WCRC Celebrates Faithful Witness at PC(USA) 227th General Assembly
The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) joined Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) commissioners for their 227th General Assembly, offering prophetic greetings and witnessing historic votes on justice, inclusion, and church unity.
Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, WCRC general secretary, addressed the Assembly with a stark call to prophetic witness in a world of deepening inequality and rising Christian nationalism. Speaking to commissioners gathered in Milwaukee, Peacock named the global crisis of wealth disparity, in which “ordinary families cannot meet the cost of food and rent,” while the world prepares “to crown the first trillionaire” as sin rather than misfortune.
“The church does not exist to bless the pride of any nation,” Peacock declared. “We worship a Lord who was put to death by an empire, and who gathers a people from every nation, tribe and tongue. When faith is made the property of one people, it ceases to be the faith of the crucified and risen Christ.”
Peacock drew on his own experience, shaped by the struggle against caste, to challenge the church to break down walls of exclusion. He said, “The gospel breaks them open. In Christ, there is no longer the included and the excluded, for in Him all are made one.”
Assembly Advances Justice and Inclusion
Commissioners approved several significant measures during the week-long gathering, including GEN-09, which was passed 419-54, directing the church to develop theological, biblical, and ethical frameworks addressing human sexuality, flourishing relationships, family, and gender. The measure incorporates peer-reviewed research from medicine, biology, psychology, and related sciences, and ensures participation by historically marginalized communities.
On constitutional matters, commissioners approved CON-13, an authoritative interpretation affirming that such interpretations are binding on all Presbyterians and governing bodies and passed CON-02 452-11, directing Presbyterian Life & Witness and the PC(USA) A Corporation to develop policies prohibiting nondisclosure covenants in employment relationships
CON-09 strengthened ethical conduct and boundary training, including protection of vulnerable adults. Commissioners approved the amended recommendation 465-1.
More reports and proceedings from the 227th General Assembly are available on the PC(USA) website.
A Moment of Accountability
Following approval of CON-02, the Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of Presbyterian Life & Witness and WCRC executive committee member, offered an unscripted apology for the handling of Presbyterian World Mission’s dissolution. Oh acknowledged that while leaders intended to avoid surprising staff with major decisions, “for many folks, that felt like they were being silenced, and that it felt like folks could not share the pain and the grief of their journey.”
“I know that does not remove the pain that folks have experienced,” Oh said. Moderator the Rev. CeCe Armstrong rose on a point of privilege to lead the Assembly in prayer, asking God to comfort those affected.
A Gift to the Global Communion
Peacock concluded his address by commending the PC(USA) as “a gift to the global communion,” praising its “witness for justice,” its “labour for the unity of the church,” and its “willingness to be reformed and always reforming.”
Peacock said, “The communion is richer because you are part of it. May the Spirit guide your discernment in these days, and may you go from this Assembly renewed in courage and in hope.”
The 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was held June 27–July 2, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Find more on the gathering at pcusa.org
Photo by Jim Deweese from PCUSA Article
