This was a powerful and thought-provoking discussion at the General Assembly. It challenged us to reflect deeply on what it truly means to be inclusive while remaining rooted in our values.
As a church, we affirm that all people—women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of color—are beloved children of God, deserving of love, dignity, and respect. Inclusion means honoring people fully, not just welcoming them in the door, but treating them with compassion and integrity.
However, inclusion is not a license to reject or undermine our shared values. When we welcome individuals or groups—whether into leadership, caucuses, churches, or organizations—we do so with a clear understanding: this is who we are. If our values align, we rejoice in walking together. If they don’t, we can still honor each other, but acknowledge that this may not be the right place for that partnership.
At this General Assembly, after hearing testimony of ongoing disrespect—particularly the harmful treatment of women, often dismissed as "cultural differences"—the body voted not to affirm the Korean Caucus. This was not a rejection of identity, but a decision rooted in protecting the integrity and safety of all members of our church, especially those who have been harmed.
Throughout the discussion, it became clear how often, even in spaces meant for healing, people default to "fixing" or deciding for others what they need. This moment served as a vital reminder that true solidarity begins with being present, listening deeply, and then empowering those who have experienced harm to lead us in what healing and restoration should look like.
Painful Moments in Debate About Adding Korean Caucus
In both the committee and plenary sessions, the deliberation and debate about recognizing the National Caucus of Korean Presbyterian Churches (NCKPC) as one of the official caucuses of the PC(USA) stirred up painful memories for many and caused new pain for others. Several Korean American women teaching elders shared experiences of being dismissed and excluded within NCKPC, their calls to and gifts for ministry unrecognized or even questioned simply because they were women. Male commissioners who were NCKPC members or members of Korean American presbyteries expressed dismay on hearing these stories; they also shared hopes for more official recognition of the presence of Korean American churches in the PC(USA). Others joined in the pain expressed by the Korean American siblings. The General Assembly voted to disapprove the overture without the comment that was recommended by the General Assembly Entity Coordination Committee asking for NCKPC to do research about the mistreatment of “femmes/women identified individuals and report back” to the 227th General Assembly; the Assembly stood by that decision through a motion to reconsider as a way to respond to the pain and hopes expressed throughout the deliberations.