Here we provide a few helpful links to Presbyterian and secular resources as you seek to understand what is at stake this year and how you may hold effective conversations.
The
full text of the amendment, including the minority report, and the adopted comment urging Presbyteries to consider this amendment using processes of listening and discernment can be found
here.
You can also read the
Advisory Opinion from the Office of Constitutional Services concerning the recent actions of the General Assembly.
The Theological Task Force on the Peace Unity and Purity of the Church (which met from 2001 to 2006) offers several
helpful resources published along with their final report. These resources include:
- Principles of Polity: Their Contribution to the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Presbyterian Church — This item served as a discussion resource during the drafting of the final report of the task force. This resource is available in three languages: English, Korean and Spanish.
- Discernment and Decision-Making: This paper describes processes of communal spiritual discernment, which the task force and other bodies have found helpful, to assist the church as it seeks to be led by the Holy Spirit and to live into its call to embody the peace, unity, and purity that are God’s gifts to us in Jesus Christ. Available in English, Korean and Spanish.
- Also available on the website are several Bible Studies and curriculum for small group discussion and sharing.
Adopted by the 204th General Assembly (1992) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for use by sessions and congregations, but useful for everyone please see
Seeking to be Faithful Together:Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Disagreement.And now, moving beyond the Presbyterian World, please see below:
We Have to Talk: A Step-By-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations By Judy Ringer, Author of Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict, stories and practices on the connection between aikido, conflict, and living a purposeful life. Judy Ringer is a trainer and consultant in the areas of conflict, communication, and creating positive work environments.
Eleven Ideas for Making a Hard Conversation Work
Moving Beyond Polarization
