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So what’s the big deal about General Assembly?
PRESBYTERIAN
FALL 2024
presbyterian.ca
Connection
JUST WONDERING...
Answered by the Rev. Don Muir, Deputy Clerk
Every year since 1875, The Pres- byterian Church in Canada has called ministers and elders from across the nation to gather for its General Assembly. Every year but one, that is. Though the Assembly was held during the devastation and grief of two world wars and a world-wide depression, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that prevent- ed an in-person gathering in 2020, when the church was not yet or- ganized to meet any other way.
Why does our denomination so resolutely invest time and money into this gathering? The answer largely has to do with the fact that we are not a “congregation- al” denomination in which each congregation is governed by its immediate members alone. The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a denomination of intercon- nected and sharing congrega- tions governed by a system of “courts” that are designed to provide pastoral care, supervi- sion and oversight. The courts, called Session, presbytery, synod and General Assembly, are made up of ministers and elders. Each court strives to discern the mind of Christ for the denomination. At ordination, each minister and elder promises to accept, share in, and submit to the courts while seeking the peace and unity of Christ in the church.
Sessions oversee everything that happens in the life and minis- try of congregations, such as re- ceiving and supporting members,
and encouraging worship and mission through the generous stewardship of time, talent and treasure. Presbyteries, among other things, care for congrega- tions and ministers within their bounds, by erecting new con- gregations and processing calls to ministers, for example. Each synod works with a collection of presbyteries to ensure records are properly kept, they deal with any complaints that may arise, and coordinate shared ventures such as a camp ministry.
The General Assembly is the highest court of our church. One- sixth of the ministers on presby- tery constituent rolls and an equal number of elders are commis- sioned to attend each Assembly. They hear reports of the boards, committees and councils of the church as a way of holding them accountable for the ministries they are directed to fulfill. They also recommend, usually by way of overtures, new ideas to ex- plore and develop. Commission- ers make decisions on doctrine; ecumenical and interfaith issues; theological training; governance matters; Canadian, international, Indigenous and justice ministries; and more. The decisions of the General Assembly apply to every synod, presbytery and Session. Those who attend often comment on the thrill of worshipping God with hundreds of fellow Presbyte- rians, while engaging in meaning- ful and informative conversations with former and new friends from across Canada. Commissioners are grateful for the opportunity to
Answered by Barb Summers, Editor
First of all, thank you for thinking of the newspaper! We’re grate- ful to all volunteer writers and contributors.
The purpose of the newspaper is to equip the church for service and ministry; educate; provide ideas, programs and best practic- es for use by other ministries and congregations; foster connection across the denomination and country; and inspire the church with good news stories. To do
this, we publish articles from events and activities that have already taken place in the hopes other congregations will take the ideas and adapt them to their own context and enhance their own mission and ministry. In this way, we hope congregations learn from and share with each other.
There are two problems with sharing news of upcoming events. First is the sheer amount of content. We simply wouldn’t be able to include it all. The sec- ond is that the newspaper is dis- tributed across the country, and
an announcement about some- thing happening in Saint John isn’t likely going to be relevant to readers in northern British Columbia.
Instead, if you’re looking to share news of an event or spe- cial celebration to come, you can share your social media posts with a larger PCC audi- ence by tagging @presbyterian_ church_in_canada. To get in touch with the PCC Communications Office, call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 242 or email communications@ presbyterian.ca.
I tried to submit an article to the newspaper about our church’s welcome back autumn picnic coming up, but it wasn’t approved. Can someone explain this to me?
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participate in the church at this level.
For those who have never at- tended an Assembly, it may seem that the work of the Assembly isn’t something that has much impact on the lives of local congrega- tions or members. But the more Presbyterians become familiar with the work and witness of the
Assembly, either by attending as a commissioner or just by reading the repor ts and recommendations presented at the Assemblies, it can become clear just how impor tant the General Assembly is for our denomination and for the work and witness of the church.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a connectional
church—connected through levels of discernment, worship, pastoral care, oversight and fel- lowship by which we seek to faithfully understand God’s call to us and our response to that call. This is, in part, what makes us unique and we celebrate that uniqueness within the diversity of God’s people and God’s church.
Voting at the 2024 General Assembly.