NPC Hosts Form-of-Government Discussion
"Changing the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church: What Does It Mean for You? A Discussion of the Proposed New Form of Government (FOG)"
National Presbyterian Church
Sunday, April 6, 2008
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Presentations by
Cynthia Bolbach, elder at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, VA, past Moderator of the Presbytery of National Capital, and Co-Moderator of the FOG Task Force.
James Berkley, minister member of the Presbytery of Seattle, former senior associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, WA, and Director of Presbyterian Action for Faith and Freedom.
Background
In 2006, the General Assembly of the PCUSA approved the formation of a task force to bring a new Form of Government to the General Assembly in 2008. The report was mailed to churches in January of 2008. The purpose of this forum was to aid Presbyterians’ understanding of the content and implications of the proposed new Form of Government.
Program
The afternoon was divided into segments.
-
I. Presentations of twenty minutes each
The need for a new FOG
The new FOG’s organization: the most significant changes and their implications
The effect of creating a Foundations section and a look at its content
How handbooks and regulations will affect the church’s life
Bolbach's Audio
Berkley's Audio
-
II. Presentations of ten minutes each on
What factors will affect the adoption process and outcome?
What in the new FOG benefits or improves our situation, or
What hurts our situation or would need to change in order to help the church?
-
III. Conclusion: Two minute concluding statements by each presenter
-
IV. Q&A
Q&A Audio Track 1
Q&A Audio Track 2
Q&A Audio Track 3
Q&A Audio Track 4
Q&A Audio Track 5
Q&A Audio Track 6
Q&A Audio Track 7
Q&A Audio Track 8
Additional Audio Files Received Early May, 2008
(Tracks 11-15 are the last 5 Q & A 2nd session questions; Tracks 16 and 17 are the final 2 minute concluding statements)
Link to the new FOG and to resource materials including comparison with the current FOG: