The 219th General Assembly (2010) has created a Middle Governing Body Commission with the power to act as the General Assembly, upon request of presbyteries and synods. The commission has the power "to organize new synods and to divide, unite, or otherwise combine synods or portions of synods previously existing" (G-13.0103m) and "to approve the organization, division, uniting or combining of presbyteries or portions of presbyteries by synods" (G-13.0103n) —
upon the request, by a majority vote, of the affected presbyteries and/or synod.
What does it mean?
Presbyteries and synods wishing to realign their structures or boundaries may request such , actions from the commission and make those changes without having to wait until the 220th General Assembly (2012) for approval. The commission will also supervise the work of the Special Committee on Administrative Review of the Synod of Boriquen in Puerto Rico and its constituent presbyteries. That special committee has been seeking reconciliation among the governing bodies in Puerto Rico, which have experienced struggles that threaten the effectiveness of the PC(USA)'s mission and ministry in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The 219th General Assembly voted to continue the special committee for two more years.
What's next?
The moderators of the 218th General Assembly (the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow) and the 219th General Assembly (Elder Cynthia Bolbach) will appoint the 21-member commission. The commission will serve until at least the 220th General Assembly (2012). It must include at least one representative from each of the 16 synods.
Where can I learn more?
The Office of the General Assembly will provide information about the membership, meetings and activities of the commission at www.pcusa.org/oga.