A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Bob and Olive McBay attended the 117th Assembly in Barrie, Ontario, June 3-7, 1991. They are both active in the Greater Vancouver Renewal Fellowship activities and attend Coquitlam Church.

Attending the Assembly for the first time proved to be an interesting and rewarding experience. Most of us who attend a local Presbyterian church are unaware of how major decisions are arrived at and how policies are formed on a national basis. We often become disturbed at trends that seem to be filtered down to us and eventually affect the spiritual life of even a small local church. Particularly in the West we seem very removed from where the action is and sometimes feel powerless to make our influence count in any way. However, our local Sessions can influence the Presbytery in each area and recommendations from the Presbyteries can be brought to the General Assembly each year. It is encouraging to see some definite signs of Christian vitality and new possibilities for the extension of God’s Kingdom as the Holy Spirit works in and through the people in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Highlights of the General Assembly

  1. Dr. John Allan, the retired Moderator from Victoria, gave an inspiring address at the opening Assembly (see pp. 2-4). He painted a realistic picture of a church in trouble in a society that ignores or criticizes traditional faith. He warned of threats to the church both from within and without. He emphasized that hope for the church lies not in forming new committees or attempting to solve the problems from a secular model, but in recognizing our need for dependence on prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. He went on to say that people outside the church are rejecting the church as an institution but have deep spiritual needs that we must be prepared to meet by reaching out and ministering to them with the love of Christ within their own environment.
  2. A motion was passed to restructure the administration of the church in the Toronto office. The aim is to cut costs and create a more effective framework for decision-making and action. It could be a move in the right direction if the people involved are open to the leading of God’s Spirit. They will have a great influence on the church as a whole.
    Rev. Glen Davis, who was appointed General Secretary of Life and Mission, impressed us with his emphasis on being true to the Word and God’s eternal purposes as we move forward in the years ahead. Rev. Gael Matheson, a young minister from Prince Edward Island, gave a powerful warning of the danger in the restructuring process of allowing major decisions to be made by committees prior to the Assembly rather than having policies dealt with on the floor of the Assembly. She emphasized the importance of being true to our Presbyterian roots.
    Most of the committees seem to be made up of ministers and elders from eastern Canada and while distance and cost make this understandable, it is important that in some way we in the West make our views heard to those serving on important committees, such as Church Doctrine, World Missions, and Theological Education.
  3. In the light of the acceptance by some denominations today of many alternate roads to salvation, it was encouraging to have Dan MacDougall, an elder from Pickering, Ontario, propose an amendment to a statement on the Theology of Mission. The new wording states: “We joyfully declare Jesus Christ as the victorious and only mediator through whom the world is reconciled to God.” This passed without conflict.
  4. The Young Observers in attendance offered real inspiration and a sense of hope for the church of the future. They emphasized the need for evangelism with a particular thrust on outreach through camp ministries and campus life. They felt it was important to include them in the decision-making process in the church family and not merely giving them “token” positions. They need to be informed of basic issues and felt somewhat “strangled” by lack of background information on these at the Assembly. Attendance at the Assembly had encouraged them to feel that the Holy Spirit is indeed working in our church.
    They appreciated the open discussions and the respect shown for others as differing views were voiced. They expressed the desire that in local churches they be considered as “fellow Presbyterians growing together in the love of Christ.” The enthusiasm of the young people was catching.
  5. On the issue of practising homosexuals being allowed into the ministry, it was recommended and passed that we re-affirm our stand on not allowing this to happen. A committee is studying the whole issue of sexuality as it relates to Christian service and a report will be made at a later assembly. Much prayer is needed on this issue to enable us as a church to be true to God’s Word. Concerned church members should voice their views to the National Committee on Church Doctrine or to their church Sessions or by letters to the Editor of The Presbyterian Record magazine.
  6. The Renewal Fellowship within The Presbyterian Church under the leadership of Bob Little sponsored three well-attended prayer meetings after the evening sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. It was a blessing to join in prayer together with representatives from many churches and to hear of God’s working in various congregations. Two churches have early morning prayer meetings at five and six o’clock!
    One of the young observers who attended an evening prayer meeting of the Renewal Fellowship felt convicted at never praying aloud. That night after returning to the group of young people, he felt the Lord speaking to him and experienced real freedom to pray aloud and rejoiced in the sense of God’s presence in a wonderful new way in his life.
  7. Since 1991 was the 25th Anniversary of women’s ordination in the Presbyterian Church a great deal of attention was given to their changing roles in the church today. Hymns written by women were sung in the worship services. Several of the morning messages and many of the committee reports were presented by women. Rev. Karen Hincke was appointed to a key position in the restructured office administration. She will be General Secretary of Support Services.
  8. While commendation was offered to the Editor of The Presbyterian Record, there were some suggestions made for improvement. Rather than criticizing, we should be writing to the Editor to let him know what types of articles we would like included or excluded. Perhaps more real-life stories from people who have actually been greatly helped by a local Presbyterian church would make the magazine more relevant and inspirational to the average reader.
  9. On a lighter note, accommodation and food at the Assembly were excellent. Hours were long (9h hours in meetings one day) and weariness at times took over. On Wednesday night a break was provided for all to enjoy and choices were given for visits to points of interest. We deeply appreciated the hospitality and friendliness of the folks in the Midland Church who hosted us for the evening. The experience emphasized for us that one of the blessings of the Assembly was the special bond experienced amongst members of God’s family.
    For those of us who belong to young churches in the West, it proved of great interest to associate with people from much older, traditional Presbyterian churches in the East – particularly from the Maritimes and Toronto. They have much to offer us in their respect for tradition and roots of Presbyterianism. We have much to share with them in enthusiasm, a desire for evangelistic thrust and a greater freedom in worship and prayer. We can learn from each other and hopefully work together to fulfill God’s purposes and seek to expand his Kingdom.