PCUSA sending 408 staff, agency people to 217th GA
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, May 1, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In these times of shrinking revenues, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has pared down the number of staff and agency representatives it will send to the 217th General Assembly, but there will still be nearly four PCUSA slots for every five commissioners.
The executive committee of the General Assembly approved sending 408 employees to the biennial meeting to work with the 534 elected commissioners. Their job is officially to be resource people, but many of the representatives lobby for their pet projects.
The number of PCUSA representatives assigned directly to work with General Assembly Committees is 139, nearly 10 per committee. In addition, 69 people are assigned to General Assembly support, and many will work closely with the commissioners.
A report on the assignments was included in the packets of the General Assembly Council members for consideration during their meeting in April 26-29. It was barely discussed, as the council devoted much of its attention to 2007-2008 budget issues.
The National Ministries Division will send 117 representatives to the 217th General Assembly, including 34 in the justice and compassion category and 25 in evangelism and witness. The council’s Mission Work Plan ranks evangelism and witness as its top priority, with justice and compassion, which includes programs emphasizing social activism, second.
The other categories of staff from the National Ministries Division are: the Women’s Program Area (22); director’s office (6); leadership and vocation (16); Washington Office (3); and national volunteers to be commissioned (12).
The Worldwide Ministries Division will send 108 people to the General Assembly. The largest group in that contingent is ecumenical partnership with 49 representatives. Global service and witness is second with 29.
Worldwide Ministries will also send 12 representatives of People in Mutual Mission and 12 mission personnel to be commissioned.
The Congregational Ministries Division is sending 71 people, including 34 from its publishing arm, seven from the director’s office, 12 from the Peacemaking Program and 18 from Theology and Worship.
The executive and administrative offices are sending 97 people. That includes 15 from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy; six from the Advisory Committee for Racial/Ethnic Concerns; and eight from the Advocacy Committee on Women’s Concerns.
The largest executive and administrative contingent includes 37 in communications, many of them reporters who will write the stories that give the denomination’s perspective on what transpires during the General Assembly. Other categories include: director’s office (15); human resources (1); internal audit (1); legal services/risk management (1); Joining Hearts & Hands (3); and stewardship and mission funding (7).
Mission Support Services is dispatching 15 representatives to the General Assembly: office of the deputy director (3); finance and accounting (4); office of information services (4); and the PCUSA distribution service (4).