"…endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians
4:3, NKJV)

The Denominational Concerns Committee is one of 12 committees of Session and is generally made up of active Elders and reserve Elders/lay persons. Currently, the Elders are Willie Knierim and Pat Reeder. Reserve Elders and laypersons are Bud Frith (Moderator), Gerry Oerter, Jim Vratny, Curt Hill, Roger Love, and Allan Harvey. The staff resource is Dr. Peter Barnes.

The scope of this committee includes overview, education and communications for activities of the PC(USA)’s General Assembly, Synod of the Rocky Mountains, and Presbytery of Plains and Peaks that relate to the governance and actions by these bodies that may have issues pertinent to First Pres Boulder.

Additionally, the committee may be asked by Session to review and make recommendations of special interests to the Session and/or congregation. An example would be the distribution of special budgeted funds or gifts to assist small Presbyterian churches within our Presbytery.

Sometimes, issues of controversy may arise in the denomination. In such cases, the committee, in conjunction with Session, may coordinate the response of our church and any communication about these matters to the congregation.

In 2004, such an issue arose with regard to a resolution of the General Assembly concerning Israel. Click here for materials related to the response of our church leadership on this issue.

In late 2005, a Task Force of the General Assembly issued a report on the “Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church” that contained some controversial recommendations in the area of ordination standards. Click here for materials related to the response of our church leadership to that report and the issues it raised.

Contact:
Members with questions or comments about the work of the Denominational Concerns Committee or about issues in the Presbyterian Church (USA) are welcome to send them to denomination@fpcboulder.org.