218th General Assembly

After a long night commissioners gathered again to do the work of the PCUSA. Moderator Joan Gray encouraged the commissioners to remember that lots of work awaits action. Her comments reminded me that at opening worship we sang the old spiritual "Wade in the Waters". I was surpirsed to hear this again at Sunday's joint worship with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Little did I realize that the church will need to follow a leader into the troubled waters ahead for the PCUSA.
I'm like Moderator Gray somewhat of a "polity wonk", and I want to appeal to presbyters to read the actions of the assembly from a broad perspective. The action of the Assembly brings forth an Authorative Intrepretation (AI) that reminds sessions and governing bodies to exam carefully those who are called into the ordained office. This new AI stands among other AI's including the DEFINITIVE GUIDANCE OF 1978. I spoke this morning with Elder James Wilson a member of the Adviorsary Committee on the Constitution seeking his understanding of the relationship of the "new AI" with the 1978 Definitive Guidance. His answer was unequivical: Only a General Assembly can remove an AI."
I am at the airport and will be writing several letters of corsepondence to churches. I am told the Office of the General Assembly is asking each presbytery to forward an a statement to be read during worship this Sunday. I will work to get this out to each of you as soon as I receive.
I would love to answer your questions and provide my perspective on God's activity in his church.
Stay tuned: God Bless, David
Pray for Leon and LaVon. They are driving back and I am concerned that Leon is very tired, but committed to being home for Presbytery next Tuesday. I am looking for traveling protective "angels" to surround them. If you any protective angels hanging around with nothing to them send them toward Birmingham.
Early Tuesday morning Chet Dorsey was taken by amublance to Spokane with chest pain. He is resting well and the Doctors are looking for a cause other heart related.