GA calls for 'solemn assemblies' to reinvigorate mission, membership By Charles F. Burge Executive Director The Layman Friday, June 27, 2008 218th General Assembly San Jose, California June 20-28, 2008 SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Attempting to "turn the tide of decline in mission and membership," the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s 218th General Assembly passed a recommendation for congregations and presbyteries to gather in "solemn assemblies" for the next two years "to seek God for spiritual renewal of the Church of Jesus Christ." Overture 16-02 from San Joaquin Presbytery, which passed on a voice vote Thursday evening, references Joel 2:12-17, which, in part, says, "Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations" (v. 17, ESV). The overture sparked a question from the floor to outgoing Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick regarding the severe decline of PCUSA membership. The Rev. Curt McFarland of Central Washington Presbytery asked, "What is being done to address the seriousness of the decline in membership, attendance and trust within the denomination?" Kirkpatrick threw the blame back on the presbyteries. "My own frustration sometimes is that there are far too few overtures related to positive strategies of evangelism and church development," he said. "Those need to come from the presbyteries." Kirkpatrick also positively referenced the efforts of the Church Growth and Christian Education Committee. The rationale for the overture states, "We have … labored to serve as salt and light in a society that appears to be growing darker with the passage of time. It seems that our efforts, as well intentioned as they have been, have been insufficient. We can point to many causes for the ills of our great church, but we will have little hope of remedy until we embrace the reality that we cannot cure ourselves. Congregations and presbyteries are invited "to gather in times (set) aside for spiritual renewal through intentional gatherings such as spiritual assemblies, which may include personal and community worship, meditation, confession, forgiveness, fasting and prayer." The overture recommends accessing Heartrest.org for more information on solemn assemblies. In related action, overture 16-01 from East Tennessee Presbytery was also passed. It affirms "as sisters and brothers in Christ, our common faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior" and requested "that, at his discretion, the moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008), when calling for the vote say: 'Sisters and brothers, sharing our common faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and walking humbly with our God, let us proceed to vote on the question before us.' " Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow began using the recommendation immediately.

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