Preparing to Defeat Amendment B in Your Presbytery

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Preparing to Defeat Amendment B in Your
Presbytery

• Terry Schlossberg
• The Presbyterian Coalition
• 703-680-4571 Terry_at_presbycoalition.org
• http//www.presbycoalition.org/campaign.cfm
• Sue Cyre
• Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry
• 540-898-4244 scyre_at_swva.net
• With appreciation to the ministry of OneByOne
  (www.oneby1.org),
• and to Presbyterians for Renewal (www.
  pfrenewal.org) for encouraging this series

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Preparing to Defeat the New Amendment B in Your
Presbytery

• Section 6
• Planning Ahead for the Vote
• See Resource Packet, pages 37-43

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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

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Resource Packetpages 37-43

• Prepare for the presbytery debate and vote
• Process issues in the presbytery debate

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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.

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Principal preparation items

• Equip voting commissioners to presbytery
• Get out the vote

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Pray

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

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Basic preparation

• Influence your presbyterys plan for the vote

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Presbytery informational meetings

• Participate in the planning
• Clear and fair
• Each side choose its own representative to speak

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Influence the presbyterys 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)

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Get presbyters together and equip them to

• Participate in debate and discussion
• Cast an informed vote

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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

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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

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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

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Involve presbyters

• Prepare and practice floor speeches in a setting
  where counsel and help is available

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Meeting options for equipping

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

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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

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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

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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 Roberts Rules or Marianne
  Wolfes 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
  Moderators ruling requires a recount

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Record the results of the vote and notify
the Campaign office (703-680-4571, or
terry_at_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
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Preparing to Defeat Amendment B in Your
Presbytery

• Terry Schlossberg
• The Presbyterian Coalition
• 703-680-4571 Terry_at_presbycoalition.org
• http//www.presbycoalition.org/campaign.cfm
• Sue Cyre
• Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry
• 540-898-4244 scyre_at_swva.net
• With appreciation to the ministry of OneByOne
  (www.oneby1.org),
• and to Presbyterians for Renewal (www.
  pfrenewal.org) for encouraging this series