Decentralization and debates surrounding the same-sex issue have left Presbyterians in the United States largely unaware of the denomination's national mission and development work, says the church's new head of national and international ministries.
Linda Bryant Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Council, says the church is “embroiled in debates that can distract from our mission.”
She also noted “individuals and congregations want to have more direct involvement in mission. There is less money for the national church and at the same time a flourishing of activity at the local level.
Valentine's comments come on the heels of a massive restructuring at the 2.5-million-member denomination's headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. About 100 staff were laid off in May, including 40 overseas jobs, with more to leave this month. The cuts are expected to save about $5.2 million US annually on an overall budget of $113.9 million.
General Assembly Council recently endorsed Valentine's new leadership and organizational structure for the church's mission program. The new structure, expected to take effect January 1, will have six program directors overseeing worship, education and stewardship; evangelism, church growth and leadership; social justice and peacemaking; relief and development; mission partnerships and women's and racial ethnic ministries.
The Church of Scotland is facing what some are calling “its biggest crisis for more than a century” after pro-gay ministers set up a campaign group to lobby for the rights of homosexual clergy. According to Scotsman.com, a group calling themselves Affirmation Scotland wants to lift what it claims is the “climate of fear” and intimidation surrounding homosexuality.
The issue of gay marriage was raised at the May General Assembly, where 322 commissioners voted to allow ministers to “conduct a service marking a civil partnership” (with 314 voting against it). However, the final decision has been sent to presbyteries under the Barrier Act, with traditionalists hoping that the grassroots of the church will have a less forgiving view of homosexuality than the assembly.
“I think there are people who see the church as being closed,” said Rev. Kim Cran, one of the founders of Affirmation Scotland. “I want to see an open church. – with files from Presbyterian News Service and Scotland on Sunday and The Sunday Times
