Joan Gray
Encyclopedia
Joan S. Gray was elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
at the 217th General Assembly on June 15, 2006. As Moderator, she served as the presiding officer of the week-long General Assembly meeting in Birmingham, Alabama
, followed by a two-year term as the ambassador-at-large for the denomination. Many criticize Gray for her unavailability to the church when compared to the moderators who came before and after her. Unlike those moderators, Gray did not blog or stay in touch via email. However, she did receive praise for providing a calming presence for congregations in conflict.
Gray is considered an expert on church polity and structure, and is the co-author of Presbyterian
Polity for Church
Officers. She previously served as moderator of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission and a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
’s Advisory Committee on the Constitution. Through five General Assemblies before and after Presbyterian reunion in 1983, she served on the Provisional Constitutional Committee. All of these are very important positions that provided Gray with insight and skill needed to be the moderator of the General Assembly.
Joan Gray was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament
on March 12, 1978. Prior to serving as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Gray served seven churches in the Atlanta
area — Fellowship, Oglethorpe, Columbia, Hemphill, Good Shepherd, Smyrna, and College Park. She has served as Adjunct Faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary
and Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and has taught at Princeton Theological Seminary
.
Gray took a somewhat controversial stance on the issue of gays and lesbians in the church. She said, "I have great respect for gay and lesbian people who want to be accepted for who they are and who want to do the work to which they feel called. But I don’t feel homosexuality is God’s will for creation. It’s uncomfortable feeling that way, but I’m comfortable being uncomfortable until the ‘still small voice’ speaks to my soul and I’m convicted otherwise."
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
at the 217th General Assembly on June 15, 2006. As Moderator, she served as the presiding officer of the week-long General Assembly meeting in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, followed by a two-year term as the ambassador-at-large for the denomination. Many criticize Gray for her unavailability to the church when compared to the moderators who came before and after her. Unlike those moderators, Gray did not blog or stay in touch via email. However, she did receive praise for providing a calming presence for congregations in conflict.
Gray is considered an expert on church polity and structure, and is the co-author of Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
Polity for Church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
Officers. She previously served as moderator of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission and a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
’s Advisory Committee on the Constitution. Through five General Assemblies before and after Presbyterian reunion in 1983, she served on the Provisional Constitutional Committee. All of these are very important positions that provided Gray with insight and skill needed to be the moderator of the General Assembly.
Joan Gray was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Sacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
on March 12, 1978. Prior to serving as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Gray served seven churches in the Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
area — Fellowship, Oglethorpe, Columbia, Hemphill, Good Shepherd, Smyrna, and College Park. She has served as Adjunct Faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary is one of the ten theological institutions affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . It is located in Decatur, Georgia. Dr. Stephen A. Hayner is the seminary's president.-Description:...
and Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and has taught at Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States...
.
Gray took a somewhat controversial stance on the issue of gays and lesbians in the church. She said, "I have great respect for gay and lesbian people who want to be accepted for who they are and who want to do the work to which they feel called. But I don’t feel homosexuality is God’s will for creation. It’s uncomfortable feeling that way, but I’m comfortable being uncomfortable until the ‘still small voice’ speaks to my soul and I’m convicted otherwise."
External links
- http://www.pcusa.org/gamoderator/bio.htm — Official Biography of the Moderator of the PCUSA