General Assembly Report Day 1

June 2 – 6:02 p.m.

After the first day and a half, this has been the most collegial General Assembly I’ve attended. My experience goes back only a decade, mind you. Courtesy abounds. Part of the reason may be that there’s been nothing theologically contentious so far.

Opening worship was almost like going back in time. Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton is an old school setting. No power point screen in sight. String quartet and choir. Old hymns. Psalm 100 sung using the same words and music as 1875. Only one contemporary song (a Getty/Townend number) but it came across like a hymn with the pipe organ. The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving was spoken using the male pronoun.

Outgoing moderator Pat Dutcher-Walls preached on the GA theme passage of Jeremiah 29:4-14. Hope and a future. Will we act on God’s word and promise and trust that we have a bold future in and post-Babylon or do we wither and die? The suggestion is that the hope lies in the well being of our neighbour. Social justice for sure, but not much talk about salvation. Encouraging, yes. But, respectfully, it’s thin Gospel. Despite the nod to history, the rich and powerful music and the liturgical tone of praising God Most High, opening worship still fell short. There was no encouragement or equipping to reach those who live in spiritual darkness. That is the primary work of the church and it was absent.

The Prayer Room was announced publicly and folks are asking us about it. But only the co-chaplain and I turned up for Monday morning prayer at 8 a.m. Three of us gathered for prayer prior to the afternoon sederunt today. It will take time for word to get out.

Narratives of Hope and Possibility may be the major issue of this GA and it dominated most of Monday morning. The report was described, the vision shared and the “urgency” of action was made clear. It’s a lengthy document and I urge you to read it. Here’s an excerpt: “We can envision a preferred future of fewer congregations, resulting from purposeful amalgamations or dissolutions, rooted in a narrative of hope and possibility, which locates our collective identity and purpose beyond the confines of the local congregation. Those congregations would be supported by larger, regional presbyteries who would be resourced with regional staff and structures that easily link to other presbyteries and national resources.” The latest financial reporting indicates only two years of operating reserves to cover annual deficits. Actual discussion and voting on the recommendations has been moved to Wednesday. Initial blush from 20-minute group discussion by commissioners indicates a mix of “Let’s do this!” to “Let’s not take power from congregations.” Stay tuned for robust discussion Wednesday.

The highlight so far was the message during Monday worship. Richard Topping was at his quotable best: “Sometimes we love mid-century modern. And I don’t mean the furniture.” John 20-21 — Jesus appears to His disciples and sends them. So yes, let’s look forward and not be afraid of change. (For the record, Richard is on the Narratives of Hope committee.) But let’s also be mindful of the primary mission of the church: “The first order of business in the church is to point others to Jesus Christ.” Yes, the One who fed and healed. But also the One who wholly denied himself and submitted to the Father’s will.

On tap – an evening of music and memories in a 150th anniversary celebration. Report to come.

General Assembly Report Day 2

June 3 – 9:07 p.m.

First – Monday night music. The 150th anniversary of the PCC was celebrated with a live musical buffet of choral, classical, contemporary, Indigenous and bluegrass/folk. The evening ended with Electronic Dance Music by Austin Penner – professional DJ and future minister.

Tuesday’s highlight was the lengthy and spirited presentations and discussions over the PCC’s response to Israel and Gaza. Before it even began, a commissioner tried to have the entire International Affairs Committee’s report thrown out on the allegation that it was too one-sided against Israel, but it was denied by the moderator.

First, the court heard from Corey Balsam of Independent Jewish Voices Canada – a grassroots group that’s highly critical of the Jewish state’s occupation of Gaza and support Palestinian rights. “The answer to trauma is not more trauma . . . hold Israel and its supporters to account” – he told commissioners.

The report called on the church to hold Israel to account “for its use of weapons of war primarily against a civilian population in violation of International Humanitarian Laws.”  Presenting the report, a committee member commented: “there is undeniable evidence from multiple sources that the Israeli government has committed war crimes  . . . the goal is genocide carried out a calculated way.”

Commissioners were divided on a recommendation by the committee that “individuals, groups and organizations” within The PCC boycott “goods and services (including financial investments) that support the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territory and resultant economic oppression of the Palestinian people.”

Some speakers were not comfortable with the fact that the report was one sided against Israel,  it did not address the actions of Hamas, nor did it cite other human rights by other nations. Others stood with the civilian victims and urged the church to take action and show support in a tangible way.

In the end, the recommendation was adopted.

Things got more heated during discussion on an additional motion by commissioner, who asked the court to distance itself from the committee’s report, which labeled the Jewish state as “imperialist” and “colonial” rather than “the restoration of self-determination for an historically oppressed people.”

Said one commissioner: “It’s a horrible situation in Gaza, which must be addressed, but the discussion should not be based on falsehoods.” An attempt by another commissioner to refer it back to the committee for study and report in 2026 failed.

Commissioners continued to debate. Rabbi David Mivasair, who accompanied Corey Balsam and is a fellow critic of his homeland, was invited to chime in. In his view, “colonialism is a perfect description. He added: “If you are confused, you don’t know the facts or are afraid to use the language of what is taking place.”

