$10 to download a pdf of the Book of Order? Really?
7/20/2011 11:22:43 AM
As of 7/22/11, IT IS NOW FREE!
This is not a partisan issue. This is an issue of equal accessibility to a document that now governs the common life of everyone in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
As of July 10, the PCUSA has an entirely new Form of Government. This requires that every currently ordained officer (minister, elder and deacon) read, learn and take renewed ordination vows to be governed by the new Book of Order.
In its quest to raise revenues, the denomination is charging $10 – not for a printed copy, but for a digital copy, that you can download onto your computer. (If you want a printed copy that will cost you an additional $5.25 for shipping and handling.)
In a world of on-demand publishing, the pdf file is actually finalized in order for the book to go to print. So, there are no additional costs to the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) in simply posting for everyone the document they’re selling to those who want a hard copy. Further, your General Assembly per capita is paying for that work to be done.
If one were to look at the $11+ million 2012 per capita budget for the OGA, you might see places where dollars could have been allocated to cover whatever costs are associated with posting online a book whose contents have been in circulation in the form of nationwide amendments for a year.
Notably, a pdf file of the Book of Order has historically been available on the OGA website for free download. You can still download the Book of Confessions for free at http://oga.pcusa.org/constitution.htm. One wonders, “If the Confession of Belhar had received the necessary two-thirds majority vote of the presbyteries, would an electronic amended Book of Confessions also be posted for sale instead of free?”
There are few ways to “look” at this other than pure recovery of slacking revenues.
This action seems insincere from a denomination which out of the other side of its mouth, (General Assembly Mission Council) denominational leaders advocate for an “open source” approach. I wonder how long it will take before someone uploads their downloaded copy to a platform everyone can use? Wikipedia, anyone?
For those who are concerned about economic justice issues, this should be a fire-starter.
For those who are concerned about smaller membership congregations with few financial resources, this should inflame outrage.
For those who are concerned about having an educated, informed and equipped laity, this should provoke activism.
Call the OGA and tell them what you think at 888-728-7228 x5750.
Email the OGA now by clicking here.
UPDATE: The Presbyterian Coalition has posted the official version of the 2011-2013 Book of Order on its website for free download. Click here to download.