What is Presbyterian identity? When did you know, at your core, that you were a PCUSA Presbyterian? In this episode Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shares how the interplay of the theological aspects of our faith and the polity side of things came together and played a role in her realizing that she was indeed a Presbyterian.
How does Presbyterian identity inform our practices and how we live out God's mission in the world as the covenant community of faith? Why does it matter?
Please share your thoughts with us by writing to alongtheroad@pcusa.org. Thank you!

The hosts of the Encounter and Nourish episodes join together to think back on all of the gifts that the second season brought to the listeners – and the hosts. Contribute your own feedback and reflections by emailing them at alongtheroad@pcusa.org.

In this episode referencing the document, Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians in Times of Disagreement, Ruling Elder Sara Pottschmidt joins us to reflect on navigating difficult conversations or conflicts that may raise uncomfortable feelings of disappointment, anger, or even defensiveness particularly as we serve in the various councils of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and beyond.

The Standing Rules of the General Assembly remind us that “As Presbyterians, we are called to work for the peace, unity, and purity of the church as we seek to be faithful in God’s work in the world."

In addition to using the Guidelines linked above, commissioners, advisory delegates, and participants to the General Assembly attest that they will abide by the GA Code of Conduct.

• Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians in Times of Disagreement
• General Assembly Code of Conduct

Mark Koenig provides a reflection on call with a capital “C” and call with a lowercase “c”, and the way that our calls connect us to community.

More on these aspects of ministry as presented by Jack Stotts, are available here.

The 225th General Assembly (2022) introduced and the 226th General Assembly will continue to use equity primes, prompts, and questions to lessen bias and ensure that multiple and diverse perspectives and invited and considered in order that we may "hear the voice of the Spirit contributed by all participants" in our decision-making. Join Amanda Craft, Office of the General Assembly and Robin Pugh, Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, who serve as GA226 Equity Support Coordinators to learn more about creating and utilizing equity practices in your various contexts.
Resources:
PCUSA Equip Course on Choice Points and Equity Primes: https://equip.pcusa.org/course/view.php?id=540
OGA Leader Formation Webinar: Practicing Inclusion: https://vimeo.com/761091588

• Discernment Equity Primes for Groups/Committees (pdf)
• Equity Primes for Individuals (pdf)
• Practicing Inclusion Webinar - List of Resources (pdf)

The work of a commissioner isn't just to one meeting and then they are done? While this may be a surprise to some, Jihyun Oh helps us understand a little more about the service of PC(USA) commissioners and how the rest of us can support them.

Hello Church People! As Mid Council Leaders with years of valuable experience, and also as former Commissioners to the General Assembly and advisory delegates, Fran Lane Lawrence, Forrest Classen, and Eliana Maxim share with us their thoughts, strategies, and ideas on how to prepare commissioners for the overwhelming mental, physical and Spiritual encounters they will have in the next General Assembly. Join us!

Deacon and college student, Axel Obed Nieves Torres, shares his story of call to church leadership and how he connected to the ministries through his God-given gifts, giving all of us a chance to reflect on our own gifts and call.