In the end, the motion was defeated.

In the Life and Mission Committee report, commissioners were asked to direct presbyteries to seek explanations from congregations who are lagging in financial support for Presbyterians Sharing. Last year $4.5 million came from congregations, down from $4.8 million in 2023. Of 776 congregations, 89 gave nothing and 330 gave less. Those who gave less than 2.5 percent of their dollar base – which is 27 per cent of congregations – were asked to provide an explanation to their Presbytery and present a plan for how they will support Presbyterians Sharing in 2025.

Commissioners narrowly agreed with an amendment to do away with pressuring congregations to devise a plan to increase support, but the explanations would be sent to LMA and shared with 2026 General Assembly. The rationale: virtually every congregation already has an approved budget for the year. Any conversation would not happen until at least the fall, which leaves little time to rustle up the extra cash — even if a congregation decided to increase its support. While the intent is to seek good stewardship, the approach comes across as somewhat paternalistic or heavy handed.

The mover of the amendment described it as a “pastoral approach — rather than assuming these congregations are automatically in the wrong, let’s start a conversation.” Why are congregations not paying up? The findings may cast some light on what’s broken. Might a future Assembly make whatever changes are necessary for congregations to regain confidence in the PCC? “There’s a larger story here. Let’s discover it and tell it.”

General Assembly continues Wednesday with the eagerly anticipated discussion on the Narratives of Hope and Possibility.

General Assembly Report Day 3

June 4 – 9:34 p.m.

What a difference a day makes – or a few hours sleep. At the close of Tuesday’s business, commissioners amended the Life & Mission Agency’s (LMA) recommendation to ask congregations which provide little or no financial support through Presbyterians Sharing (PS) to come up with a plan to do so. The amended motion was to ask presbyteries to find out why and report the findings so they could be shared at GA 2026. On Wednesday morning, commissioners agreed to allow presbyteries to share that info anonymously. The hope was that that would be the end of it. But commissioners had other ideas. A further amendment to have all congregations – including those who give generously – explain why they give was defeated. Discussion went on and opinions were all over the map to the degree to which this would be useful. Then came a successful motion to refer the amended motion back to LMA. It was a bit of a letdown — so much for allowing the stories to be told. While the official encouragement to share our stories won’t happen – for now – at least the committee leadership and the denomination’s officers were listening closely.

The big news Wednesday was how commissioners received and reacted to the report on Narratives of Hope and Possibility. This initiative was created by the Assembly Council (AC) in November 2023 following roundtable discussions by commissioners at that year’s GA in Halifax. Its mission was to explore options of denominational revitalization. The report was developed by a 23-member working group appointed by AC which attempted to represent the PCC’s cultural, demographic and theological diversity. The group believes that the PCC “is ready for revitalizing change that leads to transformation at every level of the church’s life.” Biblical inspiration came from the resurrection stories of John 20-21: “Jesus shows up, Jesus sends us.” The group presented a “preferred future” for the PCC “where, at every level, there is permission to risk, for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Permission to risk isn’t actuarial, lowering the stakes or building a larger safety net. It is readiness to trust God and willingness to learn from failures and mistakes. This is decidedly uncomfortable. We can’t imagine our whole church becoming comfortable with risk-taking. We can imagine a church that gives permission for risk-taking even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s what happened on the beach with Jesus when his friends hadn’t caught anything after doing what they knew how to do, even with their best effort. Jesus told them to try something new. Cast the net in a different direction.”

Specifically, the group offered a “preferred future of fewer congregations, resulting from purposeful amalgamations or dissolutions, rooted in a narrative of hope and possibility, which locates our collective identity and purpose beyond the confines of the local congregation. Those congregations would be supported by larger, regional presbyteries who would be resourced with regional staff and structures that easily link to other presbyteries and national resources.”

(There’s no space here to fully summarize the vision. Go to the GA page of the PCC website and on the “Reports, Information and Forms for General Assembly” link and download “Assembly Council – revised”.)

All of this was presented with sense of urgency. Members told commissioners that during their consultations with Presbyterians from coast to coast they detected a level of “desperation” for change or relief among many people. Many ministers are overworked, resources are unevenly distributed, head office is running out of money to cover its sizable operating deficit — we’re real estate rich and cash poor.

Commissioners approved the recommendation to appoint a Special Commission, to be known as the Change Leadership Team, for a two-year term. The commission has significant power as a “delegated court” of the PCC. One commissioner attempted to downgrade this to a “committee” to make it more accountable to GA, but this failed to gain enough support. Another commissioner tried to refer the entire Narrative report to presbyteries and congregations for study and report – which is common practice with new initiatives. In the words of one commissioner: “this report proposes generational change of great magnitude and not enough time or consultation was taken to bring us to these recommendations.” However, most commissioners appeared to trust the leadership and felt the urgency was too great to wait. The only addition to the recommendation was to direct the commission to “collaborate” with lower courts in its work.

