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In 1999, the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC) sent a report on prostitution to the General Assembly.  That GA commissioned a further study on the root causes of prostitution, sexual exploitation, sexual addiction, and how Presbyterians are responding to these issues. 

The follow-up report entitled Sisters of Mercy, Daughters of Grace — Presbyterians and Prostituted Women came to the 214th GA meeting in Columbus.  By a 94% vote, the commissioners received the report, but not before sending ACWC a gentle but clear message.

Here’s what happened. 

The motion to receive the report was originally part of the consent agenda during the first plenary session of the assembly on Saturday afternoon.  That means that it was included with a large number of items that were to be acted on at the same time with a single vote. Had it not been removed from the consent agenda, the report would effectively have been “rubber stamped” by the assembly.  But, a commissioner asked that it be removed. Once removed, it was sent to one of the assembly’s committees for more careful consideration.

Because ACWC is one of three special advisory or advocacy committees set up years ago by the General Assembly, its reports are not subject to amendment.  All the assembly can do is approve them, disapprove them, approve them with comment, or disapprove them with comment.

After hearing testimony from Theresa Latini, Executive Director of OneByOne, a ministry within the PC(USA) that teaches that Jesus Christ can and does transform peoples’ lives, the committee decided by a 53/1/2 (yes/no/abstain) vote to approve the report with two comments.

The committee’s comments are as follows:

1. That the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns consider adding additional resources provided by the National Coalition for the Protection of Children (NCPCF), and by OneByOne;

2. That the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns consider removing the resources identified with Miriam Therese Winter and James B. Nelson.

What does all of this mean?

· First, it means that the assembly believes that the addition of the resources cited above will balance the resources originally suggested by ACWC.  NCPCF was founded and continues to be directed by a PC(USA) pastor.  OneByOne is a ministry within the PC(USA) that resources congregations who want to minister to individuals who are struggling with all kinds of sexual brokenness in their lives.  For the most part, the resources suggested by ACWC focus on encouraging congregations to provide “safe space” to victims of sexual abuse.  The additional resources will further encourage congregations to minister the healing and transforming power of Jesus Christ.

· Second, it means that the assembly believes that two of the resources suggested by ACWC are inappropriate and should be deleted from the report’s list of recommended reading.  The first of these are books authored by Miriam Therese Winter, a Catholic Nun whose writings go beyond the legitimate boundaries of the Christian faith.  The second is a book by James B. Nelson that is not only offensive, but promotes behaviors that are antithetical to Scripture and our Presbyterian confessional standards.