| Synod of the Pacific holds The Eighty-Second Stated Meeting
February 12 -14, 2004
Mercy Center , Burlingame , California
The commissioners of Synod V are asking hard questions: What is the future vision of the Synod of the Pacific? How will it work in partnership with its eleven presbyteries?
Two task forces have been formed; the first is to review the Synod's Mission Statement for revision, and the second task force will plan the Mission Partnership Funding Consultation scheduled for April.
Synod Executive, Robert Brink set the tone for the week with his opening address to the commissioners at Thursday's plenary session, ". . . . It is our responsibility as synod commissioners, synod staff, presbytery staff, ex-officio and co-opted members, guests and Christian sisters and brothers, to assist and support the members of these task forces in their work. " click here for entire address
During plenary Stated Clerk, Joey Mills read the necrology report, remembering those from our presbyteries who had passed away during 2003.
The evening was concluded in worship lead by Moderator Vincent Mok and with the sharing of Holy Communion.
Friday Synod commissioners broke out into committee meetings to discuss the various agendas before them.
On Saturday morning the Synod commissioners reconvened to listen to committee reports and vote on the necessary action items. Following is a very brief overview of each committees report:
MISSION FINANCE COMMITTEE 
Ann Butterfield, Director of Business Services, reviewed the 2003 Year ending financials with the commissioners.
The Mission Fianance Committee reviewed and recommended approval of approximately $8,000,000 in Loans.
The committee discussed capital advances and reviewed the history and background of, as well as the current policy toward repayment of these advances. A subcommittee was formed to bring a policy proposal to the May meeting in regard to outstanding capital advances.
 MISSION PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE
The Budget Consultation Task Force has planned the April consultation. Each governing unit will be represented by its Executive and up to two additional representatives; more representatives may come to the Presbytery's expense, though space is limited. Each governing unit will have one vote. Each delegation will be asked to briefly introduce their Presbytery, and to give a presentation at the May synod meeting of how their unit is benefiting from mission giving. Gary Torrens will be asked to moderate this meeting.
The Sexual Misconduct Prevention Task Force has made great progress since October 2003. A new contract with the Faith Trust Institute, formerly Center for Prevention of Sexual Violence, allows the use of a smaller, less expensive workbook; four non-copyrighted brochures covering misconduct issues are available to all Presbyteries and churches.
Hilda V. Thompson grant applications (for health missions) have been sent to all Presbytery executives and stated clerks; funds are available, and Presbytery officers are encouraged to make potential applicants aware of the opportunity.
At the request of the Mission Personnel Committee, the Committee has formed a Task Force to plan for direct outreach to pastors, explaining the mission of the Synod and encouraging closer support and partnership. This may involve regional or synod-wide retreats, dissemination of literature, or other means of communication.
MISSION PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 
Report on Redwoods Presbytery: Redwoods Presbytery is in the process of evaluating whether or not to join the synod's personnel system.
Cascades Presbytery has withdrawn from synod's personnel system effective January 1, 2004 . They have developed their own personnel manual, payroll and record keeping. Thanks to the Synod, Cascades feels the transition has been smooth.
San Jose Presbytery is in the process of doing a mission study, the results to help its search committee call a permanent Executive Presbyter.
Synod approved the 2004 "Terms of Call" for Called/Elected Staff.
Synod approved the concept of a location supplement application form for candidates to a Called/Elected staff position.
Synod accepted a preliminary compensation figure for 2005.
COMMITTEE ON REPRESENTATION
Key issues of the Synod Committee of Representation/National Asian Presbyterian Council consultation included the following:
- Though there are increasing opportunities for ministries in communities growing in Asian and Pacific American residents, there seems to be a lack of hospitable spirit and sensitivity in existing Presbyterian congregations with regard to enthusiastic outreach and facility- providing efforts.
- Given the emergence of second and third generation members in many Asian and Pacific American congregations, there is a priority need to sustain, retain, and empower youth and young adults.
- The increasing demand for pastoral leadership for the growing number of Asian and Pacific American congregations and fellowship groups, and the need to identify, recruit, support, and retain pastoral leadership vs. the language-related obstacles experienced by racial ethnic seminary students from non-English speaking backgrounds hindered by standard ordination examinations offered only in English, Spanish and Korean.
- The need for pastors vs. seemingly rigid Book of Order requirements governing the transfer of pastors from denominations not in correspondence with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In response to the findings of the COR/NAPC consultation, Synod took action on a series of recommendations by the Committee on Representation. One recommendation however, regarding drafting overtures to the General Assembly to propose more flexible approaches to assess and enable eligibility for transfer of racial ethnic pastors from denominations not in correspondence with the Presbyterian Church (USA) was referred back to committee for further study and clarification
STATED CLERK
General Assembly reversed two Synod PJC decisions.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY COUNCIL
Synod Executive, Rob Brink reported on the request from General Assembly (2003) to create a 5 th special offering. The GA task group assigned to review this request recommended that another special offering not be created. Research shows that churches will respond effectively to only three or four special offerings per year, and t implement another offering would be detrimental to the new mission thrust, "Joining Hearts & Hands." |
In Thursday's plenary, the Synod began the first of a series of three strategic discussions. The topic at this meeting was "Exploring Sources of Revenue". Reverend Vistan Choy presented the idea of joining together instead of competing with each other for specific mission grants. He also asked the question, "Are there things that we could not ask of each other, but instead rely on ourselves"? Reverend Choy went on to discuss how his presbytery, San Francisco , seeks outside funding sources who share common interests. This was not a way to fulfill their budget but rather to enable them to find additional funding for specific mission projects. 
Thursday evening ended in worship and with a special recognition celebration for Central Office employee, Ani Lele'a. Ani celebrates her 40th year of employment with the Synod. 