Commissioners then appointed a slate of commissioners — individuals who were pre-selected. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you who they are because the supplementary report which named them and provided bios was only briefly shown on the screen prior to the vote. We’re told it will be uploaded to the PCC website on Thursday.

On a positive note, the day began with yet another fine message based on the stories of the risen Christ sending his disciples, as described in John 20-21.  “Jesus has set his disciples from the locked room to preach good news, proclaim peace and forgive sins,” said Rev. Nick Renaud. “Jesus continues to go ahead of his church in the world . . . Find places where he is now and join the work He is doing. The fire’s made, the fish is ready, there is bread to share and bring the fish you have caught.”

For the record, all three morning times of worship have been graced with solid and Biblical messages which point to reconciliation of our sinful souls with the risen the Lord as the greatest imperative of the church. A very refreshing change from some previous Assemblies.

GA wraps up Thursday morning.

General Assembly Report Day 4

June 5 – 11:11 a.m.

Further thoughts on the Narratives of Hope & Possibility and the commissioning of the Change Leadership team.

In preparation for GA and the consideration of this report, I had prepared a critique which highlighted two primary concerns.

Regarding the future with fewer and larger congregations which are part of a regional partnership and are more strategically located – the implication is that smaller, struggling congregations with no hope of ever calling a pastor are a drain on the system and are essentially a bad thing.  Is bigger actually better? The reality is that the church is alive in places where 10, 20 or 30 people are gathered. Every week, these tiny congregations – and there are hundreds of them – gather like family to hear the Word, pray, sing and practice community. They may be stuck in a different era. But the Light of Christ is shining. I can point to the congregation where I am interim moderator, where a grandfather appeared with one of his grandchildren, where a small group of university students bypassed the vibrant church with a praise team and youth pastor because they would rather sit among stained glass and sing old hymns with people old enough to be their grandparents. I see the young mom and her daughter who feel at home there. I see marriages and baptisms. I see vibrant midweek Bible study and conversation. If that congregation was to be closed – even if it’s with a larger “purpose” in mind – most of those folks have no desire or energy to go church shopping at the age of 80 and they would spend the rest of their lives without a church home. They would no longer have that opportunity for Jesus to show up. They do not need Presbyterian Assistance in Dying. Great life can be found in death – it is part of the mystery of life. Jesus shows up in these places. Allow those congregations to die naturally.

A second major issue concerns property, buildings – and mission. The report stated: “A preferred future requires us to have a vision and a plan, so that we share the responsibilities and possibilities of the use of property for ministry and mission. National resources can help congregations by providing a theological and missional approach to property.” What does “providing a theological and missional approach” mean in practical terms? This sounds like the denomination imposing a specific shared theology and mission onto local congregations. If so, it does not respect the presbytery as the seat of power, where its primary mission is the health of its congregations, which operate in local context. It does not respect diversity  – cultural and theological.

Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to voice those concerns. Neither did anyone else. When the report was presented, the authors provided an introduction. Then the commissioners were invited to gather in small groups and talk about it for about 20 minutes. Then we were invited to share with the rest of assembly what our groups were saying. Then we broke for lunch with the promise that the matter would return on Wednesday. When the day arrived, we were greeted with a motion to authorize the commission. It’s normal procedure and typically kicks off the discussion. But before that happened, there was an amendment, then an immediate motion to refer the matter to lower courts for study and report. I was in favour of the referral, but unfortunately, with such motions we are only allowed to discuss “if” it should be referred, “where” and “when.” No discussion of the substance.

I have no problem with order and process. In fact, it is vital. But I am disappointed that commissioners were asked to commission a group with significant power – one which essentially removes authority from the 2026 Assembly over this matter – with no substantial discussion. Given my adherence to process, I must trust that the commission will seek God’s will even though commissioners had no opportunity to discuss the recommended terms of reference. A 20-minute chat was woefully inadequate. Special arrangements could have been made for GA to go into an informal committee-of-the-whole – or some other framework – for discussion and Q&A.

And now to the final sederunt.

The highlight of the final sitting was the report of the Young Adult Representative (YARs). Rather than a single report, each of them provided personal comments. Most were expressions of appreciation and courtesy. A few of them, however,stood out. Three young women provided bold witnesses to a court in which they were a minority.

“The PCC is still alive!” said one, who reminded commissioners – indeed, the entire denomination – that adherence to “unchanging scripture” as stated in Chapter 5 of Living Faith and a “courageous commitment” to the “historic Gospel . . . . the reality of sin, the transforming power of God’s grace.” She pointed to the need to adhere to “unchanging scripture rather than accommodate to cultural trends.”

There was a stillness in the room, approaching silence, after those words were spoken.

“I know what it’s like to chase answers,” said another YAR, who spoke of the brokenness in her generation in which many do not have sense of purpose and meaning. “Church has the answers if you hold fast to God.”

Said the third YAR: “I know people who are desperately searching for truth. If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. This generation is starving for truth.”

Amen to that.

And now we grab our boxed lunches and go home.