by
Sylvia Dooling
In 1999, the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC) sent a report on
prostitution to the General Assembly. That GA commissioned a further study
on the root causes of prostitution, sexual exploitation, sexual addiction,
and how Presbyterians are responding to these issues.
The follow-up report entitled _Sisters of Mercy, Daughters of Grace
Presbyterians and Prostituted Women_ came to the 214th GA meeting in
Columbus. By a 94% vote, the commissioners received the report, but not
before sending ACWC a gentle but clear message.
Here’s what happened.
The motion to receive the report was originally part of the consent agenda
during the first plenary session of the assembly on Saturday afternoon. That
means that it was included with a large number of items that were to be
acted on at the same time with a single vote. Had it not been removed from
the consent agenda, the report would effectively have been ‘rubber stamped”
by the assembly. But, a commissioner asked that it be removed. Once removed,
it was sent to one of the assembly’s committees for more careful
consideration.
Because ACWC is one of three special advisory or advocacy committees set up
years ago by the General Assembly, its reports are not subject to amendment.
All the assembly can do is approve them, disapprove them, approve them with
comment, or disapprove them with comment.
After hearing testimony from Theresa Latini, Executive Director of OneByOne,
a ministry within the PC(USA) that teaches that Jesus Christ can and does
transform peoples’ lives, the committee decided by a 53/1/2 (yes/no/abstain)
vote to approve the report with two comments.
The committee’s comments are as follows:
1. That the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns consider adding
additional resources provided by the National Coalition for the
Protection of Children (NCPCF), and by OneByOne;
2. That the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns consider removing
the resources identified with Miriam Therese Winter and James B. Nelson.
After a thoughtful discussion, the entire General Assembly agreed with its
committee by a 94% vote.
What does all of this mean?
First, it means that the assembly believes that the addition of the
resources cited above will balance the resources originally suggested by
ACWC. NCPCF was founded and continues to be directed by a PC(USA)
pastor. OneByOne is a ministry within the PC(USA) that resources
congregations who want to minister to individuals who are struggling
with all kinds of sexual brokenness in their lives. For the most part,
the resources suggested by ACWC focus on encouraging congregations to
provide ‘safe space” to victims of sexual abuse. The additional
resources will further encourage congregations to minister the healing
and transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Second, it means that the assembly believes that two of the resources
suggested by ACWC are inappropriate and should be deleted from the
report’s list of recommended reading. The first of these are books
authored by Miriam Therese Winter, a Catholic Nun whose writings go
beyond the legitimate boundaries of the Christian faith. The second is a
book by James B. Nelson that is not only offensive, but promotes
behaviors that are antithetical to Scripture and our Presbyterian
confessional standards.
While I understand that ACWC is obligated only to consider these changes, I
hope that its 12 members will take the gentle but clear advice of the 214th
General Assembly and strengthen their document by acting positively on its
suggestions. Not only will this strengthen their report, it will allow a
greater number of Presbyterians to use it.