Moderator Election

Reyes-Chow elected moderator of 218th General Assembly

San Francisco pastor wins second ballot victory

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow was elected moderator of the 218th General Assembly. Photo by Joseph Williams

SAN JOSE, June 21, 2008 —The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, 39, an energetic new church development pastor in San Francisco and leader in the “emergent church” movement, was elected moderator of the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Saturday night (June 21), capturing a second ballot victory.

Reyes-Chow — who received 48 percent of the first ballot votes — won an easy majority on the second ballot with 390 votes or 55 percent.

The Rev. William “Bill” Teng of National Capital Presbytery finished second with 255 votes or 36 percent. The Rev. D. Carl Mazza of New Castle Presbytery finished third with 52 votes or 7 percent. Elder Roger Shoemaker of Homestead Presbytery trailed with seven votes or 1 percent.

Reyes-Chow is pastor of Mission Bay Community Church, an innovative new church of San Francisco Presbytery that was recently named winner of a 2007 Sam and Helen Walton Award for outstanding new church development. In his address to the Assembly, he noted that he makes as many pastoral calls by email as by in-person visitation.

Such is the future of ministry, Reyes-Chow said. Mission Bay has a state-of-the-art Web site and extensive electronic communications among members and participants, which he said is absolutely essential for a congregation that is predominantly under-40.

In her nominating speech for him, Elder Vivian Guthrie of Greater Atlanta Presbytery urged Reyes-Chow’s election “to keep our church relevant … or we aren’t going to be on the same page as younger people. Bruce has a profound understanding of the way the world is changing, so he can help us feel less anxious and less resistant to change.” Read more.

Candidates

The following individuals have been endorsed by their presbyteries as a candidate for Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008):

• The Rev. Bill Teng, endorsed Nov. 27, 2007, by National Capital Presbytery
• The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, endorsed Jan. 15, 2008, by San Francisco Presbytery
• The Rev. Carl Mazza, endorsed Jan. 18, 2008, by New Castle Presbytery
• Elder Roger Shoemaker, endorsed Feb. 16, 2008, by Homestead Presbytery

Download the Moderator candidates' booklet.

Guidelines

The following guidelines are for the purpose of providing clarification of the Standing Rules for commissioners wishing to stand for election for Moderator of the General Assembly and for those advising such persons. Additional questions may be directed to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.

Notification that a presbytery has endorsed a commissioner as a candidate for moderator

The stated clerk of the presbytery should send a letter to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Clifton Kirkpatrick, notifying him that the presbytery has endorsed a commissioner to stand as a candidate for Moderator. A copy of this letter should be sent to Joyce E. Evans, Assistant to the Stated Clerk and General Assembly Moderator.

The letter should include the name and address of the commissioner, and the date of the presbytery’s action. The presbytery may include the wording of the endorsing action of the presbytery, a short synopsis of the commissioner’s background, and other information it considers important.

Selection of Vice-Moderator

In accordance with Standing Rule H.1.c. (1) of the Manual of the General Assembly, ordinarily, no later than 45 days before the convening of the assembly, a Moderatorial candidate shall announce the selection of a commissioner who will be proposed to serve as Vice Moderator.

Spending limits for campaigns

The Manual of the General Assembly states that candidates should budget campaign spending of no more than $1,500.00, excluding travel and meeting expenses related to their candidacy [Standing Rule H.1.b.(3) (a)]. General Assemblies have encouraged frugality in expenditures, reflecting the church’s conviction that persons “stand” for election for Moderator rather than “run” for Moderator.

The Manual of the General Assembly requires that each candidate submit to the Stated Clerk an itemized statement of expenses, including travel and meeting expenses related to his/her candidacy and in kind contributions. This statement shall be submitted to the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly prior to the convening of the General Assembly. [Standing Rule H.1.b.(3)(a)].

These statements should be delivered to Assistant to the Stated Clerk and General Assembly Moderator, no later than Wednesday at noon before the convening of the Assembly. She will ensure that the statements are delivered to the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly in accordance with the Standing Rule. This information will be distributed to commissioners and advisory delegates prior to the election of the Moderator.

Examples of campaign expenditures, including those paid for in-kind donations, that must be listed in the itemized statement include, but are not limited to:

• Refreshments, display, and other materials for “Meet the Candidates” at General Assembly
• Buttons
• Postage
• Brochures and other printed material
• Telephone expenses and other electronic charges
• Design and maintenance of a Web site

Although not applied against the $1,500.00 limit, candidates must list all travel and meetings related to their candidacy. This includes frequent flyer coupons and other in-kind donations.

Meetings of groups of Presbyterians

There may be occasions, prior to the meeting of the General Assembly, when groups of Presbyterians hold forums and invite candidates to attend. At these times, such groups should invite all candidates, and pay all expenses. It is hoped that individuals will only accept invitations when they have been extended to all candidates. Participation in these events should be listed in the travel portion of the candidate’s itemized statement as outlined above.

Candidates’ booklet

In accordance with the Standing Rules, the Stated Clerk publishes for commissioners and advisory delegates an electronic information packet. [Standing Rule H.1.(3)(e.)] The packet will include a photograph, biographical sketch, personal statement by the candidate (including a statement regarding the candidate’s sense of call to office), a written presentation by the presbytery having jurisdiction over the candidate, if that governing body has endorsed the candidate, and announcement of the commissioner each candidate has selected to be presented to the assembly for confirmation as Vice Moderator if the candidate is elected, and the responses of the candidate to a questionnaire developed by the Stated Clerk. The questionnaire and information on requirements will be mailed on February 15, 2008.

The questionnaire is based upon issues that will be before the church as business presented to the General Assembly. There is a strictly enforced word limitation on the responses. Candidates should be sure to keep within the limit so that commissioners and advisory delegates will have the benefit of a complete response. The deadline for submitting material to be printed in the informational packet is 75 days prior to the convening of the General Assembly. Materials will be due on April 7, 2008.

Electronic meetings

The information contained in the Candidates’ Booklet is made available on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Web site. The Office of the General Assembly does not provide a link to a candidate’s individual Web site.

Printed materials

Standing Rule H.1.b.(3).(b) prohibits candidates from mailing campaign materials, either print or electronic, to commissioners and/or advisory delegates. The Standing Rule also prohibits candidates from permitting such mailings to be sent.

Resourcing for moderatorial candidates

The Stated Clerk holds an early conference call with endorsed candidates for the purpose of discussing issues related to moderatorial candidacy.

Moderatorial candidates are invited to attend the General Assembly Leadership Training Event held approximately three weeks prior to the Assembly. A special orientation for candidates will be conducted. The orientation deals with matters that candidates will face at General Assembly and includes briefings by General Assembly entities leadership. This consultation will be held on May 14-17, 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Participation at this event should not be perceived as a campaign opportunity. The cost for this event will be borne by the Office of the General Assembly and is not applied against the $1,500.00 campaign spending amount nor is it reported under travel costs.

The Office of the General Assembly provides candidates with complimentary videos of previous elections.

Space for Candidates

The Standing Rules provide for a room for each candidate prior to the election. This provides an opportunity for commissioners and advisory delegates to meet and talk with candidates. Rooms to be assigned to candidates will be drawn by lot.

Compliance

The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) receives the candidates’ itemized statement of expenses as well as a report on the candidates’ compliance with campaign practices. The COGA shall report its findings to the Assembly prior to the moderatorial election, as well as post the itemized statements of campaign expenditures for the information of commissioners and advisory delegates.

For more information contact:
Joyce E. Evans
Assistant to the Stated Clerk and General Assembly Moderator
(888) 728-7228, x 5424 or (502) 569-5424