The expanded Form of Government Task Force was charged by the 218th General Assembly with engaging sessions and presbyteries in a period of study of the new Form of Government documents.  Since the 218th General Assembly, the Task Force had revised the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity and Form of Government documents (see attached) based on the feedback received through the Assembly, including all of the overtures, advice and counsel memoranda, and Assembly Committee comments.  These revised documents are now presented to the denomination for their study and response. 

In addition to the revised documents, the Task Force has created several additional documents (see attached) to aid the church in this time of study and response:

       Individual Preparation Guide  This document guides individuals through the Foundations and Form of Government proposals, to prepare them for taking part in a group study.

       Group Study Guide   This document guides groups in discussing and responding to the Task Force’s work.

       Updated Advisory Handbooks for Councils

 

These documents can also be seen at the Form of Government Task Force website:  http://www.pcusa.org/formofgovernment/

The Task Force will receive responses to their work from now until June 30, 2009.  Following the period of study and response, the Task Force will make additional revisions to their work, and submit final versions to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly by the date set by the 218th General Assembly, October 15, 2009. 

Sessions and presbyteries are encouraged to take advantage of this period for study and response, so that the best possible proposal may be presented to the 219th General Assembly in 2010.

Cynthia Bolbach and Dan Williams