Preparing to Defeat Amendment B in Your Presbytery

1. Preparing to Defeat Amendment B in Your Presbytery Terry Schlossberg The Presbyterian Coalition 703-680-4571 Terry@presbycoalition.org http://www.presbycoalition.org/campaign.cfm Sue Cyre Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry 540-898-4244 scyre@swva.net With appreciation to the ministry of OneByOne (www.oneby1.org), and to Presbyterians for Renewal (www. pfrenewal.org) for encouraging this series

2. Preparing to Defeat the New Amendment B in Your Presbytery Section 6 Planning Ahead for the Vote See Resource Packet, pages 37-43

3. Preparing to Defeat Amendment B in Your Presbytery Contents Section 1: Introduction: The Resource Packet Section 2: Compare the current language of G-6.0106b with the proposed language of Amendment B Section 3: The theological question raised by the amendment Section 4: The “discernment” process recommended by G.A. Section 5: Talking Points: Arguments you are likely to hear and arguments you will want to consider making Section 6: Planning ahead for the vote Section 7: Testimony of a life transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ

4. Resource Packetpages 37-43 Prepare for the presbytery debate and vote Process issues in the presbytery debate

5. Raise awareness and get out the vote Many sessions, especially those without pastors, may be unaware of the vote on this amendment, its implications, or even the date of the vote in your presbytery

6. Develop a working plan • Prayer support • A schedule from now to the vote • Participation in presbytery planning for the vote

7. Form a Team • Identify your leadership • Schedule a meeting for prayer and planning; create a calendar • We may be able to help you make friendly contacts in your presbytery. Ask us.

8. Principal preparation items • Equip voting commissioners to presbytery • Get out the vote

9. Pray • Organize prayer that includes everyone • Hold prayer vigils • Pray in worship services for the church • Provide prayer guides and reminders

10. Basic preparation Influence your presbytery’s plan for the vote

11. Presbytery informational meetings Participate in the planning: • Clear and fair • Each side choose its own representative to speak

12. Influence the presbytery’s plan for the vote • Central location • Place on the agenda (order of the day) • Good advance notice of date, place, time • Use of parliamentary process in the vote (Book of Order, G-9.0302)

13. Get presbyters together and equip them to • Participate in debate and discussion • Cast an informed vote

14. Presbyteries where the outcome is uncertain • Getting out a strong elder vote is critical • Strong persuasive speeches are necessary • Good presence at the microphones in debate is essential • Talking points in the Resource Packet

15. Presbyteries where the vote is likely to go against your convictions • Bring a clear witness for truth • Work hard to draw in your friends and make a strong showing • Increase the size of your vote

16. Prepare for an ongoing witness • Equipping as a way of learning and growing in conviction • Equipping as training in evangelism • Equipping as an opportunity to teach content and tone for other settings

17. Involve presbyters Prepare and practice floor speeches in a setting where counsel and help is available

18. Meeting options for equipping • A single meeting in a central location • Regional meetings • Visits to session groups • Speakers v. discussion groups • Conference calls

19. Maximizing your influence Consider • sending a letter • offering analysis of the amendment • a joint meeting of sessions to present information • sending a reminder of the meeting time, date, and place by letter or email • Encourage each church to send a full contingent of voting commissioners

20. Reach Out • Use telephone • Use email • Use postal service • Organize car pools and offer rides • Do not shy away from encouraging presbyters to vote against the amendment, and tell them why

21. “To Do” on the Day of the Vote • Consult the Resource Packet for more extensive advice • Be clear about what a “yes” or “no” vote means, so that people know how to vote • Aim for an order of the day • Ensure sufficient time for pro and con speeches • Consider the possible need for a written ballot • Be well positioned to reach the microphones • Use the help of Robert’s Rules or Marianne Wolfe’s booklet • Be prepared to call the question to end debate • Be prepared to call for a division of the house if the vote is close and you think the Moderator’s ruling requires a recount

22. Record the results of the vote and notify the Campaign office(703-680-4571, or terry@presbycoalition.org)We are posting a running tally of the outcomes well ahead of the official notice provided by the Office of the General Assembly

23. Preparing to Defeat Amendment B in Your Presbytery Terry Schlossberg The Presbyterian Coalition 703-680-4571 Terry@presbycoalition.org http://www.presbycoalition.org/campaign.cfm Sue Cyre Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry 540-898-4244 scyre@swva.net With appreciation to the ministry of OneByOne (www.oneby1.org), and to Presbyterians for Renewal (www. pfrenewal.org) for encouraging this series