from the Rev. Dr. Christian Iosso, pastor of Scarborough (NY) Presbyterian Church, and former Issues Analyst of the Witherspoon Society.

With thanks to the Association of Stated Clerks.

We might forget that the 2001 General Assembly approved a number of amendments to the Constitution of the PC(USA), besides "Amendment A," which would return to the presbyteries and sessions their proper role of discerning who should be ordained, without regard to the strictures now imposed by section G6.0106b of the Book of Order.

Here are some brief comments on the other amendments that will also be coming to presbyteries for approval or rejection.

01-B Adds good former UPC theological language to the description of pastors; adds understanding but no additional tasks.

01-C Makes the decisions of Administrative Commissions (including how many people they hear from, say, in the case of removing a pastor) subject to review by presbyteries rather than requiring remedial case appeal to a permanent judicial commission. May weaken AC's a bit, add to presbytery process, but save judicial time.

01-D Would allow for interim executive staff to apply for permanent position with presbytery, synod or GA agency, as long as AA/EEO were followed, by a 2/3 vote of presbytery. Favors continuity over open process and change; also shifts motivation of interim who may regard post as foot in the door. This is a recipe, in my humble opinion, for conflicts within governing bodies and personalizes the search process. Same problems as with pastors in 01-H.

01-E Would give presbytery councils and clerks rules for disqualifying retired ministers to limit their numbers, rather than push creative ways to include more laypeople. PNS reports that the Coalition hopes to dilute the vote of retired ministers: this would help them discount the ordination of any purportedly "inactive" retiree.

01-F Clarifies 6 year maximum continuous service on Committee on Ministry.

01-G Would allow racial-ethnic and immigrant presbyteries of as few as 5 churches/pastors, on a non-geographic basis. A solution that may create more problems, delaying ordination of women especially, require more administration, etc. May also prompt use of the non-geographic device (within synods) to initiate so-called "gracious separation."

01-H Much good administrivia conceals major way for generally large churches to control succession by getting the 2/3 approval for hiring an interim. Alternatively, creates bad blood with the many churches who "fall in love with their savior/interim." May also have ideological application.

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PVJ's Facebook page

Mitch Trigger, PVJ's Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!

Voices of Sophia blog

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

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