Opportunities Before Us
November 27, 2007

We are approaching a new year. There is much to be hopeful about and there is much work to do.

GA 2008 and the nFOG
I'm encouraged by your response to the needs expressed! Many of you have written to me about your efforts to work through the proposed new Form of Government (nFOG). A number of you have expressed appreciation for the work of the task force and find things about the nFOG to applaud. However, I have not heard from a single person who thinks the next G.A. should adopt the rewrite. There seems to be an overwhelming feeling that a change of this proportion needs time to study and absorb. To be sure, there is a lot at stake.

The Presbytery of Mississippi is sending an overture asking for delay in a decision on the nFOG. It's not too late for other presbyteries to do the same. I urge you to consider the overture on our website at overture.

You also can do your part by affecting who is elected as commissioner from your presbytery. Please get involved in that process and please let me know the names of those your presbytery elects. Some of you have sent that information already. Thank you.

Don't forget PUP
The Presbyterian Church (USA) repeatedly and resoundingly has declared that fidelity in the marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness is a requirement for ordination or installation (see G-6.0106b of the Book of Order).

However, the PUP effect makes it look as if presbyteries may now decide that this requirement is not an essential of our polity and thus not necessary for ordination or installation. There are several such instances before presbyteries right now.

The PUP effect will be addressed by the upcoming General Assembly. There are overtures coming to nullify the recommendations adopted by the 2006 G.A. and to clarify that requirements of the constitution must be upheld by all of us. I encourage you to consider sending an overture or concurring with one that has already been adopted. You will find overtures on this subject on our website at http://www.presbycoalition.org/GA/GAovertures.htm.

Any overture or concurrence related to the constitution is due in the Office of the General Assembly by Feb. 22, 2008.

General Assembly standing committee opening
The Advocacy Committee on Women's Concerns (ACWC) has an opening. The committee meets three times per year for three days at a time. Expenses for service on the committee are funded by the denomination. If you are interested in bringing some balance to this committee, let me know by email and I'll get an application and more information to you.

Commit to reform
The PC(USA) is often compared to other mainline denominations as if our futures are bound together. It is true that similar influences are at work in each of the denominations, but we can make a difference in ours. The Gospel is about transformation: of people, of societies, and even of churches. If we are going to change direction, we will have to get to work ourselves.

The Coalition has adopted a plan for reform. Its goals are receiving widespread support. If you are on the mailing list for Theology Matters, you will be receiving a copy of the plan soon. You can find it featured prominently on our website, along with its extensive appendices-designed for action.

Redirecting the course and the commitments of this denomination requires that we all stand up, stand together, and take up the tools of reform. We in the Coalition want to help you take steps that restore faithfulness in our body.

Please join us in praying for the denomination. Please support our work. The challenges are great. The need for laborers is great.

Please use this turn-of-the-year opportunity to send a contribution to the Presbyterian Coalition. And get involved!

May God lead you into active service as a reformer.

Terry Schlossberg
The Presbyterian Coalition

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