Officers On Amending G (Item 06-16) Brief Description The proposed amendment comes from the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. Since 1954, the Johnson Amendment has been a provision in the United States tax code prohibiting charitable organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Action has been taken to loosen this prohibition. This amendment would offer explicit guidance to governing bodies or to those in leadership positions regarding endorsing or opposing candidates running for political office. Assembly Action The vote of the Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended by a vote of 31/24. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment by a vote of 370/99. Arguments in Support of an Affirmative Vote Preferable to passing after Johnson amendment is removed by Congress Get in front of possible changes to Johnson amendment Assists in protecting 501(c)(3) status In plenary: divisive times, enables time honored separation of church and state In plenary: Not interfere with minister of Word and Sacrament speaking to social policy Arguments in Support of a Negative Vote Presbyterian sensibilities tells us not to advocate for or against a candidate Specific prohibition implies the absence of authority to speak from the pulpit with the authority of scripture See Advisory Committee on the Constitution s lengthy discussion ~ 15 ~

16 18-D. Membership of Presbytery On Amending G (Item 06-05) Brief Description This proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. This amendment would provide clarify to minister members seeking permission to labor within the bounds of a presbytery beyond that of the membership of the minister of Word and Sacrament s membership. Assembly Action The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended by a vote of 52/1. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment by a vote of 442/13. Arguments in Support of an Affirmative Vote Clarifies laboring outside bounds of presbytery of membership Brings back language from old Book of Order Arguments in Support of a Negative Vote None 18-E. Pastor, Counselor, and Advisor to Its Pastors and Congregations On Amending G (Item 06-02) Brief Description The proposed amendment originated from the Presbytery of Santa Fe. The proposed amendment seeks to clear up repetitive wording in G Assembly Action The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended by a vote of 52/0. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment by a vote of 464/3. Arguments in Support of an Affirmative Vote Correcting language Limited discussion Arguments in Support of a Negative Vote None ~ 16 ~

17 Amendment 18-F. Welcoming to the Table On Amending W (Item 14-03) Brief Description This proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of Grace. This amendment seeks to clarify that when children receive the Lord s Supper for the first time, the Directory of Worship is not suggesting a service such as first communion. Assembly Action The Assembly Committee on Theological & Church Growth Issues and Institutions (14) voted to approve the proposed amendment with comment by a vote of 50/1. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with a voice vote. Arguments in Support of an Affirmative Vote Advisory Committee on the Constitution advises approval Arguments in Support of a Negative Vote None Amendment 18-G. Disciplinary Offense On Amending D b (Item 06-04) Brief Description This proposed amendment originates from the Presbytery of North Alabama. The amendment is intended to insure that violations of a council s sexual misconduct policy are contrary to the Scriptures or the Constitution and may be addressed through the disciplinary process. Assembly Action The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended by a vote of 53/0. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment by a vote of 416/13. Arguments in Support of an Affirmative Vote Makes offense definition clear No discussion in plenary Arguments in Support of a Negative Vote Concerns were expressed prior to approval of amendment to the overture None following approval of amendment ~ 17 ~

18 Amendment 18-H. Time Limit On Amending D (Item 06-24) 18-H.1 & 18-H.2 Brief Description This proposed amendment originates from the Advisory Committee on the Constitution. The amendment proposes to impose a level of responsibility on persons that is not currently part of the Rules of Discipline (H.1). The proposed language also recognizes that minors cannot consent (H.2). Motion to refer overture to Rules of Discipline Task Force ultimately failed and a substitute motion was approved. Assembly Action The Assembly Committee on Church Polity and Ordered Ministry (06) voted to approve the proposed amendment as amended by a vote of 47/1. The 223rd General Assembly (2018) approved the committee s recommendation with amendment by a vote of 455/16. Arguments in Support of an Affirmative Vote None Arguments in Support of a Negative Vote None ~ 18 ~

19 ~ 19 ~

20 ~ 20 ~

21 ~ 21 ~

22 ~ 22 ~

23 ~ 23 ~

24 ~ 24 ~

25 ~ 25 ~

26 ~ 26 ~

27 ~ 27 ~

28 ~ 28 ~

29 ~ 29 ~